'96 Galaxy (Shrew) A closer look

[KruJoe]

On 16/03/2024 at 22:42, ProgRocker said:

If anyone's interested here's a brochure review of the original Galaxy:

 

I've learnt all sorts from these clips, interesting stuff. Like where to find the fuel cut off switch. 😅

On 16/03/2024 at 22:54, KWhite said:

 I love these! Brilliant launch video featuring 'The Bastable' 

 

Thank you both for sharing the vids  Who knew that a 40 min review of a launch brochure for a moderately dull car could be so entertaining?
Thanks!

[KruJoe]

On 16/03/2024 at 23:32, Dobloseven said:

Does the 2 litre use a Ford engine or a VW unit?

On 17/03/2024 at 09:22, Rustybullethole said:

Didn't these come with the Ford 2.0 dohc jobbies too? 

I assumed it would be a Zetec but that looks like the old DOHC as seen in Transits and late Sierras.

Quote

looks a bit more legit looking for framing duties.

I'll often employ the time honoured wisdom. ... If it ain't right, do it at night.

I doubt very much that I'll be fitting a tow bar and pulling owt with this. It just doesn't feel man enough, and I need the 4WD for towing in and out of steep, wet fields. So we'll struggle on with the SX4 for now.

However this looks over towing spec:

From that launch video. I wonder how it would manage up a wet slip-way?!
A VR6 4motion might have a chance, but not an Aspen!

[KruJoe]

The outside of this thing is in amazing shape really, for a 27 year old Ford. But not perfect...

Some lacquer damage on the bonnet and A pillar...

...and an impressive giffer glue job on that mirror. 

That's the only rust I've found so far (OSR arch). And there's this dampness in the screen, which is a shame, but so far it's only really affecting the black bit around the edge.

What do we think that sticker is? I don't think it's factory, so I'd like to get rid.

[Rustybullethole]

55 minutes ago, KruJoe said:

 

What do we think that sticker is? I don't think it's factory, so I'd like to get rid.

I reckon if you scanned it it would tell you there's damp in the screen.

Does look clean, clearly had some looking after.

Wet field towing an throw up traction issues hey. Used to don't lots with vans and a big old ifor trailer. Twin wheel rwd were better though can't count the amount of times we got the buggers stuck. 

Beach racing at Mablethorpe was my favourite. The aim of the game was to get as much speed as possible on the little bit of wet sand before hitting the dry sand gradient at full powers. That and loading before all the 4x4's had fucked off home.

[KruJoe]

My algorithm is algorithming. The latest:

 

With a very youthful James May, and a shrew grey Aspen  

[jonathan_dyane]

For the number plates try Donegal Signs on eBay 

[320touring]

Before getting Baws deep check the sills and the "outriggers" in the floor pan. They like a right good rust.

[Popsicle]

10 hours ago, beko1987 said:

Hnnng those interior shots bring back childhood memories 😂

Would have gone from a 3 year old Mondeo to this with a ve badge on, I didn't know how lucky I was as a kid 😂 

Trying to think what my stepmum would have had, was after the 2cv, it might have been the AX forte, then the v reg clio 3 door from new

I wonder if my kids feel the same nostalgia? I went from a glorious black 2.5 ghia X Mondeo estate to a resale silver 1.9tdi zetec Galaxy when Mrs P kept firing the kids out. Although a downer for me at the time, the Galaxy was a brilliantly reliable family bus and never faulted.

[andy18s]

Spent a few days being driven around Germany from site to site in 1 of these in the late 90s. 

Whenever he had chance the driver had it pinned to the floor on the autobahn,only stopping for fuel and redbull....

[BorniteIdentity]

I know I'm a nostalgic old gimp, but that shot of the dash really does highlight how quickly interior design moved from square, angular and functional to fluid and contemporary.  

Great purchase.  I'd have definitely bought it (and made a poo at the same time looking at his Facebook feedback and the seller's location!)

[Volksy]

My Merc was rather damp inside when I got it, worth getting a couple of these which do quite a good job of at least keeping the windows clear.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hillington-Reusable-Dehumidifier-Dashboard-Anti-Slip/dp/B083M892KV/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3UY0T91CA74J2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.c6kv8TaoURURTx8xDEr1hfycc8Va4LkBkfNja9_I3jyEIAU6k5FkSAGLbln_mGrrtlv3mbkYe7jsIIlWQY7HV-5QIRAJkY9afdcneaGbwdWioMWqyggrvWbQHRLUiVt9KrymbE1WFsLIvXu9T05vlcf87jypSl1wy2qsUPu0Hww1q0DstRXuvyAM-dnsAN_CgVIE6QidpIvKPbl40ZW03gPne5TJ62RRv0vSb59rndo.YpRvcekOObQ4kwcuOZtvU5n5bBeSPZbc0cQAffLvMJs&dib_tag=se&keywords=large+silica+gel+bags+for+moisture&qid=1711100842&sprefix=large+silica+%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-6

