Nige's newest nonsense

[Guest benno]

yeah its no big deal, just more hoops to jump through and £55 instead of £25

[nigel bickle]

Ok.    It seems my Sniper has just bought me a Polo engine Trabbie (-the only type I haven't got), so that's nice. £300 worth of Duraplast, what can go wrong? Loads prob!

 

Brief update, seeing as I' m guilty of bemoaning a lack of shite-ist posts!

 

I purchased a skeletal X1/9 a couple of weeks back -primarily to put the running gear in my Mk1 Strada (borked engine) which has been kindly collected by an august shite-ist here with similar daft tastes! I intend to get over to A frame it back shortly -although I understand its so ropy I might need to tarp it! Happy days"! That Strada is half welded on the passenger side & nearly completed on the drivers- only needing a simple patch in the boot ,adjacent the suspension. Too much leaning for me currently -so it needs to wait a bit.

 

Syrena has been troublesome. The steering was really heavy -so was the first inspection point.   Brakes (en route in) seemed OK -seized but repairable (now done), but the upper trunnion on the pass side was seized  totally solid.  As spares are impossible, it had to be free'd  off so big tools, heat, cold, diesel bath all failed to move it for over 2 weeks, but we finally found movement using an 8ft scaffold pole & blow torch. I guess persistence pays off -eventually!   The trunnion is now fine but some of the threads got damaged -which will be looked at soon. I've a missing driveshaft -which hopefully will be rectified next month when one is brought over from Poland.   Its a 50/50 chance as they are unequal lengths, & I don't know which one is which so we've plumped for a big one and will shrink if needed!  The inner UJ is  totally borked as it flailed all the way across Europe - but that'll get done when we can assemble the whole unit. I've not try to run it up yet, but it is all free ,and I don't envisage big problems there. Bonnet is a total rusty mess so that's off for a long slow repair. Bulk order MIG wire, methinks!   

 

 

Te older/prettier (10 yard)  Zaz is here ,and the  running gear is being a pain.  Sams old car,he found the engine was a serious rattler so elected to take it out & strip it. Sadly its an uneconomic repair so I found a replacement engine/box combo in Germany, but it seems I bought the smaller 965 unit ,as opposed to the 968 I need. It seems to fit -with modification, but the 965 box (needed because the bellhousing is several inch's smaller) now means the drive shafts don't fit - so there's a bit of head scratching needed there. More driveshaft mods, by the look of it!

Sam is still valiantly trying to deliver the later (100yard) 968, almost complete, hopefully, but my hospitalization & convalescence means I'm not home when he's got spare time. Soon, hopefully!

 

I've finally seen my Ronda -and it looks a peach. The headlining needs attention, the back brakes are dragging & the front sidelights out, but that's it- as far as I can see. The family all came over to wave it away, 2 with tears in their eyes.  It'll be back in the UK soon. I've no real idea what I'll do with it -but may try for a rhd conversion - if an X1/9 rack & pedals look like they'll fit ...

 

Negative Creeps old Yugo 313 continues to be a pain. The brakes have been 'irregular'  throughout, causing much head scratching.  We could never be certain where the biting point would be, or how hard the brakes would work, irrespective of pedal pressure.  The calipers, hoses and m/cylinder have all been replaced -and we still don't trust it, so the servo's next. Its quite fun to drive- but I'm not spending moolah on it till its reliable. Looks good though, currently on revolution alloys, and bumperless. Paint even shines a little!

 

The Mk2 Renault 25 continues to perform admirably ,and the Mk1 V6 is sitting. I'm disgusted that I had to remove the whole inlet manifold & fuel injection system to get the dist cap off -which explains why it looks so cacky in there. New electrical components fitted ,but I've bust several of the injector pipes-so those need replacing. If it wasnt so rare -and a potential tow-car, I'd probably have given up. It seems specifically designed to be user un-friendly! 

 

The white Fregate is in regular use, and my son has promised  to refit the red/white gearbox before Crimble. I had intended a big engine -but repair seems the softest option at present. 

 

My Fiat 850 saloon seems to have blown a core plug (that needs sorting) -but I cant yet bend that low, so is waiting for attention. The replacement X1/9 seats already in it are too low, so need raising, and I've a nicer set of blue seatbelts to go in, hopefully soon. Looks good though, & is fun to drive- when I can !

 

The Mk1 Ibiza is  proving to be an absolute  peach , only let down by manky front wings. I've been hunting for months, without success, but I'll not give up. We'll weld them up if we have too; but they really need replacement.   Some git tried to break in (AGAIN)  broke the door handle (AGAIN-weak spot I guess) so that needs replacing AGAIN. Simple job, thankfully.

 

Barkas is sitting, unused but ready to go, as is the 21 turbo. (Clutch pedal is  just too heavy for me right now).

