rat or restore

[chugga boom]

i have a pretty original s2 appia, very solid as in zero rot just rust. Everyday I drive a boring ford focus back and to and have little driving pleasure , I rarely use my Lancia's as I'm always filthy and don't want to ruin them, please give your opinion on this car, should I put it back in the shed for another 10 yrs (that's how long I've had it!!) until I get time to restore it, should I do a 24hr repaint which is literally a quick buzz down with a sander and repaint, or run "as is" to get it on the road it needs the brakes rebuilding and an exhaust, wheels need painting as they are shot blasted in prima, I have a load of new parts for it ie headlamp rims rear lamps etc, I have the rear bumper and stainless trim etc so can put it to original easily, most of my staff are begging to leave as is as they say its "cool" the way it is, opinions please and I wont be offended

[SanRemo78]

Paint it. Plus fit the grille and rear bumper please!

But I'm betting you couldn't do just that!

Guy

[simonandjuliet]

No brainer ..... doesn't even need an MOT !

Looks very tidy, so run it and see what happens, leave the paint til later (or not)

[DavidLaver]

Grant the staff their wish - and see how it goes... 

My bet is it wouldn't be long until you painted it but why not run it "as is" for a while?

David

[Parisien]

James, if I may say, you're a tad old to be "ratting" a classic.................BUT................

To H3LL with what everyone else thinks.........just do it...........tatty but sound, rough but running......your Appia will be an example to the rest of us. A quick rub down/blow over to keep the old air and water off the metal, tidy up the safe bits...........

Good luck with decision........


P

[chugga boom]

James, if I may say, you're a tad old to be "ratting" a classic.................BUT................

To H3LL with what everyone else thinks.........just do it...........tatty but sound, rough but running......your Appia will be an example to the rest of us. A quick rub down/blow over to keep the old air and water off the metal, tidy up the safe bits...........

Good luck with decision........


P

OLD!!!!!!!!!! I'm 39!!!!!  my basic point is that as your all aware I just don't have the time to do another resto, is it better that its used or stored?? made my decision now anyway thanks to Roger Alias in particular and pretty sure I will put on road "as is " and as and when I feel like it "do a panel" until its done 

[Richard Fridd]

Perhaps run 'as is' with steel wheels?

[chugga boom]

original wheels (3 of) are ready for paint, other 2 are off to blasters in the morning, the wheels on the front are s3 14inch items which are just "runners" the rear wheels in pics are 15inch wheels that were Available to keep it rolling while standard wheels are refurbed , I don't want to wreck it but feel it should be used , always keep looking at it in my dads shed thinking its far too good to just sit there but a bit rough for the road

[Parisien]

James, if I may say, you're a tad old to be "ratting" a classic.................BUT................

To H3LL with what everyone else thinks.........just do it...........tatty but sound, rough but running......your Appia will be an example to the rest of us. A quick rub down/blow over to keep the old air and water off the metal, tidy up the safe bits...........

Good luck with decision........


P

OLD!!!!!!!!!! I'm 39!!!!!  

LOL.....I always associate ratting of classics with guys in their early 20's maybe not able to afford a complete restoration or indeed go against the perceived trends of top to tail "as new" look.

Good luck with it, hope to get a spin in it later in year!


P

[the.cern]

James, I really think that it is not difficult. Do enough to stop the body deteriorating, ie do as little as is necessary to keep moisture out of the car and away from the steel. After that, do enough to make it safe, THEN RUN IT !!!!!!  The car will deteriorate more not being run than being used as a daily driver. Keep the fluids up to level, do not abuse it and just enjoy it !!!!!

                               Andy

[Dilambdaman]

Run it! Everyday!!

We've had the Fulvia S2 Berlina for exactly a year now and can't stop using it, especially with its new MOT which was gained with almost zilch preparation. It gives not only us but the general public so much pleasure.

I think we have become far to precious about the cosmetic appeal of our everyday wheels.

Robin.

[chugga boom]

what appeals to me is that I can just jump in it in "those trousers" and not be bothered , I can leave it in a car park and know it will be there when I get back, if it gets marked it gets marked, thanks for all the comments much appreciated and helped me decide on going ahead and using it 

[fay66]

James, I really think that it is not difficult. Do enough to stop the body deteriorating, ie do as little as is necessary to keep moisture out of the car and away from the steel. After that, do enough to make it safe, THEN RUN IT !!!!!!  The car will deteriorate more not being run than being used as a daily driver. Keep the fluids up to level, do not abuse it and just enjoy it !!!!!

                               Andy

I agree with Andy and everyone else including your lads, run it as is!

Brian
8227

[DavidLaver]

When I first had the Aurelia I ran it looking horrible and it was as nice to drive and as much fun then as later.  I always considered paint to be "maintenance" rather than "once its done it will never have to be done again".  It got painted in instalments as bits of metal were done and a blow over the lot in time for a wedding.  It was in the sort of state where if it got marked I probably wouldn't notice or for that matter remember if it was a "new mark" or an old one.

For you with a choice of other immaculate cars you don't have the issue of "her indoors" not wanting to go out in it.

David

[Parisien]

David, have you got a series of pics to show its ongoing transition?

P