Simple FSO collection & other stuff

[nigel bickle]

No, I’ve no idea why, either!

 

I saw this for sale, so decided to buy it. I reasoned that a pickup is always a good thing, and that it’s quite unusual.

 

I need it like a hole in the head.

 

So I’m on a train this Saturday, to Derby to collect it. Polish vendor is being typically evasive on condition etc, so I expect I’ll break down on the outskirts.

 

On the off chance I make it back to the sunny south, it’s booked in for it’s first fail ( with me- I’d wager it’s been through another!) Monday morning.

 

Why do I do it? Lord knows.

 

Anyway, here it is

 

 

 

 

Yup, that overhang does appear excessive in all the photographs....

 

Oh, and I bought this last week

 

 

A low value 1:3 with a seized engine. Been fiddled with, the timing belt is half off & starters out, but it can’t be difficult to swop out - can it? Bet it is.....

 

Anyway, awaiting collection by A frame from deepest Kent.

 

And it looks like I ‘ might’ be getting this too....

 

 

I bid on the EBay auction, ended up the underbidder, at what I considered too high a price.

Got a call from the vendor today..........

 

 

Can you tell I’m beginning to feel a bit better, finally? Or am I just in a morphine induced hallucination? You tell me!

[Split_Pin]

The FSO looks huge!

 

What's the last car, Pontiac? I like that one.

 

Glad you are (obviously) feeling better!

[nacho man]

Yo Mr Bickle I live in Derby so if you have any probs send me a message, I have a good stock of tools and what not and a garage.

[nigel bickle]

Ta, nice offer. Pmd

[Lanciaman]

Obviously certifiable. Well done Sir

[Ghosty]

 

 

What's the last car, Pontiac? I like that one.

 

 

Some sort of Saturn.

[GeordieInExile]

I hope that'll be staying in police colours!

[nigel bickle]

Might well be right. Probably a wrong un, but I doubt i’ll Lose out legalising it-& it might be useful.

 

Owe you a thanks for the tapes. I’m using that Espero today, and they are appropriate listening! Ta..

[bezzabsa]

did he attempt to T cut the FSO and give up????

 

looks ok tho..LOL

[Belfast Gipsy]

Mr Bickle at his best -  welcome back - love the FSO

[fordperv]

That fso pickup is fantastic

[hairnet]

Obviously certifiable. Well done Sir

competely normal

 

that fso - fark - supertanker

[will16]

FSO is a beast and bloody cool! Is it 4wd?

[yellowperil]

Better just shut Autoshite down now, you have just won the internet.

[w00dy]

FSO is ace! It looks enormous.

[Cheggers]

That's lot of truck to be dragged along by an FSO engine, make sure you pack a flask and sandwiches for the run home

[carlo]

I have to say those later Wartburgs with the VW engines are pig ugly old things; a Wartburg needs to have wheeltrims, chrome bumpers and a two-stroke!  Good luck with it nonetheless.

[Felly Magic]

I think those FSOs were used as bases for the hearses, and I remember seeing that Wartburg for sale for ages on ebay, you utter legend Nigel, good luck

[Timewaster]

you Nutter legend Nigel, good luck

Efa

[stuboy]

fso looks fffun

[nigel bickle]

Fso collection Saturday mid morning

 

Wartburg collection next week or so

 

Saturn collection ( yah, deal done) within 3 weeks.

 

Gonna be travelling, Mot mans gonna be busy!

[spartacus]

What a hero, you're doing it right for sure!

[Inspector Morose]

Warty four strokes are basically a VW 1.3 lump using a 1.1 clutch and flywheel so it’s a relatively painless swap to something else.

Gearboxes on the other hand are a different kettle of fish altogether, as I’m finding out.

FSO looks, erm, interesting. Good to see you getting back to form!

[somewhatfoolish]

Eleventy twelve AS points awarded.  

[Felly Magic]

Nigel, when you do KOLLEKSHUN FREDS, they are always full of epic WIN, looking forward to this lot 

[eddyramrod]

Nigel: excellent work, well done.

[UltraWomble]

Its so hard watching other people live out your dreams.

 

Nige, we love you.

[nigel bickle]

Yup, off early tomorrow to break down spectacularly someplace on the M1

 

Assuming I don’t , I’m ‘ inspecting’ a dead BX in Bedfordshire on the way back. Natch, I’ll not be carrying surplus deposit sized readies in my back pocket...No idea why, I’ve just passed on my BX Gti to a friend...

 

Pity the Saturn , (currently sitting in Mildenhall) doesn’t have a tow hitch. Two birds, one stone etc

 

Think I’m off for a lie down..

[nigel bickle]

Well, first one down ,and I couldn’t have been more accurate...

 

 

 

Seems the vendor wasn’t being terribly truthful

 

He met me at the station, I saw him drive in, but didn’t want a lift home. It seemed to be running well, the paperwork sound, so I jumped in, headed south

 

It became very obvious before I was even out of Derby, that all wasn’t well, with the fan permanently on, a large water bottle hidden in the back, a rapidly pressurising engine, a growing split in the header tank and a very leaky ( read blown) radiator.

 

Pressurising? You bet.

 

I made Lutterworth before it became terminal, so pulled over, just off the motorway and summoned help

 

The RAC.

Having called them at noon, they turned up ( well sent a Contractor) at 7pm. I was well baked by then, but relieved I was heading home.

 

Except I wasn’t. I was moved to Bicester Services, and dumped a@ 8pm. I booked into a hotel.

 

8am the following morning they still couldn’t give me any idea of time, so I caught a train home, getting back about 11am, about 20 mins before the truck arrived on a RAC low loader.

Yup, if they had ever spoken to me, I’d have waited.

 

So, around 18 hours to move it 200 miles. We WILL be having words, with an anticipation of a large compo claim heading through the Judiciary.

 

Anyway, it’s now up the garage & will get it stripped over the next week or two - hardly complex.

Having had time to give it a good inspection, the rear brakes and pressure regulator are leaking, the indicators are sporadic, stereo bust but most importantly, the passenger floor seems to be missing! Carpet and 4 rubber mats seem to be the principle structural component here! Sills are crappy, and the divers crossmember looks like painted fibreglass to me... so expect a weld Fest!

 

I’d still have it, whatever. JUST LOOK AT IT,

 

Anyway, onto the next. Wartburg or Saturn next? Don’t know, but I have just agreed terms on another Pennant . Hadn’t moved in 20 years

 

Worra masochist..

[Rocket88]

Both the RAC and AA seem to be heading for hell in a hand cart............I've heard whispers about a merger............