Split_Pin

1971 Ford Mustang Sportswagon


Escort too small, Cortina too big? Ford presents the Escortina:


1972 Renault Espace

Rolls mobility scooter:


 

That DALL-E 3 generative engine seems to be obsessed with the V8.  I had enough trouble getting a radial into an engine bay a few pages back.  Even specifically asking for a four cylinder engine weeks later, I still get this V8 concoction that I really don't want to go hunting where a pipe or hose leak is!

Shouldn't complain though, as using the very same API direct from OpenAI who develop it, its use gets restricted behind a paywall.  But now through Microsoft, even an ancient Microsoft account gets free unlimited use.  I still have my original Hotmail account from 25+ years ago getting daft images like this out of the thing  (except I bet you wish I couldn't) :
Volvo Ice Cream Vans







(Still would)

I can't contain my nerdiness and need to report that they aren't. Your's is Nordlicht Blau Perleffect (Aurora Blue Pearlescent) with a light tan interior which I forgot the name of. Great color combo.

D701 SWL

I know Mannol is a perfectly fine oil, but because the chains are at the back of this engine and replacement is not really a viable option on a car of this value, I wanted to be super careful with my choice of oil.

VW spec 507 is low ash so only really important over a longer term if the car had a DPF, which this one does not. So I picked a (slightly cheaper) fully synthetic 5w30 quality oil from Fuchs which I know is a 'known' brand althought not 507 spec. So out came the Mannol and in went 8 litres of Fuchs plus a new filter. I guess the engine has had a flush with clean cheap oil for a few hundred miles. Anyway it's given me peace of mind.
After my holiday I am still running a lot of errands for my mum in connection with stuff to do with my dad and tonight I tried the dynamic setting on the suspension which only comes with Sport models. Not expecting much, the difference is incredible. It really stiffens the car up and transforms the driving experience, giving confidence in the corners (it feels like it's going to fall over in comfort mode on twisty roads). I then used lift mode to go over the 327 speed humps on the road up to my mum's house.
I made a short video of the car and its suspension moving up and down. In the clip it's not that noticeable but in person the car goes from an almost Allroad ride height into something quite sporty!
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxKV6q-Ta341qbH_OxNtW_rHpCPs2mL4G2?si=MiQLcC9fxbm7I7Bl

Sorted. A folded up bit of paper on top of the battery to press it down more has worked 😂

Speaking of Hot Wheels... one I found in Asda over the weekend just past.

A 2023 release of a 1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone gasser.

I'm normally a bit put off gasser-style racers; they're not really my thing, but this one looked so nicely decorated with all-over tampos that it pushed me into handing over £1.90. I really like it.

It'd be nice to have a slightly more standard rendering of a '65 Comet, but I guess this is more what Hot Wheels is about.

I hadn't noticed the separate tailpipes exiting through the front arches until I took this pic, so that's a nice touch.

I'm probably gonna need more gassers now...

Yes, yes you are
 

I did however come away with these two from last night's shopping trip:

1982 Nissan Skyline R30 Turbo, and 2001 Honda Civic Si, in relatively restrained 'scene' get-ups.
I kinda prefer solid colour versions like the Honda, as they tend to get detailed tampo prints on the front and rear, which looks a smidge more realistic than lairy graphics on the roof and sides. Mattel's policy on mainlines seems to generally put decoration on no more than three surfaces.

The R30 does have graphics on the side, which means it doesn't get so much detail on the front - though does have printed rear lights and a licence plate, which makes up for it a bit.

Having said that, the printing machine seems to have slipped on the offside unfortunately, so the stripe sort of runs downhill and the writing at the bottom of the door has been snipped off.

OMG ERROR CAR $$$$$
I didn't realise until I'd opened the pack, and looking back at the pics from the supermarket, I put the one that'd be properly printed back... well, duh.
But! 
I'm pleased to see some newish Hot Wheels releases are finally making it across the water.
Just have to find some of the Matchbox mainlines for 2024, now...

More A96 spots this afternoon. 
Firstly a Mk2 XR2, an S reg LDV camper then a Lexus LS400. 

Another AS quality HGV 
 

A good spotting day today.
2 Chrysler 300Cs, a mint Morris 1000, 2 05 plate Mondeos (doesn't seem to be many around here considering their not that old, an original  Discovery V8 and a T reg Vauxhall Vectra estate.
Not including non AS cars - a Ferrari, Porsche, Mustang and a McLaren. 

An HGV spot today. 
 

A Jag XJS, bug eyed Toyota Corolla and a Citroen 2CV in Perth this morning and then this beauty in Manchester tonight. 
 

Not the best pic. Just round the corner from my house. Never seen it there before. 
 

An unusual AS spot today. 
 

Sorted. A folded up bit of paper on top of the battery to press it down more has worked 😂

Sorted. A folded up bit of paper on top of the battery to press it down more has worked 😂

I replaced the battery in my key a few weeks ago. Today the car would not recognise the key, it no longer locks/unlocks and I have to put the key in the ignition to start it (which sometimes does not work either) I'm also getting a message saying the key battery is low. So I replaced with the correct CR2032, Energiser brand with absolutely no difference at all. The key is stone dead with no green flashes when a button is pressed.
I checked the owners manual but couldn't see a key reset procedure. I'm very patient with old cars and expect problems but this one's frustrating as I can't really chance driving anywhere at the moment. I was in a garage that my relationship did not end well with (but my mum still wants to use them) and I could not get the car to start at all as nothing was happening even when turning the key in the ignition. Very embarrassing.
Hopefully I'll find a solution soon!

There's a queue I'm afraid

When you’ve fixed everything can you arrange to put it up for sale ready for October this year please when I will need a big comfy barge for a few months whilst working again.

Thanks.


Gzongenflatch

Bouyed by this successful fix I gave it a wash and discovered that the OSR rear brake caliper is pissing fluid.
New one seems to just be £94 and comes with a motor too. My code reader does the caliper windback as well so not so bad.
I'll just have to use the Saab for a bit until it arrives!

Sorted. A folded up bit of paper on top of the battery to press it down more has worked 😂

D701 SWL