Moss Monaco classic kit car based on Triumph

I am selling my Moss Monaco kit car which I have been slowly putting to rights over the last year and more. I'm only selling it because just as the rebuild neared the end, I found another project to keep me busy!

These kits are rare now – I believe only around 70 were sold before a fire destroyed the moulds. Surviving numbers will be well below this, so who knows how few there are now? However because it is based on a classic Triumph, there is a good network of suppliers carrying stocks of a vast array of parts for this car, all available through mail order and very cheaply.

Road tax is free. The car is correctly registered as a Moss Monaco, with nearly a year’s MOT to October 2010.

The Monaco’s light weight allows the 1500 spitfire engine's rather modest 70hp to give lively performance (one owner reckons a 0-60 time of 8.5 seconds but I haven't attempted to verify for myself). It is an amazing experience to drive - you watch the suspension and steering work as you go, allowing you to position the car with absolute precision. I like to think this is the kind of driving experience available to owners of 1930s race cars.

When I took it on the body tub had been resprayed in metallic British Racing Green and replaced on the chassis. Since then I have done a lot of work to put the car in roadworthy condition. The car has nearly new Minilite replica wheels and the tyres have done hardly any mileage at all. The interior has been freshly carpeted in red with new seat bases and a new dash panel. The electrics have been rewired. Rear brake shoes, front pads, brake master cylinder seals and clutch slave cylinder seals are new. The head gasket has been replaced. All fluids have been replaced. The thermostat is new and new radiator hoses are supplied with the car. New e-approved 3-point Securon harnesses are fitted. New steering rack boots have been fitted. The original 3/8” wheel studs have been replaced with M12 studs and wheelnuts (one front hub still has 3/8” studs but a replacement with M12 studs is provided ready for fitting). I have a comprehensive list of jobs done to the car which I will be happy to email to you.

The chassis is sound and coated in a thick layer of paint. If you are particular, the exposed suspension and visible parts of the chassis rails could do with cleaning and repainting in a lovely gloss. There are some marks on the paintwork but overall the impression the car gives is very good, much as you see in the photographs.

There are still a number of finishing-off tasks to be done. There is nothing very awkward, and they could be easily done either over the winter or as you use the car. Ownership of this kind of car is always peppered with these little jobs and they help you to really make the car your own. I have included photographs of the steering column where the light switch used to be located (now on the dash), the bonnet buckles that are rather poor quality, the headlamp bowls that need repainting and a small rust spot on one mudguard. I think these are typical of the kind of job that needs to be done.

 In all, this Monaco is not in perfect condition, but is a sound and useable car, ready for someone to use and improve. If you want to hear more, see more photos or come and see the car, please email or contact me on 07870 180223. I am quite far away from many parts of the UK but if transport is required it can be arranged.

 A £100 deposit must be paid by the winner within 24 hours of the auction ending.