Hi All,

I was planning to post this to 'General' though could not find the 'tag'. It should fit in Workshop though.

My 262 was just written off by the insurer due to a cracked windscreen (FFS!). A new screen is available from the UK for about 1000 pounds delivered though I am just over it and want to concentrate on other projects so a decision needs to be made on wrecking or selling.

The market for 262s is odd, there are not many of them in Australia though they do come with their own complexities.

The car was a baby, I built it from a body shell and many boxes of bits a few years ago, maybe 4 or 5, since then it has done 5538 km. It has the following:

Before my time: converted to 86+ headlights and bumpers (front bumper is a bit rubbish)

Seats retrimmed in black leather and are ace

My time: Genuine/new washer bottle for a diesel (the normal one will not fit with the turbo air filter and the turbo one is unobtainium)

Gen (gen = genuine & new) strut tops

Bilstein touring shocks

gen balljoints and tie rod ends

Ipd lowered sport springs

gen wheel bearings (front only)

14" Davies Craig fan, VW switch in Nissens radiator to run relay (I remember it had the right temperature settings and the right thread for the radiator)

740T coolant reservoir

gen 740T lower radiator hose and reservoir hose

Ipd sway bars - 25/25mm

Ipd adjustable sway bar

Gen 240 turbo air filter box (from GCP - I think I ordered two of these so may have a spare)

Egg crate grill (which may have been standard on the 262C, not sure)

Malpassi turbo fuel pressure regulator (from a Lancia if I recall)

Complete, and I mean every wire in the car, wiring harness from a 90 model sedan

gen 6 sector tail lights

option gauges, new VDO units with Dave Barton R-Sport decals. Oil temp, gearbox oil temp and oil pressure

Complete 90 model dash - the whole thing was swapped out

Bluetooth radio conversion for audio and calls - from the SA club guy whose name I forget

3.5" front door speakers (the only thing that would fit - which was super annoying at the time)

Rear parcel shelf speaker boxes from period specific model with new speakers in them - cannot remember what they are

There is an amplifier in there too, probably an Alpine, not sure

GPS tracker installed. Can track from phone app or website and disable fuel pump and/or ignition remotely

90 model air conditioning

740T upgraded fuel pump in tank - the Ipd one

Ipd turbo stainless exhaust

gen brake rotors and new pads

rebuilt diff with 4.1 gears from a 740 16 valve, and the 48 tooth tone ring

gen diff bushes - the big ones that need the genuine removal tool to install

Speedo from a 93 model 240 that suits the 48 tooth diff tone ring

AW72 transmission from a 740 16 valve - it has a lower 1st and 2nd gear ratio.

I think there is a trans oil cooler too, the 16 valve one from a 740

stainless braided brake hoses - the European Skandix ones not the cheapy USA or local ones.

gen lower control arm bushes - the big ones that go in the housing that bolts on to the chassis with 3 bolts

90 model battery tray, the plastic one with the twist on retainer

New non-gen headlight reflectors

Probalby more, this is a list from a ten minute look over the car.

It has the R-Sport turbo kit on a solid B23 though I will probably keep that. It would slot into the 78 round headlight sedan well - even if then a copy of the JamesInc mobile.

Thoughts?

If wrecking it would probably hurt a little though be better cash wise, though these cars are often not worth heaps complete.

Oh, and there is a B6304 that was to go into it, might sell that too. Engineer approved Anderssen Speed Steel mounts and most of it sorted ready to install.

And a spare full (or full-ish) set of trim in black 262C, seats, door trims, hood lining etc.

Decisions…

Happy to hear what you all think. I am a little lost on this one.

I feel like selling without motor and with broken windscreen will cost more than the cost of rectifying. Although granted the engine is a bit of work. You could always just slap a bog standard B230 in there

    How much rust - if any - is in the Bertone made C pillars and roof section, and the rear quarter panels?

    If zero or little paint and panel work is needed, it may be worth persevering with the car and biting the bullet by getting the new windscreen ex-UK. Then it's a runner, and useful. It sounds like you have most of the good gear already in the car.

    As always, the big hassle and expense is getting the paint and panel work done properly. If you have the skills yourself to do it, or you know people who can handle that side of things for you without breaking the bank, that's what I'd see as the deciding factor.

    B6304 with AW30-40 in a car like that would make a very nice cruiser package.

    <aside> I presently have 5 projects which need paint / panel work &/or rust repair, and they're at a standstill - I have zero skills or ability in those areas, and the shop prices locally are high enough to locate the costs somewhere in the region of the Oort Cloud. I had some visitors over here at Residence One yesterday to look at the collection, but weren't interested in taking on the big jobs, at least for a while. </aside>

    So I totally understand where you're at with your dilemma.

      I may have missed it… is there an engine in the car now?

      Contrary to popular opinion, there are still Australian windscreen manufacturers. At least one in SEQ who may be able to help.
      They quoted me about $500 for a custom made Crown screen.

      • dmc replied to this.

        If we weren't saving for a house right now I would be biting your hand off to get it with the 6304...

        jamesinc

        Not sure I quite follow. Pulling the engine and dropping in a carby B21 (there are 2 sat there waiting for something to do) is a days work. And if that keeps it mobile then it is time well spent, the car storage is down the road so mobility is key here. There are a couple of B280F engines here too, that was a plan for a while, I guess I could throw one of them in and sell it as a non-runner. Probably should have mentioned swapping the engine out, there is another question on that below.

        Major Ledfoot

        No visible rust in the C pillar, a few cm of rust just forward of the A pillar. Repairable though not my bag, like you I am not much with the panels. After thinking it over through the night I think I will just order a screen and sell it with a screen in a box. Like I mentioned I am just burned out with this car, 3 years of fighting with Shannon's, an ombudsman's case and yesterday, finally a resolution.

        Spac

        Yes ,engine.

        Who are the windscreen manufacturers? Please send info as I have literally spent years looking for them and not found anything. If you are not comfortable sending the details to the public forum please PM/DM me, I am dead keen to hear about this as I have tried MANY options looking for a screen for this thing (which is part of the burn out - it should not have been my problem and Shannon's should have done the leg work).