1 00:00:00,867 --> 00:00:02,000 [Mike] This time... 2 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:03,734 -[laughs] Wow. -Look at that. 3 00:00:03,734 --> 00:00:05,266 [Mike] Yes, look at that. 4 00:00:05,266 --> 00:00:07,367 ...we're taking on the high-class cousin 5 00:00:07,367 --> 00:00:10,500 of one of the most unloved cars Britain ever built... 6 00:00:10,500 --> 00:00:12,867 -Right then, Elvis, step into the office... -Ah. 7 00:00:12,867 --> 00:00:14,266 ...of the Vanden Plas. 8 00:00:14,266 --> 00:00:17,000 ...to see if we can change people's opinion 9 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:19,600 and prove they've got it all wrong. 10 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:22,367 So you start to fall in love with that little car, then? 11 00:00:22,367 --> 00:00:24,367 [laughs] Well, love's a strong word. 12 00:00:24,367 --> 00:00:27,600 So can Elvis be this motor's Prince Charming? 13 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:30,000 [Elvis] This is gonna be like trying to wake Sleeping Beauty, isn't it? 14 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:30,467 [Elvis] This is gonna be like trying to wake Sleeping Beauty, isn't it? 15 00:00:30,467 --> 00:00:32,600 Apart from the beauty bit. Here we go. 16 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:35,100 [Mike] Get it wrong, and we'll be the laughing stock 17 00:00:35,100 --> 00:00:37,000 of the automotive world. 18 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:39,867 Either we haven't got a spark in each of the four cylinders 19 00:00:39,867 --> 00:00:41,467 or that spark's not strong enough. 20 00:00:41,467 --> 00:00:44,000 That does not look right. 21 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:45,634 [Mike] But get it right, 22 00:00:45,634 --> 00:00:48,600 and this car could get the second life it deserves. 23 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:51,100 -What do you think of ours? -Aged like a fine wine. 24 00:00:51,100 --> 00:00:53,700 Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me. 25 00:00:53,700 --> 00:00:57,100 I love you. Thank you so much for saying that. 26 00:00:57,967 --> 00:01:00,000 It's like holding onto a wild beast. 27 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:00,367 It's like holding onto a wild beast. 28 00:01:00,367 --> 00:01:02,367 I'm Mike Brewer, and I've been buying 29 00:01:02,367 --> 00:01:04,467 and selling cars for nearly 40 years. 30 00:01:04,467 --> 00:01:08,467 It's rattly, smelly, and it's blooming brilliant. 31 00:01:08,467 --> 00:01:12,333 Now I've set up shop in Britain's motoring heritage heartland... 32 00:01:14,533 --> 00:01:16,600 Oh, yes! 33 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:20,166 ...along with ex-Formula 1 mechanic, Marc "Elvis" Priestley. 34 00:01:20,166 --> 00:01:22,634 So that engine management light never put you off, then? 35 00:01:22,634 --> 00:01:24,166 Together, we get to buy... 36 00:01:24,166 --> 00:01:25,867 -Think you're the right man for it. -Top man? 37 00:01:25,867 --> 00:01:27,734 -...and fix up... -Look at the state of it. 38 00:01:27,734 --> 00:01:29,467 It's got the Spirit of Ecstasy and everything. 39 00:01:29,467 --> 00:01:30,000 ...the most iconic and exciting cars on the market. 40 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:32,867 ...the most iconic and exciting cars on the market. 41 00:01:32,867 --> 00:01:35,867 -This is gonna be epic. -Bolt a supercharger to it, 42 00:01:35,867 --> 00:01:38,367 and you end up with a car that does this. 43 00:01:38,367 --> 00:01:40,634 With Elvis' engineering skill... 44 00:01:40,634 --> 00:01:42,867 And there it is, the offending article. 45 00:01:42,867 --> 00:01:44,600 ...and my car dealing clout... 46 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:46,066 He's gonna be over the moon, innit? 47 00:01:46,066 --> 00:01:47,467 Elvis better get the posh tools ready. 48 00:01:47,467 --> 00:01:50,500 ...we should be able to make ourselves a tidy profit. 49 00:01:50,500 --> 00:01:53,433 Because this is my job, and I blooming love it. 50 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:58,100 [theme music playing] 51 00:02:05,867 --> 00:02:07,600 So, right turn, Clyde. 52 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:09,266 Right turn, Clyde. 53 00:02:09,266 --> 00:02:11,867 Straight over at the roundabout. 54 00:02:11,867 --> 00:02:13,533 Go on, then, mate, put me out of my misery. 55 00:02:13,533 --> 00:02:16,000 What are we going to see this time? Why am I here? 56 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:18,266 You won't be in misery, let's put it that way, 57 00:02:18,266 --> 00:02:20,266 but we're going to see an iconic car. 58 00:02:20,266 --> 00:02:23,367 -[laughs] Really? -Yep, from the 1970s. 59 00:02:23,367 --> 00:02:25,367 -Okay. -Yeah, it's British. 60 00:02:25,367 --> 00:02:30,000 -Yeah. -And it's probably the most unloved car of all time. 61 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:30,266 -Yeah. -And it's probably the most unloved car of all time. 62 00:02:31,467 --> 00:02:33,734 -What? An Allegro? Is it an Allegro? -[laughs] 63 00:02:33,734 --> 00:02:35,734 -Is it? -Sort of. 64 00:02:35,734 --> 00:02:38,266 It's an Allegro that's been at a plastic surgeon. 65 00:02:38,266 --> 00:02:41,734 -It's the Vanden Plas 1500. -What do we want with an Allegro? 66 00:02:41,734 --> 00:02:44,867 Well, actually, they got really bad rap, 67 00:02:44,867 --> 00:02:47,100 -the Allegro. -Yes, for a good reason. 68 00:02:47,100 --> 00:02:48,634 They called it an all aggro. 69 00:02:48,634 --> 00:02:52,634 This one's been dressed up with the Vanden Plas stuff, it's got the big grille. 70 00:02:52,634 --> 00:02:55,734 It's got the walnut dashboard and a leather interior, 71 00:02:55,734 --> 00:02:58,467 -so it should be all right. -Yeah. I mean, look, you're right. 72 00:02:58,467 --> 00:03:00,000 But you can put lipstick on a pig, it doesn't make it beautiful. 73 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:01,700 But you can put lipstick on a pig, it doesn't make it beautiful. 74 00:03:01,700 --> 00:03:04,734 [laughter] I've seen beautiful pigs. I have. 75 00:03:04,734 --> 00:03:07,967 Hear me out, all right. Because it's an Allegro, 76 00:03:07,967 --> 00:03:10,100 there's a strange movement afoot, 77 00:03:10,100 --> 00:03:13,634 which is people now appreciating these unloved classics, 78 00:03:13,634 --> 00:03:16,367 and they're having gatherings, they're actually having meetings... 79 00:03:16,367 --> 00:03:18,000 -Yeah. -...and getting together. 80 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:20,000 And I reckon we can tap into that market, 81 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:22,166 plus, I don't think it's that bad a car. 82 00:03:22,166 --> 00:03:23,967 I think they're actually quite a good car, 83 00:03:23,967 --> 00:03:26,533 -and I want to honor that and celebrate that. -Yeah. 84 00:03:26,533 --> 00:03:29,000 [Elvis] I mean, tell me they're giving it for not a lot of money. 85 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:30,000 The couple selling it, they're called Peter and Gwen. 86 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:31,734 The couple selling it, they're called Peter and Gwen. 87 00:03:31,734 --> 00:03:33,867 Peter's unfortunately not well... 88 00:03:33,867 --> 00:03:36,000 -Oh, dear. -...so it's an unfinished project. 89 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:40,734 But, I know that he's really done some good work to the car, 90 00:03:40,734 --> 00:03:42,467 that's what his wife tells me. 91 00:03:42,467 --> 00:03:44,600 And hopefully, if it's good, 92 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:46,600 they're only asking 1500 quid for it, 93 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:49,166 we should be able to wrestle it away and save it. 94 00:03:49,166 --> 00:03:52,367 Okay. Well, listen, you know me, mate. I'm all about saving cars. 95 00:03:52,367 --> 00:03:56,066 -So, let's hope it's better than I suspect it is. -It will be. 96 00:03:56,066 --> 00:03:58,066 Released in 1973, 97 00:03:58,066 --> 00:04:00,000 the standard Austin Allegro was born at possibly the worst period 98 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:01,500 the standard Austin Allegro was born at possibly the worst period 99 00:04:01,500 --> 00:04:03,734 in British car manufacturing. 100 00:04:03,734 --> 00:04:06,166 It suffered from terrible build quality, 101 00:04:06,166 --> 00:04:09,266 a questionable gearbox and dumpy styling, 102 00:04:09,266 --> 00:04:13,734 which is why it was often touted as one of the worst cars ever built. 103 00:04:13,734 --> 00:04:16,000 However, its top-of-the-range cousin, 104 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,467 which was primped and preened by coach builders, 105 00:04:18,467 --> 00:04:21,266 Vanden Plas was the spec to have. 106 00:04:21,266 --> 00:04:24,600 Inside and out, it was given a luxurious makeover 107 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:26,700 that included wall-to-wall carpet, 108 00:04:26,700 --> 00:04:29,700 a big chrome grille, and picnic tables in the back, 109 00:04:29,700 --> 00:04:30,000 transforming it from an everyday run-around 110 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:32,166 transforming it from an everyday run-around 111 00:04:32,166 --> 00:04:35,100 into something for the more discerning motorist. 112 00:04:35,100 --> 00:04:38,634 So I'm on a mission to prove that the world is wrong, 113 00:04:38,634 --> 00:04:40,700 and that this version of the Allegro 114 00:04:40,700 --> 00:04:44,900 doesn't deserve the poor reputation it's had up until now. 115 00:04:46,266 --> 00:04:49,967 We've travelled to the suburbs of Epsom for a look at this motor. 116 00:04:49,967 --> 00:04:52,367 And what Elvis hasn't quite worked out yet 117 00:04:52,367 --> 00:04:56,000 is that I've not brought him along for his conversational skills. 118 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:58,266 -You must be Gwen. -I am indeed. 119 00:04:58,266 --> 00:05:00,000 Gwen, how are you? My name's Mike. 120 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:00,266 Gwen, how are you? My name's Mike. 121 00:05:00,266 --> 00:05:02,266 -Hello, Mike. Nice to meet you. -Lovely to meet you. 122 00:05:02,266 --> 00:05:03,700 -And you. Hello. -Hello, I'm Elvis. 123 00:05:03,700 --> 00:05:06,367 So, how long has the car been here? 124 00:05:06,367 --> 00:05:07,467 About seven years. 