The Doctor's travels through time. Fin.

[Cord Fourteener]

I have glue-gunned on my 924 mirrors several times after slight oopsies in reversing into the garage either in a hurry/damp/dark conditions.

[DoctorRetro]

Tried to straighten the bumper today, but the metal bar is twisted, so even releasing the screws didn't help

On a positive note, it doesn't seem to have touched the intercooler, all seems well.

[DoctorRetro]

Had my first run out yesterday, up to Chelmsford (essential journey, before any COVID police start judging). The smokiness on startup seems to be dissipating with use, I will stick some diesel cleaner through too, as I accidentally bought some a couple of months ago when it was on offer in Lidl. 

It's very agricultural sounding, but once on the go, it's comfortable and quiet, and pulls well. Of course, it feels like it has done 208,000 miles, but that just adds to the charm. 

I'm not including any pictures, as I know that most people on here are a bit sensitive to modifying cars, especially when it makes them look worse ?

But let's just say, I'm ready for the upcoming bleak future! Just need to figure out a way to run on biodiesel. These have a Lucas pump, I think. 

 

[Out Run]

Let’s see the mods. Just chuck veg in and drive - sawtid!

[loserone]

I think it looks mint.  A car for our times

 

[vulgalour]

This is exactly the sort of car where modding it can't do any harm.  I mean, it's a 208k diesel R8 that's been beaten every day of its life, a bit of matt black paint is hardly going to kill any investment potential.

If it's happy to run on veg that might help reduce the smoke, just remember to change the filters twice as often as recommended and you should be good.  Or just run it on diesel to save yourself the faff, I'd be surprised if it was bad enough on fuel to warrant going the veg route really, you should be getting 40-60mpg out of this I'd expect, depending on what sort of driving you're doing.

[DoctorRetro]

It's OK on fuel, not that I'm getting much need to drive it at the moment. It's definitely lowering the tone of the neighbourhood. 

Got a new number plate on order, front one is like a jigsaw puzzle! Bonnet is fucked under the grille, but I guess that just adds to the 'look'. Wire mesh on the lights came from the bumper below. I'm trying to utilise scrap / waste to do things, so will be on the look out for some more mesh for the windows. 

If anyone decides to try to preach about declared mods to insurance etc, they can fuck off. I'll do what I want. 

 

[Cheezey]

Good work. I’m surprised how crispy the bonnet is under the grill!

[DoctorRetro]

6 minutes ago, Cheezey said:

Good work. I’m surprised how crispy the bonnet is under the grill!

Let's just say, a few of the bolts didn't need much effort removing... 

[Dan302]

7 minutes ago, TheDoctor said:

Let's just say, a few of the bolts didn't need much effort removing... 

Is it just me or does the bonnet make it look like it's sneering ? looking forward to seeing the progress on this.

[Wgl2019]

May be worth trying to cover up any jagged/ sharp edges on the front of the bonnet. As a car that is likely to stand out (unless covid takes us to a Mad max type scenario) and possibly trigger a stop by Police/ Vosa you could fall foul of 'dangerous condition' type rules.

...... I must say I have always quite liked the old Rovers but have to ask, why no Saabs in your car history?

[TrabbieRonnie]

Looks like it's saying 'move the f@*k over'!!!  Can you drop a v8 in it doc, ultimate zombie sleeper!?!

[TrabbieRonnie]

They're actually a really nicely proportioned estate eh?  Reminds me of my old Honda Civic Aerodeck… small, neat and looked good.  T'was a rusty bugger underneath though.  

Good luck with it Doc, bet nobody cuts you up in it!

[Joey spud]

3 hours ago, Wgl2019 said:

May be worth trying to cover up any jagged/ sharp edges on the front of the bonnet. As a car that is likely to stand out (unless covid takes us to a Mad max type scenario) and possibly trigger a stop by Police/ Vosa you could fall foul of 'dangerous condition' type rules.

...... I must say I have always quite liked the old Rovers but have to ask, why no Saabs in your car history?

Yes that jagged bonnet edge is a Vosa/Plod pull all day long even in Essex.

[hairnet]

Y U TRY POISON CHELMSFORD WIF CLAG?!

that bonnet ffs - find another quick - all the water collects under grille then fucks it?

 

[Dannyk]

I like it so far, think a bullbar and spotlamps would suit it

[loserone]

Bullbar or nudg bar to protect people from the sharp edges would work

[Wingz123]

Doc I think your off your rocker but it looks like something out of death race....

I would have to say something to you if you were my neighbour. 

[sporty-shite]

I think some black and yellow striped hazard tape would suit the front edge of that bonnet. 

[vulgalour]

A bullbar would look right at home on this.  You've definitely made the thing look worse, just in a way that makes it look better, if you follow.  Social distancing certainly won't be an issue.  It's got to be nice having something where you can just focus on whatever mechanical bits that are needed and sod the consequences on appearance.  That is the worst bit of bonnet rot I've ever seen on one of these, here's hoping you can find a road sign or something to bolt over it just to get rid of the nasty tetanusy bits.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

On 3/22/2020 at 1:20 PM, LightBulbFun said:

is it just me or did anyone else initially read "418SLD"

as 486? LOL

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_80486

No. However,  your comment has brought back memories of my old Compaq 486 which I produced my dissy on in the late 90s. It seemed quite an upgrade from my Olivetti 386!

Back on track,  the tourer looks well worth sticking with, doc. 

Update,  just spotted latest photos. Hmm. 

[LightBulbFun]

48 minutes ago, Dick Longbridge said:

No. However,  your comment has brought back memories of my old Compaq 486 which I produced my dissy on in the late 90s. It seemed quite an upgrade from my Olivetti 386!

haha probably just because im a massive computer nerd  (tis one of my other hobbies)

(as a general side note as an aforementioned computer nerd I really must get some sort of 486 system in the collection one of these days, im sorely lacking in that department, I have a selection of older Macintosh computers, but my oldest x86 PC is "only" an Athlon XP machine)

[loserone]

A lightbar could cover the sharp edge too

[DoctorRetro]

That'll do for now

Also went round with the tape and highlighted some other 'hazards' - don't ask how I discovered these ?

 

[andy18s]

That front roof rail is begging for some "quality" led light bars....

[mitsisigma01]

Those roofrails are begging to be cut shorter before smack your head on them then fit mega light bar on it and a rear facing one to dazzle all the pricks that don't know how to use their headlight control switch or headlamp height adjustment control , dazzling twats need shooting, bright lights have a time and a place, not in daylight pootling round town. Not directed at you personally. 

Grump over

[DoctorRetro]

11 minutes ago, mitsisigma01 said:

Those roofrails are begging to be cut shorter before smack your head on them then fit mega light bar on it and a rear facing one to dazzle all the pricks that don't know how to use their headlight control switch or headlamp height adjustment control , dazzling twats need shooting, bright lights have a time and a place, not in daylight pootling round town. Not directed at you personally. 

Grump over

100% on that grump. 

Good idea too. 

[vulgalour]

Approved!

[DoctorRetro]

Oh for fuck's sake. 

 

Shame I've already spent the money on the Rover. 

 

Anyone else want to jump in? 

[Noel Tidybeard]

that front roof bar is in the rong place full stop- should be about 1/2 way along door top