I've just been contacted by someone who's got a 1981 340 or 343 (not sure till I see it) for banger racing,

At first he said it was a 76 and I got quite exited! BUT after checking it turns out to be 81 and a manual.

Am I right in thinking this could be a nose cone model or transition phase (old interior and new front) depending on date?

Basically if it's a MK 1 or "nose cone" I could save it, on condition I find a replacement of later (less rare and maybe more rusty!!!) year.

In any case, I should be able to see it tomorrow and will be able to salvage parts if the car is not savable.



This is a pre-emptive S.O.S. to anyone who knows of some 340 banger fodder for sale cheap/donation/scrap money...that is, a less worthy basket case to do a swap if this car turns out to be minter or half decent Mk 1 3 door!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can pick up with car trailor as long as it's not 1000 miles away!

There's rumblings of "a 300" which belongs to a mate of a mate. Might be a 340, I've not followed it up yet. If it's a minter, let me know and I'll pry further.

Depends on the date, it could well be a Mk1 'nose coned' car but it could also be one of the very first Mk2's as we know with the later Mk1 dash.

MacP is going to have a fit with my description but hopefully you'll know what I mean

SteveP wrote:MacP is going to have a fit with my description but hopefully you'll know what I mean

Apoplectic rage happening over here!

Hell Driver wrote:BUT after checking it turns out to be 81 and a manual. Am I right in thinking this could be a nose cone model or transition phase (old interior and new front) depending on date?

Yes HD.

The calendar year 1981 would consist of MY81/MY82

MY81 would be nose cone front + wraparound bumpers.
MY82 would be facelift front + last year of MY79-82 dash.

Hi mate.
My yellow Banana is a 1981 nose cone jobby. Could show you
a picture but the MCHUDD IS LOUVRED AGAIN thread has been lost.
Hope you save the car.
Cheers Mark.

It's not lost Mark, just resting.

So what we're saying is that it could either be a late Mk1 with the wrap around bumpers, or an early Mk2 with the Mk1 dash...................?