Punto (Mk1) Project R the Mk1 Cabrio Restoration project

[AndyRKett]

looking at the sump it has a nice coat of black paint on top of a surface that is best described as a bit lumpy.

If I had to guess id say someone has painted over some rust. But it seems to be holding the oil in. They are pretty cheap to replace and could do so easily right now. they usually are pressed from a sheet of steel so are usually a lot more "smooth"

Honesty I think at some point someone has loved this car, but for the last few years it's been a bit neglected.

 

[StevenRB45]

I couldn't decide if it had been under sealed or was rust painted over but it looks happy enough...mine had teabag perforations in it a very long time ago.

Although replacing it was cheap...not sure the parts are as cheap and freely available now though haven't looked to be fair.

 

[vexorg]

Is because its a convertible it can only go out on sunny days, if that were the case why have a roof at all?

Not always sunny on the same day, it keeps your hair and makeup good for when it starts raining

Anyone I've known with a convertible has/had it as a second or third car, just assumed most were like that.

 

[bugsymike]

I always think it odd that UK buys the highest amount of convertible cars, given our climate. Maybe we are just very optimistic that weather will improve or the aircon in our cars never keeps working long enough.

 

[AndyRKett]

I always think it odd that UK buys the highest amount of convertible cars, given our climate. Maybe we are just very optimistic that weather will improve or the aircon in our cars never keeps working long enough.

we used to be the country that bought more convertibles in europe, than anyone else..... (just checking my grammar there)

I understand that this accolade now falls to Germany who in part have worst conditions than us. We have friends in Germany who always get snow for weeks of the year compared to us with some cold drizzle somewhere around January.


Just a couple more pictures of where I am.

The whole front axle is now ready to go back on the car, though its 70Kg so it will be coming apart and reinstalled in pieces I am not trying to lift this up and connect it to the bottom of the car on my own.

Before I put this back together, I have been spraying around some rust preventer to make everything last another 25 years.

in doing so I have repainted the slam panel and reconditioned this little number plaque that was installed by Bertone when the car was built.

 

[Didge3]

in doing so I have repainted the slam panel and reconditioned this little number plaque that was installed by Bertone when the car was built.

View attachment 445185

Gosh I didn't know they made so many, mine was 4000 something from memory, on an M plate

 

[AndyRKett]

Gosh I didn't know they made so many, mine was 4000 something from memory, on an M plate

mine was an early 1998, so made in the tail end of 1997, they then carried on with some registered in 2000 so I don't know what the total number? maybe 60k or more?