Hi All,
Though I would start a thread to detail my renovation of my new Stag, "Colonel Mustard".
Some background....
In the past I have had a range of old cars including a 1500 spit, Lotus Elan +2S130, TR6 (which I still own), MG midget (which I also still own), Triumph 2500TC which I sold to buy a RV8 engined Stag (Colonel Mustard, because of the colour!).
I have generally done all my own restoration work appart from Diff and gearbox rebuilds (too many parts) and resprays.
Both the Spit and Elan (see picture) were restored to original spec, the spit required a body-off restoration.
DSCN0216.JPG
The Midget was bought as a £150 "ready for the crusher" project. 1000 hours of work and I ended up with a fairly heavily modified car running a modern 1.8 Rover K series on fuel injectio with a ford type 9 5 speed gearbox
20180217_151032.jpg
The TR6 was bought as a "just running" car and I completed a body off with a new chassis etc. Engine slightly modified to replace the Lucas PI with a Holley and supercharger
20180930_165831.jpg
Now all are finished or sold on I need a new project. I had experience of driving a Stag through Simon Long who posts here sometimes. Together we have taken his Stag to Classic LeMans a few times and done 1 1/2 RBRRs in it so I knew they are quite some vehicles. I was really impressed with the interior finish (much better than the TR and on a par with the Lotus), the ride and the grunt they have. I also now have the need to have a classic that my wife and I can use for adventures (the TR is too heavy and uncomfortable and the midget, which she likes a lot is too small for long distances where you need more than a toothbrush!). So after selling the Saloon (see below, incredibly original two owner car) which was bought and refreshed for my uncle to do the 2021 RBRR with his sons, I went hunting for a Stag.
2020-06-28 12.41.36.jpg
Now, I had the type of car I wanted in mind. I didn't want a trailer queen as I wanted something with some work that needed doing and that I would not mind using. I wasn't fussy about colour. I was interested in an RV8 car. I know this is controversial but I was interested in some mild modification (e.g. adding EFI and perhaps uping the power a little) and have always been interested in the venerable RV8. This is not to say that I might not revert to a TV8 down the line. I was also interested in the lower price for the RV8 versions as my pockets were not infinitly deep. I also wanted a lower rust car. I can weld and have done extensive bodywork, but it is not my favourite thing. Anyhow.. after rather less waiting than expected one came up on Fleabay in Sutton Coldfield (which happens to be only 40 mins from home.)
stag first picture.jpg
I had a good look around the car. It had only done about 3000 miles since the late 90s and seemed to have been garaged for most of that time with regular MOTs. The paint was OK and had clearly had a respray probably about the same time as the RV8 was fitted. Feeling around underneath the all felt good. Sills were clean (could be welded over crap sills so we will see!), floors were intact as was what I could see of the boot floor. The passengers side outrigger was a bit mashed from jacking but replaved one of these on the saloon so not too much work here. The engine started well and ran smooth up to temp. Ineterior was tired but reasonably original. Would need some new seat foams and the dash reconing but these are nice winter projects. Only things that were a concern was no oil pressure light.. I went for a drive and it ran very smoothly, the gearbox was good and OD worked well. The engine gave good power, but the diff whined like a torture cat..
Anyhow I went away and had a good think and then made an offer which was accepted.
I picked the car up and drove it home the next weekend. On the 40 minute drive (which included the M42) the car felt strong (if whiney). There was a bit of rear end twitch at the extremes of power application, but I thought as I was going to replace the diff I may as well also do the rear suspension..
Overall I was happy with my purchase.. and now the real fun begins..
Tim
Though I would start a thread to detail my renovation of my new Stag, "Colonel Mustard".
Some background....
In the past I have had a range of old cars including a 1500 spit, Lotus Elan +2S130, TR6 (which I still own), MG midget (which I also still own), Triumph 2500TC which I sold to buy a RV8 engined Stag (Colonel Mustard, because of the colour!).
I have generally done all my own restoration work appart from Diff and gearbox rebuilds (too many parts) and resprays.
Both the Spit and Elan (see picture) were restored to original spec, the spit required a body-off restoration.
DSCN0216.JPG
The Midget was bought as a £150 "ready for the crusher" project. 1000 hours of work and I ended up with a fairly heavily modified car running a modern 1.8 Rover K series on fuel injectio with a ford type 9 5 speed gearbox
20180217_151032.jpg
The TR6 was bought as a "just running" car and I completed a body off with a new chassis etc. Engine slightly modified to replace the Lucas PI with a Holley and supercharger
20180930_165831.jpg
Now all are finished or sold on I need a new project. I had experience of driving a Stag through Simon Long who posts here sometimes. Together we have taken his Stag to Classic LeMans a few times and done 1 1/2 RBRRs in it so I knew they are quite some vehicles. I was really impressed with the interior finish (much better than the TR and on a par with the Lotus), the ride and the grunt they have. I also now have the need to have a classic that my wife and I can use for adventures (the TR is too heavy and uncomfortable and the midget, which she likes a lot is too small for long distances where you need more than a toothbrush!). So after selling the Saloon (see below, incredibly original two owner car) which was bought and refreshed for my uncle to do the 2021 RBRR with his sons, I went hunting for a Stag.
2020-06-28 12.41.36.jpg
Now, I had the type of car I wanted in mind. I didn't want a trailer queen as I wanted something with some work that needed doing and that I would not mind using. I wasn't fussy about colour. I was interested in an RV8 car. I know this is controversial but I was interested in some mild modification (e.g. adding EFI and perhaps uping the power a little) and have always been interested in the venerable RV8. This is not to say that I might not revert to a TV8 down the line. I was also interested in the lower price for the RV8 versions as my pockets were not infinitly deep. I also wanted a lower rust car. I can weld and have done extensive bodywork, but it is not my favourite thing. Anyhow.. after rather less waiting than expected one came up on Fleabay in Sutton Coldfield (which happens to be only 40 mins from home.)
stag first picture.jpg
I had a good look around the car. It had only done about 3000 miles since the late 90s and seemed to have been garaged for most of that time with regular MOTs. The paint was OK and had clearly had a respray probably about the same time as the RV8 was fitted. Feeling around underneath the all felt good. Sills were clean (could be welded over crap sills so we will see!), floors were intact as was what I could see of the boot floor. The passengers side outrigger was a bit mashed from jacking but replaved one of these on the saloon so not too much work here. The engine started well and ran smooth up to temp. Ineterior was tired but reasonably original. Would need some new seat foams and the dash reconing but these are nice winter projects. Only things that were a concern was no oil pressure light.. I went for a drive and it ran very smoothly, the gearbox was good and OD worked well. The engine gave good power, but the diff whined like a torture cat..
Anyhow I went away and had a good think and then made an offer which was accepted.
I picked the car up and drove it home the next weekend. On the 40 minute drive (which included the M42) the car felt strong (if whiney). There was a bit of rear end twitch at the extremes of power application, but I thought as I was going to replace the diff I may as well also do the rear suspension..
Overall I was happy with my purchase.. and now the real fun begins..
Tim
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