1978 Stag restoration

[JOHNS]

Let me be the first to post.
After many years of Stag ownership I finally got round to joining the SOC. I own a 1978 Stag, TES 222S, which I bought from a local Leyland dealer in 1979 with 6000 miles on the clock. It was the MD's car. I took it of the road in 1987 as I was working overseas and had too many cars and it has remained off the road since. I have every bill and receipt for it since I bought it. It has only ever been worked on by one superb mechanic. I changed the engine for an HRS engine in 1984 due to big end failure.
As I am approaching retirement age the time has come to carry out restoration work. I took it out the garage where it has been since 1987 and I actually had to cut off the padlock and hinges as they were rusted solid. My plan is to strip the car and then deliver the shell to EJ Ward in the New Year. I have already bought many replacement panels from members of the SOC which has saved me some money.
The attached photographs will show you the perils of storing cars without adequate preservation.

STAG 1.jpgSTAG 2.jpgSTAG 3.jpgSTAG 4.jpgSTAG 5.jpg

[jasper]

Ouch that looks like the storage has caused a lot of damage
But it will be in good hands at Wards
John

[mjheathcote]

Have EJ Wards seen the car and quoted you a price?
It is in very poor condition if you don't mind me saying from the limited photographs, and the cost to restore will be 10's of thousands without a doubt.
Taking the sentimental long term ownership to one side, you would certainly be financially better buying one completed.
Saying that, as you are stripping the car yourself to a bare shell, you can assess the amount of work once stripped, before commitment to body repairs.

[JOHNS]

Have EJ Wards seen the car and quoted you a price?
It is in very poor condition if you don't mind me saying from the limited photographs, and the cost to restore will be 10's of thousands without a doubt.
Taking the sentimental long term ownership to one side, you would certainly be financially better buying one completed.
Saying that, as you are stripping the car yourself to a bare shell, you can assess the amount of work once stripped, before commitment to body repairs.

Faint heart never won fair lady.
What you say is true Mike. This is purely a sentimental exercise. I do have budget figures for the work at Wards. I have budgeted for complete front end rebuild with all new panels which I already have, new door skins and repair panels, new sills, new rear wing and bare metal respray.

[Russelmj]

hello. I'm waiting for my account to be activated, so at the moment I cannot post, and I need some help.

I actually just want to trace the history of a car I am purchasing, the previous owner was a member of this club. The reg is vpa 866m.

Also this is my first stag and I'm trying to find a local garage who can maintain it, I live in Bromley, Kent.

Sorry to hijack you but you were the first user to pop up.

Best rgds
Mark

[jbuckl]

On the up side, the rear bumper looks like its almost new (from a specialist supplier near Lincoln.... rhymes with rimmers)

[JOHNS]

On the up side, the rear bumper looks like its almost new (from a specialist supplier near Lincoln.... rhymes with rimmers)

Good observation. The rear bumper is not original. My wife had an altercation around 1984 with a young policeman in a panda car who ran into the back of our car. Only damage was the bumper and the replacement is as you see it now.

[jbuckl]

Guess how I know?

Someone ran into my bumper too.

Got a shonky replacement from Lincoln. spoke to Bill R. about it....really couldn't care less.

Also heard about an RB sourced front bumper, for a crash repair...... the customer phoned up the repairer laughing when he got home.....laughing because the chrome blew off in the wind, on the way home ! (story came from near by bruntingthorpe as i recall

Good observation. The rear bumper is not original. My wife had an altercation around 1984 with a young policeman in a panda car who ran into the back of our car. Only damage was the bumper and the replacement is as you see it now.

[JOHNS]

Finally got round to starting my project as work commitments went on until June this year. Workshop complete and lift installed. Strip down in progress with body booked into body shop mid September. Although the external panels are well shot the floor, chassis members and inner wings are in remarkable condition. The car was Dinitrol treated when new and it has certainly done the job. Major headache is that the engine has seized and despite all my efforts with diesel etc it refuses to budge. It's a shame as this engine was a rebuild by Tony Hart in 1985 and it only did 10,000 miles before the car was laid up.


IMG_1399.JPG

[JOHNS]

Phase 2 of my rebuild starting. Finally finished stripping my car to a bare shell. Today we shipped it to the body shop for external panel removal then blasting. I have waited 30 years for this day.

IMG_1462.JPG

[StagJonno]

Good luck on your epic voyage. Will watch with interest.

Jonno

[JOHNS]

One thing for sure is that on the re- assembly I won't have to put up with all the crud and s**t I had to during the stripping. Mind you oil leaks are great for rust proofing. Electrics are my biggest concern. Currently stripping suspension and steering components for bush replacement and powder coating

[jagorstag]

Good luck and enjoy the process! Look forward to reading your build story.

[joel h]

hi john i am up to speed with you now and will folliw your journey with interest.
joel.

[samp5679]

Would you consider selling the reg plate ?????
Kind regards
Simon