This Time It WONT Get Away.....(Part Two!)

[Andrew353w]

Hi All,

 

After my recent success with my Lada 1500 [see "Latest Acquisition From Russia (north London!)"] One of my previous vehicular "escapees" has come back to me, after eluding me for some time. Some of you might remember that I was offered a Wartburg Tourist in April this year, only to be pipped at the post by another buyer, who was in a position to move the car before I could. For those of you who don't remember, here's a few pictures of the car, when I first saw it, emerging into the light of day from a garage for the first time on 20 years.

 

 

 

Well, I have to be the bearer of some rather sad news, as the guy who bought the car unfortunately recently died of cancer. His wife subsequently contacted me, to see if I was interested in having the car, which I was, to put it mildly!

 

Over the last few weeks I've had to deal with moving garages, as I was given notice to quit from the premises I've rented for some 8 years. The owners plan to build on the land (surprise surprise!) so I've rented another, although it's smaller & more expensive!

 

Anyhow, yesterday evening, during a downpour that would cause Noah a few headaches the Wartburg was delivered (sorry about the poor quality of the pictures-it was "persisting" down!)

 

 

 

I didn't use my trusty "A" frame to move it from Farnham, Hampshire, to Barnet, as the journey was a bit long to justify as a "recovery", the car was untaxed & unMOTed and weighed more than I should legally tow. Instead I used the services of Intermotors, whom I contacted via Shipley, who organise return loads for car transporters, who would otherwise be running empty. They moved my Wartburg a distance of 52 miles, in 3 hours, for £99, including V.A.T. BEAT THAT!!! Had I done the job myself the trailer hire would have been £70 for the day plus the cost of petrol and I'd need 4-5 hours to do it. In short, these people are truly great & if any other fellow autoshiters need a car moved this is a good way to get the job done. The guy who delivered it said that VOSA were hot on guys using "A" frames, so perhaps I've had my money's worth from the "A" framing game...

 

I intend to get the Wartburg up and running soon. It's an absolutely HUGE estate car, with a floor length of 6' 6'' with the seats down. As my new garage is somewhat smaller than my previous one, I'm having to store stuff that would be in the garage inside the car! I'll need to rent a bigger garage very soon. I'll keep the Autoshite community up to date on developments as things progress.

[dollywobbler]

Sad circumstances, but a great result. Has to be a real rarity in RHD form! Love it.

[nigel bickle]

Nice one Andrew -good timing too.

 

Look forward to some decent pics- but it doesnt look like it needs much......

[Felly Magic]

At least it has gone to a home that will care for it. It will be what the gentleman who has sadly passed on would have wanted.

[michiel]

Sad story, happy end... great car!

[Cheggers]

Wow, that brings back memories. My old maths teacher had an orange Wartburg Tourist back in the day (late 70's). Sad circumstances but at least it's ended up with a loving home.

[Guest]

Oh that looks good - look forward to better pics. Sad how it came about though.

[RedSparrow]

Sad news about the previous keeper, but well done for saving it. I love these things. More pictures please!

[Andrew353w]

I went round to my lock-up this morning; lovely weather today, in comparison to last night! I pushed the car out onto the garage forecourt & took the following pictures:

 

 

 

The rust on the roof is only superficial, so there's nothing too bad here...

 

Oddly the tailgate and the lower rear panels are all fibreglass, hence the green colour you can see under the "chalk white" paint. These should be very easy to re-spray and there's a tow-hitch, too! All in all it looks better in the cold light of day than it did last night!

 

I hope you all enjoy the pictures! I'll be working on it & taking pictures as I do.

[andrew e]

Andrew that last shot looks like you've just murdered Father Christmas

 

Please leave the body as is, and piss off folk at car shows

[Cheggers]

That looks far better in daylight than I expected. That looks like it needs no more than "gentle recommissioning" to use trade-speak

[carlo]

Absolutely brilliant! Can't wait for more updates on this ...please!

