SL's fleet news - Carina E repairing

[Spottedlaurel]

A few cars have come and gone since I stopped regularly posting back in 2011. This is what's been happening:

 

My fleet, February 2011 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Dead Laurel C32 on the left; high-mileage Camry estate which I'd owned, sold to Wuvvum then bought back again for spares; accident-damaged, low miles Camry saloon which I bought unseen from Gloucester because I had bits to repair it from the estate; very much non-dead Laurel; Camry 2.2 Sport daily driver.

 

Goodbye Primera by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

This was Mrs SL's daily and the sensible family car. Sold it cheap as it had a long list of work needed for its MoT, though it seems someone did keep going with it until it dropped off DVLA within the last year or so. I was using the damaged Camry on the road until its MoT expired.

 

Another month, another new car – 2002 Honda Accord 2.3 Type-V 5dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Another month, another new car – 2002 Honda Accord 2.3 Type-V 5dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

We bought this high-spec, big-engined Accord as the Primera's replacement.

 

Camry ready for Woodbridge trackday by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Did my second trackday in this one, in the company of Wuvvum and Baz.

 

1991 Toyota Camry V6 GX - another one joins my fleet! by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Not to be outdone by Mrs SL's posh car, I bought this. Got it for £200 after I'd left a note on it sometime previously and the chap had been offered a minimal amount as a trade-in. Managed to get it through an MoT and put it into 'random 3rd car' use. So, that was four Camrys I owned.

 

1991-96 Camry line-up by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1992 Toyota Camry 2.2GL Saloon by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Started stripping the estate and got this far with resurrecting the damaged 2.2 saloon. Four years later the latter is still the same, but with even more bits removed. And with a battery liberated off something else it still starts first time, every time!

 

Laurel does a bit of work by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

The Laurel was plodding on. I didn't have a roadworthy estate and this was the only car my ancient roofbars would fix to, so it sometimes had to earn its keep.

 

Another Camry joins the fleet by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

To remedy the non-estate situation, I bought this. John A.K.A. Rootes_Arrow1725 kindly gave it a preliminary look for me, pronounced it decent enough, then I jumped on a train to Leicester and bought it for £635 from a dealer. That meant I had five Camrys, with a total of four cars on the road.

 

Camry already at work by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

It quickly became useful.

 

A convention of Camrys by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Work on the house meant I lost some driveway space.

 

Later in the year it became evident that the new estate (actually several years older but much lower mileage than my first one) was a mighty fine car and the Sport was surplus to requirements so I sold it. Guy came up from London, said he was going to export it but then it appeared on eBay. Maybe it did end up going abroad, no tax or MoT shows for it since that time.

 

Things then go quiet for a while car-wise. I think the dead Laurel was finally stripped and disposed of during this time.

 

Dirty and battle-scarred daily driver Camry Estate by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Someone dented the estate. I got cash out of them and had the door off my spares cars fitted and repainted.

 

1996 Toyota Carina E 1.8CD by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Our old Carina E, which was family transport before the Primera, continuing to carry on with father-in-law. It's picking up the odd scrape and dink but is polished to within an inch of its life and continues to serve him well.

 

Camry at speed! by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Did another trackday with Wuvvum and Baz. Combination of V6, FWD and auto 'box in a leather-lined cruiser more fun than might be thought.

 

More to come in part 2.....

[HMC]

Brilliant fleet, love that generation of Camry. Did you have a particular favourite amongst the 5?

 

Would love to hear about your earlier fleet happenings too.

[Spottedlaurel]

Brilliant fleet, love that generation of Camry. Did you have a particular favourite amongst the 5?

 

Would love to hear about your earlier fleet happenings too.

In answer to your first question, in general I prefer the 2.2 models to the V6. The latter was quicker outright, but the 4-cyl models have a much lighter feel and a laughably huge amount of room under the bonnet making maintenance very easy (like the starter motor, which is just two bolts accessed from the top of the engine).

 

Estate #2 is probably the best of them, although the damaged saloon has an incredibly tight feel and still deserves to go back on the road. Despite being a 16-valve unit, the 2.2 engine has a pleasantly languid, torquey quality to it. They’re the sort of cars you need to own and use for a while until being able to realise how good they are.

 

Also, the estates rule because they have twin rear wipers.

