The new news 24 thread

[vulgalour]

Sat waiting for stuff to happen today I watched cars go past to see how many had tax discs in the window.  Of about 100 vehicles that went by only 4 had a clear windscreen, the rest all had a tax disc in the corner.  I admit, it's entirely possible that what I thought were tax discs might actually have been biscuits.

 

 

But I suspect it's more likely the message just hasn't got through to the majority of motorists.

[Sigmund Fraud]

I admit, it's entirely possible that what I thought were tax discs might actually have been biscuits.

 

That's a promising* business opportunity right there... Go on ebay, purchase a 'job lot' of 100000 unused tax disc holders, re-market as 'in-car biscuit holders' and make millions*.

[dave21478]

Started stripping down the Freelander today to change the clutch.

 

Part way through the job and I realised that everything that needs disconnected/unbolted on the gearbox side is 95% of everything to the complete engine. It was only a few more water hoses and the power steering pipes to disconnect to allow me to drop the entire drivetrain out.

 

So ten more minutes work to save a lot of arse-ache later balancing a gearbox on my chest and trying to bench-press it into place and wiggling it to get the splines to engage while getting bits of crud in my eyes. Instead I can put it together with ease on the floor and lift it all in.

 

It had been apart before judging by the odd random non-matching bolt here and there, and the existing system is a bit odd....its got a dual mass flywheel so should have a solid clutch disc but it ALSO has a sprung clutch disc.....meh, whatever. I will bung on a solid flywheel kit and thats that done. The clutch disc is worn to the rivets and the flywheel has a fair bit of play in it. It was well and truly on its last legs.

 

[fordperv]

derskine i love the look of the tina, shame about the fuelling problem you will get there 

[hairnet]

dave - feck!!!!

 

freelanders are merde

[Skizzer]

Of about 100 vehicles that went by only 4 had a clear windscreen, the rest all had a tax disc in the corner.  

But I suspect it's more likely the message just hasn't got through to the majority of motorists.

 

Or, like me, they really can't be arsed to take the tax discs out.  (After 37 different threads on here about it in the last week, the message has definitely got through to me.)

 

It's like all those cars you used to see with red plastic noses cable tied to the grille, faded to pinkish white, years after Comic Relief moved on to something else.  We'll all be playing Spot The Tax Disc in 2023 - it'll be a sure sign of giffer ownership.  Or Skizzer ownership.

[derskine]

I saw a mk1 Escort in similar livery* today, I would have been in the Cortina had it not been arsing about!

[richardmorris]

I'm leaving mine until it expires, then putting in a freshly printed 95 one courtesy of conelrad.

[dollywobbler]

I think I know here Cort16's Avantime has gone. A good home! Not me sadly. I do think I've decided what my own plans are though. 

[Inspector Morose]

XM based plans? Ronda based plans? DO TELL!

[dollywobbler]

Well, I can't bring myself to replace a Rover with a Rover, nor a saloon with a saloon. More variety needed. 

 

I do need to sell the Rover though. Are you sure none of you want it? Delivery may be possible just to liven the capers up a bit (which won't happen for at least a week).

[wuvvum]

The Cagiva passed its MOT yesterday, after I somehow managed to successfully replace the fork seals (not a job I've ever had to attempt before).  It also initially failed on headlamp aim (turned out to be the oldskool non-halogen headlight bulb had rotated in the housing) and the chain being too tight (which I knew about but was struggling to find a 25mm socket to undo the rear wheel nut to adjust it).  Sorted it in the end though - just in time for autumn to hit with a vengeance  .

 

I also had to tax the Vel Satis and the S40 this week, which hurt my wallet a bit.  I've been told that I need to move my vehicles off the residents' car park as it's being resurfaced, so those two have moved out onto the road.  The Renner Six is going into its new garage soon (would have gone this evening but it was pissing down with rain and I didn't want to get it all muddy just before putting it away for the winter).  Haven't found anywhere to stash the Innocenti yet, so I might have to bite the bullet and fork out 100 quid for a new headlight and get the thing back on the road. 

 

The Ducato is probably going to have to go - had it looked at for a test and it needs a load of welding right at the back - the rear crossmember has basically disintegrated and the spring hangers look like they might need a tickle too, as well as the back of the sills that I already knew about.  It's a shame as It's a bloody good van apart from the rot.  If I can find somewhere to stash it at reasonable cost over the winter, I might even have a go at welding it myself in the spring once my weldage skills have improved sufficiently.

 

The Rover had a new exhaust downpipe fitted on Thursday.  It's now rubbing on the driveshaft under braking and over large bumps - I thought it might, as the original pipe had an indentation to clear the driveshaft whereas the new (pattern) one doesn't.  I might have to take it off (bolts should be a bit easier to undo now...) and twat it a few times with a lump hammer.

 

There's always bloody something...

