New Federal Stag owner in France

[rolando38]

hello

I have acquired recently my '73 Federal Stag (Auto BW35 and AirCon) and I'm delighted to discover your so passionate and helpful forum; what a gold mine for advice so drastically needed by the home mechanic !
My car is far from being perfect, but I try to improve it day after day (or week end after week end should I say)

So far I have:
. changed the front wheel arm that was broken
. changed the exhaust to stainless steel
. changed rear lights and improved connections: now stop lights work
. changed front seats foams, covers and diaphragms

here's a pic of my beloved one
IMG_1328.jpg

I am unsure of the colour : Emerald blue ? ideas welcome

Next tasks will be:
. pass MoT
. change soft top
. solve reverse lights not working (should I check the famous inhibitor switch first ?)
. change front disks
. change rear shocks (for the front ones, special compression tool needed ?)

And understand where has my heating system been, as nothing happens when I pull the dash knob (and to be honest I have not been able to locate the heater/blower inside the engine bay !)

[Ian Durrant]

Hi Roland(o)?

Lovely to see a Stag being cherished in France. Welcome to Stag ownership and the Club!

The heater matrix and blower are entirely contained behind the dashboard. The dash knob turns the blower on (in two speeds). Its common for it not to work but usually its one of a blown fuse, a loose or dirty contact in the fuse box or a fault in the switch itsself. The stag has an excellent heater and I am sure it will be a simple fix.

Kind regards
Ian

[mallardstag]

The colour looks like it may be mallard

20120617_113936.jpg

[Radenac]

Hi Rolando,

Welcome and whereabouts are you?

Robert

[Westfaling]

Ronaldo
Welcome. The federal A/C equipped cars have two blowers (venilateurs) on either side of the heater box. It's pretty easy to get at them from the foot wells to check them. If they are not working the switch is the most likely cause but check the fuse (fusible) as well. This photo shows their position.
Nick
Fans.jpg

[rolando38]

thanks for your welcome !

mallardstag: there is a shade of green in my paint, which does not seem to be in mallard

Radenac: I'm in Grenoble, french Alps; I located a french forum dedicated to our beloved car : http://aldric.herbert.free.fr/ , and it seems a few members including the creator live in the vicinity; I tried to contact some of them but so far I could'nt meet them

Westfaling: thanks for the advice and picture ; I was more looking in the engine compartment as it is on my other cherished Jaguar Mk2; I'll try to locate it and find the fault

[rolando38]

This morining my Stag successfully passed the Controle Technique (MoT equivalent in France) ! hurrah !
up and running for another 5 years !

[Guest]

I had a go a couple of weeks ago at opening the French site, but although it works, it appears to be dormant. I emailed Herbert, but no reply.

[rolando38]

Yes , the site is dormant, but I have an appointment with Aldric Herbert tomorrow morning as he lives 2 km from my home !

[Westfaling]

Ronaldo
Your MoT is good for 5 years. Wow! We have to get them every 6 months.
Nick

[rolando38]

actually there are 2 possibilities in France:
. either "normal" title => MoT every 2 years
. or "collection" title => MoT valid for 5 years

[jleyton]

This morining my Stag successfully passed the Controle Technique (MoT equivalent in France) ! hurrah !
up and running for another 5 years !

Congratulations - it's a great feeling isn't it ?

And well done pinning down Aldric Herbert, it's always good to have someone who knows Stags nearby. Also, it'd be good if ou signed up as a full member on here and you'll get any and all advice you need.

I love the Grenoble area

Cheers

Julian

[richard w]

Hi Rolando

A belated welcome from me too.

I'm afraid that the only query on your list I can help with is that yes you do need spring compressors in order to change the front shocks.

Good luck and congratulations on getting a 5 year mot!

Richard

[rolando38]

Thanks Nick, Julian and Rich
Julian if you ever come to Grenoble, give me a shout !

[Geoff H]

In France, if the car is more than 30 years old and you register it as a "vehicule de collection", the MOT is every 5 years. If not every 2.
Geoff