Six Cylinders Motoring Notes

[Six-cylinder]

11 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

Trevi is already Tax free aint it? you know after you threatened the DVLA by getting me involved  

You are right, initially I was turned down and eventually given free road tax for the Trevi. I remember now it was still on my pay for list so I SORNed the Trevi at the end of the summer. I have just retaxed it for free.

[richardmorris]

1 hour ago, Six-cylinder said:

Something for me to look forward to in 2024 is more of our cars get free road tax.

Cars that will become free road tax April 2024

1.     Lancia Trevi               date first reg 1-1-83 – £325 tax, out and about 2023

2.     Citroen Visa Special date first reg 5-5-83 – £200 tax, out and about 2023

3.     Citroen LNA               date first reg 6-5-83 – £200 tax, out and about 2023

4.     Alfa Giulietta             date first reg 30-6-83 – Needs a lot of work

5.     Citroen CX                 date first reg 11-10-83 – Needs a lot of work

6.     Citroen Visa GT        date first reg 4-11-83– Needs a lot of work

Only two of those have drawn my blood!

[Six-cylinder]

29 minutes ago, richardmorris said:

Only two of those have drawn my blood!

There is time yet!

I am hoping the Alfa Giulietta  can move forward in 2024, I have been offered a very rusty CX with Mech stuff that I will chase for 2024. The Visa GT is a long sad tale for another day.

[richardmorris]

Did you see the brand new visa door for sale on FB?

[Six-cylinder]

13 minutes ago, richardmorris said:

Did you see the brand new visa door for sale on FB?

I hadn't, thank you.

Andyrew changed the doors on our C15 this year so we are all good at the moment.

[Six-cylinder]

Autoshite Zoom from 7:30pm Wednesday 27th December 2023

Because this Forum is readable by non Autoshite members please pm me to to get the joining link and password.

 

[MorrisItalSLX]

Here is some interesting Sigma/Magna/Diamante history stolen off Facebook, more about the Japanese market, but still relevant.

Quote

The first-generation Mitsubishi Diamante (F10/F20), you should be familiar with. It's a car that we've featured a few times before and that, while interesting, is just a rather fancy Japanese four-door that time has only left remembered and appreciated by hardcore enthusiasts. The wagon model (K45) should be the same, but there's a bit more to the story, especially for the Japanese market. Introduced three years after the hardtop Diamante and sedan Sigma, the Diamante Wagon was a successor to the first-generation Magna Wagon (TN/TP). Yes, that's right, Australia's favourite smoke-blower was sold in Japan between 1988 and 1993, but only as an estate. Since we'll probably never get to feature one, as a bonus fact, they even said 'From Australia' on the side trims. And that should probably play a hint as to why the Diamante Wagon is interesting. These were built at Tonsley Park as Magnas, but then shipped to Japan and sold as Diamantes, which is funny, since the Magna is based on the sedan Sigma model - these were also sold in Europe as Sigma Combis. Obviously, as with the numerous times that Mitsubishi imported cars from Australia to the Japanese market, these were high-specification vehicles, as to justify the high price tag. Under the bonnet for example, the only engine and transmission option was the naturally-aspirated 3-litre 6G72 V6 making 165PS, available in only the top-tier Diamante/Sigma models, paired with a four-speed automatic that only drove the front wheels - there was no all-wheel drive option. Initially priced at 3.4 million yen (about the same as a front-drive 30R Diamante), these were not strong sellers to begin with, not helped by Japan's economy and Mitsubishi's other wagon offering, the Mirage/Lancer-based Libero, being far cheaper. Mitsubishi soon slashed prices on the base model by adding cloth seats and taking out some luxuries on the base-model 30V, and leaving those to the top-tier 30R-SE model. Sales did improve, but being such a niche vehicle, not too many were sold - I haven't got any figures sadly. The regular Diamante hardtop finished production in 1996 and was replaced with the second-generation (F30/F40) model, while the Diamante Wagon remained on the market until 1997. It was then replaced by the second-generation Diamante Wagon (F36W), also an Aussie Magna import, which sold even less and was culled from the line-up in 2001.

 

[Six-cylinder]

3 hours ago, MorrisItalSLX said:

Here is some interesting Sigma/Magna/Diamante history stolen off Facebook, more about the Japanese market, but still relevant.

 

Do you have an equivalent of our how many left website in Australia ? 

One more sleep and I collect it legal and working. 

