This Time It WONT Get Away.....

[Andrew353w]

I've not had much luck with my Autoshite dealings recently, hence why I've not been posting much. But I'm pleased to share my latest acquisition HASN'T slipped through the net! So, what's been going wrong? To start with, this Wartburg, a very rare estate one, "came out" from a lock-up near Farnborough, Hampshire. It hadn't seen the light of day since 1992. I agreed the price but couldn't clear the car from the garage in the time required by the owner, so I had to miss it!

 

 

To make matters worse, I actually spent a Saturday afternoon getting it going. Anyway, there you go! Here's the inside:

 

 

And a view of the back seats. And it had a tow hitch, as well!

 

 

After my failure with the Wartburg, I found the Moskvich. But I didn't get this one either, in spite of spending an afternoon trying to get it going! These pictures have already been posted, then deleted at the request of the car's owner. However, I took them and they look almost identical to those he posted anyway, so here they are again:

 

 

 

So, this morning, at 5a.m. I set off to Derbyshire, and bought this....

 

 

It looks a bit tatty, but mechanically it's pretty good and comes with tax to April 2012, which of course is free anyway! It has an MOT till the 28th inst., and I'll be renewing it over the next few days, to see what it's like!

 

 

The mileage 38,000 and quite a lot when I collected it, and was over 39,000 by the time I'd towed it to Barnet! 150 miles and I hardly noticed it was there!

I'll keep you all informed as to how things develop with what I call "my little brown job"!

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

I love how the temp gauge on the Wartburg is stuck in the red!

[boobydoo]

That's great news! I know you were disappointed about the Moskvich. I've always hankered after a Daf, so please keep us posted with updates!

[warren t claim]

Top work! Is it safe to A frame a car with a CVT transmission?

[scruff]

A shit brown DAF on a A-frame... nice!!

[Andrew353w]

Yes, Warren T Claim, you can tow a Daf as far and as fast as you want, as the centrifugal clutch only engages when the engine's speed is high enough, about 1,000 revs for primary engagement and 2,000 revs for secondary engagement. When the engine's off the transmission's totally disconnected, but I put it in neutral as well, so that the prop shaft doesn't spin.

[Rod/b]

Is that Joe's DAF?

[Andrew353w]

Yep! Good one, eh?

[warren t claim]

Yes, Warren T Claim, you can tow a Daf as far and as fast as you want, as the centrifugal clutch only engages when the engine's speed is high enough, about 1,000 revs for primary engagement and 2,000 revs for secondary engagement. When the engine's off the transmission's totally disconnected, but I put it in neutral as well, so that the prop shaft doesn't spin.

 

Ahh! Now I know! I'm sure you can bump start a Honda C70 paedoped and that's got a centrifugal clutch as well.

[Angrydicky]

Ace! Is the Wartburg estate known as a "Tourist"?

 

I can't see it needing a great deal to get back on the road either, looks really straight. And that brown DAF...Phwooor

 

Now this is what Autoshite is really about.

[Richard]

Ahh! Now I know! I'm sure you can bump start a Honda C70 paedoped and that's got a centrifugal clutch as well.

 

Yes you can, I used to do it daily because I was too lazy to use the kick start.

[carlo]

God that Wartburg brings back happy memories of my first car, a Knight saloon HBL 387N. I seem to remember that temp guage defaulting to the hot position aswell.

[Rod/b]

God that brings back happy memories of my Dad's first car, a Land Rover, D701SWL. I seem to remember that he bought it brand new.

[Cheggers]

A turd brown DAF on an A-frame...livin' the dream

[Torsten2001]

That is one gorgeous little car!

[freebird]

Ace! Is the Wartburg estate known as a "Tourist"?

I can't see it needing a great deal to get back on the road either, looks really straight. And that brown DAF...Phwooor

Now this is what Autoshite is really about.

Im sure you are right, I remember them being called Tourist too.

Now this is how i envisaged Autoshite to be, not festooned with MK3 Chavaliers and MK 17 Escrotes, no I saw this as an haven for REAL shite!

