Sold Vauxhall Astra Mk2 Merit Estate.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

That there petrol station was once owed by the family of Bruce Forsyth back, way back in the day.

Nice.

 

[pandamonium]

Have you cut the springs yet?

 

This car needs to stay giffer spec, it would be sacrilege to do anything else. Not that it's ever stopped me before..... 

[purplebargeken]

Needs cans of trade magnolia emulsion paint and a paste board in the back. 

 

How was the journey home?

[Jim Bell]

Nice!

[pandamonium]

Nerve wracking until I found a fuel station. Spluttering and coughing in traffic but OK on the move. Definitely air / vacuum related. Nothing I can't handle.

 

Sat at 60-65 most of the way, did push it up to 80 to get past some bellend who came off a sliproad and wouldn't speed up or slow down so I could get back in and was accelerating the same pace as I was

 

It does the standard pierburg thing of cutting out at junctions, I've had many Polos do the same. 

 

I've had a fiddle already and got the auto choke behaving a bit better, will investigate more when I'm not feeling so poorly and tired.

 

Overall, I love it. Only gripe is the dead rear wiper, will have a look at the wiring when I get chance. 

[purplebargeken]

Ooops, don't think I ever actually switched it on. Actually, how do you switch it on??

[wuvvum]

Normally on old Vauxhalls you push the wiper stalk towards the dash.

[pandamonium]

Yep. That. But no response. Not that it will ever go fast enough for anything to be behind me... 

[pandamonium]

Just to clarify, it is to be known as  Vauxhall Brexit, as it feels 'proper British like in the old days'. So a bit crap, likely to fall apart and will likely cost me a fortune.

[pandamonium]

I notice your headline doesn't say "It starts"

 

You have no idea. I reckon Ken was panicking thinking we'd need to do a bump start ... 

[sal]

I offered an indicator switch to the new owner of this car. I’m sure I’ll have a suitable wiper switch too if it turns out to be at fault.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Ooops, don't think I ever actually switched it on. Actually, how do you switch it on??

 

 

I feel one of these coming on.

[pandamonium]

 

Cold morning pic, and no, I'm not attempting to use it for work... 

[purplebargeken]

Wise man.

[Bren]

Just to clarify, it is to be known as  Vauxhall Brexit, as it feels 'proper British like in the old days'. So a bit crap, likely to fall apart and will likely cost me a fortune.

No - that's modern vauxhalls. They last as long as a fucking creme egg.

[pandamonium]

TBT to when I first expressed interest in this car... 

 

 

The dash at night. It looks like I'm going to be the one to take this past 100,000 miles too. 

 

 

It's got a towbar!

 

[purplebargeken]

It does indeed have a towbar, or as they are known in North London..... a fucking parking aid mate.

 

Dunno if the towing leckies work though as never towed owt with it. 

[purplebargeken]

Is it fixed yet?

[pandamonium]

Parts will be delivered during the week. I will be working on it Saturday coming. Replacing the carb completely, as then I'm starting with a good known quantity. Will do plugs etc too.

[purplebargeken]

The new carb will transform the car

[Parky]

?

[purplebargeken]

Yeah, something like that.

[pandamonium]

Took off the wheel trims, as I think I'll sell them and refurbish the steels. Check out the quality* tyres...

 

 

Also, look at how much someone is charging for genuine trims!

 

[Angrydicky]

Definitely needs the original trimz back on.

 

You should go and get a picture next to the 'Rochford Relic' before it finally expires...

 

1988 Vauxhall Astra Estate by steve wilson, on Flickr

[pandamonium]

I'll keep my eyes open for some original trims, but not at 80 quid, that's for sure. 

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Definitely needs the original trimz back on.

 

You should go and get a picture next to the 'Rochford Relic' before it finally expires...

 

1988 Vauxhall Astra Estate by steve wilson, on Flickr

What’s the story with that gem? Needs a base-style saving mission.

[Angrydicky]

I'll keep my eyes open for some original trims, but not at 80 quid, that's for sure. 

I thought it came with some original trims in the boot?

[Angrydicky]

What’s the story with that gem? Needs a base-style saving mission.

It's owned by a painter and decorator I think, used as a van. I went past today and it's still parked around the corner from where EssDeeWon took the picture.

[Brodders]

Although I feel rather sad that a new carb is what has been needed to sort the running out, I am happy this is still on here and in the hands of someone who has wanted it for a while.

 

It is a really fun old thing to drive, for reasons which I can't quite put my finger on. It isn't fast or blessed with razor sharp dynamics, but has a certain charm which I loved when I had it.

 

I will be watching this thread with interest and wish you the best with it. I actually really like the Cavalier wheel trims on it, but can understand wanting some Astra ones (the original Merit trims are in the boot, but a little bit worse for wear)

[pandamonium]

Nope, no trims in the boot that I can see..