Hi,
the novelty of my 1982 Matra Murena is wearing thin and I am looking at a Beta Spider, for some top down fun.
I have found one, been kept in an underground garage for the last 16 years and not even done 10k miles in that time. It was started every month and MOT'd every year, at seemingly great expense!
It is going to get a new cambelt and water pump before sale.
I have had a quick look round it, the sills and floorpan all seem solid, as do the inner wings and boot floor. The only area of rust I can see is below a corner of the windscreen, about 1" square.
Where else should I look for rust? I appreciate that the windscreen scuttle spot could be a hint of a multitude of sins.
Also, is it easy to fit rear seatbelts in a Spider? If not, the deal is off!
It started easily, but the ignition switch seems a bit dodgy.
Any help gratefully received. This car seems to good to be true (its almost like a dream find; no expense spared, hardly used, virtually rust-free!) and I would really like to buy it, pending the sale of the Matra.
Cheers,
Antony
I had a Spider and it's quite easy fitting rear belt(s). You'll need to remove the rear parcel shelf (o.k. it's a piece of plywood covered in PVC) and drill a hole for the top plate and make a hole in the "parcel shelf". Then (from memory) remove the rear seat cushion and there'll already be holes drilled for the other attachments. As for other areas, just check the rear suspension turrets as they are prone to rot. Hopefully you've found yourself a good one
.
LAWRENCE