 

For question two, that could take a while to deal with 23 years’ worth of stuff. There is probably already a thread on here from long, long ago dealing with a lot of them, but basically think lots of Datsuns, Nissans and sundry other odds and ends.

[dollywobbler]

I do like the estates. Hardly attractive but as you say, well catered for in the wiper stakes. ACE.

[Spottedlaurel]

I do like the estates. Hardly attractive but as you say, well catered for in the wiper stakes. ACE.

Designer inspired by the Allegro Estate?.....

 

With typical 1990s Toyota thoroughness, the rear wipers are handed for LHD and RHD markets. Also, despite the estates being built in America the indicator stalk is still on the proper, right-hand side of the column for the UK.

 

Shiny bits on the Camry by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Had to get these rather expensive arms fitted for an MoT. I'd already had a replacement stainless exhaust system fitted, thinking this would be a car I want to keep going for A Long Time.

 

Camry turns 100k by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Clicked over the magic 100k. Nothing for one of these 2.2 Camrys, I'd bought the other estate with 180k on the clock and in Wuvvum's hands it went over 200k.

 

But then, just before Christmas 2013 tragedy struck:

 

Ouch #2 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Got hit up the chuff by guess what.....

 

The Assailant by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

In fairness he wasn't the stereotypical Audi driver, and he had an elderly lady on board who I imagine must have been pretty shaken-up. His car seems to have been written-off and is no longer on DVLA, damage to mine worse than it looks and it too got written-off, but of course I kept it and at present it still sits on the driveway awaiting repair. I have a replacement tailgate, the bumper just has a small split and isn't really worth the hassle of replacing and a bit of pulling-out will probably be required. It will happen, one day. A few other things have gone wrong in sympathy, like one of the front springs snapping, wiper motor packing up and the driver's door lock not working, but like the damaged saloon it still starts whenever I need it to.

 

When the accident happened I was already negotiating to buy a 10-reg Avensis Tourer so there hasn't been any hurry to get the Camry sorted, and since then I've had other cars to keep me busy.....

 

Another MoT became due on the Camry V6 and it was apparent that it had various issues which considering its overall condition just weren't worth me fixing. I put it up for sale and it sold to someone who wanted the engine for an MR2 conversion. Realistically that was the best way of me raising money out of it and that netted me £300. Of course the rest of the car was no use to him and it would have been a terrible shame for all those panels etc to go to waste, so as part of the deal I arranged to have the rolling shell back off him when he'd removed the V6. A week later I was off to Northampton and collecting my own car:

 

Camry V6 collection mission by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

My first go at towing! The Hilux and Brian James combo made easy work of it though and I managed to get home to Norfolk without the A14 having to be closed due to a loose Camry.

 

Camry's last journey by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

While I'd got the trailer I took what was left of the first Camry estate off to the scrapyard, which netted me a bit more cash.

 

At this point the most serendipitous thing happened. A local Camry owner rang and said he'd had a knock on his car and needed panels, lights etc for the front end, could I help out? Er, yes! So, that was another £250 generated.

 

What to do with the money burning a hole in my pocket?

 

I have a Client at work who is also a fairly prolific banger racer. He told me about a car with MoT which he felt was too good to race. I asked how much that sort of thing was worth and for £500 I became the owner of this barge:

 

1996 Lexus LS400 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1996 Lexus LS400 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Yay, my first-ever V8! Probably best I don't know too much about its history, for the money I thought it was something I could run, have fun in and then sell when something expensive went wrong/it failed an MoT. These are very popular for banger racing at the moment, so the shell will have a bit of value. Dodgy graphics were quickly removed, otherwise I just used it.

 

MoT came up for renewal, and after we'd had to spend a lot on Mrs SL's Accord I feared the worst. Got a pleasant surprise when the garage rang to say it had passed, with just headlamp alignment being required! So I've been continuing to waft around in it, enjoying it more and more.

 

1998 Lexus LS400 Mk4 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

At this time I got offered a Mk4 LS400 for £600. Even quicker than mine (280bhp VVTi vs. 260), but luckily the owner decided to keep it so I didn't have to make a difficult decision.

 

Warning! Non-1990s Toyota content coming.

 

Several years ago I bumped into another racer who I know, and he told me about his neighbour who was looking to sell her car which she'd had from new. She wanted more than the racers would pay, besides which she didn't want that to happen to it. Was I interested? It was a car I'd known of since I moved up to Norfolk in 1997 and had always hoped would eventually come my way. In April this year I was finally going to collect it.....

