One Shite in Bangkok - '89 Corolla.

[Guest Conan]

Thank you murray head for the thread!

 

Having visited Thailand once a few years back (well outside of Bangkok) I was quite interested in the specification of vehicles for hot climate.. no heater matrix, no heater controls, no vents to the windsceen or to the feet, just a big dial for the AC that goes from cold to colder.

 

I tried having a drive. The RHD-ness of everything was nice and familiar, but that was about it. My host over there, who spoke precious little English was trying to give me instructions in Thai. About the only thing I could guage was the tone of his voice.. when it went up about three octaves, I realised we might be in a bit of danger!

I couldn't pass up the opportunity, could I?   

 

I can imagine how our spec is quite weird to you guys. Many older cars don't even have heating matrix or any sort of heat at all due to cost cutting. While air-conditioning is always standard in the whole range since the late 80's. My W124 also had it's heating system entirely removed by the previous owner. But newer cars are becoming more and more common with proper climate controls. (with heat!)

 

People often said "If you can drive in Thailand, you can drive anywhere and be safe." I guess that's true. I've once compiled my dashcam into a video pointing out how terrible the traffic is.

 

 

Yeah maybe people who say I'm crazy for buying a manual does have a point.

 

Welcome and hope your introduction of the word "chod" to Thai language spreads widely.

I don't think I would be able to express "chod" quite correctly in Thai. But "Autoshite" is spreading around my circle for sure.

 

Wow, what an intro! Welcome along, you'll fit right in.

Thank you!

 

Good start, proceed with as many pics of Thai-chod as you wish.

 

To give us an idea of things where you are, how much is petrol, a year's insurance on your Corolla and what is the road tyre of the discerning motorist?

Oh, definitely!

 

As of today, our standard petrol is RON91 with 10% Ethanol which as of today cost £0.68 per litre. RON95 with 10% Ethanol cost about 0.005 more per litre. Pure 95 cost £0.85. And 20% Ethanol cost £0.62, but it's a bit of a roulette as to what RON you're gonna get. Yes it's very cheap to fill up here. But of course the salary isn't as high. Diesel is capped at 0.67 per litre.

 

A year's insurance on my W124 was £100 per year. Which stayed the same since I was first driving. It also covers theft and fire. The Corolla's insurance isn't renewed yet (it's not mandatory). But to renew it would cost about £40 per year. But only covering the accidents and not theft or fire. Take that England insurance pricing!

 

Road tyres are of course always on summer. No All-Season crap over here. I tends to just buy whatever the cheapest that's not Linglong Ditchfinders. I had Falken ZE912 on my W124 and that was barely above that.

 

Oh and I also have to tell you guys about yearly inspection (MOT).

 

The process goes like this. If your car is nice, even a bit old. They put it on the brake test machine, put some prong in the exhaust pipe maybe. Then you pass. But if your car is obviously a bit shit (like my mate's '85 Corolla). They'll just drive it around a block and then you pass as long as you pay. My mate's Corolla passed inspection with it's taillight not working and everytime you turn on the indicators the opposite one lights up!

 

By the way. Our chods are also a lot more valuable than on your island, obviously. Even the choddiest piece of tin box that's barely holding up by it's paint and have maybe 3 and a half wheels on would fetch at least £600 if it has inspection and taxed. (Which as I've told is a joke anyway). My Corolla was purchased for a princely sum of £1,500. And yet people would still look at me with eyes wide open and imagined it's as something ready for banger racing (which incidentally is not a thing that exist here) before seeing in metal and remarking at how good it looks for being 29 years old. My W124 was £3,800 2 years ago and people considered it a daylight robbery! Lost about £200 selling it which means I'm definitely not good at wheelin dealin yet.

 

EDIT: One guy also tried the idea of roffle-ing his W123 off over here. It didn't worked as there was not enough interest. Maybe shite culture isn't ready here?

[Talbot]

I thought the whole "no heater matrix" thing made absolute sense, after all, the lowest temperature recorded ever in Thailand, the OMG disaster apocolyptically low temperature was.... 9.8°c. A temperature at which I still don't need a heater. While I was there it was their "fractionally cooler" season, and it was still 25°c at night at 32°c during the day.

 

I've never been so glad of aircon in my life!

[Guest Conan]

More car manufacturer now includes heater as standard because our hot equator arse cannot handle anything below 15°c. (Which actually happens a lot in the north in December).

 

It snowed once (in the north) in 1955. Definitely ain't gonna happen again.

