HPE has been in Japan for half a year.

[neromoto]

Since the Beta was delivered last summer I have done a lot of repairs and modifications.
Currently the clutch release bearing needs to be replaced. I have already bought the parts from Beta Boyz.
The key cylinder in the door was broken, so I installed a remote door lock as an addition to the repairs.
The steering wheel was replaced with a MOMO.
And footrests made from aluminium sheet were added.
There are still many parts to be checked and repaired but I am enjoying them.

Masataka

[HFStuart]

I still think that is a truly exceptional garage!

I must admit I have a Momo prototypo in my Spider, the OE wheel looks good but the feel isn't the best.

What cars are on top of the lift?

[neromoto]

The car on the lift is Flaminia.

[Sandro]

Lovely HPE Masataka!

and that Garage is the stuff of dreams.

All the best and enjoy your HPE

Regards Andrew.

[neromoto]

I am posting this using translation software.

I imported a Beta HPE 1600 S2 from Italy, registered in January 1976.
This car was probably manufactured in 1975.(VIN number is BF0)

The key cylinders for the doors and rear hatch were damaged and the driver's cylinder was broken.
I bought a new set of keys and they were for an S3.
I replaced the driver and passenger cylinders first.
The rear hatch cylinder position on my HPE is on the right side badge.

The rear hatch cylinder for the S3 I bought could not be used because it has a different shape.
So I tried the cylinder modification posted on this forum.
I replaced the 10 pins and made it common with the door cylinders.
The cylinder for the fuel tank is untouched.

I installed a remote- control power door lock while I was replacing the cylinder.

This car did not have the rubber tube for wiring between the door and the body, so this part was purchased.

[neromoto]

Cylinder

[neromoto]

The car's audio system had a mono radio. There was only one speaker on the upper center of the dashboard.
So this car does not have door speakers and there are no small holes for speakers in the door card bezels.
I replaced the audio deck with a Kenwood and repainted the wood panels and used them.

[peteracs]

Hi

Was there a hole in the metalwork of the door for the speakers?

There were two versions of the silver bezel, the solid one like you had in the first photo and one with pre drilled holes as in the second. Did you drill the holes or is it one of the later bezels you sourced?

Peter

[neromoto]

Hello Peter

The holes for the speakers were open in the metal panel of the door. They were covered with a green sheet.
There were no holes in the door cards.
I did not know the correct shape of the holes so I drilled them properly.

I took the bezel from Felix (SA).
These had several broken pins for mounting. Of course, Felix explained to me in advance that several pins were missing.
I rebuilt the broken pins and installed them in the panel.

Do these pins break easily?
The Italians used silicon glue to attach them.

[neromoto]

Imported cars had ugly Citroen three-point static seat-belts.
I had a retractable belt in my stock that was available and I replaced it.
However, the genuine covers can not in use so I made them myself.
They didn't match the colour of the synthetic leather, but it's better than no cover.

[neromoto]

I have replaced the horn button.

[neromoto]

I made and fitted a footrest.
It stabilises my left foot and makes it comfortable to drive.

[SanRemo78]

The later Beta models had inertia reel belts fitted, the reel part being fitted in the inner wing with a guide to stop wear on the belt. The upper mount was also raised using a bracket to get it to a safer position nearer shoulder height.

Back in the day (1987ish) I had an early HPE like yours and converted it to the later interior including seat belts but I'm not sure if it's possible to fit the upper bracket to the early interior without surgery to the side trim that's irreversible. Your modification may be the best way of installing inertial reel belts and as you've not modified the covers its all reversible.

Guy

[smithymc]

I like those mats too- with the  lime green interior/seat cloth.

Very nicely done.

Mark

[HFStuart]

Do these pins break easily?

Very easily. On a cold day some will almost certainly break during removal.

[peteracs]

Hello Peter

The holes for the speakers were open in the metal panel of the door. They were covered with a green sheet.
There were no holes in the door cards.
I did not know the correct shape of the holes so I drilled them properly.

I took the bezel from Felix (SA).
These had several broken pins for mounting. Of course, Felix explained to me in advance that several pins were missing.
I rebuilt the broken pins and installed them in the panel.

Do these pins break easily?
The Italians used silicon glue to attach them.

Hi

I do not have speakers in my doors, so did not need to modify the door cards, but I managed to source some of the silver coloured bezels new old stock with good pins. I had assumed they were moulded complete with pins, but may be wrong. The ones I used were the later ones with the holes already included (see photo), but did acquire along the way various of them, some had the holes drilled as you have done. These bezels tend to be hard to come by, but I do see the odd seller in in Italy who have them for sale.

Do they break easily, not that easily, the problem is how much force is used to remove the retaining star washer off them which tends to strain the plastic.

Peter

[neromoto]

Thanks for all the replies and comments.
My HPE is probably the only one in Japan.
As far as I know, there will be no Berlina imported at all.
A few Coupe and Montecarlo are imported.
Montecarlo is probably the most popular.
Since 2010, I go to the UK almost every year to participate in the Gamma Consortium's AGM.
I look forward to meeting members of the Beta Forum if I have an opportunity.
And I rely on this Forum.
Thank you.


Masataka