Grizz’s OCD Awesome ASTRO Van 🚙 Megane SCENIC 1.5dci 🚙 MX5 JEEP For Sale.🚨 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 USA Road Trip

[grizz]

What a surprise the weekend was. 

 

Real chilly weather, so much so that we didn’t do a thing except vegetate. 

 

Saturday morning dawned at -5.5’C yes minus. 

 

It was bone chilling and despite going out to Craigs stables and workshops for an hour, the cold was too much to actually do anything fun. 

So we headed back indoors and got the Christmas tree and stuff down from the loft for Daughter Elli to decorate. 

Craigs wife was preparing for massage therapy exams so we watched some YouTube videos on car and house building. 

 

Sunday morning 

 

 

 

 

Not a lot done either. 

 

Felt weird but sometimes its not a bad thing. 

 

Monday morning I headed out back to Kent as soon as Craig got back from the school run. 

 

Satnav was out by 30 minutes as usual due to traffic and a coffee stop. 

 

 

 

Overpriced Starbucks coffee and a pee just over halfway back. 

 

 

Home by 13.00

 

House looked like a couple of teenagers had been let loose (not really that badly) but certainly the lodgers were making themselves at home. 

I knew the two 47kg bottles of gas were near their end before I left, and they were indeed empty with the system switching over to the other two. 

Ordered some gas. £187.00 for two bottles delivered. 

Thats a lot of money to just burn. 

But you gotta live. 

 

Once unpacked I got a load of weekend laundry going and brought the complete 206CC interior into the house as some of it needs cleaning up a bit. 

 

The rear seat base needs a small repair right where the seatbelt anchor exits from the floor. 

 

At £60.00 plus maybe £15.00 for the 100 mile detour to collect them……. 

 

I still think it’s a bargain to replace the very badly damaged drivers seat. 

 

Fix will be simple. 

 

Unless I find a base for silly money like £20.00 then I don’t plan to do the repair. 

 

 

 

Mate Martin said he would come over one day to neutralise the airbag sensors with a couple of resistors soldered into the system. 

 

The front seats are immaculate 

 

 

Treasure laid out. 

 

Vax wet n dry for a couple of spots. 

 

 

I also want to start valeting the green Toad interior as it can do with a good scrub down and baseline clean up of dash, controls and interior glass. 

 

Then, weather permitting the wash and polish of the outside. 

 

Frosty today. 

 

 

 

 

 

[grizz]

Couple of out of sync videos.

 

Fetching. 

 

https://youtu.be/20doiwWRcLw?si=dli4ydPIvcZ4c8--

 

 

Inspection 

 

https://youtu.be/gIyJWnADDQM?si=fer-OWe1tmznaE-M

 

 

Looking forward to fitting them. 

[jim89]

Hi Grizz followed you from RR 😏

Re the rear seat damage - any mileage in maybe repairing that area (& the other side) with a bit of leather or other black fabric to look like it "was always meant to be"? Like a factory reinforced area for under the seat belt buckles...

Cheers

Jim 

[kevins]

seats look a good buy, I'd just stitch a smallpiece of black cloth over thd damage.

[grizz]

@Rocket88

 

Astro van was bought with a short MOT in August. Expiring on the 20th December.

 

But despite not having a day job, I have been really busy with the two other cars on the drive the last few weeks.

 

All that got to a point of calm chaos with the Caddy now being good on all levels. Right down to the go faster stripes and paint damage cammo.

The 206 CC it parked up till the 20th December when the Cambelt and waterpump will be replaced.

Raining all day today and cold so no paint detailing gets done.

 

Back to the Astro…….

 

Swapping around the cars after I got a same day booking on Monday this week, I drove it down to the test station enjoying the power and eagerness of the 150 bhp the 4.3l V6 brings. Of course being empty in the rear makes it super light and perfect for drifting around corners. 

 

 

The Test Centre was running a bit behind due to customers running late in arriving. Never seen that before but they told me and apologised when I got there for the 15 minute delay. No problem.

 

When the young tester took it in to test I could see the silly grin on his face.

The van really looks and sounds great from the outside too. .

 

I also heard but did not see it being revved in anger when the front wheels got stuck in the brake testing rollers. When I got around to look at what happened the air was heavy with tyre smoke.

 

Evidenced by the marks on the floor. 235/15 tyre treads. Black lines do matter for hooligans. 

 

Hopefully I don’t get a bill for the damage to the floor.

 

 

Once up on the ramp the test continued till they were finished.

I had asked if I could take some pics and video of the very clean 30 year old underside once tested which they allowed while escorting me into the workshop.

 

Nice people as I mentioned.

 

 

Clean Underside also shown in the video.

 

Wanna buy a tidy van mister?

 

Not a bad looking 30 year old 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once I had taken my pics they dropped the van and took it off to get the emissions tested as well.

Another pass. Possibly due to my enthusiastic driving to the test centre.

 

 

Really liking this angle on the van.

 

In the video you can see just how low it actually is. 

 

And it looked great parked outside in the carpark.

 

 

And finally like an expectant father at a maternity hospital, time for the yearly cigar.

