The new news 24 thread

[Matt]

Spot who's letting the team down...

 

Failing Spark Plug by MattLikesCars, on Flickr

 

Car developed a misfire but I had a set of other plugs with only a few hundred miles on them to hand. Huzzah for easy fixes.

[Skizzer]

Went to see a potential storage space for my cx earlier..

spotted this..

Has Barrett finally snapped and kicked it to death, then? I mean, there can't be two...

[anonymous user]

This evening I have ordered a set of points for the Ariel 3, I really want to get it running and go for a spin on it.

Just make sure you don't fall off it on your way to the Post Office, or you'll just end up putting in your garage for the next twenty years

[320touring]

Has Barrett finally snapped and kicked it to death, then? I mean, there can't be two...

As far as I'm aware its a total basket case with the roof cut off. apparently the chap had planned on a subaru boxer motor up front. the interior is stored somewhere a bit less wet apparently.

 

If anyone wants to ask re parts I can ask for contact details?cant promise anythimg but shy weans get no sweets

[stripped fred]

I remember being in the back of my mum's marina when it suddenly let go on a bend. Respect to her she managed to catch it after seesawing along the road for a while and we proceeded on our merry way much to the amusement of us kids in the back. Are they well known for this exciting handling trait?

[New POD]

I remember being in the back of my mum's marina when it suddenly let go on a bend. Respect to her she managed to catch it after seesawing along the road for a while and we proceeded on our merry way much to the amusement of us kids in the back. Are they well known for this exciting handling trait?

The reason my mate did not get charged with Murder or Causing death by dangerous driving, and was found not guilty on the the lessor charge of driving without due care and attention, was that the Police investigators stated in court, that despite the fact that the car was not going anywhere near the speed limit, and despite the fact that it was well maintained and had good tyres and no suspension faults, this type of handling was common for marina, and a patch of oil, on top of the damp road would have been all that was needed to unsettle it on a bend.

 

Tragically if my mate had not attempted to control the rear end slide, the pedestrian would have watched us sail backwards up the road and onto a harmless grass verge, and not been hit slap bang in the middle of the legs at 40 mph, and he wouldn't have bounced off the front screen and into a water logged ditch.

 

Did I say I hate the coupe especially with a vengeance ? Not sure why.

[barrett]

I recognise that PL17 I think, and it had a roof attached when it was for sale last year. Not quite sure what that's achieved except making it easier to send to the crusher? Could you please let him know that when he gets fed up and decides to scrap it the club will scoop up the remnants for their spares stash? Not much good for me I'm afraid as virtually nothing us interchangeable between a Z1 and a PL

[cros]

There's nothing at all wrong with a Marina if you're comparing them with other cars of its era. I owned two long term and driven every variant including pick up and 2 litre automatic and they were all great entertainment. I remember using a pick-up to collect a excavator bucket which only just fitted in the back. It was almost new (around 1980) and I was pleasantly surprised that they were still fitted with the single round dial, the same as early Sherpas.

Most vehicles with simple leaf rear springs can be provoked to break away more easily than a modern independent set up but to suggest that it is dangerous is as wank as declaring a Focus unroadworthy because it doesn't have F1 levels of grip.

In the late '70's I delivered new red Vivas which were factory fitted with cross ply tyres and only one sunvisor. I drove several Nissan (Datsun) Sunny's which may have upstaged the UK competition with their 'self searching' radios but were no different suspension wise and had worse steering.

[Skizzer]

Time for a fleet round-up - mainly to assemble my own thoughts, but as this is a forum I might as well think out loud.

1. Modern BMW: working fine, recently serviced.  FUCK just realised the tax has run out...   ...ok, now taxed.
2. Discovery: Fresh MOT with no advisories, but leaking power steering fluid and needs the nose dismantling to replace the pipes.  Oh, and a new battery, which has just been delivered.
3. Jeep Wrangler: Running, but desperately needs a change of coolant, PSF and serpentine belt.  Was supposed to do those this week, but the Disco got in the way.
4. Vauxhall 2300S: Waiting for me to clean the probable crap out of the carb to see if that sorts the rough running.  Am held back only by general terror of carburettors.
5. Jaguar XJ-S: Brakes and suspension all tickety boo now, but no spark.  Lots of contact cleaning hasn't helped (though it did make the starter motor work).
6. Audi 80: Failed MOT on Friday on the windscreen crack.  Trying to source a windscreen, which has been a lot harder than you'd think.  Temperature light flashing, though temp fine; ordered a new 'stat and temp sensor because they're v cheap in the GSF sale.
7. Rover 3500: Tailgate wiring (including number plate lights, needed for MOT) still in bits waiting for me to replace it.  Got the stuff I need except for the rubber guide thing that's supposed to stop the tailgate chopping the wires, which is unobtainable.  Need to figure out a good bodge.
8. Renault 16: Shamefully neglected in its lonely lock-up.  Needs the brake light switch rebuilding to pass an MOT, and a new battery.
9. Golf mk1: Sitting on the drive awaiting shed space for a fairly proper restoration, which was supposed to happen this summer but hasn't.  See points 2-8 above for why.
10. Jaguar XJ6: Still languishing in Eastbourne.  Needs recovering back to here so Mister Matic can get it up to MOT standard.

