Brad's 1999 820 Sterling Coupe (Manual) in Bolero Red

[Very Tall Brad]

This car needs a good polish and a wax.

Four new wheels fitted and everything works apart from a slightly wonky window switch.

[Richard C]

hmm I like that

[Alex SBY]

Very smart. Bolero with the cream/burgundy just looks so right.

[Thomas J]

Oh my thats lovely

[BlueRover]

I think the matching carpet and seat piping looks the dog's bollocks, the blue being my fave but that just means I like the burgundy and green very slightly less.

I see you are missing the high level brake light cover

[Very Tall Brad]

If I keep this, I shall swap out the red carpet for dark grey. I really don't like the colour coded carpets at all.

[stanker]

If I keep this, I shall swap out the red carpet for dark grey. I really don't like the colour coded carpets at all.

If the carpet and overmats are good enough to keep, can you keep them for me please and I'll try and pick them up and pay for them sometime in October.

Regards

Ian

[Very Tall Brad]

Now gleaming, polished and waxed.

Pictures once the sun is up!

[Very Tall Brad]

[Richard C]

That has come up rather nicely, it was good looking before but a bit of elbow grease has put it into another league

[Very Tall Brad]

Thanks. I did it whilst you lot were sleeping.

I have also steam cleaned the arches and most of the engine bay. The rear arches are rustprotected using new (Asda) engine oil. The locks, hinges and anything else that moves is greased and lubricated. The fuel filler pipe was replaced a few years ago and that has been well greased up, too.

I have an annoying squeak when I depress the clutch pedal. It is coming from where the pedal pivots. I have sprayed it with all sorts of stuff but it still squeaks. The action is smooth. Any ideas?

Tonight, I shall work on the interior - clean and feed seats, wash the carpet mats, fit the radio better than it sits at the moment (I think it needs a new carrier) and replace the glovebox lock mechanism as it is a bit 'loose'.

The scuttle shows signs of a poor repair so that will be swapped over today, too. The wipers blades are from Noah's Ark so these are new, too. One washer jet waters the lavender in the garden rather than the 'screen so that needs adjusting.

The boot and interior stay 100% dry and have been thoroughly tested by being left ou in a few storms and thoroughly jet washed yesterday. Bone dry.

One to keep? Possibly. My only gripe is that I find the manuals difficult to drive longer distances. My legs are so long, I sit a bit spread eagled and there is little room to move my left one up and down to use the clutch. Pins and needles are normal on a long trip.

Overall, one of the better assembled Coupes that I have had.

[Richard Moss]

That's lovely. Bolero, coupe, cream interior, T series- it just about has everything! Let me know if you ever decide to sell......

[oldbugger]

I suppose you could say it has had the SPA treatment...

One thing I'm going to have to do very soon is rust proof the wheel arches and undercarriage of my new 1999 820i Saloon as it is rust free and I want it to stay that way.

I had the wifes 827 SLi rust proofed when she first bought it and about a year later it is still rust free.

I have to say though, I've never seen an excessively rusty 800 in my life, yes some wheel arch rust but never anything that bad.

One model of Rover which rotted like nobody's business were the 200 Bubbles. We get a lot of those in the garage from customers asking advice on why it failed the MOT on corrosion.

95% of the time the chassis is at breaking point with rust. 5% of the time it is realistically repairable.

Says something doesn't it?

[Alex SBY]

You should see my limo!

Though in fairness the original Rover metal is fine. It's the middle bit that's disintegrated...

[aryan57]

Alex, if its only the middle bit rusty, cut it out and make the car good again. Cut and shut. Keep the Rover metal, dump the rest.

Only joking (but it could be done)