Joe's "Merde" - more pics from another shiter

[meggersdog]

Is that the workshop of Mr Trebus

[KruJoe]

So, when Brian (no, not Edmund Trebus) came back, we had a quick poke around The Merde, and were pleased to see that, as I had suspected from the listing, it wasn't nearly so rusty as most cheap MR2s. The sills and arches seem nice and solid, and with a quick glance over, there only seems to be a few minor scabby bits in other areas. Yes, there might be some surprises to come, but it's not a rot-box.

We opened the engine cover and 'frunk', checked the levels, and then had a fiddle with the roof glasses. Once out they were stashed behind the seats and strapped in. It would be rude not to drive away with the roof off - this is my first open-topped motor.

Started fine (with the sound behind me), no smoke or noises, gearchange is a bit sticky going into first, and the clutch is a bit high, but it's all good really. The seats are a like a big warm hug, the car is all around me as I've never felt before. Taking it easy up the lanes, it's pretty refined and civilised, but sounds great when you floor it. The brakes are spot on, the cornering is flat and predictable. If this thing has PAS, it certainly isn't over-assisted like some Jap stuff. (The dead-lightness of my old man's Ferreter S-Turbo really spoils it.)

Piccies:

 

 

Good god, the best £450 I've ever spent!

 

 

Ribblehead.

 

 

 

It's a great road and an ace spot for pictures, even in the drizzle.

A potential calendar nominee there maybe?

 

More to come.

 

[skattrd]

I do find the mk2 MR2 is a very nice drive, more refined and less twitchy than the mk1. With the engine at the back I don't really think there's a need for PAS.

It's not like your usual shite Joe, it's got a proper sports cars driving position, low, tight seats, with everything to hand for the driver.

[pandamonium]

Nice MR2, but forget that, I want the Samara!

[dollywobbler]

Great stuff. I have no idea why these things are so cheap. Perhaps I should get one before they aren't. Anyone want a Merc?

[KruJoe]

On the way back home, me and Will called in at the moor-top residence of John, and old friend of the family.

 

 

In the last few years, he's got into his MR2s. His black mk2 auto is a minter.

 

 

As is his white mk1. (See the shed roof tied down to stop it blowing away?!)

 

 

As he says they're all undervalued at the moment. This one is seriously box-fresh, and he won it for £900 last year.

 

 

Induction kit and battery fitment aside, it is factory. He has the immaculate original alloys stored away safely.

 

 

Another cheap eBay win: a MOT-free Prefect, fairly tidy it is too. Spent most of its life on Skye!

 

 

He's just waiting for a screen rubber, then it's good to go!

 

 

His "spare" Stag...

 

 

With pantograph wiper!

 

 

This is my favorite:

 

 

Yes!

 

 

That's a 1.8 TD out of a Sierra!

 

 

Home to mice and damp.

 

 

After a bit of churning she fired up, and sounded glorious! Sturdy tow bar fitted, this is his tow car.

 

 

John sprayed it himself with an electric gun and a tin of paint he found under his bench!

 

 

Back outside, this is his snowplough, with electric hydraulic lift, and wind turbine to keep it all charged up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In one container he had another mk1 MR2, his red one, supposedly for use in winter, but it was covered over in stuff.

 

 

And in this one is a project GT6, which has been abandoned mid-rebuild after a poor quality paint job by a "professional". A beautiful shell, anyone want to take it on?

 

 

A couple of pre-65 trials bikes - John used to ride a lot.

 

 

And finally, his current daily, another clean-as-a-whistle Toyota. There's not a spot on it. Also from ebay, £700 with full ticket, it hides its mega-mileage well.

 

 

What's not to like amongst that lot, eh?

[John F]

Haha! I thought you were joking about the wind turbine, Joe.

 

That's an impressive collection of chod your friend has... what are the bikes? I'm guessing they'd be 2-strokes since they're trials bikes, Villiers engines then?

[Shep Shepherd]

I like those Merdes; a friend of mine has owned a 1991 model since 2006, which he holds in as high a regard as I do The Volvo