125 00:05:07,467 --> 00:05:08,734 -[Mike] Has it? -[Gwen] Yeah. 126 00:05:08,734 --> 00:05:10,600 -[Elvis] What, just sat like that with a cover over it? -Yeah. 127 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:15,166 So why now? What's the decision to, uh, to sell the car now? 128 00:05:15,166 --> 00:05:17,500 Well, unfortunately, Peter has got dementia, 129 00:05:17,500 --> 00:05:20,166 and he doesn't even know the car's there, 130 00:05:20,166 --> 00:05:23,100 let alone to do any work on it. 131 00:05:23,100 --> 00:05:25,166 -So, um... -What a shame. 132 00:05:25,166 --> 00:05:27,634 I guess you just love to see somebody finish the job 133 00:05:27,634 --> 00:05:29,867 -that he started all that time ago. -Yes. Yeah. 134 00:05:29,867 --> 00:05:30,000 Well, that's what we do. We try to, you know, 135 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:32,266 Well, that's what we do. We try to, you know, 136 00:05:32,266 --> 00:05:35,500 restore and recover cars back to how they used to be. 137 00:05:35,500 --> 00:05:37,367 So hopefully, we can do that with this. 138 00:05:37,367 --> 00:05:40,367 Right. Here we go then, Gwen. Let's have a look. 139 00:05:40,367 --> 00:05:42,100 And that's fantastic. 140 00:05:42,100 --> 00:05:45,066 So he sort of started a paint job but didn't finish it. 141 00:05:46,367 --> 00:05:49,266 All marked up, ready to go. Let's get rid of this. 142 00:05:50,166 --> 00:05:51,467 Look at that. 143 00:05:52,266 --> 00:05:53,700 [Elvis] Oh, it's got no wheels. 144 00:05:53,700 --> 00:05:55,500 Oh, it's got no brakes on the front, either. 145 00:05:55,500 --> 00:05:57,166 [Mike] No, none on this side either. 146 00:05:57,166 --> 00:05:59,734 We can't really have a proper look at it unless we can get it outside. 147 00:05:59,734 --> 00:06:00,000 I mean, I've got the tools in the car. If the bits are in here, 148 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,967 I mean, I've got the tools in the car. If the bits are in here, 149 00:06:02,967 --> 00:06:05,000 if you want to look around and find them, 150 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:06,700 I'd start putting it together quickly, and we can roll it out. 151 00:06:06,700 --> 00:06:08,700 -Would that be all right with you, Gwen? -Yes. 152 00:06:08,700 --> 00:06:10,467 -Would you leave us with it for a little while? -Yeah. 153 00:06:10,467 --> 00:06:13,600 We'll get it built up, push it out, then we'll give you a shout. 154 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:16,000 -That'd be fine. Okay. -Yeah? We'll see you in a bit. 155 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:17,700 -Thanks, Gwen. -Yeah, see you later. 156 00:06:17,700 --> 00:06:20,266 -What have we got over there? -Well, definitely need a hub 157 00:06:20,266 --> 00:06:22,500 because I've got nothing to bolt the wheel to. 158 00:06:22,500 --> 00:06:24,867 -Well, I found a hub down here. -Have you? 159 00:06:24,867 --> 00:06:27,266 So I've got a wheel and a hub. 160 00:06:27,266 --> 00:06:30,000 [Mike] Look at that. I knew I brought him for a reason. 161 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:30,166 [Mike] Look at that. I knew I brought him for a reason. 162 00:06:30,166 --> 00:06:32,600 We're not gonna be able to get it out on the road today 163 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:34,734 because it's been sat here for so long, 164 00:06:34,734 --> 00:06:37,467 but at least we can get it out of this garage. 165 00:06:39,100 --> 00:06:42,867 -Are you actually pushing? -[Mike] Yeah, of course I'm pushing. 166 00:06:42,867 --> 00:06:44,867 -Nice. -I'll tell you what, mate, it's not bad. 167 00:06:44,867 --> 00:06:46,700 Not bad at all, is it? Once it's out. 168 00:06:46,700 --> 00:06:48,367 -Look at this engine bay. -Look under here. 169 00:06:48,367 --> 00:06:50,166 -[laughs] Wow. -Look at that. 170 00:06:50,166 --> 00:06:52,600 Yes, look at that. That is good. 171 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:54,600 [Elvis] He's done some really good work to this, hasn't he? 172 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:56,600 I mean, chrome on top. Is that standard? 173 00:06:56,600 --> 00:06:58,700 [Mike] That's standard for a Vanden Plas I do believe, yeah, 174 00:06:58,700 --> 00:07:00,000 because it's all about the Vanden Plas, so... 175 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:00,533 because it's all about the Vanden Plas, so... 176 00:07:00,533 --> 00:07:02,867 In fact, they never called this car an Allegro at all. 177 00:07:02,867 --> 00:07:04,600 They called it the Vanden Plas 1500. 178 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:07,634 But it's almost a desperate attempt to detach itself from a car 179 00:07:07,634 --> 00:07:09,266 -that no one liked... -Exactly that. 180 00:07:09,266 --> 00:07:10,533 ...back in the day. 181 00:07:10,533 --> 00:07:13,066 And in condition like this, I mean, look at the inner wings, 182 00:07:13,066 --> 00:07:15,000 there's not a blemish on the inner wings. 183 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:17,734 -They look like they're new. -So, we don't know if it runs yet, of course. 184 00:07:17,734 --> 00:07:19,867 There is a bit of gamble in that side of things. 185 00:07:19,867 --> 00:07:21,533 There is one thing I've noticed, 186 00:07:21,533 --> 00:07:23,367 it's sagging over on one side, 187 00:07:23,367 --> 00:07:25,533 -but it's obviously fixable. -That's fantastic. 188 00:07:25,533 --> 00:07:26,467 I absolutely love it. 189 00:07:26,467 --> 00:07:28,634 -Should we have a look inside? -Yeah. 190 00:07:28,634 --> 00:07:30,000 -Right then, Elvis, step into the office... -Ah. 191 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:31,000 -Right then, Elvis, step into the office... -Ah. 192 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:32,000 ...of the Vanden Plas. 193 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:33,433 Look at that. 194 00:07:34,467 --> 00:07:37,000 It's... It's like the day it was born. 195 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:39,467 -Look at that headliner. -[Elvis] Mate, that is immaculate. 196 00:07:39,467 --> 00:07:41,166 I don't think I've ever seen one that good. 197 00:07:41,166 --> 00:07:43,700 That is fantastic. Leather interior. 198 00:07:43,700 --> 00:07:45,867 Isn't that nice? Automatic gearbox. 199 00:07:45,867 --> 00:07:48,166 -Look, wooden dashboard. -What year is it? 200 00:07:48,166 --> 00:07:50,367 Uh, 1976, this car. 201 00:07:50,367 --> 00:07:51,367 Same year as me. 202 00:07:51,367 --> 00:07:52,700 -Is it, really? -Yeah. 203 00:07:52,700 --> 00:07:54,734 That's a reason to buy it. I'm already falling in love with it. 204 00:07:54,734 --> 00:07:56,266 Doing better than I am, innit? 205 00:07:56,266 --> 00:07:58,734 Let's have a look at that paint work down the rear. 206 00:07:58,734 --> 00:08:00,000 Mate, I suppose the only real work that I can see is down the rear. 207 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:02,166 Mate, I suppose the only real work that I can see is down the rear. 208 00:08:02,166 --> 00:08:06,000 -I mean, I think the engine will jog into life. -Yeah. I mean, suspension. 209 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:08,266 The suspension, we'll have to address that but, 210 00:08:08,266 --> 00:08:10,100 this is where the real problems are. 211 00:08:10,100 --> 00:08:12,266 I'm sort of reluctant to paint the whole car 212 00:08:12,266 --> 00:08:15,100 cos the front end, it's almost immaculate, it's original. 213 00:08:15,100 --> 00:08:17,266 I like to leave that. But when you think about 214 00:08:17,266 --> 00:08:20,000 only painting half a car, particularly a car of this age, 215 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:23,000 trying to match the paint color is difficult, isn't it? 216 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:24,734 Well, you've been busy, haven't you? 217 00:08:24,734 --> 00:08:26,600 -We have. -Looks fantastic, doesn't it? 218 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:29,500 Your husband done some remarkable work to this car. 219 00:08:29,500 --> 00:08:30,000 The engine bay is almost immaculate. 220 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:31,700 The engine bay is almost immaculate. 221 00:08:31,700 --> 00:08:33,000 -Yeah. -It looks really, really nice. 222 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:35,700 It comes down to price and how much money you want for it, 223 00:08:35,700 --> 00:08:39,266 -and we'll see if we could put a deal together. -I think 1,500 would be... 224 00:08:39,266 --> 00:08:41,600 No arguments from us. We have a deal with you. 225 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:43,500 -Thank you very much, Gwen. -Thank you very much. 226 00:08:43,500 --> 00:08:45,066 Lovely. So there you go. 227 00:08:45,066 --> 00:08:47,000 Just brought a Vanden Plas 1500 228 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:48,700 -for 1,500. -[laughter] 229 00:08:48,700 --> 00:08:50,634 Don't call it an Allegro. 230 00:08:55,533 --> 00:08:57,634 Come on, mate. Cheer up. 231 00:08:57,634 --> 00:09:00,000 We got a Vanden Plas, an enhanced Allegro, 232 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:00,634 We got a Vanden Plas, an enhanced Allegro, 233 00:09:00,634 --> 00:09:03,100 slung out on the back of our discovery. 234 00:09:03,100 --> 00:09:05,100 Aye? And we only gave 1500 quid for it. 235 00:09:05,100 --> 00:09:07,867 -I think that's a bit of a bargain. -Yeah, I mean... 236 00:09:07,867 --> 00:09:10,166 It's not that enhanced, is it? It doesn't work. 237 00:09:10,166 --> 00:09:12,467 And there's a few little things we need to do 238 00:09:12,467 --> 00:09:14,867 to get it looking like a Vanden Plas. 239 00:09:14,867 --> 00:09:16,700 We need to sort out that paintwork. 240 00:09:16,700 --> 00:09:20,600 We need to do, the listing over to one side, 241 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:22,700 -we need to sort out that suspension. -Yeah. 242 00:09:22,700 --> 00:09:25,867 And obviously, we've got to get it running as well. 243 00:09:25,867 --> 00:09:28,533 Yeah. What I don't yet get is what people see in these things. 244 00:09:28,533 --> 00:09:30,000 What is it about a Vanden Plas that... 245 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:30,867 What is it about a Vanden Plas that... 246 00:09:30,867 --> 00:09:32,266 Where do people see beauty in it? 247 00:09:32,266 --> 00:09:34,266 Because at the moment, I can't see it. 248 00:09:34,266 --> 00:09:36,467 Well, let me put it this way. Right? 249 00:09:36,467 --> 00:09:38,166 When Vincent van Gogh, 250 00:09:38,166 --> 00:09:40,500 when he was alive, he sold one painting. 251 00:09:40,500 --> 00:09:43,266 Yeah. Now he's dead, everyone wants one, right? 