 

Looking at the mileage at under 80k miles which includes about 7 years stored in a dry warehouse, it’s no wonder that the van is as nice as it is now.

 

 

Video for those who like sound with their pictures.

 

https://youtu.be/G5zGWeGuFI0?si=qRNvlXfiau_sEmEm

 

Thanks for checking in and any comments you care to take the time to make.

 

Now if it would just stop raining outside.

[kevins]

That is very clean especialy for a U.S, product of the period, a quich clean up  and coat of something like dynax would make it last well.

[grizz]

4 hours ago, kevins said:

That is very clean especialy for a U.S, product of the period, a quich clean up  and coat of something like dynax would make it last well.

Just need to get some product and a ramp. 
 

Would it actually increase the value of it at resale? 

[grizz]

Sally’s son needs a small car based van or car that can be a van, like a Berlingo  multispace, VW Caddy etc to get to work and back. 

Also putting his 125 pitbike in the back at weekends. 

 

PM if you have something sensible that you would send your 18 year old daughter off to Scotland in. 

 

Ideally closer to Rochester, Kent. 
 

Oh, he is 23 and about 6’4”

Wears a size 14 shoe. 

[Schaefft]

1 hour ago, grizz said:

Just need to get some product and a ramp. 
 

Would it actually increase the value of it at resale? 

It looks so clean in the photos that it probably wouldn't. If its not just the lighting/photo quality the undercarriage speaks for itself.

[grizz]

41 minutes ago, Schaefft said:

It looks so clean in the photos that it probably wouldn't. If its not just the lighting/photo quality the undercarriage speaks for itself.

Some pics I took on the drive when it came here. 
Including the sill, damage it seems from a numbnut trying to lift it wrongly

[Schaefft]

I would keep the salt off the car as right now it's immediately obvious that it's been well cared for, you wouldn't ever have to worry about rust with this one, nothing is hidden there by undercoating.

[Crackers]

As always, a very enjoyable read through the last few pages 😀

[666jjp]

11 hours ago, grizz said:

Hopefully I don’t get a bill for the damage to the floor.

 

I would be looking to charge them for tyre wear 🙂

[kevins]

4 hours ago, grizz said:

 

Sally’s son needs a small car based van or car that can be a van, like a Berlingo  multispace, VW Caddy etc to get to work and back. 

Also putting his 125 pitbike in the back at weekends. 

 

PM if you have something sensible that you would send your 18 year old daughter off to Scotland in. 

 

Ideally closer to Rochester, Kent. 
 

Oh, he is 23 and about 6’4”

Wears a size 14 shoe. 

There is always the option of the caddy now you have the pug, silver film over the windows and away he goes.

[grizz]

37 minutes ago, kevins said:

There is always the option of the caddy now you have the pug, silver film over the windows and away he goes.

I offered it to him to use indefinitely but not cool enough. 
 

(I say not desperate enough) 

[grizz]

Thanks to @shampooefficient for listing stuff early….

 

Managed to find some smoked/clear side repeaters of unknown parentage for the Caddy. 

Next job will be to find a set of clear front indicator lights as well. 

Won’t be everyone’s taste. 

Should work. 

Loads of rain again today so a bit frustrating. 
 

[Westbay]

"Would it actually increase the value of it at resale?  "

 

It's a fine line between originality and 'prevention is better than cure'.... 🙂

[junkyarddog]

I prefer the gingercators,adds a splash of colour to otherwise boring resale silver.

[grizz]

3 hours ago, junkyarddog said:

I prefer the gingercators,adds a splash of colour to otherwise boring resale silver.

I get you. 
 

I added another splash of colour for your pleasure. 

 

 

 

 

Changed the front fender accent today between rain and wind sessions. 

I think this is a better option than the one I had on before. 

The square on the rear should have been different so I think I will address it when the weather improves. 

Weather really screws with the progress. 

In other Christmas news…..

My old S10 was seen out in the wild doing what gets done this time of year. 

Yes its a screenshot. 

Not my truck. 
 

 

[grizz]

6 hours ago, Westbay said:

"Would it actually increase the value of it at resale?  "

 

It's a fine line between originality and 'prevention is better than cure'.... 🙂

Agreed. 

[bezzabsa]

Thats a bloody big fuel tank...... and 150Bhp??? really??? My 1600 bini has 120 LOL

[grizz]

15 minutes ago, bezzabsa said:

Thats a bloody big fuel tank...... and 150Bhp??? really??? My 1600 bini has 120 LOL

 

Sorry…….  My bad. 
 

 

Chevrolet 90° V6 engine (Vortec 4300 V6)

200 hp (149 kW

[grizz]

Yesterday I was busy sharing information on FB about the Astro van when a guy, Michael, from Denmark reached out via Messenger. 

 

Small time farmer, Blues guitar and harp player in a blues band. 

 

More importantly, an awesome blue Astro van, used in summer as his gig bus. During winter it is dry stored and the Volvo comes out.  

 

Funny how I never met a stranger in my life. 

 

Look closely, pop out side windows, super cool louvers. 

 

And the wheels are my taste. 

