What makes you grin? Antidote to grumpy thread

[Angrydicky]

Certainly different

[trigger]

That's the plan, I don't know much about them though, I've just found this one on flickr which is the twin of it, I think the one I'm view is in the same condition.

 

I'm not even sure what they are worth?

 

 

 

[barrett]

Hey! I think I know who took those photos! strange...

 

as to value, these things are so thin on the ground over here it's very much a seller's market. Assuming it's within your approx £1600 budget, and it's as nice as it looks, then I reckon it might be a proper bargain.

 

 

What's making me grin? £3 DVDs at Asdarse, just picked up Frost/Nixon, Anchorman, Superbad and Get Carter... and i'll get 12 Monkeys tomorrow, as I couldn't remember if I already had it

Nothing spectacular, but all stuff I will watch more than once

[whitevanman]

I watched episode 1 of the Sweeney last night..........and I didn't even notice it being that dated must be the joy of daily living in the 70's /80's...........

[garethj]

as to value, these things are so thin on the ground over here it's very much a seller's market.

Beware - as well as not many around, there aren't many who want one either

 

Barter like Bo11ox if you want it

[trigger]

It's up for about £1900 Barrett, I'm not sure if that's good or not? Are these the same as the Viva HB? Gareth, are these unloved then? I'm interested as I've never seen one over here before and in bright orange it will be a head turner!

The owner rekcons that's it's very clean, it's been restored to show standard, with low mileage and lots of history, he also sounds very fussy having refused to sell it to a few people as they are young and was wanting to buy it for driving to and from college and going all retro rides with it.

[r.welfare]

It's up for about £1900, I'm not sure if that's good or not?

If it's absolutely mint, I think so. Although I think the driving experience will be on a par with a Mk1 Escort 1100.

Are these the same as the Viva HB?

No.

Are these unloved then?

They're rare as not that many were sold in the first place, they rusted like any other 70's car so had a high rate of attrition, and they don't have any OSF-like scene tax; the only Opel of that era with a big-ish following is the Manta.

 

If you like it, have the money and desire it, take a punt. If you're looking to move it on in a few months, maybe get a Cortina instead. Personally, I think the Kadett will still have sales appeal to the Irish who seem to love 70's RWD Opels.

[barrett]

£1900 sounds pretty good if it's mint, but like garethj says, have a barter and see what he'll do. If you can show that you're an enthusiast and will be keeping it garaged and cared-for he might take a shine to you! Mention the 1602, maybe he has a thing for old German iron?

 

I dont think anything is shared with the Viva, but I think they had similar suspension set-ups so possibly some bits there. Not engines, or anything else like trim unfortunately. If it's as nice as he says, hopefully you wont need anything though!

Good luck anyway!

[Station]

I think if it looks like that car in the photo, it's well worth 1900. These were one of Opel's best selling car of all time, so there should be at least some left around on the continent.

I think I'd prefer the Chevette type Kadett tbh.

[trigger]

I think my biggest worry is how gutless will it be and will i be able to get parts for it, I'm lucky enough to have a garage and to be able to use it as weekend car so no daily driving to worry about, I just fancy something that not everyone else has, It would certainly turn heads at a car show i think..

 

It's 1 1/2 hours drive in Hertfordshire so I'm praying that i won't get a repeat of CELESTEGATE again, something which has been putting me of buying another car tbh.

 

The only other photos i have

 

 

 

 

If the rest of the car looks as nice as the photos and as nice as he says it is then fingers crossed.

 

This is what the advert says.

 

Opel Kadett. 1972. Saloon. Tax exempt. Excellent condition in all areas.

This orange Kadett is a rarity in the UK but has a large following in Germany and Holland. There are many spares and bills for work completed over the last few years.

The low mileage is proveable with the old MOTs and other pieces of history.

The engine starts easily and runs very smoothly in all gears. No nasty noises etc. I drove the car home from N. Lincs. to Herts. with no problems at all when I purchased her. She has very light controls and cruises at 50-60mph.

The body and underneath are in truly excellent condition as is the interior with only a few marks.

There is much more information so please do contact me and come for a drive. I do not think you will disappointed.

 

The car is MOTd until May 2011 and Taxed [free] until Feb. 2011.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Looks well smart Trigwell, I wouldnt worry too much about parts, what are you expecting it to need? I imagine a few spark plugs and oil filters and that will see you right for a year or twos motoring. Its hardly like a project which needs half the mechanical parts renewing is it.

 

Anyway I'm sure theres plenty of bits knocking around for these on the other side of the channel.

[trigger]

I'm going to have to brush up on the dutch ebay skillz i think!, As far as I'm aware the car needs for anything, I was down the pub last night and got my wife to speak to him for me.

 

The owner said that he wouldn't call it mint as not to disappointed me but it's near as dam it, He said he's only selling it due to financial problems and having to move into a 1 bedroom flat, or in other words he's split from his misses and is going through a divorce.

[r.welfare]

If you want modern-car motorway ability I would recommend looking elsewhere, but if you're happy to cruise at 50-60mph as the man says in the ad, no problems. It is a 40yr old car (near enough) with a boxy body and only 50bhp or so.

 

If you're handy with the spanners you could drop in a 1.9/2-litre CIH motor from an old Manta or Cavalier Mk1 of course.