252 00:09:43,266 --> 00:09:47,000 So sometimes you just have to wait for the rest of the world to catch up. 253 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:49,000 And I think people are now catching up 254 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:51,166 with the Vanden Plas and they're gonna celebrate it. 255 00:09:51,166 --> 00:09:52,467 I see. So it was ahead of its time? 256 00:09:52,467 --> 00:09:53,600 -Yes. -Yeah, okay. 257 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:55,600 All right. We're halfway there because, 258 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:58,000 -like Vincent van Gogh, this one's dead. -[laughs] 259 00:10:10,600 --> 00:10:13,700 So the story of the Allegro and the Vanden Plas 260 00:10:13,700 --> 00:10:16,367 may well have emerged out of the mayhem 261 00:10:16,367 --> 00:10:19,600 of early 1970s British car design. 262 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:23,634 But almost 50 years later, could they be seen differently? 263 00:10:23,634 --> 00:10:26,867 I'm still yet to be convinced, because so far all we've got 264 00:10:26,867 --> 00:10:30,000 is an unattractive, 1500 quid paperweight. 265 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:30,367 is an unattractive, 1500 quid paperweight. 266 00:10:30,367 --> 00:10:33,100 As this car's engine has sat dormant for so long, 267 00:10:33,100 --> 00:10:34,734 I can't just fire it up. 268 00:10:34,734 --> 00:10:39,000 That would risk doing some real damage to the internal components. 269 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:43,467 So I need to run through a few steps to breathe it back to life. 270 00:10:43,467 --> 00:10:46,600 First thing I'm going to do is soak the balls with a penetrating oil 271 00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:49,100 in the hope it will turn freely when I need it to. 272 00:10:49,100 --> 00:10:51,367 I'm going to leave it to soak for 24 hours 273 00:10:51,367 --> 00:10:56,734 in the hope that I can bring this dormant 1.5 liter engine back to life. 274 00:10:58,166 --> 00:11:00,000 We've bought a Vanden Plas 1500, 275 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:01,166 We've bought a Vanden Plas 1500, 276 00:11:01,166 --> 00:11:03,467 a very special edition of one of the most 277 00:11:03,467 --> 00:11:07,367 unloved cars of all time, the Austin Allegro, 278 00:11:07,367 --> 00:11:10,266 to see if we can convince the world that this ugly duckling 279 00:11:10,266 --> 00:11:12,867 has matured into a beautiful swan. 280 00:11:12,867 --> 00:11:15,100 At least that's what Mike keeps telling me. 281 00:11:15,100 --> 00:11:17,066 But there's no way this bird will fly 282 00:11:17,066 --> 00:11:19,433 if I can't get the engine up and running. 283 00:11:21,734 --> 00:11:23,700 So the penetrating fluid has been working its magic overnight 284 00:11:23,700 --> 00:11:25,634 inside the balls of the engine, 285 00:11:25,634 --> 00:11:28,734 but I'm also going to drain all of this horrible fuel 286 00:11:28,734 --> 00:11:31,533 that's been sat in this tank for many, many years, 287 00:11:31,533 --> 00:11:33,100 and replace it with fresh stuff 288 00:11:33,100 --> 00:11:35,066 and run that right through the system. 289 00:11:36,734 --> 00:11:39,467 You might not think of petrol as having a shelf life, 290 00:11:39,467 --> 00:11:41,634 but it actually only lasts about six months 291 00:11:41,634 --> 00:11:44,066 before it starts to degrade in quality. 292 00:11:46,100 --> 00:11:47,700 With fresh fuel in the tank, 293 00:11:47,700 --> 00:11:50,100 I disconnected the fuel line ahead of the filter 294 00:11:50,100 --> 00:11:50,120 which I'm going to clean out in a moment. 295 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:51,900 which I'm going to clean out in a moment. 296 00:11:51,900 --> 00:11:54,734 I'm going to use this suction pump to draw that fresh fuel 297 00:11:54,734 --> 00:11:57,000 through the lines that run underneath the car, 298 00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:59,800 because in all honesty, that's where most of the sediment, 299 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:02,100 and dirt and rubbish is most likely to collect, 300 00:12:02,100 --> 00:12:05,233 before I even think about trying to turn this engine over. 301 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:09,000 I'm also throwing the car up onto the ramp 302 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:11,467 so I can drain the old oil out of it. 303 00:12:11,467 --> 00:12:14,233 We have no idea when that was last changed. 304 00:12:16,166 --> 00:12:18,467 And, as the automatic gearbox on this car 305 00:12:18,467 --> 00:12:20,120 shares oil with the engine, 306 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:20,367 shares oil with the engine, 307 00:12:20,367 --> 00:12:22,734 it's even more important to make sure that it's running 308 00:12:22,734 --> 00:12:25,166 with clean fluids when we try to turn it over. 309 00:12:27,367 --> 00:12:29,600 The last few jobs are fitting a fuel filter 310 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:32,367 to catch any debris that may get pulled through the tank, 311 00:12:32,367 --> 00:12:35,634 cranking the engine by hand to make sure it isn't seized, 312 00:12:35,634 --> 00:12:37,266 adding some fresh oil, 313 00:12:37,266 --> 00:12:39,533 and fitting some new spark plugs. 314 00:12:39,533 --> 00:12:42,166 That's prepared the engine as best I can. 315 00:12:42,166 --> 00:12:43,634 But will it turn over? 316 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:48,100 Well, this car's been asleep for many, many years, 317 00:12:48,100 --> 00:12:50,120 but this could be the moment we wake it up. 318 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:50,467 but this could be the moment we wake it up. 319 00:12:50,467 --> 00:12:53,100 It's like trying to wake Sleeping Beauty, isn't it? 320 00:12:53,100 --> 00:12:55,166 Apart from the beauty bit. 321 00:12:55,166 --> 00:12:57,333 -Here we go. -[engine starting] 322 00:12:59,266 --> 00:13:00,900 Come on. 323 00:13:00,900 --> 00:13:02,266 Come on. 324 00:13:03,734 --> 00:13:06,867 -[engine sputtering] -[laughs] 325 00:13:06,867 --> 00:13:08,867 -[engine shuts off] -[laughs] 326 00:13:08,867 --> 00:13:11,800 Okay. Well, we breathed it into life, almost, 327 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:13,734 but that wasn't good enough. I'm going to try it one more time. 328 00:13:13,734 --> 00:13:15,433 [engine starting] 329 00:13:17,900 --> 00:13:20,120 No. Okay, that's gonna need a bit of investigation. 330 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:20,634 No. Okay, that's gonna need a bit of investigation. 331 00:13:24,900 --> 00:13:26,900 Well, we've clearly got some kind of spark 332 00:13:26,900 --> 00:13:28,900 because it almost burst into life. 333 00:13:28,900 --> 00:13:31,634 Either we haven't got a spark in each of the four cylinders, 334 00:13:31,634 --> 00:13:33,800 or that spark's not strong enough. 335 00:13:33,800 --> 00:13:35,100 All four leads are on, 336 00:13:35,100 --> 00:13:37,734 and I've definitely got fuel flowing 'cause the filter is full. 337 00:13:37,734 --> 00:13:40,734 This car has been upgraded to have electronic ignition, 338 00:13:40,734 --> 00:13:43,600 perhaps something Peter did when he was working on it. 339 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:46,100 All right, we're good. It's actually much better 340 00:13:46,100 --> 00:13:49,367 than the old point system, much more reliable, but... 341 00:13:49,367 --> 00:13:50,120 your little magnetic rotor inside the distributor cap, 342 00:13:50,120 --> 00:13:52,700 your little magnetic rotor inside the distributor cap, 343 00:13:52,700 --> 00:13:56,000 if I can get it out... Oh! Here we go. 344 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:58,100 Yeah, look at that. That does not look right. 345 00:13:58,100 --> 00:14:00,533 It's got damage on the top. That's really unusual, 346 00:14:00,533 --> 00:14:02,266 I don't think I have seen that before but, 347 00:14:02,266 --> 00:14:05,367 the top surface of that should be completely round, 348 00:14:05,367 --> 00:14:07,266 and it's not. It's got a chunk missing. 349 00:14:07,266 --> 00:14:09,533 This has four magnets, and as it rotates, 350 00:14:09,533 --> 00:14:13,166 each of those magnets makes contact and transfers the current 351 00:14:13,166 --> 00:14:16,900 through the cap and along the leads, creating the spark that we need. 352 00:14:16,900 --> 00:14:19,867 And whilst this is probably getting three very good sparks, 353 00:14:19,867 --> 00:14:20,120 I would bet my house on the fact that the fourth one 354 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:22,367 I would bet my house on the fact that the fourth one 355 00:14:22,367 --> 00:14:24,867 is either not working or is barely working. 356 00:14:24,867 --> 00:14:27,266 And that is almost certainly our problem. 357 00:14:27,266 --> 00:14:29,533 Mike will have to find me a new one of those, 358 00:14:29,533 --> 00:14:32,700 which is frustrating 'cause I can't start the engine without it. 359 00:14:32,700 --> 00:14:34,266 Whilst I'm waiting for that to turn up, 360 00:14:34,266 --> 00:14:38,166 it will give me a chance to have a good look around the rest of the car. 361 00:14:38,166 --> 00:14:42,100 There will almost certainly be plenty of other areas that need my attention. 362 00:14:42,100 --> 00:14:45,700 This is still fundamentally an Allegro after all. 363 00:14:45,700 --> 00:14:47,700 And having been around all four corners, 364 00:14:47,700 --> 00:14:50,120 there's definitely an issue on this one. 365 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:50,367 there's definitely an issue on this one. 366 00:14:50,367 --> 00:14:51,900 There's some play in this wheel. 367 00:14:51,900 --> 00:14:53,900 At first, I thought it was the wheel bearing, 368 00:14:53,900 --> 00:14:55,900 but on further investigation, 369 00:14:55,900 --> 00:14:59,867 I can actually feel that the play is all in this top ball joint here. 370 00:14:59,867 --> 00:15:02,367 Now, the nice thing about cars from this era 371 00:15:02,367 --> 00:15:04,600 is that components like that were serviceable. 372 00:15:04,600 --> 00:15:05,800 So, unlike a modern car, 373 00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:08,367 you don't have to throw it away and replace it with a new one. 374 00:15:08,367 --> 00:15:10,533 What I hope is that that wear and tear 375 00:15:10,533 --> 00:15:13,000 is not too bad. It doesn't feel too bad. 376 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:14,900 There are shims inside the ball joint, 377 00:15:14,900 --> 00:15:17,266 and what I hope is that there are still enough shims left 378 00:15:17,266 --> 00:15:19,000 to give them the adjustment that I need 379 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:20,120 to get it back to being perfect. 