Restoring A Bruiser?

[Tessa Maloo]

Hey there im a newbie to this forum, I just wished to enquire and get some advice. I have a working vintage bruiser ive had for nearly 20 years. I originally purchassed it off a father that had baught it for his 13 year old son, So when i got hold it off it , it had been drivven pretty hard. I want to restore but have anumber of questions.

1. The shell was painted in the original blue colour but was a rush job and average quality including a few runs in places. It has all original stickers although a couple a starting to lift. No headlights, tail lights, Mirrors, Number plates and a crack in the windscreen.

The car runs ok in all gears but dosnt synchco correctly in 4wd mode all the time. Both 2wd modes work well.

2. In referance to restoring is it better to order or find missing bits and leave as is?

3. Is it better to strip stickers off, remove old paint and put original colours back on or own coulour scheme without re using old stickers?

4. Id liketo clean up and do a good paintjob but am unsure if is better to leave in original condition baisically or do up like new in term sof its value. Any Help would be appreciated. Thankyou.

[WillyChang]

need to ask "WHY" are you thinking of restoring...

1) are you wanting to sell it immediately after restoring? or

2) you want it looking good for display & want to own it forever

if #1, any $$ you spend on it will usually be more than improving its market value

replacing minor body parts will add up; if your drivetrain is worn & need a new gearbox that don't come cheap

better to sell it as-is

if you're going for #2 & comfotable with a lousy investment, go for it

most paint can be stripped with patience; decals don't usually go back on so they're trash.

Repro or original decals available depending on your budget.

New highlift Hilux windscreen can be used but its black.

spend bit more time & money to rectify the drivetrain - gearbox & axles are available new & used

then lots of elbow grease to polish all the metal to shiny mirror finish!

Or it might be more cost-effective to sell yours and buy a 'better' example,

would save you a lot of work too.

[hedge]

4. Id liketo clean up and do a good paintjob but am unsure if is better to leave in original condition baisically or do up like new in term sof its value. Any Help would be appreciated. Thankyou.

Sounds like your into making money Resto is the wrong game for that. Polish what you can and sell on is my advice.

[Tessa Maloo]

Hey Guys, thankyou for your response. I may have come accross wrong.

Im not after to fix up and sell. I want to keep it and baisically keep for shelf. I just didnt want to ruin it original state as a collecters item.

If i do as you suggest and lotsa elbow grease and polish it up if i did this would it better to leave as is condition or to start from scratch.

I realsise these are collectable to alot of people and i just didnt want to ruin its original state if its better to leave is , if that make sense.

Ben.

[Live Steam Mad]

Hey there im a newbie to this forum, I just wished to enquire and get some advice. I have a working vintage bruiser ive had for nearly 20 years. I originally purchassed it off a father that had baught it for his 13 year old son, So when i got hold it off it , it had been drivven pretty hard. I want to restore but have anumber of questions.

1. The shell was painted in the original blue colour but was a rush job and average quality including a few runs in places. It has all original stickers although a couple a starting to lift. No headlights, tail lights, Mirrors, Number plates and a crack in the windscreen.

The car runs ok in all gears but dosnt synchco correctly in 4wd mode all the time. Both 2wd modes work well.

2. In referance to restoring is it better to order or find missing bits and leave as is?

3. Is it better to strip stickers off, remove old paint and put original colours back on or own coulour scheme without re using old stickers?

4. Id liketo clean up and do a good paintjob but am unsure if is better to leave in original condition baisically or do up like new in term sof its value. Any Help would be appreciated. Thankyou.

Regarding #1, use http://www.thisrocks.freeserve.co.uk/ as a reference and strip the gearbox down.

Also ;-

http://www.tamiyafr.lp-concept.info/3speed...peed_manual.pdf

IMHO I would ignore the cosmetic condition for now and concentrate on getting it running perfectly first. The gearbox is the heart of the car, so start there I would say. Also check the 750 motor is nice and smooth running. All parts can be got on the Bay or here in the trades section.

Cheers,

Alistair G.