The new news 24 thread

[EightMegs]

 

This is the first time a price has given me anxiety by being too low, but the 4A-FE camshaft had way too much lift (7mm extra!) so I'm running out of options. 13502-15020 is the grind for the carb'd engine and 13502-15030 is the grind for the injected one with the extra lift.

[reb]

I've ordered a few tins of paint with which to paint my kitchen. The walls are really quite grim as it stands, particularly in the corner where there used to be a boxed in hot water tank. When they took that out they just filled the holes in the wall and left it as is. The landlord doesn't seem to give a shit since it's safe and all that. He said I can do whatever decorating I want as long as I do it to a decent standard. I'll likely also do some tiling in there later this year, but painting is top priority. I also got a tin of blackboard paint so I can have a big chalkboard for scheduling and whatnot.

I'm borrowing brushes and rollers and whatnot from mum, so don't need to buy any of that. Total for the paint came to £50 including delivery, which I think is quite reasonable for massively cheering up the kitchen.

[Yoss]

Somebody else mentioned the Bratislava Transport Museum a couple of months ago but I can't remember who it was now. Well I found myself in Bratislava last week so I thought it would be rude not to pop in. 

A line of early Tatras 

And a Škoda 

 

A nice collection of models, I think about 1/24 scale. 

Including some proper Tatras 

And even an Oltcit 

 

But on to the really good stuff. 

Not many of these in museums yet. 

 

And back inside. I'm feeling quite at home here. 

But then they had all these things from a company called BAZ, Bratislava Automobile Company. The highlights being these two. 

I've seen lots of Škoda prototypes in various books but never this one. Okay so it looks like a Rapid with a revised front 

But there's a bit more to it than that. I know Škoda themselves built a front engined Estelle using Renault 12 running gear, but this one had a Zastava set up (so Fiat really). One for @IronStar

And round the back where there is no longer an engine, a proper hatchback! 

 

But the one I most wanted to bring home. As soon as I saw it I could see the Favorit headlights. 

But closer inspection also revealed Favorit seats, dashboard and mirrors. And underneath, a Favorit engine and gearbox. So basically a Favorit van. I never new anything about these and it made my day. Again made in Bratislava by BAZ. Now obviously the Fav mirrors have a Škoda logo embossed in them, so it looks like they just added a bit of filler and painted over them! Brilliant. 

[brownnova]

Think I just found my dream car! 

Perfect. 👌 

[High Jetter]

2 hours ago, Yoss said:

Somebody else mentioned the Bratislava Transport Museum a couple of months ago but I can't remember who it was now. Well I found myself in Bratislava last week so I thought it would be rude not to pop in. 

A line of early Tatras 

And a Škoda 

 

A nice collection of models, I think about 1/24 scale. 

Including some proper Tatras 

And even an Oltcit 

 

But on to the really good stuff. 

Not many of these in museums yet. 

 

And back inside. I'm feeling quite at home here. 

But then they had all these things from a company called BAZ, Bratislava Automobile Company. The highlights being these two. 

I've seen lots of Škoda prototypes in various books but never this one. Okay so it looks like a Rapid with a revised front 

But there's a bit more to it than that. I know Škoda themselves built a front engined Estelle using Renault 12 running gear, but this one had a Zastava set upș (so Fiat really). One for @IronStar

And round the back where there is no longer an engine, a proper hatchback! 

 

But the one I most wanted to bring home. As soon as I saw it I could see the Favorit headlights. 

But closer inspection also revealed Favorit seats, dashboard and mirrors. And underneath, a Favorit engine and gearbox. So basically a Favorit van. I never new anything about these and it made my day. Again made in Bratislava by BAZ. Now obviously the Fav mirrors have a Škoda logo embossed in them, so it looks like they just added a bit of filler and painted over them! Brilliant. 

Dedication, to take the mail internationally on a personal basis 🤣

[chaseracer]

On 19/01/2025 at 09:27, Spottedlaurel said:

Long-time friend and Japanese car enthusiast Peter Hunter of the Toyota Enthusiasts' Club sadly passed away just after Christmas and it was his funeral.

Even if you didn't know him those of you who've attended shows at the NEC or in the North-West such as Tatton Park and Cholmondley will have seen this estate, his Crown coupe or the older saloon which was the original press car. He also had an early '70s Corona MkII and I believe an Avensis or two. I first met Peter back in 1993/94 and enjoyed many happy times talking cars, models and brochures with him. A number of other TEC people were at the funeral too, having travelled from as far afield as Scotland and Belgium. The cars were just a part of a long and fulfilling life, and the enthusiasm and energy he had was incredible (and something of an inspiration, on the journey home it made me rethink a few things which I've found challenging in recent times). A remarkable family too, apparently his sister still has an MG Midget and his older brother 37 motorbikes (and that's after some were sold). RIP Peter.

