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Brownnova’s Trans experiment - Born in the USA, Living in Wales: We got us a misfire!


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22 hours ago, Mrsbrownnova said:

To be honest I did think twice. I had to consider it being offensive to Quasi’s brother, or Quasimodo, or even brothers in general for that matter. Oh my, what about ugly people? It’s a minefield. 

I'm a brother.  I'm not offended.  Compare away.

Just remember who called Dibs first!

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1 hour ago, Mrsbrownnova said:

Thought I’d jump on @brownnova’s (magic) wagon and include a bit from me about Bonk. 
Today was the first time I’d braved driving it and after moving the seat from somewhere near the boot to the actual front (he’s over 6ft, I’m 5ft 2) I also had to put a booster to put me just a bit higher in the seat 😂

I fear I looked more like a fighter pilot driving the thing but hey ho, we made it home all in one piece. I then had to navigate reversing to up the drive and plonking it next to the camper. A feat I can only compare with that poor fellow trying to turn that cargo ship in the Suez Canal. Unlike him, I managed it.  Not once did I see brownnova with his hand on the door catch ready to escape through the whole journey, which I’ll count as a win! 

Apart from the obvious butt clenching from driving a LHD on the wrong side and meeting lorries, busses etc it’s actually a lovely thing. It’s uglier than Quasimodo’s uglier brother but is bigger than our smallest bedroom and mega comfy. The whole experience is a bit bizarre given the hand/foot brake thing and having your passenger on your right hand side but I think Bonk the Magic Wagon will be with us for a bit! 
 

Bonktastic! Not many appeal to all parties, hope you will enjoy.

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On 3/23/2021 at 5:45 PM, brownnova said:

Spring mounts all welded up! 

F1A0A5E9-2F4F-4CC0-8DC8-A431A397F721.jpeg

Without wanting to piss on anyones chips, I'm slightly concerned about that welding.  Looking at the before and after photos, it looks suspiciously like the grot has just been plated over, thus meaning it will rot out in double-quick time, potentially leaving you with a spring ejected from the car and no mounting.

I hope not.  I hope it's just the angle of the photo, but it might be worth checking that over fairly carefully to see what they've actually done.

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A Pontiac Trans Sport?  Now there's something I never expected to see on AutoShite!

I knew GM tried selling these in a few European countries and this is definitely a Euro-spec model.  The square lights flanking the rear number plate, the side repeaters, and the headlamp washers are all tell-tale giveaways to this car's Euro-spec provenance, not to mention the KmPH speedo.  For the life of me I can't imagine what sort of weirdo would have purchased this when new, over a Renault Espace.

Yes, these were popular here in the US but I certainly can't remember the last time I saw one.  The Trans Sport, like it's Chevrolet Lumina APV and Oldsmobile Silhouette siblings, are all but extinct now.  Your GT is unique for being a one-model-year-only (1992) trim level and the fact it's a Euro-spec model makes it rarer still.

Now you just need to get some period-correct Pontiac "We Build Excitement!" dealer merch!

 

Or maybe just enjoy the Patrick Stewart voice over of this Trans Sport advert.

 

Naturally, MotorWeek reviewed the Trans Sport upon it's introduction.

 

Not to mention all of the GM Dustbuster variants, too.

 

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3 hours ago, Talbot said:

Without wanting to piss on anyones chips, I'm slightly concerned about that welding.  Looking at the before and after photos, it looks suspiciously like the grot has just been plated over, thus meaning it will rot out in double-quick time, potentially leaving you with a spring ejected from the car and no mounting.

I hope not.  I hope it's just the angle of the photo, but it might be worth checking that over fairly carefully to see what they've actually done.

I’ll take that on board, and will keep a close eye.  I believe the old was cut out and the new welded in. And Paul my friendly tester was very pleased with the work and inspected it above and below on the ramp. But I appreciate your concern, and will satisfy my own mind once I can access my pit again when this bloody scaffolding has been taken down! 

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I managed to download the owners manual and print it off.

In other observations of the Trans Sport: 

- the cruise control works! And cruising on the dual carriageway with the cruise set to 65 is a wonderful experience.

- there’s a rotation sounding squeak, but I don’t think it’s the wheels... one to investigate, but it doesn’t do it stationary.

- there’s a clonk from the offside suspension somewhere.

- it’s much better on the road since the tracking was done. 