 

Wuvs old Pintara is continuing to give splendid service, and being very light to drive (& an auto) is my current 'favourite'. Its here in Belgium right now & behaving perfectly. Its counterpart in the UK ,the auto SSS  Bluey  likewise.

 

I've kept the Regata on the road,  but will probably barn it before the weather gets bad. Its a true survivor & would be a shame for it to deteriorate.   I've barely used the SE6, despite it being an auto -as it just doesn't thrill  any of us.  To us, it kinda feels like a pointless exercise so may get moved on shortly.

 

The (ex Viscount Basingstoke) SsangYong Musso  (Universally known as the Llapsang) is out ,and ready for winter. Its ruinous fuel consumption inhibits regular use, but that tends to change when the weather deteriorates, so likely to see loads of action soon!

 

Two Fiat  Coupes are both  working hard.  The 20vt is back long distance commuting with my Mrs (200 miles a day) and the 20na  has been borrowed by my eldest- having wrecked his.daily  Good to have it used, nice to see it being driven vigorously.

 

So, I've several sitting, waiting to go on the road, but needing MOTing, which I cant do yet:-

 

The Wartie I bought a few months back is sorted and ready to go. It needed a gentle re-commission ,and a little bit of brake & suspension care, but it responded well to treatment, and should sail through. Probably go on the road standard -although I'm hanerking after a little lowering and some nice rims. We'll see.

 

I've dug out a late Strada  (Mk2 85cl) from the barn to complement the Ronda. We've sorted it some large (16inch) steels,  (ex Mito) which I think set it off quite well. That should be out this winter.

My oldest  Fuego (2 litre GTS ) is in the queue, and if its as fun as I remember, we'll attend to the scratch's and dents it received when the Fire Brigade  chained it out of the burning barn.

Its very low mileage & in good nick -so the marks feel wrong.i see money being spent here...

 

Both the  mid 60's Datsuns are out together, but likely to be heading indoors shortly.  I've not used either in months, and it seems daft to leave them outside as the weather deteriorates.

 

The Isuzus are all sitting. I've been gently accumulating parts; and envisage a good push  this winter. Hopefully the Bellel & Bellet will be ready together -the current intention being to try & register them simultaneously  for consecutive/similar numbers. That's the idea, anyway!  I expect DVLA will se it differently.

 

I'll get some pics of the Ronda & new Trab up -hopefully soon.

[carlo]

Was it you who bought the Isuzu 117 Coupe Nigel and if so do you still have that?

[RedSparrow]

GR8!
Is it one of these style ones?

 

I look forward to photos.

[phil_lihp]

Excellent stuff, always enjoy your updates Nigel, I hadn't even heard of some of these models until you got one, Izuzu Bellel/Bellet and Seat Ronda included, looking forward to seeing more about them.

[vulgalour]

A worthy update, as Bickle updates always are.  Like others have said many times, I see your energy and drive in the face of adversity and feel ashamed that I don't do more myself.

[Cavcraft]

Fab stuff yet again.

 

How do you even know where to start on them, though? Do you have a sort of mental lists of what to do on what car first, or is sort of planned out way up front? 

[Mr Livered]

Aha so it was you! I was looking at that Trabi with 14 minutes to go, and considering setting the sniper on it myself. Well done sir, that looks like a fun one.

[chaseracer]

Nige, what happened to your 204? It used to be owned by my mate Ollie, and before that his dad.

[Mr Lobster]

 

I'll get some pics of the Ronda 

Ronda.

 

Ronda?

 

A SEAT RONDA!

 

I R JEALOUS. Very, very jealous. Eagerly awaiting pics.

[rml2345]

Wouldn't even know where to begin with that little lot 

Excellent stuff Nigel, I always look forward to one of your updates and reading about cars I've never even heard of before getting fettled and put back on the road. 

[wuvvum]

I was actually going to bid on that 4-stroke Trabi, but got caught up in trying to fix the screen wash on the Solara so missed the end of the auction.  Glad it's found a home within the AS fold.  Apparently there's a section of Trabant enthusiasts in Germany who fit Polo G40 engines to those things and go out boy racer baiting, which appeals to my immature side.

 

Otherwise, excellent update as always, and pleased to hear that you're gradually getting more mobile.  Also good to hear the Pintara's still behaving itself.

[prab]

Kudos to your son for A framing that beaut for ya! have you ever had any problem with the cops, because I know for a fact its illegal to A frame a car without tax etc

[Split_Pin]

I've not noted this thread since 2012 so had a lot of catching up to do! Excellent read, I tip my hat to you.

[nigel bickle]

Thanks chaps.

 

Answering your questions...

 

Carlo : Yes, I have the Motor Show 117 Coupe. Aiming for an Isuzu set. its looking pretty scabby right now -paint half stripped 7 car 3/4 welded.

