1986 Maruti SB308 Restoration: My Little Green Submarine

[bornin70s]

Hi bornin70s, Please find the attached pics. In the First pic you can see the steel wheel hub caps on the white car (That's mine), the golden type 2 is owned by our forum member swiftshashi, Pristine type 2.
Last two pics are of the Omni Front indicator lense.
See more pics in this thread- http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/technical-zone/11552-maruti-800-1992-model-restoration.html

Thanks for the pictures Sumit. Those are some really nice pictures of Type-I and II. Keep em rolling. :)

Hi bornin70s,

Your car is looking amazing man...weclome to the TAI!!

We have huge 800 fans here, have a great stay...lots of members from Bangalore too.

Let us meet sometime..

Girish

Absolutely Girish. I would love to catch up with fellow 800 fans.

Hello bornin70s,

Welcome to TAi ! Your car looks awesome !! Better than all new cars.

We should meet for sure. Do you have the original clock ?

If you need any help in mechanical stuff I have a trusted mechanic to help you out.
Please feel free to contact.

Hi Varun. I do have the original clock as well as the Maruti Clarion radio. Posted some pictures of it just a few hours ago. Enjoy. More pictures soon.

 

[adil3996]

your car has done 2.75k klms its unbelievable still it looks so fresh and neat
you can add few more items to your list... Gear Knob which is easily available in MGP and Type1 Side View Mirrors which are not available in mgp but we can get from local spare shops or if you have your old ones as i have seen in your pictures before restoring can use them.. Green Beauty will be complete then to its original factory finish condition

 

[bornin70s]

Thanks, Adil. I'll keep that in mind. As far as I know, very few Emerald Green (Now classified officially as Maruti Green for some reason) Deluxe models came out then in 86. They came with inbuilt radio as well as a cassette player and an amazing set speakers. All of them Clarion. I've lost the cassette player and the speakers to the sands of time.

In fact, another person on a different thread has posted some of the pictures of his car. And moreover, he has ALL of the original parts which came along with it. Stanley sealed beams, Tokai Denso lights and even the original leather seats! The works! My goal, someday, is to get back to that shape. Its a long long way to go.

Is it possible that I can provide a link of a forum page in that website on this thread?

 

[glomus123]

So happy to see another M800 enthusiast. It gives immense motivation to restore my 1988 M800 which is a daily runner and still runs at its best, except cosmetics and A/C. Thanks for sharing the pics too!

 

[adil3996]

Thanks, Adil. I'll keep that in mind. As far as I know, very few Emerald Green (Now classified officially as Maruti Green for some reason) Deluxe models came out then in 86. They came with inbuilt radio as well as a cassette player and an amazing set speakers. All of them Clarion. I've lost the cassette player and the speakers to the sands of time.

In fact, another person on a different thread has posted some of the pictures of his car. And moreover, he has ALL of the original parts which came along with it. Stanley sealed beams, Tokai Denso lights and even the original leather seats! The works! My goal, someday, is to get back to that shape. Its a long long way to go.

Is it possible that I can provide a link of a forum page in that website on this thread?

`

I know which car you are talking about... its on TeamBhp.. you can post the link as source i guess
Clarion cassette player and speakers are very difficult to buy.. even i am searching since 2years for cassette player and clock... y don't you fix your sanyo cassette player on dashboard?? i guess little cutting will fix it..if the two volume and radio holes match original position...

 

[sumitsinha12]

New steering wheel should be available in bangalore, try your luck, Part num for new steering wheel- 48110M84300-5ES. This is wheel assy steering. With this you need to buy two caps on the steering, one big cap and one small (with maruti written on it in hindi). I guess it should be available with MGP guys in bangalore. If not try your luck for a decent condition steering wheel in gujri and then restore it.
Please search for the Clarion Radio, that empty space is really killing the look of the car.
IMO, get rid of that gear lever knob too. Its available with MGP and costs nominal.
There are too many wires hanging below the dash, Use wire strips and tie them somewhere to get a neat look.
What is dat dooe bell switch in the dash (On the right of the steering wheel)
Since your car is 1986 make, your car must have a Red diamond logo on the bonnet opner.
I request adil to post a pic from his car.
For the time being, get type 2 wheel hub caps and put them on the wheel. They cost 60-80 Rs maxm.
Car is looking great after polish work.

