Project Starts : Contessa Classic Restoration

TwinHead · 18th October 2012, 10:36

Contessa - a ship on road.

Introduction:
it’s all started last year 2011 may when I decided to get a contessa, started doing a search using our friend google, came across many but very few were worth it. drilled down to 2 in which 1 was a 88petrol and another 1 was a 96diesel. petrol conti was owned by a small kid who had no clue about the car, he just got it for the muscular look and asking rocket price, rather on the other hand diesel conti was owned by a elderly person who had owned it since 2000 who quoted a reasonable price. got a call on Friday 10th June 2011 from the diesel conti owner accepting my offer. took a bus the same night to coimbatore, did some final check on the car and papers before finalizing the deal. filled the tank, checked the air pressure, checked the water level in radiator and drove all the way to Bangalore without a single trouble.

Reasons of restoration:
it did have some minor body work and on beautiful evening something majorly wrong happened. i left the car in the parking lot of my friends place to meet him, when i came down to leave saw the left hand side crashed and a big deep line over the bonnet. it was done by a water tanker lorry, the beauty is he dint even know that he hit a car and listening to music with the guard over there, just think of the frustration and anger a person would get into. He kept defending his act by saying there won’t be any car parked over there and so he dint bother to look back. on checking the lorry it dint have a valid document and I believe it dint even go to for FC even once in its life time. my dad pitched in and cooled me down. There is no way of claiming money from him nor from the insurance as my car had a third party insurance. dint feel like taking my car out with that condition, dad made few phone calls, decided on the tinker, painter, door mechanic, electrician and mechanic. yes we decided to do complete work on the car.

Current Status:
Mechanical
serviced the diesel pump which cost me 8k because the nozzle was in no good shape, changed the cam and cam shaft, changed the timing bearing’s as the old was worn out with few metal balls missing. my mech was shocked and wondering how was the car running all this time. cleaned head, radiator, checked the pistons, rings, crank and they were fine. changed all the tubes and lubes. front mechanical part work is done for good. All these changes did change the performance of the car, the initial is better and yes there are no dark black smoke. Mech adviced to run the engine with oil added along with diesel for the pump to work frictionless.
waiting for ball joints and bush kit to work on the suspension and for waiting for the back crown pin.

Tinker
He did a inspection and agreed for 6k to do the tinker job, but on removing the carpet there is a patch which has to be put in the front left side and a small piece below the radiator for which he asked another 4k. so total 10k spent for the tinker which i feel bit high as there was not much major work in the car but at the same time to the rates other tinkers were asking this price was quite OK. Overall the workdone and the material used are A+.

Pre-painting
Used 3.5KG's 3M patti for the body and sanded it down for the clear lines of the body. i preferred painter to do this work as the finish would be much better than the tinker. did a 3m under chasis paint which costed 2k. To be continued

Will leave the pictures do the talking

TwinHead · 28th November 2012, 19:37

body patti work has completed, would definitely recommend the painter, he has been doing the work very neatly with lots of patience which is so evident. i have decided to go with 2k paint job. so the process was applying a spot patti and spray a coat of primer. by doing this it completely fills even small pores in the metal.

ariesonu · 29th November 2012, 11:02

An original MUSCLE car of India.
What color of paint have you decided OR will go back to white?
Do you intend to keep her stock or will go for mild mods?

Raab rakha.

TwinHead · 29th November 2012, 12:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariesonu

An original MUSCLE car of India.
What color of paint have you decided OR will go back to white?
Do you intend to keep her stock or will go for mild mods?

Raab rakha.

decided to go with subaru white from 2k paints and yes i want to keep it stock, love the way it looks originally. when comes to interior decided to go for 2 tone type (beige and black).

TwinHead · 6th December 2012, 15:33

3 coats of painting is completed and he is getting geared up

ku69rd · 12th December 2012, 12:02

Mate, Looks like an awesome Car restoration plan.
Are you planning to plonk in a petrol engine to this car? Guess a V-6 would do full justice to this shell. Please do retain the round twin headlights they lend more character to the car.

ariesonu · 12th December 2012, 14:23

Its not justice to give us a hazy, half hidden pic of the completed car

.
I can't see the rear bumper & IMO black color on wheels, windows and door handles is not going well with overall look of car. If you wish to maintain that then may I suggest racing stripes to accentuate the look.

