FatHarris - tales of a motoring moron *Rover final musings**

[RoverFolkUs]

8 minutes ago, twosmoke300 said:

I could do it but the welding would definitely be a dirty patch job . I’d be embarrassed to let another person in the trade see it . 
I could send some pics to my local chap that does my trickier welding jobs and see what he would charge if you like .

And I’ll do the mechanicals 

I'm happy to consider both options, my MOT standard welding is much the same as you describe and the immediate priority here would just be to get it through a test. As you know I completely understand the ins and outs of this, you price up welding jobs one way or the other, "patch for a test" or "concourse" so I'm not gonna slag you off for anything that gets a test! 

Without having it in front of me I'm struggling to ballpark the costs myself but if you have any ideas yourself then great! Also an idea from your guy would be good.

No rush on any of this! But if we can make something work out then great, if starting a PM conversation is better than cluttering up @fatharris thread then that's fine by me!

[IronStar]

Rooting for you @RoverFolkUs! I loved this car on first sight when @fatharrisbought it, and I loved it so much I’m still considering buying the green one and fighting for the title.

Get it back on the road! You got this! 🙌

[Dick Cheeseburger]

1 minute ago, IronStar said:

Rooting for you @RoverFolkUs! I loved this car on first sight when @fatharrisbought it, and I loved it so much I’m still considering buying the green one and fighting for the title.

Get it back on the road! You got this! 🙌

Agreed. I always thought the 600 was a decent looking car, and the fact this one has a Tomcat turbocharged lump from factory makes it even more likeable. Great to see it may gain a stay of execution. 

[fatharris]

I'm going to do fat ugly sobs when this leaves

[RoverFolkUs]

Just now, fatharris said:

I'm going to do fat ugly sobs when this leaves

My hands would be better than the jaws of the crusher

[RoverFolkUs]

Btw @twosmoke300, dirty cash

[High Jetter]

Team effort here.

[twosmoke300]

16 minutes ago, RoverFolkUs said:

Btw @twosmoke300, dirty cash

I need you woah 

[High Jetter]

14 minutes ago, twosmoke300 said:

I need you woah 

I want you right now...

[Wibble]

I’m at a bit of a loose end these days, so would happily train it down and peddle it back, once legal, if it helps.

[RoverFolkUs]

22 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

I want you right now...

I once had pride, now that's all behind...

[fatharris]

I just realised that you're in Sussex, I'm currently working just outside Portsmouth so I can bring it up there if that's easier for collection once it's fixed up?

Saves you hours of train bullshit, and gives me one last drive.

[RoverFolkUs]

2 minutes ago, fatharris said:

I just realised that you're in Sussex, I'm currently working just outside Portsmouth so I can bring it up there if that's easier for collection once it's fixed up?

Saves you hours of train bullshit, and gives me one last drive.

This just gets better doesn't it! I'm sure that would end up being an amazing help if it makes no odds to you in terms of logistics getting back? But otherwise I'm sure I can enlist a mate willing to road trip down with me - either way I think having it roadworthy would be a great way forward 

[fatharris]

Wouldn't be an issue for me, I can cadge a lift back home with the other guys I'm working with 👍

[RoverFolkUs]

2 minutes ago, fatharris said:

Wouldn't be an issue for me, I can cadge a lift back home with the other guys I'm working with 👍

Happy days!! I'll wait to hear back regarding the welding in due course whether that's from twosmoke or his mate?

[2flags]

This sounds like a plan to save, what is now quickly becoming, a very rare car. Always had a soft spot for these. Never actually owned one, had the 800 instead. Have driven one though, very nice car. 

[fatharris]

Been a very quiet fortnight. Herman still plugging away as the daily, average MPG still improving as he loosens up (we saw 36MPG for a while!)

Came home on Friday to gather spares, documents and keys to prep the Rover for the handover. Dan took the splitter off for me on the Friday to save me drowning myself.

Typically, the storm meant I had to empty and reload the car in the pissing rain.

Guessing that sticker wasn't water resistant.

With everything confirmed with the guy collecting it, the following afternoon I parked up next to the car and contemplated my ownership experience.

It's a funny one - if you look at it from an outside perspective, it was riddled with niggles and faults and I only got 10k out of it in 18 months. 

But what was it like to live with in those 18 months?

As soon as it was bought, it was pressed into an adventure with friends to Silverstone, with hilariously disastrous consequences.

It was my sole car during the winter, never letting me down and keeping me toasty with a blazing hot heater.

It took us on our first family holiday to the Netherlands - with no breakdown cover, it was a recipe for disaster, but it soldiered on effortlessly and proved to be an excellent long distance cruiser.

To cement this reputation, I took it to the Netherlands AGAIN, this time to exhibit it at the EMWalhalla car show, where it drew a decent crowd of interested people.

It became a car to friends in need, when their cars let them down, with glowing feedback from people who enjoyed it for what it was.

It even became the family car for MrsH for several months whilst the Laguna was in bits in the garage - once again, it stood up to the task perfectly and never left her stranded.

All the while, it went like a stabbed rat when the throttle was opened up and surprised a few passengers.

It drank fuel round town, ate tyres and balljoints, leaked oil, rusted in awkward places and had a ride harder than concrete.

So I ask again, what was it like to live with?

Absolutely bloody brilliant.

Farewell old friend, you will be missed.