Allegro Club International

James · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 71

Hi folks,

Well, call me mad, but I have bought the L-reg 1750 Sport that was recently on eBay... Shocked

I went to see this car last weekend, and although quite tired, it appears remarkably solid, and doesn't look like it has ever been welded.

The carpets are OK and can probably be saved, but it will need new seats (or at least the cloth parts - the vinyl looks OK). The headlining appears OK, the wheels are there, it seems to have most of its original parts including coil and spark plug leads! It looks like it was Ziebarted, hence the horrible black gunk in the engine bay.

It isn't an ultra-early car (VIN number around 11600) but what is interesting is that its Commission Number indicates it's one of the first few hundred E-Series engined cars, and the body number is about 3000 less than the VIN, so must have been hanging around the factory for a month or so before being used.

Going by the stamp on the coil, I reckon it was completed anywhere between mid-April and mid-May 1973. Gaydon haven't yet managed to find its exact build date, as the factory records may be missing some info.

Steve Beard in Essex will be restoring this for me, assuming it's viable - if so, I hope that it'll be completed in time for next year's show season. I’m planning to get it done to the same standard as my Mini and Midget.

Here’s the first of (probably) many questions: does anyone know where the cloth for the seats can be purchased? In the thread on Russell’s 1750SS (search on 1973, then choose “Russell and his Dream 1973 1750SS”, it’s at the bottom of the first page) suggests that the cloth has been remanufactured or is still available.

If anyone can help with this, or can help with the acquisition of bits, or has suggestions, hints, tips, a launch brochure etc etc, that would be great!

James Very Happy

AlexB · Joined: 26 Feb 2009 Posts: 404 Location: Southport

Good work James, will be interesting to see how it progresses. Definately one to keep hold of for the future.

Best of luck with it.

Now lets have some photos Laughing

Cheers,
Alex.
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'When you're travelling economy, go first class'

James · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 71

No problem Alex, as soon as I get some decent pics, I'll post them up...

Steve has had his first look over the car. The body is even better than expected. Sills are original and totally solid. Floors are the same. No rust in either front or back panel. No real rust at the front indicators. Rear edge of each wing will need some work, as will the door bottoms, but all relatively easy. There is masses of Ziebart on the car, and it looks like it has done its job. Quite happy with this! Smile

Even more astonishing, the car has been started - on 20 year old petrol! Shocked

!! First indications are that although having done 70,000 miles, the engine and box will not need to be rebuilt.

The headlining is OK, but as expected, the cloth on all the seats has had it. Annoyingly, so has the vinyl on the front seats, and the front parts of the carpet can't be saved. Pity, but I would rather have this than poor bodywork...

Overall, I'm pretty happy. As per my last post, does anyone know where the seat material can be obtained?? Very Happy

James

George · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 9:34 am Post subject:

James

YOu can still get the cloth for the front seats from Newton Commercail who specialise in BL trim supplies.

Both Colin Corke and I bought quantities of the stuff in Ochre for our SS rebuilds, Colins now being finished, mine a work in progress.

A Google search for the company will find them on t'internet.

George
_________________
Former Spares Guru and Chairman....
Others say he is just an anorak......
Number of Allegro's 12.
Number of Allegro's with an MOT 1.

James · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 71

Unfortunately, the timetable for restoration of my 1973 Sport has been somewhat "put back" but I'm hoping to have work starting in Q1 next year and have it comepleted in time for the 40th anniversary show season Very Happy

Meanwhile, am slowly collecting bits I know I'll need, including the cloth for the seats - am in contact with Newton, who hopefully will still have the correct stuff available....

So far, I know I'll need the following - can anyone help?

(i) Wooden effect gear know - for some reason, mine lost its original

(ii) a blanking plate for an early radio housing.

(iii) Series 1 seats in Navy. Actually, if anyone has a scrap Series 1 seat with the correct colour that would be better. Amazingly, the vinyl in my car has survived almost all intact, and I only need to replace one part of the drivers seat. So as long as a seat ahs a reasonable expanse of vinyl without rips, that would be good.

Greatful for any help!!

J.