[Lacquer Peel]

My friend has a Thai-spec Hilux "Tiger" pickup with a heater matrix and windscreen vents crudely added. The heater valve is either hot or hotter.

Great thread, it's good to get a sense of the car culture in Thailand.

Your Corolla seems like a good buy considering the work done to it.

[hairnet]

excellent i have a toyota mad friend in holland will show him this thread

 

love the title - do you play chess as a hobby

 

say wat day

 

khob kun

 

roll on october

[Guest Conan]

My friend has a Thai-spec Hilux "Tiger" pickup with a heater matrix and windscreen vents crudely added. The heater valve is either hot or hotter.

Great thread, it's good to get a sense of the car culture in Thailand.

Your Corolla seems like a good buy considering the work done to it.

Thanks! The Corolla is definitely a good buy, but still some works to be done before it's perfect.

 

excellent i have a toyota mad friend in holland will show him this thread

 

love the title - do you play chess as a hobby

 

say wat day

 

khob kun

 

roll on october

I don't know how to play chess. But I know what good music is.   

 

Hello and thank you to you too!

 

Oh and there's some update on the Corolla too.

 

 

Went to Formula Student workshop to get the car service a bit. I replace all the spark plugs, change the coolant and replace most of the rubber vacuum line in the engine bay. Also a line going into charcoal fuel vapour filter canister as that was leaking fuel vapour and generally smelling like petrol. Now the car doesn't smell of anything other than the 80's.

 

 

On the way to the workshop, however. I nearly rear ended a Mercedes because of an accident involving 10 cars. I brake a bit late as well as I was approaching the toll and was finding the card underneath the dash. To say I was lucky would be an understatement.

 

 

I removed audio because the stereo was playing Hotel California.

 

At this point the only thing left is to fix the engine pinging like crazy everytime I use more than half throttle. I suspect it might have something to do with the fact that this engine was designed to run on RON100 and we only get RON95 at best. That'll be a challenge on it's own.

[Parky]

I think a diplomatic mission is in order. All round to Conan’s house!

 

Seriously though welcome Conan, looks like you are fitting in already! A Corolla that smells of nothing but the 80’s is well worthy

[Guest Conan]

I think a diplomatic mission is in order. All round to Conan’s house!

 

Seriously though welcome Conan, looks like you are fitting in already! A Corolla that smells of nothing but the 80’s is well worthy

 

Thank you! Haha! Oriental shite spotting and food tasting tour, anyone?

 

 

In the other news today I went and visit a mechanic to get the "pinging" sound diagnose and maybe adjust the distributor. The verdict returns negative.

 

In the past, the car was running on LPG. Which doesn't have the lubrication quality of petrol. This is something that's well documented here as LPG conversion is very popular. The car wasn't pinging. It was the valve making the noise. The mechanic also said that as long as I don't lose power, I don't actually have to adjust the valve.

 

So, I have to spent nothing. I'd call that a result!

[Guest Conan]

Double posting like an arse.

 

 

I've just returned home from Prachachuen Rest Area. It's a motorway service station that most of the "cool kids" use to gather around looking at each other's various automobile. Think of it as Ace Cafe with no motorcycle. (Motorcycle aren't allowed on the motorway in Thailand because small bikes would create obstruction). There there were many car clubs gathering with American cars being one of the group. Of which I found a car worthy of this forum.

 

 

HOT BROWN

 

Most other cars were either mainstream JDM or mainstream Euro tuners. I of course was only interested in this piece of absolute malaise.

[lisbon_road]

Here is a picture from about 1971 of traffic in Bangkok.  Busy traffic is nothing new, clearly.  Plenty of German machinery in this picture with two Mercs and two BBeetles amongst others.

[Guest Conan]

Yes, traffic jam certainly isn't a new phenomenon.

 

As for 1970's shite. The first car factory to open in Thailand was back in 1960. It was a Ford factory producing 105E Anglia. And later a few other car companies joined them in opening up their own factories. Mercedes Benz (for buses only though), Fiat, Nissan, Prince Motor (pre-Nissan merger) and Toyota. I think in about that order.

 

So the cars that would've been quite common in the 1970's would be something like Toyota Corona, Nissan Bluebird, Fiat 1300, Prince Skyline and surprisingly Cortina and Escort. Along with a variety of imports that third party dealership wished to sell. So cars such as Peugeot 404, Mercedes Benz, Audi 100, Hino Contessa (as seen in the picture, a fucking cool car) and even American Land Yacht wouldn't have been out of place. It's safe to say car market were very varied back then because there was relatively tiny import tariff still.

