New(ish) Scottish member and his hot lady, Ursula

Howdy all,

New Scottish member driving Metallic Mid Blue 1981 1500, ULA 361W. Brown carpet and cream pleather/cloth seats.

Her name is Ursula, given the registration plate.

She's been mine for three years. I joined a while back and then let my membership lapse while she was garaged for two and a half years. She is now back on the road, sailed through MOT with one advisory on the brakes which I hope to fix this weekend.

I've decided to make the car my own and not go for a stock restoration (can't afford a respray and couldn't find the original Fiat badges!)

So she's badged up as a Bertone but have Fiat bits here and there too and that suits me fine, I like the fact that it is a bit different. It confuses the life out of everyone who hasn't seen one! I've also created my own boot mats out of nice thick rubber and resprayed the front boot with (almost, damn close) matching paint from Autopaint St Helens.

I live in Edinburgh and the car has been getting a lot of attention. An older couple pulled up next to me at a roundabout the other day and were jumping up and down in their seats, peeping their horn and giving me the thumbs up. Maybe they just thought I'm awesome, but I think it was the car

We had no problem at all getting it back on the road really. The main issues were silly things - like reattaching the motor to the window washer reservoir (gave up after persistent leaking and just bought replacement tank and motor) and changing the speedo cable (now I have done this I will do the next one in a third of the time!).

I got under the car and wire brushed the whole underside, then attacked it with Hammerite paint. Hammerite owe me a t-shirt. I went through so much of that stuff, but the car looks brilliant underneath and ain't gonna rust in a hurry (he said, hopefully). Did some hole patching and touching up - the car is far from perfect but not bad for someone on a tight budget.

The engine started fine, first time we tried with fresh oil, filters and sparkplugs. This after two years stationary and a gallon in the tank. The girl was obviously happy we'd given her a makeover and was dying to get out there

I called Tiff the other day to ask a question about the engine revving high when idling and he was very helpful in explaining how to remedy it - for the record Tiff, your method works 95% of the time, ace fix! Sometimes it just refuses and needs to be done again.

Also fitted new timing belt the other day - paid a guy £60 to do it, and he did a grand job. He removed the lower cover from the belt as he said oil was dripping on to it. I'll need to see if that leak can be located.

I will upload photos soon. Got the works camera for the weekend and going down to the Dumfries Show to get some work related photos - but will also get some shots of Ursula too.

Billy

Welcome mate, but I think I deserve the Hammerite t-shirt for most used as I did underneath and the complete car in the stuff! There was no way I was paying £1500 for a respray on fiat metal:-o if rust appears now its no real hardship just remove and repaint!

Hi Billy
And welcome

Great story - looking forward to seeing the pics. Enjoy the car - she sounds excellent.

welcome billy,enjoy your affair with ursulla ...pete

Hi Billy

Always happy to welcome a new Scottish member. Enjoy the car and the Club. Hope to meet you at one of the get togethers. Hopetoun House on the 15th perhaps??

cheers

Guy

Guy,

I was hoping to make it to that one but got a wedding the night before! Think I'll be recuperating the next day.

I'll make it along to one of the meets for sure, was looking at the Lakes one and that might be an option.

Billy