RED R4 TL '82

[Jimthevan]

Hi - I thought I would create a project page here for our little red R4 we purchased off here a few weeks back.

Overall she is in great condition with 42k on the clock believed to be original.
The interior is in fantastic condition with no rips or tears.

The previous owners aquired her in a bit of a sorry state but had everything done that needed doing:

Reconditioned engine
Brake overhaul
new radiator
Distributor, leads and plugs
carb rebuild
Inner and outer front wing
new front floors
Bit of welding to the chassis.

Most of this work was carried out by Renospeed to a very high standard and it runs like clockwork, despite them only driving it 600 miles in 4 years! We drove it from Dover to conwall without it missing a beat.

So now it is in our ownership we dont have any great plans apart from just driving and enjoying it around Cornwall whilst doing a few little jobs to keep her on the road and in this condition.

First Job will be to protect the underside from any further corrosion - wire brush and treat the underside to some paint - POR 15 or something similar - then waxoil all cavaties.

I'll post a few updates of various jobs that maybe useful for other members to see.

Here are a few pics....



Cheers for now Jim

 

[Cornish4]

Hi Jim, maybe we could get together, I've sent you a pm.
Regards Brian.

 

[Jimthevan]

Hi Jim, maybe we could get together, I've sent you a pm.
Regards Brian.

Hi Brian - i've just dropped you a text so we can arrange a meet up which would be great : )

 

[jjad]

Fantastic photos, Jim - great looking car.

 

[Cornish4]

Hi Jim, it was really nice to meet up with you today, see your great little R4 in all its glory, and talk R4 stuff. Please give me a call if you need advice, I'll do my best to help.

Regards Brian .

 

[jjad]

I really hope you took photos If there aren't photos, then I'm going to say it didn't happen!!!

 

[Cornish4]

Sorry jjad, no photos, but it did happen, honestly

 

[Jimthevan]

Hi Jim, it was really nice to meet up with you today, see your great little R4 in all its glory, and talk R4 stuff. Please give me a call if you need advice, I'll do my best to help.

Regards Brian .

Yeah it was great to hook up. Can’t believe we forgot to take some photographic evidence!!

 

[jjad]

next time then!

 

[Jimthevan]

I made a start on cleaning up the chassis ready for painting at the weekend. A very dirty job getting everything cleaned up.


I dropped the tank out to get better access.
The instructions in the haynes manual forgets to tell you about the extra 2 bolts on the cross member and the 2 plastic screws in the rear boot! so if you tank doesn't come out look for these ; )



The rear box section under the rear luggage sill needs welding - I could patch it up but the best thing to do would be to replace the whole panel but not sure if this is easily done with the body on the chassis.

Has anyone has done this ?



cheers for now : )

 

[Jimthevan]

Cleaned , prepped and painted with Por15

 

[ecurb.renots]

Looks good, did you also use the POR15 prep product, sprayed or brushed and how would you rate POR15 finish.

 

[Jimthevan]

Yes I used the por15 metal prep but just used a standard industrial strength degreaser.

It’s a bit of a faff going through all the 3 processes and 2 coats of paint but I’m very happy with the results. Brushed on but it levels off nicely.

I also used some KBS rust paint on the fuel tank , this is a much thicker product but very similar finish. Great if you have heavy pitting from rust as it fills in the pits.

If you doing under chassis work then use Por15 as being thinner is runs into all the nooks and crannies best

 

[Jimthevan]

This is how the tank came out with the KBS paint

 

[Jimthevan]

Bit more progress today, got the back end reassembled and fuel tank in all looking good.

All bolts renewed where possible and greased up on assembly

Now to tackle the front

 

[Jimthevan]

Started on the front have discovered some rot on the bulkhead so best to get it sorted now so it will be off to my mates workshop in a couple of weeks to get the welding done

I'll prep and paint up the suspension and chassis in the meantime.

 

[ecurb.renots]

Shame, but you are right best to get it properly sorted now

 

[Jimthevan]

Front suspension all painted up along with the chassis front cross section.

While the bonnet was off rust proofed and painted the lower box section and now all waxoiled up.

reassembly took longer than expected - alot of fiddling about with the front bumper irons to get them in the right order and sitting right

just temporally put the wing on so i can get it over for welding work



on taking her for a sunset test drive there is a knocking coming from the back - i'll need to investigate but it must be one of the shocks not installed correctly and only happens on bumps

 

[Thomas Vinnicombe]

Hi - I thought I would create a project page here for our little red R4 we purchased off here a few weeks back.

Overall she is in great condition with 42k on the clock believed to be original.
The interior is in fantastic condition with no rips or tears.

The previous owners aquired her in a bit of a sorry state but had everything done that needed doing:

Reconditioned engine
Brake overhaul
new radiator
Distributor, leads and plugs
carb rebuild
Inner and outer front wing
new front floors
Bit of welding to the chassis.

Most of this work was carried out by Renospeed to a very high standard and it runs like clockwork, despite them only driving it 600 miles in 4 years! We drove it from Dover to conwall without it missing a beat.

So now it is in our ownership we dont have any great plans apart from just driving and enjoying it around Cornwall whilst doing a few little jobs to keep her on the road and in this condition.

First Job will be to protect the underside from any further corrosion - wire brush and treat the underside to some paint - POR 15 or something similar - then waxoil all cavaties.

I'll post a few updates of various jobs that maybe useful for other members to see.

Here are a few pics....

View attachment 21400View attachment 21401View attachment 21402View attachment 21403View attachment 21404View attachment 21405View attachment 21406

Cheers for now Jim

 

[Thomas Vinnicombe]

Looks a nice little car. Be careful of the salty air on the Cornish coast ! my mum lives in St Agnes and I don't dare take it down there with all the weather delights that part of the world has to offer, also her garage is full. Addictive little motors an R4. Plenty of unfailing love needed. Best of luck and happy motoring