380 00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:21,100 to get it back to being perfect. 381 00:15:21,100 --> 00:15:23,800 As the joint wears over time, it develops play 382 00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:27,100 which can result in problems with the car steering and suspension. 383 00:15:27,100 --> 00:15:30,166 [tool whirs] 384 00:15:30,166 --> 00:15:33,900 By removing a couple of the shims, effectively metal spaces, 385 00:15:33,900 --> 00:15:36,634 it should tighten everything back up. 386 00:15:36,634 --> 00:15:41,467 Okay. So this here is the ball joint in question, and it's quite loose. 387 00:15:41,467 --> 00:15:43,533 If I pop the dust cover off, 388 00:15:43,900 --> 00:15:45,634 get rid of that, 389 00:15:45,634 --> 00:15:47,800 you can see how it works. 390 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:50,120 And actually, there you go, I can feel a whole lot of movement. 391 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:51,000 And actually, there you go, I can feel a whole lot of movement. 392 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:53,367 You can even hear it. 393 00:15:53,367 --> 00:15:58,367 That's this ball that's moving up and down inside this cup, and it shouldn't do that. 394 00:15:58,367 --> 00:16:00,900 The cup is screwed down onto the hub, 395 00:16:00,900 --> 00:16:03,900 and underneath that cup is a series of shims. 396 00:16:03,900 --> 00:16:05,467 And this is the nice part. 397 00:16:05,467 --> 00:16:07,734 Cos at the moment, that cup's being spaced up, 398 00:16:07,734 --> 00:16:11,100 and that sound you can hear is the ball moving in a gap 399 00:16:11,100 --> 00:16:13,600 that shouldn't be there. So if I take the cup off, 400 00:16:13,600 --> 00:16:16,367 remove a shim or two, we'll measure that accurately, 401 00:16:16,367 --> 00:16:18,900 it'll pull it down even tighter over the ball, 402 00:16:18,900 --> 00:16:20,120 and we should get nice, stiff movement with absolutely no play. 403 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:22,533 and we should get nice, stiff movement with absolutely no play. 404 00:16:24,533 --> 00:16:28,467 Firstly, I'm folding back the tabs on the locking washer with a chisel, 405 00:16:28,467 --> 00:16:32,533 before loosening it off with a spanner so I can get to whatever shims are left. 406 00:16:34,867 --> 00:16:36,600 All right, there we go. 407 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:39,166 The good news is we've got plenty of shims in there. 408 00:16:39,166 --> 00:16:41,634 They're all different thicknesses as well, 409 00:16:41,634 --> 00:16:43,166 which is useful because it allows us 410 00:16:43,166 --> 00:16:45,367 to get that accurate adjustment that we need. 411 00:16:45,367 --> 00:16:47,900 In this case, what I'm going to do 412 00:16:47,900 --> 00:16:50,120 is take out two of the really thin ones, 413 00:16:50,120 --> 00:16:50,634 is take out two of the really thin ones, 414 00:16:50,634 --> 00:16:53,166 pop it back together and hope we've got it close. 415 00:16:54,166 --> 00:16:56,467 There's a bit of trial and error with this, 416 00:16:56,467 --> 00:16:59,700 but luckily, it's a relatively easy job. 417 00:16:59,700 --> 00:17:02,867 All I need is a bit of lubrication and then some elbow grease 418 00:17:02,867 --> 00:17:06,467 to tighten it back up and check the results. 419 00:17:06,467 --> 00:17:09,634 So, I've checked what the correct torque setting is in the manual. 420 00:17:09,634 --> 00:17:12,900 It's really important doing this job because what you're doing is 421 00:17:12,900 --> 00:17:16,166 you're clamping that cup down over the shims that we've put in. 422 00:17:16,166 --> 00:17:18,000 Particularly, as you're going back and forward here, 423 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:20,120 checking, undoing again, checking again, 424 00:17:20,120 --> 00:17:20,166 checking, undoing again, checking again, 425 00:17:20,166 --> 00:17:23,000 that we always torque it up to exactly the same tightness. 426 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:25,634 Do it too loose, of course you don't clamp the shims down, 427 00:17:25,634 --> 00:17:28,533 if you do it too much, you risk overstretching the thread, 428 00:17:28,533 --> 00:17:31,166 and that will again change the adjustment you've made. 429 00:17:40,166 --> 00:17:42,967 Yeah. Okay. So it's definitely too tight, 430 00:17:42,967 --> 00:17:45,166 which shows you how fine the measurements are 431 00:17:45,166 --> 00:17:48,467 because I only took out two very thin shims. 432 00:17:49,166 --> 00:17:51,367 I'm pretty sure with that. Yeah. 433 00:17:51,367 --> 00:17:53,066 I'm gonna have to put one of them back in. 434 00:18:05,500 --> 00:18:06,734 All right. 435 00:18:08,266 --> 00:18:09,634 Oh, yeah. 436 00:18:10,166 --> 00:18:12,000 Oh, that's loads better. 437 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:14,734 Perfect. Nice and consistent all the way around. 438 00:18:14,734 --> 00:18:18,367 It's not too loose, but it's also not too tight. I'm happy. 439 00:18:18,367 --> 00:18:21,734 I'm then going to grease it up, put it all back together and zip it up. 440 00:18:32,734 --> 00:18:34,266 Yeah. Perfect. 441 00:18:34,734 --> 00:18:36,500 That is that sorted. 442 00:18:36,500 --> 00:18:38,266 So the only thing really now I'm waiting for 443 00:18:38,266 --> 00:18:41,266 is that magnetic rotor for the inside of the distributor cap, 444 00:18:41,266 --> 00:18:43,700 I hope Mike brings that back soon. And then... 445 00:18:43,700 --> 00:18:45,800 fingers crossed, we can get the engine started. 446 00:18:47,266 --> 00:18:50,100 [Mike] Don't you worry, buddy boy. I'm a moment away, 447 00:18:50,100 --> 00:18:53,867 and I've come bearing gifts from the parts supplier. 448 00:18:53,867 --> 00:18:56,634 [chuckles] There she is, our little beauty. 449 00:18:56,634 --> 00:18:59,367 The car's not bad, either. How are you, buddy? 450 00:18:59,367 --> 00:19:01,360 Very good. I brought you back the world's heaviest part. 451 00:19:01,360 --> 00:19:01,734 Very good. I brought you back the world's heaviest part. 452 00:19:01,734 --> 00:19:03,367 -Where is it? -There. 453 00:19:03,367 --> 00:19:05,166 [both laugh] 454 00:19:05,166 --> 00:19:07,600 Well mate, that might not be the world's heaviest part, 455 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:09,967 but it's an absolutely crucial part to this job. 456 00:19:09,967 --> 00:19:12,967 I'm pretty sure this is the one thing standing between me 457 00:19:12,967 --> 00:19:15,634 firing this engine up for the first time in years. 458 00:19:15,634 --> 00:19:18,734 I can't wait to hear it go. What else you been up to? 459 00:19:18,734 --> 00:19:21,600 Well, whilst I've been working through the engine problems, 460 00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:25,066 I've also... I've done all the shimming of the ball joints on the suspensions. 461 00:19:25,066 --> 00:19:27,600 -There's no more play in that, so that's all good news. -Lovely. 462 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:31,360 There's a couple of things inside that are on the list but I haven't yet got to. 463 00:19:31,360 --> 00:19:31,367 There's a couple of things inside that are on the list but I haven't yet got to. 464 00:19:31,367 --> 00:19:34,066 Is there anything I can help with? I'm standing around 465 00:19:34,066 --> 00:19:36,266 -doing nothing at the moment. -Absolutely. Yeah. 466 00:19:36,266 --> 00:19:38,734 Look around the corner, you'll see the dashboard's 467 00:19:38,734 --> 00:19:41,166 got a bit of delamination, few bits coming off it. 468 00:19:41,166 --> 00:19:43,066 Yeah, I noticed that when we bought the car. 469 00:19:43,066 --> 00:19:44,467 -Yeah. -Dashboards. 470 00:19:44,467 --> 00:19:47,166 -My wheelhouse, that's what I do, dashboards. -Yeah. 471 00:19:47,166 --> 00:19:50,166 -Take the dash out, give it to me, I'll get it fixed. -Love that. 472 00:19:50,166 --> 00:19:53,600 -What are we gonna do about that paintwork? -That is the next challenge, 473 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:55,500 I feel like it's a reasonably big one. 474 00:19:55,500 --> 00:19:57,266 I don't want to paint the whole car, 475 00:19:57,266 --> 00:20:00,000 and so we try and find like a paint blending process 476 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:01,360 to match the old paint with some new paint. 477 00:20:01,360 --> 00:20:02,100 to match the old paint with some new paint. 478 00:20:02,100 --> 00:20:03,734 Yeah, I think that's the idea. 479 00:20:03,734 --> 00:20:06,967 I just hope someone can do a really nice match, you know. 480 00:20:06,967 --> 00:20:09,100 -All right. That it? -That is it, mate. Yeah. 481 00:20:09,100 --> 00:20:11,166 So, um... Yeah, I think we're ready to go. 482 00:20:11,166 --> 00:20:12,266 Do you want to get on the key? 483 00:20:12,266 --> 00:20:13,500 -Should we go for it? -Yeah, let's give it a go. 484 00:20:13,500 --> 00:20:15,367 -Do you feel confident? -This could be a moment. 485 00:20:15,367 --> 00:20:17,700 I'm 99% sure that's the one thing missing. 486 00:20:17,700 --> 00:20:20,166 So now that we got it, it should burst into life. 487 00:20:20,166 --> 00:20:21,734 -Right. Ready? -Yeah, I'll get the throttle. 488 00:20:21,734 --> 00:20:23,266 -Fingers? -Go on, then. 489 00:20:23,266 --> 00:20:25,166 -[engine cranking] -Come on! 490 00:20:28,500 --> 00:20:31,360 [Elvis] We're trying to breathe life back into a 1976 Vanden Plas 1500 491 00:20:31,360 --> 00:20:33,867 [Elvis] We're trying to breathe life back into a 1976 Vanden Plas 1500 492 00:20:33,867 --> 00:20:36,367 that hasn't run for the best part of a decade. 493 00:20:37,266 --> 00:20:39,000 Not until now. 494 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:41,367 -[engine starts] -Yes. [laughs] 495 00:20:41,367 --> 00:20:43,600 -Look at that. She runs. -Yeah. 496 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:45,700 -Oh, man, that's amazing. It sounds so good. -It sounds good. 497 00:20:45,700 --> 00:20:48,166 -It sounds strong, doesn't it? -It does. Sounds lovely. 498 00:20:48,166 --> 00:20:50,500 -Right. Let me turn it off. -Yeah, go on then. 499 00:20:50,500 --> 00:20:51,467 [engine shuts down] 500 00:20:51,467 --> 00:20:53,367 -Oh, man... I'm so happy. -Are we all done? 501 00:20:53,367 --> 00:20:55,967 That's a huge chunk of the re-commissioning process. 