 

#4 What's behind the door? by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Who knows what lies behind an innocent-looking garage door?

 

1973 Datsun 1200 2dr (B110) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Oh, just some old Datsun.

 

#7 Sunny and Cherry by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

So, it's a 1973 1200 (A.K.A. Sunny, B110 model code). Rare 2dr model, only sold as a low-spec model for under £1000 for the last year or so before the 120Y came along. I had owned one of the 'more common' 4dr models back in the '90s and like how they drive:

 

1972 Datsun 1200 (B110) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

#6 On the road again by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

It had been bought by its owner new when she needed a car for a new job, when she was about 40. She obviously felt it was perfectly adequate for her needs and kept it as her only car for the next 42 years! She never married nor had children and whilst being a little frail, hence her having given up driving back in 2012, she still had all her marbles. I can assure you I didn't get this car for nothing.....

 

#8 On the trailer and set for its new home by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Having popped my trailering cherry I was happy to do the same again, as I wasn't even sure if it would run/drive. It's a Datsun, so of course it happily did both.

 

#12 Inside the box by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Dispappointing amount of documentation with it, but this was an interesting find in the boot. Never seen the toolkit in its original box before.

 

1973 Datsun 1200 2dr (B110) c.2000 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

I had taken a photo of it some years ago.

 

1973 Datsun 1200 2dr (B110) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

And this is what it was like after a bit of a clean-up. It's had new wings and quite a lot of cheap-and-cheerful paintwork, and a look back at its MoT history shows why with significant corrosion issues back in 2007. It's a 1970s Datsun that has been used as a daily driver, not much surprise there.

 

1973 Datsun 1200 (B110) engine bay by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1973 Datsun 1200 (B110) dashboard by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1973 Datsun 1200 (B110) interior by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

"Running In" Ward Rogers and Co. Ltd., Chicksands Datsun dealer sticker by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

After 54k it's probably run-in by now.

 

Fingers crossed for Monday... It passed! by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Despite no preparation, it went straight through its MoT with no immediate work being necessary. However I would like to get a set of tyres, new clutch, gearlever gaiter and a good service done. It's been a busy year with work on the house so I haven't used it as much as I'd hoped, but it's safely tucked-away and long-term I hope it will get a proper resto done on it.

 

#10 A momentous occasion by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Freshly MoTed by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

The Laurel went through another MoT with no problem.

 

Lexus ready for the track by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

RAF Marham announced they were having another trackday in September. Without a suitable Camry I thought I'd give the Lexus a go, if nothing else it would be the ideal venue to stretch its legs (Wuvvum, I did text you - have you changed your number?). Baz joined me for some of the day, good to see him again.

 

140+ MPH by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

With a straight of over a mile long I managed to do this. It gripped well on the corners too, thanks to the wider than standard tyres on 18" GS300 Sport alloys. Did over 150 miles on the track, using most of a tankful of fuel. Exhaust now blowing a bit (who cares, it's a V8) but I think I'm going to put a bit of money into it. Doesn't deserve a trip round the oval yet....

 

I doubt you'll want to see my Avensis daily driver, or the Auris that replaced the Accord, so that's me up-to-date.

[Vin]

That 1200 is a lovely looking old thing SL...I bet you are pleased to be in possession of it after first eyeing it up all those years ago...    

[seth]

Yeah, that little Datsun is just superb.  Looks perfect in that shot in the garage with the Laurel!

[michael t]

Absolutely love the Datsun, stuff of dreams!!

[Felly Magic]

Phwoar loving that little Datty, top save there SL, and a Lexus on a track? LOLZ

[carlo]

I had one of those C200 Laurels for a brief period (although yours is a C240 is it not?)  Remember the beautiful sounding straight six, slick gearbox and amusing handling.

 

 

 

[Spottedlaurel]

I had one of those C200 Laurels for a brief period (although yours is a C240 is it not?)  Remember the beautiful sounding straight six, slick gearbox and amusing handling.

