I bought a Carina E.

[Snipes]

First mode of transport - '83 Air Pegasus (wearing black as I may have to get on the floor later).

Obligatory Old Aylesbury bridge photo.

An Train. Missed the earlier train because too tight to by an open ticket, but what's the rush eh?

An Speedy Train.

Oh no, I only have a whole HOUR to cross this square whatever shall I do?

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

You bought a thing, or a Thing ?

[Snipes]

Second speedy Train of the day. Seats in this thing are awful and I was on it for two and a half hours. They were proper stingy with the padding. (forgot to photo on departure so this is at journey's end).

Wasn't entirely sure where my destination was, fortunately I but follow in the shadow of Greater Men and this location has been explored previously....

[Snipes]

Bonus grim post modern "art" installation

You see, it's food because it says so on the bottle. How else are you supposed to know?

[Snipes]

Who called for a Taxi?

[Snipes]

I use to LARP as a Carina E licker on line for fun but this guy is something else. There's a whole yard of time expired Carinas, Camrys, Corollas and Avensis.

[Snipes]

£360 a year tax for the world's most economical 1.6! Absolute robbing bastards! ALL TAXATION IS THEFT! 

220 miles on half a tank of pez ain't bad going though! 

[wesacosa]

16 minutes ago, Snipes said:

£360 a year tax for the world's most economical 1.6! Absolute robbing bastards! ALL TAXATION IS THEFT! 

220 miles on half a tank of pez ain't bad going though! 

ah awesome..Is this the potential Super Touring Power steed you mentioned 

[Snipes]

Yes I bought the world's greatest motor vehicle, a '94 Carina E GLI 1.6 from our guy in Bradford as previously encountered by @Datsuncog. See https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/388564753003. 

Bleb on one rear arch

All four doors are scabby, with this being the worst but I'm confident all it needs is rubbing down, potions applied and a rattle can blow over.  Sills and all the usual anchorage areas all look very good, but I'll have to get it all cleaned up and sealed as it'll have to live outside for now. 

 

Interior is all very nice. Working kenwood stereo. I said in the ebay thread it's "fairly low spec" but I was mistaken. PAS, Electric windows x4, electric mirrors, electric tilt and slide sunroof, central locking (old school, just unlock the door and everything unlocks, no faff with double press or press 'n' hold buttons, fantastic) and, amazingly, everything works! Only things it could have had would be alloys and front fogs (and aircon at a push) Gear shift gator is mullered, and putting on the cold air blower blasted lots of dead insects into the cabin but they're my only complaints. Gearshift is surprisingly tight, shifter and handbrake lever close to hand. I never liked the clocks in pictures, especially compared to speedy models, but honestly it's just a nice, easy to read dash.

[Snipes]

Four and a half hours later and I'm home, quietly dreading picking up a puncture the whole way as all four tyres are time expired and the spare too flat to inflate at the pez station (no shot, sorry forgot). It drives brilliantly though, which is as much a complaint about modern cars and a testament to how well this thing has survived. 

First jobs, besides cleaning inside is a set of tyres and whip off the timing cover and see what state the cambelt is in. Currently, I've no idea when it was last done. Only one key, which is only mildly annoying as, to my amazement, no immobiliser. Just a basic key. Also no ABS. I should get a steering lock as there's actually little stopping the scrotes from nicking it.

[Snipes]

1 hour ago, wesacosa said:

ah awesome..Is this the potential Super Touring Power steed you mentioned 

Yes. Its perhaps a bit scruffy to be "displayed", and I really really shouldn't push my luck using it without a spare (I've had enough punctures to be weary of them). I won't have time to get them done before next weekend. 

[Peter C]

Absolutely love it!

 

[wesacosa]

Just now, Snipes said:

Yes. Its perhaps a bit scruffy to be "displayed", and I really really shouldn't push my luck using it without a spare (I've had enough punctures to be weary of them). I won't have time to get them done before next weekend. 

There was all sorts of condition cars displayed last time so I wouldn't worry about that, its just like any normal car show really . If you do apply to display the road going version of the BTCC cars get to go in a separate Road-to-race section 

  

[Snipes]

If anyone is wondering, yes I really seriously considered @Spottedlaurel's estate but I just wasn't feeling it for the Estate, no matter how useful it would have been, and I really wanted an earlier one, ideally a 4 door. 

It would have been fun to put a face to SL's name, as I've seen him posting on various different forums now for almost twenty years.

[Snipes]

1 hour ago, wesacosa said:

There was all sorts of condition cars displayed last time so I wouldn't worry about that, its just like any normal car show really . If you do apply to display the road going version of the BTCC cars get to go in a separate Road-to-race section 

  

how did you apply?

I also really need to not be tempted into fitting some period Celica alloys. I think they would suit it....

