November 2023 - Half an Update...
Since September 2022 a text was sent every fortnight to that paintshop man. This continued for 8 months.
May 2023 I was told rectification work was ready.
Turned up for collection. Driver's seat impregnated with dust. Should never of fitted the leather drivers seat.
My genuine Volvo battery drained as flat as a pancake. That probably has damaged cells now.
Some of the paint faults still present.
No dispute was made. Just wanted out. I took the keys and drove off knowing I would never have the misfortune of dealing with this guy ever again.
Some relief, knowing that fortnightly text charade of begging was over.
The drive home, 26th May 2023...
She was misfiring like a pig. I think the plugs are fouled being idled and/or daily shunting in and out of their shop.
The poor thing hasn't had a
proper run since the drive home from Wales some 7 bl00dy years ago.
Got home genuinely upset and chucked a car cover on...
There she sat all summer. Didn't want to talk about it, deal with it or even look at it.
Concentrated on other matters like keeping these two on the road...
Had a great summer with these two, but the Golf and 968 are hibernated now - and still working (amazingly). That means the workshop is vacant again.
So here we are, November 2023 and I have to bite the bullet.
I have totally lost track of where I am with the 480, what's left and what I was planning.
Being an observer of the 480 community for many years I have seen many unfinished projects come and go. The hard fact is that unfinished projects are utterly worthless, irrespective of hours invested thus far.
Perhaps the biggest motivational factor now is not to be beaten.
She went back into the garage this weekend...
Paint has developed a micro-blister rash...
What joy
Every 480 owners indispensable tool is currently spinning my meter...
Being stored outside with no door cards, rear lamps etc. hasn't done me any favours damp wise.
To summarise; two years wasted on paint and the paint is still sh1t.
Moving Forward
I think the new strategy is to forget paint - for now - a subject I have struggled with for 25 years on countless cars.
Just rebuild as complete as possible so I can visit more professional paintshops (further afield) for quotes. Yes, more money will be ploughed in.
Good job they're worth so much money or I'd be on the point of a nervous breakdown.
(Checks the Morris Leslie Auction for the Turbo this weekend where the hammer fell for £1100 )
Hopefully an update with more positivity after Christmas.
I really enjoy writing these updates, so time to refocus.
All the best; JKM.