Six Cylinders Motoring Notes

[MiniMinorMk3]

In 1986 I thought it was about time I had an old sports car, so started to scan the classic mags. I went to see a Sunbeam Alpine, nice looking but I was not sure as parts were difficult. Looked at a Spitfire 1500, just out of my price range as dealer was tight on his trade in value of my current car. Looked at an MGB roadster, deal was struck and I drove off with it. It was one of the worst cars I have ever owned. I took it back the next day because when I went to fill the tank it started leaking. They replaced the tank and the rear springs because one had broke. After owning an Alfa it felt like an absolute piece of shite to drive, all scuttle shake and creaky bodywork. I hated it. 

After 4 months I traded it for an Alfasud Sprint, what a relief.

I do sometimes think that a B GT would've been better, and still sometimes think of having a Sebring style one. As for Triumphs, I've never had one.

[mitsisigma01]

2 minutes ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

I traded it for an Alfasud Sprint,

So you love rust then 🤔

[Ghosty]

13 minutes ago, Dick Longbridge said:

 

Princess Anne had one of those.

[chaseracer]

19 hours ago, Mrs6C said:

Any chance of a copy of that?

You may have it with pleasure.  I'll bring it to the FoD next time.

[hairnet]

chris isnt @PhilA gearbox king on here

ps type 9 obvs

 

[motorpunk]

21 hours ago, chaseracer said:

Tidying the garage today, I happened across the April 2013 issue of Practical Performance Car.  Inside was a feature, written by @motorpunk of this electronic parish, thrashing this very Maserati around the Isle of Man TT circuit.

Oh I loved that trip! And I really wanted to buy the car off Chris, my mate who owned it at the time. @Mrs6C (and anyone else interested), prod me and I’ll retrieve all the pics from that trip off an old PC I used when writing for PPC, all those years ago.

[motorpunk]

I wrote a few words on this car for the MotorPunk website, here: https://www.motorpunk.co.uk/articles/biturbo-buying-advice-from-someone-who-didnt/

Will find the PPC feature in the week when I get a mo’. 

[Six-cylinder]

Turns out my main shaft in the Vitesse gearbox has all the hardening worn away, £200+ for just a new shaft!

[Six-cylinder]

The XM is home with a fresh MOT.

Auto gear selector is much better but still a bit stiff and needs a new cable, but I can't find one.

Non working left indicator dash warning light turned out to be the connector on the back of the instrument cluster. Plug cleaned and wedged into place we will see how long it lasts.

The XM was put straight back to work in its role as one of the dailies. 

I gave it a jet/brush wash in Tescos but the bush is so worn I missed lots of it.

[Six-cylinder]

We have another visiting vehicle and the plan is to take it out for a short run tomorrow.

[Six-cylinder]

Last drive of the Seicento today before it was put away in storage for the winter.

It was not an expensive car so using it through the winter makes sense, but I think I like it a bit too much and want to protect it!

With the help of @Slowsilverwe started and moved 11 cars out of the barn, then repositioned them for a game of sardines.  Now we have room for 3 more and a small one. Also we checked the antifreeze in several cars, road tested the E Type as it spat some water out last time. I got it nice and hot and not a drop of water was spilt so all seems well. (sorry I forgot my phone this afternoon so no pictures)

[Six-cylinder]

I bought a USB charged small vacuum cleaner to whip out to a lightly messy car and clean the interior a bit. I am disappointed it does not do a good job because the filter is so small. I have found it is useful in my office getting in the corners easily and caught this spider out! (I did let it go unharmed)

[High Jetter]

1 hour ago, Six-cylinder said:

 

Gorgeous car, but those wheels?

[hairnet]

1 hour ago, Six-cylinder said:

We have another visiting vehicle and the plan is to take it out to weigh it in while theyre not looking tomorrow.

 

 

 

[sutty2006]

I miss my v70 t5 auto so much that if you decide to part with it, I’ll sell a kidney and buy it. The one we had FTPd in the middle of Paris blowing its radiator over the inner ring road. But what a machine. 🥰

[Floatylight]

15 minutes ago, sutty2006 said:

I miss my v70 t5 auto so much that if you decide to part with it, I’ll sell a kidney and buy it. The one we had FTPd in the middle of Paris blowing its radiator over the inner ring road. But what a machine. 🥰

Have you seen this "R" for sale in N-U-L

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/453844963517981/ 

[sutty2006]

51 minutes ago, Floatylight said:

Have you seen this "R" for sale in N-U-L

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/453844963517981/ 

Wow 3k with a short MOT?! And that blue section of the bumper needs painting. Still a stunning gold colour. 

[Ghosty]

I think the name of that colour is Saffron 🤔

[Six-cylinder]

9 hours ago, Floatylight said:

Have you seen this "R" for sale in N-U-L

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/453844963517981/ 

I am a strange old stick, that is a bit to flash for me.

I liked it when Mrs6C had the V70 T5 Auto and I had an 850 GLT 2.5 20v non turbo Auto.

 

[Six-cylinder]

Today I did a long and detailed test of a VW Caddy.

Ok, I was lucky enough to get to have a drive of @ZelandethCaddy today. Here are a few observation.

A lot quicker than our Citroen C15 van.

Rear wiper is strange being only one one side of the rear doors.

Gear knob moves about.

It works well and is very practical for when I took the pigs to market this morning!

Now giving me a new view from my office window.

[Crackers]

Just now, Six-cylinder said:

A lot quicker than our Citroen C15 van.

Plate tectonics are quicker than your C15 van!

[Dick Cheeseburger]

That plate would work a treat with a portable loo company truck 'Poo 2 Size'. 

[Six-cylinder]

I said goodbye to my Toledo 2door project today and it is staying within the Forum. I will allow the new owner to introduce themselves when they are ready.

Some will know this is not the end of Toledo ownership for me as I have bought a running 4 door from HMC. The desire to own one was because I learnt to drive on one belonging to a driving school, yes I am old enough for them to have been current cars when I was 17.

[Eyersey1234]

OMG @Six-cylinder selling a car? I'm in shock 🤣🤣

[hairnet]

bet his watch list is full tho

[chaseracer]

47 minutes ago, Crackers said:

Plate tectonics are quicker than your C15 van!

It needs to be driven like a 2CV...!

[Six-cylinder]

11 minutes ago, Eyersey1234 said:

OMG @Six-cylinder selling a car? I'm in shock 🤣🤣

 

7 minutes ago, hairnet said:

bet his watch list is full tho

I am a reformed character, no more random car buying from me.

[chaseracer]

10 minutes ago, Six-cylinder said:

I am a reformed character, no more random car buying from me.

We believe* you, Chris! 😁

[hairnet]

not really gonna be random is it

else youd have 15 more cars right now

 

[hairnet]

22 minutes ago, chaseracer said:

It needs to be driven like a 2CV...!

/pissed up frenchman............

/rogermoore *stuntman