Presenting - Ulrich the P6 (2000 SC)

Ulrich

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Hallo! New member here, just thought I'd share my latest automotive acquisition - it's a 1973 Rover 2000 SC manual. It's my second P6, the first was a 1976 2200 TC that I ran in the noughties, and have always regretted selling.

Anyway, I happened to glance at Gumtree a few weeks ago, where I saw nothing less than Ulrich, as though waiting for me! It's one of those cars that has been standing for years - since 1995 in fact - but has had much work done over that time, including four recent new calipers, a new clutch and exhaust, and some cylinder head work. And as an extra bonus, the body, including the base unit, is solid. But - there was a catch. Ulrich didn't run, and although the vendor assured me that it had been in running condition when put into storage, internal combustion had not taken place for many a long year.

There was another catch too; despite having started life as an Arctic White car, Ulrich was now a somewhat hideous (to my eyes anyway) shade of bright orange with - oh my Gawd - a Union Jack roof, of which the vendor was extremely proud! So, what was I to do? Buy a non running, forty four year old car, in a ridiculous colour, which may or may not work, or go and do something sensible instead? Of course, I bought it.

Why Ulrich, you may ask? Well, one of the car's good points is a five digit registration number that I consider to be very cool - ULH 5M. Now, as synchronicity would have it, one of my favourite authors, in my view very under-rated, and relatively little known, is a gentleman who writes under the name of Ulrich Haarburste. He it was who penned the comic jewel "Ulrich Haarburste's Novel of Roy Orbison in Cling Film" - not as kinky as it sounds, more high surrealism. UL(rich) H(aarburste) (the car, not the author) and I seemed destined to meet, especially since I myself am a little known (far less known than Herr Haarburste) and very little rated (no doubt justified) author of various bits of nonsense. Our match seemed predestined to happen.

My faith in Ulrich has been (fingers crossed) justified. That old big four, after various bits of fettling burst into life today and ran for about twenty minutes, before choking on 32 year old fuel and calling it a day. New fuel and a recon carb will be needed before the next start, but Ulrich lives! The motor sounded good, with no nasty knocks or noises, bearings all sounded good, oil pressure seemed okay (light went out anyway) and all was well with the world! It reminded me of Tom Baker's Dr Who, who, when advised not to use a gun that hadn't been fired in fifty years as it might explode replied "Explode? Nonsense, it was made in Birmingham!"

So, forthcoming plans are: 1) New fuel and recon carb; 2) connect and bleed brakes and clutch; 3) fill de dion tube with oil; 4) sort out electrical niggles (fuel guage, temp guage, flashers; 5) MOT; 6) respray in metallic grey (sorry purists) which I think will really suit the car.

Anyway, that's the story so far, no doubt I will be something of a regular visitor to these pages as I record Ulrich's progress, and doubtless have frequent recourse to technical advice. Meanwhile here's a pic to introduce the currently citrus coloured conveyance! Cheers!
 

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I just came on your introduction, welcome aboard. Great story on the car and certainly an good for the future. Please update us on your progress and pictures are always welcome. Best of luck!
 
Guten Tag!

"I just came on your introduction", and, to quote gary even further, it is a magnificent story indeed! I am glad that there are enthousiasts around that can take on a car like that.
I could never manage.

I would LOVE to see pics as well, as a P6 in that livery has never crossed my path and I imagine it looking ... .
Well, quite frankly, I cannot imagine it AT ALL!! :confused:

Alles Gute!

stefan
 
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Guten tag indeed, and thanks both for your kind and encouraging comments.

Progress thus far:

-new fresh fuel installed
-new points, plugs and condensor
- new clutch slave cylinder
- three oil changes

I'm very pleased to report that after much coaxing and head scratching on my part, internal combustion has at last taken place, and Ulrich sounds good! Oil pressure is good, no knocks from engine bearings, just that lovely, rorty old four cylinder booming away.

However, there is lots of blue smoke from the exhaust when the engine is hot (no smoke on startup or for the following ten minutes or so) - this could be a knackered engine needing a rebore or - fingers crossed - stuck oil control rings. I am hoping for the latter, of course.

After installing the new clutch master cylinder today, Ulrich and I took a short drive up and down the drive way - the first in twenty two years! It felt good - until I noticed a neighbour's parked car looming in the windscreen. No problem, time to apply the brakes - and it was at this point I remembered that they haven't been bled yet. Drama (and angry neighbour) averted by swift application of handbrake. Whoops.

I am very pleased that Ulrich has regained the gift of self-propelled motion - an MOT and the open road cannot be too far away!

Transexi, I think you have been somewhat kind to describe Ulrich's current paint job as 'livery'. I can only think that whoever dreamed it up had a hard night on the gin the night before. I will drive it before repainting, but will need some further reserves of courage!

Will add pictures soon.
 
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