What have i done???

[redsunbeam]

Have just bought a p5b saloon in what i thought was fair condition!! Turns out the bottom 6" of the car will never rust - its all filler and fibreglass!! Is there anyone local to sleaford in lincs who can look over the car and tell me where to start. Apart from that loving it so far.
;D

[rov5b]

When you say the bottom 6", do you mean the door bottoms or wing bottoms and sills? - I think many have poor door bottoms - they are very prone to rotting out and I wouldn't be too concerned about this - If it's the sills or wings this is more difficult to sort out and I would recommend going along to Ely Service which isn't to far from you to get their opinion.

[redsunbeam]

Doors and panels are ok. it's the sills, jacking points, and bottom of the pillars that are more P38 than P5B!

[rov5b]

Don't despair! Has it a current MoT? If it has these areas are structural, so it would have failed if they were too bad - I would still consider taking it along to Ely Service - They would give you an honest opinion and what would be involved in repairing the areas.

[Phil Nottingham]

These areas are common rot spots - how old is its MOT?

They are repairable though and there are few cars left that have not or will not shortly need welding.


Is the car drivable - I am going to East Kirby Rover ralley next Sunday

[glennr]

Hi, without seeing the car it is hard to tell. I personally have found that if the Jacking points are no good then the whole of the sill construction may need replacing. This is made up of three sections, inner, spacer,outer. I always jack my car up with a trolley jack as I feel the jacking tubes have to lift a massive weight and even when replaced I don't trust them but that's just me. Click on the link, you may find it useful.
www.roverp5bduchess.co.uk/gallery.htm

[David]

A little late I know, but did you not use the Rover P5 Clubs Buyers Guide? It points out most of the 'problem' areas on the P5/P5B. *
www.roverp5club.org.uk/buyers-g.htm

Don't despair, Most if not all these parts are available from specialist suppliers. Good luck.

* I will put a link to these pages on this forum, for any future owners.

[redsunbeam]

MOT is only 3 weeks old!! Car is drivable although sounds like a wheel bearing at the back end has gone- thats the first job, then sort the timing out as the car has never run on unleaded and pinks like mad. I did read the buyers guide before i looked at a few cars, but think i borrowed someone elses glasses the day i looked at this one. Next time i will find a car i dont like and try to talk myself into it, not a car i like and try to talk myself out of it! What and where are Ely Service?

[David]

Tell me about it - I did the 'cardinal sin' and bought the first car I seen. Sometimes the heart ignores the head ;D

[rov5b]

Ely Service are Rover specialists based at Ely Cambridgeshire - their no. is 01353 662981.

I think if the MoT is that new and from your description of the corrosion and wheel bearing - the Mot testing station should be reported!

[Phil Nottingham]

I agree with rov5b - if the MOT is dodgy it needs sorting out now. The back wheel bearing is not easy to replace unless you have access to a 20ton press and some members have had great trouble even getting the half shaft out.This is easy though if you know how and no special tools are required for this part.

Ely services are a long standing well known specialist - I hope your bank balance will cover their charges though!


use the Search for more tips on wheel bearings and axles.

To run on unleaded retard in stages from 6deg BTDC to TDC - to eliminate pinking

Tell us more about your car

[redsunbeam]

Thanks for the advice everyone, will be learning to repair bodywork very shortly- the budget for the car is a bit tight so expect to see a lot more posts starting with HELP!!!!.
Am lead to believe that the car is a vanden plas, was for sale on the owners club web site so some of you may be familier with it. It had only travelled 20 odd miles in the last 4 years, but still made the journey of 140 miles to its new home with no problems. Will have a go at the timing next week as well as giving her a good service and possibly do the wheel bearings. The rythmic rumble from the back end only surfaced a couple of days ago, so wouldnt be too harsh about the mot. Sometimes we need a sympathetic tester.

[Phil Nottingham]

The wheel bearing can often go on for 1000's of miles in that state - it will make itself fully known when its truly ready for renewal.

A little fller is Ok as long as the structure is sound

[Phil Nottingham]

BTW these Vanden Plas models are very rare - whilst the Rover Co Ltd would not have stooped so low as to add a bit of extra-chrome and stick on wood BLMC obviously thought different.


