Project Memoirs from the Hard Shoulder - JAPTAT

[Stinkwheel]

Sad news, condolences to all of you

[Dobloseven]

Sounds a life well lived,Small comfort I'm sure,but I always think that while a little bit of you dies with them, hopefully a lot more of them lives on in you.

[wesacosa]

sorry for your loss

[schonker]

Sorry for your loss

[brownnova]

Sorry to hear of your loss. It must be a hard time. 😢

[Dan302]

Sorry for your loss 😔 

[Split_Pin]

I'm so sorry to hear this news Dan ☹️

[High Jetter]

A huge loss for you all, sorry to hear it.

[danthecapriman]

Sorry to hear this. My condolences to you and your family.

[Datsuncog]

Aw man. There really aren't words, but thoughts are with you all.

[Sunny Jim]

May the pain of her passing in time give way to the joy of her memory. I don't know you but you strike me as the sort of person who will be a great support to his family at such a time, whether it's from here or elsewhere make sure you're getting the support you need over the coming days and weeks.

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

I'm very sorry for your loss; she sounded like a lovely woman and a wonderful mum.  

[brandersnatch]

I’ve only just seen this. My condolences. 

[BorniteIdentity]

Right.  What is happening.  A great question indeed, and I'm glad you asked it.

The Avensis is still absolutely bloody storming along.  Tomorrow we will click 299,000 miles which have all been trouble free.  When I go through the history, the only show-stopping moment seems to be the previous owner having a new ignition switch fitted about 20 years ago.  Otherwise it's been completely brilliant.  I bought it back from @Spottedlaurelin April for £450 and, since then, it's coming in at £80 a month on maintenance (including servicing).  Obviously you can't buy anything decent for under £1000, so I expect it to last me about another 30 minutes before detonating spectacularly.

 

Remember that Yaris I bought from the tat thread for £180 back in 2021?  It has been another purple trouper for my Son.  However, it was going to fail on sill ends and it was time for him to get into something a bit more presentable.  He's managed to pick this up and - genuinely - it's a belter.  Low owners, 79k miles, lovely condition and it was just over £1000.  Obviously you can't buy anything decent for under £1000, so I expect it to last him about an hour - rather than 30 minutes - before detonating spectacularly.

The Mini has had a fantastic Summer.  We've done a few shows, a few meets, but most importantly we've enjoyed doing absolutely nothing at all in it.  Just enjoying the pleasure of motoring.  Now my Mum is gone, I feel an extra close bond to it.  I did wonder how I'd feel about driving it again, but the connection is both strong and very welcome.  Here it is having a tyre re-sealed.  It probably deserves new wheels next year.

As for the Sierra?  Well, its time is rapidly approaching.  @Skizzerand I have been locked into discussions via Whatsapp for the last fortnight about what the future might hold.  Whilst it's my car, Martin was there right at the beginning and has been a doll for the last (nearly) 10 years.  The plan was for it to make it to him but, for reasons various, we just can't seem to get our ducks in a row to make it happen.  This may lead to the car being sold on the open market, and this time I really do mean it.  Another few years living the life I give it, and there'll be nothing left.  Whilst it's done well to survive 42 years outside, it can't do many more before it becomes unviable.  We have approached a couple of mutual friends but, as yet, nothing doing.  Put bluntly, it has to be inside for at least six months of the year and it has to have some bodywork quite, quite soon.

If none of our leads comes to anything, it'll be on a 99p eBay auction and nowhere else.  That way, it's done and dusted.

On the positive side, it's the rarest Ford Sierra in the UK which receives so much affection both online and off.  On the negative side, it needs some time and patience - and it NEEDS a garage.

If it's still with me at Christmas, something significant has changed.  I can't see it.  To be honest, I'm ready.  I've had a blast with it - but it really does deserve better than I am willing and able to give it.  

Over and out.

[Macscrooge]

Great update. That Avensis looks awesome. 

[adw1977]

2 hours ago, BorniteIdentity said:

If none of our leads comes to anything, it'll be on a 99p eBay auction

I really think we, the forum membership, need to somehow step up and not let this car fall into the hands of a random eBay buyer, otherwise it will probably end up ruined.

Personally, I can't offer a garage or any expertise in looking after it, but I would certainly chip in money to some sort of group effort to buy and preserve it.

[loserone]

I think you will find Dan is faaar too stubborn to let that happen.  

[High Jetter]

Sierra needs saving, hopefully on here

[BorniteIdentity]

9 hours ago, loserone said:

I think you will find Dan is faaar too stubborn to let that happen.  

Once upon a time, almost certainly.  But I need to unburden myself of the responsibility of it and move forwards.  If the last few years has taught me anything, it's that 

1. Everything is temporary

2. You can't stop people doing what they want to do.  

9 hours ago, High Jetter said:

Sierra needs saving

I think it's safe to say that this car will always be alright.  Once a Ford gets to 42 years old, it's safe to say it won't be scrapped over anything trivial that would see a modern car get crushed.

9 hours ago, adw1977 said:

I really think we, the forum membership...

Both the car and I have been the recipient of a lot of generosity over the years - something I'm both grateful for and feeling guilty for.  But I think that the general membership on here has different tastes now.  The front page has a Daewoo Nexia, a Citroen C6, an Alfa 147 and a Legacy Outback at the top of it.  All perfect AS cars, but all falling into a different generation to the Sierra.  I honestly think you will struggle to find a enough people willing to stump up what a rough but working Ford Sierra is worth in 2025.  Pricing it is difficult, and this is the only barometer that Skizzer could find:

https://ebay.us/m/7aHGmb

It's both better (much straighter, better spec, low owners, covered in magic barn dust) and worse (will need full recommissioning whilst the bASe will go anywhere you point it.  I dare say that mine is probably somewhere between £2 and £3k despite requiring work.

If someone on here did want it, and understood that I can't give it away for buttons just to 'keep it in the fold' then fair enough.  But at least with eBay I know that it's found its price, and that someone who's paid the market value for it will hopefully be financially invested enough to keep it good.

There is one other guy locally I know who loves entry-models, so I'm going to drop him a line - but I think he already owns something like 10 cars.  If he's out, then it'll be time to cast a wider net.

All good things come to an end, and I've loved owning it - possibly more than any other car.