When 'Autoshambles' arrived at Chumley a few years back and some of the more uptight exhibitors didn't want us anywhere near them, it was Peter who cheerfully invited us to make camp alongside the Toyotas.

Top man.  Rest easy, Peter.

[Stixy]

Possibly common knowledge  now but if you need any parts or want a last mooch best not to leave it too long 

[ruffgeezer]

7 hours ago, Stixy said:

Possibly common knowledge  now but if you need any parts or want a last mooch best not to leave it too long 

Really dogshit news.

[wesacosa]

14 hours ago, Yoss said:

Somebody else mentioned the Bratislava Transport Museum a couple of months ago but I can't remember who it was now. Well I found myself in Bratislava last week so I thought it would be rude not to pop in. 

A line of early Tatras 

And a Škoda 

 

A nice collection of models, I think about 1/24 scale. 

Including some proper Tatras 

And even an Oltcit 

 

But on to the really good stuff. 

Not many of these in museums yet. 

 

And back inside. I'm feeling quite at home here. 

But then they had all these things from a company called BAZ, Bratislava Automobile Company. The highlights being these two. 

I've seen lots of Škoda prototypes in various books but never this one. Okay so it looks like a Rapid with a revised front 

But there's a bit more to it than that. I know Škoda themselves built a front engined Estelle using Renault 12 running gear, but this one had a Zastava set up (so Fiat really). One for @IronStar

And round the back where there is no longer an engine, a proper hatchback! 

 

But the one I most wanted to bring home. As soon as I saw it I could see the Favorit headlights. 

But closer inspection also revealed Favorit seats, dashboard and mirrors. And underneath, a Favorit engine and gearbox. So basically a Favorit van. I never new anything about these and it made my day. Again made in Bratislava by BAZ. Now obviously the Fav mirrors have a Škoda logo embossed in them, so it looks like they just added a bit of filler and painted over them! Brilliant. 

that was me.  Glad you made it there, its definitely well worth a visit 

[The Vicar]

I’ve just gotten home with this and I’m grinning ear to ear:

1 owner Feb ‘98 2.4 V6 automatic with full service history. 

[Yoss]

2 hours ago, wesacosa said:

that was me.  Glad you made it there, its definitely well worth a visit 

Yes, the original plan was to get to Bratislava earlier, from where I was staying in Brno, then get a random train off in to the Slovakian countryside. But when trying to buy a ticket on the Czech Railways app over hotel breakfast it wouldn't let me. Turns out the bank had cancelled my card overnight. And my other card wouldn't work either. 

By the time I'd rung the bank and not sorted things out at all it was two hours later, so I just bought a day return to Bratislava and did touristy things. My other card, which is actually a joint account with Mrs Yoss, would only work chip and pin, not contactless, despite me not having used it at all whilst over there. So I couldn't buy tickets on the go, I had to use ticket offices so it was best to stick to somewhere I had half a chance of finding English speakers. 

Turned out better than hoped. As well as the museum I went in to Bratislava and had a mooch about. The old town was really nice. Would definitely go back. 

[Schaefft]

3 hours ago, The Vicar said:

I’ve just gotten home with this and I’m grinning ear to ear:

1 owner Feb ‘98 2.4 V6 automatic with full service history. 

Oh, same spec like my first C5 aside from RHD and blue leather (mine was vanilla, amazing spec). I really still love these.

Make sure to remove the foam block/filth right behind the top of each front wheel arch, they'll rot right through otherwise.

[hairnet]

6 hours ago, The Vicar said:

I’ve just gotten home with this and I’m grinning ear to ear:

 

1 owner Feb ‘98 2.4 V6 automatic with full service history. 

hmc.ie

carrickmines?

[Lord Sterling]

9 hours ago, The Vicar said:

I’ve just gotten home with this and I’m grinning ear to ear:

1 owner Feb ‘98 2.4 V6 automatic with full service history. 

"BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH"

Nice. I remember a lot of these in Belgium. But most of them would have been Diesels. Good to see a big water with the engine it deserves.

[wuvvum]

I got rear ended today.  Fnarr, ooh er Mrs etc.  I was on the A47 heading to King's Lynn in the Ampera, the traffic slowed right down at a busy junction, I stopped but the car behind me didn't.  

Damage doesn't look too bad, at first glance at least - the bumper is knackered and the rear fog / reversing light unit is busted, but I couldn't immediately see any damage to the body itself, and the tailgate still opens and shuts absolutely fine which is a good sign.

I know what you're thinking, "you should see the other bloke".  Well, yeah.  His car didn't fare quite so well.

Thankfully nobody was hurt*, his airbags didn't go off or owt but a 12-year-old Cee'd with that level of damage is probably going to be a write off.  It was quite a bang when he hit me, so it seems that an Ampera is a bloody strong car, at the rear at least.  I was expecting it to be worse when I got out of the car.  The number plate lights just popped back into place; the only issue I had was about a mile up the road after I left the undertray started dragging along the road, but it was damaged enough that I was able to stop in a layby and rip it off.

