THE GUBBERMINT ALWAYS KNOWS BEST

[Pete-M]

Talking of clutches...

 

I was on the way to the Unit of Shite* earlier when I got a somewhat frantic phone call from my friend, the clutch cable had snapped on her Mk1 Golf Cabrio and she was stuck in probably the worst place possible in Liverpool to breakdown and it was just before rush hour.

 

I was on the M60 about 15 minutes from the unit (30 miles or so away) when I got the call. As soon as she described what had happened "The clutch pedal has gone all wibbly and I'm at the top of the flyover in town, with the kids and my mum in the car... what do I do??", so I told her to try and get the car onto the pavement and I'd be there in half an hour. Which takes some doing.

 

Half hour later I arrived - I'm good, me - and then realised that because the cable had snapped where it couldn't be bodged temporarily with a connector block this would mean I'd have to drive the Golf, and they'd have to follow me in the Jag.

 

To give it credit, the Golf started in 1st gear and I was able to get it to my mates garage without any issues other than avoiding stopping. The interior mirror fell off when I tried to adjust it, so the drive across town in rush hour traffic with the Jag in convoy was a bit of a moment. I don't let anyone drive the Jag normally, so trying to drive a clutchless Golf and keep an eye on the Jag without a rear view mirror was a bit of a moment.

 

Sorted anyway, clutch cable will be fitted tomorrow. The rear brake shoes will have to wait until next weekend...

[outlaw118]

Help Help!!! I'm a damsel in distress!!!

 

Never fear SCOUSERMAN is here!!!

[Pete-M]

She's only had the thing a week or two, and I told her to buy it so it would have been somewhat slack of me to say "Tough, ring the AA".

 

She's also damn cute, so it'd be rude not to have gone to her rescue

[outlaw118]

Hey Mr Blitz, I just googled "superhero pictures" and he's the first one that appeared.

Although I will agree, it does appear that he may "play for the other team" as it were.

[myglaren]

Ron Hickman, inventor of the Workmate and designer of the Lotus Elan?* RIP

 

*I thought it was Colin Chapman but then I'm generally wrong about these things.

[autofive]

Hey Mr Blitz, I just googled "superhero pictures" and he's the first one that appeared.

Although I will agree, it does appear that he may "play for the other team" as it were.

 

theres only one superhero in pink

 

sad news about Ron Hickman

[dollywobbler]

Have been greenlaning in the Landy today. The only one on standard road tyres (well, worn Mud and Snows) and not one problem! Well, apart from yet another wading incident. V8s are crap when it comes to water.

 

I sort of enjoyed the day - met some really nice people - but I'm not convinced it's how I want to spend my time. My neck hurts, my leg hurts (90s are crap for legroom) and I used up about £40 of fuel. It was fun, but not indispensable fun. Guess that means the Landy's going to be for sale then.

 

Problem is, I just can't decide what I actually DO want. A TR7 V8 could be fun, but I'm not really a 'power' person. I just like the noise. Maybe a Daihatsu Mira Avanzato. I like mental small stuff. Perhaps that's the answer...

[Cheggers]

Finally, after much swearage, I've managed to drill out the knackered wheel stud on the 944 - That means I can finally get on with sorting out the ABS (light stays on, suspect filthy/ busted sensor) and replacing the rear tyres.

[M'coli]

I like mental small stuff. Perhaps that's the answer...

I can see a Panda 4x4 on the cards for next winter!

[HillmanImp]

I like mental small stuff. Perhaps that's the answer...

 

You would like my ex girlfriend then.......

[Negative Creep]

[skattrd]

.... Maybe a Daihatsu Mira Avanzato. I like mental small stuff. Perhaps that's the answer...

 

Try any kei, they're all great fun imo. I had Qwertina (and Hirsts) old Mira Classic for a while last year, that was great. Theres the Suzuki Cappo, rwd convertible, Honda Beats are less powah, but quite cool cars as well, just avoid the Copen .... I'm a kei fan if you can't tell

 

Just got home in the Galant Sapporro .... the velour barge, autobox and cruise control all the way

[dollywobbler]

I love Kei stuff. Probably about time I had a dabble to be honest. I've driven a Cappuccino but that's about it. (great fun).

 

Panda 4x4 would be an idea, but I'm not sure there are any rot-free ones left!

[pogweasel]

Guess that means the Landy's going to be for sale then.

 

Is it brand new and registered D701SWL??

[scruff]

Have been greenlaning in the Landy today. The only one on standard road tyres (well, worn Mud and Snows) and not one problem! .

 

You've discovered the big secret - you don't need any bolt on shite at all despite what certain people would have you believe...

 

Have to say I agree with you. Can't remember the last time I went offroad/laning in the UK, for my own enjoyment. Too many cretins in One Life Mong It-mobiles or miserable sods who think you shouldn't be there. I use my SIIA for all sorts of load lugging and towing but it's getting a bit much fuel-wise for the commute even at 35mpg. Looking for a 205 diesel at the mo and keep the LRs for weekends

[Cavcraft]

No, that was my dad's.

