General description

The body is of welded steel construction available in 3 or 5-door Hatchback, 3 or 5- door Estate, soft-top Cabriolet, or Van configurations.

The body is of monocoque construction and is of energy-absorbing design.

Rust and corrosion protection is applied to all new vehicles and includes zinc phosphate dipping and wax injection of box sections and door interiors.

All body panels are welded, including the front wings, so it is recommended that major body damage repairs are left to your dealer.

    See also:

    Rear coil spring (Saloon, Hatchback and Estate models) - removal and refitting
    Models with rear drum brakes 1 Remove the relevant driveshaft. 2 Unscrew the brake pipe from the brake hose at the bracket on the vehicle underbody. Plug the ends of the pipe and hose to prevent ...

    Ignition system component check (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
    1 Where applicable, remove the distributor cap and thoroughly clean it inside and out with a dry lint-free cloth. Examine the four HT lead segments inside the cap. If the segments appear badly bur ...

    Cylinder head - dismantling and reassembly
    Note: A valve spring compressor will be required during this procedure. New valve stem oil seals should be used on reassembly. Dismantling 1 With the cylinder head removed, remove the camshaft. ...