 

Yeah I quite like the 60's and 70's in Automotive landscape. Sadly, due to my Bangkokian paternal grandfather never got his driving licence the first car in this part of the family wasn't there until the 90's. My maternal grandfather was an amateur mechanic and had a few cool cars. But because he was before my time and from 1,000km away in the South, cool cars that he had only existed in the form of story telling with none of them survived the passage of time even in pictures. How the fuck did I become interested in car is still a mystery to even myself.

 

Anyhow. I think I'll speak a bit about my W124.

 

(This was from the first day it was mine).

 

It's a 1995 Mercedes Benz E200. Purchased from the family of it's first owner. Back in mid-2016 I've decided that a depreciated luxury automobile is a great way to roll around. But dependability is also very important so an old pre-1995 Mercedes Benz seems like a good bet.

 

The car itself was sitting around for quite a bit and as a result had a massive oil and coolant leaks everywhere. But the body was straight and there's no rot anywhere. I didn't particularly care for it's small engine so I threw a low ball offer not expecting the owner to give in. Alas, she allowed me to practically stole it away.

 

 

It's all original. Apart from the removed heating system. I proceeded to spent more than £700 over the course of 2 years to get it in tip top condition for 22 year old Mercedes. I replaced nearly all the hoses under the bonnet (coolant, fuel and vacuum, some I replaced twice in a span of 2 years), the differential bushing and diff seal, strut top mount, exhaust rubber mount, oil cooler piping, engine and transmission mount, thermostat, water temp sensor, oil pressure sensor, core plugs, exhaust manifold gasket, brake pads and brake lines. And maybe a few other things that I've forgotten. The car was absolutely leak free and runs like a champ. Consistently still reaching speed way beyond safe or legal. I put about 25,000km on it in 2 years. Using it as a daily into the capital and many long road trips.

 

 

I even put a set of manhole cover alloys on it. I wished to make it look a bit more upscale than it already is, sorta like a shrunk W140.

 

 

The car has it's set of problems. As all old European machinery do. They'll always run but with about bajillion electrical gremlins at different times. The car was great as long as you know all it's faults and act accordingly.

 

 

It also visited many club meets, as you do when you're a geek.

 

I also did some questionable modifications to it that I'm sure no other W124 in the world has. I'll plagiarise myself from a certain other forum this car is documented in. 

 

The period of 1992 to mid-'97 was an incredibly prosperous one in Thailand and many luxury cars roamed the streets of Bangkok, showing the decadent of the period. It was a time that many people look back on with great nostalgia because it ain't ever happening again, ever.

 

The head of government of the time was one Chuan Leekpai. Prime Minister of Thailand from 1992-1995 (and again from 1997-2001). Who passed on the torch from Chatchai Choonhavan and Anand Panyarachun to create the fastest growing, most conspicuous consumption, and bubbliest period of Thailand. This of course then led to the Asian Economic Crisis during the Chaovalit Yongchaiyudh's term in 1997, of which Chuan became a Prime Minister once again after Chaovalit stepped down.

 

As it happen. The university I attended invited Chuan to make a speech about his policies after the crisis.

 

Even though I personally don't like Chuan's policies or political ideology. He's still one of the renown and quite well regard head of government in this country. And my car was built during his tenure, even though I don't think it was delivered during his first round, as the PM after him (Banharn Silpa-archa) is now dead, I think this is the best I could wish for.

 

So I carefully remove the glovebox lid... And there we are. His face when I handed him the piece was priceless. 

 

 

And that, my friend, is how my W124 was signed by the head of government from the time it was built.

 

And yeah, nah, the Prime Minister from the time my Corolla was sold new is also dead. No chance of that happening again. Maybe I shouldn't have sold such a special piece? 

[Guest Conan]

Thought I might share the hidden gem of a museum that not many tourists would care about except maybe you guys.

 

Jesada Technik Museum, it's about an hour from Bangkok. And if I'll be honest I'd rather call it The Autoshite Museum. If any of you ever visit Thailand someday, this place is like 3-Michelin Star restaurant, "Exceptional chod, worth a special journey."

 

[egg]

Now you're just spoiling us! Fantastic collection.

[Shirley Knott]

Absolutely astounding work

 

I'm 100% on board with that Corolla, everything about it.

 

Why is it that Watanabe RS8s look so good whilst Minilites look so bloody awful?

