Midas Gold Coupe for sale, restoration project

[DavidL]

My 1989 Mk 3 coupe needs a new owner with more spare time than I have.
I have had it for several years, during which time it has been on a ramp for all but a few months. It's currently without its rear subframe and would need to be taken away on a trailer or in a largeish van.
I bought it with a valid MoT and transferred road tax, and drove it for a few weeks. I was irritated by the very sloppy gearchange, which was the instigation of its time on the ramp. I repaired the gearchange, but thought I'd spend a fews days sorting out the exhaust which was not original and poorly routed, and try and raise the ride height.

A previous owner had grafted on a plastic/GRP/filler spoiler lip behind the rear window (which I've removed) and sprayed a layer of black paint (which I've removed parts of) over the faded black gelcoat rather than attempting to polish it back to a shine. I've been working on the front left wing to try and restore the original gelcoat finish but a lot more work is required.

The wiring loom will need attention too, I tried to resolder a failed Lucar connector at the tail light end but the wire wouldn't take solder.
To cut a long story short, I decided that it needed work done almost everywhere.

I haven't done much of it due to too many other more important things, and probably never will, and I'd rather let someone else take on the job. However, I have put quite a bit of money into the car and I'd like to recover as much as I can - I'm far from rich and have an upcoming mortgage to pay off!

The car owes me in the region of £1500 - £1700, I didn't take notes. I don't expect to get it all back and I'm happy to consider any offer.

As it stands, the engine and front subframe are fitted. It's an A+ and reportedly overbored from 1275cc to 1340cc, althought the V5 hasn't been altered to reflect the actual capacity. It was running well but hasn't run in over 5 years. The coolant was drained to fit a new radiator which is included but not fitted. According to the DVLA the car had registered 117141 miles at its last MoT which was in 2011.

The previous rusty rear subframe has been removed and there's another one in good condition to be fitted. It's still in its Metro configuration and still has Hydragas units installed - there were coilovers fitted to the car but they appear to be too short to allow more ride height. The original bottom shock absorber brackets were unfit to use again but there are two new ones included. Hedging my bets, I bought a pair of the alternative longer rear axle spindles designed and made by Alan Donowho. I also have a brand new and unused Liquid Levers Hydragas pump still in its box. The front Hydragas spheres fitted look in very poor condition. There's also a spare front subframe, appears to be in good condition.

The car has a sunroof fitted.

The instrument pod has been removed. I have several - it came with a Rover 213 pod but I planned to fit a Metro Mk 3 dash with a 3 speed fan and more accurate fuel gauge. There is a late Metro instrument pod, as well as the dash panel supplied by Alistair to take this.

There's a new fuel tank to be fitted as the existing one is a bit rusty. Not sure which version of Metro it's for, but it appears to have a fuel return pipe as well as supply and vent pipes. There's also a kit of Frost supplies to proof the tank internally.

It has a newish LCB steel manifold (fitted) plus a complete stainless steel exhaust system (partially fitted).

There are two sets of alloy wheels, the Revolutions shown on the front wheels plus a set of MG Metro wheels in white, which would need to be refurbished.

Other parts included are a spare steering rack (new), spare camshaft (can't remember what it is), a pair of new Range Rover side indicator repeaters (not fitted), and front and rear undertrays (poor condition, and the rear has some parts of the rear edge cut away (reason unknown). One Mazda MX5 seat (had two but one suffered weather damage and is missing) in beige leather. Pair of NEW Vauxhall Cavalier rear light units (originals had been badly tinted). New front discs and a set of pads, still in original packaging, used but believed good replacement master cylinder. I think there's a set of new rear brake shoes too. Replacement steering wheel which I had on my Mk 2 in the 1980s (white leather, don't ask, but could be dyed). Spare HIF44 carburettor.

There is a heated windscreen which came from Alan Donowho, but it isn't fitted (nothing wrong with the existing one except it's not heated).

The soundproofing had mostly disintegrated and has been discarded. The carpets are not reusable.

The nosecone is in poor condition and needs remedial GRP work. The rear bumper is not perfect but serviceable. In an admittedly optimistic mood shortly after I bought the car, I had a new pair of number plates made which have never been fitted. New rear number plate lamps have been fitted.

RH rear vent cover (just ahead of the rear light unit) has fallen off but is present. The two rear subframe covers are not fitted but are present.

The battery is included but probably only useful as a pattern for a new one.

I think that covers most of it.

[DavidL]

After careful consideration I think I might be better advertising the car on its own, so...

Midas Gold Mk 3 coupe in need of restoration.
Last MoT mileage was 117,000 miles. It's an A+ 1275 overbored to 1340 I believe, although the capacity change hasn't been documented. Has not run for several years. Most parts are present but some have been removed and their replacements not yet fitted. These include good condition rear subframe, new radiator, complete stainless exhaust system. There is a brand new pair of front discs and pads, and I think there's a new set of rear brake shoes.
The car is originally black although a previous owner has painted it black, rather than polishing the gel coat. I've started to polish it back to the gel coat but it will take more time than I can spare.

I'd like to get as near to £1100 as I can but am willing to negotiate, as I soon won't have the space to keep it.

[DavidL]

I've had little time to do anything about this, but I have had an offer for the car, considerably below what I think the car is worth.
However, I have to acknowledge that I'm not going to get what I want for it, so if anyone else is interested, I'm now lookine for £750 or anything close to that.
For anyone just looking for parts, this includes an almost new LCB (mild steel), flexy joint, and the complete system after that is stainless. The stainless sections on their own have never seen exhaust gas and together cost me about £400, IIRC.

Last chance!

[manifold]

Hello David. Do you still have the longer shocker shafts spindles from Alan D? Im after a rear subframe in good condition with radius arms, coilover shocker brackets (or the longer shafts).

[Pinger]

I've had little time to do anything about this, but I have had an offer for the car, considerably below what I think the car is worth.
However, I have to acknowledge that I'm not going to get what I want for it, so if anyone else is interested, I'm now lookine for £750 or anything close to that.
For anyone just looking for parts, this includes an almost new LCB (mild steel), flexy joint, and the complete system after that is stainless. The stainless sections on their own have never seen exhaust gas and together cost me about £400, IIRC.

Last chance!

Still available?

[Pinger]

I've had little time to do anything about this, but I have had an offer for the car, considerably below what I think the car is worth.
However, I have to acknowledge that I'm not going to get what I want for it, so if anyone else is interested, I'm now lookine for £750 or anything close to that.
For anyone just looking for parts, this includes an almost new LCB (mild steel), flexy joint, and the complete system after that is stainless. The stainless sections on their own have never seen exhaust gas and together cost me about £400, IIRC.

Last chance!

Still available?

[Pinger]

Is this still available?

[Rich]

Is this still available?

It might be worth dropping David a private message, he hasn't logged in since before you first asked.

[manifold]

Ive popped an email for pinger to David.

[DavidL]

Yes, the car's still available.
I have more photos of the engine bay and interior, but can't remember how to post them here.