 

Aha, I remember that one. Took a photo of it at Bromley Pageant one year, sadly DVLA says no tax/SORN on it since 2001. There was one up this way with just the same combo of yellow paint and vinyl roof which I would have bought before I got mine, but it sold very quickly and I ended up with a later JDM-spec hardtop Laurel instead:

 

Nissan Laurel 2.0 Medalist Hardtop (C32) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Yes, mine's a 2.4 so has the bigger engine, 5-speed 'box and plusher interior. I've had it for seven years now and can't ever see me parting with it.

 

Thanks for the comments about the 1200. It is a rather endearing little thing to drive being small, light and RWD, and it's an amusing contrast to everything else I own. Mash kindly sent me some NOS dog-dish hubcaps which will smarten it up a bit. There are another three 2dr saloon models I know of (plus a Portugese import LHD version), but all are modified in some way and I'd like to keep this one completely stock.

 

Toys by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

There is another local, one-owner Datsun I know of, perhaps one day I'll get a call about that one too?

 

1974 Datsun 100A 4dr (E10) 1-owner from new by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

DVLA says it's currently on SORN so the old chap has obviously given up driving, hopefully it's still safely stored in his garage. Must go that way again one day....

[Felly Magic]

Cherry 100A, WANT LEVEL ELEVENTY HUNDRED BILLION!!!!!. We had TWT622M for years, a tough little bugger, and took whatever abuse was thrown at it with merely a shrug

[dollywobbler]

Brilliant. That Lexus looks a great score, and the Datsun is just epic!

[Noel Tidybeard]

I do like the estates. Hardly attractive but as you say, well catered for in the wiper stakes. ACE.

agreed having a car with a wiper quota of 4 is way cool

[RoadworkUK]

Heroic. That is all.

[wuvvum]

Superb.  Loving the little Datsun.

 

Gutted to have missed Marham though - the 200 VI would have been an ideal track day toy.  I've even got four wheels with bald tyres that I could have put on for the day.  I probably have changed my number since last we spoke - I'll pm you my current number as I can't find yours either.

[Spottedlaurel]

Cheers all. Wuvvum, the Marham thing was relatively short notice. They're hoping to do another one next Spring. It'll be interesting to see if they run the different track layout again that was used this time.

 

Had a good car day yesterday when Mash came to visit:

 

1973 and 1983 Datsun Sunny comparison by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Just 10 years between these two! Datsun also squeezed another couple of models in that gap. As Mark was visiting I made sure I fitted the NOS hubcaps he recently sent me.

 

It was great to see and have a drive of the later model, as I had a couple back in the day:

 

My 1983 Sunny + 1986 309, Ipswich 1990 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1982 Datsun Sunny 1.3DX (B11) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Made me realise I am missing out on owning a proper 1980s car at present (the Laurel is very much a car of the '70s, and not a particularly advanced one at that). Not sure if I'll be able to remedy that in the next year or two, but it's something to aspire to.....

[HMC]

Love the 83 sunny "fastback" They seem to have worked quite a few permutations of body style with that generation of sunny. What are they like to drive?

[Spottedlaurel]

Love the 83 sunny "fastback" They seem to have worked quite a few permutations of body style with that generation of sunny. What are they like to drive?

Of that 1980s FWD model we also got 2dr saloon (rare), fastback estate, panel van and 'DX' estate (essentially a 5dr variant of the van). The latter two overlapped with the following model.

 

I briefly had a fastback estate:

 

1983 Datsun Sunny 1.5GL estate (B11) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

It wasn't great though, so got stripped then sold to a banger racer. My favourite of this generation, still an itch I feel that I need to scratch....

 

They are nice things to drive, with a very light feel and a willing engine which is slightly blunted by tall gearing (from memory, not as nippy as something like an Acclaim). Very comfortable seats and a light, glassy interior.

[Honey Badger]

So much wafty Jap loveliness in on thread, it's like a list of cars I want to own once the Accord coupe shuffles off it's mortal coil (which it seems reluctant to do).

 

Interesting you prefer the 2.2 to the V6 in the Camrys, I've been looking at a green 3.0 Sport model as I thought the 2.2 would be a bit gutless but I may have to revise my plans. Have you had any experience with the last model of Camry as they seem to be heading into cheaper car territory? 

 

The LS400 is also epic and I would love to own one, how many miles does yours have on it as they always seem to have mega miles on in my price bracket, theres an old boy down the road who has a silver one that I dont think has moved in 6 months, I should really stick a note through his door to see what he's doing with it.