Raab rakha.

girishglg · 12th December 2012, 14:54

Thats a neat restoration for the Contessa! Great job of bringing back to original glory or say even better than the original. Was wondering if the round headlights are stock or of a bigger size since last remember the round ones were a size smaller. Also there was a rectangular one probably for the earlier models I guess.

Do post more pics of the exteriors and interiors of this classic (literally) and wishing happy times!

TwinHead · 12th December 2012, 15:45

thank you all. have managed to source a complete new set of glasses and fixed them too

Quote:

Originally Posted by ku69rd

Mate, Looks like an awesome Car restoration plan.
Are you planning to plonk in a petrol engine to this car? Guess a V-6 would do full justice to this shell. Please do retain the round twin headlights they lend more character to the car.

i prefer do retain the original HM+ diesel engine as of now and this is my regular commute back in chennai.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariesonu

Its not justice to give us a hazy, half hidden pic of the completed car

.
I can't see the rear bumper & IMO black color on wheels, windows and door handles is not going well with overall look of car. If you wish to maintain that then may I suggest racing stripes to accentuate the look.

Raab rakha.

awaiting 100% completion before taking the pics but that doesnt seems to happen, have something or the other to do everytime i see the car :P
have got the OE contessa strip which comes on the either side but having second thought on it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by girishglg

Thats a neat restoration for the Contessa! Great job of bringing back to original glory or say even better than the original. Was wondering if the round headlights are stock or of a bigger size since last remember the round ones were a size smaller. Also there was a rectangular one probably for the earlier models I guess.

Do post more pics of the exteriors and interiors of this classic (literally) and wishing happy times!

will post complete pics very soon. yes they did come with rectangular headlights and during parts hunting came across a new set which i ended up buying, even though i have no intention of fixing them as of now.

vinu_h · 12th December 2012, 15:53

The Indian Muscle. Congratulations. Restoration has come out very well. Neat job indeed.

Contessa Classic is the first car I ever sat in. Lots of memories.

MetalBuff · 12th December 2012, 16:08

Have the rectangular headlights been substituted with these dual round lamps on each side? They really sit pretty if thats indeed the case.

There was another black contessa (guess came across the same on team-bhp itself some time ago though, can't clearly recollect) which had been restored as well and looked very hot-yet-classic with some fat rubber and oh-so-delicious chrome-finished alloy wheels.

Should we expect a similar treat of tasty wheels here as well or will you stick to the stock look which will completely justify the restoration and that too with the original color retention

? White makes the contessa look the classic bomb it's forever been!!

Very painstakingly being done. Hats off to your patience and passion. Looking forward to the final outcome and get blown away

. All the best!!

TwinHead · 12th December 2012, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinu_h

The Indian Muscle. Congratulations. Restoration has come out very well. Neat job indeed.

Contessa Classic is the first car I ever sat in. Lots of memories.

thank you vinu

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalBuff

Have the rectangular headlights been substituted with these dual round lamps on each side? They really sit pretty if thats indeed the case.

There was another black contessa (guess came across the same on team-bhp itself some time ago though, can't clearly recollect) which had been restored as well and looked very hot-yet-classic with some fat rubber and oh-so-delicious chrome-finished alloy wheels.

Should we expect a similar treat of tasty wheels here as well or will you stick to the stock look which will completely justify the restoration and that too with the original color retention

? White makes the contessa look the classic bomb it's forever been!!

Very painstakingly being done. Hats off to your patience and passion. Looking forward to the final outcome and get blown away

. All the best!!

till 96(mid) it did come with a rectangular headlights, later models came with twin headlights. i guess you are referring to the petrol conti in black color ? that was indeed a splendid job which even created a confusion for me on the paint

now polishing is also completed.

TwinHead · 17th December 2012, 11:58

wheels are done and interiors are getting completed

mukundmenon · 17th December 2012, 20:13

Good job on the restoration and welcome to the Conti Club! Do post more pictures of the car and some useful info on where you sourced spare parts and stuff. It would definitely help others. The ISZ 2.0 diesel mill is very dependable and can be used as a daily driver thanks to its high mileage- been driving mine to office for last 2 yrs! Just look out for issues with the suspension and ball joints, as they tend to wear out quite quickly. Enjoy your Conti

!