 

[wesacosa]

1 minute ago, Snipes said:

how did you apply?

https://displaymyvehicle.msv.com/calendar/brands-hatch/2025/june/super-touring-power-3/apply

I'm not sure if the deadline might have passed but worth a try.  This is just for the normal classic car section, I think they contract you separately if you apply in a car that qualifies for the road to race section 

If the deadline is passed try giving them an email on [email protected]   as I wonder if they will make an exception for the relevant BTCC stuff

I initially booked my Estelle in (wishful thinking) but e mailed them to ask about swapping to the Xedos

 

[grogee]

26 minutes ago, Snipes said:

Four and a half hours later and I'm home, quietly dreading picking up a puncture the whole way as all four tyres are time expired and the spare too flat to inflate at the pez station (no shot, sorry forgot). It drives brilliantly though, which is as much a complaint about modern cars and a testament to how well this thing has survived. 

First jobs, besides cleaning inside is a set of tyres and whip off the timing cover and see what state the cambelt is in. Currently, I've no idea when it was last done. Only one key, which is only mildly annoying as, to my amazement, no immobiliser. Just a basic key. Also no ABS. I should get a steering lock as there's actually little stopping the scrotes from nicking it.

How did you manage to get past the crowd of young, nubile women desperate to have your babies? 

That is winning with a capital In. Well bought. 

[High Jetter]

Great cars, well bought. I had a Carina II estate, traded in for an Avensis so missed out on an E. (Of any type!)

[Lord Sterling]

I R JELUS. 

Great buy those. It takes me back to a 16 year-old me in Telford, Shropshire. My mate Tony Singh's parents had a hatchback Carina E in light blue metallic. He drove it everywhere at warp speed and standard the stereo was absolutely amazing almost matching mid 90s Vauxhall efforts in terms of handling strong bass, clear treble and the general delivery of music.

[Snipes]

The Carina and I are in for Super Touring Power at Brands next weekend. That was a quick decision, obviously automated, and I've decided to make  a weekend of it. 

The spendies have been completely out of control this month.  

[wesacosa]

1 hour ago, Snipes said:

The Carina and I are in for Super Touring Power at Brands next weekend. That was a quick decision, obviously automated, and I've decided to make  a weekend of it. 

The spendies have been completely out of control this month.  

great news. looking forward to seeing the Carina 

If they don't send you a specific pass/invite for Road to race section during the week, drop them an e mail on the address I posted. Would be a shame to just have it in the normal classic car park!

[Snipes]

I have the pass. It simply says "Individual Entry, pre-2000 only". I've emailed anyway.

They must think I'm a proper nuisance. Originally booked as a regular spectator for sunday, then asked to be changed to saturday, now I'm pestering them for a specific show spot lol.

[wesacosa]

6 minutes ago, Snipes said:

I have the pass. It simply says "Individual Entry, pre-2000 only"

ah ok. I have a vehicle pass which says R1 and then in the club name road to race. I'd suggest to drop them a line to try and change it

make sure you get an entry ticket too. You still need to apply for an entry ticket (not just a car pass) although you it's free (you may have done it already)

you should end up being sent these. You need both to get in

 

[Snipes]

Cleaned the Carina. Noticed the OSR lens has a crack - will have to keep an eye out for one. Had a proper look at the tyres and it's just the rears that need changing. 2017 DOTs and showing their age so that's 3 with the spare.

Also remembered the stereo has Aux In. I love this car. It was a fridge with wheels in 1995 but I don't care.

Oh and ordered an old school Disklok. I had no idea they still made them  but they do!

[Wibble]

Love this! I had use of a new demonstrator model for a bit back in the day. I thought it was dull but you could just feel it would go forever. I think it was an “Executive”, so had really awful looking fake wood. Your is much nicer, enjoy!

[Snipes]

That super faded red hatch in the yard picture I posted earlier was a CDX Executive. The guy was very keen to ensure i appreciated just how rare it was lol.

I forgot to ask if he had any GTIs...

 

[Wibble]

That was it, CDX Executive, in a bright metallic blue.

[wuvvum]

I'm quite surprised that it doesn't have an immobiliser - I wonder when those came in.  My P plater definitely has one.

[Snipes]

59 minutes ago, wuvvum said:

I'm quite surprised that it doesn't have an immobiliser - I wonder when those came in.  My P plater definitely has one.

As was I. There is evidence of an old alarm install, including unfortunately battered old sensors stuck to the a-pillars.

[Snipes]

Small up date not much to report. Been pottering about in the Carina for unimportant travels (supermarket, gym etc). It's a total antidote to modern vehicles, as I was reminded this week when the works van came back from having it's ad blue repaired only for the system to break down again, stranding the van in a Canary Wharf car park.

Bought an old school steering lock and a  Haynes book of pork savory snacks. I've been half heartedly buying tools "for work, and maybe the car" but I'll have to get some proper automotive stuff. I use to have Snap on everything when I was in the trade but had to dispose of it all years ago.

No history with the car at all so I'll have to do basically everything, including a cambelt, depending how tricky it is - shouldn't be too bad (engine bay access looks really good) but I've never done a twink before. I'm keeping use of it to a minimum until that is done and I've replaced the kippered spare tyre. Just haven't had time to do anything. 

Edit: oh and a cv boot was an advisory and an engine oil leak which I'll just go ahead and assume is a rocker gasket. Valve clearances in the owners manual, so I guess it's solid lifters.

It'll be at Brands all weekend for the Touring Cars event, and I expect to be working the next couple of weekends after that so it'll be a while.