dollywobbler

Yayus!

Today, I've mostly been ridding Wales of petrol. Desperately needs a wash now. That was a run up to North Wales and back (Mat the Cat territory in fact, sorry we didn't have time to say hello).

With a supercharger sticking out of the bonnet.

Nope. It's a BTR gearbox, built in Australia. BTR began as Borg Warner Australia, which might explain why it's so musical in the lower gears. Gearbox was only used in Aussie Fords and, oddly, some Ssang Yongs (possibly a few other Far Eastern things). She has clocked up over 304,000kms, so the odd foible is allowed.

There are about three or four different 'rules' for checking the level, depending on where you look. We did top it up last year, and it was better, but she's slippy again now. Need to cure the leak.

We're not replacing it. The Fairmont does well enough as family transport.

Thinking about it, I think the 652 is probably the only RHD Visa that would have room for a brake assembly on the bulkhead near the pedal. On the others, the engine would be in the way as it's transversely mounted.

The GSA is away for the welding, the 2CV hasn't fully recovered from having its wing blown off, the Matiz is still out of MOT and not running right, the Charade is still a mess missing a front bumper and smoking like a sick Trabant, the good Oltcit still some way from an MOT and the new Camry is losing coolant at an alarming degree as HGF takes effect, which has ruled it out of use. So I dug the Fox out and it successfully gained legality. After a week, it's doing ok but the battery is now duff, the water pump keeps squealing and it isn't running right. So I'm hurling it at a Reliant specialist later in the month for a proper sort-out. As a back up vehicle, it's working well enough and is taking some local mileage off the Fairmont. Which is still leaking transmission fluid. The Sana is provisionally sold awaiting collection, the Multipla has now gone to its new home (a rather scary clutch-nightmare of a journey that'll be out in video very soon on the channel) and the 2CV has been welded up. Hoping to get some bodywork done on it tomorrow so that's back in use too. GSA is proving more rotten than hoped, but at least it's off the road for winter. A former Toyota tech is coming to help me with the Camry next week, so hopefully we can sort that out and that can take the load off the Fairmont. My Aussie bruiser has clocked up over 10,000 kms (6000 miles) since landing in the UK last year. I wasn't planning to drive it quite that far, though thankfully it's insured for more miles than that. I do need to get that gearbox looked at by someone who can actually fix it, but while it's working (loses drive fairly often first thing in the morning, but is then fine - it was doing this in New Zealand two years ago!), I'm reluctant to risk taking a working car out of use while the working/knackered ratio is so out of kilter. Longer term, I'm going to be having more of a clearout. Oltcit will get finished, enjoyed but is very likely to be sold on, probably along with the spares car. Fox may also go, though it needs to have some adventures first, and will be appearing at the Practical Classics Restoration Show in March. I suspect the Camry will get moved on later in the year too, because the Fairmont has really taken the 'fuel guzzler' slot on the fleet. Both can just about nudge 27mpg on a run...

Ah yes. I have driven a C15 and the brakes can be described as bloody terrifying!

A soft pedal doesn't seem all that Citroen, even for a conventional brake set-up. It's a while since I drive Six Cylinder's Visa, so I'm struggling to recall exactly how it felt. Rear brakes adjusted up? Good progress though!

The end is in sight! By heck this is good.

Blimey. I missed this too. Incredible. Boot leaks can often be rear lamp units on other cars, so might be worth checking. The seals around them often fail (usually on Rovers).

I drove one of these when they were new. Never forgave them for what is an utterly shitty rear door/wiper layout for RHD. Jolly enough little things though, and very practical. Returning to the post about home, I'm inclined to agree with the chap suggesting you don't spend out. People buy a house expecting to be changing things/decorating, especially in the sort of ballpark I'd expect for your place. I can't see that it makes sense to spend loads just to sell.

I think most Invacars were collected for service, with specialists all over the country (Elmsleigh Invacar being one - that's a fair trek from Dez's though - I know because I've done that drive). Chatted to a chap at the NEC and he used to work at one of those specialists. I was curious about the fact they were usually towed to the service centres. He said they just cut the belts off so they'd tow more easily. Just fit a new one during the service, job done. After all, government was footing the bill...