DicKy · 17th December 2012, 20:45

Can't believe that i missed out this thread.
Just can't wait to see your fully restored Contessa, me been hunting for one but can't seem to find one in a reasonable price

, saw a Contessa for sale nearby in TBHP classifieds but right now can't put together the finance to buy it.
More interior pics are welcome and would you mind telling the price you paid for it?

18th October 2012, 10:36	#1
TwinHead BHPian Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chennai/BLR Posts: 90 Thanked: 104 Times View My Garage	Project Starts : Contessa Classic Restoration Contessa - a ship on road. Introduction: it’s all started last year 2011 may when I decided to get a contessa, started doing a search using our friend google, came across many but very few were worth it. drilled down to 2 in which 1 was a 88petrol and another 1 was a 96diesel. petrol conti was owned by a small kid who had no clue about the car, he just got it for the muscular look and asking rocket price, rather on the other hand diesel conti was owned by a elderly person who had owned it since 2000 who quoted a reasonable price. got a call on Friday 10th June 2011 from the diesel conti owner accepting my offer. took a bus the same night to coimbatore, did some final check on the car and papers before finalizing the deal. filled the tank, checked the air pressure, checked the water level in radiator and drove all the way to Bangalore without a single trouble. Reasons of restoration: it did have some minor body work and on beautiful evening something majorly wrong happened. i left the car in the parking lot of my friends place to meet him, when i came down to leave saw the left hand side crashed and a big deep line over the bonnet. it was done by a water tanker lorry, the beauty is he dint even know that he hit a car and listening to music with the guard over there, just think of the frustration and anger a person would get into. He kept defending his act by saying there won’t be any car parked over there and so he dint bother to look back. on checking the lorry it dint have a valid document and I believe it dint even go to for FC even once in its life time. my dad pitched in and cooled me down. There is no way of claiming money from him nor from the insurance as my car had a third party insurance. dint feel like taking my car out with that condition, dad made few phone calls, decided on the tinker, painter, door mechanic, electrician and mechanic. yes we decided to do complete work on the car. Current Status: Mechanical serviced the diesel pump which cost me 8k because the nozzle was in no good shape, changed the cam and cam shaft, changed the timing bearing’s as the old was worn out with few metal balls missing. my mech was shocked and wondering how was the car running all this time. cleaned head, radiator, checked the pistons, rings, crank and they were fine. changed all the tubes and lubes. front mechanical part work is done for good. All these changes did change the performance of the car, the initial is better and yes there are no dark black smoke. Mech adviced to run the engine with oil added along with diesel for the pump to work frictionless. waiting for ball joints and bush kit to work on the suspension and for waiting for the back crown pin. Tinker He did a inspection and agreed for 6k to do the tinker job, but on removing the carpet there is a patch which has to be put in the front left side and a small piece below the radiator for which he asked another 4k. so total 10k spent for the tinker which i feel bit high as there was not much major work in the car but at the same time to the rates other tinkers were asking this price was quite OK. Overall the workdone and the material used are A+. Pre-painting Used 3.5KG's 3M patti for the body and sanded it down for the clear lines of the body. i preferred painter to do this work as the finish would be much better than the tinker. did a 3m under chasis paint which costed 2k. To be continued Will leave the pictures do the talking Attached Thumbnails Last edited by TwinHead : 26th November 2012 at 15:12.
	(4) Thanks

28th November 2012, 19:37	#2
TwinHead BHPian Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chennai/BLR Posts: 90 Thanked: 104 Times View My Garage	Re: Project Starts : Contessa Classic Restoration body patti work has completed, would definitely recommend the painter, he has been doing the work very neatly with lots of patience which is so evident. i have decided to go with 2k paint job. so the process was applying a spot patti and spray a coat of primer. by doing this it completely fills even small pores in the metal. Attached Thumbnails
	(5) Thanks

