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As a parts retailer we sell a lot of different brands. As previously stated QH is owned by Tetrosyl and the parts are predominantly made in China. This doesn't mean they are all bad though. So much depends on the quality control procedures in place on site. The fact that Tetrosyl were prepared to start making even old items like Maxi lower ball joints, escort 1 and 2 lower TCA's and spitfire upper ball joints meant we could dodge the scene tax and get sensibly priced new items when everyone else had long since abandoned production.
We use a company called EAG (Excel Automotive Group) for suspension arm 'stock' items but if we have to order in special items urgently then it's down to the customer if they choose budget or not. I've never had an EAG suspension component brought back in 3 1/2 years, a record some budget suppliers fall well short of.
Personally I don't need to use ECP for which I am truly thankful. That company has caused the demise of so many small independent motor factors it makes me angry.
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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Dec 31, 2019 13:37:17 GMT
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The answer to the lack of power in an MX5 is a supercharger, turbo or KL V6 conversion 😀 And that is how the rot sets in - Repeat after me - MX5 it's just a donor. MX5 it's going to be a donor.... eventually
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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Dec 29, 2019 19:05:36 GMT
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Generalisation - Does not apply to us die hards - well I hope not anyway. I've owned 33 cars. Over 1/3rd of those are / were Duttons and I still own 7 or 8 I've got Duttons Disease, you've got the Ginetta Germ...
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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Dec 29, 2019 14:05:16 GMT
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MX5's - the death of kits cars - Buy a donor MX5 for your project and never actually build or finish the kit/project as you are having too much fun driving. I reckon there's a fair bit of work needs doing to Q91CMV, some of which that'll need the body off (chassis has never been braced) so not a five minute fix. Added to the already silly project list it may be a while before it gets done. After the mrs bought hers (red one) I thought that would be the end of us touring in the Dutton. but even having bought one of my own I still can't get it near the grunt of the pinto. The MX5 / Eunos / Miata is a nice car to drive in standard spec but it doesn't give me the same sort of buzz as driving something I built in the garden shed. It's too civilised, too comfy, too warm and too slow. The Legerra is a more economical tourer, has a bigger boot and carries a full size spare. There is even space behind the seats for luggage unlike the MX5. I can see why people use them as donors though, totally recyclable car.
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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On the subject of it being a bit chilly I could keep the old double height unit warm with one small space heater. half hour on full gas then it could be turned down to tickover or even switched over to a fan heater just to keep the warm air circulating. The unit I'm in now I've got no chance, too much uninsulated metal, too many high level gaps. Reckon i'll need a case of cavity wall foam to make it half way 'sealed'.
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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Well that two months flew past Apart from a little messing with the steering and bodywork Project X hasn't made any significant progress. There's no real heating and that unit is way colder than my previous one so visits have been restricted of late. Can't do any glassing up on the Phaeton so kind of ground to a halt. The Eunos on the other hand has had a bit of TLC while I've been at the shop. I've now done over 1k miles in it and it's just getting better. Timing belt and pulleys replaced, oil drained, flushed (with proper flush not one of the additive type) and three filters used in a day. Aux belts changed and all the tensions checked. Evap can removed, body drains cleaned out and it's now a much nicer place to be. 600 mile round trip to Kent completed just before Xmas with no issues, 200 + miles of that was done with the roof down (and the heater turned up) The pioneer stereo was obviously imported in the vehicle as the FM frequency range stops at 89.9 and goes back to the high 70's, NOT the usual ranges at all. One of the blessings of this being I don't get Radio one or anything above it but the little FM repeater struggles to drown out the static so i'll have to fit an off switch for the antenna so it retracts when I don't need it. Steering wheel changed for a new leather mountney, the old 15" rim was filthy, ingrained deep into the foam / vinyl. The new 14" rim is way better. This of course meant I had to delete the airbag and stop the warning light from flashing. A simple 3Ω resistor across the socket fooled the air bag control into thinking it was still fitted. Warning light off but passenger side still functional. I still have to engineer a fix for the horn though, for now its on the dash as a push button. Did the usual thing and binned the green condom covered 501's in the cluster in favour of some blue LED's which coincidentally match the blue digihud display on my phone. Vast improvement however I still need to do the ones in the heater controls which may or may not have died but are very dim. I gave it a bit of a rub over with some polish too. There are some key scratches on the boot which have gone through to the metal and the lacquer is flaking off the front nearside wing, other than that the body is very good for it's age. Now before anyone asks yes, the plate is small. I've got away with it so far. There is a section in the MOT regs that states imported vehicles without enough space to securely mount a UK size plate can use smaller plates. I know this one is taking the p**s but I need to make a replacement plinth to fix a new plate to. The mirror housings need re-painting as does the lower edge of the front spoiler. That'll keep until the weather improves. I didn't want to like this car but it's grown on me and I can't help but think it's here to stay.. for a little while at least, maybe just until the summer... maybe the end of summer, who knows.