[KruJoe]

10 hours ago, Volksy said:

My Merc was rather damp inside when I got it, worth getting a couple of these which do quite a good job of at least keeping the windows clear.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hillington-Reusable-Dehumidifier-Dashboard-Anti-Slip/dp/B083M892KV/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3UY0T91CA74J2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.c6kv8TaoURURTx8xDEr1hfycc8Va4LkBkfNja9_I3jyEIAU6k5FkSAGLbln_mGrrtlv3mbkYe7jsIIlWQY7HV-5QIRAJkY9afdcneaGbwdWioMWqyggrvWbQHRLUiVt9KrymbE1WFsLIvXu9T05vlcf87jypSl1wy2qsUPu0Hww1q0DstRXuvyAM-dnsAN_CgVIE6QidpIvKPbl40ZW03gPne5TJ62RRv0vSb59rndo.YpRvcekOObQ4kwcuOZtvU5n5bBeSPZbc0cQAffLvMJs&dib_tag=se&keywords=large+silica+gel+bags+for+moisture&qid=1711100842&sprefix=large+silica+%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-6

The Shrew has been in our (breezy) top shed for a few days with the windows down a bit. It's drying out nicely but the driver's footwell is still wet. Tomorrow I'll bring my VAX home and give it a good sucking, then I'll put a dehumidifier machine in there for a few days. Hopefully that sorts it, if not, I'll consider those things. I think the wet in there was caused by the driver's window dropping while parked in the rain.

That's a 1998 Galaxy brochure jammed there to hold the window. I didn't do that. The brochure has suffered, but we'll have a look at it later, I think it's more substantial than the one in the 40min video.
The switch and motor are ok I think, but it made nasty cable noises.

Someone's been in here before.

The only thing broken I could find was a plastic tab on the gearbox bit, so that'll repair. And the mangled cables. I'm not looking forward to wrangling that lot back in. But found this on eBay, for £5.36 delivered, thought it rude not to.

That might make life slightly easier, I hope there are instructions!

[KruJoe]

23 hours ago, jonathan_dyane said:

For the number plates try Donegal Signs on eBay 

Thank you sir, I'll keep them in mind for next time, but I have a pair on the way from DMB:

 

[KruJoe]

22 hours ago, 320touring said:

Before getting Baws deep check the sills and the "outriggers" in the floor pan. They like a right good rust.

Thanks for the heads-up, you had me worried for a bit there... until I had time to lay down in the dust:

Sorry some of them are upside-down, they look fine on the laptop until they're uploaded.
Yes, there are some crusty bits, but I'm sure nothing my MOT man will knock me back for. I'll let him have an honest poke about before I get under there with a wire brush and the underseal. It's a shame some numpty has mashed the front of the sills jacking it up, but what can you do? 
The trailing arms, the weird Y-shaped rear subframe, and its brackets to the sills are all the wrong shade of brown, but still look solid.
Other than that, quite relieved really, and the back half of the exhaust looks recent. Which is nice.

[jonathan_dyane]

1 hour ago, KruJoe said:

Thank you sir, I'll keep them in mind for next time, but I have a pair on the way from DMB:

 

They look great mind 

[Bmwdumptruck]

Brilliant cars these. Bought a 1.9Tdi Sharan off a mate in late 07, ran it up to 150k when it was starting to go into limp mode if accelerated hard. One sunday morning a found a late 10 plate 2.0Tdi in bright red with just 30k on it, by lunchtime I’d bitten the bullet and done the deal. Only got that one to 90k when the wife decided to buy herself our Mazda6 tourer.  So I sold the Sharan on, with much regret. 
Every so often I look up the mot histories on them.  The 1.9 is on nearly 200k, but gets a good long list of fails and advisories now,  and the 2.0 isn’t far behind at around 170k.  

[320touring]

13 hours ago, KruJoe said:

Thanks for the heads-up, you had me worried for a bit there... until I had time to lay down in the dust:

Sorry some of them are upside-down, they look fine on the laptop until they're uploaded.
Yes, there are some crusty bits, but I'm sure nothing my MOT man will knock me back for. I'll let him have an honest poke about before I get under there with a wire brush and the underseal. It's a shame some numpty has mashed the front of the sills jacking it up, but what can you do? 
The trailing arms, the weird Y-shaped rear subframe, and its brackets to the sills are all the wrong shade of brown, but still look solid.
Other than that, quite relieved really, and the back half of the exhaust looks recent. Which is nice.

Good to see! 

The box section with 2 holes in it on the left of this picture tends to go, so don't be surprised if the toffee hammer makes it's mark..

[Dan302]

Galaxy around 21 minutes in