Here's my latest acquisition and my next project. I estimate about £1,000-£1300 to repair. My first convertible.

Good luck hope all goes to plan and there's nothing unexpected crops up, how many are you up to?

This is number 15

I've already got a nice set of sport alloys to put on it. May change the seats too.

typecastboy said:

I've already got a nice set of sport alloys to put on it. May change the seats too.

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Is it a big job replacing the dash and the airbags? That car deffo needs the alloys, as your replacing the front bumper anyway you could go for the sport bumpers front and back?

Dash & airbags was pretty daunting the first time I did it. Took four hours to take out and 5 hours to put back if I remember rightly. I can do the whole thing in about 4 hours now. I've done four so far. I now know where all the bolts are, what needs to come off and even what torx or spanner is needed for each bolt. Fiddly bit is the steering wheel and the steering wheel cowling.

Might put some sports bumpers on it if there are any around in the right colour.

typecastboy said:

Dash & airbags was pretty daunting the first time I did it. Took four hours to take out and 5 hours to put back if I remember rightly. I can do the whole thing in about 4 hours now. I've done four so far. I now know where all the bolts are, what needs to come off and even what torx or spanner is needed for each bolt. Fiddly bit is the steering wheel and the steering wheel cowling.

Might put some sports bumpers on it if there are any around in the right colour.

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Make sure you post a pick when all done, and thanx again for all your advice.[emoji12]

Oh I will do. And I'll video putting the new wing on too. I filmed how to take the old one off before but forgot to film when I put the new one on.

Hope latest project goes well. Not mechanically minded by the way. Actually saw the ad for the car and thought of you. Red 500 Cabriolet does look good, though I prefer Pandas.

The car arrived yesterday despite the recovery driver who collected it having a heart attack en route. I kid you not!

Been looking round it this morning. I am pleased to report that it's got A/C, Blue and Me, Stop Start, electric mirrors etc, so apart from the lack of plastic chrome on the bumpers , alloys and the round standard exhaust it's basically a Lounge spec.

I have got a new wing in the right colour, sourced dash, seatbelts and airbags for £350 which I'm collecting tomorrow and now just need to find a bonnet and bumper. I'm really pleased that it appears that the front panel is not bent at all, no chassis leg problems either. It looks like at least the bottom front reinforcement bar has done its job and it's crush cans have gone so that will just need replacing.

Nice for once not to have to replace front panel and rads. There was a nasty stain on the passenger seat which I've cleaned. I was wondering if the passengers bladder gave out when the airbag deployed. Quite surprisingly, passenger seatbelt and pretensioner have deployed but drivers hasn't which considering the impact is drivers side front is weird.

Recovering from surgery from Monday so I have to take it easy for a few weeks. I'm itching to make a start! Will upload photos etc as I go along.

typecastboy said:

Quite surprisingly, passenger seatbelt and pretensioner have deployed but drivers hasn't which considering the impact is drivers side front is weird.

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Some 500's left the factory with a software error that deploys the wrong airbag in the event of a crash. There is a VOSA recall out for this issue; once you have the car repaired, get it checked by a franchised dealer.

jrkitching said:

Some 500's left the factory with a software error that deploys the wrong airbag in the event of a crash. There is a VOSA recall out for this issue; once you have the car repaired, get it checked by a franchised dealer.

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All the airbags have gone, just not the seatbelt. Maybe they weren't wearing it!

typecastboy said:

All the airbags have gone, just not the seatbelt.

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For such a "small" crash seems a bit over kill?

John202020 said:

For such a "small" crash seems a bit over kill?

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When I say all, I mean drivers, passenger and knee. The ones you would expect to go.