Restoring 70s cool

Recently restored by another company, this Lancia Montecarlo came to us after the owner had been let down by very poor results. The Pininfarina-designed mid-engined sports car was produced from 1975 to 1981.

As we started to work on the car, we discovered just how much filler had been used to cover the whole car including doors and bonnet. After we stripped back the paint and 4mm of filler the true extent of the rust could be seen, even on this so called ‘recently restored’ cars front shocker top mounts. The rust in here was shocking and a classic bodge job by the previous restoration company.

We worked tirelessly on getting this car good and straight while taking the time to remove all the rust. After a coat of light grey epoxy, you could really see all the hard work so far. We treated the car with a coat of dark primer filler to match that which we found when stripping it which when blocked into shape becomes a much lighter shade.

The car was pained in the original colour of Bianco Beta using 2K solid Valspar paint before accents were painted in satin black.

Paul was delighted to receive his now immaculate #Lancia #Montecarlo. The car arrived in a terrible state after a so called restoration and is now ready for his first drive and season of events. Enjoy it, Paul!

Getting ready to drop the #Lancia #Montecarlo off with its owner very soon! ⏰ It is always satisfying to finish a project and see a customer’s reaction when they see their car looking better than ever.

Getting ready to drop the #Lancia #Montecarlo off with its owner very soon! ⏰ It is always satisfying to finish a project and see a customer’s reaction when they see their car looking better than ever.

Inside the #Lancia #Montecarlo has seen a big transformation. The original interior was very dirty but has cleaned up brilliantly with a little elbow grease.

Inside the #Lancia #Montecarlo has seen a big transformation. The original interior was very dirty but has cleaned up brilliantly with a little elbow grease.

The #Lancia #Montecarlo is getting near to completion now! Ready for the nose cone and front bumper to be re-added.

The #Lancia #Montecarlo is getting near to completion now! Ready for the nose cone and front bumper to be re-added.

The #Lancia #Montecarlo engine cover is looking good on the inside and the previously damaged and broken rear bumper looking as good as new, if not better.

The #Lancia #Montecarlo engine cover is looking good on the inside and the previously damaged and broken rear bumper looking as good as new, if not better.

When it comes to our #Lancia #Montecarlo, you can see that even the hidden areas have got to be finished to high standards.

On the #Lancia #Montecarlo, the stainless steel exhaust that Guy Croft designed was wrapped to disperse. Looking good and being durable whilst adding to the performance of the engine.

On the #Lancia #Montecarlo, the stainless steel exhaust that Guy Croft designed was wrapped to disperse. Looking good and being durable whilst adding to the performance of the engine.

Only the best full Guy Croft design specification stainless steel exhaust on the #Lancia #Montecarlo. 💨 We’ve worked with PD Gough since the early 90s — They’re brilliant!

The binnacle of the #Lancia #Montecarlo had some small marks. We got a colour match using specialist paint for the job to make it look right, even under scrutiny. 🔍

The interior carpet and vinyl trim of the #Lancia #Montecarlo were in good condition, so we managed to save them. Looking good after a professional cleaning job. 🧼

We fitted a high capacity, front mounted rad to the #Lancia #Montecarlo. It was re-manufactured by Tony the Radiator Guru. ⭐️

It is always exciting when a car’s body is being assembled. The #Lancia #Montecarlo developed back into the car it was when it was new and looked great. 🤩

Sections of the #Lancia #Montecarlo were finished in satin black 2K solid paint. 🖤 The bumpers were in awful shape, but after a lot of time we made good on them. Better than they left the factory! 🏭

Sections of the #Lancia #Montecarlo were finished in satin black 2K solid paint. 🖤 The bumpers were in awful shape, but after a lot of time we made good on them. Better than they left the factory! 🏭

Sections of the #Lancia #Montecarlo were finished in satin black 2K solid paint. 🖤 The bumpers were in awful shape, but after a lot of time we made good on them. Better than they left the factory! 🏭

It is fair to say the wiring on #italiancars is infamous. ⚡️ We checked the wiring harness on the #Lancia #Montecarlo to prevent future issues and created new stainless steel water and cooling pipes too.

It is fair to say the wiring on #italiancars is infamous. ⚡️ We checked the wiring harness on the #Lancia #Montecarlo to prevent future issues and created new stainless steel water and cooling pipes too.

It is fair to say the wiring on #italiancars is infamous. ⚡️ We checked the wiring harness on the #Lancia #Montecarlo to prevent future issues and created new stainless steel water and cooling pipes too.

It is fair to say the wiring on #italiancars is infamous. ⚡️ We checked the wiring harness on the #Lancia #Montecarlo to prevent future issues and created new stainless steel water and cooling pipes too.

Our #Lancia #Montecarlo project is getting closer to completion after being painted in the original ‘Bianco Beta’ using 2K solid Valspar paint. 🎨

Our #Lancia #Montecarlo project is getting closer to completion after being painted in the original ‘Bianco Beta’ using 2K solid Valspar paint. 🎨

Next up for the 1977 #Lancia #Montecarlo 🇮🇹 was a coat of dark primer filler to match that which we found when stripping it. When blocking into shape, it becomes a much lighter shade. #70sresto 🇬🇧

The job now is to ensure it all fits together as it should with constant gaps throughout before proceeding to the next stage.

The job now is to ensure it all fits together as it should with constant gaps throughout before proceeding to the next stage.

Now working on getting this car good and straight as the rust is now all gone.

The rust in here is/was shocking, and was covered by filler simulating seam sealer. looked solid but as you can see it was a classic bodge by the previous restoration company.

The rust in here is/was shocking, and was covered by filler simulating seam sealer. looked solid but as you can see it was a classic bodge by the previous restoration company.

Looks good now in bare metal after removing a 4mm skin of filler and paint.

Looks good now in bare metal after removing a 4mm skin of filler and paint.

Paint is now all off and the true extent of the rust can be seen.

Paint is now all off and the true extent of the rust can be seen.

Paint is now all off and the true extent of the rust can be seen.

As we started to work on this recently restored Lancia Monte Carlo, we discovered how much filler was used — A lot! Enough to cover the whole car including doors and bonnets!

As we started to work on this recently restored Lancia Monte Carlo, we discovered how much filler was used — A lot! Enough to cover the whole car including doors and bonnets!

Original 1977 Lancia Montecarlo

Original 1977 Lancia Montecarlo

Original 1977 Lancia Montecarlo

Original 1977 Lancia Montecarlo

Original 1977 Lancia Montecarlo

Original 1977 Lancia Montecarlo

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