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©Troy Family publications 2001-24 All rights reserved
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Updated every 3 months . Last update Dec 2024 |
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Jersey |
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November 24 |
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Website administrator Maurice R. Troy |
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If you have any comments you would like to add about anything on this website please contact the website administrator.
maurice@troyfamily.co.uk |
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Website administrator Maurice R. Troy |
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My 2024 restorations here www.troyfamily.co.nz |
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My Renault Floride Classic cars.
More on the Renault restorations Continued from previous restoration write up page.
In June 2020 the 1960 Floride engine was completely stripped (new oil pump, water pump, wet liners, pistons, valves etc ) and a complete rebuild has been done by Motor Preparations Ltd. All new parts from Der franzose in Germany.
Two of my three Renault Florides are fully compliant to original spec but the NZ authorities made me do a modification to them which proved to be wrong. Some might find this interesting. There is definitely a lot less stress owning classic cars in Jersey. Here in New Zealand. At about 900klms after the full NZ compliance certificates had been issued they went for one of their two yearly $70 compulsory warrant of fitness six monthly inspections where both the cars were failed by the mechanic because the gearbox rubber mounts looked stretched when raised on the car lift. I had bought four new genuine original specifications Renault Floride mounts from Der Franzose in Europe which were fitted for the compliance. I tried to explain that when the car is raised with the rear engine and wheels suspended they would look stretched but in normal operating position they will be normal. The mechanic through the New Zealand Traffic Authority has made me drill and place a bolt through the new gearbox rubber mounts to make them solid. They say when the car is lifted the bonding for the rubber could separate. The car body sits on these mounts on the gearbox and of course they will look stressed when the car body is lifted. The problem is I could now feel engine vibration in the cars through these when driving and felt they have interfered with the original design. A jet on my carburettor kept working loose and on a long run actually fell out, luckily the car kept running whilst at high revs and got me home. Just shows how good these Renault engines are. The clamp on the exhaust manifold also came undone with vibration. The car body sits on the mounts and the gearbox is not suspended from the car body during normal operation of the car. When removing the rear engine and transmission the car body is lifted off whilst the engine/transmission remains on it's rear wheels on the floor. When the car body is raised on the lift for long periods it should have the gearbox supported as shown in one of my Renault workshop manuals.
I did some investigating and discovered no other Renault Floride or Dauphine (same design) in Europe or the USA that has had to have this done. I decided to contact the Renault Group in Paris who were very helpful and directed Renault NZ to contact me. This is classed as a modification to Renaults original design and wrong, also the insurance has to be notified that the car is now modified.
Renault sent me a letter stating,
“This sounds like a WoF inspector not knowing the law correctly. The In-Service Certification (WoF and CoF) VIRM states that the only valid reason for failure as follows:
13.1 The engine or gearbox is insecurely mounted.
The mounts in question were being inspected in a stressed position, not in their normal operating position. As long as the mounts fitted were not modified in anyway and were in good condition (not perished or torn) the inspector had no grounds to fail the vehicle. If the original mounts did not have a bolt-through feature then the replacement mounts also do not need this. In all honesty, I would refer the inspection failure back to the NZTA via their WoF complaints procedure as unjustified failures are common-place and NOT acceptable!”
Also
“I would definitely remove the bolts though – engine and gearbox mounts are not meant to be rigid and making them so can cause both comfort and mechanical fatigue issues in the long term.”
After contacting NZTA they suggested I first speak with the garage owner/manager who failed the cars before I make an official complaint because they themselves were satisfied when they both passed the NZ compliance inspection.
May 2022 A 100klms later at the next six month compulsory WOF inspection I went along armed with my information from Renault to show the inspection garage. The previous mechanic unfortunately had left and the new mechanic said no need to make an official complaint just remove the bolts and it will be ok. The trouble is the four (two on each car) new mounts cost $300+ and it was $800 each car to have bolts drilled through the mounts and fitted so will cost almost the same again. As of today I have spoken to Kevin who fitted them and he tried to remove them or loosen the bolts but it is not easy and both cars will have to be dismantled again.
On the right are three images of one of the Renault gearbox mounts as they should be.
I will tell more on the next post.
My 3rd NZ Renault Floride Restoration CO6675
My 3rd Renault Floride restoration is in progress in 2024.........will be an EV
Vehicle was stored so rego expired.. Please note that with the original registration plates, chassis number, engine number and blue registration sticker on the windscreen NZTA cannot trace this car. They say after two years if the rego is not put on hold all records of the car are destroyed forever. Must be very difficult for the police tracing cars that have been involved in past criminal activity.
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The Renault Floride design is beautiful.
Some of the 1958 design was allegedly copied and used on the MGB headlights and the Ford Mustang body.
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Restoration costs are far more than the cars are worth but well worth it.
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This is me n 1965 and in 2020 |
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My 1960 Renault Floride taken 1965 in Jersey, Channel Islands. |
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Decided to have a complete engine rebuild Feb 2020. New wet liners, pistons, valves, oil and water pumps etc. Ordered all parts from Germany Feb 2020 but because of Covid 19 did not receive them till Oct. Motor Preparations Ltd completed the rebuild in Nov and car finished for Christmas.
Complete restoration finished 2021 |
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In New Zealand at $70 each a Warrant of fitness WOF (like the MOT) inspection has to be done every six months on all my classic cars regardless of mileage. Even if not used. |
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Two of my fully restored Renaults |
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My Renault Florides continued page 2 |
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Some photos of my previous vehicles over the years on each side. |
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Above. Nov 2024. I rescued this NZ Floride and restoration is well under way. This 3rd one will be different to my others as it will be bright red and I intend to make it an EV. |