[Noel Tidybeard]

On 20/12/2023 at 14:54, Six-cylinder said:

We have had a visitor today to make our drive look pretty!

yes but you need to move the paper mache thing out of shot!

[MorrisItalSLX]

1 hour ago, Six-cylinder said:

Do you have an equivalent of our how many left website in Australia ? 

One more sleep and I collect it legal and working. 

Not to my knowledge. It would be difficult to run a site like that nationally as car registration is handled separately by each state and territory, some states and territories are more rigorous than others when it comes to vehicle inspections.

[hairnet]

4 hours ago, MorrisItalSLX said:

some states and territories are more rigorous than others when it comes to vehicle inspections.

welcome to the united states of australia

 

[Six-cylinder]

Its working, MOTed and home.

It will be avaiable for inspection 28th Dec FoD Tea & Chat meeting. 

[LightBulbFun]

29 minutes ago, Six-cylinder said:

Its working, MOTed and home.

I will be avaiable for inspection 28th Dec FoD Tea & Chat meeting. 

Awesome stuff! I know this car has put up quite the fight, so I am happy to hear you have finally come up on top  

[Six-cylinder]

This morning did not go as planned. My favourite garage told me they were not working between Christmas and New year so if I wanted to collect the Sigma I had to get it today. The plan was to take over the Fiat Seicento because it has a rear brake dragging that needs looking at in the New year. Trouble was Seicento would not start, starter turned very slowly even with a jump.

Needing to get to collect the Sigma I took the 480 over instead as it still has a starting problem even if the headlight lifting pods have self-cured. The key turns and often just clicks but if you try it a few times it turns and starts. It will also get an oil/filter change and general look over. That will still leave  some electric gremlins but I need an Autosparks for that.

Poor Mark from the garage now is working over Christmas, but it's not my fault. His daughter’s Audi A3 has shredded it’s axillary belt and made the cam belt jump teeth braking some rockers! Now he is working for Free over Christmas! 

[Six-cylinder]

Is the Sigma reliable!

The Seicento and 200TE are broken, the 480 is away so I have been running about in our Volvo V70 T5. Last night I got a call from a local friend who broke his BMW435i in a flood, he had been using his wife’s BMW X3 and now that won’t start. I have now lent out the Volvo that leaves me the Sigma as my daily, I am just a bit nervous as I bought it in February and only got it back on the road 2 days ago and I have only done 35 miles!

[hairnet]

@MorrisItalSLX @Parky

is it a surprise that these are spanish waiter?

coming from warmer climes thought big stuff like this would be auto

[Crackers]

10 hours ago, Six-cylinder said:

I have now lent out the Volvo that leaves me the Sigma as my daily,

Shocker as man with reputation for having more cars than weeks in the year reports a shortage of viable transport options! 

[Six-cylinder]

What do you think, have I overdone the principle of having a project car in hand in case the one we are working on is stuck for a bit?

 The “what needs doing” list to projects.

• Carlton 2.0i Estate – Make it run and get MOT
• Vauxhall Royale – start for the first time, brakes
• Discovery Mk1 – Weld front inner wings, MOT
• Classic Range rover- get back, make run, MOT
• Citroen CX – buy donner spares car and make run
• Opel Manta 1.9 Auto – Bring up to MOT standard, replacement wheels
• Visa Cabriolet – weld boot hinges and MOT
• Alfa Giulietta – start, brakes.
• Peugeot 504 – make run
• Carlton 1.8i Saloon – Make it run and get MOT
• VP 1500 – weld sub-frame mounting
• Herald 1200 coupe – Free engine
• Saab 95 – replace fuel tank, free brakes
• Volvo 740GLE Estate – Collect from Wales, make run and MOT
• Renault Safrane – MOT and run

[MorrisItalSLX]

9 hours ago, hairnet said:

@MorrisItalSLX @Parky

is it a surprise that these are spanish waiter?

coming from warmer climes thought big stuff like this would be auto

I have certainly never come across a manual V6 before, the inline 4 cylinder version is often found as a manual though.

[hairnet]

20 minutes ago, Six-cylinder said:

What do you think?

• Citroen CX – buy donner spares car and make run - chilli or mayo
• Volvo 740GLE Estate – Ask SVM to fettle

i think youre nuts but hey why not

 

[LightBulbFun]

1 hour ago, Six-cylinder said:

What do you think, have I overdone the principle of having a project car in hand in case the one we are working on is stuck for a bit?

