HMC- Return of the Cheeky 500

[gadgetgricey]

Stop toying with us...

Does it have the red leather seats. ?

[Marm Toastsmith]

I is jeal.

[Six-cylinder]

3 hours ago, Mrs6C said:

^^^ Both rear shock absorber spring mountings let go on our Sportwagon too, a few months apart, on one side carving a neat slice through the inner sidewall of the tyre as it did so (this was the second loud bang after the first had indicated that the rear suspension may have become somewhat compromised) so worth checking the minute dabs of weld used for these things...

It wasn't a huge drama with ours as it was at low speed in both cases, but it could have been interesting* had it happened when cornering enthusiatically...

Black beauty the saloon struts also failed, n-s collapsed, o-s about ready to. 

[stilo_active]

Have now acquired a pre-facelift 1.9JTD saloon in literally some shades of red. It already has had that section of floor pan welded up. I don't have a picture to hand but if you open up this month's issue of Retro Cars to the 156 article, it's that one.  Bit of a 10 yarder but drives bloody beautifully. 

Looking at it and driving it, even with the lowly 8v JTD engine, reminds me why I loved them back in the day. 

[HMC]

This is more a 20 yarder rather than 10. It feels a bit rough with a slightly blowing exhaust, Rotten rear foot wells, the rear tyres on their wear markers and on purchase a litre of oil needed to bring it halfway between max and min...... the man from the ministry awaits at the end of this month......

[HMC]

Also- it just got a bit lighter as part of the body kit just fell off. Still, at least it revealed intact sill structure.

[Ohdearme]

On 9/30/2019 at 10:24 PM, Six-cylinder said:

Black beauty the saloon struts also failed, n-s collapsed, o-s about ready to. 

I got a 147 for £200 unseen as a result of the same issue, cup rusting and it dropping one side.

I pondered driving home on the space saver as the spring doesn’t foul but I didn’t have the balls/idiocy to attempt a 200 mile drive like that and booked it in to a local garage to fit one.

Stupidly, I’d booked the closest in a straight line in London but it was the wrong side of the river and I had a very nervous 30 minute drive listening to the bzzz of the tyre rubbing and smelling rubber burning away until I made it there.

Garage were pleased* that it took 2 hours of grunting and fire/bars to undo the crusty bolts bit got it home and got the ecu I needed off it.

[stilo_active]

Ah, the old body kit falling off. It's now a Superlegerra. I do like the facelift models, one of the few cars where a facelift didn't totally ruin the look of the car.

Here's my jalopy. It wears its 178,000 miles reasonably well

[xtriple]

I love Alfas, I'd have another but... I have had a few and while they are great to drive, not usually that great to actually own! Ideal world solution? Talk a friend into buying one, then borrow it frequently   I talked my son into buying a 156 from a workmate of his. After a couple of months ownership, I had to suggest he get rid of it again as our prevously cordial Father/Son relatonship was now strained somewhat!  

 

[flat4alfa]

Owned ten years, now 187k on my 'wagon

It's been superbly reliable.  Rear floor pan: TADTS

[HMC]

Who says they aren’t as practical as a “real” estate?

At least most of the knackered sofa was in the car en route to the dump!

[HMC]

7 minutes ago, flat4alfa said:

Owned ten years, now 187k on my 'wagon

It's been superbly reliable.  Rear floor pan: TADTS

What engine does it have?

[flat4alfa]

big banger 2.4 10v derv, the one that lasts 

[stilo_active]

Absolutely love that metallic blue

[flat4alfa]

31 minutes ago, stilo_active said:

Absolutely love that metallic blue

GIB, etc

https://www.gumtree.com/p/alfa-romeo/alfa-romeo-156-for-repair-project/1354182549

[HMC]

Off on a collection.....

cycling to a £4.55 Plymouth to Truro train to collect the megane I dumped last weekend at the Alfa vendors house. Just about the cheapest collection costs I could muster, with a bonus being half a tank in the Alfa which got me home and has run me about over the past week. 

Any similar tales of low cost collectioning? On a car that costs pennies it soon adds up proportionally! Somehow to me it’s all part of getting in the autoshiter zone.

[HMC]

Homeward leg now. My £4.55s worth of train journey got me some lovely autumn sights as I crossed over the border into Cornwall, on the Brunel rail bridge

Spot the shite!

Was pretty knackered by the time I’d cycled to st Agnes. The vendor of the Alfa was mowing his lawn so we chatted as I collected the megane. Look after his Alfa- his baby he said. I’d feel he’d given it more TLC if it had registered any oil at all on the dipstick when I collected It last weekend. Anyway, onwards and upwards! (MOT looming on 27th)

[gadgetgricey]

Jesus.

Anymore of an overhang and that camper van would be pushing the boats back into the water. ☺️

[HMC]

Anyone fancy the megane?

1.6 16v manual. Very good on fuel and also quite fast! Mot to July 2020

its green. 5 door hatch, few age related marks but fairly tidy. Radio needs a code. Remote locking, trip computer. Drives well although I suspect a soft engine mount as there’s a bit of movement (barely more than normal) visible through the gearstick when on/off the power. Recent rear tyres, the fronts are ok but haven’t much life left in them. The body has survived very well indeed, No rust nor previous repairs from what I can see. Laquer on the bonnet past it’s best.

Located Tavistock and I’d like £150 

 

[DoctorRetro]

Bargain! 

[SRi05]

One hundred and fifty pounds for an operational MOT'd motor car. What a time to be alive

[Six-cylinder]

If only Bucketeer was still around I would buy him a bus ticket!

[Jim Bell]

Mrs Shitpeas mates car has just exploded and this could be ideal. 

Is Tavistock near Gateshead?

[Six-cylinder]

2 minutes ago, Jim Bell said:

Mrs Shitpeas mates car has just exploded and this could be ideal. 

Is Tavistock near Gateshead?

Exactly, I think at this price delivery should be included!

[HMC]

82k, no history, trip computer and aircon (A/c not working) think they lobbed the options at these as production was being wound up. 

[gadgetgricey]

1 hour ago, HMC said:

 (A/c not working) 

Just a regas M8

[busmansholiday]

Why, Oh Why do I have a drive that only holds five cars and is currently occupied by three MGs, a Merc and the modern. Tavistock isn't the end of the world for me either. 

[twosmoke300]

Mmmm

[twosmoke300]

How soon does this need to be shifted ?

[twosmoke300]

You have PM