Ramrod's Nu Shite

[eddyramrod]

So we've learned something... the changeover was later on the vans... I had never noticed that before.

[M'coli]

Almost all A-series Metros had the low filler, mk2 included: the high filler on the 3-door cars began with 1989 cars, but some had a low filler too, like this (now on SORN) one I photo'd last year:

Whereas my G-reg MG had the high filler:

It depended on when the new batch of side panels as destined for the Rover Metro appeared.

[warren t claim]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3giXbanlPI

[gtd2000]

Almost all A-series Metros had the low filler, mk2 included: the high filler on the 3-door cars began with 1989 cars, but some had a low filler too, like this (now on SORN) one I photo'd last year:

 

You have to wonder what possessed the design team to put the bloody filler that low down in the first place?

 

Is there some reason for it?

[cort16]

I think someone put their coffee cup down on the blue prints before it was finished and everyone just assumed that's were it was supposed to go.

[dollywobbler]

This is getting my Metro mo-jo fired up again. My 1982 miniMetro HLS was an absolute hoot to drive. All the plus points of a Mini, but far, far fewer downsides. I think I went a bit far with the pumping up though. On Fenland roads, it was attrocious! Might have been gasless displacers I guess as it behaved a bit like a BX with knackered spheres. The cornering was absolutely fantastic though. Great fun. Until it dropped a valve...

[HillmanImp]

I have only just realised that your name is Eddy Ramrod. I swear you have always been called Eddy Rammond.

 

I tell thee this, the 1990's have a lot to answer for if everyone's head is as muddled as mine.

[messerschmitt owner]

This is getting my Metro mo-jo fired up again. My 1982 miniMetro HLS was an absolute hoot to drive. All the plus points of a Mini, but far, far fewer downsides. I think I went a bit far with the pumping up though. On Fenland roads, it was attrocious! Might have been gasless displacers I guess as it behaved a bit like a BX with knackered spheres. The cornering was absolutely fantastic though. Great fun. Until it dropped a valve...

my local garage has a super, purple, five door Rover Metro in for £495.

[gtd2000]

I think someone put their coffee cup down on the blue prints before it was finished and everyone just assumed that's were it was supposed to go.

 

[eddyramrod]

I have only just realised that your name is Eddy Ramrod. I swear you have always been called Eddy Rammond

 

Only by people who don't like breathing....

 

News today: IT LIVES! I put the battery tray back on, all gleaming fresh (and not too far off the original colour, in truth) followed swiftly by the gleaming brand new battery. I'd already taken the plugs out and pushed it in gear, to see if the engine would actually turn, which it did, so that was ok. Next step, whip the HT lead off the coil and turn it over on battery. That worked fine too. So, a drop of fresh petrol straight into the carb, and most of the rest of the can into the tank, to mix with the indeterminately-old petrol that was already in there. Replace lead, jump in, pull choke, turn key.... and churn. Second attempt, whoosh, into life. There's a hollow rattle from somewhere (might be the exhaust a bit loose) but otherwise, as expected, I appear to have a lovely healthy A+. I iz delighted.

[eddyramrod]

Adding to the Tomato's versatility: my neighbour had a Metro van for years, and after it died she kept the roof bars from it. Today she's passed them over the fence for use on mine. Thank you Faith.

 

Incidentally Faith is now driving the w123 her dad bought new in 1983, Cyprus reg PK 267. My van is PN 267. You couldn't make it up.

[Rod/b]

That is a quality save Eddie. If I were you i'd be waxoyling and and coating every last bit of that before reintroducing it to the UK.

 

That white 310 above looks like a Mk1 going by the position of the filler cap. Mk2 had them higher up to prevent fuel contamination of the offside rear wheel......

 

Only quite late ones. Don't think it came in until about 89, shortly before the r6 Rover Metro was introduced.

[eddyramrod]

That's very much the plan, Rod! I don't want it rotting away under my front-room window, do I?