 

Red Sparrow:  That type,yes. I used to import Trabs in bulk back in the 90's ,so have several early variants, softop, etc etc. However I could only get 2 strokes as the 4 strokes could TUV OK. So its remained a gap -now hopefully filled.

 

Cavette: Its why I don't 'do' threads. I can pick & chose according to mood/need/ weather/ parts availability  etc etc. So some progress quickly ,others slowly

 

Chaseracer: I still have the 204 -however its not technically mine here, now belonging to a 'senior' member here. Its still in good condition, the only major change being 3 spoke amils added to smarten it up.

 

Wuv: That's what I kinda intend.... Might make it look like an early 2 stroke, 2! 

 

Prab: We've NEVER had any trouble A framing -although I/we have been stopped many times, here and overseas. Last UK major stop was my BX towing the Estafette pickup OSA & Traffic. I was initially knicked for no light board (hadn't bothered to fit) -they gave me a lift to the trailer shop,  once fitted - tore the ticket up.  I was stopped in France towing the Gaz back with the Legnum (dwarfed it)but no issue/hassle/fine- just interest.   I brought your 25 up on one -no issue.    Its the old ''legalities'' v ''practicalities'' argument. I know which I prefer.

 

Thanks chaps. I'll get pics up of the Ronda/Trab/ X19 etc soon.

[prab]

Any updates Nige, surely you've acquired more shite!

[Six-cylinder]

Yes always a pleasure reading Nige's latest.

[nigel bickle]

Soon.

 

(Probably)

[nigel bickle]

Brief update chaps -say hello to my '2 seater'.

 

Some may recall I purchased an old Mk1 Ibiza a couple of years back - well advertised covered in cow poo, literally buried in a byre!

 

Despite the shit, I scraped it clean, (enough for the wheels to roll!) A framed home & found it needed surprisingly little attention for an MOT. 

You've all forgotten it haven't you?

 

Well, its given sterling service. A base level 1500, its often left for weeks but is always eager to fire up, averages around 40 mpg (£30 fills it) & has only needed a front wheel bearing to pass its current test. I managed to find it a set of SXi rims, so they went on ,other than that its been a lil' star.

 

So, when a higher spec near identical 1200 came up -it would have been churlish to turn it down . Always love a nice pair.

 

Like the 1500, it was tax/MOT less, but a 'good runner' so I took the risk & hauled it home (certainly DIDNT involve a cheap train ticket, number plates & existing tax disc for a very similar car. No Sireee....). 

 

Natch, a  few minor jobs (balljoint, brakes, headlights etc) but it wasn't much trouble, and I managed to find a set of nice rims till I can acquire another set of SXi  wheels. 

 

All in all -a happy boy. Other vehicles update, maybe soon.

[forddeliveryboy]

'System Porsche' no less!

[DVee8]

That makes it a Super Car

[forddeliveryboy]

Super Car? Well, I never.

[Cavcraft]

Top stuff again, Nigel. I actually LOL'd in admiration at you buying more cars, you're an Autoshite hero, of that there is no doubt.

[Mr Lobster]

Jealous. Me? Of you having two Mk1 Ibizas? No. Not a bit.  Well, ok a bit.  Well, lots actaully.  

 

Top shiteing. Impressed and jealous at the same time.

[hairnet]

nige cant help it

 

the pic of them nose to nose the wheels look like astra alloys for some reason

 

ps WANT and theyre a great colour

[HillmanImp]

I don't think it's fair you haveing 2 of them, you should give one to me to make things fair. All you are doing is stengthening the North/South divide IMO.

 

It does look proper tidy that. 'WellJel' as the yoof say.

[nigel bickle]

Once I'm happy with them both, they'll be going overseas. 1500 to southern Belgium, 1200 to Basse Normandie.

Ideal lil runarounds out there.

[capsuleboy]

 (certainly DIDNT involve a cheap train ticket, number plates & existing tax disc for a very similar car. No Sireee....) that can't be true.....As there is no such thing as a cheap train ticket. Tried to go from Leicester to Cambridge to see the Tour with the kids, so three of us, over £200 return.

£15 quid in diesel and £8 in the park and ride instead.

[nigel bickle]

Booked in advance midday cheapy. barnham (on south coast) to Bletchley (adjacent Milton Keynes) -single £10.

 

Didn't make sense to A frame up & back at that price.

 

Similar one way to Dover (say 110 miles) £12. Cos I'm very likely to be making that trip soon!

[Six-cylinder]

 (certainly DIDNT involve a cheap train ticket, number plates & existing tax disc for a very similar car. No Sireee....) that can't be true.....As there is no such thing as a cheap train ticket. Tried to go from Leicester to Cambridge to see the Tour with the kids, so three of us, over £200 return.

£15 quid in diesel and £8 in the park and ride instead.

 

I think the cheap train tickets refer to me and my efforts to collect the Rover 220SLi from Mr B for the min amount of money, it got me a reputation for being even to tight for this forum!