[cort16]

I kind of can't be arsed with old cars just now. Ive forgotten why I liked them. Worrying

[RobT]

I've been impulsive, and after wanting a Rover 75 yesterday I bought one today. It's a 2.5 V6 automatic with cloth seats, so pretty much my ideal spec, which happily coincides with the fact it's no one elses so it woz cheap. Despite some dents and scratches it 'aint bad. The belts were done 30k miles ago and there's no hint of mayo, yet....This was probably my most relaxing collection caper to date, the drive back being most agreeable with the V6 sounding good yet not too raucous, although the gearing means it's doing 3000rpm at 70 which is odd. Whatever, I can live with that. 12 months MoT and I taxed it on the spot using SWMBO smartphone which was handy. My phone is shit so I can't normally do that. Added bonus is the missus was actually happy I was buying yet another car, but she's always been a Rover nut so RESULT!

 

The only stress was how the fuck do you open the petrol cap on these? I spent ages trying to find the filler popper wotsit but gave up. Thankfully it came with a quarter tank so we got home from Bucks OK. No doubt new car high spirits means I've missed the obvious. So no pez shot after all that fanny, but here's a few from the ad

[DS20]

I think you just press on the leading edge (right-hand side) of the fuel filler door, with the car unlocked, and the door-flap-thing opens.  Don't remember there being a button inside the cabin, but I might be wrong.  

[beko1987]

Nice! Sorry the weather was a bit shit here today!

[saucedoctor]

Rover 75 Owner's Handbook (fuel flap page 100)

Rover 75 Handbook.pdf

[RobT]

Thanks for that, there was no handbook with it so I'll print that off.

 

Nice! Sorry the weather was a bit shit here today!

Was fine at 5pm, Beaconsfield services were bathed in sun! Been shit and raining most the day over here though.

 

It looks a proper class act parked up next to the fugly stuff my neighbours own, I've just been gazing at it through the window!

[vulgalour]

Is that rear plate actually just a regular one stuck over a sheet of full-size yellow vinyl?

 

@DW:  I'd like your Rover, but I have none of the things you would like for it, including money.  Also, I couldn't live with that horrible face it has, pre-facelift scene wanker am I when it comes to 90s+ Rovers

[stuboy]

one side plated up... still looking sad..

found size 10 steel toes caps boots are snug in footwell of the 75

[Cavcraft]

I think we all get that at times, Glen, I'm sure your shite mojo will soon be back up and running.

 

 

 

RobT: fine looking cars those 75s, that colour seems to suit yours really well.

[cort16]

I think I need to get my cortina back on the road

[dollywobbler]

That Rover looks well bought Rob. Beautiful colour.

[EssDeeWon]

Lovely Rover 75 Rob -  still really want one, in fact I keep seeing a lovely primrose yellow Connie floating about my manor and I MEGA WANT IT!

 

If I ever find where it lives I think a note will be slipped through the owners letterbox.

[RobT]

Lovely Rover 75 Rob -  still really want one, in I keep seeing a lovely primrose yellow Connie floating about my manor and I MEGA WANT IT!

 

If I ever find where it lives I think a note will be slipped through the owners letterbox.

Do it! I've been wanting a 75 for ages, and at £395 i'll just run the bugger until something big goes wrong. It feels very much a quality product and drives lovely. Build date is October 1999 so this is an early-ish Cowley car.

[Caffiend]

I has made luffly BX UK Register. Well, as luffly as Google Docs will allow. There's a little form that people can fill in and everything. It's here. Info relating to spottages or BXs previously owned and loved/hated/scrapped/sold will be very gratefully received. The only "required" fields are registration and source of info (fleabay/owner/previous owner, etc).

 

Although Docs isn't that flexible, this was all dead easy to set up if anyone suddenly starts burning with enthusiasm to set up a register for other type of shite. Happy to share editable copy of the form for ripping off/adapting, PM me (you'll need gmail and to set up Google Drive from it).

[trigger]

I decided to take my Civic back to it's last owner today.

 

 

 

Yes, that's all one house! I bought the car of the nephew of the 1st owner and he can remember the car when it was new, Annoyingly he wasn't in but just as we were leaving he pulled up in his car and was beaming!.

 

We was invited in for a cup of tea and a chat, sadly he lost his wife a few months ago to a brain tumor and his children have left home recently too so it was a bit awkward at first but he was over the moon to see it, I left him a copy of Classics Monthly which it's in which he's going to give to his aunt who was the first owner. (he's seeing her for lunch at Harrods next week, how the other half live!).

 

I asked him about the old number plate too, apparently he sold it to a private school teacher for £25000 for his Range Rover!, It was nice to hear the story behind the car and everything though.

 

 

Next weekend I've been asked to display it at Brands Hatch again for the Touring Cars final all weekend so if any of you are going come and say hi! (That's if it makes it as it's still cutting out in traffic...)

[stuboy]

what does this do on the dash of the 75.. not the clock the 'dial'

[r.welfare]

I reckon it changes the centre vents from fresh air (blue spot) to heater-controlled air (white spot)

[Sigmund Fraud]

I reckon it changes the centre vents from fresh air (blue spot) to heater-controlled air (white spot)

 

Yes, unless the Rover designers had been reading an old textbook of ergonomics, edited by Sir Alec Issigonis. In that case, it would be the way to open the fuel flap.