502 00:20:55,967 --> 00:20:58,467 I'm done with that thing working. and I'm so happy with that. 503 00:20:58,467 --> 00:21:00,734 You start to fall in love with that little car, then? 504 00:21:00,734 --> 00:21:01,360 Well, love's a strong word, but, 505 00:21:01,360 --> 00:21:02,867 Well, love's a strong word, but, 506 00:21:02,867 --> 00:21:04,734 I mean, look, now that that's working, 507 00:21:04,734 --> 00:21:06,867 a part of me is starting to like the Allegro. 508 00:21:06,867 --> 00:21:09,967 Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Allegro? You can't call this Allegro. 509 00:21:09,967 --> 00:21:11,500 -It's a Vanden Plas. -[laughs] 510 00:21:11,500 --> 00:21:13,800 Is it a Vanden Plas or a Vanden Plas? 511 00:21:14,533 --> 00:21:16,367 It could be Plas or Plas. 512 00:21:16,367 --> 00:21:18,533 -Just don't call it an Allegro. -[laughs] 513 00:21:20,533 --> 00:21:22,467 Regardless of how you pronounce it, 514 00:21:22,467 --> 00:21:24,967 ours isn't going to be gaining any new admirers 515 00:21:24,967 --> 00:21:26,734 until I can fix its paintwork. 516 00:21:26,734 --> 00:21:30,333 But before I do that, there's something else that needs my attention. 517 00:21:31,700 --> 00:21:34,367 Now, when Mike and I first went to see this car, 518 00:21:34,367 --> 00:21:36,367 I could tell that it was sitting low. 519 00:21:36,367 --> 00:21:40,367 And it's got a slightly unusual suspension system called hydro-gas. 520 00:21:40,367 --> 00:21:45,533 Hydro-gas suspension was originally developed by British Leyland in the 1970s. 521 00:21:45,533 --> 00:21:49,867 It uses a suspension fluid that cushions the car as it travels along the road. 522 00:21:49,867 --> 00:21:53,000 It's not uncommon for that fluid to gradually seep away, 523 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:55,734 especially when a car's been sat for a long time. 524 00:21:55,734 --> 00:21:58,166 But the good news is I can top the system up 525 00:21:58,166 --> 00:22:00,734 and get the car back to that correct ride height. 526 00:22:01,734 --> 00:22:03,467 I've got the workshop manual out, 527 00:22:03,467 --> 00:22:05,600 and it gives us a very specific dimension 528 00:22:05,600 --> 00:22:10,500 between the axle and the bottom of the wing here, the wheel arch. 529 00:22:10,500 --> 00:22:14,066 That dimension should be 373 millimeters, 530 00:22:14,066 --> 00:22:19,166 but on ours, well, we're down at 308 millimeters. 531 00:22:19,166 --> 00:22:23,867 Luckily, raising it back up 65 mm isn't a very taxing job, 532 00:22:23,867 --> 00:22:26,066 but explaining how the system works is. 533 00:22:26,066 --> 00:22:28,467 So I've put together a little demonstration. 534 00:22:30,367 --> 00:22:31,360 Now, I know it may well look like there's been a kid's party going on here, 535 00:22:31,360 --> 00:22:34,100 Now, I know it may well look like there's been a kid's party going on here, 536 00:22:34,100 --> 00:22:36,367 but bear with me, because I've knocked up this. 537 00:22:36,367 --> 00:22:39,867 An oversimplified model representing the hydro-gas units 538 00:22:39,867 --> 00:22:41,867 on each of the four corners of our car. 539 00:22:41,867 --> 00:22:45,166 Now this one's made up of two plastic bottles and a toilet plunger, 540 00:22:45,166 --> 00:22:48,734 with the toilet plunger representing the suspension leg or strut 541 00:22:48,734 --> 00:22:50,367 on each of those four corners. 542 00:22:50,367 --> 00:22:53,166 As the car travels over the road, moving over the lumps and bumps, 543 00:22:53,166 --> 00:22:56,166 that movement is transmitted through this strut 544 00:22:56,166 --> 00:22:58,367 as it moves up and down. Now, above that, 545 00:22:58,367 --> 00:23:01,360 we've got this green cylinder, in our case a green balloon. 546 00:23:01,360 --> 00:23:01,367 we've got this green cylinder, in our case a green balloon. 547 00:23:01,367 --> 00:23:03,500 Here it's filled with water, but on the car, 548 00:23:03,500 --> 00:23:06,500 it's filled with a suspension fluid that's made up of water, 549 00:23:06,500 --> 00:23:09,533 a rust inhibitor, and an anti-freeze solution as well. 550 00:23:09,533 --> 00:23:12,734 At the top of the green cylinder are some tiny little holes, 551 00:23:12,734 --> 00:23:16,000 and as that movement is transmitted through the suspension leg 552 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:18,266 and it moves up and down, that fluid passes 553 00:23:18,266 --> 00:23:20,600 through the tiny holes from the green cylinder 554 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:22,700 into the bottom of the red cylinder. 555 00:23:22,700 --> 00:23:25,867 Now because the holes are so small, they act as a restrictor 556 00:23:25,867 --> 00:23:28,266 in the same way that a traditional damper works, 557 00:23:28,266 --> 00:23:30,967 giving us that smooth and cushioned ride 558 00:23:30,967 --> 00:23:31,360 as the car travels down the road. 559 00:23:31,360 --> 00:23:33,266 as the car travels down the road. 560 00:23:33,266 --> 00:23:35,066 Now in the case of our car, 561 00:23:35,066 --> 00:23:37,867 this green cylinder has lost some of its fluid over time, 562 00:23:37,867 --> 00:23:39,600 and we now need to refill it, 563 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:42,367 because refilling that system has this effect. 564 00:23:42,367 --> 00:23:45,600 It extends that suspension leg, pushing it down, 565 00:23:45,600 --> 00:23:48,600 making the overall length of the hydro-gas unit even longer, 566 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:51,367 and it's that that resets the car's ride height 567 00:23:51,367 --> 00:23:53,100 back to where it should be. 568 00:23:53,100 --> 00:23:55,967 At least that's how it should work in theory. 569 00:23:55,967 --> 00:23:58,800 Time to see if it's just as smooth in real life. 570 00:24:00,867 --> 00:24:01,360 Now in order to get the car back to its correct ride height, 571 00:24:01,360 --> 00:24:03,367 Now in order to get the car back to its correct ride height, 572 00:24:03,367 --> 00:24:04,634 I'm going to use one of these. 573 00:24:04,634 --> 00:24:08,066 It's a very old-school looking, hand-operated hydraulic pump, 574 00:24:08,066 --> 00:24:10,533 but it's going to allow me to refill the system. 575 00:24:11,734 --> 00:24:14,266 The Vaden Plas has two hydro-gas systems 576 00:24:14,266 --> 00:24:17,166 that control the ride height, one on either side of the car. 577 00:24:17,166 --> 00:24:19,734 So first off, I'm connecting to the driver's side, 578 00:24:19,734 --> 00:24:21,867 and hopefully, pumping it back up 579 00:24:21,867 --> 00:24:24,734 to that all important 373 millimeters. 580 00:24:27,266 --> 00:24:29,166 Yeah, I'll take that. 581 00:24:29,166 --> 00:24:30,867 That is absolutely perfect. 582 00:24:30,867 --> 00:24:31,360 Back where it should have always been. 583 00:24:31,360 --> 00:24:32,867 Back where it should have always been. 584 00:24:32,867 --> 00:24:35,467 I just need to check the other side, and then, 585 00:24:35,467 --> 00:24:37,500 then I can get onto this monumental challenge 586 00:24:37,500 --> 00:24:40,533 of getting the car back to being the right color again. 587 00:24:46,066 --> 00:24:50,000 [Mike] I'm on the way to get the veneer on our dashboard salted, 588 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:52,634 but it's not in the traditional way. 589 00:24:56,266 --> 00:24:58,867 It's great news that Elvis has got our Vanden Plas 590 00:24:58,867 --> 00:25:01,360 running again as it should be, which I'm very excited about. 591 00:25:01,360 --> 00:25:03,367 running again as it should be, which I'm very excited about. 592 00:25:03,367 --> 00:25:05,867 The one thing that lets our car down, really, 593 00:25:05,867 --> 00:25:09,166 is the dashboard inside because the interior is so nice. 594 00:25:09,166 --> 00:25:11,700 But the dashboard being walnut burl veneer, 595 00:25:11,700 --> 00:25:15,867 well, it's cracked, it's faded, it's peeling off. 596 00:25:15,867 --> 00:25:19,100 So I was looking around if there is a different process, 597 00:25:19,100 --> 00:25:22,367 something that's maybe a little bit cheaper, a little bit quicker, 598 00:25:22,367 --> 00:25:24,367 and possibly a little bit more durable. 599 00:25:24,367 --> 00:25:27,266 And there is, it's called hydro dipping. 600 00:25:27,266 --> 00:25:30,467 So, I've sent our dashboard ahead to some friends of mine, 601 00:25:30,467 --> 00:25:31,360 and they reckon they can not only make it look like a veneer dashboard, 602 00:25:31,360 --> 00:25:33,867 and they reckon they can not only make it look like a veneer dashboard, 603 00:25:33,867 --> 00:25:37,467 but it will be better than what was on the car originally. 604 00:25:37,467 --> 00:25:40,700 Hydro dipping is a process where you lower an object 605 00:25:40,700 --> 00:25:43,066 onto a thin plastic graphic sheet 606 00:25:43,066 --> 00:25:46,266 that's been made pliable by a warm bath of water. 607 00:25:46,266 --> 00:25:49,266 You can then choose pretty much any design you can imagine. 608 00:25:49,266 --> 00:25:51,500 But because this is a Vanden Plas no less, 609 00:25:51,500 --> 00:25:53,867 the trick today is going to be finding a match 610 00:25:53,867 --> 00:25:56,000 for our original dashboard's color. 611 00:25:56,000 --> 00:25:58,600 -Lyle, how are you, bud? -Good. How are you doing? 612 00:25:58,600 --> 00:26:00,367 -Yeah. Good. Nice to see you. -And you. 613 00:26:00,367 --> 00:26:01,360 Um, did you get the parts I sent you down? 614 00:26:01,360 --> 00:26:02,500 Um, did you get the parts I sent you down? 615 00:26:02,500 --> 00:26:04,367 -Yeah, I did. -How far we got with them? 616 00:26:04,367 --> 00:26:06,867 Well, the main part of the dash is prepped, ready to go 617 00:26:06,867 --> 00:26:10,266 and we need to decide on a color which we need your help with. 618 00:26:10,266 --> 00:26:13,734 So we've got the glove box still to kind of move forward with, 619 00:26:13,734 --> 00:26:16,266 but I'm going to get you some colors, 620 00:26:16,266 --> 00:26:18,367 so you can have a look. 621 00:26:18,367 --> 00:26:22,266 -Okay. -And then, the glove box itself... 622 00:26:23,266 --> 00:26:26,600 -Right. -...is here. 623 00:26:26,600 --> 00:26:29,734 -So, I've got to match that? -Yeah. 624 00:26:29,734 --> 00:26:31,360 -But that's way too gold, isn't it? -Yeah. 625 00:26:31,360 --> 00:26:32,500 -But that's way too gold, isn't it? -Yeah. 626 00:26:32,500 --> 00:26:35,734 But that's close, isn't it? And that's a walnutty look. 627 00:26:35,734 --> 00:26:39,066 Yeah but his is our favorite. This is the one we would recommend you choose, 628 00:26:39,066 --> 00:26:41,467 but we just want your opinion on that before we, 629 00:26:41,467 --> 00:26:44,367 you know, obviously, go ahead and do what we think is right. 