The Emperor's Stallion (aka Isuzu Florian): Florian Snorian

[michiel]

Oh yeah - got some pics from the Australian, he has the right ones! Probably going to miss the show for more than one reason, but there's always next year... You can uncross your fingers if you want vwp - don't want you to hurt your photo-finger!

[mouseflakes]

This is edge of the seat stuff - you're just teasing us now aren't you Michiel? I can't wait to see this baby back on the road.

 

When stoterstangen90 posted this up (September 2007! - http://www.autoshite.com/forum/viewtopi ... suzu#28611) I thought it might end up in tears - so glad it's been saved.

 

By the way - where is he these days? Last post was back in April.

[Guest]

Really long shot here Michiel but do these old Isuzus have anything in common with the Bedford KB pickup? Just thinking of possible sources of spares as the Bedford parts backup is probably still quite good unless the UK Army have finally got rid of all theirs.

[michiel]

Wish I was teasing you all mr Flakes... but the future looks good right now. It will never be fully restored I guess but I will take the best care of it I can afford!SS90 is pretty active on a Dutch board these days, dunno why he hasn't posted here lately.@xr1984, (I think) the KB was based on the Isuzu Faster, like the Luv, but I'm afraid under the skin it has more in common with the Luv than the Flo... more ute than passenger car, and 6 stud rather than 4 stud.

[mouseflakes]

It will never be fully restored

It will be all the better for that in my eyes.

[VWPowered]

You can uncross your fingers if you want vwp - don't want you to hurt your photo-finger!

least you'll get the job done properly nothing like rushing before a show and making vital mistakes

[RedSparrow]

This motor is AS concours WINNAR material.Love it.

[michiel]

Just a short note for now - MOT until august 2011! Cost me an arm, a leg and some more though... At least it's (a lot closer to) home now!

[Milford Cubicle]

Great news, it's really inspiring to hear of a neglected and obscure old car back on the road, did it need much apart from that pesky brake cylinder?

[mouseflakes]

Fabliarse news!

[VWPowered]

thats awesome news

[nigel bickle]

Pleased-well done.Now give it a clean-and start using it!

[michiel]

I'm hoping to go cleaning mad on sunday - hope the 25+ degrees forecast is wrong... It needed a lot of brakelines, total brake cleaning and assorted little things that were rotten/rusted/deteriorated, some fresh oil and a lot of time, about 9/10s of the total bill were hours.At the moment the brakes feel very soft, with a changing pedal feel - will have to keep an eye on it, I haven't driven an old car for almost 2 years...

[VWPowered]

we'll await your pictures by monday morning

[Guest]

Any plans to come to the UK with it?

[michiel]

Plans yes... working on it. Don't know when or how though.

 

Today was a 30+ degree day so not good for powerwashing, but I did it anyway. Before, dirty and pink:

 

 

 

 

 

[michiel]

After, slightly less dirty and even pinker:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roof:

 

 

 

 

Boot:

 

 

T-cut time I guess...

 

Phone cam pics only today, sorry!

[Richard]

I used Cif cream cleaner followed by T-Cut on my R9 when it went pink. It worked surprisingly well but it was hard work.

[nigel bickle]

Tcut & elbow grease Michiel-I think it'll be the same colour as the front wings-underneath all that!

[outlaw118]

Stepson had an Alfa 146 with pink-itits, bought a buffer from a local store and some T-cut industrial equivalent, had it done in a morning. The worst bits where you couldn't reach were a pain in the arse, as you have to do them by hand, but in all, that buffer was probably the best £20 I spent that year.

[michiel]

I feel sore muscles coming on, it's all got to be done by hand (or with a 10+ metre extension cord) - probably one panel a day. It'll be worth it, when the rest finally looks like the wings I will take those of and fit the 'new' ones, one in dirty white and one in 'mattblackred'.

[seth]

Looking good Michiel Would it be worth getting a cheapy electric polisher and giving it a go with one of the more "trade" compounds rather than T-cut?

[michiel]

Cheers!I'm certainly going to see what options there are, preferably with battery power - I live on the first floor and there's no guarantee of a parking space in front of the house, plus parking's only free on sundays, so something portable and cordless would be good.

[pogweasel]

Corded one and a little two-stroke pez-powered genny would probably be best. Don't follow the instructions they send with the polishing mop though, they are invariably bollocks.

[Roc 24v]

I'd get some Farecla G3 on that, then maybe some Dodo Juice Lime Prime, that's amazing stuff.

[michiel]

Cheers, will look into all the options for sure. Tomorrow a 2x40 km trip with girlfriend and her brother to see more family... hope all goes well.

[reallyloud]

I'm still amazed on how solid this car looks. Be weary of those buffer polishers, its possible to get through to the under coat on raised edges. I think the secret is to take your time.

[pogweasel]

I'm still amazed on how solid this car looks. Be weary of those buffer polishers, its possible to get through to the under coat on raised edges. I think the secret is to take your time.

Amen. And plenty of water too!Oh and get Mr_Bo11ox round. He showed me how to use one properly, total LEGEND.

[michiel]

Merci - I'll see if I can book the Bo11ox for a lesson.

[gtd2000]

I live on the first floor and there's no guarantee of a parking space in front of the house, plus parking's only free on sundays, so something portable and cordless would be good.

Ah yes - I've just moved to Middelburg and I am in the same situation Here's a half arsed joke I've coined since living/working in Holland.Q. If you drive through Belgium how do you know you are in Holland?A. You need to pay to park Of course you'd be able to tell by the condition of the roads too