Let the restoration commence.

[beardo]

The car is now off the road and ready to be stripped. We were kind of forced into taking it off the road due to the exhaust falling off Not to worry, it was getting a new one eventually anyway. I have taken a few pictures of it pretty much as it was when we bought it. The only thing I've done is repaired and painted the drivers door mirror.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/DSC00772.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/DSC00773.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/DSC00774.jpg

Today Honda delivered all the panels that I will be replacing.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/DSC00775.jpg

Although you can only visually see rot on the bonnet and N/S wings, I did find filler in the O/S wings. So we decided to replace them also. (well, the job needs doing right I feel) Thankfully the doors and sills are rot and filler free.

We are keeping it yellow but a brighter shade. The wheels will be ditched in favour of some black ones (yet to be sourced) and the side intakes/air scoops will be painted black.

[TADO]

hi beardo
wow - the panels look great - sure the car will be stunning!
can i ask about your wheels - would you be willing to sell em to a good home? ive been after a set of watanabe/minilite looking ones for a while. if you were after a set of beat alloys in good nick i have some...
mike

[beardo]

Hi Tado, I will be willing to sell the wheels that are currently on the car but not until I have sorted some replacements. Not sure what kind of wheels we will be getting but if you could point me in the direction of a picture of some wheels like yours we will certainly consider that option.

[Mylee]

Your roof looks in great condition. I'm guessing it's a replacement?

[beardo]

Your roof looks in great condition. I'm guessing it's a replacement?

Defo a replacement but how long ago is a mystery. Very glad we don't have to spend on the roof.

[TADO]

hi beardo
im not sure whether the genuine wheels are what you're after (theyre not black!) but id certainly be interested in yours when the time comes.
heres a pic of our car with the honda wheels:

[Mylee]

I have very dark wheels (but not black) on my beat with a machined edge. They are the same style as in Tado's picture. I'll try and sort you a picture out so you can get some idea.

[beardo]

Thanks but there is no need. Sorry Tado, I have shown the pic to the missus and they're not to her taste. I'll still let you know when we have no further need for the wheels that are on the car at the moment though.

[TADO]

hi beardo
ahh - no worries at all. look forward to hearing from you at some point
really looking forward to seeing more pics of the restoration!

[imi]

ooh! all those new shiney honda parts i can't wait to see the final result.

[Wh1teLeopard]

Definately keep us up to date with pictures, I'd love to see your progress

[beardo]

Stripped the front end today but all that revealed was more work and expense. The front valance is rotting and weak in places. Although it may be possible to repair I think the only option is to replace. I will probably regret it if I don't. Also the radiator has lost a lot of its fins so will have to get that seen to aswell.

Pictures-

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/DSC00821.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/DSC00822.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/DSC00823.jpg

Everything else so far is solid.

[beardo]

The Beat is now stripped and at the bodyshop. All the parts needed are here including the bodykit and alloys from wh1teleopards Beat which she kindly sold to me last year. It has took this long to get to this stage due to the front cross member assembly taking an age to get here from Japan.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/DSC01151.jpg

We have decided to stay with yellow but not the original shade. The yellow will be a Maserarti colour.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...6255001030.jpg

The wheels we are going to paint black. The side air intakes will be black also. More updates to follow.

[LEE.W.]

I also am keen to follow the progress of the resto to your yellow Beat so keep us updated with your pictures and words as this does help to keep our Beats on the road.
Is this a restoration 1st for this forum.Best of luck,Lee.

[TADO]

looking great beardo - nice choice of colour too. would be interested to know who you got to do the bodywork? my car will need a visit to the paintshop once its back on the road so it would be great if you have any local (south yorkshire) recommendations?

[beardo]

I will defo keep the updates flowing. The garage I'm using is in Bawtry near Doncaster. I've never used him before. He has done many restorations before and came recommended. He seems enthusiastic about doing the Beat.

He's going to mould the side skirts into the sills rather than just bolt them on. He'll be doing the same with the rear mud guards and colour coding them. We're doing away with the electric aerial, the hole will be blanked off. Opting for a boot mounted colour coded shark fin aerial.

[Wh1teLeopard]

I had the aerial removed on mine, made a surprising difference to the appereance. Recommend that can't wait to see more pics

[beardo]

Went to the bodyshop today and it's safe to say the Beat is now looking as bad as it is ever going to. The front cross member is removed and replacing looks to be straight forward with only minor repairs needed.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/DSC01158.jpg

Both rear wings are also removed. Not much work to do behind the n/s/r wing before the new one goes on.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/DSC01155.jpg

o/s/r wing is another story. There's some patching up required but nothing too drastic.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...5/DSC01156.jpg

She's very solid everywhere else which is a relief as we are too far in to quit on her. The bodyshop reckons he'll be finished in about 3 weeks.

[Wh1teLeopard]

Awesome pictures.

I wish you lots of luck with it, should look spiffing when done

[TADO]

thanks for the info beardo - i look forward to seeing how the work progresses. keep the great updates and pics coming!