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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Dec 28, 2019 23:36:37 GMT
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33 and counting. Sorry if this is a bit of a list but had to work it out and add them up. This doesn't include spouses cars or 'wrecks' bought for spares. Don't know if this is sad or heroic but I can remember most of them. Anything in italics has gone, anything in bold I still have. 1969 Ford Escort Estate 1300 RKO362G 1958 E series Holden TS125 Suzuki (only two wheels, does that count?) 1300 mk2 Escort Van Mk1 Transit SWB V4 A gas guzzling Jag mk3 Cortina Estate Y reg mk3 escort 1977 Granada Coupe Ford Zephyr mk4 (bloody HMS Ark Royal) T reg 1600 mk4 Cortina 1980 mk5 Cortina 2.0 GL SPU787W Datsun Bluebird 1800 A****** 1971 Ford Mustang ******V 1966 Ford Anglia FHY97D 1986 Ford Granada C******1990 Dutton Legerra Q91CMVSeries 2 Dutton Sierra Q365UWP Series 3 Dutton Sierra Series 2 Dutton Sierra HPG128KSeries 3 Dutton Phaeton Q77GMV Series 2 Dutton Legerra Q835XSC Series 4 Dutton Phaeton MXI8846 (I think) Series 1 Dutton LegerraSeries 2 Dutton LegerraSeries 4 Dutton Phaeton Q570JKOSeries 2 Dutton PhaetonSeries 3 Dutton Phaeton Q8**XSCSeries 2 Dutton PhaetonSeries 2 Dutton Legerra Q385FDFNCF Diamond2005 Ford Transit VE55KPKMazda Eunos Roadster R563ENFBest bargains are the 1st Dutton Legerra @ £50 (non runner fixed for under £10) and the Eunos @ £200. Longest owned - I've had that Legerra 19+ years now only taken off the road late this year as an excuse to get the Mazda
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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The offending vehicle is a Dutton Phaeton S3 manufactured and built during 1984/5 and registered 1985 on a Q plate as it was made with parts from more than one donor escort. As previously stated, there is no question in my mind that it's the right vehicle, the DVLA have acknowledged as much BUT due to the current owner being unable to furnish them with a 17 digit number that doesn't exist they have refused the V5C application. Its all currently on hold while the owner goes over the chassis with a microscope looking for a stamped number
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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Dec 11, 2019 19:09:47 GMT
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The number thats on the V5C is the right one, doesn't matter how many digits it's got. Back it the seventies / eighties it didn't matter, Your car is treated the same as mine, VIN is as V5c and stays that way forever. Problem I was dealing with was entirely down to the VIN plate not being fixed to the car, client told to look for a 17 digit VIN when he should have been looking for a 5 digit (bad advice from a DVLA minion there) then saying he couldn't find it which instantly red flagged the vehicle. Had he known it was only five digits it could have been solved so easily but the DVLA don't like going back and correcting issues they see as 'our' fault. Since my original post more info has surfaced though. Make sure the chassis on your car is stamped with the number on the V5 somewhere at the front so an MOT tester can find / see it. May be worthwhile making some sort of ID tag for the body with the number on it too. Belt and braces approach. For the sake of 30 minutes and a few rivets Doesn't hurt to bring it upto the standard 'the man' would like. All my restorations get stamped on the chassis as apparently the ally plate on a Dutton is just decoration
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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Problems in DVLA are usually down to someone not knowing their own regulations IME - but they usually only surface when people approach them before asking the Clubs for advice and end up asking DVLA to make a decision instead of presenting them with the required evidence. I would have thought the SVA included the requirement for a VIN plate in 1998 though (still long after this car was built). A friend bought a car last week and has been told he can’t get a V5C because it’s not on the DVLA system (it doesn’t come up on the tax checker) - but it’s on the DVSA system with MOT tests going back years!!!! Yup - exactly that, lesser minion syndrome. All script driven, no common sense applied. I get fed up with repeating myself on our FB group etc.. if in doubt ask us first. Vehicle production numbers were supplied with all Duttons. Over 75% use these as VIN's. The others normally have 15 or 17 digit numbers issued by the DVLA but there is no pattern to it. Seems like the LVLO's did whatever suited them at the time. Only one of my ten Duttons has a DVLA 'long' number. The others are all letter and 4 numbers. That too will be down to a minion with a script. Escalate it by asking for a supervisor... rinse and repeat until you find one with actual experience. The records will be on a microfiche if prior to 2000 all they have to do is look.