Is this man the creme de la creme of shite or what!

[michiel]

Ooh, a brown DAF - winnah!

[gtd2000]

Top work! Is it safe to A frame a car with a CVT transmission?

 

CVT = Rubber Band?

[dollywobbler]

Must admit, I always thought it was dangerous to tow a DAF - I've always been told that even the MOT tester's ramp can cause them issues. Guess you'll prove what the truth is!

 

They are indeed rubber bands pretty much.

[Pete-M]

Any excuse to post this pic too often is enough of an excuse for me.

 

My mate Butch's Wartburg.

 

[gtd2000]

Must admit, I always thought it was dangerous to tow a DAF - I've always been told that even the MOT tester's ramp can cause them issues. Guess you'll prove what the truth is!

 

They are indeed rubber bands pretty much.

 

My mother had a DAF to learn to drive in - I remember something went wrong with the rubber bands but never knew what they looked like till I saw that video.

 

The one we had was towed down to the scrappies after hours (I believe I was about 14 or 15 years old at the time controlling the DAF!) and we did a runner - when I think back - it wasn't in bad nick at all.

 

Just my mother didn't like it.

[Andrew353w]

I took "Pooh" (as I've named my Daf) for an MOT today and unfortunately it failed, but the only failures were one near-side side light and the indicator tell-tale not flashing, thus causing the indicators on the car not to flash; the wiring will take about half an hour to sort out and I'll then be legal! I might also sort out a few other electrical gremlins at the same time, such as the strange way the horn and the starter are wired up. Although legal, one of the tyres had been manufactured in Czechoslovakia, a country that disappeared in 1992, so I ought to change that one sooner rather than later. Apart from that I could see that the belts are brand new, as the cover that ought to protect them is missing! I also reckon the pulleys are not changing the ratios quickly enough and the vacuum is missing from the Variomatic, but that's from loads of experience of driving Daf 33s, not from any examination of the system. The easy test is to blow down one of the pipes that carry the vacuum to the Variomatic system; If you can blow down the tube, the diaphragm's split! Although the car's exempt from an emissions test (pre 1973) I tested it anyway, and it would pass a post 1973 test, had it been required so to do-not bad for a 40 year old car!

 

So, what do I reckon? A brilliant little car, mechanically sound, with 4 legal tyres and a valid MOT tomorrow! I'm a happy Autoshiter!

 

May I add this: I have NOT become embroiled in the recent threads amongst a few members regarding behaviour on this website, and I don't intend to do so now. I'd rather lead by example and share my Autoshite experiences and cars with all those interested in them. Feel free to enjoy them at your leisure!!!

[michiel]

Excellent!

 

Although legal, one of the tyres had been manufactured in Czechoslovakia, a country that disappeared in 1992, so I ought to change that one sooner rather than later.

 

[Andrew353w]

"Pooh" passed her test today, with no advisories! To get the pass I'd replaced a side light, changed the flasher unit and fitted a new horn, that was SO quiet I didn't reckon the tester would consider it as a horn! Insurance was £86.40 for a year, as a cherished car, with 3,000 miles. Road tax is nil, so I'm now driving around like a trooper in "Pooh"!

 

I think (only THINK!) that she's not changing up as quickly as she ought; neither is she changing down on braking..... That said, it's a real pleasure to be back behind the (large) steering wheel of a Daf 33. IT MAKES ME SMILE!!!

 

More updates regarding two more acquisitions I've recently arranged will be shown here shortly. Can't say too much at the moment, but when I have the cars in my possession I'll reveal all to the Autoshite community....

[scooters]

Well done mate....seriously umderrated are dafs..great simple reliable and very tough chod.

 

I have an option on a barn rescue 33 if anyone is interested as I'm not sure ill have the time to do it.it looks like an easy recomm project and the Interior looks very good

[Father Ted]

Ahh! Now I know! I'm sure you can bump start a Honda C70 paedoped and that's got a centrifugal clutch as well.

Yes you can, and I have (Plakka 90 variant)

 

A Variomatic is something I have to drive before I die (next year maybe)

[Barry Cade]

And a view of the back seats. And it had a tow hitch, as well!