 

My first car was a Wartburg in 1982, happily driven for three years. That dashboard sure brings back some (mostly) happy memories!

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Looks incredibly solid to me!

[warren t claim]

Well done!

 

Do these need to have a freewheel like the two stroke Saabs used to have?

[dollywobbler]

They do indeed WTC. It's essential for a two-stroke as when you cut the fuel supply by lifting off, you also cut the lubrication.

 

Another feature I love of these - note how the taillights are fitted to the lift-up tailgate. Hmmm. What do you do when you've got the tailgate open? Easy! There is a small pair of rear lamps inside the tailgate shut area!

[Felly Magic]

Leave it like that..It's the 'Shabby Chic' look

[richardthestag]

sad story (rip etc) happy ending so far

 

on a lighter note my aunt had an orange 1972 knight in the mid 80's which lived on our home driveway for ages. It used to smoke out the entire street on a cold start. I was amused by your pics thinking maybe you had the same issue

 

 

once warm it was fine. that car was unbreakable, she sold it to a chap who was collecting them. I recall my dad being astonished that anyone would want to buy it let alone collect them but then he drove a variety of Marinas, Allegros, Montegoes, Metros and TR7s so glass houses etc .

 

I quite liked that old Wartburg

[Shep Shepherd]

Even in its current state, your Warty is a cool car. Ostalgie FTW

 

Pity that you didn't acquire it in happier circumstances, though

[155V6]

I saw that being collected yesterday,I sometimes deliver to the house it came from.Last time I was there,there was a Trabant in the drive too

[Andrew353w]

I saw that being collected yesterday,I sometimes deliver to the house it came from.Last time I was there,there was a Trabant in the drive too

 

The previous owner of the Wartburg was also disposing of a Trabant-it MUST have been the one you saw! Spooky that you saw the Wartburg being collected. I don't know if she still has the Traant, though.

[Guest]

As above it looks better than I expected too. Is it up and running and how much work seems to be required?

[boobydoo]

Another superb save! That looks absolutely wonderful....I also like the shabby chic look, but somehow feel the car deserves a decent paint job after all those years!

Liking the wheeltrims particularly!

 

Can I ask how much you pay for the garage if it's a council one? Mine are £12 a week which is expensive I think, especially when the woman in charge of renting them out for North Herts Council is a miserable, ignorant bitch.

[Cavcraft]

Very impressed! Sad situation that led to you getting it of course but you have an exceptional motor there.

[eddyramrod]

^WHS

 

Excellent save Andrew! I know it's a sad story, but it's part of the history of the car now and perhaps if you find yourself making a showboard for it, you might acknowledge the previous owner in some way? Anyway, it's obviously now in a place where it'll be appreciated, so that's always good. Looking forward to more pics...

[chaseracer]

Another feature I love of these - note how the taillights are fitted to the lift-up tailgate. Hmmm. What do you do when you've got the tailgate open? Easy! There is a small pair of rear lamps inside the tailgate shut area!

Nowt new under the sun, is there...?

 

Wartburg:

 

Insignia:

 

[andrew e]

if you find yourself making a showboard for it

 

This autoshite, not horse brass online Eddy

[eddyramrod]

OI! I have a showboard, it isn't that unusual to show a bit of pride in your vehicle. And with your collection, you certainly should be showing a bit of pride.

[barrett]

Phwoar, this and the Lada make an excellent double-header of solid shite. I'm very jealous, didn't think there was stuff like this still out there to be honest so it's great to see. I didn't know about the lights under the tailgate. Brings to mind the Slough-built Citroen Safaris that had reflectors in the bottom of the tailgate, like so :

[Angrydicky]

Excellent save!

[Volksy]

Do you know if this car spent time in Leeds, there was a matching one on my old street - Greenwood Mount, Meanwood, when in my student days.

 

Same colour, and wheel trims.