[eddyramrod]

News today: Tomato is up! We finally managed to find some fluid, and Andreas found his pump (which I have seen, in fact nearly tripped over several times) so we got them together today. I was amazed how quickly the front rose, one side at a time, when he started pumping. It's up now at the level specified in my Haynes, but actually looks slightly too high. Might need to adjust that a little. He pumped up the back too, which wasn't as low. I took the van for a little drive round the block after he'd gone (bad lad ) and it's awfully bouncy! The clutch wasn't that good either, and I found it was low on fluid, so I've topped that up. Haven't driven it again yet to see if that's fixed it.

 

Now then... Alan had put four new tyres on it a while ago (thanks Alan); he fitted 155/80/12s. Haynes specifies 155/70/12, which is what's on the spare. With the suspension down, the back tyres were rubbing on the subframe directly forward of them. Pumping the suspension up seems to have brought them just-about away from the frame, but I'm thinking I'll have to buy the correct size very soon. There's a blue-fronted tyre shop just round the corner from my Barrow house...

 

Oh yes: bringing it back. It looks now like both cars will be going in the container, which means booking a 40-footer. Apparently going ro-ro would leave them unloaded at Southampton, which is no use to me. With the container I can have door-to-door service. Then all I have to do is get them both insured, MoTed (again) and registered in UK; and return my rental to Manchester Airport.

[Formula Autos]

Have a look at this Eddy, and see if the ride height looks right:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3giXbanlPI

Ray Brooks extolling the virtues of Metro and Maestro vans in a horrendous Mockney patois, whilst wearing Dierdrie Barlow's specs.

 

I think it's been posted before on the You Tube thread, but it seemed appropriate for this thread too.

[eddyramrod]

It does, and thank you! I did take a look at that when it was posted and considered saving it. I actually like Ray Brooks (narrator of Mr Benn, for all the 70s kids here!) but this is a bit cringey in places. Now that I've actually got some ride height, I'll have another look and compare.

[hauserplenty]

To me it looks like a Dodge Colt/Plymouth Chump (i.e. Mitsubishi) hatchback with no side windows. Although I can see why it's called a van in your part of the world, it'd likely never be given that particular nickname this side of the puddle...

Looks like you're gonna need a bigger boat tho...

[eddyramrod]

That's exactly what it is, a hatchback with no side windows, but even in California where you guys like little cars, I doubt you get many Austin Metros. The usual hatchback rear seat has been replaced with a load platform and an aluminium guard cage to stop boxes whacking me on the back of my bonce; this is all normal for these little vans.

 

Watch out for Brit movies set in the middle 1980s.....

[dollywobbler]

Must say, when I pumped up my miniMetro, the ride was horrific. Not sure if you can get the displacers re-gassed because it was like a Citroen on flat spheres. It would literally take off on Fenland roads. I had to alter my route to work...

[eddyramrod]

You did mention that before, Ian; I remember! I don't have your Citroen experience to make the comparison, but what you say seems likely. Getting that done in UK shouldn't be a problem, I'll ask the Metro club. Getting it done here... well I won't be here long enough to bother.

[purplebargeken]

That is one seriously good find. I really can't remember when I last saw one of these, or even a proper Metro, not one of those Rover things.

 

Glad it's up and running. What is the interior like?

[eddyramrod]

Brown. In a red car.... ok...

I lifted one of the tacky 1980s seat covers yesterday, to find the brown houndstooth cloth on the driver's seat is pretty badly ripped. The cover went straight back down and will do until I can afford to retrim in the correct fabric. Which I think it deserves.

Dash is fine, carpet is fine, roof lining is fine, doorcards and furnishings are fine. I don't need it to look like new, but if I can maintain the "three year old" look it has now, that'll suit me to a T. The gearknob is a little worn and loose, which I'm used to from the Granada so that doesn't matter. Pedal rubbers show little wear. I don't think the hazard lights work; could be a bulb out, I haven't checked. Here's the business end:

All these were taken before I swept her out and generally gave her a bit of a clean, though nothing like volksangyl does!

[Shep Shepherd]

I like the grid thing behind the seats. Custom fitment?

[HillmanImp]

love to help eddy but I'm down south

 

Scotty