[TCS66SPDLSD]

Congrats Cooltronics, really nice write up, especially the loads of pics, like every one has already mentioned, this is a great car, THE 800. What else can be said about it, its the VW beetle of India. I am really glad to see that you are trying to keep everything original about the car, its quite common to see people opting for newer lights, grill, steering wheel, rims etc, especially from the type 3 or so when they do a refresh or restoration. I'm sure this is going to be a well loved, cherished car for years.

[DJR]

It looks awesome Cooltronics. Wish you many more happy miles with this beauty.

Mod Note: Please avoid typing like.... this....

[Horizon85]

Many Many Congratulations Cooltronics!!

We had a 1987 Maruti 800. Loved the Japanese quality. Even in the 90's it was difficult to find original Jap parts and MASS were used to flicking them. Our car had done around 2 lakh kms and was sold in 2005 when we left Mumbai.

I still feel very very sad on having to depart with it. Your thread revived so many beautiful memories. Thanks a lot!

[Cooltronics]

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

Excellent restoration project. The car looks beautiful now. Kudos to you in keeping the legend for so long. BTW I just noticed the rear bumper sagging down a bit, is this normal ? Are the rear springs OE ?

The bumper fits in the same way. Got it checked, didn't seem to be a problem. Rear springs are OE but seems the guy did some tweaking.

Originally Posted by VivekCherian

That is a very nice restoration job. This thread reminds me of the M800s we have had in the family (1984 SS 80 which was sold in 2004, 1994 SB 308 DX which was sold in 2012, 1995 SB 308 which was sold in 1998, and 1997 M800 DX which was sold in 2005). Other than the 1994 M800 which had a music system installed (and for a short time was converted to run on LPG as well ), the other 3 cars were bone stock. Also, all 4 cars were extremely reliable for as long as we had them.

However, a small suggestion from my end. Please add a left side ORVM as well since you never know what the crazy folks on our roads will do.

Thanks for the suggestion but I somehow what to keep the car in same condition as it was when new. Not having Left ORVM is a problem but since the car is not used for daily drive, it is OK to live with it and keep it all original

Originally Posted by Horizon85

Many Many Congratulations Cooltronics!!

We had a 1987 Maruti 800. Loved the Japanese quality. Even in the 90's it was difficult to find original Jap parts and MASS were used to flicking them. Our car had done around 2 lakh kms and was sold in 2005 when we left Mumbai.

I still feel very very sad on having to depart with it. Your thread revived so many beautiful memories. Thanks a lot!

Thank you for nice words. Luckily, some friends are helping me with MGP parts but SGP parts are a rarity today.


Some more updates as week passed by.

Got the new set of rims.



Got the new set of Chrome caps as well - they are local made and hence might not last long and rust in a year's time. looking forward for good quality nickle and chrome plating on it again to see if its life improves

[Cooltronics]

It has been a long time since I updated the thread due to paucity of time and work commitments. Nevertheless, there has been strong and steady progress in restoring the car every month and not a day has passed where the thought of the car has not passed across.
The car is daily driven for approx. 10 kms after engine re-built and now 1500 kms later, the car drives like a charm
Following changes have been done on the car
a) Got new type 1 rims. New steel caps would be fit in shortly
b) Changed the tyres which were nearly 25 years old with radial tyres (GoodYear Ducaros Hi Miler)
c) Updated the suspension set up of the car which includes Front struts, lower arms, rear shock absorbers (Type 1) along with bushings, leafs along with bushings
d) Changed the steering assembly - old one was 30 years old and considerable play was there. New one is still quite rough.
All the parts are stock MGP parts ordered and picked up personally.

Apart from these, I have received some rare Type1 parts from LeoShashi
i) NOS Speedo - Aug 91 make
ii) Type 1 grill
I cannot thank Shashi enough for helping me mentally across the long journey of restoring the car, especially when I loose patience in finding a part or handling crises and answering silliest of questions with elaborate answers.

His enthusiasm is infectious and the virus (akka KIDA) has spread inside me completely

what next ?
i) Seat Covers : Have found an old seat maker who surprisingly has the same material available with him which Maruti 800 Type 1 came with. Stay tuned.
ii) Surface Rust : This is going to be a big project. Though the surface rust is not deep but need to nip it from the bud so that it doesn't damage the car further
iii) Plastic Trim Set: Purchased Type 3 trim set but its a shade darker than type 1. Figuring out how to keep the original trim set colour alive.


New Rims and tubeless tyres


Bunch of suspension purchased at MASS. It includes front struts, rear absorbers, leaf, lower arm and bushings


Bushing set for suspension


Front suspension struts


Rear shock absorber


Old lower arm - completely disintegrated


Old front struts


Steering Assembly Part details


Steering Assembly


August 91 make NOS Type 1 Speedo


Type 1 front grill


More pics of speedo from different angles










mirror mirror on the wall who the most beautiful of them all.

[pedrolourenco]

Congratulations on the amazing restoration!

Originally Posted by Cooltronics

Got the new set of Chrome caps as well - they are local made and hence might not last long and rust in a year's time. looking forward for good quality nickle and chrome plating on it again to see if its life improves

Can you share the details of where you sourced them from?

The Blue 800 in the picture looks well maintained / restored too except for Type II rims and newer grill.

[chiranjitp]

Originally Posted by Cooltronics

Apart from these, I have received some rare Type1 parts from LeoShashi
i) NOS Speedo - Aug 91 make
ii) Type 1 grill
I cannot thank Shashi enough for helping me mentally across the long journey of restoring the car, especially when I loose patience in finding a part or handling crises and answering silliest of questions with elaborate answers.

New Rims and tubeless tyres

Brilliant restoration & after 30 years she must feel like a family member. As you have said, there is lack of knowledge among the mechanics for Carburetor models. We are also facing some difficulties in servicing our 99 Omni, specially for things related to Carburetor & its tuning.

Please do post some more photos of the interiors. Also I am curious to know what went wrong with your old speedometer assembly, as our Omni too had a speedo replacement recently. The problem we faced was that the fuel gauge & temperature gauge would rise to its maximum limit after the car is started, the speedometer & the odometer were working perfectly. Are the type I rims still in production? How much is the cost per rim?

P.S - Speedo that you have fitted is older than me.

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by chiranjitp

Also I am curious to know what went wrong with your old speedometer assembly, as our Omni too had a speedo replacement recently.

Nothing was wrong with his speedo, we bought it as that speedo has become a super rare item. It's only for future stocking. I hope you have guess where he got this inspiration from:

His enthusiasm is infectious and the virus (akka KIDA) has spread inside me completely

Are the type I rims still in production? How much is the cost per rim?

Yes they are still in production, costs approximately Rs. 850 per rim.

P.S - Speedo that you have fitted is older than me.

Me too.

Regards,
Shashi

[Cooltronics]

last week I opened the bonnet and noticed some grease shower below the engine. Closer inspection revealed that Drive Shaft bushing had burst. The last time drive shaft was changed was in early nineties.
Went ahead and completely replaced the driveshaft inspite of some life left in it.
Got the gear bushings also changed as the gear play was quite high. Now the action is lean and slick.
Got the car back and went for a short drive in the nice winter afternoon.

Some pics for people to enjoy.

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by Leoshashi

Woww

Happy Birthday to the Classic(pun intended) and its driver.

Hi Shashi,
Can you tell me if the chrome hub caps, fitted in the M800 above, fit on the 14" steel rims of a WagonR VXi?
If yes, where can I order these in Hyderabad and how much will it cost?

Thanks in advance,
Ashis

Originally Posted by Cooltronics

Some pics for people to enjoy

Hi Cooltronics,
The 800 looks like it has rolled out from the assembly line. I hope the car continues serving you for few more decades.
I have fond memories of the same model, in the same color, which was owned by my grandfather. I was a kid then and used to love playing with the push button on the tip of the bonnet of the car.

Does that button have any functionality?

PS: Sorry for hijacking your thread for my query posted above. Hope you don't mind.

- Ashis

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Hi Shashi,
Can you tell me if the chrome hub caps, fitted in the M800 above, fit on the 14" steel rims of a WagonR VXi?
If yes, where can I order these in Hyderabad and how much will it cost?

I guess they won't fit. Try old Omni's plastic ones and if they fit then these chrome ones will too. Also finding them would be a tedious job.

Does that button have any functionality?

It's for disengaging the hood lock. You don't need to insert your hand in that gap to open.

Regards,
Shashi

[chiranjitp]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Hi Shashi,
Can you tell me if the chrome hub caps, fitted in the M800 above, fit on the 14" steel rims of a WagonR VXi?
If yes, where can I order these in Hyderabad and how much will it cost?

I would also agree with Leoshashi. My Omni has type I rim & hub caps (rims are same as Cooltronics M800 but hub caps are the plastic ones) & my zen has type II rim & hub caps. Both these hub caps are different in size (Type I is bigger) & has a different locking mechanism. I am almost certain that your Wagonr's locking mechanism would be similar to the type II rim.

Type I rim & hub cap



Type II rim & hub cap



WagonR lxi rim & hub caps



Type I plastic hub caps



Inside of the type I hub cap. The type II hub cap would have a spring on the inside.



Anyways you could try to fit the Type I plastic hub caps, if they fit then the chrome ones will also fit. Here is the part number of the type I plastic hub caps.

Part number - 43252M84001
Price - Rs. 16

[Cooltronics]

Latest stash
Big thanks to LeoShashi once again.

Got SGP Maruti Suzuki holograms for front grill and rear along with SGP gear knob and SGP dashboard vents. These are few of the rarest items seen in market now along with front license plate nuts.
Instrument cluster is one another rare item to have got hold of.
Original MGP tool kit, stepney bolt, blower knob, steering pads, speedo bulbs and speedo glass are also quite rare and not seen lately.
Last but not the least - rubbers for the car. Clutch and brake rubber pads, interior and boot/bonnet rubbers would help change the aging rubber parts.

[Cooltronics]

The car was under hibernation owing to monsoons.
I was visiting the city and skies also cleared up so it was time for some TLC and much needed servicing.

Total Km run in last 2 year - 2000km.

Additionally, I was able to collect some parts:
1) original white/grey sun visors
2) roof lining (lost in inventory at the moment)
3) Type 1 orvm
4) Type 1 grill with help of a fellow enthusiast

As part of service, we just did:
1) Oil change - used Shell 15W40
2) Oil Filter
3) Gear Oil
4) Coolant
5) changed tappet cover of engine head as seals were not upto the mark

End result is here to see.

[Cooltronics]

My car speedo was never opened from last 32 years.
It was time to clean and service as the speedo lights had got dim and also use to not function during humid days. I could see a subtle layer of dust also within.

Thermostat also seem to be not functioning properly and required a check up - the details revealed that the thermostat switch had gone kaput and required change

I am not a guy who likes to open things often but it was the need of the hour and hence got it opened. cleaned and neatly fit back.
Please have a look at it for your eyes