 The “what needs doing” list to projects.

• Carlton 2.0i Estate – Make it run and get MOT
• Vauxhall Royale – start for the first time, brakes
• Discovery Mk1 – Weld front inner wings, MOT
• Classic Range rover- get back, make run, MOT
• Citroen CX – buy donner spares car and make run
• Opel Manta 1.9 Auto – Bring up to MOT standard, replacement wheels
• Visa Cabriolet – weld boot hinges and MOT
• Alfa Giulietta – start, brakes.
• Peugeot 504 – make run
• Carlton 1.8i Saloon – Make it run and get MOT
• VP 1500 – weld sub-frame mounting
• Herald 1200 coupe – Free engine
• Saab 95 – replace fuel tank, free brakes
• Volvo 740GLE Estate – Collect from Wales, make run and MOT
• Renault Safrane – MOT and run

dont think Im going to let you forget about the Model 70, the Harper Mk6, the Invacar Mk12, and the Milk Float, or the railway stuff for that matter, gotta keep at it until the 2ft Gauge Locomotive and railway gets its own TOPS code I say

 

personally I do wish I had more ability to do things to help out, I really wish I could go full Mr @juular and @MrsJuular on @Mrs6C's Model 70 for example to get it running and driving and roadworthy so it could Join all the other forum Model 70's on the road.

also the Harper Mk6 is one I really want to have a bash at as well, seeing as its engine does actually turn, I dont think it  would take all that much to get it at least running if not maybe even driving

and so i'd like to try that to keep the momentum going on that, because I dont want it to sit and deteriorate and then seize up , and then of course the milk float, which I find really fascinating from both an electrical perspective, but also as an enthusiast of unloved vehicles, I would love to see it trundle to the chippy and back, the Chip float FTW!

 but obviously im limited in my physical ability due to my disabilities to do things which is really frustrating! 

[Mrs6C]

9 hours ago, LightBulbFun said:

I would love to see it trundle to the chippy and back, the Chip float FTW

The chips might be a bit cold by the time it got back...

[mintwth]

The Guinness world record for the fastest milk float is just short of 85mph...

[Six-cylinder]

20 hours ago, hairnet said:

@MorrisItalSLX @Parky

is it a surprise that these are spanish waiter?

coming from warmer climes thought big stuff like this would be auto

 

11 hours ago, MorrisItalSLX said:

I have certainly never come across a manual V6 before, the inline 4 cylinder version is often found as a manual though.

My first choice would have been for an Auto for this type of car.

The Sigma Estate 3.0 Auto £21,830, was £880 more expensive than the manual.

In the UK there was a good proportion of people who did not like automatics when I sold new cars, Volvo’s offered a manual option for their top spec 760, Vauxhalls offered the top spec Senator 24v as a manual and Citroen CX Turbo and XM 2.5TD as manual only.

I bought this car to save it so it came as it came. Now there are so few of them in the UK, I believe only one other taxed that finding an Auto would be near on impossible

It is currently sitting on the drive looking at me, now where do I need to go as an excuse to drive it!

[hairnet]

9 minutes ago, Six-cylinder said:

now where do I need to go as an excuse to drive it!

 

 

much tea some cake here - postie to have a go on seeing as we're talking about aussie stuff

 

[Six-cylinder]

19 minutes ago, hairnet said:

much tea some cake here - postie to have a go on seeing as we're talking about aussie stuff

In the past that would have been a put the kettle on!

When I used to have a fully expensed company car I sometimes drove 320 miles after work, on a week day for a Triumph meeting.

[LightBulbFun]

5 hours ago, Mrs6C said:

The chips might be a bit cold by the time it got back...

eat the chips on the go?  theres probably enough space to chuck a few plastic chairs and the cast iron fire thingy on the back, then you can really have a FoD float on the go

[beko1987]

What time are we allowed in from thursday? Assuming you still want us? 😂😬

[Six-cylinder]

6 hours ago, hairnet said:

much tea some cake here - postie to have a go on seeing as we're talking about aussie stuff

While I thank @hairnet for the offer of tea and cake in Manchester the £75 petrol and 6 hours driving was just a bit too much. However it did prompt me to take the Sigma for a run out. Yes I found a moving canal boat and an elephant!

[Mrs6C]

6 minutes ago, Six-cylinder said:

an elephant!

Another one!