How to put an classic back on the road?

Nissan doctor

Basically my father had a 1970 cortina 1600e when I was a kid which he bought from my granfather in '81. I have recently found the actual car in a bad state and have been told I could have it if I wanted but it has no logbook and the original plates are gone too, there may still be a chassis plate on it but can I get it back on the road with its original reg etc or how does it work?

superfly35

I would say it will be easy enough, if you know the original plate number.
Assuming you have the car, I would just start by going to the road tax office and ask for a replacement log book.
Then do a transfer of ownership and get a set of plate.

After how could you be sure the car you are getting will be the right one, I suppose the name of the actual keeper would be the same as the log book one.

carchaeologist

Do you know the original registration number? You will need that to try and get a replacement book. Otherwise they will try and allocate you a ZV age related plate. You will also need to know who the car was last registered to.

Nissan doctor

superfly35 wrote: »

I would say it will be easy enough, if you know the original plate number.
Assuming you have the car, I would just start by going to the road tax office and ask for a replacement log book.
Then do a transfer of ownership and get a set of plate.

After how could you be sure the car you are getting will be the right one, I suppose the name of the actual keeper would be the same as the log book one.

Cheers, I have several pictures of the car from years ago so I know the reg alright.

Its definatly the same car alright as the guy who has it now is the same guy my father sold it to and it still has a window sticker on the rear window thats in my old photos:)

superfly35

It will be very easy then, you can get the car, and sort out the paper in about 1 day.
Go for it, and enjoy the restoration!!

unkel

I'm expecting a picture thread on here about the restoration!

Best of luck with it

_Conrad_

You need to call a motor tax office and check if that reg still exists and also if it's been taxed recently, as sine the taxbook and plates are gone they could well have been used on an imported one from the UK, there are SO many classic cars in this country on plates that don't belong to them.

corktina

can you scan in your photos?

ps genuine irish spec 1600Es are somewhat rare so it may be worthwhile restoring it. Id say there are only two or three on the road at the moment. (they are a different spec to UK ones)

Nissan doctor

I'll scan a couple of my old pics later and I'll upload the ones of it in it current state.

I'm not sure about a restoration thread as I can see it being many years before it would be back on the road.:(

ianobrien

Suddenly I'm thinking that a SR20 motor might find itself between the inner wings.

Good luck with it, and the SR20 has found it's way into old Fords before.....

Muckie

Hope you can manage to get it up and running, i'm actually at the same thing too myself with my Dad. MK 2 64 Cortina i've a V4 engine fitted in it(mad i know, but hey :pac:)

Here's a pic


If your ever stuck for a few bits drop us a line, we might have the parts.

corktina

must be a 66 or a 67 as thats when the series one mk2s were around.

You do know that a v6 essex would drop in there instead of the rather puny V4 (a 1600GT crossflow would probably push out more umph) same mounts I beieve.

Muckie

corktina wrote: »

must be a 66 or a 67 as thats when the series one mk2s were around.

You do know that a v6 essex would drop in there instead of the rather puny V4 (a 1600GT crossflow would probably push out more umph) same mounts I beieve.

Ooops my mistake its a 67 alrite, always get mixed up with dates, the father has a Mk 1, so get muddled when i mention it! We had to change the sub-frame, lucky enough we had a spare Corsair one. Engine only had 60,000 miles when we got it, also only engine available for us too, so what the hell, if a V6 turned up it'd put that in, until then.

Dads Cortina

Nissan doctor

Ok here is a couple of pics as requested.

I've only got one of the original pics here, the rest are in my mothers house.





And perhaps 25 years after the above pic, here she is now...:(

corktina

Judging by the steering wheel, she an Irish Spec E:)

Certainly rare, but rusty in all the usual places by the looks. IMHO well worth restoring but you'll need deep pockets.

Muckie

Nice photos. Looked great in its day, love the reg plate too.

It'll take a bit of work, hope fully the sill and mounts aren't too far gone either.

Hope you can manage to restore it to its former glory, not that many Irish cars on the roads. Good luck.

DaveCol

Doesn't look too bad, worth restoring especially since it survived this long

corktina

can we have a picture under the bonnet?

Nissan doctor

corktina wrote: »

can we have a picture under the bonnet?

I haven't got one, we couldn't get then bonnet open although we didn't try too long.

The rear shocks have gone up through the floor so I'm still unsure if I'll take it on.

The car is very sentimental for me but if I have to replace every part of it then it won't be the same car anyway so I'm not sure what to do.:(

corktina

well, dont force the bonnet open unless its very rotten.One of the most difficult parts to replace. It does look to me as if its rotten in all the usual places so it probably definately will cost more to restore than it will be worth, if its sentiumantal though, may be worth it to you. What bits look OK to you?

Muckie

Been such a sentimental car for you(i know what thats like ).

Mad as it sounds maybe a donor car might be required,for parts specially if yours
is rusted underneath and if the doors or wings need changing.

If you have the room, strip and box what you want to keep and de-rust,
make a fine winter project out of it. Maybe have it back on the road for next year.

corktina

you'll be hard pushed to find a donor with decent wings... they are another sought after dear part.Expect to pay around £100 sterling for used wings and swap your pension and first born for new ones. Chrome work sought after too.

Muckie

Maybe try this chap

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/2437444

Haggle up a storm, body looks pretty good, what you don't use or need
sell on. Even come with second hand wings. Keep your Grand dads car on the road

corktina

Muckie wrote: »

Maybe try this chap

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/2437444

Haggle up a storm, body looks pretty good, what you don't use or need
sell on. Even come with second hand wings. Keep your Grand dads car on the road

that one looks excellent and shouldnt be used for parts. Its not as desirable but looks great.