So, still one working/legal car out of 10, maybe two if you count the Jeep (and anyone who heard it at Shitefest probably wouldn't).  That's pretty shit, I need to sort my life out and get on with it.

[Heidel_Kakao]

So, still one working/legal car out of 10

 

[andy18s]

Latest house has an added bonus!!!!

 

 

There's also a garage with a pit,and a small box trailer included.....

[Heidel_Kakao]

^^^^^

Any house that comes with a Lada is a good house in my book. I love how the grill looks like it is just some kind of mesh fencing.

[Lord Sterling]

What an absolute farce today has been, and its not even midday!

 

Today is Eid day, so I got ready to go to mosque, however at the same time I thought I'd drop the 820i SE off for MOT as there are a few people interested in it but all are saying no bids until there is an MOT.

 

So I jump in the Rover and it goes and breaks down 10 miles into my journey, RAC called, crank sensor fault diagnosed so car towed to garage for rectification and hopefully a bloody MOT finally, got someone coming to see the car on Saturday. Suffice to say I missed going to the mosque because of ftp.

 

Supposed to have the day off but apparently they can't afford another driver off so I've been roped in to picking up another car.

[oldcars]

Want for the blue Marina.

[Skizzer]

What an absolute farce today has been, and its not even midday!

 

Today is Eid day, so I got ready to go to mosque, however at the same time I thought I'd drop the 820i SE off for MOT as there are a few people interested in it but all are saying no bids until there is an MOT.

 

So I jump in the Rover and it goes and breaks down 10 miles into my journey, RAC called, crank sensor fault diagnosed so car towed to garage for rectification and hopefully a bloody MOT finally, got someone coming to see the car on Saturday. Suffice to say I missed going to the mosque because of ftp.

 

Supposed to have the day off but apparently they can't afford another driver off so I've been roped in to picking up another car.

 

See what I mean?  Cars really are cantankerous bastards at the worst possible moment.  GLWTMOT.

 

And Eid Mubarak by the way, m'lord.

[dollywobbler]

That's an unhappy situation Skizzer. Has the Audi's insurance got windscreen cover? If it has, sorted. Someone else's problem to source.

[BorniteIdentity]

Eid Mubarak by the way, m'lord.

Seconded.

 

Cars eh? Tut.

[HMC]

These arrived in the post today.....

DMB plates for the Merc. They had the dealer logo on their site, and after just a couple of weeks I'd had enough of looking at the pre-brexit euro gb 2001 font plates the car currently has. Im not necessarily anti EU, but in the pro- period plates camp.

[Skizzer]

That's an unhappy situation Skizzer. Has the Audi's insurance got windscreen cover? If it has, sorted. Someone else's problem to source.

 

You'd think, wouldn't you?  It does indeed have cover, and Autoglass eventually got hold of a screen for it.  Then they didn't turn up for the appointment to fit it (which I drove a 400 mile round trip to be at home for).  Then they did that again.  Then I complained, and they didn't call me back.  Then I complained again.  More silence.

 

I've now got a number for a local fitter but he's not picking up, so far.

[scruff]

Helping a pre-97 licence holding chum out this evening. Our trailer his Landrover.

 

Typical old Defender, stinks of damp, wet floors even though it hasn't rained for a few days. It's a V8 on gas with a horrible auto conversion that can't decide when to change up.

 

Anyway just about to go and fetch his super shite from storage at the Nene valley railway and take it down to near the M25 for painting.

 

[Guest Hooli]

Looking at the size of those tyres what are the chances it's a RR V8 & autobox on the original Defender transfer box, which buggers the gearing right up & would explain why the autobox is confused.

 

Or the kickdown cable is badly adjusted as I believe they control the change points even when not in kickdown.

[Asimo]

What is a pre'97 licence please?

[tooSavvy]

Impian For Sayle... Proton Owners Club

 

 

.... not batting off offers c.£150 >>> 'or fragging it!'

 

 

TS

[tooSavvy]

What is a pre'97 licence please?

 

... I have one... Not telling

 

 

TS

[Skizzer]

What is a pre'97 licence please?

 

Driving licences issued before 1997 allow you to tow a trailer.  Issued after, you have to pass a further trailery test of some sort (don't know details because I'm old).  

[Ghosty]

What is a pre'97 licence please?

 

People with licences issued before some point in 1997 got trailer licenses, Lutons, vans, 7.5t, small buses etc (basically a C1 license I think?) all for free when you passed your driving test. After that you only got car and a test exemption for 50cc mopeds if you take CBT.

[Guest Hooli]

I think post '97 are allowed to tow, but only upto 750kg & unbraked.

[Richard]

I think post '97 are allowed to tow, but only upto 750kg & unbraked.

 

It's along the lines of a trailer where the MAM is less than the kerb weight of the car and the train weight is under 3500kg.

 

This is my pre-97 licence, one of the few perks of being old.

 

[andy18s]

Latest house has an added bonus!!!!

 

 

There's also a garage with a pit,and a small box trailer included.....

Following an intense period of haggling (we made a ludicrously low offer,which was accepted) I am now the proud owner of this lovely vehicle......oh and the property it sits on too,which pleases the wife no end

So,anybody have a lhd 4x4 for sale and willing to take a rover 214 in px?

[scruff]

Sorry chaps - I did of course mean he has a post 97 so can't tow