[rantingYoof]

Didn't realise the GS300 wheels would look so good on an LS400...

 

 

 

*DELETES IDEAS FROM HEAD*

[Felly Magic]

You just know you want that 100A Mr Laurel. They are starting to fetch good money in tidy nick

[ChinaTom]

Nice to see this fleet again. keep a few quid set by for that Maxima in Pulham Market. The elderly owner is in plaster with a broken foot - her driving days are probably nearing an end. Her daughter is my Aunt, and I've made sure you get first refusal come sale time if you fancy.

[Cavcraft]

You had me with the Lexus, but the 1200 is just something else. It really must be the sort of thing 99.9% of us shiters dream about coming across one day. 

[hairnet]

1200 hnnng

 

wonder if can get the old dear to look at lexus instead of civic diesel

[greengartside]

Nice to see this fleet again. keep a few quid set by for that Maxima in Pulham Market. The elderly owner is in plaster with a broken foot - her driving days are probably nearing an end. Her daughter is my Aunt, and I've made sure you get first refusal come sale time if you fancy.

 

Oh I think I've seen that Maxima as I go through there. Looks very nice indeed!

[Spottedlaurel]

So much wafty Jap loveliness in on thread, it's like a list of cars I want to own once the Accord coupe shuffles off it's mortal coil (which it seems reluctant to do).

 

Interesting you prefer the 2.2 to the V6 in the Camrys, I've been looking at a green 3.0 Sport model as I thought the 2.2 would be a bit gutless but I may have to revise my plans. Have you had any experience with the last model of Camry as they seem to be heading into cheaper car territory? 

 

The LS400 is also epic and I would love to own one, how many miles does yours have on it as they always seem to have mega miles on in my price bracket, theres an old boy down the road who has a silver one that I dont think has moved in 6 months, I should really stick a note through his door to see what he's doing with it.

Accord Coupe is a car I rather admire myself.

 

Camry 3.0 Sport could be interesting. I had a brief drive of that generation V6 and it definitely felt quicker than my J-reg example. The Sport-spec adds lowered and uprated suspension, big wheels and a bodykit (and a Connolly leather interior on the 2.2, which they didn't bother with on the V6 as it already had leather from the factory). My only criticism would be the harsh ride on the standard 17s - I ran mine on 15s and it was much better.

 

My Lexus shows about 73k. Haven't got a clue if that's genuine, there seems to be a period of several years where it didn't get MoTed.

 

Didn't realise the GS300 wheels would look so good on an LS400...

They suit it very well! Three of mine are bent though, 16s or 17s probably a better bet for everyday use.

 

 

You just know you want that 100A Mr Laurel. They are starting to fetch good money in tidy nick

Sadly I wouldn't have anywhere to store it undercover. If the call comes I'd strongly consider it though.

 

 

Nice to see this fleet again. keep a few quid set by for that Maxima in Pulham Market. The elderly owner is in plaster with a broken foot - her driving days are probably nearing an end. Her daughter is my Aunt, and I've made sure you get first refusal come sale time if you fancy.

That's kind of you, thanks! Please don't make it this side of Christmas though....

 

It made a rare appearance on the road recently:

 

1997 Nissan Maxima QX V6 2.0 SE by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

[Spottedlaurel]

Modest update:

 

Laurel and Minx at Little Chef by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

As reported elsewhere, the Laurel had a rare midwinter trip out to the toyfair in Ipswich then down to the very enjoyable Essex/London AS meet. It ran as well as ever.

 

One down, another to go? by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Repeating my recent post in the grin thread, the Lexus passed its MoT during the week and I collected it this morning. Unlike last year it did need a bit of work - one new rear spring (the garage reckoned the other one was a recent replacement), new auxiliary belt which is about 16' long and had virtually split in half along its length, and a crude-but-effective repair to the exhaust:

 

Lexus Exhaust Repair by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Bit strange it being so quiet again. It clearly deserves a bit more TLC, so at some point in the near future I've got to sort new front foglight and interior light bulbs, replacement mirror (hopefully my banger racing acquaintance can help there), swap the ignition switch for one which doesn't occasionally cause the car to cut out, a cam belt change and a set of new tyres on the 16" OE wheels I picked up from a colleague of Trigger's for £25. Maybe more permanent repairs to the trim strip and lower spoiler than gaffer tape too?......

