Venturi purchase agreed

Hi Ewan, and welcome to a very exclusive club!
The last time I saw your Biturbo was at Silverstone 2 or maybe 3 years ago. I tried to keep in touch with Dell Brett but sadly no response to email, txts or invitations.He was a Porsche man really. I know he spent a lot of time and money sorting it, in particular a right game with the gearbox housing if I remember. I hope you and the car benefit from that.
Good luck with the a/c and enjoy that infuriating click!
There is a good camaraderie amongst us and also in France through the Communaute.
We are always willing to try and help with any problems you might encounter.
MJG / ELLE VA

Hi Martin,

Dell is indeed more a Porsche man - I think he had about 9 there when I went to collect the Venturi. The car seems to run very nicely now, with a few minor electrical issues to sort out. For example, the electric seat backs don't work. And the a/c compressor needs a rebuild.

Out of interest, who do you use for servicing your Atlantique?

Ewan.

Hi Ewan,
Initially I took my car to Extreme Limite at Faye de Bretagne near Nantes a couple of times for a check over but more an excuse for a holiday in the Loire rather than for anything specific! It was a confidence building exercise more than anything else and a quick and easy trip over the Channel. Extreme Limite have mechanics than worked on the construction and development of the cars so they know them all inside out. But slowly and surely I've realised that generally the 300 is neither complicated nor overly specialised beyond the expertise of any competent mechanic. (I think Iain has found one in Somerset as I have up here in Worcs.) General servicing ie. the change of oils, plugs, filters, brake pads and belts is a simple task on mine and I carry them out regularly with the help of mechanic friends. Access to the engine with certain jobs is a bit awkward (esp. spark plugs) and probably worse on yours. I've created an inspection hatch behind the drivers seat to access the distributor otherwise its an absolute bar steward to get at! I'm not sure how different your Biturbo is from the ordinary 300 in the engine compartment.
Occasionally you will run into a problem that is pure Venturi and this requires a bit more ingenuity and enterprise. ie. recently a joint on my front wishbones had corroded. Cost to buy new from Venturi £1300!! ... Local engineer refurbed inc. inserting some new metal... a perfect job for £200 and now better than the original with no hidden water trap!.
The car's alarm did cause problems a few years back. A new alarm system from Pauly solved the problem. The stiff gear change was isolated to a problem with the cables. These were copied and replaced by Speedy Cables thanks to help/advice from G'ski.
Its a matter of finding competent people around you and I have to say this takes a bit of time but the Club will help in this regard.
That said I've got a squeak in my rear hub that isn't brake, wheel or bearing related... and that I haven't solved ...yet!
Regards
Martin

[mettersl]

I remember talking to Richard Walsh (the owner then of the other bi-turbo) , he said that cambelts and plugs on the bi-turbo were best done by dropping the subframe as access is so poor...vs the PRV versions of the car. Of course, he had full workshop facilities that makes that kind of thing easy. the base engine, bar the turbos, is a common engine so should be easy to find support. the Turbos are a clever maintenance free design. Its the same engine in the Clio V6...as well as Espaces etc.
I'm sure that you'll find someone that can look after it well.
Very desirable car.

Or send the car to Belfast for work, Richard works on many cars sent to him for magic to be worked on.
I hear he has a good reputation too.

For anything major I would speak to Richard or Clee on the forum. Also SG Motorsport are a good clip v6 specialist so might be a shout as the engine is the same apart from the turbos.

Does anyone know the telephone number for Clee?

[BIG_MVS]

Does anyone know the telephone number for Clee?

Here you are:

lee.crowston@sky.com
07974 493002

Has anyone any idea why the light blue Bi-turbo (ex Richard's) has been pulled from the Brooklands Historic Auction on the 11th June? The car was on Car&Classic site as up for auction with a Guide price of £30-40k.
MJG

Has anyone any idea why the light blue Bi-turbo (ex Richard's) has been pulled from the Brooklands Historic Auction on the 11th June? The car was on Car&Classic site as up for auction with a Guide price of £30-40k.
MJG

That's interesting I wonder if a private buyer has got in early?

Apparently the car is/was owned by a company/dealer who has recently gone bust. So it's no longer in their hands to go to auction, and instead is now the property of the receivers. The receivers are likely to auction it in due course, possibly later in the summer.