So here it is:
Bert bought it, basically to save it. At the price it went for it would have been bought by some test pilot who would have thrashed it until it was dead and then scrapped it, and we can't have that
The conclusion is 'needs TLC but definitely saveable'
Someone has attempted to recommission it but realised they are in over their heads and bailed, so lots of trim is removed and things have been tinkered with, but underneath that is a good solid car. The front wing and bumper are a mess, but its all original paint other than that which is great. A replacement wing and bumper and a day or two on the DA will have it looking lovely. The one thing the ebay seller was right about is that the interior doesn't look like it has 170K on it - that will also clean up very nicely.
One bonus is that it does appear to have had a gearbox refurb at some point as the box has been blasted and painted. There's no paperwork with it so I might call the usual suspects and see if they have any record of the registration number.
Scratch on the bumper:
Damage to the wing:
Someone was a bit vigorous with the ECU box lid so I have already replaced that. It has suffered water ingress to the ECUs of course, as they all do when laid up.
The ESP unit has been replaced but not coded which is the reason for the ABS lights so hopefully that will be simple to fix. Here's the old one on the back seat!
Not sure why the driver's door card has been been fiddled with, but the red inserts are all in pretty good condition
Both foglight grilles! One of which is fairly new
'needs an AC regas'
Yeah. Needs a new condenser as I suspected!
The timing belt is in good order and the tensioners are all good so it hasn't done many miles since this was done. We'll fit a new kit anyway of course
The spare wheel has not fared too well
The 'Le Mans' wheels I think are replicas - 20x9, ET35 with 66.6 centre bore. I can't find any OE wheels with that spec. They are quite chunky!
These will be replaced with a proper set of FE wheels
The plan for it is to recommission it properly, run about in it for a bit to iron out any niggles, then it will be up for sale
