Montecarlo for sale (Wales, UK)

[Postman Matt]

Hi guys

I'm interested in buying a Montecarlo, although I haven't really been searching that long. The vehicle I've linked below has come up for sale recently, and I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me any info about it (i.e. if there are any previous owners, whether it's good value for money for the car in question etc.)

I've owned a few other Italian cars (Fiat Barchetta, Alfa 145), so I'm aware of potential issues sourcing parts and the usual rust problems. The salesman who I spoke to about it also admitted there are a couple of patches which will require attention.


http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_popup.jsp?did=28709&pageid=2&originalid=&gid=nogroup&tid=40&start=1&distance=0&adcategory=cars&channel=DEALERPAGE&id=200902326675007

Thanks in advance

Matt

[Postman Matt]

Maybe I should have pointed out that it's the Spyder version as well

[Darren]

Hi Mat and welcome!

That car looks like a series 2, obviosly with a body kit on it. I'm pretty sure it was up on eBay towards the end of last year. It looks ok in the pics, but have a careful look over the car. Places to check are the sills, floorpan (pull up those carpets!), and both front and rear turrets. As it's a spider, you also want to have a look round the opening and also the bottom of the screen. Check the screen for delamination in the corners. So all of the car really!

Not 100% on the kit, but looks like an LDD front bumper, so maybe the sills, bonnet scoop and rear spoiler are from the same kit. The front headlights look nicely done. They don't look like Beta items from the picture, nor does the grille look like a standard series 2 item - Delta maybe? Either way, looks like it's been done properly, which bodes well for the rest of the car.

Shame there aren't any shots under the engine cover. It does look as if it had aftermarket wheels on it, which have been separately sold. No foundation to that other than the thought of why go to the expense of having a body kit fitted and leaving the wheels standard?

For history of the car, try getting in touch with Rodders at the Monte Hospital. You may as well make the call, because the chances are you'll be talking to them at some point!

Price is a relative thing. You can probably negotiate a bit, especially bearing in mind that January is not the time for selling a spider? Any service records or receipts available - what have you been told about the car - daily driver, sunday driver - restored and sold??

I would definitely recommend buying one, but then I am a little biased! :D There is a strong following here in the UK, as well as in the States. This is a great place to start and if you have any questions, there are many who have a great deal of experience with these cars.

There's also the Montecarlo Consortium (www.montecarlo.org.uk), the owners club with membership worldwide.

Keep us posted on how you get on!

Cheers

[sprintcarfan]

This is the LDD kit....
http://www.omicron.uk.com/montebodykit.html

It looks like it might be the same car. Different wheels, rear bumper, and somebody added the side stripe. Maybe Andrew Cliffe knows about the car.

[DJ]

This is the LDD kit....
http://www.omicron.uk.com/montebodykit.html

It looks like it might be the same car. Different wheels, rear bumper, and somebody added the side stripe. Maybe Andrew Cliffe knows about the car.

I was thinking that it looked like Dave Beale's car. If that's his I wonder how it ended up at a used car lot in Wales.

[JGreenslade]

It might be the way the photos have been taken / edited, but the Omicron link appears to have a different headlight conversion.

Is the one on the Omicron page identical to the conversion they offer? The reflectors look different to the ones I've seen on cars purported to have the Omicron conversion.

Matt - if you're serious about Monte ownership, be prepared to spend a long time finding a car. I spent around 2 years before I found mine. When inspecting for rust, I have 3 words for you: turrets, turrets and more turrets! Good luck!


Justin

[JGreenslade]

I think I remember why the car looks slightly different. The original Omicron conversion used Integrale reflectors / lamps. Integrale lamps have become unobtainium, so Omicron now offer the same conversion, but it uses lamps similar to those used by Pagani.

Please correct me if this info is incorrect - but I'm fairly sure this is the case.


Justin

[Darren]

Hi Justin,

You could well be right there - I have seen the Omicron conversion - Geoff Ward, Jez Pigden & Steve Hinson have them - and differing size lamps I think. Personally, I don't think they look right

http://lancisti.net/forum/%5Burl=http://lancisti.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=7942%5D%5Bimg%5Dhttp://lancisti.net/photopost/data/930/thumbs/RIMG_0472.jpg%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5Dhttp://lancisti.net/photopost/data/930/thumbs/RIMG_0472.jpg (http://lancisti.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=7942)

But that's obviously my own opinion. I think the Beta lamp conversion looks more inkeeping of the period

http://lancisti.net/photopost/data/899/thumbs/P060708_16_37.JPG (http://lancisti.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=7368)

I prefer the original lights. But, I have heard a rumour that Rodders at the Monte Hospital is in the final stages of completing a 4 lamp conversion using modern Hella units akin to the Beta conversion.