630 00:26:44,367 --> 00:26:47,266 I agree. I think that... I think that will look lovely 631 00:26:47,266 --> 00:26:49,166 going all the way across the dashboard. 632 00:26:49,166 --> 00:26:51,734 That will look fantastic, yeah. So, yes, 633 00:26:51,734 --> 00:26:53,967 -I choose that. -Excellent. 634 00:26:53,967 --> 00:26:56,700 [Mike] To get the glove box prepped for its fancy new covering, 635 00:26:56,700 --> 00:27:01,266 Lyle starts by sanding off the original lacquer and veneer. 636 00:27:01,266 --> 00:27:01,360 All good? 637 00:27:01,360 --> 00:27:03,166 All good? 638 00:27:03,166 --> 00:27:05,367 Yeah, I think we're good to go. 639 00:27:05,367 --> 00:27:07,600 [Mike] Next, we're handing this bit of the glove box 640 00:27:07,600 --> 00:27:10,867 over to one of the painters so it can be primed, 641 00:27:10,867 --> 00:27:13,533 whilst we crack on with the center section of the dash 642 00:27:13,533 --> 00:27:15,734 that's already been through the process. 643 00:27:15,734 --> 00:27:19,533 And now it's ready to have the hydro dip transfer applied to it. 644 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:22,900 Ah! Right now... 645 00:27:22,900 --> 00:27:26,367 That is a real surprise. Orange. 646 00:27:26,367 --> 00:27:31,634 -Why so orange? -We need to allow for the ink in the film, 647 00:27:31,634 --> 00:27:34,367 and once it's applied, you will end up, 648 00:27:34,367 --> 00:27:37,867 basically, with a finish that looks more like that. 649 00:27:37,867 --> 00:27:40,867 So the base you put down is that thick orange... 650 00:27:40,867 --> 00:27:43,600 -Yeah. -...and then over the top of that the transfer, 651 00:27:43,600 --> 00:27:45,467 -uh, which is this? -Yeah. 652 00:27:45,467 --> 00:27:48,100 -And then the orange comes through that. -Yeah. 653 00:27:48,100 --> 00:27:50,600 -That little sample piece there, if you overlay that... -Yeah. 654 00:27:50,600 --> 00:27:51,367 -That little sample piece there, if you overlay that... -Yeah. 655 00:27:51,367 --> 00:27:54,467 ...it'll give you a bit of a close, like, indication 656 00:27:54,467 --> 00:27:57,266 -of how it's gonna look. -Oh, yeah, look at that. 657 00:27:57,266 --> 00:27:58,467 -Still very orange. -Yeah. 658 00:27:58,467 --> 00:28:00,100 You're gonna have to convince me 659 00:28:00,100 --> 00:28:02,100 that this is the right shade of orange. 660 00:28:02,100 --> 00:28:04,867 Right. Let the magic begin. 661 00:28:05,734 --> 00:28:08,000 First, Lyle cuts the film to size, 662 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:10,333 and then we're ready to take the dash for a dip. 663 00:28:11,266 --> 00:28:13,900 -What do I do? -Just drop it down slowly, 664 00:28:13,900 --> 00:28:15,634 till it touches down. 665 00:28:15,634 --> 00:28:18,000 [Mike] Now the film is floating on the warm water, 666 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:19,734 it slowly starts to melt, 667 00:28:19,734 --> 00:28:20,600 becoming a flexible film on the surface. 668 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:22,700 becoming a flexible film on the surface. 669 00:28:22,700 --> 00:28:24,467 Okay, Mike, if you can get ready to grab me the dash, 670 00:28:24,467 --> 00:28:26,533 I need to get my mask on and get ready to activate. 671 00:28:26,533 --> 00:28:29,867 No worries. Yeah, I'm standing by. 672 00:28:29,867 --> 00:28:33,100 Next, Lyle sprays the film with a catalyst solution 673 00:28:33,100 --> 00:28:35,333 which turns the ink into liquid. 674 00:28:36,533 --> 00:28:39,166 Then it's time for the big moment. 675 00:28:41,367 --> 00:28:43,333 [laughs] 676 00:28:44,533 --> 00:28:47,467 Get in. [laughs] 677 00:28:47,467 --> 00:28:49,467 Look at that. It is magic. 678 00:28:49,467 --> 00:28:50,600 It is literally magic right in front of your eyes. 679 00:28:50,600 --> 00:28:52,900 It is literally magic right in front of your eyes. 680 00:28:52,900 --> 00:28:56,634 That is fantastic. Isn't that cool? You pleased with that? 681 00:28:56,634 --> 00:28:59,367 You can't say anything. Lyle, are you happy with that? 682 00:28:59,367 --> 00:29:01,266 Yeah, mate, it's awesome. That's about as good 683 00:29:01,266 --> 00:29:03,266 -as it's gonna get. -You've done an amazing job 684 00:29:03,266 --> 00:29:05,266 and that's before it's even lacquered and varnished 685 00:29:05,266 --> 00:29:07,367 and put together with the rest of the bits. 686 00:29:07,367 --> 00:29:11,166 Mate, I can't wait for you to get it finished, lacquered up, back to the workshop. 687 00:29:11,166 --> 00:29:13,367 Elvis is going to love this! 688 00:29:13,367 --> 00:29:15,533 [Elvis] Whilst Mike's out taking care of the dash, 689 00:29:15,533 --> 00:29:17,734 I finished sorting out the suspension. 690 00:29:17,734 --> 00:29:20,600 So it's time to turn my attention to the big one, the paintwork. 691 00:29:20,600 --> 00:29:21,634 So it's time to turn my attention to the big one, the paintwork. 692 00:29:21,634 --> 00:29:25,367 Now, because the paint on the front end of our car's in really good condition, 693 00:29:25,367 --> 00:29:27,900 it doesn't make any sense to paint the whole car. 694 00:29:27,900 --> 00:29:30,266 But I do need to know exactly what color it is 695 00:29:30,266 --> 00:29:32,467 so I can apply that to the rear end. 696 00:29:32,467 --> 00:29:34,166 Now, it's a tried and tested method 697 00:29:34,166 --> 00:29:36,000 but I have seen it go horribly wrong, 698 00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:40,100 and so I've enlisted the help of Nick here from a local paint matching company. 699 00:29:40,100 --> 00:29:42,467 You might be thinking, why aren't we looking up 700 00:29:42,467 --> 00:29:45,734 the original paint code from the 1970s and using that. 701 00:29:45,734 --> 00:29:47,266 Well, for two reasons. 702 00:29:47,266 --> 00:29:50,600 Firstly, 50 years of weathering will have faded the original color. 703 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:51,734 Firstly, 50 years of weathering will have faded the original color. 704 00:29:51,734 --> 00:29:54,867 And secondly, because it looks like our car's being touched up 705 00:29:54,867 --> 00:29:56,867 a number of times over the years. 706 00:29:56,867 --> 00:29:59,266 So, we need to match the existing paint work 707 00:29:59,266 --> 00:30:02,266 to make sure any new paint blends in seamlessly. 708 00:30:02,266 --> 00:30:04,266 Right, Nick... What are you saying then? 709 00:30:04,266 --> 00:30:07,000 -You had a little look around it. -Well, it is an Allegro, 710 00:30:07,000 --> 00:30:09,100 it was never my cup of tea, but, uh... 711 00:30:09,100 --> 00:30:12,000 You can't call it an Allegro, mate. It's a Vanden Plas. 712 00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:13,900 But I know what you're saying. [laughs] 713 00:30:13,900 --> 00:30:15,734 In terms of matching the paint then, 714 00:30:15,734 --> 00:30:19,800 so how do we get the exact color from the front end to then be applied here? 715 00:30:19,800 --> 00:30:20,600 What we'd usually do now, 716 00:30:20,600 --> 00:30:21,367 What we'd usually do now, 717 00:30:21,367 --> 00:30:23,533 we'd clean off a panel and then we'd scan it, 718 00:30:23,533 --> 00:30:27,000 and then that will give us a reference point to start with. 719 00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:30,000 [Elvis] Nick's brought along a fancy bit of kit called a spectrometer 720 00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:33,000 which can analyze the paint and provide us with a match. 721 00:30:33,000 --> 00:30:36,166 But to get a good reading, I first need to polish off a section 722 00:30:36,166 --> 00:30:39,266 with a little cutting compound. 723 00:30:39,266 --> 00:30:42,734 -Is that all right there? -Yeah, it's good, but just do the top of that wing. 724 00:30:42,734 --> 00:30:45,066 I think that looks a bit... 725 00:30:46,700 --> 00:30:49,634 I don't know if the wing looks a bit different to the bonnet. 726 00:30:49,634 --> 00:30:50,600 -Do you reckon? -Well, yeah. 727 00:30:50,600 --> 00:30:52,166 -Do you reckon? -Well, yeah. 728 00:30:52,166 --> 00:30:54,634 -Can you not see it? -[laughs] 729 00:30:54,634 --> 00:30:56,634 No, that's where your expert eye comes in. 730 00:30:56,634 --> 00:30:58,533 It looks all right, it looks the same. 731 00:30:58,533 --> 00:31:00,367 It actually comes up as a lovely color, doesn't it? 732 00:31:00,367 --> 00:31:02,800 -That's nice... -There is a tiny difference, isn't it? 733 00:31:02,800 --> 00:31:06,100 Yeah, yeah. The bonnet's slightly lighter than the wing. 734 00:31:06,100 --> 00:31:08,867 So therefore, if we scan the top of the wing... 735 00:31:08,867 --> 00:31:10,467 -Yeah. -...we should be... 736 00:31:10,467 --> 00:31:13,533 that'll be the same batch of paint that was used for the side. 737 00:31:13,533 --> 00:31:16,467 So you're more likely, more keen to scan the wing 738 00:31:16,467 --> 00:31:18,867 because that's on the same side profile of the car, 739 00:31:18,867 --> 00:31:20,600 and that's going to help distract people's view, 740 00:31:20,600 --> 00:31:21,166 and that's going to help distract people's view, 741 00:31:21,166 --> 00:31:25,000 -and less likely to see any differences. -Yeah, definitely. 742 00:31:25,000 --> 00:31:29,467 [Elvis] Nick's scanning the car with a spectrometer five times. 743 00:31:29,467 --> 00:31:32,800 It analyses the wavelength of the light reflected by the paint work 744 00:31:32,800 --> 00:31:35,066 and then creates an average of the results. 745 00:31:36,533 --> 00:31:39,900 This should give us a match that's around 90 percent accurate. 746 00:31:39,900 --> 00:31:41,600 We're waiting for the green tick. 747 00:31:41,600 --> 00:31:43,634 Big green tick, means it's got a good image? 748 00:31:43,634 --> 00:31:46,900 -Yeah, it's means the scan's been a success. -Good. All right. 749 00:31:46,900 --> 00:31:50,000 So I take this back to the shop and hand it to Kelly, 750 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:50,600 our color technician, and she'll sort it out for you. 751 00:31:50,600 --> 00:31:53,233 our color technician, and she'll sort it out for you. 752 00:32:00,467 --> 00:32:02,367 [Elvis] Because I can't take the car to the shop 753 00:32:02,367 --> 00:32:05,367 to compare it to the color chip the spectrometer's gonna select, 754 00:32:05,367 --> 00:32:08,634 I've taken off a small panel that I can easily take along with me. 755 00:32:09,900 --> 00:32:12,533 -Hello. Are you Kelly? -Hello. Yes, I am. Are you Elvis? 756 00:32:12,533 --> 00:32:14,467 -I am indeed. -Hello, I've been expecting you. 757 00:32:14,467 --> 00:32:17,367 -Good. Did Nick give you the spectrometer? -Yes, um... 758 00:32:17,367 --> 00:32:20,100 So I've got the results from the spectrometer this morning. 