Hi guys,

I've just recently purchased a 1987 2.2 Coupe GT as a little project. All in all it runs well and is fairly tidy for its age, only a few bits to weld the worst being around the sunroof. 

I'm a beginner when it comes to car restoration and the options available are pretty daunting. My first question is parts, where should I be looking for brakes, suspension parts, bushings etc.? Should I look at getting the parts on the vehicle restored or would my best option be to buy new, and where from?

Thanks in advance your help.

Hello Connor,

Thanks for being in touch and welcome to the forum. Sounds an interesting project. 

Sunroof and welding? Sunroofs are a pain and liability as the car gets older, and are known to be a premature rusting area. Don’t buy a car with a sunroof - out of choice!  Anyway, welding in the roof area? Not an easy task due to potential for distortion and of course the high risk of setting fire to the headlining. Alternative? Read up about adhesive bonding.

Parts availability? Wander into the motor factors in your locality. Unlike today’s system of order for delivery, when your car was in vogue, factors were stocking items for walk in demand, and they may still have stock remaining on shelves. Other sources? EBay is a good source, where motor factors again dispose of NOS. Other sources would include advertising your wants in specialist press such as ‘Modern Classics’ etc. - there are many more.

On another topic - have you got the car insured on an agreed value classic car policy? Always worthwhile even if not yet on the road - particularly if you are going to be welding! 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

yip   fireeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee