New member, tempted to get an FB

[martynrich67]

Hello all,

Great forum; lost of really useful information, and some very nice cars too

My Dad had a "nearly new" FB back in 1984 or so, but it was unfortunately written off in an accident courtesy of a flat tyre while he was rushing to attend a fire as a retained firefighter. His FB was a gold one and if I remember correctly, the registration was VEF 274Y. I was gutted when it got smashed up because I loved the car.
Some Years later he got another one, not so new at the time; burgundy/brown, registration A783 RAT - known as "The Rat" for obvious reasons. This one was used quite a lot, but ended up parked up, unloved for quite some time. I was without a car at the time, so did a deal with my Dad and I got it back on the road and used it for a while, adding some new wheels and sorting the sticking "second stage" of the carburettor out so it actually went as it should.

I've always had a soft spot for the FB, and I'm tempted to get myself one to tinker with. I'll keep an eye out on the few that do come up for sale, and maybe, just maybe might buy myself one. Triple rotor anyone?

Marty

[RamoNZ]

Welcome aboard!

I suggest buying the best you can avoid as this will avoid any bodywork heartache. Engine is secondary but most runners should last awhile, although an eye kept out to convert to the later and larger 13b would be a good move.

Good luck though and keep us posted

[codge]

Hi Marty.....many thanks for the info.....I'm the unofficial (appointed by myself), keeper of records for UK FB's.

VEF is not to be found on DVLA but 'The Rat' is there. The record says it was first reg 25/4/1984 and has been unlicensed since 1997. Unlicensed can mean anything - unknown storage in a barn etc. or simply broken up and gone
My guess is that it was a Renaissance Red Series 2 since you say 'Burgundy/Red' and DVLA just says 'Red'. Also spring 1984 was the end of Series 2 and the start of S3's.

I will note VEF down in the 'Scrapped' file and RAT in the 'Probably Scrapped' file. Hope that's OK.

Any Pics still around? would be interesting.

Cheers Codge (Dave)

[spoddy]

the main thing to look for is an fb with as little rust as possible.
there is a write up ian compiled of what to look for, 12a's are a plenty i've been told
but moving up to a 13b fc engine would give you more power

go and get one, i'm hopefully getting my hands on one in a month or so and will be putting it back on the road.
trying to decide to finish off the rear 5 stud conversion or switch the fronts back to 4 stud.

but understand the urge to get one

[Chud]

Do it

Oh and welcome.

[martynrich67]

Thanks for the replies and the "welcomes".

I may have got the registration wrong on the gold one - I'll ask my Dad to see if he can remember, and to ask if he has any photos. I think I have some of "The Rat" somewhere kicking about. I'm away from home for a couple of weeks, but will dig them out once I'm back.