 

Yesterday I discovered that 6 cylinder Beemers are actually considerably better on fuel on a run than they are in town. Considerably better. The jury is still out on the E46, I have to confess I like the (body) style of it and the standard fayre (fair?) alloys suit it well in my eyes. Driving comfort has improved ten fold since I got the seat to adjust how I wanted it to and once it's seen a few revs it pulls very nicely. The flip side is it's one of those cars I don't quite feel at home in. Can't quite put my finger on it but I've had this before with other cars, it's a bit weird really, almost like you've rented it as it doesn't feel like it belongs to you. Anyone else had that with cars or do I need to go and see the shrink again?

[dollywobbler]

I get that all the time Billy. I have driven an E46 coupe (330Ci) and thought it was ludicrously fast and excellent at making me look like a wanker. Had 178k on the clock yet felt factory fresh, engine made a glorious noise yet it all felt a bit soul-less.

 

Mind you, it had an absolutely superb sound system in it. You could listen to pipe organ music (sorry, I happen to like it) and feel like you were sitting right next to the 32' stop! Proper, smooth bass you can feel, and at moderate volumes too - not like a Saxo full of speakers.

 

One car that has always taken my fancy is the Volvo S60/V70. S60s appear to be sneaking under a grand now as well, albeit not with the warbling five-pot dizzle that I want.

[wuvvum]

Glowplugs on a diesel Punto are an awkward bitch to replace. That is all.

[dollywobbler]

Glowplugs on a diesel Punto are an awkward bitch to replace. That is all.

 

Easier or harder than a BX?

 

Speaking of which, I'm selling mine. Ads on RR and BXClub, latter one here >>> http://www.bxclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12347 Sorry, it's a bit waffly as I was originally going to sell her in June, then didn't. Plenty of life in the ol' girl yet, but I really have got a hankering for a wholesale fleet change (well, 2CV excepted and Mini will have to wait for its brakes to be fixed). Landy also for sale.

[Spottedlaurel]

From this in 2005/06:

 

1986 Nissan Laurel 2.4SGL (C32) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

To this, since it came off the road a few years ago:

 

P1070945 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

With help from Marky off the Datsun forum who needed some bits for his, we got it down to little more than a shell. It had some rot in it and was never really a very nice example, I'm pleased bits of it live on and are proving useful to other Laurel owners.

 

Unearthed the urine sample bottle that I found inside when I first bought it. I don't think it had ever been used...

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

double post- ignore

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

I love Kei stuff. Probably about time I had a dabble to be honest. I've driven a Cappuccino but that's about it. (great fun).

 

Panda 4x4 would be an idea, but I'm not sure there are any rot-free ones left!

 

You should buy a 3 pot Justy, they make a good noise.

[wuvvum]

Glowplugs on a diesel Punto are an awkward bitch to replace. That is all.

Easier or harder than a BX?

Not sure - never did them on my BX, although they probably could have done with replacing. Only diesels I've ever done glow plugs on before were an Iveco Daily and a Mk3 Astra with the GM lowblow engine - both had one plug which was a bit of an arse to get to and three which were easy. Punto had one which was OK-ish to get to and three which were a complete arse. In fact I couldn't get no.1 plug undone at all, so that cylinder didn't get a new plug.

[dollywobbler]

I love Kei stuff. Probably about time I had a dabble to be honest. I've driven a Cappuccino but that's about it. (great fun).

 

Panda 4x4 would be an idea, but I'm not sure there are any rot-free ones left!

 

You should buy a 3 pot Justy, they make a good noise.

 

Yeah, but they rot like Panda 4x4s - the Justy was also on my list of possibles. Is it wrong that I've been looking at early Daihatsu Sirions? They look quite large for something with a three-pot, but they come in some hideous colours! Wonderful.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Justys are actually fairly hardy, a lot better than a Panda, it's just the wings and arches that tend to go.

[M'coli]

No, Sirions are quirky and forgotten - I like 'em!

[skattrd]

I ended up with a Mira last year as I couldn't find a Panda 4x4 for sensible money, best decision ever. The Mira/Cuore kei's are more reliable, civilised and powerful. Sirions are a good choice as well I think, theres some rally 2/4's around as well that have Toyota engines in which are cracking motors.

Subaru Justy, I'd have one in a heartbeat.

[pogweasel]

Great start to the week, bmw decided that it doesn't need a clutch, something that I do not agree with, so it will have to sulk at home till I get back and can investigate its flaccid pedal more fully. Grr.

[dollywobbler]

Triton Green is frankly the only colour to have a TR7 in. Well, perhaps brown too. Ace.

[pogweasel]

Despite (or because of) the utter horror of a TR7 I do find myself drawn to them.

Ugly, underpowered, part-bin raiding at its worst*, they are a marvellous thing.

 

I'll take a hardtop in russet brown with a red door pls. THX!