The Spartan has a super nice look and we immediately want to pamper it, but its condition requires a complete restoration.
The engine must be removed to be fully disassembled, and many parts must be replaced.
On this occasion, it will be embellished with a painting and some shiny elements.
The few metres behind the wheel to reach the garage left no doubt, there is work on the steering side, the running gear, shock absorbers and the braking system.
The interior must be completely redone.
The dashboard is completely dilapidated.
The exterior appearance is misleading in the first photos as the car is so cute, but there will be a lot to do here too.
Of course, a complete painting is planned, it will be the final touch, but it will also be necessary to resume the lighting, and put on pretty rims worthy of a beautiful English car.
The restoration work is really substantial, especially if we set ourselves the goal of making this Spartan as gleaming as the one on the inside page of the 1983 sales brochure :
Let the renovation begin !
Engine removals
Part per part...
Let's go !
The deposit in the lower engine housing was more like tar than oil.
Renewed, it now looks like that.
The engine will be renovated and completely repainted.
Can't wait to hear it turn like a clock...
The clutch will be changed.
Ford Sierra 2.0i DOHC 125hp MT75 Gearbox
The 2 engine mounts and the gearbox one will be replaced.
Some sockets seem to have melted, the electrical harness must be replaced.
The electronic ignition must be changed, and silicone cables will replace the original ones that had been painted red with a spray...
Replacement of the thermostat.
The engine bay
The engine compartment received corrosion protection before receiving new body elements.
Galvanised sheets have been cut, folded, adjusted.
The sheets will be welded and joined, before the engine compartment is repainted
A black corrosion-resistant paint was applied.
A second satin layer will protect this paint.
This will make it possible to highlight the different elements that will be fixed here.
The chassis
The chassis will be completely stripped before receiving a protective treatment.
The frame is reinforced, some of its tubular elements are doubled.
Finally, the entire Spartan underbody is protected.
The steering wheel can rotate 10 cm to the left or right without the wheels moving.
An electric power steering has been installed, while the 2-litre Ford Sierra engine is intended to receive a hydraulic pump.
The steering rack was attacked with a grinder by the former owner (for what purpose?) It’s needed to find another one, but it's becoming rare...
Cutting a steering rack, it was dared !
Here is à new power steering rack purchased at auction on eBay UK.
Unfortunately, it is not in the expected condition when purchased, its seals are leaking, and it will have to be completely reconditioned.
This will be explained in the anecdotes...
And here is a Ford Sierra 2.0i Power steering pump founded via « Le Bon Coin ».
This polished aluminum power steering liquid jar will advantageously replace the original plastic.
The running train
The front axle must be reinforced before starting with sandblasting and painting.
It will receive a new power steering rack.
After this Epoxy paint, the parts are ready to receive polyurethane bushes that will make driving more pleasant.
The reassembly is being prepared...
For the front :
Like for rear :
The dampers
Gas dampers will replace the original oil dampers.
They are set up on the front axle :
Then the front axle is back to the car :
Followed by the rear axle :
New ball bearings will take place :
Prepared in this way, The French Spartan could have had its say on the circuits in the races of the time.
However, it is rather intended for peaceful walks on country roads.
The Tank
The tank must be deposited to be renovated, and in any case the operation is necessary to allow the restoration of the chassis.
The tank has superficial oxidation on the outside, but over its entire surface.
We will have to strip him, and apply protection to hit.
Inside, it is surprisingly clean. Some slight traces of corrosion will be removed, and a special treatment will be applied, according to the Restom procedure to be followed very strictly.
Restomisation kit for 40 to 70l tank (Ford Cortina = 54 liters)
The fuel tank sender is too oxidized, particulary its connections, and needs to be replaced.
Ford Cortina Mk3 fuel tank sender
Braking
The Mastervac needs to be renovated.
The servo brake will be completely decanted before being repainted.
The master brake cylinder shows signs of weakness, it must be changed.
The dashboard
Nothing is to keep, we drop everything off !
But really everything...
Here it is.
The interior
Seats and other elements must be removed to allow the stripping of the floor before applying a layer of corrosion-resistant product.
Soundproof adhesive bitumen sheets will cover all surfaces.
Later, pretty carpets will come...
Heating
The heating and its fan, old and too voluminous, are replaced by a more efficient and less bulky Siroco Bali.
A polished aluminum adaptor will allow the hoses to pass through the firewall.
The body of the Spartan
The body parts are cleaned before they leave for the bodywork.
However, the complete painting of the Spartan is not for now, there is still a lot of work before reaching this stage, but we are preparing it…
September 4, 2023, the wings and hood of the Spartan are being prepared at the bodybuilder.
The bodywork, naked on the chassis, will arrive on Saturday to be also dentled, adjusted, primed and painted.
The answer to the game on the Facebook page is :
"The work of the coachbuilder in his preparation work"
Here is the complete work :
The French Spartan has arrived at the bodywork where it took place, the renovation continues.
The 4 wings received an internal anti-gravel treatment :
The front wings were prepared, before being sanded again :
It's time for the rear wings to be sanded, puttyed, and sanded again :
Before also going into the cabin to receive a primer :
And they will be sanded again before painting...
The windshield has been removed, work on the car will begin.
The trunk will be prepared, the inside of the wings is protected to go into the cabin.
…Tadam !!! Here is the red :
The hood panels are dentled, sanded, they will be prepared, sanded again, and then painted :
Do..., and redo...
I thought this work was finished, but it was without counting on the requirement of the bodybuilder who noted imperfections in its realisation, and decided to redo these 3 parts :
The doors were removed, stripped, the aluminum sheets detached from their frames to be prepared.
The amounts have begun to be pickled, they will be treated against rust, primed, sanded, and then painted in red.
The striker is protected by tape ;)
Work on the car itself has begun.
Between the dashboard and the windshield was fixed a kind of unsightly empty pocket.
This one camouflaged a big hole that had been made wildly to probably create an air inlet from the heating.
Wrongly placed, and also badly done, it is necessary to close this hole by straightening the aluminum sheet that had been opened like a can.
Big work for this shaping of the aluminum sheet.
It must now be welded, and the preparation before painting must continue.
The rims
Impossible to keep fake spoked rims on a beautiful English car.
5 x 15" spoke wheels (spare wheel required) will embellish The French Spartan.