759 00:32:20,100 --> 00:32:20,600 Should we have a look at the panel here? 760 00:32:20,600 --> 00:32:21,467 Should we have a look at the panel here? 761 00:32:21,467 --> 00:32:23,367 -Yeah, he asked me to bring a piece along. -Brilliant. 762 00:32:23,367 --> 00:32:25,100 So, that's what the scanner's produced? 763 00:32:25,100 --> 00:32:26,900 This is what the scanner's produced this morning. 764 00:32:26,900 --> 00:32:28,900 -That looks good to me. -It's pretty good. 765 00:32:28,900 --> 00:32:30,166 That's amazing. 766 00:32:30,166 --> 00:32:33,100 If you're happy with that, we can take the formulation today. 767 00:32:33,100 --> 00:32:36,467 -I can go ahead and mix it. -Excellent. Perfect, okay. 768 00:32:36,467 --> 00:32:39,266 To mix the perfect paint, Kelly needs to blend together 769 00:32:39,266 --> 00:32:42,266 just the right quantity of various colors. 770 00:32:42,266 --> 00:32:45,100 Luckily for us, the computer's giving us a recipe to follow, 771 00:32:45,100 --> 00:32:48,800 so we know we're going to end up with exactly what's on the color chip. 772 00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:50,600 -Right. So this is moment of truth, isn't it? -This is, yes. 773 00:32:50,600 --> 00:32:51,266 -Right. So this is moment of truth, isn't it? -This is, yes. 774 00:32:51,266 --> 00:32:53,467 So let's give it a mix and see how looks. 775 00:32:53,467 --> 00:32:55,634 Go on then. Okay, let's have a look. 776 00:32:55,634 --> 00:32:57,266 Yeah, look at that. That's a lovely color. 777 00:32:57,266 --> 00:32:59,333 -It is. -Let me grab the piece. 778 00:33:00,266 --> 00:33:02,900 Hold that together... I mean, it's not bad, is it? 779 00:33:02,900 --> 00:33:05,533 I mean, I guess it'll dry a tiny bit different to that? 780 00:33:05,533 --> 00:33:07,533 Yeah, probably about two shades darker, 781 00:33:07,533 --> 00:33:10,734 -so I think it's going to be good. -Yeah, that sounds perfect. 782 00:33:10,734 --> 00:33:13,100 If it's going to be a bit darker, that will be an absolute exact match. 783 00:33:13,100 --> 00:33:15,433 Mm. Yeah, are you happy with that one? 784 00:33:16,166 --> 00:33:18,333 I'll tell you what. I think I am. 785 00:33:21,000 --> 00:33:24,266 [Elvis] Our little Vanden Plas 1500 is almost complete. 786 00:33:24,266 --> 00:33:26,634 And don't tell Mike, but you know what? 787 00:33:26,634 --> 00:33:30,266 I think I might just be starting to develop a little soft spot for it. 788 00:33:30,266 --> 00:33:33,734 I've got some really exciting but also nerve-wracking news this morning 789 00:33:33,734 --> 00:33:36,100 because the Vanden Plas has been delivered, 790 00:33:36,100 --> 00:33:38,967 freshly painted, back to my workshop. 791 00:33:38,967 --> 00:33:42,066 I'm just hoping that that color that I chose for the rear end 792 00:33:42,066 --> 00:33:45,367 perfectly matches the color that was already on the front end. 793 00:33:50,266 --> 00:33:51,867 [chuckling] There it is. 794 00:33:51,867 --> 00:33:53,867 -Hey. Morning, mate. -How are you doing? 795 00:33:53,867 --> 00:33:56,266 Look at this. That looks incredible, doesn't it? 796 00:33:56,266 --> 00:33:58,367 -Looks good, doesn't it? -You can't even tell 797 00:33:58,367 --> 00:34:00,867 where the old paint finishes and the new paint starts. 798 00:34:00,867 --> 00:34:03,266 Whoever scanned in that color match was a genius. 799 00:34:03,266 --> 00:34:05,367 The paint job is exceptional as well. 800 00:34:05,367 --> 00:34:07,367 That's incredible, isn't it? 801 00:34:07,367 --> 00:34:10,066 -Hello, hello. -Hello, hello. You ready? 802 00:34:10,066 --> 00:34:12,100 -Yeah, go on. -Ta-da! 803 00:34:12,100 --> 00:34:14,066 -You look at that. -Did you buy a new one? 804 00:34:14,066 --> 00:34:17,000 Well, if I did buy a new one, it would be very expensive, 805 00:34:17,000 --> 00:34:18,840 like, between 500 to 700 quid, but this is our old dashboard. 806 00:34:18,840 --> 00:34:20,734 like, between 500 to 700 quid, but this is our old dashboard. 807 00:34:20,734 --> 00:34:23,066 -No, it isn't. -It is. It's not even wood. 808 00:34:23,066 --> 00:34:25,000 -What do you mean? -It's wood underneath, 809 00:34:25,000 --> 00:34:26,967 but this has been hydro dipped. 810 00:34:26,967 --> 00:34:28,734 This is actually a graphic, 811 00:34:28,734 --> 00:34:30,967 a transfer that's been put on then lacquered, 812 00:34:30,967 --> 00:34:33,100 and it will outlast the veneer in the car. 813 00:34:33,100 --> 00:34:35,867 -It's going to be in the car forever. -That is incredible. 814 00:34:35,867 --> 00:34:38,100 -350 quid. -Oh, mate, nice work. 815 00:34:38,100 --> 00:34:40,734 Honestly, that looks so good and so does that. 816 00:34:40,734 --> 00:34:43,266 It may not be the most attractive car in the world, 817 00:34:43,266 --> 00:34:46,367 but I tell you what, it's a lot less ugly with these bits on it. 818 00:34:46,367 --> 00:34:48,533 It's funny people still think this car's ugly. 819 00:34:48,533 --> 00:34:48,840 I think it's beautiful. So much so, 820 00:34:48,840 --> 00:34:50,533 I think it's beautiful. So much so, 821 00:34:50,533 --> 00:34:52,867 I'm going to line up somewhere really beautiful 822 00:34:52,867 --> 00:34:55,734 to drive it at the end once you get all this stuff fitted. 823 00:34:55,734 --> 00:34:57,367 Nice work. 824 00:34:57,367 --> 00:35:01,500 This has been one of the most marmite renovations in Wheeler Dealers' history. 825 00:35:01,500 --> 00:35:04,367 You can put lipstick on a pig, it doesn't make it beautiful. 826 00:35:04,367 --> 00:35:08,266 -[laughter] -I've seen beautiful pigs. I have. 827 00:35:08,266 --> 00:35:11,500 We took one of the most unloved cars on the planet... 828 00:35:11,500 --> 00:35:15,367 It's a bit like trying to wake Sleeping Beauty, isn't it? Apart from the beauty bit. 829 00:35:15,367 --> 00:35:17,867 [Mike] ...and sprinkled it with Elvis magic... 830 00:35:17,867 --> 00:35:18,840 All right. 831 00:35:18,840 --> 00:35:19,233 All right. 832 00:35:20,367 --> 00:35:22,266 Oh, that's loads better. 833 00:35:22,266 --> 00:35:24,634 [Mike] ...transforming it from an ugly duckling... 834 00:35:24,634 --> 00:35:27,367 Don't call it an Allegro, mate. It's a Vanden Plas. 835 00:35:27,367 --> 00:35:28,634 But I know what you're saying. 836 00:35:28,634 --> 00:35:30,734 [Mike] ...into a beautiful swan. 837 00:35:32,867 --> 00:35:34,867 But beauty comes at a price. 838 00:35:34,867 --> 00:35:38,166 So how much did this makeover set us back? 839 00:35:38,166 --> 00:35:42,367 We originally bought the car from Gwen for 1,500 pounds. 840 00:35:42,367 --> 00:35:46,500 Recommissioning the engine set us back 128. 841 00:35:46,500 --> 00:35:48,840 And new hydro dipped dashboard was 350, 842 00:35:48,840 --> 00:35:49,533 And new hydro dipped dashboard was 350, 843 00:35:49,533 --> 00:35:52,500 and the paintwork, 582 quid. 844 00:35:52,500 --> 00:35:55,166 Finally, we've also stuck in a new battery 845 00:35:55,166 --> 00:35:59,000 and put on a new set of tires for 251 pounds, 846 00:35:59,000 --> 00:36:04,100 which gives us a grand total of 2,811 pounds. 847 00:36:09,467 --> 00:36:11,867 But the big question remains. 848 00:36:11,867 --> 00:36:14,867 Can we convince people to give this unloved motor 849 00:36:14,867 --> 00:36:18,840 a second look, 50 years on, from when it was first launched? 850 00:36:18,840 --> 00:36:18,900 a second look, 50 years on, from when it was first launched? 851 00:36:20,100 --> 00:36:22,967 Mate, this is absolutely fantastic. 852 00:36:22,967 --> 00:36:27,266 How good is this? I can't believe we've come such a long way 853 00:36:27,266 --> 00:36:31,967 from where this car first started, but the way it drives is fantastic. 854 00:36:31,967 --> 00:36:33,367 It's the first time you've driven it. 855 00:36:33,367 --> 00:36:35,367 It's the first time, and it's smooth, it's quiet. 856 00:36:35,367 --> 00:36:37,600 -It feels kind of regal in here. -[laughs] 857 00:36:37,600 --> 00:36:40,066 I kind of like it. Gearbox is lovely. 858 00:36:40,066 --> 00:36:42,467 Automatic, so I can just cruse along. 859 00:36:42,467 --> 00:36:45,266 -We've nailed it, haven't we? -Well, we have, to be honest. 860 00:36:45,266 --> 00:36:47,634 It is nice to see what was a half-finished project 861 00:36:47,634 --> 00:36:48,840 turn into a proper Allegro and now back on the road again. 862 00:36:48,840 --> 00:36:50,467 turn into a proper Allegro and now back on the road again. 863 00:36:50,467 --> 00:36:53,500 You've said it again. It's not an Allegro, it's a Vanden Plas. 864 00:36:53,500 --> 00:36:56,734 You can't say Allegro, you'll upset a whole community of people. 865 00:36:56,734 --> 00:37:00,166 This is what Austin intended the car to be, 866 00:37:00,166 --> 00:37:01,734 the Vanden Plas. 867 00:37:02,600 --> 00:37:05,367 And to show off our Vanden Plas at its best, 868 00:37:05,367 --> 00:37:09,100 I've brought us to one of the most beautiful villages in England 869 00:37:09,100 --> 00:37:12,600 to demonstrate that this unloved car actually fits in 870 00:37:12,600 --> 00:37:14,867 to this stunning setting rather well. 871 00:37:14,867 --> 00:37:18,066 Look at that. Let's see, little knowing nod from somebody there. 872 00:37:18,066 --> 00:37:18,840 They appreciate the Vanden Plas. 873 00:37:18,840 --> 00:37:21,100 They appreciate the Vanden Plas. 874 00:37:22,166 --> 00:37:24,000 Look at this. How pretty is it? 875 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:27,100 There, another little nod from somebody. 876 00:37:27,100 --> 00:37:30,266 Look at this place. Yeah, this is where this car should be. 877 00:37:30,266 --> 00:37:32,867 This is the picturesque town of Bourton-on-the-Water. 878 00:37:32,867 --> 00:37:35,266 -A little river running through it. -It's gorgeous. 879 00:37:35,266 --> 00:37:37,634 [Mike] Ducks on the pond. Look at that. Isn't it lovely? 880 00:37:37,634 --> 00:37:40,634 This car sits perfectly here. What you don't know, 881 00:37:40,634 --> 00:37:43,600 because I like to keep these little things a secret from you, 882 00:37:43,600 --> 00:37:46,634 is that I've arranged for us to drive to the museum 883 00:37:46,634 --> 00:37:48,600 -here in Bourton-on-the-Water... -Yeah. 884 00:37:48,600 --> 00:37:48,840 ...where I've arranged for other unloved cars like this Vanden Plas to turn up, 885 00:37:48,840 --> 00:37:52,367 ...where I've arranged for other unloved cars like this Vanden Plas to turn up, 886 00:37:52,367 --> 00:37:54,533 and because you put this in amongst them, 887 00:37:54,533 --> 00:37:56,467 and it's gonna shine. 888 00:37:56,467 --> 00:37:59,600 I just want to get the car sold. I want somebody to enjoy it, 889 00:37:59,600 --> 00:38:01,734 somebody to drive it around and show it off, 890 00:38:01,734 --> 00:38:05,600 and maybe people will fall in love with this unloved classic. 