Project Gamma Coupe: fix-up mini-meet progress

[Guest Breadvan72]

I'm looking forward to getting the car back if only to bring this thread back under some sort of control...

 

 

Given what we know of Lancia steering racks, how likely is it that you can even control the car, let alone the thread? 

[Junkman]

What else than drift can a thread possibly do if it is entirely void of car related information?

Is Skizzer not in a good mood or something? Does he not exude serenity and calmness anymore?

[Skizzer]

The Gamma is in Croydon, whither it was recovered by the people who subcontract from Green Flag.  They did threaten on Saturday to have the required Bosch ignition module on Monday, which I didn't believe as it was (you'll recall) a bank holiday.  No news so far today.

 

I'm not going to be in England again until at least the weekend, and realistically won't be able to pick the car up until next week, so you (and I) will have to try and be patient, even if serenity and calmness are a stretch.

 

I'm also half suspecting that replacing the ignition module has revealed that the dizzy and coil are a bit bolloxed too.  They certainly didn't look to be in the first bloom of youth.

 

 

My search for a stash of replacement ignition bits has revealed that the rogue commutator from the 'notoriously unreliable' Lancia Gamma is in fact shared with the 'famously bulletproof' Saab 900.

[Skizzer]

Meanwhile to keep us entertained during this Maintenance Pause^TM, I've purchased a copy of CAR magazine from September 1978 that pitches the Gammakoop against the Lotus Elite (another on my bucket list) and the Merc 230C (meh, they're ok).

 

They're on Flickr so click to enlarge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAR Giant Test (Sep 1978): Lancia Gamma Coupe v Mercedes 230C v Lotus Elite by Skizzer, on Flickr

 

I was going to scan them as single pages, but the 1978 adverts are fun too.  

 

I especially like the XJ-S advert featuring a woman who's lost and getting directions from a flasher alongside an entirely unrelated painting of a shouty bloke who is cocking up his skiing a treat and has the poles all wrong.  I'm not sure who in this ensemble is 'totally committed to excellence in all things'.  

 

Also, remember the days when tyre adverts had something to say about what made their tyres good?

[Junkman]

My search for a stash of replacement ignition bits has revealed that the rogue commutator from the 'notoriously unreliable' Lancia Gamma is in fact shared with the 'famously bulletproof' Saab 900.

 

 

Yeah, but in one case it was installed by a cool Swedish blonde, in the other by an Italian.

Notice the difference?

[inconsistant]

That's the same Merc that's in the road test I posted in the last page that no one noticed.

 

I'm going through that Croydon in 30 mins, I'm going to ride around until I find Gamma. A lot easier than I thought with a bit of goole maps...

 

[Skizzer]

That's the same Merc that's in the road test I posted in the last page that no one noticed.

 

I'm going through that Croydon in 30 mins, I'm going to ride around until I find Gamma. A lot easier than I thought with a bit of goole maps...

 

Screen Shot 2017-05-02 at 17.13.58.png

I've noticed now - ta muchly friend.

 

If you switch to Street View, is the bonnet still up?

[somewhatfoolish]

'The new Princess 2 with its Triplex screen is much safer to crash! Twelvety percent fewer shards of glass to have plucked from your boat without anaesthetic by an unsympathetic triage nurse.'

[anonymous user]

Just one question, how would a map of Goole help you find a Gamma in Croydon.

[inconsistant]

If you switch to Street View, is the bonnet still up?

 

 

Yes.

 

[Skizzer]

Just one question, how would a map of Goole help you find a Gamma in Croydon.

"And now, the weather. It'll be cool in Goole, dry in Rye and if you live in Lissingdown you'd better take an umbrella." [/Two Ronnies]

[NorfolkNWeigh]

That Clarion ad. is amazing. He certainly looks as if he is getting pleasured.

[Guest Breadvan72]

What IF someone were to collect the Gamma from Croydon and take it to, say, South Oxfordshire, where it could be visited by a 35 quid an hour skilled mechanic?     No en route ram raiding of large houses in Norwood owned by EU citizens, promise.

[Skizzer]

There's something a lot to be said for that suggestion.  I don't know when the Gamma will be driveable, and make no promises for its ability to get you from Croydon to S Oxon, but can confirm it has comfy chairs in which to sit and await a tow truck.

 

If your mechanic fancied doing a change of oil, coolant and belts that would be a massive bonus.  (Belts aren't difficult - drain coolant, unbolt rad, unscrew covers, swap belts, refitting is the blah blah of removal, check timing, job done.)  This would save me a bunch of work.

