Having sold my C2 last year I felt that after five years of ownership it was time for a change... big mistake!
There was nothing that really floated my boat and when I had some freelance work come up, it was necessary to make a rapid purchase of an Omega 3.0. This was essentially the best of a bad lot when it came to used cars in the local area. The Omega did its job of ferrying me to and from Hertfordshire safely and was very comfortable and quick.
The rot set in (not literally!) when the battery died during the severe winter; it was fairly old thought and I duly replaced it. Shortly after that it became flat and I had to get the AA to kick it into life, whereupon the chap said it was very low, probably old and should be replaced... Having checked the boot light (a well-known battery flattener) and the power sounder for the alarm (already disconnected!) I got it going with the chaps in yellow again and gave it a blast to charge the thing properly.
Another week and half later (admittedly with no use inbetween) the *£$%! thing was flat again so onto ebay it went... and a week later, it went (down to Kent I think).
That set me on the lookout for a different car once again and after flirting with the idea of a CLK, Hyundai Coupe (what was I drinking at the time?!), and the rather lovely 406 Coupe I found myself looking at Cougars once more. The main thing I never forgave the Omega for (apart from its penchant for munching batteries) was the lack of rear hatch and wiper. This was probably the "reasoning" behind the Hyundai idea...
Saw a few C1s that were rather the worse for wear and a C2 down in Essex (took an entire evening getting there and back!). The guy gave me the keys and said it was parked round the corner; I could have probably legged it with the car as he didn't know if I'd come with anyone else! Anyway, despite 65K mileage the bodywork was appalling: scuffs on every corner, big ding and sideways scrape down n/s door and sill, top of one wing dented (how?!), both door edges badly chipped and a noisy p/s pump were enough to put me off.
The next one on Pistonheads looked in far better condition especially with an owner of 7 years and full history. So back in the wife's Astra (*the shame of it*) and day trip to deepest Suffolk - literally in the middle of nowhere. Far better condition, mainly Ford S/H and very few blemishes (although I've now noticed a few more than I did when viewing). Bonnet is badly stonechipped and hasn't been touched in so may look at getting that blown in.
Other niggle is - no leather!!! The door cards seem the same as the leather variant and finding C2 ones is a thankless task. The set on ebay (at £300) are a bit pricey, especially when I shan't need the door cards but despite offers the seller seems happy to sit on them until someone coughs for full price.
Anyway, if you've been patient/bored enough to read through all that, it's time for a few pictures:
View attachment 1865
General sideways view, the car hasn't been touched externally yet and so not up to my standards of cleanlines..
View attachment 1866Having removed the grille (it'll be swapped for US-spec one) and slam panel this is what greeted me! There were some feathers in the radiator too!
View attachment 1862After a little while things are starting to improve.
View attachment 1863More detailed descriptions to follow but this is a general view of the engine bay as purchased.
View attachment 1864My version somewhat cleaner but by no means completed. Further info and pics to follow.
There was nothing that really floated my boat and when I had some freelance work come up, it was necessary to make a rapid purchase of an Omega 3.0. This was essentially the best of a bad lot when it came to used cars in the local area. The Omega did its job of ferrying me to and from Hertfordshire safely and was very comfortable and quick.
The rot set in (not literally!) when the battery died during the severe winter; it was fairly old thought and I duly replaced it. Shortly after that it became flat and I had to get the AA to kick it into life, whereupon the chap said it was very low, probably old and should be replaced... Having checked the boot light (a well-known battery flattener) and the power sounder for the alarm (already disconnected!) I got it going with the chaps in yellow again and gave it a blast to charge the thing properly.
Another week and half later (admittedly with no use inbetween) the *£$%! thing was flat again so onto ebay it went... and a week later, it went (down to Kent I think).
That set me on the lookout for a different car once again and after flirting with the idea of a CLK, Hyundai Coupe (what was I drinking at the time?!), and the rather lovely 406 Coupe I found myself looking at Cougars once more. The main thing I never forgave the Omega for (apart from its penchant for munching batteries) was the lack of rear hatch and wiper. This was probably the "reasoning" behind the Hyundai idea...
Saw a few C1s that were rather the worse for wear and a C2 down in Essex (took an entire evening getting there and back!). The guy gave me the keys and said it was parked round the corner; I could have probably legged it with the car as he didn't know if I'd come with anyone else! Anyway, despite 65K mileage the bodywork was appalling: scuffs on every corner, big ding and sideways scrape down n/s door and sill, top of one wing dented (how?!), both door edges badly chipped and a noisy p/s pump were enough to put me off.
The next one on Pistonheads looked in far better condition especially with an owner of 7 years and full history. So back in the wife's Astra (*the shame of it*) and day trip to deepest Suffolk - literally in the middle of nowhere. Far better condition, mainly Ford S/H and very few blemishes (although I've now noticed a few more than I did when viewing). Bonnet is badly stonechipped and hasn't been touched in so may look at getting that blown in.
Other niggle is - no leather!!! The door cards seem the same as the leather variant and finding C2 ones is a thankless task. The set on ebay (at £300) are a bit pricey, especially when I shan't need the door cards but despite offers the seller seems happy to sit on them until someone coughs for full price.
Anyway, if you've been patient/bored enough to read through all that, it's time for a few pictures:
View attachment 1865
General sideways view, the car hasn't been touched externally yet and so not up to my standards of cleanlines..
View attachment 1866Having removed the grille (it'll be swapped for US-spec one) and slam panel this is what greeted me! There were some feathers in the radiator too!
View attachment 1862After a little while things are starting to improve.
View attachment 1863More detailed descriptions to follow but this is a general view of the engine bay as purchased.
View attachment 1864My version somewhat cleaner but by no means completed. Further info and pics to follow.
