Price guide on used parts ?

[Colin]

As a newbie looking at various aspects of R4 ownership can someone please enlighten me on the availability and typical prices to convert an early drum braked car to disc brake spec?

Typically I'll be looking for :
1100cc engine (or 1.3/1.4) and matching gearbox
Disck brake hub set up
Rear suspension arms to suit
Handbrake parts as required

 

[mr-reno-139]

Not as simple as that depends on year of car you are converting wether left or right hand drive donor or recipient and how original you want the finished car to look
I may be able to help as I have done all this in the past but without a donor car you are going to struggle with economics especially if you are not doing work yourself
Feel free to ring me as every option I could give you will take ages to type out

 

[Colin]

Thanks Paul,
I'll be doing all the work myself, I'm just trying to get a feel for prices at the moment. I realise using a donor car is probably the bed way to go,but, the wife doesnt like me breaking cars in the front garden !

 

[Antonio]

Hi.
For parts new, you can use this web.

http://www.oscaro.es/

You can know a estimated price for this parts.

 

[mr-reno-139]

Don't forget my phone number is on my profile page and you haven't told us what year car you've got
I can supply a lot of what you may need but it is a big job and you may need a bonnet set of wheels radiator and mounting cross member between wings
The rear arms don't need changing just backplates and drums

 

[Colin]

Haven't actually got a car yet ! Might even go for a later spec car, its just that the 80's don't seem that long ago car wise to me.
Previously I've had Austin A35's for over twenty years before the 76 Estafette.

 

[Cornish4]

Hi Colin, don't forget that apart from the bigger engine, four speeds, disc brakes and rear handbrake, it's pretty much a 1961 design, and if you are thinking of doing longer trips a later car is a much better option. Maybe I'm bias though as I have an 83 car. Anyway, good luck with your quest, I hope you find a suitable car.

 

[Colin]

Yeah I'm starting to think along the lines of a late model myself now, Toying wether to import one or wait for a UK one come up for sale. Under orders to get rid of the Estafette first

 

[Cornish4]

It's a shame if you have to sell the Estafette Colin, and I have to say I've got a soft spot for commercials too. No! I had better not go there. We have a veedub camper that keeps me quite busy enough. I see there's a Clan for sale on here, and you can always retro fit chrome parts like bumpers and mirrors as I've done with my GTL to give it an older look.

 

[Colin]

I think Estafettes are about to explode price wise. The classic van press has featured them this year and demand is growing. Certainly most hi-tops are being snapped up by the catering crowd as theyre sooo cheap compared to Citroen H types, and tin top Alouettes like mine are prime for the camper market without the hefty VW price tag.

 

[mr-reno-139]

Estafettes are great as long as you are not in a hurry
Problem comes when trying to cover long distances in a hurry as most cars built in the 60s are really low geared
I can see lots of demand for engine rebuilds when nonsympathetic buyers try and use them like today's modern vans

 

[Colin]

Ha - The gearing is quite something. 62mph flat out, balls to the wall. When bumping along A roads at a steady 50ish though I have noticed its not me thats holding the traffic up and it can hold its own most of the time.

I've got two people showing an initial interest which is good and takes me a step nearer to R4 ownership.
Trying to convince the wife that my minds set on one and she laughed when I showed her some photos ! Changed her mind somewhat after seeing a few more espescially ones with a full fabric sunroof (memories of our A35 Countryman no doubt) so the 'wants' list is growing.