CS1 Spider in the UK RHD

[markw]

Just joined the forum and thought I'd introduce myself and my car.

Originally from California,it was imported into the UK in 1996 with 68000 miles showing. It must have had some paintwork at that time to loose the side repeaters and be generally tidied up, and of course converted to RHD. There is no rust underneath at all, no doubt helped by the massive oil leaks from the engine and transmission!

The first UK owner kept the car for 15 years and added only 2500 miles in that time.

I acquired the car in 2011 and have undertaken a fair bit of mechanical work including fabricating an exhaust to clear the RHD steering box and rebuilding the trans.
The carb has been changed to a 32/36 DGAV and Spax shocks and 'Euro' spec springs fitted along with the alloy wheels. I also ditched th heavy US spec bumbers at the same time. I can't decide whether to leave the car 'bare' as it is or fit chrome bumbers or maybe Abarth style bumperettes.

The car is currently tucked up for the winter. I hate having a car that's not being used, but I'm sure that it will disolve if it saw a salted winter road!

Regards

Mark

[Curly]

Very nice Mark, the Spiders look so much better lowered and without the side lights and big bumpers. A shame you have to shut it away over winter. We don't have that problem Down Under, in fact almost the opposite - our summers days are often too hot to drive a car without air conditioning; but the mild evenings are just perfect.

[PininF]

Very nice Mark, and luv the colour any pics of the engine

[markw]

Very nice Mark, and luv the colour any pics of the engine

Indeed

[Exit98]

Wow, she's a beauty. I'm not the biggest fan of the no bumper look, but it sits so pretty. It would be even better though with the little bumpers IMHO.

What year, a 1978? White and red is a great combination. Are those the original colors do you think?

Must be fun on your country lanes.

[RRoller123]

Beautiful car! Old English White?

[markw]

What year, a 1978? White and red is a great combination. Are those the original colors do you think?

It's a 1977

Colour is 'Avorio Safari' which I think is Italian for Safari Ivory and is original. In the UK, if you were painting your house, it would be called 'Buttermilk'

I'm not sure if the interior was ever originally available in red, but the combination works well.

Mark

[Exit98]

Hi Mark,

What the heck is a Liege Type F?

A Renault?

You've got me on this one.

[markw]

What the heck is a Liege Type F?

The Liege is a peculiarly British sporting car designed mainly for trials competitions, in which cars try to climb a muddy hill without stopping.

Mine competes in trials and also gets used extensively on the street including trips into mainland Europe to Italy Spain & Portugal, crossing the Alps and the Pyranees.

These were originally powered by an all alloy 850cc Reliant engine, but many have now been upgraded to a Suzuki car engine and suffixed 'Type S'. Mine is Fiat powered ( not the Twin Cam though) so has been suffixed 'Type F'




Regards

Mark

[narfire]

My holy oath, that looks cozy. What a cool little car.
The Fiat looks great as well eh..

Love the licence plate, the 204B was/is still a great helicopter
Chris

[RRoller123]

I Bahstun we would say that your car is friggin pissah.., and it is!

[westy64]

Very nice cars !
The engine bay is really neat, without all the relays on the inner fender.
The liege seems very funny too.
You can stop in Biarritz next time you go trial in the pyrénées.
It's funny, you have an MX5 and an MG, whose seats are the only one to fit into a 124, as they are so narrow.
welcome on the forum !

[narfire]

You can stop in Biarritz next time you go trial in the pyrénées

I loved Biarritz....mind you it was summer of 76... and 19 years old

sorry to add this in your post

Chris