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Last Edit: Dec 9, 2019 23:35:45 GMT by Rebuilda
1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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All vehicles should have a vin number I thought, certainly the MOT man wanted to check the vin on the Fug, But it’s actually just a 6 digit chassis number on the Fug, but he seemed happy enough with that, he just wanted to see it. the plaque with all the info on is a new thing I thought, so I didn’t think you’d need it unless it was being inspected (?) Duttons only used five digits My green Legerra is a Q plate and has a five character VIN and that was first registered in 1990. BUT it is clearly displayed under the bonnet as required by post 2001 standards. Some younger MOT testers who have only dealt with non retro vehicles don't have the experience to fall back on. I had one argue to the point of shouting that it wasn't a VIN as it didn't have enough characters ... I just handed him my V5C and smiled.
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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In this case its an '85 built and registered kit car. DVLA refused to issue a new V5C when it changed hands as the new owner didn't have the VIN recorded (it's not on the V5C/2). It's complicated by the fact that I inspected the car two years ago, checked the reg, VIN and engine numbers all matched. Its since been sold on without being completed and the replacement VIN plate (old one was damaged and insecure) is still with me until I have a copy of the V5c in the owners name. (club policy on VIN plates for security) Now according to the MOT testers manual the VIN plate wasn't mandatory on a kit or amatuer built vehicle until 2001 so they are ignoring their own rules (well DVSA or VOSA) and are denying the owner a V5C on something that didn't become mandatory until 15 years after the kit was first registered. Talk about frustrating. Third email going back tonight and i've CC'd her supervisor in as i've always got on well with him. Let's hope he points out the error and they issue the new owner with the V5C. Edit - I'm the bloke on the club list of approved inspectors ("experts") on the DVLA website for vehicle clubs with regard to all things Dutton. If the DVLA's fraud dept have a query regarding a "Dutton" they contact me. Why is it so difficult to get a correctly registered genuine restoration vehicle sorted. Grrrrr. Sorry for the rant, It's frustrating when so many people who do this 'wrong' get away with it and a genuine restoration gets baulked by red tape quoted incorrectly
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Last Edit: Dec 9, 2019 23:25:25 GMT by Rebuilda
1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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I'm having a 'do' with the DVLA regarding a Q plate kit car and would like to know at which point the VIN plate became mandatory on UK registered cars.
TIA for any info. Ade
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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If you do decide to part it out I'd be happy to help ID anything you don't recognise. Might even be interested in the body / chassis / dutton other parts for club spares shed items.
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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I've seen it before. IF it has ever been registered then it's long gone. Dutton only chassis stamped a few of the early cars. The S3 and S4 had ally plates under the bonnet on the fibreglass
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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Nov 29, 2019 21:57:43 GMT
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Thats a really wide S3 body. Must be 4-8 inches over standard.
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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Nov 24, 2019 20:24:38 GMT
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I’ve used wickes own branded stripper It’s worked very well It has indeed. Last lot I did was with some I bought on ebay, I'll give wickes a go next time.
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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Nov 24, 2019 15:12:30 GMT
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What flavour paint stripper did you use Dan? Looks to be making short work of lifting the powder coat lacquer.
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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Nov 14, 2019 23:02:32 GMT
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Just looking at delivery / collection options. Pretty sure I could get a courier to collect them if you could box or wrap and bag them etc. Another option is I collect next time i'm darn sarf which could be a bit vague as I don't make that journey very often. Happy to leave a deposit or full payment by paypal whatever is best for you.
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1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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Nov 13, 2019 19:52:24 GMT
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Patiently awaiting said pictures. Could be interested for the MX5 dependant on above pictures EDIT - Googled and definitely interested for the MX5.
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Last Edit: Nov 13, 2019 19:54:37 GMT by Rebuilda
1988 DUTTON LEGERRA MK1 - SPARES DONOR 1989 DUTTON LEGERRA MK2 - CURRENT PROJECT 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 1990 DUTTON LEGERRA ZS MK2 DUTTON PHAETON S2 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - Resting DUTTON PHAETON S4 - PROJECT X DUTTON SIERRA S2 - Resting
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