TheMegaMan

Well-Known Member
After far longer than it should have taken, my S3 rebuild passed its MoT test today, so I'm legally back on the road after about 10 years (8 SORNed and 2 being rebuilt).

Admittedly it was my second attempt, as I failed last week due to a slight leak from a brake union - turns out I had a double flare where it should have been single.

For various personal reasons, the rebuild also took far longer than it should have, but thanks to everyone on here for advice and help you've offered over course of the rebuild. I'm grateful to you all! :D
 
After far longer than it should have taken, my S3 rebuild passed its MoT test today, so I'm legally back on the road after about 10 years (8 SORNed and 2 being rebuilt).

Admittedly it was my second attempt, as I failed last week due to a slight leak from a brake union - turns out I had a double flare where it should have been single.

For various personal reasons, the rebuild also took far longer than it should have, but thanks to everyone on here for advice and help you've offered over course of the rebuild. I'm grateful to you all! :D
Well done mate another one back on the road :D
 
Congratulations! Good work. Got any pics of the finished article?

Yeah, since you twisted my arm! :D

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Take it out in the snow! After all that work?
Yeah, I ended up cutting a few corners for last few bits and didn't get around to painting/repairing the wings or body (to match the shiny doors) as the weather got too cold and I really wanted to get it on the road in case I needed it in the snow. I've beaten any bad snow in my part of the country so far...

Under the skin, it's quite tidy, but the bodywork is still a little shabby. Having said that, I did want it to look used and I think I'd be too scared to scratch it if it was too good. And I do intend to use it properly. But I was a bit frustrated to see quite how different the new 'Mid Grey' was, compared with the old panels, so I want to fix that a bit. It's currently about 50 shades of grey...
 
I am with you on that, I don't mind them shabby, I am just awaiting my chassis delivery to start my 109 rebuild. While the intention is to rebuild all the mechanicals as good as new neither me or my wife (oddly), wants it looking brand new outside.
I am only going to straighten out the bodywork and pretty much leave it as it is, paint and all.
Why build it so good that you are afraid to use it anywhere but on road?:D
 
I notice you have holes in the wings for the fitment of mirrors same as mine. Are you planning to fit wing mirrors at some stage? If you do, be prepared to be annoyed all the time. No Matter how hard I try, I can't get my wing mirrors to give me a decent view. Not only that, they are a massive temptation for every idiot walking past whilst it's parked to knock them so that al I can see out of them is sky or the opposite side of the road.

Col
 
Looks great. For a moment I thought you had a Calor gas bottle under the bonnet! Now it's time to use it....
 
Interesting airbox....
Yeah, but it makes sense with a snorkel. As you may have noticed, I've not actually plumbed that in properly yet (another of the shortcuts I took just to get it back on the road), so the snorkel plumbing finishes just inside the wing, and the airbox is just open at the top/back. I need to re-check the routing the PO used for this and piece together the tubes and elbows...if I can!
 
I notice you have holes in the wings for the fitment of mirrors same as mine. Are you planning to fit wing mirrors at some stage? If you do, be prepared to be annoyed all the time. No Matter how hard I try, I can't get my wing mirrors to give me a decent view. Not only that, they are a massive temptation for every idiot walking past whilst it's parked to knock them so that al I can see out of them is sky or the opposite side of the road.
I *think* the parts book shows the holes are just there, and you either fit mirrors or blank off the holes. It's never had mirrors on the wings as far as I know, and I'm a lot happier with the door mirrors, so I have no plans to fit any. Thanks for the warnings!
 
Well done, looks great! Mine has wing mirrors, they are OK(ish) but I have door mirrors too. The door mirrors are best but the wing mirrors do cover a blind spot. The wind mirrors are handy for towing as one is the type that swings out but not sure I'd fit them if they weren't already there.. The trick with the oil bath and snorkel is to weld the intake to the side:
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