1999 T plate Crono grey LE1157 project

Well, after almost 16 years since parting company with my scots green 20v turbo, I am now the proud owner of LE1157 with 30,900 miles now on the clock.

I jumped on the train on Saturday with my girl and we made our way to south London where I purchased the car from the previous 16 year owner. The car itself is 100% corrosion free and the engine, gearbox etc are as tight and precise as the day it was driven out of the showroom. The car pulled strongly in every gear on the drive home and the sound of the turbo whistle and that beautiful 5 pot soon put a big smile on my face again.

However, although the previous keeper has maintained and serviced the car (full fiat service history) it has never had any kind of refresh.

The car is now booked in with Joe (F.C.S.S) for a complete overhaul of ALL the suspension components and underseal, full stainless exhaust system, new oil cooler and radiator if required, full coolant hose replacement, cam and auxiliary belts, water pump, clutch, brake overhaul, new OE drilled discs & pads, new brake lines, corrosion inhibitor treatment, thermostat and sensors, starter motor (think it might need one) and a load of other items Joe or myself will list as we go along.

The car isn't booked in with Joe until the middle of April, when I will drop it off with him before I head back to work.

In the meantime, I intend removing the centre and handbrake console for hydro dipping as they are both subject to the terrible sticky coating disease. I also hope to replace to rear and front badges as they have faded and also the wheel centre caps. I'm also trying to get hold of some new horns before it goes to Joe but if not will leave them to get sorted then.

At the end of the year (if not sooner, depends how long it takes to get the mechanics in top order), I will also be putting the car in for a full windows out, bumpers and side skirts off respray, including the door handles and B pillars so had better start saving again.

I will keep this post updated with progress as I go along as the previous owner (a sleeping forum member) has expressed his interest in seeing how I take the coupe forward from here. Rest assured, it's in good hands with me and Joe and I look forward to getting her back to her former glory.

Well done. That will be sure to be a keeper. Saw the pics on FB it looks very nice allready.

Great news.

Can you post some "before" pics first for us to drool over?

Will do, I've been busy today doing a full engine bay clean using 'gunk' and what a difference.

Expansion tank clean tomorrow and waiting for new horns, brake fluid cap and dipstick due arrive early next week due to colour fading.

New cat back exhaust getting fitted next week too so will try and remember the photos

No need for one of these then ?

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/985mm-Long-Delph...1284?nav=SEARCH

Don't think so, it's only from cat to back box replacement. Was going to long life exhausts. Anyone got any feedback on longlife catbacks?

Was not familiar with term cat back .

Saying that the sensors. are good quality. I think they are old stock
At the price it's. No harm in having a spare Delpi / lLockhead are genuine OEM

Where you getting dipstick from Clintos?
Happy you got what you were looking for.

Don't forget the pics

Fiat dealer. It's a special order so won't be in stock till the end of the week or early next as its coming from Italy along with thr horns and brake fluid cap. Will give you part number when I collect if you want?

Thanks clintos
How much was it?

Congratulations Clintos!

You waited patiently and you've now got yourself a limited edition, very low mileage Coop in the rarest colour of all!

Those three points alone make it a highly desirable example anyway, but no doubt you will make it perfect!

This will be one of those famous Coops, you know, the ones that other Coop owners mention from time to time admiringly and get jealous of!

Congratulations once again!

Think it was around £25 but not sure exactly till I pick up along with the other items next week. I'll have a spare if you need one but the red ring is discoloured a little, hence why I'm replacing it.

Thanks bud, the work has already started.

Deep engine bay clean
New dipstick
New brake fluid reservoir cap
New horns
Cleaned coolant tank
Oil change and OE filter
Air filter (OE)
New NGK Plugs
New cat back stainless exhaust

Then the big one when it goes to FCSS next month.........new everything!

Before engine clean



After engine bay clean

Before clean



After clean

Class results Clintos

Not sure whether it's the intention but I always keep the expansion tank breather hose end tucked into that wee hole nearby.....

Congrats, that's going to be a rewarding project! That's surely a £10k+ car all day long!!

Lovely car Clint, don't know how you found it but well done.

"I always keep the expansion tank breather hose end tucked into that wee hole nearby"

oh yes!- you did that to mine once, I remember! I've never moved it.

when I moved the original one, it broke off..

Good job. I can never get the hoses and pipes that clean and shiney. What did you use ?

This colour Coupé can be a bit marmite - I remember MCMike getting his and wondering if I'd like it as some had said they look a bit like undercoat.....anyway when I saw it I thought it was fantastic, so well done on getting the rarest and probably the best colour of them all

I used gunk engine degreaser, jet washed the engine bay, used a pet drier to blow dry the engine bay and then sprayed everything in gt85 and then wiped/buffed everything

Thanks Johnny, I had a bit or should I say lot of help from a forum member thumb:

Yup and it'll be a £20k car when I'm finished but it will never be for sale so it won't matter

Thanks mate, I'm delighted to be a coupe owner again.......long live the coupe!

Good man!

New horns

New battery

I am going to keep this thread going for discussion and create a new project thread too for regular updates