 

I was planning a DIY service of various cars this week and had in fact arranged to take the week off, but work had other ideas so my holiday has been cancelled.

[Guest Breadvan72]

Mech would love it and is skilled.  I am in and out of London over next week or so, but not in court much.

[Six-cylinder]

So what is the update on the Gamma?

[Junkman]

No update for a long time means big update after a long time.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

I used to look after a 1983 230CE, must be 25 years ago now if not more. A superb car in every respect - the W123 really was a cracking car, especially compared to the hewn from granite W124.

 

Before that he has a bright olive green 1978 230C Auto, slow but similarly excellent if getting a bit rusty.

[Skizzer]

So what is the update on the Gamma?

Gamma is awaiting recovery to my place. It needs an ignition module which I can source easily enough but non-specialist Green Flag contract garage can't.

 

I haven't been on here lately because last time I looked "Dave" was holding us to ransom AGAIN, which fucked me off royally. Partly because quite a lot of "his own money" that he'd spent was actually my money, and other people's. I've never said a peep against him before now but the last "Fuck you all, site is closing tomorrow" message stepped over a line for me.

 

I expect I will post about the Gamma when it's fixed and I'm less angry about the hosting shit. I'm very glad if someone else is stopping AS from being killed out of spite, well done and thank you. If that doesn't work then you can find me on Flickr, same username.

[JeeExEll]

Good luck with fix on the gorgeous Gamma.

[Six-cylinder]

Gamma is awaiting recovery to my place. It needs an ignition module which I can source easily enough but non-specialist Green Flag contract garage can't.

Can't you get an ignition module and send it to them to fit, it must be cheaper than transporting the car all that way?

[Noel Tidybeard]

 - Darling, shall we use the formal lemon spoons, or the informal?  

 

 - Informal, darling, it's just some random twats from Autoshite coming to camp in the field and set fire to stuff.  

 

 - In that case,get gerrard to tell them all to phuque off, will you?

 

 

FIFY

[Junkman]

I haven't been on here lately because last time I looked "Dave" was holding us to ransom AGAIN, which fucked me off royally. Partly because quite a lot of "his own money" that he'd spent was actually my money, and other people's. I've never said a peep against him before now but the last "Fuck you all, site is closing tomorrow" message stepped over a line for me.

 

I expect I will post about the Gamma when it's fixed and I'm less angry about the hosting shit. I'm very glad if someone else is stopping AS from being killed out of spite, well done and thank you. If that doesn't work then you can find me on Flickr, same username.

 

If I had written this, the thread would have been locked instantly.

[Longblackcoat]

Gamma is awaiting recovery to my place. It needs an ignition module which I can source easily enough but non-specialist Green Flag contract garage can't.

 

I haven't been on here lately because last time I looked "Dave" was holding us to ransom AGAIN, which fucked me off royally. Partly because quite a lot of "his own money" that he'd spent was actually my money, and other people's. I've never said a peep against him before now but the last "Fuck you all, site is closing tomorrow" message stepped over a line for me.

 

I expect I will post about the Gamma when it's fixed and I'm less angry about the hosting shit. I'm very glad if someone else is stopping AS from being killed out of spite, well done and thank you. If that doesn't work then you can find me on Flickr, same username.

"The Gamma, when it's fixed"

 

Surely the most hopeful sentence in the history of this world or the next.

[Skizzer]

Just as I booked the Gamma in to Gonnella Brothers in Catford, for fixing and a thorough service, a nice man rang me from his wagon to say he was just passing Cardiff with it on the way to my house.  So now it's parked outside, in a non-running way.

 

Lancia Gamma Coupe, still slightly broken by Skizzer, on Flickr

 

A new ignition module is on order.  Hopefully that'll do it...

[Spottedlaurel]

Is non-running at your house better than running but in another country?.....

 

I suppose you can at least look at it.

[Skizzer]

Is non-running at your house better than running but in another country?.....

 

I suppose you can at least look at it.

Well, yes, except I'm going to London at 5am tomorrow for the rest of the week. (I was supposed to leave tonight, but had to stay to sign for the bloody Lancia.)

 

Still, my wife gets to look at it. At least she likes it. For now.

[Guest Breadvan72]

I hear that she likes you.  For now.

[Guest Hooli]

Just think of all the fuel you've saved not having to drive it about.

[inconsistant]

It does look gorgeous on the back of that recovery truck.