 

Moving on from that, the Datsun 1200 needs a bit of mechanical work to get it up to the standard I'd be happy to drive around in regularly, then the big one is to get the damaged Camry Estate back on the road. It needs very little compared to what some on here are doing (Laguna II owners, I'm looking at you) and I'm planning on much less work on the house this year so I hope to have more time/money available.

[Spottedlaurel]

Been using the Lexus quite a bit since the MoT renewal. There was some childish fun to be had when the exhaust was loud, but now I’m enjoying the silence that its makers intended it to have. It should be even better when it goes back onto a set of 16’s. But…….

 

The expenditure on a new set of tyres needs to be delayed as it would appear I have just bought something else. Just paid a modest amount to add it to my classic insurance policy, now got to work out when I can go and get it. Photos and more info to come on collection day.

[Spottedlaurel]

Made me realise I am missing out on owning a proper 1980s car at present (the Laurel is very much a car of the '70s, and not a particularly advanced one at that). Not sure if I'll be able to remedy that in the next year or two, but it's something to aspire to.....

 

It only took a few months to fill this gap in my collection. In my Spottings thread I mentioned a car that I'd left a note on - what I didn't say was that later the same day the owner rang me, I went to visit him the following day and after he had a bit of time to think about it we came to a mutually agreeable deal

 

Not much of a collection thread I'm afraid - it was only a few miles from my place so other than me being dopey and forgetting the cash, meaning we had to turn back and get it, everything was as uneventful as a journey in an Auris could be (thank goodness, reading the Chompy/Bub thread on here). No food or drinks were consumed at any point during the collection.

 

Tomica Hypercity by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Before I even left the house trains and traffic jams were encountered.

 

1988 Volvo 340DL 1.4 5dr by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Saw this on the way there (wasn't able to stop, so have this older photo).

 

Deal by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Constitution Motors Ltd, Norwich Nissan dealer sticker by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Make up your own mind as to which one I am. The seller went by the splendid name of Mr Slaymaker. He bought it new from Constitution Motors in Norwich back in January 1988 and the mileage is now just under 37k. I passed my driving test in February 1988 and have done at least 10-15 times that amount in rather more than just one car.

 

Optional Extras by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Rather charmingly, he'd laid this lot out in the garage for me to make an offer on, as he won't be needing it any more. After some anxious haggling we agreed on £11.

 

Last Home for 28 Years by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

This must have been a poignant moment for him. He said he'd been thinking of giving-up driving and the MoT and insurance was due soon, so my note was nicely timed. He won't be replacing it, as he only used it for driving a short distance to the shops once a week, but must still be a big decision to give up that little bit of independence.

 

Appropriate Backdrop by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

The area where he lives is classic '70s bungalow territory and there was a G-reg Renault 5 just around the corner. Worth investigating for other cars and period locations I think.

 

Fill-Up by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

It still had 3/4 of a tank of fuel in it, but I had to top the tank up for the obligatory filling station shot.

 

Train by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Closest I got to a real one.

 

New Addition to the Fleet by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Safely back home. Driving impressions are that it's quite a nippy thing with the bigger 1.6-litre engine (I think the 1.3 was more common in this LX spec). Was a bit slow to warm-up - on the short journeys he was doing he probably didn't notice, so might be due a new thermostat? Brakes, ride and handling all seem as good as might be hoped, but I need to take it on a few trips to work to properly suss it out.

 

Time for a bit of post-purchase investigation:

 

Sunny E16S Engine by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Powerhouse. These aren't immune to HGF, so need to keep an eye on that.

 

Sunny Interior 2 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Super clean inside. Pukka Datsun floor mats in it too (I wonder if they came from the previous Datsun/Nissan he part-ex'd against this one?). He proudly told me that he'd never listened to the radio/cassette player, hopefully it will be good for the tapes I was listening to back then and still have out in the shed.

 

Sunny Rust by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

A little bit of grot. The other side is similar but slightly better, and there's a small patch of rust on the tailgate, but overall pretty good for a 28-year old Japanese car.

 

Boot Contents by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Several random bits of old carpet in evidence.

 

Sunny Paperwork by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Plenty to read through here.

 

Sunny and Camry by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

And this is where it now sits, probably the first night outside of its garage for a long time. The Camry in the background was the subject of a collection thread some years ago.