 

Pretty sure the wheels aren't RS8's as they look to be a one pice rather than a split rim (could be wrong though). Either way, Watanabe's/Panasports do look much better than Minilites.

 

The Corolla looks lovely, well bought OP

[Guest Conan]

Now you're just spoiling us! Fantastic collection.

 

Ho. Lee. Shit. (My thoughts on the museum, not the curators name )

 

There are some belters in there, thanks for sharing

 

Give me some time and I'll compile even more shite museum for all of you guys! Yes, this is not the only one.

 

Pretty sure the wheels aren't RS8's as they look to be a one pice rather than a split rim (could be wrong though). Either way, Watanabe's/Panasports do look much better than Minilites.

 

The Corolla looks lovely, well bought OP

 

It is a one piece rim. F8F me thinks? I'm not an expert on Watanabe but they looks perfect on the car so I'm definitely keeping them! I was going to swap for original 13 inches steelies with matching hubcaps but thought otherwise.

 

Thanks!

[fatharris]

A genuinely enjoyable read - welcome!

[Shirley Knott]

 

 

 

It is a one piece rim. F8F me thinks? 

 

I think so too.

[taxi paul]

Welcome. Some very nice cars ,including yours. I have a jdm toyota alphard. It's a 3.0 v6. Must go back to Thailand one day. Went to koh samui about ten years ago. Old acquaintance has a house near to big Buddha. Had a great time.

[Jim Bell]

Thats the best museum Ive ever seen. Thanks for sharing.

[MorrisItalSLX]

IMG_0343.JPG

 

Is that an Invacar I smell?

[Guest Conan]

A genuinely enjoyable read - welcome!

 

Thanks!

 

I think so too.

 

Ahhh so that's what it is. I'm still definitely not an expert on Watanabe.

 

Welcome. Some very nice cars ,including yours. I have a jdm toyota alphard. It's a 3.0 v6. Must go back to Thailand one day. Went to koh samui about ten years ago. Old acquaintance has a house near to big Buddha. Had a great time.

 

Thanks! The JDM Alphard is a very popular car here too. Apparently it's "luggsury". Well a van that drives like a Lexus ES must be that I guess. And you'd definitely be welcome to come back here again!

 

Thats the best museum Ive ever seen. Thanks for sharing.

 

It definitely is!

 

Is that an Invacar I smell?

 

Why yes it is! Sadly I don't have any closer individual picture of it. (Might have to go back some day, this place is not very far either). This place has a lot of invalid carriages and motorcycle as well, along with a couple of bubble cars.

[MorrisItalSLX]

Why yes it is! Sadly I don't have any closer individual picture of it. (Might have to go back some day, this place is not very far either). This place has a lot of invalid carriages and motorcycle as well, along with a couple of bubble cars.

 

It's looking quite sorry for itself. 

 

If only we had an Invacar enthusiast who might* have a spare headlight and a person who said light could be posted to that could deliver it to the museum... 

[Guest Conan]

To be fair, a lot of the car in there is in a sorry state with most haven't been on the road for many years. As sad as that is, at least they aren't deteriorating, but they all will require some work to go back on the road again.

[hairnet]

Thought I might share the hidden gem of a museum that not many tourists would care about except maybe you guys.

 

Jesada Technik Museum, it's about an hour from Bangkok. And if I'll be honest I'd rather call it The Autoshite Museum. If any of you ever visit Thailand someday, this place is like 3-Michelin Star restaurant, "Exceptional chod, worth a special journey."

 

*books ticket

[worldofceri]

I've only just found this thread.  It's amazing!  Have a free bump.

[Guest Conan]

*books ticket

 

Oriental Shite Tour anyone? 

 

I've only just found this thread.  It's amazing!  Have a free bump.

 

I'm sure the car will be even more amazing once it's adorned with one of your sticker!

[Guest Conan]

Pretty high I'd say! 

[davocano]

My friend has a Thai-spec Hilux "Tiger" pickup

 

Is it this one perchance? Seen in 2015.

 

[Guest Conan]

Wow somebody actually brought one over? I wouldn't have expected that even considering how ubiquitous they are.   That particular model would've been before the production moved entirely to here too I think? Anyhow it's really weird seeing one that's not even in remotely Asia!

[Lacquer Peel]

Is it this one perchance? Seen in 2015.

 

21032277888_ce2c9a0562_o.jpg

No, it's silver. I've seen three now, my friend says they're reasonably common here.