Suzuki Fronte restoration

cappo · **Posted:** Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:21 pm

Hello All, as promised an update.

New stickers on the car, inspired by Stirling Moss's Fronte of 40 years ago.

Made a few modifications so it's not an exact replica, better to call it premodified.

Next job is assembling the engine...

I keep you informed. if everything goes well the car will be back on the road this summer. 40 years after it came from Japan to Holland

michiel · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:10 am

Wow! I just noticed one for sale in Holland, but it doesn't look too good... and certainly not as good as yours!

cappo · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:20 pm

Hello Michel,

Thanks for the compliment. I noticed you come from Amsterdam. My car is standing close. It is on display in the garage of Suzuki Luckx Amsterdam.

That car on marktplaats is crap! I got a tip last month and visited the garage. The car is in a very poor condition.

http://www.marktplaats.nl/index.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fauto.marktplaats.nl%2Foldtimers%2F238241517-suzuki-500-fronte-1969.html

Engine doesn't run, Front bonnet will not open, Carpet is missing.
Seats are broken, Left door taped on the car otherwise it will fall off, rear windows cant open anymore, Whole car has been painted by hand including the bumpers, Indicators and mirrors are broken and many many rotten panels. etc...

I placed a bit for using this car as a donor. But the current owner is asking an unrealistic high price 2.000 euros!!!!

If you want one I can help you finding searching, mail a pb to me

michiel · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:44 am

Ouch, that sounds bad... pm sent!

ben · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:14 pm

Beautiful! Coming along nicely...

zukiru · **Posted:** Wed May 13, 2009 1:48 am

your car came out awesome!

and I want one of these:

tell me what it is called?
the brown one in front!

Tyson · **Posted:** Wed May 13, 2009 3:38 am

That's an early (1971-1976?) Suzuki Fronte Coupe. I believe they were also called Cervo, SC100 and Whizzkid in the later years.

cappo · **Posted:** Wed May 13, 2009 1:25 pm

A bit of Suzuki history. Suzuki has not been consequent by using the model names. The name Fronte or Cervo are used for different models.

The Fronte LC10W is the coupe model in the early 70´s.

Later a similar model followed called the Cervo SS20

Both models were only available in Japan. For export Suzuki made the Coupe SC100 GX This model has square headlights

The shape is almost identical but the main difference is the angle of the front window. Also the engine differs. The last model has 4 cilinder the others only 3.

I hope this explains the differences

cappo · **Posted:** Wed May 13, 2009 1:32 pm

40 YEARS SUZUKI FRONTE !!

The first Fronte from1969 and the latest model Alto from 2009.

michiel · **Posted:** Thu May 14, 2009 2:11 am

The new one looks HUGE, but I prefer the old one :wink:

zukiru · **Posted:** Thu May 14, 2009 9:48 am

cappo wrote:

I hope this explains the differences

cool

I like the swept back windsheild best.

too bad we don't get kei cars here.

what is the engine size on your car?

cappo · **Posted:** Mon May 18, 2009 3:47 pm

Quote:

what is the engine size on your car?

My SC100GX has a 4 cilinder 1000 cc and the Front LC50 has a 3 cilinder 500 cc twoke stroke engine.

Even for European standards that is small. But remember with the current financial crisis is going to be cool again

cappo · **Posted:** Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:11 am

Hello Skunk,

The only self made picture I have is this photo. It is made by my friend Alex Clouter who was allowed to visite the official Suzuki museum in Hamatsu.

Cervo means indeed deer. The logo of the Cervo is a modern stlish deer head.

Fronte symbol is an American football player I have no I dee why?

My restoration process is slowly progressing. The interieur and exterieur is finished. But I am looking for assistance restoring the two stroke 3 cilinder engine. I keep you informed.

Lincoln Stax · **Posted:** Mon Aug 24, 2009 4:32 pm

Your Fronte is looking great. I love the idea of of commorating the Sterling Moss/Mitsuo Itoh car. Good luck with the engine work.

cappo · **Posted:** Sun Aug 30, 2009 1:09 pm

Hello Friends,

Suzuki opened a new museum featuring their proud history. One of the cars in the collection is my favourite. The famous Suzuki Fronte LC10 of Sir Stirling Moss

Please visit your museum yourself
http://car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20090513_168422.html

Oracles · **Posted:** Tue Sep 15, 2009 2:59 am

cappo wrote:

Hello Skunk,

The only self made picture I have is this photo. It is made by my friend Alex Clouter who was allowed to visite the official Suzuki museum in Hamatsu.

Cervo means indeed deer. The logo of the Cervo is a modern stlish deer head.

Fronte symbol is an American football player I have no I dee why?

My restoration process is slowly progressing. The interieur and exterieur is finished. But I am looking for assistance restoring the two stroke 3 cilinder engine. I keep you informed.

There were ton of these ( middle brown car ) sold in Asia and my brother bought one new. cheaply made but for the money it was the best new car money could buy. On my recent trip back home I saw few of these still running around. Best I could remember about this car is when we had lots of rain and streets were flooded most cars were Inoperable with the exception of this car and a 74 toyota corolla with the help of tail pipe (Exhaust) extended to roof. I bet these can still be had for less then $500 if you look hard enough. :tu:

cappo · **Posted:** Sat Nov 07, 2009 2:55 am

Hello friends,

It has been a while since my last post. But that doesn't mean I stopped working. Here an update about the engine restoration. Thanks to a good friend I found a workshop manual. This enables me to rebuild the engine. Enclosed some photos after a complete engine overhaul. We are rebuiding the engine as you can see. Till sofar everything is going well. We didn't find any damaged parts. This proves Japanese reliability :lol:

[/img]

cappo · **Posted:** Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:36 pm

@skunk
Good news the engine is ready

... Next week we put it back in the car. Keep your fingers crossed that everything works. Till then I am not making any plans. But if possible I am indeed willing to drive the epic Italian Job again. It would be a long trip. Amsterdam to starting point Milan is 2000 kilometers. From there Milan to Napels 800 extra kilometers! Can you inmagine this trip with a 500cc 3 cilinder 2 stroke engine.

michiel · **Posted:** Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:03 pm

That would be an Epic trip! Didn't one of the Subaru 360 owners on here do a looong trip in his ladybug?
Good to hear about your Fronte again by the way.

ben · **Posted:** Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:24 pm

michiel wrote:

That would be an Epic trip! Didn't one of the Subaru 360 owners on here do a looong trip in his ladybug?
Good to hear about your Fronte again by the way.

Yup, drove cross the US in a 360. He posted pics.

Suzuki Fronte restoration

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