891 00:38:05,600 --> 00:38:07,867 Right, so here we are. This is the center 892 00:38:07,867 --> 00:38:10,100 -of Bourton-on-the-Water. -Yeah, look. 893 00:38:10,100 --> 00:38:13,266 -Look at all those old cars. -Yep. All those unloved cars. 894 00:38:13,266 --> 00:38:15,467 -How good is that? -[laughter] 895 00:38:20,600 --> 00:38:23,500 [Mike] We brought together some of the strangest looking... 896 00:38:23,500 --> 00:38:27,634 The previous owner's children, they called it the Vomit Comet. 897 00:38:27,634 --> 00:38:29,100 ...most unfamiliar... 898 00:38:29,100 --> 00:38:32,533 The Avantime was designed for a niche that didn't really exist. 899 00:38:32,533 --> 00:38:35,533 ...and quirkiest unloved cars on the planet 900 00:38:35,533 --> 00:38:39,800 to find out what their owner's see in them that nobody else does. 901 00:38:39,800 --> 00:38:43,634 Look at this. That is the Fiat Multipla. 902 00:38:43,634 --> 00:38:46,000 The Ferrari Formula 1 team used to use these as crew buses... 903 00:38:46,000 --> 00:38:47,080 Oh, get out. 904 00:38:47,080 --> 00:38:47,266 Oh, get out. 905 00:38:47,266 --> 00:38:49,800 -They were the laughing stock of the F1 paddock. -I'm sure. 906 00:38:49,800 --> 00:38:52,467 -Uh, Mick, don't want to be rude to your car... -Yes. 907 00:38:52,467 --> 00:38:55,734 But back in the day, it was a laughing stock. But today, I don't why, 908 00:38:55,734 --> 00:38:58,100 in amongst his company as well, it's pretty cool. 909 00:38:58,100 --> 00:39:00,734 -People love them or they hate them. -Yeah. 910 00:39:00,734 --> 00:39:03,166 But then, I drove up on the motorway yesterday, 911 00:39:03,166 --> 00:39:05,000 and there was people tooting me 912 00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:07,166 and giving me the thumbs up sign through the window 913 00:39:07,166 --> 00:39:08,367 saying what a great car it was. 914 00:39:08,367 --> 00:39:10,700 -Are you sure a thumb? -It was definitely a thumb. 915 00:39:10,700 --> 00:39:15,000 Flipside of the coin is also I've taken it to a Cars and Coffee one morning, 916 00:39:15,000 --> 00:39:17,080 a guy walked up and said, "Please take it away. 917 00:39:17,080 --> 00:39:17,266 a guy walked up and said, "Please take it away. 918 00:39:17,266 --> 00:39:19,734 -It's making my eyes bleed." -[laughter] 919 00:39:19,734 --> 00:39:22,000 So I absolutely understand the flipside. 920 00:39:22,000 --> 00:39:24,166 -What do you think of it? -I think it's a great car. 921 00:39:24,166 --> 00:39:25,867 It's a car that's been designed. 922 00:39:25,867 --> 00:39:27,800 There's not a single piece of this car 923 00:39:27,800 --> 00:39:29,533 that's not had the designers pen. 924 00:39:29,533 --> 00:39:31,867 I'm upset my children won't come out in it now. 925 00:39:31,867 --> 00:39:33,800 When they were this big, they'd come out, 926 00:39:33,800 --> 00:39:36,433 but now they won't be seen, they won't be seen into it. 927 00:39:37,900 --> 00:39:39,800 -Is this yours? What's your name? -Yeah. 928 00:39:39,800 --> 00:39:41,700 -It's James. -Nice to meet you. 929 00:39:41,700 --> 00:39:42,800 Nice to meet you. How you doing? 930 00:39:42,800 --> 00:39:45,634 This is Elvis. Now, that is a cool car. 931 00:39:45,634 --> 00:39:47,080 Yeah, it's a Japanese import, Nissan Cube. 932 00:39:47,080 --> 00:39:48,867 Yeah, it's a Japanese import, Nissan Cube. 933 00:39:48,867 --> 00:39:51,867 So, what's that like? When you're driving that car down the road, 934 00:39:51,867 --> 00:39:55,467 because it's unfamiliar and it's kind of quirky to look at, 935 00:39:55,467 --> 00:39:58,000 what kind of reaction do you get when you're driving it? 936 00:39:58,000 --> 00:40:01,266 Believe it or not, I get hundreds of people 937 00:40:01,266 --> 00:40:04,367 taking videos and photos as I drive past, you wouldn't believe it. 938 00:40:04,367 --> 00:40:06,634 Do you? What made you buy it in the first place? 939 00:40:06,634 --> 00:40:08,800 -The wife told me not to. -[laughter] 940 00:40:10,000 --> 00:40:12,266 Now, I actually really like these. 941 00:40:12,266 --> 00:40:15,266 -Good. -This is a Renault Avantime or Avantime depending on 942 00:40:15,266 --> 00:40:16,700 -where you are... -I'd say Avantime. 943 00:40:16,700 --> 00:40:17,080 ...where you are in the world. 944 00:40:17,080 --> 00:40:18,367 ...where you are in the world. 945 00:40:18,367 --> 00:40:20,734 Um, I think it's a great, great looking car. 946 00:40:20,734 --> 00:40:23,000 Renault had the Espace, 947 00:40:23,000 --> 00:40:25,266 the most practical car you could ever own, 948 00:40:25,266 --> 00:40:28,000 and they decided, what can we do? How can we flip it? 949 00:40:28,000 --> 00:40:32,734 We're going to turn it into a two-door SUV coupe thing, that nobody wanted. 950 00:40:32,734 --> 00:40:36,000 It does fit into the line-up perfectly because it's slightly unusual. 951 00:40:36,000 --> 00:40:38,734 This is a home from home for me, I've had four Multiplas, 952 00:40:38,734 --> 00:40:41,000 and we've got a Cube at home as well, so... 953 00:40:41,000 --> 00:40:43,000 -This is like your garage here. -It is. 954 00:40:43,000 --> 00:40:44,800 It is very much like my drive. 955 00:40:44,800 --> 00:40:47,080 But what did this bunch of unloved classic car lovers think to our Vanden Plas? 956 00:40:47,080 --> 00:40:49,467 But what did this bunch of unloved classic car lovers think to our Vanden Plas? 957 00:40:49,467 --> 00:40:53,700 Has it matured like a fine wine, or is this bottle corked? 958 00:40:53,700 --> 00:40:56,266 What do you think of our Vanden Plas over there? 959 00:40:56,266 --> 00:40:58,367 It's the ultimate unloved lemon, isn't it? 960 00:40:58,367 --> 00:41:00,467 An Allegro and a Vanden Plas... 961 00:41:00,467 --> 00:41:04,367 on top of that. So, yeah, I think it's great. I'd love one. 962 00:41:04,367 --> 00:41:06,166 -She's a beauty. -No, be honest. 963 00:41:06,166 --> 00:41:09,166 Honestly, I'm not sure everyone would have always said that, 964 00:41:09,166 --> 00:41:11,800 but, yeah, aged like a fine wine. 965 00:41:11,800 --> 00:41:13,734 Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me. 966 00:41:13,734 --> 00:41:15,634 -[laughter] -Don't feel awkward. 967 00:41:17,166 --> 00:41:18,900 I love you. 968 00:41:18,900 --> 00:41:21,100 Thank you so much for saying that. 969 00:41:21,100 --> 00:41:23,700 Well, that sounds like a resounding success. 970 00:41:23,700 --> 00:41:27,266 And there's one man we hope loves it more than all the rest, 971 00:41:27,266 --> 00:41:29,467 that's potential buyer, Paul. 972 00:41:29,467 --> 00:41:30,900 -You must be Paul. -I am indeed. 973 00:41:30,900 --> 00:41:32,533 -Paul, nice to meet you. -Nice to meet you both. 974 00:41:32,533 --> 00:41:35,800 Paul, I suppose the big question for us, too, um... 975 00:41:35,800 --> 00:41:38,500 -Why a Vanden Plas? -Got to have the best, haven't we? 976 00:41:38,500 --> 00:41:40,166 There's so few left now. 977 00:41:40,166 --> 00:41:42,367 We're down, like, to tens of them now, so... 978 00:41:42,367 --> 00:41:44,600 to be able to obtain one of these today in this day and age, 979 00:41:44,600 --> 00:41:46,700 with a solid shell by the looks of it as well, 980 00:41:46,700 --> 00:41:47,080 -is very rare. -Well, my question is, 981 00:41:47,080 --> 00:41:48,467 -is very rare. -Well, my question is, 982 00:41:48,467 --> 00:41:50,634 did you always love it when it was an Allegro, 983 00:41:50,634 --> 00:41:53,367 or is it since they put those Vanden Plas tweaks in there? 984 00:41:53,367 --> 00:41:56,533 Not so much just an Allegro, I had some uncles and my dad had one, 985 00:41:56,533 --> 00:41:59,266 and the humble base models didn't really interest me, 986 00:41:59,266 --> 00:42:01,266 when this come along, it really caught my eye. 987 00:42:01,266 --> 00:42:03,367 Well, I think we found the guy, haven't we? 988 00:42:03,367 --> 00:42:05,266 -It was destined. -I think you have, yeah. 989 00:42:05,266 --> 00:42:09,100 I have never known a man so excited and enthusiastic about a Vanden Plas. 990 00:42:09,100 --> 00:42:11,000 -Thank you. We love it. -You're welcome. 991 00:42:11,000 --> 00:42:13,000 You like what we've done with this car? 992 00:42:13,000 --> 00:42:15,900 -Very much so, yes. -So if you want this car, 993 00:42:15,900 --> 00:42:17,080 it is going to cost you. 994 00:42:17,080 --> 00:42:17,467 it is going to cost you. 995 00:42:17,467 --> 00:42:18,700 Okay. I thought that was coming, yeah. 996 00:42:18,700 --> 00:42:20,734 -Yes? Okay. Well, good. -Yeah. 997 00:42:20,734 --> 00:42:24,000 Um, but me and Elvis, we've been thinking... 998 00:42:24,000 --> 00:42:27,367 we'd rather put this car out on the road to be enjoyed, 999 00:42:27,367 --> 00:42:29,900 and we're not thinking about the profit on this one. 1000 00:42:29,900 --> 00:42:31,800 This is an unloved British classic. 1001 00:42:31,800 --> 00:42:34,800 And I think if it's in the hands of an enthusiast like you, 1002 00:42:34,800 --> 00:42:38,000 you will show it off in its best light, take it to car shows, 1003 00:42:38,000 --> 00:42:40,900 -get people interested in the Vanden Plas. -Absolutely, yeah. 1004 00:42:40,900 --> 00:42:44,734 I hope you're sitting down because we'll do something special with you. 1005 00:42:44,734 --> 00:42:47,080 I think he deserves it. Don't you? He's so enthusiastic. 1006 00:42:47,080 --> 00:42:47,500 I think he deserves it. Don't you? He's so enthusiastic. 1007 00:42:47,500 --> 00:42:49,800 If you want the car, you can have it for 3,000. 1008 00:42:49,800 --> 00:42:51,700 I'm not even gonna quibble with that. 1009 00:42:51,700 --> 00:42:52,700 I'm not gonna quibble with that. 1010 00:42:52,700 --> 00:42:54,367 -You got yourself a car. -Thank you very much. 1011 00:42:54,367 --> 00:42:56,266 -Cheers, thank you. -Well done, mate. 1012 00:42:56,266 --> 00:42:58,266 Thank you. 1013 00:42:58,266 --> 00:43:01,634 Well, I think it's fair to say that Gwen and her husband, Peter, 1014 00:43:01,634 --> 00:43:05,367 would be really proud of what we've managed to pull off with that Vanden Plas 1015 00:43:05,367 --> 00:43:07,533 because think about it, when we found it, 1016 00:43:07,533 --> 00:43:09,266 it was an unfinished project 1017 00:43:09,266 --> 00:43:11,533 that we actually pushed out of the garage 1018 00:43:11,533 --> 00:43:15,266 and scrapped around to try and find the parts for it. But now look at it. 1019 00:43:15,266 --> 00:43:17,080 And if you want to see more cars like this 1020 00:43:17,080 --> 00:43:17,634 And if you want to see more cars like this 1021 00:43:17,634 --> 00:43:19,634 being turned around by me and Elvis, 1022 00:43:19,634 --> 00:43:22,734 then join us again soon on Wheeler Dealers. Tala.