My Sprint Rebuild.

[ricky ricardo]

Hey my first thread here Here's my current state of progress with 84 Sud based Sprint. It's not a restoration, that's an over used word in my opinion. I'm just doing what needs to be done to get this car back on the road looking reasonable and reliable.
I've had this car for 15+ years well covered for the day I was going to fix it up, that day was around a year ago. It had a bit of an accident at the front by the original owner who must have loved it but during my time fixing it have found some sad mechanical work done to it.
I have been slow with this car and my 33, I actually started work on it to stop me going mad while not being in employment from a spinal fusion so i've really been pushing my limits with this "no violin playing thanks"

Actually I with show a shot just after pulling her out of storage.


and now though I have got the grill and lights on but no pictures yet.

[Johnboy]

Hi Ricky

The sprints looking good ! Like the colour too , those tires look the part . Are they semi track ?

[ricky ricardo]

G,day John silver is a great classic colour it did drive me bonkers spraying it in our hot weather though, I had problems with it mottling. Those tyres are Achilles 123, not sold as a proper semi slick, apparently there popular with drift racers. On my 33 they would touch the rear guards if there was a dip in the road being a very square tyre.

[Johnboy]

Ha ha
Sounds like it was drying to quick! Well it looks great now you need to buy an arch roller, then they would fit nicely great looking tires tho! We get Similar looking tires over here too. But there not cheap....

[ricky ricardo]

Yeah I need to roll the guards on the 33. I've got a plan stuck in my head for that car in the future.
I'll put some more front end pictures up, some may have been seen before. I've been really lucky, I always seem to have the parts I need for this car and what I didn't have I got in one hit from a self serve auto wrecker.
I found a 86 Sprint being dismantled with a straight almost rust free bonnet a new looking carpet, exhaust headers, centre console and many nuts and bolts all for $50.

Not pretty is it! I have a statutory written off 86 Sprint for parts at home so cut the front off sending that and the car to a crash repairer. The passenger side inner guard, the front frame for the headlights and radiator and valance was unstiched from the chassis rail and the new section spot welded on.
The end result is near perfect. Every way I measure it it's within 2mm or less.

[ricky ricardo]

I'm not sure how people upload small images that we can click on to enlarge ?

Some shots from doing the engine bay. All the crash repairer did was spot weld and replace, spot weld and straighten the front. I wanted to do as much as I can myself.



There was only minor surface rust to deal with. I was cleaned and treated well. I cleaned it better than the next shots actually

[ricky ricardo]

And finishing the engine area.

[ricky ricardo]

Also the bonnet. I had to find all the rust so went back to bare metal. There's some reproduction decals and there's some more in the post.

[Johnboy]

Great work man but result on the prise of the parts!! As for the photos I just upload from my iPhone so pass
I'm sure shrew will know
Like the new bonnet decals looks very factory

[ricky ricardo]

That Sprint at the auto wreckers was crushed after I took the parts. I thought I would be looking at 3 or 400 just for a bonnet elsewhere.

[Sud 145]

Decals I've seen on ebay but a brand new header tank bet that took some finding?

[ricky ricardo]

Decals I've seen on ebay but a brand new header tank bet that took some finding?

I think the header tank is a very good reproduction. I can never find it doing a specific search but have seen them searching for unrelated items. There from Spain or Greece can't remember ?

[ricky ricardo]

The wheels I'm using are Simmons V4's, in restored condition there worth a lot of money and the must have wheels for retro cars here.

There 3 piece wheels I took apart and sprayed in Metallic Gun Metal.

[Johnboy]

Nice wheels Ricky ,top job on them

[ricky ricardo]

The engine was pulled apart and nothing left untouched, parts either rebuilt or replaced including the gearbox. I looks great, much better than the rats nests from storage.





I installed the engine and gearbox with the calipers backwards Would you believe I undid the handbrake cable then removed the calipers then put them back on the right way and the cable with the engine left in the car. I put Green Stuff pads in.

[ricky ricardo]

If this thread looks just like a pictorial, it is. That's why it's in the gallery, the cars almost finished except for some minor details.
The under body was like the engine, nothing untouched replaced or rebuilt.

King springs fitted and Koni shocks all round.

[Johnboy]

Keep the photos coming, the guys on here love them . Can't beat a bit if boxer porn

[lee16v]

That is one great looking car. I love sprints.

Top work going on there too. Further than I would go 'just to get it back on the road'. You're in danger of restoration......

[Spacenut]

Love the green engine block and calipers

One question - did you use special caliper paint, or the same stuff you used on the engine? VHT stuff maybe?

Rebuild looks superb!

Lauren

[ricky ricardo]

Can't beat a bit if boxer porn

I could look at that from another angle but not on a forum.

[ricky ricardo]

That is one great looking car. I love sprints.

Top work going on there too. Further than I would go 'just to get it back on the road'. You're in danger of restoration......

In my eye's a resto starts from a shell and a full respray, mine still wears 80% original paint with the odd stone chip. There's 2 small bits of rust I still have to fix too.

[ricky ricardo]

Love the green engine block and calipers

One question - did you use special caliper paint, or the same stuff you used on the engine? VHT stuff maybe?

Rebuild looks superb!

Lauren

Yes the same stuff as the engine in Kermit Green. I couldn't find caliper paint in any green but I did sand blast them before rebuilding them, then I cleaned them with thinners before painting. I'm not sure how well it'll hold up but I've given it a fighting chance.

[ricky ricardo]

I'm running out of pictures unless I go back to jobs I've already done. I've had the rusty battery holder soaking in brown vinegar, it might be ready for painting tomorrow and some other job. I'll leave you with these for a few days.

[ricky ricardo]

Well it's almost ready for registration and there's only minor details to finish. I just want to sand blast the windscreen wipers and repaint then when I can drive it get the air con regased and get the carbs tuned, it doesn't feel to crisp but it hasn't been run on the road in almost 20 years so a good run on the highway would do it a world of good.
Man I can't wait for a long drive!!!!!!!!!!!!



Recaros feel great, I've set the driving position and controls up just for me.

[ricky ricardo]

After I get it registered the mods will start. At the very least it will need an identity check that means the engine number and chassis number will be looked at.
We don't have mots here so when registered I'm free to do what I like to the car with no more checks.

[Alfasixnut]

Nice Sprint! Well done.

[Sud 145]

Strewth that looks Triffik. Why not get a mate to onboard video your first drive,that would be great.

[Johnboy]

G'day Ricky

Sweet sprint chap love it , and agree the recaro's are very comfortable yes get a video of the maiden voyage

[PETROLHEAD]

OH Mate



that
is
stunning!


Loving the detail on the components as much as the bigger panel parts etc, beautiful!

A credit to your work and dedication,and inspiring to us all.

A HUGE well done!

[Fetta GTV]

That looks amazing, love your work.
Come for a drive to sunny Merimbula on the far south coast of NSW when you get it registered