His insurers were on the 'phone to me within an hour of the accident, he's admitted liability and they're going to sort out repairs.  Honestly I would have preferred to leave the insurance out of it and just get a secondhand bumper and foglight off eBay and send him the bill, as no doubt my premium will go up at renewal with a non-fault accident on the file, but due to the state of his car there wasn't really any other option.  He was very apologetic, he was a youngish lad and I got the impression he hadn't been driving for too long so it was a bit of a shock to him I think.

Anyway, here endeth 25 accident-free years on the road...

 

*My shoulder and neck are a bit stiff but I suppose that's to be expected in the circumstances.

[artdjones]

7 minutes ago, wuvvum said:

My shoulder and neck are a bit stiff but I suppose that's to be expected in the circumstances

Get around to the doctor. Necks especially can be problematic. I don't mean milk it, but you may not feel so unperturbed when the shock wears off.

[JJ0063]

The Ampera will be written off too, almost certainly.

What an arse. 

[wuvvum]

21 minutes ago, artdjones said:

Get around to the doctor. Necks especially can be problematic. I don't mean milk it, but you may not feel so unperturbed when the shock wears off.

The accident happened just after 11 this morning, so any shock that there was has hopefully worn off by now, but I do know that neck issues can take a while to reveal themselves fully, so I'm going to see how I feel in the morning...

22 minutes ago, JJ0063 said:

The Ampera will be written off too, almost certainly.

To be honest it would almost work out better for me if they did - I'd then buy back the salvage and repair it myself.  The woman I spoke to at the insurance company reckoned that it was showing on her computer as repairable providing there's no additional damage though.  Their assessors are supposed to be contacting me "shortly", which I suppose will be Monday now.

[artdjones]

23 minutes ago, JJ0063 said:

The Ampera will be written off too, almost certainly.

What an arse. 

Yes, rare car, difficulties getting rear end parts, concealed damage.

[wuvvum]

Neck and shoulder are actually slightly better today than they were last night, which is reassuring.  I'll empty the Ampera's boot out later and have a look under the floor to make sure there's no damage there.

[comfortablynumb]

MK1 son was heavily rear ended in my Rrc by an inattentive Audi Q7 driver 

He was fine, or so he thought, rangie drove home,Q7 not so.

About 30 hours later he seized up, ended with 8 weeks of physio for back and neck pain.

As said @wuvvum, get yourself to your Doc, can take a while to kick in, happened to me in a rolled Granada I was passenger in years ago.

Hope things get sorted easy 

[Boycie]

On 24/01/2025 at 20:25, brownnova said:

Think I just found my dream car! 

Perfect. 👌 

Why do I suddenly want a hot chocolate with cream on top ...

[reb]

I have finished gathering materials with which to repaint my kitchen.

I've never painted a room before, though I have painted several fences and sheds, how hard can it be?

[reb]

First coat on this wall done.

I'm going to finish this side today then do the other side tomorrow. 

I'm wishing I'd turned the heating down before setting about this, I'm fucking boiling alive!

[wuvvum]

Well I managed to get a look under the Ampera before the weather turned completely to shit.  The bumper assembly seems to have taken almost all the impact, but it looks like there might be a minor indentation in the back of the boot floor in the centre of the car.  So that's sub optimal.  That's assuming the panel isn't actually meant to be that shape though.  I'll see what the insurance assessor reckons when they show up.

I wasn't able to get the bumper properly clipped back in (at least not without unbolting stuff, and I don't want to start dismantling the car before the insurance has had a look as they might then quibble) but it's still on the car securely enough that it's not going to go anywhere.  It coped with the run back from Kings Lynn last night anyway.

[Paul-l]

Master cylinder failure on the Land Rover has removed all the paint from the outrigger - now watching paint dry!

Looks like the steering box has developed a bit of a leak while I wasn’t looking 

[Rustybullethole]

Berlingo trampervan made very little progress today though i've a good idea of the intended plan. The timber is on the roof rack and i have the piano hinges and mattresses. Starting with less than two hours daylight left plus shite weather and procrastination means i've achieved no more than pulling the seats out and chucking some insulation down. 

To be continued.

[reb]

Second coat done 

It definitely looks better in person 

[Rustybullethole]

6 minutes ago, reb said:

Second coat done 

It definitely looks better in person 

Like the colour. Very farrow and ballbag. 

Goes with the floor and worktops nice. 

Edited January 26, 2025 by Rustybullethole

[reb]

4 minutes ago, Rustybullethole said:

Like the colour. Very farrow and ballbag. 

Goes with the floor and worktops nice. 

B&Q's finest £14 a tin emulsion! I just picked the first one that was vaguely the right colour, couldn't be arsed messing around with testers and stuff!

I got two tins, but it's looking like one will have been enough