- it’s fucking awesome!

- I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the engine note!

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What engine is in these?  If it's the Vortec unit that's bumper them further up my want list.

I still kick myself for not buying a blue one a few years ago up north - classic case though of the seller "knowing what it was worth" and refusing to budge on the price.

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Brownnova's 1992 GT has the famously indestructible Buick 3800 V6.  Torquey, reliable and not too thirsty, the Buick 3800 endeared itself to legions of mostly elderly motorists who valued longevity and durability over technological sophistication.  Rumour has it you can perform a full service on a Buick 3800 with only a hammer and a rock, such is this engine's simplicity!

 

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Great to see, very pleased it seems to be working out well for you.

I wondered if I'd seen any in France, it would seem just this one at an American specialist place:

Pontiac Trans Sport

This was in 2013.

Pacific Garage American selection

And apparently still kicking around the place but with more illustrious company in 2015.

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5 hours ago, Zelandeth said:

What engine is in these?  If it's the Vortec unit that's bumper them further up my want list.

I still kick myself for not buying a blue one a few years ago up north - classic case though of the seller "knowing what it was worth" and refusing to budge on the price.

 

3 hours ago, Madman Of The People said:

Brownnova's 1992 GT has the famously indestructible Buick 3800 V6.  Torquey, reliable and not too thirsty, the Buick 3800 endeared itself to legions of mostly elderly motorists who valued longevity and durability over technological sophistication.  Rumour has it you can perform a full service on a Buick 3800 with only a hammer and a rock, such is this engine's simplicity!

 

Yes, the splendidly simple and long-lived Buick V6.  I had a Vortec in my Blazer in 2013 and would actively avoid doing that again, but would have the Buick engine any time since my 1980 Century in 2003-5.

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15 hours ago, Zelandeth said:

What engine is in these?  If it's the Vortec unit that's bumper them further up my want list.

I still kick myself for not buying a blue one a few years ago up north - classic case though of the seller "knowing what it was worth" and refusing to budge on the price.

 

13 hours ago, Madman Of The People said:

Brownnova's 1992 GT has the famously indestructible Buick 3800 V6.  Torquey, reliable and not too thirsty, the Buick 3800 endeared itself to legions of mostly elderly motorists who valued longevity and durability over technological sophistication.  Rumour has it you can perform a full service on a Buick 3800 with only a hammer and a rock, such is this engine's simplicity!

 

Exactly as @Madman Of The People says, it’s the 3800 Buick engine. It’s lovely to be honest. 

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8 hours ago, hairnet said:

does run on leeks now?

 

I think there is a conversation available from HRH Prince of Wales, but you only get about 18 miles per Leek.

I think he also has homeopathic daffodil windscreen wash too. Clinically proven* to deflect arrows fired at your windscreen by @Cavcraftfrom Chester Castle. 

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Mini-Nova in five years:

'Dad, can we go to the Wales Rugby match in Cardiff on Saturday?'

'Get back in the pit, we've got to mine the coal and there's a promising vein.   I'll be able to get petrol for Bonk, then.  Sing the treble part to pass the time, I'll do the baritone...'

Other Welsh stereotypes are available.

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14 hours ago, brownnova said:

Very rough calculations... we are achieving approximately 23/24mpg... I will do some proper calculating soon enough. But that’s not too bad.

Approximately 450 miles covered so far. 

more than my 1.6 scenic automatic!!!!!!!!

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Bonk the magic wagon has done some sterling service this Easter hols... not only being a TV  YouTube star, but....

Enduring snow in Easter 

E9446027-467E-46F8-AC7E-A7322C085D04.jpeg

Family outings to: 

Gwyrch Castle (home of this years in a celeb) 

C451D987-4A4D-48DE-BB67-17419E40687A.jpegCED550F2-8A67-4AA4-AA7F-80D3A3301D1A.jpeg

Erddig Hall

AC481399-878B-4BEA-BD27-9C45C2896AD3.jpeg

 and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.... car park. 
4A0EE4DA-486C-4E26-BB6F-AC4562D78997.jpeg

(No comments on the caravan in the background will be made.)

As it didn’t go on the aqueduct itself please accept this artists impression. 
037D9ADA-B5F8-439D-B33D-95F2790C453F.png

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  • brownnova changed the title to Brownnova’s Trans experiment - Born in the USA, MoT’d in Wales! As seen on TV!

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