 

 

I thought all DDR cars had to be fitted with a tow bar by law, in case they needed to be commendeered by the Stasi in case of emergency?

[dollywobbler]

I think (only THINK!) that she's not changing up as quickly as she ought; neither is she changing down on braking..... That said, it's a real pleasure to be back behind the (large) steering wheel of a Daf 33. IT MAKES ME SMILE!!!

 

Er, I thought the whole point of Vario is that the revs don't change. Jam your foot down, and the engine reaches a certain speed that is in no way matched to road speed. Ease off and the revs will drop, but I don't think you get any engine braking so to speak, and certainly no jumps to suggest changing down. I've only drive one DAF, and it was a few years ago now, but I'm pretty sure that's how it behaved.

 

Glad you're enjoying your Pooh-filled life though!

[scooters]

Driving dafs is a very different technique from driving other vehicles.

 

Refer to the DAF club for detailed technical explanation cos I can't be arsed to type it all out.

 

Essentially driving is about momentum. The car case no gears so there is no change up or down. The technique is to accelerate...the revs will shoot up ..the car will start moving and the speed if the car will rise to match the revs. When desired speed is reached the trick is to ease off the revs...this won't slow the car down but will result in the cones finding equilibrium allowing speed to be maintained at the mist efficient revs..this makes it a very efficient system and means there is less waste of energy.

 

A common mistake by beginners is to continually to floor the DAF when top speed is reached. You don't need to do this and will only burn petrol to no avail.

 

The Variomatic system relies on road resistance feedback to ensure the correct engine speedo is achieved. This is why you have to be careful.a framing or towing one..there is a danger of engine and Variomatic wear...again double check with the DAF club. Removing the belts prior to departing would be a solution

 

NEVER allow an MOT tester to put the car on a rolling road. The lack of resistance from the rollers will cause the speed of the drive shaft to reach critical levels and will destroy the drive shaft. The ignorance of UK MOT testers as far as Variomatic consigned many cars to an early scrap. I had a laminated sign I stuck to the dash reminding them and pointing out that if the car was placed on a rr and damage occurred I would hold them liable.

 

Engine braking for driving down steep hills is achieved b6 pressing the green button on the dash. This licks the cones into a fixed setting causing the same effect as engine braking. It should only be used when travelling under 30mph.

 

Hope all this helps

[scooters]

Driving dafs is a very different technique from driving other vehicles.

 

Refer to the DAF club for detailed technical explanation cos I can't be arsed to type it all out.

 

Essentially driving is about momentum. The car case no gears so there is no change up or down. The technique is to accelerate...the revs will shoot up ..the car will start moving and the speed if the car will rise to match the revs. When desired speed is reached the trick is to ease off the revs...this won't slow the car down but will result in the cones finding equilibrium allowing speed to be maintained at the mist efficient revs..this makes it a very efficient system and means there is less waste of energy.

 

A common mistake by beginners is to continually to floor the DAF when top speed is reached. You don't need to do this and will only burn petrol to no avail.

 

The Variomatic system relies on road resistance feedback to ensure the correct engine speedo is achieved. This is why you have to be careful.a framing or towing one..there is a danger of engine and Variomatic wear...again double check with the DAF club. Removing the belts prior to departing would be a solution

 

NEVER allow an MOT tester to put the car on a rolling road. The lack of resistance from the rollers will cause the speed of the drive shaft to reach critical levels and will destroy the drive shaft. The ignorance of UK MOT testers as far as Variomatic consigned many cars to an early scrap. I had a laminated sign I stuck to the dash reminding them and pointing out that if the car was placed on a rr and damage occurred I would hold them liable.

 

Engine braking for driving down steep hills is achieved b6 pressing the green button on the dash. This licks the cones into a fixed setting causing the same effect as engine braking. It should only be used when travelling under 30mph.

 

Hol.pe all this helps

 

Excuse the Croft & Perry 'allo 'allo English Gendarme style of that post...sodding smart phone predictive text