Cheers

[JGreenslade]

Hi Darren,

The car in your link is the look I associate with the Omicron newer conversion.

The one here (http://www.omicron.uk.com/images/bodykit2.jpg) is what I believe to be the earlier Omicron, with 'Grale lights. I prefer the 'Grale look, but finding a decent set of lamps is likely to take a lot of looking - they come up on Ebay, but are either expensive or grotty.

Justin

btw- what are those wheels on Jez's car? Have you got a clearer photo? Cheers.

edit - are those lamps in the above link normal 'grale 16v units?

[Darren]

Hi Darren,

The car in your link is the look I associate with the Omicron newer conversion.

The one here (http://www.omicron.uk.com/images/bodykit2.jpg) is what I believe to be the earlier Omicron, with 'Grale lights. I prefer the 'Grale look, but finding a decent set of lamps is likely to take a lot of looking - they come up on Ebay, but are either expensive or grotty.

Justin

btw- what are those wheels on Jez's car? Have you got a clearer photo? Cheers.

edit - are those lamps in the above link normal 'grale 16v units?

Hi Justin,

Perhaps Andrew can confirm the history at this point and I am ready to be corrected here - the modern conversion is the Omicron one. The 'grale light conversion was part of the LDD kit that Omicron bought/inherited. Good luck with finding 'grale lights chap - as you say, very rare or grotty. Personally, I'd go with Beta units as I said before, but that's just me - or even 037 stylee with the outer lights bigger than the inners.

here's a better pic of Jez's wheels

http://lancisti.net/photopost/data/500/thumbs/101_0153_IMG.jpg (http://lancisti.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1989)

more in his album - lancia836. I think they're Biturbo wheels and they are really nice. One of the only 2 other syles I'd have if I had the choice! DJ has the other style I'd go for! ;o)

Yes- I think the lights in your link are 16v 'grale units.

Hope this helps!

[sprintcarfan]

btw- what are those wheels on Jez's car? Have you got a clearer photo? Cheers.


I think they're Compomotive Turbo's.

[lanciatomcat]

To add to this item have added two pictures to my Photo albums of the LDD headlamp arrangement on my very first Montecarlo.
Utilised 7" and 53/4" headlamps with a 'special' noseband arrangement. This fitting requires major alteration to the front panels.

[lanciatomcat]

Matt
My S2 Spyder - FEE 893Y may be up for sale soon.
It has a fresh MOT.
I can be reached on tom.panther@btinternet.com
Regards
Tom

[Darren]

To add to this item have added two pictures to my Photo albums of the LDD headlamp arrangement on my very first Montecarlo.
Utilised 7" and 53/4" headlamps with a 'special' noseband arrangement. This fitting requires major alteration to the front panels.

I forgot you had the LDD Monte Tom - A true 80's tmewarp car!! Personally I can't see what he was trying to achieve with that design, but then that was the 80's - akin to the Coronation Steet stone cladding on the Duckworth's house! :D At least your car looks finished! The pics on the Omicron site do nothing to 'ahem' show off the kit.

Is that a Beta Coupe you've added to your stable Tom? You're going to need more garaging chap - 3 Montes, 1 Fulvia & a Coupe? You're a lucky man my friend!! ;o) Sorry to have missed you at Paul D's this morning.

Cheers

[lanciatomcat]

Darren
Yes sorry I missed you this morning.
Had my good lady in tow and we had along day ahead!!
The Beta coupe is long gone as is that particular Monte.
Only down to what is listed on this forum.
Regards
Tom

[Darren]

Darren
Yes sorry I missed you this morning.
Had my good lady in tow and we had along day ahead!!
The Beta coupe is long gone as is that particular Monte.
Only down to what is listed on this forum.
Regards
Tom

Been a long weekend for me - yesterday a run to pick up the Monte and today to get it into store - you're now a Fulvia ahead of me!! :D

[lanciatomcat]

Darren
You may be 1 Monte ahead of me soon but I will still be that Fulvia ahead !??
Tom

[Darren]

Darren
You may be 1 Monte ahead of me soon but I will still be that Fulvia ahead !??
Tom

Which one are you letting go?

[lanciatomcat]

The S2 Spyder - FEE 893Y. Just had a new MOT.
I am having some work done on the S1 Spyder Project and have decided to keep the Fulvia, the black S2 coupe and put some funds into the Project so 1 has to move on.

[Darren]

The S2 Spyder - FEE 893Y. Just had a new MOT.
I am having some work done on the S1 Spyder Project and have decided to keep the Fulvia, the black S2 coupe and put some funds into the Project so 1 has to move on.

How is the project coming along Tom? Been a while since there was an update