I hope you can get it back on the road as it would be a pity to see it go for ever.

The sills are nor supposed to be structural for the first foot or so as the subframe goes back to the middle of the front door. The outer sills are only decorative the strenghth is all in the back inner sill and centre part but even these can be patched successfully

It really depends what you want to end up with and how deep your pocket as to how far you want to go - if you compromise a little they can be remarkbly cheap to keep running with the plentiful supply of secondhand parts from the likes of David Green and new bits from Wadhams. The more you can do yourself the better

Good Luck anyway

Keep us informed and how about some pictures.

Try to make East Kirby - Home of the Lancaster bomber on Sunday - its very good value. Only £5 fora full car and its not far from Sleaford either

[redsunbeam]

The car is being used daily for work at the moment, and will be kept running somehow. I don't want to poke about with the sills too much at the moment, will assume the lot is rotten and gradually buy new sills as and when finances allow. Then i can fit them when they come off in my hand!! Pillars will need a fair bit of work too- drivers door is a little low so thought I'd take it up on the hinge. Top hinge is fine-- can't get to bottom hinge as the filler is so thick it totally covers the hinge. Have also put my finger clean through the rear chassis leg just rear of the spring hanger. I am now starting to get worried!!
Forget my previous comment about sympathetic MOT testers, the B****r that passed this one will need sympathy if i get my hands on him!!
Unfortunately i wont be at the East Kirby do, Still need to fit rear seat belts to the rover before i can take the kids out in her, so lack of sitter has stopped play for now.

[Phil Nottingham]

Most of us have been there - at least once!

Its when you go round the 2nd or 3rd times it gets a bit worrying.

Glad you are trying to use it daily though - I do with mine

[Roy of the Rovers]

Sounds to me like you should be querying the mot with trading standards??

[Smallfry]

I dont think you should be concerning yourself with fitting seat belts for the kids if you can poke your fingers though the chassis and the sills and door posts are all filler !

I am all for an MOT tester taking a "sympathetic" view, but if the car is structurally unsafe...... which it seems it is........or the brakes are faulty, then thats something different.

I would be having a few words with the previous owner and the garage that did the MOT. Maybe you should be looking to getting your money back ?

[redsunbeam]

Afraid car was sold as seen. My fault.
Really annoyed with myself, it's my third classic car, so i should have a better idea what to look for in a car.
Will get her roadworthy somehow. Its the last time i trust a so called 'specialist'.

[PatMcCoy]

'specialist'.
Who was he ?
or is he ?
So we all dont get caught

[Kev]

Sherlock Homes here........................

I think i know who owned the "V.P. car as he used to bring it to the Uxbridge show.
Be interesting to see what he turns up in this year.

Uvbridge show is on the 16 july.


Big Kev

[RichardF]

Previous input suggests looking to the MoT testing station for some sort of redress. I agree. If the test is only 3 weeks or so old then the tester would be seriously hard pushed to justify passing it. The corrosion and the consequentional weakening of the structural items you quote can only be attributed to long term problems and, judging by the description you give, would not have passed the inspection last year, never mind this. Might I suggest a chat to the testing station proprietor, who is ulimately responsible. He/she may prefer to take the hit on what it cost you, balanced against a lot more in fines (and court case?), coupled with seriously degrading their (good?) name locally. Worth a shot at least me thinks.

RichardF
Southampton

[redsunbeam]

I am going to get a tester to take a look at the car next week and do an "informal" mot test before i go any further.

[DaveCole]

If your in Sleaford go to Ray Weekley, much closer.The Coach and Horses, Main Road, Wrangle, Lincs, PE22 9AT: Tel [phone]hr Fax [phone] . Email: [e-mail].

Keep your chin up!!

[redsunbeam]

Have just had an independant inspection done. Have been advised to take it off the road because in his opinion its dangerous.
I'm not one for blackmail (give me some money or i report u!) so have reported the test station to VOSA. Have to wait for them to inspect the car now. Is there a restorers bible for these cars?? Think i made need one as funds are tight and will have to do the work myself in the front garden. Its looking like sills, rear outriggers, jacking points, and the bottoms of all the pillars.
WHAT HAVE I DONE!!!!

It's not dave cole of P&o fame is it??