1995 Skoda Favorit Foreman II Pick Up (UPDATE)

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I had known about this Skoda Pick Up for quite a few years, it originally belonged to Eric Cox, the guy who built numerous modified Skodas during the 80's/90's, and is probably best known for the Mid Mounted Fiat Twin Cam powered Skoda Rapid that was featured in Fast Car, Max Power as well as on Top Gear. He used it as a daily driver, and also for running in the engines of his race car. It was originally white, but Eric repainted it in a metalflake green. He eventually sold it in the early noughties, to a local engineering company, who repainted it white, (over the top of the green), they used it for a couple of years, before selling it to a friend of mine who had plans for it. Unfortunately he was too busy building and maintaining 2cv race cars, so the Pick Up got parked up, and sat untouched for several years, over which time I tried to buy it a few times. Eventually I got a text message saying it was available if I still wanted it, so a deal was done, and on Saturday, it was awaken from its slumber, and became my latest project.

Here it is being moved for the first time in a couple of years.



Once I got it home, I got a bucket of warm soapy water, and a stiff brush, and gave it a scrub to remove 10yrs of green slime.



It needs a pair of front wings (I have 1), the sills are crusty, as is the rear tailgate and rear arches. The underneath looks remarkably solid, and it needs a replacement engine, but all in all, I think it is easily saveable. A thorough inspection is due this week to establish what is needed, and then work can start on returning it to the road.

[Colonelk]

Cant be many Foremans left now surely?

Do like these little things.....

[raymondmarble]

Isn't that 3 Skodas you have now needing welding and an engine? You'll be an expert by the time you've done all these! Looking forward to the progress pics Kenton.

[loudandproud205]

Are the wings totally dead? I'd have a go at making it more patina rub though the white in places to show the green below.

Engine I'd be tempted with a 1600/2000 from a Golf

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I spent a couple of hours on the Pick Up yesterday, removed the front bumper, headlights and grille, as well as the O/S/F wing.







Unfortunately, the front wings are too far gone to re-use, there was not a lot left along the top where they bolt to the inner wing. The inner wing is solid apart from the hole in the photo. I will be giving the whole truck a good pressure wash over the weekend, mainly to remove the thousands of cobwebs that have attached themselves over the years, as well as giving it a good clean. From what i've seen so far of the underneath, all looks solid under there as well, but once cleaned up, it might reveal a few things. More updates to come soon.

[Czechered Flag]

About time I did an update on my Pick Up.

It is currently tucked away in my garage as I struggle to acquire panels for it.

On Tuesday I was browsing Ebay, searching for a replacement vehicle after the LDV Convoy I was running as a daily was written off in an accident with 2 american tourists in a hired Volvo estate. I was looking for another van, but nothing was suitable in my budget, so I started looking at various cars, and couldn't find anything suitable. I decided to a general search for cars in a 100 mile radius, and on the 2nd page of newly listed, I spotted something I wasn't expecting. It was a 1994 L plate Skoda Favorit Foreman II Pick Up with a very basic (poor) listing. It was MoT'd and had a Buy It Now of £425 or Best Offer. It had only been listed an hour. I quickly made an offer of £350 which was turned down, they came back with £400 and we met in the middle at £375.

I arranged to pick it up yesterday, and with the assistance of my brother, we drove the 115 miles to Garvestone, Norfolk to collect it, having already insured and taxed it. On arrival, I was greeted by a young guy who showed me around the Pick Up. I was rather pleased with how it looked, it sounded spot on when running, so cash changed hands, the V5 was filled in, and I became the new owner. The chap then handed me a load of paperwork, which consisted of EVERY MoT certificate from new, various receipts etc, and the handbook. I looked through these, and found that over the last 4 years, the Pick Up has only covered 1400 miles, and passed each MoT with NO advisories. The last stamp in the service book was in 2004, at 47k. It currently has 53k on the clock. The chap had bought the truck for his father, as he had 1 a few years ago, but he couldn't get on with it after driving automatics, so they put it on Ebay. It is in very good condition for its age, and drove great on the way home. It does need a few little things doing, but nothing major. According to How Many Left, there are currently 17 remaining, and I now have 2 of them.

Time for a few pics.











And the guy had this sat on his driveway.



I will post some better pics over the weekend.