 

 

 

Later in the day I washed the 206 CC as I really wanted to polish and detail it. 

 

Rain interrupted plsy, sadly. 

 

 

 

 

https://youtu.be/eUDojOVAtFU?si=cSK4esVQZ7BeBjtq

 

Hopefully the weather would change. 

 

It did not….

 

[grizz]

Sometimes I see stuff that makes me smile. 

 

Tonight a trench cleaner over thr street. 

 

Should be done yearly. 

 

Not done. 

 

And the council it seems are only clearing one side of the road. 

 

Crazy. 

 

https://youtu.be/l7WP3jjdBpw?si=Jxwvyftd5aozIjYG

 

Should just be thankful that I get to see some of my council tax used on something worthwhile. 

[grizz]

Cleanup time 

Remember the day we collected the car? 

Pretty, green, kinda dull inside and outside. 

 

 

So I had to wait for the weather to give me a window of opportunity to was and detail the car. 

 

Washed on Sunday. Ran out of dry time. 

 

 

So yesterday I cleaned and buffed the glass. 

Inside rear glass was the worst  

Washed glass then dry cloth buffed till the difference was noticeable. 

 

 

Much better. Glass is damaged from years of snow and frost scraping when you look really close enough. 

 

 

Then started on the hood/bonnet, trying to get the lacquer damage corrected as much as possible. 

Followed by the rest of the car. 

Hand polishing allows you to get intimate and identify all the marks and correct some of the damage that does not need a PDR specialist. 

 

 

Once all the paint has been polished, buff off the powdered polish followed by getting onto all the black trim. 

Body rubbing strips, bumpers and then mirrors, glass trim and in the case of this convertible the roof seals as well. 

 

Half and half, showing the before and after. 

 

 

Big wide mouthed toad. 

 

Suits the name “La Petit Crapaud” 

 

 

Getting into every possible groove, and hidden dirt trap. 

 

Makes me feel better. 

 

 

Final result, it feels as smooth as it looks. 

 

 

Now, if I saw this on a sales lot……

I would be interested in buying it. 

 

 

 

A few hours of focusing on this makes a big difference to my day. 

[Saabnut]

What product have you used on the black trim? Looks good.

And would you like a holiday up norf where a few dozen others would benefit from your attention?  

[grizz]

2 hours ago, Saabnut said:

What product have you used on the black trim? Looks good.

And would you like a holiday up norf where a few dozen others would benefit from your attention?  

Morning 

That sounds like a compliment. 
 

Not enough to make me volunteer though. 
 

I happen to have a few products but prefer this……

 

Easy to apply and a little on a small bit  of rag, goes a long way  

 

 

[grizz]

Rained all day yesterday. 

Rain again today. 

Not ideal. 

But the rain does make a good judge of my effort. 

I guess all this rain means I should just go out and go shopping for ridiculous stuff for Sally to wrap up and hand over at Christmas. 

And yes, not a fan. 

Prefer to buy stuff that I need when I need it. 

Christmas is every day

[grizz]

Well. 
 

First real use of the Caddy yesterday. 
 

Company car collection was on Tuesday. 
 

Now I am officially unemployed as garden leave came to an end on Sunday 10th. 
 

With the 206 CC off the road on SORN till January and after its service, it was the first time I had to rely on the Caddy since its new MOT and ECU  for real world use. 
 

Reliable as expected 

I drove it about 10 miles to a not so local shopping centre and parked in the underground garage. Forgot to take a photo of it between all the shiny, if dirty moderns. 
it certainly is a small car, relative to everything else. 
 

A really pleasant drive as it was when I fetched it from @Zelandeth and again made me grin.  
 

Some shopping and socialising with strangers later, I headed home. 
 

Happy and content. 

Got home to three small parcels  

Including these from @shampooefficient 

Next job, see if they fit and apply  

 

Now I need to get back onto getting tyres ordered and bought for the 16” alloys I bought for it. And finally fitting them. 
 

Though I do really like the simplicity of the steel wheels and mini centre caps. 
 

In other news, I had ordered some 2.2 Ohm resistors off eBay. Delivered in under 48 hours. 
 

Once again surprised at the cost including postage 

Made the mistake of thinking it was cost per unit. 
 

 

Now I seem to have many or is that much resistance. 
 

 

Just need to wait for Martin to have a job nearby so he can come do the necessary work for fooling the Peugeot into believing it has airbags in the seats, then I can fit the new interior. George the cat has taken them over as his new bedroom furniture. 
 

 

Last thing …….

 

Saw this map, including a reference to my kingdom 😏

 

 

That is all. 

[grizz]

A good, if slightly chilly morning on Mud Island. 

 

Rain stopped overnight. 

 

 

Last night I got home as the Caddy turned  over to 114000 miles or 183465 km 

 

Almost run in for a 1.9 SDI 

 

 

Then this morning I quickly fitted the £5.00 delivered side repeaters. 
 

Thanks  @shampooefficient

Easiest job ever. 

 

Pop out, unclip, twist fit, repeat. 

 

 

And fitted and working. 

 

 

 

I think that works. 

 

.