5 replies to this topic

[RIM-010]

In the 80's my old man had a Contessa Gold HJ Premier. He rebuilt the 253 in the engine shop at BHP Whyalla during his apprenticeship, launched the Trimatic into the scrap heap and fitted an M21, bolted a set of Jellybeans on it and did a lap of Australia. This photo was taken in 89 in Dampier  USER_SCOPED_TEMP_DATA_orca-image--882910533.jpeg   92.16K   5 downloads

Unfortunately, in 1993 it was stolen and stripped by lowlife scum, and Dad never replaced it - until now.

On Australia Day I spotted this HZ Premier on marketplace, and half-jokingly sent a screenshot to Dad telling him to buy it. Fast forward 3 days to today and he's picked it up!

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It doesn't have the trim tag, but the colour is Dynasty Gold, and all that remains of the interior is a chocolate brown, cloth back seat.
Still has its original 253, Trimatic (which will be placed as swiftly as possible into the nearest bin) and what seems to be its original disc brake diff. Aircon and power steering too, original owner ticked a few boxes!

Plans are!
Sort the body out. The only real rust is in the floors and we have a good stash of spares so that should come together nicely.

Respray in the original Dynasty Gold.

New interior in Chamois.

Rebuild the 253. Dad still remembers the specs of his old cam, I can't wait to see his face when he fires it up.

Fit a real gearbox. We have everything laying around to slap an M20 in it, but I'm going to keep a eye out for a 5 speed to make it a nicer highway cruiser

Tidy up the diff, brakes and suspension.

15x8 and 15x10 Jellybeans

And of course the personalised plates he had on the original, RERY10.

[skap]

Nice.

 

Gonna go with a big 4 poster bullbar too?

[RIM-010]

I think we'll leave the roobar off, although I'm told it did its job on the original!

[neglectedtorana]

That is a great project Tim, hope you and your Dad have fun doing it

 

Cheers, Tim

[Ice]

Love the Zeds looks like a good start point Tim 

keep us update on progress 

[RIM-010]

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Found another pic of the original!

Will certainly keep the updates up, first step is to get the body back to metal and work out what we do and don't have to put it back together