[dikkehemaworst]

Campervan campervan campervan campervan campervan campervan campervan Whoohoo !!

[dikkehemaworst]

Sorry , got really exited ...

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Time for an update of the Pick Ups.

Since purchasing the second Pick Up at the beginning of November, it has been put into daily use, and developed a few problems along the way. The auxiliary belt snapped on me but luckily I was a few minutes from home. I thought I could fit the 1 from the other Pick Up, but unfortunately they were different, so the following morning a trip to the local motor factors, and £4 spent, I had another replacement belt fitted.

Whilst doing the belt, I noticed that the engine mount was shot, which is also part of the water pump, so a new water pump was purchased and fitted.




After fitting the water pump, I topped up the water system, but as quick as I was filling it, it was draining, so I checked all the hoses to make sure I hadn't forgot to connect 1, but all were ok. I had no puddles appearing so at first I was puzzled as to where the water was going, then I heard the water, so a look underneath, and it was coming from the centre joint of the exhaust, so I guessed the head gasket was knackered. There had been no symptoms of head gasket failure though, apart from a slight use of water. Another trip to the motor factors, and a replacement gasket was purchased for £15. They didn't have a gasket on the shelf, but within a couple of hours I had 1 from their other depot in Scunthorpe. The engine strip down began, I had forgot how easy they are to do, and within an hour the head was removed.







The head gasket was knackered. An inspection of the head showed all to be ok, so it was all cleaned up, the new gasket fitted, and all rebuilt. By the end of the day, the engine was back up and running, and has been fine since. It just needs the tappets adjusting.

I also purchased a set of alloy wheels from Ebay a couple of weeks ago for £26, so after a trip down to Derby to collect them, they were fitted.



I have also fitted a NOS Skoda front bumper extension



I have been having a play in Photoshop with some paint schemes for next year, once I get the bodywork sorted.















I'm undecided on what direction to go yet.

I have also decided that the original Pick Up, the rough 1 is too far gone to rebuild, so it will be dismantled for spares, with the front end chopped off, and the rear kept, and converted to a trailer.

[Littlepixel]

Love the Integrale wheels and Martini or Rothmans stripes...

[Littlepixel]

Also - this might be of interest: (truck-bed fairing/racing pickup)
skoda-virt.cz/cz/auta/favorit-a-felicie/8844-pikolik2/

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I have been looking into the Freestyle racing truck rear cover, not badly priced at around £200.

[Littlepixel]

Makes it look midengined - very cool if you get one (full disclosure - my first car was a 1.6 Felicia - total blast)

[favorit56]

Head gasket was gone on mine aswell. I had to get a new head for mine though

[07lilredwagon]

"I have also decided that the original Pick Up, the rough 1 is too far gone to rebuild, so it will be dismantled for spares, with the front end chopped off, and the rear kept, and converted to a trailer."

Now thats the spirit!...a matching trailer.....great idea!



seriously, its funny how these things appear at just the right time sometimes...great timing and a nice find.




JP

[07lilredwagon]

how about like this?....



cant resist the trailer thing....

JP

[Ian]

I originally thought I preferred the rothmans and martini colours, but then the rally support vehicle looks more in keeping and with a matching trailer would be pretty awesome!

[07lilredwagon]

this configuration also reminds me of a Dodge Shelby Charger that I had back in the day...it was produced from 1978 or so through the mid 80's...they made a little pick up called the Rampage...very sweet...people have "shelby-ized" them with great results...there is even one with a matching trailer: all read, white wheels, matching trailer...

www.turbododge.com/forums/f7/f30/370852-1983-dodge-rampage-10-500-a.html

neat project...

JP

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New Years Update.

I wanted to make the rear a bit more secure, so I made a framework up and skinned it in 12mm plywood, and using a pair of Vauxhall Vectra bonnet hinges, I made a hinged top.

Hinges fitted.



Framework made


Plywood cut


I think I went a little over the top with the rear spoiler


I just need to decide on what to do to finish it off, whether to paint the plywood, cover it with vinyl or skin it with a sheet of steel or alloy.

[gazz81]

My Rapid went the same way with the head. I remember nursing it into college and then filling the coolant up with a hose, couldnt understand why it was taking so long to fill then it starting coming out the exhaust and the carb! Never bothered fixing it, only cost me £100 with 12mths ticket so it got scrapped!