29th November 2012, 11:02	#3
ariesonu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,343 Thanked: 2,441 Times View My Garage	Re: Project Starts : Contessa Classic Restoration An original MUSCLE car of India. What color of paint have you decided OR will go back to white? Do you intend to keep her stock or will go for mild mods? Raab rakha.
	(2) Thanks

6th December 2012, 15:33	#5
TwinHead BHPian Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chennai/BLR Posts: 90 Thanked: 104 Times View My Garage	Re: Project Starts : Contessa Classic Restoration 3 coats of painting is completed and he is getting geared up Attached Thumbnails
	(5) Thanks

12th December 2012, 12:02	#6
ku69rd Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,511 Thanked: 1,787 Times View My Garage	Re: Project Starts : Contessa Classic Restoration Mate, Looks like an awesome Car restoration plan. Are you planning to plonk in a petrol engine to this car? Guess a V-6 would do full justice to this shell. Please do retain the round twin headlights they lend more character to the car.
	() Thanks

12th December 2012, 14:23	#7
ariesonu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,343 Thanked: 2,441 Times View My Garage	Re: Project Starts : Contessa Classic Restoration Its not justice to give us a hazy, half hidden pic of the completed car . I can't see the rear bumper & IMO black color on wheels, windows and door handles is not going well with overall look of car. If you wish to maintain that then may I suggest racing stripes to accentuate the look. Raab rakha.
	() Thanks

12th December 2012, 14:54	#8
girishglg Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: KA-05 Posts: 1,164 Thanked: 562 Times View My Garage	Re: Project Starts : Contessa Classic Restoration Thats a neat restoration for the Contessa! Great job of bringing back to original glory or say even better than the original. Was wondering if the round headlights are stock or of a bigger size since last remember the round ones were a size smaller. Also there was a rectangular one probably for the earlier models I guess. Do post more pics of the exteriors and interiors of this classic (literally) and wishing happy times!
	() Thanks

12th December 2012, 15:53	#10
vinu_h BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 563 Thanked: 956 Times	Re: Project Starts : Contessa Classic Restoration The Indian Muscle. Congratulations. Restoration has come out very well. Neat job indeed. Contessa Classic is the first car I ever sat in. Lots of memories.
	() Thanks

12th December 2012, 16:08	#11
MetalBuff BHPian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Mumbai, Madison Posts: 458 Thanked: 258 Times View My Garage	Have the rectangular headlights been substituted with these dual round lamps on each side? They really sit pretty if thats indeed the case. There was another black contessa (guess came across the same on team-bhp itself some time ago though, can't clearly recollect) which had been restored as well and looked very hot-yet-classic with some fat rubber and oh-so-delicious chrome-finished alloy wheels. Should we expect a similar treat of tasty wheels here as well or will you stick to the stock look which will completely justify the restoration and that too with the original color retention ? White makes the contessa look the classic bomb it's forever been!! Very painstakingly being done. Hats off to your patience and passion. Looking forward to the final outcome and get blown away . All the best!!
	() Thanks

17th December 2012, 11:58	#13
TwinHead BHPian Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chennai/BLR Posts: 90 Thanked: 104 Times View My Garage	Re: Project Starts : Contessa Classic Restoration wheels are done and interiors are getting completed Attached Thumbnails
	(4) Thanks

17th December 2012, 20:13	#14
mukundmenon BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Kochi Posts: 77 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	Re: Project Starts : Contessa Classic Restoration Good job on the restoration and welcome to the Conti Club! Do post more pictures of the car and some useful info on where you sourced spare parts and stuff. It would definitely help others. The ISZ 2.0 diesel mill is very dependable and can be used as a daily driver thanks to its high mileage- been driving mine to office for last 2 yrs! Just look out for issues with the suspension and ball joints, as they tend to wear out quite quickly. Enjoy your Conti !
	() Thanks

17th December 2012, 20:45	#15
DicKy Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TVPM Posts: 4,374 Thanked: 15,197 Times	Re: Project Starts : Contessa Classic Restoration Can't believe that i missed out this thread. Just can't wait to see your fully restored Contessa, me been hunting for one but can't seem to find one in a reasonable price, saw a Contessa for sale nearby in TBHP classifieds but right now can't put together the finance to buy it. More interior pics are welcome and would you mind telling the price you paid for it?
	() Thanks