 

[bornin70s]

`

I know which car you are talking about... its on TeamBhp.. you can post the link as source i guess
Clarion cassette player and speakers are very difficult to buy.. even i am searching since 2years for cassette player and clock... y don't you fix your sanyo cassette player on dashboard?? i guess little cutting will fix it..if the two volume and radio holes match original position...

Thanks for the suggestion, Adil.
The radio holes match exactly the same spots as the Sanyo player. Its funny that you mentioned this. Just yesterday morning I coaxed a electrician to fix the Sanyo in that spot. It fit well from the inside but the outer plate is much broader than expected. I would have to trim the sides of the outer plate of the Sanyo and/or cut a little of the dash to fit it. Honestly, it hurts me to see my dash board being cut for some reason. I might reconsider doing this when I will be getting an electrical overhaul soon. My engine bay looks very messy and I'd like to see some clean wiring work done on it. May be next month. :)

New steering wheel should be available in bangalore, try your luck, Part num for new steering wheel- 48110M84300-5ES. This is wheel assy steering. With this you need to buy two caps on the steering, one big cap and one small (with maruti written on it in hindi). I guess it should be available with MGP guys in bangalore. If not try your luck for a decent condition steering wheel in gujri and then restore it.
Please search for the Clarion Radio, that empty space is really killing the look of the car.
IMO, get rid of that gear lever knob too. Its available with MGP and costs nominal.
There are too many wires hanging below the dash, Use wire strips and tie them somewhere to get a neat look.
What is dat dooe bell switch in the dash (On the right of the steering wheel)
Since your car is 1986 make, your car must have a Red diamond logo on the bonnet opner.
I request adil to post a pic from his car.
For the time being, get type 2 wheel hub caps and put them on the wheel. They cost 60-80 Rs maxm.
Car is looking great after polish work.

All points noted Sumit. I have the clarion radio with me. I just removed it to get it repaired. Once fixed up, I'll try and rewire it into the car with a dual switch for the cassette player and the radio. Truly vintage.

The doorbell was a choke which was used by us when we were using a gas cylinder on it. I don't even want to get into the kind of days that this car has seen! Although the gas system is out, the doorbell has not been removed. The rewiring and electrical overhaul should fix that.

I'm also searching for the red diamond bonnet opener. Not available anywhere! Could you or anyone point me in the right direction with this?

A picture for tonight. The engine bay all lit up with the restored bay light.

 

[bornin70s]

So happy to see another M800 enthusiast. It gives immense motivation to restore my 1988 M800 which is a daily runner and still runs at its best, except cosmetics and A/C. Thanks for sharing the pics too!

Hi Glomus123. Do it! Post some pictures if possible. Or even better, start another thread and we can all share our ideas. All the best.

 

[bornin70s]

Good morning people!

Here are two pictures of the clarion radio I'm attaching for your viewing pleasure. I have lost the knobs and am not able to source them from anywhere. Incidentally the Sanyo knobs are a direct fit. I have a crazy idea of scanning and 3-D printing it. :) I'd like some comments or suggestions on that.

 

[glomus123]

Thanks for the kind words. I am new to this forum but not with automotive, so learning the rules here as I don't want to break any rules. I will upload some pics soon.
With thanks and regards

 

[bornin70s]

Its good to see a number of SB308 and SS80 enthusiasts here. Its also nice to receive and share ideas, suggestions between all of us. I had no idea before I got into this whole sharing thing, that something so precious in my hands. Its always been precious to me but I think my emotional bond to the car is much stronger now. I didn't even know what Tempalex meant! :)

My plan now is to try and make this as close to a reproduction of the original model as possible. There are numerous Emerald Green 1986 SB308s in India but I have not seen the kind of model that I have or that they are not being spoken of in forums such as these. But I do have a reference point for my restoration. Check page number 108 and 109 in this thread. This model is in its pristine form even after 29 years! And its just run 40K odd kms.
Maruti Suzuki SS80 DX - Page 109 - Team-BHP

 

[getmikeeboy]

Wonderful SB308 you have mate. I just love the Emerald Green shade.
I guess this should envy you. Got this while I was hunting spares for my 86' SS80

 

[maruti m800]

Wow..i appreciate your love towards the old beauty. Just try to find a maruti 800 grill emblem as posted above. Waiting for new updates and photos of your car with the new clarion stereo. Also love the deluxe symbol you retained.