[G_AmbyMad]

Hi,

I came upon this little beauty today. Being offered it for a song! Am going to be taking my Maruti Service Centre owner and have a look at it and if all goes well, will pick it it up and restore to former glory!

In the meanwhile, some pics I took. Apologies for the quality, took them on my phone.















Could the experts tell me what I should be looking for, both good and bad, in order for me to make up my mind? Thanks in advance

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by G_AmbyMad

Hi,

I came upon this little beauty today. Being offered it for a song! Am going to be taking my Maruti Service Centre owner and have a look at it and if all goes well, will pick it it up and restore to former glory!

Could the experts tell me what I should be looking for, both good and bad, in order for me to make up my mind? Thanks in advance

(Note: 'not professing to be an expert but just to add me two cents!)
Well, in order to make up your mind, the first thing I would advise you is to take someone who GENUINELY LIKES (and knows) these cars. IF your Maruti Service Centre owner happens to be one such person then well and good. Most of the present Maruti dealerships dont really know much about the older models, especially the very early ones like the SS80s, nor do they even want to- they tend to see such cars as scrap and dont understand why you should go such an old model so even convince you against going for them if you show it to them (as they are afraid you'd bring it to them whenever something needs to be fixed!)

Coming to the car, does look a bit tired but not too bad. Look for corrosion on the running boards, floorboards, also check if the center pillar has been damaged on either side (this can be found out by the way the front door sits, it has to sit square in the door frame) and then also if there was any front wing/apron damage (can be made if the car veers or 'pulls' to one side while driving, although even a misaligned front wheel can cause that sometimes, better also check for signs of a frontal collision from inside the bonnet near the mounting point of the front shock)
Then check for any vibrations/rattling/wobbling (the rims on these cars also tend to get bent from rough use) while driving.
And if I'm not mistaken, going by the height of the car especially at front, looks like the front suspension has worn out & needs overhauling.
Also check for any white-ish smoke coming out which could indicate a worn out engine (I cant make out in the pic. but it looks like the speedo reads 62k off kms??)
Well, a bit tired now so this is all I can think of for now...!

[anjan_c2007]

Another picture of some SS80's with the high roof vans of the 1980's

[ajay99]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

Another picture of some SS80's with the high roof vans of the 1980's

Attachment 983755

all the red cars displayed there seems to be DX models

[G_AmbyMad]

Thanks StanHer.

I will definitely keep my eye opened for all that you've mentioned

[shankar.balan]

I saw a beautifully kept example recently jn Ooty. A maroon one, clearly an aftermarket paint job. Carries the old style registration TNN....
Considering the sheer number of those cars that were buzzing around till the late eighties and even early nineties, it is surprising that there seem almost none left visible in the cities!

[foby.sebastian]

Few SS 80's from cochin

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by foby.sebastian

Few SS 80's from cochin

Is the first one fitted with Santro rims?

And if am not mistaken, I reckon the second one belongs to our tbhpian jayd.

[ashishc100]

my SS80 freshly serviced after a long gap...

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by ashishc100

my SS80 freshly serviced after a long gap...

Looks good! Try to get the original chrome hubcaps, they will give it a complete authentic look.

[kevinephraim]

Originally Posted by ashishc100

my SS80 freshly serviced after a long gap...

Is she still up for sale? I remember you had posted her on the classified a couple of months ago? or have you gone all sentimental and decided not to part with her!

[rajeev k]

Originally Posted by Stanher

(Note: 'not professing to be an expert but just to add me two cents!)
...or any white-ish smoke coming out which could indicate a worn out engine

Adding some more.
Check the silencer exhaust end for black thick soot which indicates high engine oil consumption, an indicator of engine wear.
Check that all glasses (front & rear windshields and door glasses) are original (same make).
Also whether the head and tail lamps, starter & Alternator and distributor are Japanese originals.

[ajay99]

An ss80 in seemingly good condition for sale at reasonable price
http://ahmedabad.olx.in/red-beautee-iid-443721698

[sushil_n79]

Hi Ajay,

This is an Awesome thread indeed . Thanks for starting the same yes in our neighbourhood in Bhopal , back in 1984 one family used to own it. They bought the new maruti 800 when people were obsessed with the Fiats, ambassaddors and the premier padmini's. Infact the height of closed mindedness in prople was comparing it to a matchbox and thinking that it will never succeed. Of course what people failed to understand is Maruti Udhyog limited did what was always lacking in automotive sector in India. i.e setting up a lot of authorised service centres across the country which created success stories in India for the company that was newly started. Infact when I decided to buy my car in March 2012 this was one of the primary factors .

Thanks again for creating this thread and for giving us a nostalgic treat down the memory Lane.

Regards

Sushil Narayanan

[ajay99]

Please see this advt for a modded SS80 from the national capital

http://newdelhi.olx.in/maruti-800-ol...-iid-446729087

Note the price!!!