Sad mot day after 23 years ownership

[PumaPaul69]

Hi all,

Well the Puma has finally succumbed to the dreaded rot.

The guy I see said its now more of a restoration project rather than a repair job. The chassis, rear sub-frame mounting (or lack of), the sills, basically the back end. Each year was trying to keep it going with repairs.

The Mrs and I are pretty gutted by this, having had it from new (delivery miles), used as a daily driver, all the fun times, holidays, days out (and a few AA calls) over the years. The driving/handling was brilliant and meeting up with fellow owners this year was great.

I won't be scrapping the car though. Too many good memories and lots of new and decent parts on it tbh. So we're gonna keep it at home and have a think, either source another Puma (original type of course) or look for something that's galvanised!

A couple of pics of better times.

Paul

 

[John Woodward]

Hi all,

Well the Puma has finally succumbed to the dreaded rot.

The guy I see said its now more of a restoration project rather than a repair job. The chassis, rear sub-frame mounting (or lack of), the sills, basically the back end. Each year was trying to keep it going with repairs.

The Mrs and I are pretty gutted by this, having had it from new (delivery miles), used as a daily driver, all the fun times, holidays, days out (and a few AA calls) over the years. The driving/handling was brilliant and meeting up with fellow owners this year was great.

I won't be scrapping the car though. Too many good memories and lots of new and decent parts on it tbh. So we're gonna keep it at home and have a think, either source another Puma (original type of course) or look for something that's galvanised!

A couple of pics of better times.

Paul

Very sad news Paul, I've seen the car a few times and it's always impressed me .
Surely you can find somewhere where it can be restored properly, I know that the Puma means a lot to both of you and if you replace it with another car, I'm sure that you'll regret it in the future. Prices of good Puma's are on the increase, so please think about it long and hard before you make a decision you'll regret.

 

[Kenzo K]

Hi all,

Well the Puma has finally succumbed to the dreaded rot.

The guy I see said its now more of a restoration project rather than a repair job. The chassis, rear sub-frame mounting (or lack of), the sills, basically the back end. Each year was trying to keep it going with repairs.

The Mrs and I are pretty gutted by this, having had it from new (delivery miles), used as a daily driver, all the fun times, holidays, days out (and a few AA calls) over the years. The driving/handling was brilliant and meeting up with fellow owners this year was great.

I won't be scrapping the car though. Too many good memories and lots of new and decent parts on it tbh. So we're gonna keep it at home and have a think, either source another Puma (original type of course) or look for something that's galvanised!

A couple of pics of better times.

Paul

Oh that's not good news. So 'step back' and give it some thought. In 2023, mine had quite a bit welding, but this year, sailed through the MOT!

 

[PumaPaul69]

Hi John/Kenzo,

Thank you and agree, need to take it in before any rash decisions. It's deffo a keeper though (family member!) whatever happens.

The guy I see is restoring an old Nissan starlet (with a detroit V8)! built race engines for MR2's and 'know's his onions' with cars, along with being ultra reliable for us over the years.

It's just a question of how far/deep does the resto go, what other stuff will be found and of course costs that could spiral. Heart of hearts we'd love to keep the Puma going.

Ah well, we'll see. At least I've been spending some quality time on auto-trader and ebay!

Paul

 

[GreenEyedPuma]

Paul,
Definitely keep it in dry storage!

I don't mean to tempt fate, but IF you should ever happen to get unwell, maybe your family could tell the story to Car SOS-sage and you get it fully restored FOR FREE!!! Woo hoo!

 

[GreenEyedPuma]

Paul,
BTW, that's a very shiny example, with no obvious rusty rear wheel arches, for something (apparently) needing so much welding underneath! (? ).

Or, was it photo's from the day you got it?

 

[RICHARD MANSFIELD2]

sorry to hear the sad news.

 

[Cubatoo]

Sorry to hear that. They do become family members, mine is my baby!
I hope you will be able to get your Puna back on the road sooner rather than later.

 

[PumaPaul69]

Paul,
BTW, that's a very shiny example, with no obvious rusty rear wheel arches, for something (apparently) needing so much welding underneath! (? ).

Or, was it photo's from the day you got it?

Thank you, yeah spent a lot of quality years polishing (ocd) .

The pics are about 10-12 years ago and the rear arches done pre-covid. Alas it's had plenty of patch work/welding in recent times - the underside, sills, floor pans etc. I guess a ticking rust bomb!

Tbh mechanically it's sound as a pound, no electrical issues and lots of parts replaced. At face value the car looks fine but structurally it's not safe/roadworthy anymore .

Still, we all love a rusty Ford!