Uno Counts Firecat
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Uno Counts Firecat
What the hells going on under the bonnet!?!
Did you not know about that when you bought it?
I'd be annoyed. Thatll be a pain to sort
Did you not know about that when you bought it?
I'd be annoyed. Thatll be a pain to sort
p.s, apart from the obvious it doesnt look too bad 
the joys of kit cars
the joys of kit cars
No -- I didn't know that when I bought it -- the whole chassis and underside of the bonnet is that colour too :bang:
I was a bit "miffed" ! But I got the car to restore and, taken a bit at a time I will clean the bay up. With the front end off it won't seem as bad ! (I keep telling myself that !
But, as you say, not too bad in all. Might have to source new doors -- skins are OK but the frame has rusted badly. Door quarter lights need replacing and the "glass" is perspex. Is that standard??
I am told that spitfire softop hoods will fit --- any ideas on that one ?? That'd make it water tight(ish) until I get the hard top fixed.
Oh -- the exhaust is 90% flexi-pipe and I think the engine is Uno
No -- I didn't know that when I bought it -- the whole chassis and underside of the bonnet is that colour too :bang:
I was a bit "miffed" ! But I got the car to restore and, taken a bit at a time I will clean the bay up. With the front end off it won't seem as bad ! (I keep telling myself that !
But, as you say, not too bad in all. Might have to source new doors -- skins are OK but the frame has rusted badly. Door quarter lights need replacing and the "glass" is perspex. Is that standard??
I am told that spitfire softop hoods will fit --- any ideas on that one ?? That'd make it water tight(ish) until I get the hard top fixed.
Oh -- the exhaust is 90% flexi-pipe and I think the engine is Uno
Isn't the uno motor just another version of the FIRE motor anyway? Or am I wrong? Can't actually make out what the engine is as it's camoflaged!!
I would be having a word with who you bought it off about all that blue, I mean its everywhere! So half the bits may not even salvageable. Even if it gets you no where, if I was you I'd give them a piece of your mind, it's good to vent haha.
Fact is that is a pretty major part of the cars description and you weren't told.
Found this... Might be worth giving the guy a ring
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/kitcar/kit_car_clubs.php?33
Thanks for that link -- will get in touch. Engine is a 138A series, which I think came just before the FIRE engine. (Am on a steep learning curve here! ). As you can imagine ( as you can see!) It's hard to tell engine from ancilliaries! I can tell one end from the other on an old Mini A series I used in the buggy -- but these are a new beastie to me, and, as you say, it's well camouflaged !
The blue is a disaster. I dont know what you want to end up with at the end (fast, special looking, swimming pool with the blue look)? I think if you want something a bit nippy, get hold of a fiat uno turbo with a working engine and dump that in there.
I THINK? the 138 series is a FIRE engine and the design is similar in unos, x1/9s and a few other things.
I THINK? the 138 series is a FIRE engine and the design is similar in unos, x1/9s and a few other things.
Disaster is putting it mildly
. In the end I want special looking ( with a turn of speed!) I gather the car is fairly nippy, even with the standard engine. But, if a UT turns up in the future, at a reasonable price, I am very tempted to swap engines! For now, though, I want to sort the cosmetics and get rid of that blue !!!Whether the engine is "robotised" or not depends on the age, as I understand it. FIRE started in 1985/6 I think. This Firecat was registered as "New at first regisration" in June 1987. So it depends on how old the engine was then. I know the age related plate rules and such these days, but have no idea what they did back then!
I have the addresses of two of the keepers before the guy I got it from -- I will contact them for any info they might remember .... fingers crossed.
Haven't really had a good chance to look at it in detail. But she does run --- sounds OK for the short while I had the engine running ( really just to back her off the transporter and to the garage ). Bloody noisy though, with the various parts of the exhaust (such as it is) just pushed together and no proper joints / clips!
Don' really know when the paint bomb went off -- but no "hot paint smell", so I imagine some time ago.
Doesn't look like a fire engine, athough its very hard to tell!
If you want turbo power you will probably be better off fitting a FIRE engine from a punto/cing 1108/1242 and turboing that. or going for a 16v conversion.
I expect it will look really good cosmetically after a good clean and polish
If you want turbo power you will probably be better off fitting a FIRE engine from a punto/cing 1108/1242 and turboing that. or going for a 16v conversion.
I expect it will look really good cosmetically after a good clean and polish
Hi Craig. Yes, the engine is well camouflaged in that paint ! Whether I go turbo or not I am thinking ( if the right priced engine or donor car) happens along that I might convert up to a FIRE, maybe the larger punto -- which would give me a bit more power up front AND save me having to remove all that blue!!! I discovered an advisory at last MOT (several years ago) was engine / gearbox mounts defective, so it's going to have to come out anyway.
I intend to renew all hoses and re-wire ( which will get rid of some more! ), renew the gaiters on the suspension and running gear ( more blue gone ).
Also discovered play in the nearside front macpherson strut and nearside rear wheel bearing. Front shock has a misting of oil, Exhaust is home made ---- hell -- I might as well strip her down and start again -- at least I will know what's there then !
If the engine is coming out then you may as well fit a larger FIRE engine in with new mounts
for simplicity you have the 1242 8v from a punto. but some argue going for a 1242 16v from a punto sporting is hardly any more work and you get better results. and if your really good you have the 1348 from panda100hp/stilo 1.4 16v/punto sporting mk2s. few members have done them and see great results.
for simplicity you have the 1242 8v from a punto. but some argue going for a 1242 16v from a punto sporting is hardly any more work and you get better results. and if your really good you have the 1348 from panda100hp/stilo 1.4 16v/punto sporting mk2s. few members have done them and see great results.
Firecats were made from 95 onwards, your is a later one. The registered in 87' refers to the donor car, so if that was the donors engine then its an 87.
I saw a working uno turbo car for £400 recently- best to get a whole car and take the loom, the engine, all the infinite sensors and parts which come with it rather than turboing a non turbo i would think.
I saw a working uno turbo car for £400 recently- best to get a whole car and take the loom, the engine, all the infinite sensors and parts which come with it rather than turboing a non turbo i would think.
Yes, I agree. Getting a whole working car would be best --- might be able to recoup a bit on selling on any decent parts. Also means I can get shot of all those blue bits !!!