 

Don't forget that GM were producing variations of that 1196cc lump right up until 2000 or so for the first-generation Corsa so service parts shouldn't be a problem.

[trigger]

If you want modern-car motorway ability I would recommend looking elsewhere, but if you're happy to cruise at 50-60mph as the man says in the ad, no problems. It is a 40yr old car (near enough) with a boxy body and only 50bhp or so.

Well the only other old car I've had was the 1602 which was 35 years old but that flew, It would sit all day at 70mph but that was a 1600cc, I don't plan on driving all over the country in it (yet) so I could live with travelling at 60mph.

 

I guess it best just to view it and test drive it and see what it's like.

[dollywobbler]

Aye. Have a drive and see what you think. The 1973 Renault 5 I had before selling to Mr Bickle was no speed machine, but pleasantly cruised along at 60mph or so. You do adjust to a different pace.

 

I'm sure Michiel could help with translations if needed. It is an uber-cool motor!

[Station]

You can probably get a load of parts from Vauxhall, if they still stock parts (body panels for example) for a late 70's Royale, I'm sure there'll be loads of this left.

[eddyramrod]

It'll be fine for taking to local car shows and even nipping out to Tesco or whatever, but if you need to get to Manchester Airport against the clock, take something else. I don't know how much of a commute you have every day, but if you can cope with a gentle pace, then it should be fine for that too. That's the life it was designed for, after all!

[Rocket88]

They're a better drive than a Mk1 Escort, and there's a multitude of pokier engines that will fit under the bonnet. Go for it.............

[eddyramrod]

What makes me grin? The rash of cop/spy shows that sprang up on TV in the 60s and 70s. From Z Cars all the way up to Minder. Quality. British, American, it didn't matter, it was all good, well nearly all, and you could often expect some car action too. Even the theme music was memorable. Sample? Avengers. After three...

 

(I bet you all started humming it, didn't you!!! )

[trigger]

Just been to look at it, OMG is all i can say, it's even better in real life! It is mint, and very orange, and yes i will be coming home in it, I'll be picking it up tomorrow hopefully.

 

I'll post the photos in a bit in a thread once i get home.

[ashmicro]

Nice one! I trust you're not going to OMG RWD DRIFT C20LET it?

[trigger]

God no! This is far to good for that, It really is up to show standard, only thing letting it down is all the waxoil over the engine bay! Can't really complain about that!

[cms206]

This...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Qp51rEb5I

 

... driveby of my biggest pride and joy, putting out the muzaks of 680ci of Leyland's finest... excuse me while I have a moment to myself... !!!

[Station]

What makes me grin? The rash of cop/spy shows that sprang up on TV in the 60s and 70s. From Z Cars all the way up to Minder. Quality. British, American, it didn't matter, it was all good, well nearly all, and you could often expect some car action too. Even the theme music was memorable. Sample? Avengers. After three...

 

(I bet you all started humming it, didn't you!!! )

I only really watch TV from that era. I also wish BBC would also rescreen any old Panorama's/Horizon programmes from the 80's. Proper nostalgia.

[greengartside]

Roadtrip for me to Rye on Saturday to pick up the wheels I was on about earlier for the Astrashite.

 

Got them for £40! Bargain! The guy selling them sounded sweet as a nut. Comes with all the centre caps, the t-piece to secure said caps and even all the special wheel bolts! One wheel is scuffed slightly and one tyre has a small amount of wear on the inside edge but I may replace that. Other three tyres are virtually new.

 

Why can't all eBayers be like this?!

[Tayne]

,

[meggersdog]

Just been to look at it, OMG is all i can say, it's even better in real life! It is mint, and very orange, and yes i will be coming home in it, I'll be picking it up tomorrow hopefully.

 

I'll post the photos in a bit in a thread once i get home.

I owned one of these in the mid 80's same colour but R.reg.Apart from the door pillar rotting away around the hinge and the tops of the wings getting crusty by the scuttle it was great.A version of this engine was used in the Astra.It ran Bosche electrics so more reliable than the AC Delco stuff in Vivas.Better brakes being dual circuit and I think they were a far better car all round.It was no flyer but kept up with my mates MkII Escorts of the time.

[pbottomley]

Historic Shite

 

What makes me grin ... today I was playing and got my HA running a bit better.... sounds like a bag of nails at tick over, honestly its not that bad just cold ...

 

but the grin bit comes further down the side of the car !!!

 

[Guest]

Spent my last 'frivolous' £30 on eBay.

 

Bagged two things I really wanted: A collection of R&T Volvo roadtests, and a pair of JDM number plates.

 

Also, I now have 2/6 episodes of Classic Cars, and a copy of Original Tin Volume 2, thanks to Peter (cheers Peter).

[barrett]

What makes me grin? The rash of cop/spy shows that sprang up on TV in the 60s and 70s. From Z Cars all the way up to Minder. Quality. British, American, it didn't matter, it was all good, well nearly all, and you could often expect some car action too. Even the theme music was memorable. Sample? Avengers. After three...

 

(I bet you all started humming it, didn't you!!! )

I wholeheartedly agree! My favourite era for TV (and everything else, really). I dont like Minder though, although I think i'm alone on this site in that line of thinking.

I introduced my Dutch grrlfrend (sic) to The Avengers recently, and it actually makes her a bit upset that British people dont dress/talk like that anymore. It upsets me because she doesn't look like Mrs. Peel.