Allegro news. Ratlook is dead. Long live granny-carjack look

[Louise2cv]

So... it's been a while since I showed off my purchase, so its time to fill you in, whether you like it or not!

 

I LOVE IT. It's brill! It still makes me clench my bum because it is insanely fast, I'm going to have to stop showing off in it.

 

I've had loads of opened mouthed stares around town and positive remarks in supermarket carparks. One guy had an identical car, one lady passed her test in one etc etc the usual stuff, but I like to hear it! Even the local kids have failed to pick on it so far.

 

A friend got me two multi-coloured crocheted cushions which are now on the rear parcel shelf and I got a wooden-bead-cover-thing to go the seat. Next I think need two vehicle watch stickers and a square AA badge. Unless people think I've borrowed my grandads car I've failed to really show it off in its best light.

 

The downside is increasing amounts of blue smoke and never being able to make the oil stay above minimum on the dipstick

 

So after chatting with the car-guy down the road I called in at a local garage, its down the side of some terraced houses on a one-car width track, I was expecting a one man band set up but round the back it's huge, and chock full of newer cars in for service and repair.

 

Nevertheless, he has recently worked on my neighbours Austin 8 and Morris Minor, there was a Minor just out of a clutch change and he seemed well up for doing my car, which is nice because I've been to other garages with the 2cv and they've practically laughed me out of the workshop while flicking the V's. I'd really thought I'd have trouble finding anyone but a specialist to touch it, but the plan is he'll remove the engine, and do the brakes and stuff, while his engine specialist on the island does whatever needs doing to the engine.

 

He did suggest an alternative was to find an old goldseal engine and put that in, what are the chances for finding something suitable do we think?

 

P.S. He must be a good guy, as he was saying his brother had just bought an ITAL van in BT yellow which he hopes to restore and livery up as a telecom van again.

[Formula Autos]

For this look to be complete you need a TOGs sticker in the back window.

 

Oh, and a Feu Orange air freshener hanging from the interior mirror.

 

Don't be forgetting to put a little round tin of boiled sweets on the dash either. Barley sugars are best.

[Richard]

I'd start by getting the valve stem oil seals replaced. It might not be that but it's a cheap and easy job compared to an engine overhaul. Often the stem seals can be changed without removing the head, I'm not sure if that applies to the A Series.

 

What kind of oil are you using? You should be using 20-50.

[Louise2cv]

I used my bottle of 20-50 and then in desperation topped up with the fag ends of a bottle I found in the house, 15-40 (bought for the 2cv).

 

I thought rings as it doesn't smoke on start up, its changing down (approaching roundabouts/ long downhill stretches) that seem to cause it, the garage man agreed...

 

what do you reckon? I think the plan is to have a look-see and go as far as we need to rather than just go the whole hog regardless. Lets hope it is something easy!

[chaseracer]

 

Lou: Allegroporn, please...

[Des]

its changing down (approaching roundabouts/ long downhill stretches) that seem to cause it, the garage man agreed...

That sounds like valve guide oilseals, if it's the A series then the seals may well have never been much cop, the right man would be able to pop some in within a couple of hours, only really need to do the 4 inlets, do also check the obvious, breathers, air filter not blocked.

[Louise2cv]

I like the sound of that!

[FredTransit]

I used my bottle of 20-50 and then in desperation topped up with the fag ends of a bottle I found in the house, 15-40 (bought for the 2cv).

 

I thought rings as it doesn't smoke on start up, its changing down (approaching roundabouts/ long downhill stretches) that seem to cause it, the garage man agreed...

 

what do you reckon? I think the plan is to have a look-see and go as far as we need to rather than just go the whole hog regardless. Lets hope it is something easy!

I agree with you, if it was the valve guide seals it would smoke on start up and get better as the engine warmed.

[Pillock]

My Scirocco had buggered stem seals and acted exactly like you describe.... no smoke on startup, no smoke when cold, but once you were going it used to smoke on overrun - lift off coming up to a junction and a waft of blue smoke would overtake you.

 

Driving it "with haste" never produced any smoke at all. Good enough a reason as any to cane it everywhere

[Cavcraft]

Do you put lead replacement stuff in it when you fill up?

[Louise2cv]

erm no. But it has an unleaded head thang. Am I supposed to?

[Cavcraft]

Ah, should be ok if it's had an unleaded head fitted. Seem to recall these engines could smoke a bit on modern fuel.

[Louise2cv]

Phews! Mind you all I have to go on is a letter from a previous owner, I hope they were certain it had an unleaded head

[Louise2cv]

I'm all about teh Modifying:

 

 

Yes

 

 

Yes

 

 

YES!

[VWPowered]

class, more pics...

[Tayne]

.

[Espacetic]

I have strange colour seats in my hearing aid beige heap, too

 

[Louise2cv]

Fabulous. Its like they went out of their way to find the most gastly colours and fit as many as poss into one car!

 

Mines got a bile green outside, brown and greenybrown plastic bits on the inside and at least three shades of mustard yellow for the upholstery and carpets. Lush.

[Espacetic]

Biggest shock on mine was the purple seatbelts!

70's tastic

[Louise2cv]

Biggest shock on mine was the purple seatbelts!

70's tastic

 

Jealous.

 

[Louise2cv]

Next job is tunes. I don't want to lose the period MW/LW radio that it has at the mo, so I was thinking something with hidden speaker and an mp3 player.

 

Some of the 2cv guys were talking about 12V computer speakers...

[warren t claim]

Next job is tunes. I don't want to lose the period MW/LW radio that it has at the mo, so I was thinking something with hidden speaker and an mp3 player.

 

Some of the 2cv guys were talking about 12V computer speakers...

PC speakers! I've never thought of that! Anyway, why not fit a retro tapedeck with an aux socket? Glue some Harry Moss stickers on it for max shite points.

[Negative Creep]

You could fit an underdash DIN tray, that way you'll still get a proper stereo

[Angrydicky]

MMM. That Allegro is absolutely LUSH The colour, the seats....Excuse me, I'm in love

 

I would happily rate this as "Autoshite Car of the Month" if we had such a thing. GR9576939375!

[M'coli]

For proper "Granny" speakers, fit them in some 1970s Wharefdale hi-fi cases or similar.

[Louise2cv]

YES!

 

The joys of having a policeman boyfriend!

 

 

[warren t claim]

Is that a 9pm to 9am sticker or a stop this car if you see someone under 25 driving it one?

 

If I was to steal a car with one of those I'd simply peel it off....

[j-j]

My word that's absolutely AWESOME! luvluvluvluv it

[Split_Pin]

Liking your Allegro. I have a Vanguards model of one in a similar colour

[Louise2cv]

Brief Update:

 

I'm cleaning the car, and just so you know...

 

... you can't polish a turd.

 

Looks crap.

 

On the plus side it appears to be sprouting some Lichen colonies, which can only add to the shite points.