An old bloke's motoring history

[biggbn]

Originally Posted by EssexExile

Yes, you could have 1.6, a 2.8 or a 2.8 injection. A 1.6 would've been fine for me but I couldn't get one so I had to put up with a 2.8

Kallista and Lima same styling, but one metal one grp?

[EssexExile]

Originally Posted by biggbn

Kallista and Lima same styling, but one metal one grp?

I don't know about the Lima but the Kallista was aluminium. The story goes that a Korean businessman bought the company & pressed the panels in Korea & shipped them in the shipping containers that he was making in Korea & selling here. Almost free shipping!

May be just a story of course.

[biggbn]

Originally Posted by EssexExile

I don't know about the Lima but the Kallista was aluminium. The story goes that a Korean businessman bought the company & pressed the panels in Korea & shipped them in the shipping containers that he was making in Korea & selling here. Almost free shipping!

May be just a story of course.

Yup, Lima came first and was grp. Dunno if your rememerb panther also made the mental 6 wheeled 'six', the j72, a kind of jaguar ss tribute if memory serves and the de ville (I think), an awful retro pastiche. Sure they went on to make a mid engined sports car also, the solo?

[Wagon Sailor]

To continue.


I moved jobs. The Rover was rather thirsty and although it was fine for my 30 mile commute, I didn’t want to use it for business trips.

The next three cars were all lent to me by the company, starting with a handy diesel Astra.



The firm wanted to give the Vauxhall to a service engineer. I didn’t have a car in my contract but needed something other than the Rover to shuttle backwards and forwards between two plants. They gave me the rustiest thing in the fleet – much more battered than the one in this picture. Was it a message of some sort?




Luckily, I didn’t have the Escort for long. I didn’t complain when this BX Gti came up as a replacement for when I needed to whiz up to Yorkshire or over to France, which seemed even more appropriate.




The Rover’s bonnet catch broke at 70mph (long story) and the resultant damage to the bonnet itself, screen and surround put the thing off the road. Unfortunately, I had to go away for a few weeks. When I got home, unusually high winds had lifted the covering tarpaulin and the car was full of water. I needed something quick.
This was an answer of sorts. There were two downsides. Firstly, it was not a good car, however cheap. Secondly, it meant that the company didn’t feel too bad about taking the BX back off me.



I broke my wrist in two places and driving became difficult, so I had to find an automatic. I sold the Princess for its tyres and picked up ‘the car you always promised yourself’. A 1.6 auto, it was possibly the worst spec Capri you could get, but it cost pennies and did the job.



As soon as I could drive a manual again, I flogged the Capri to a mate who was intending to beef it up – but only on condition that he also took away another of my garden sculptures (the M-B 250). The V8 was still very damp and I ended up with another P6, a 2000 this time.



The 2000 was a nice enough car, but grossly underpowered and I regretted buying it. I needed something more capable of long distances. This was the answer. Especially when I met my new love.
She lived in Germany and I lived in Hampshire. I’d drive over for the weekend every fortnight, piling on the miles. The Saab never missed a beat.

Customs officers at Dover were a trial, though. At different times the car was sniffed at by dogs, had endoscopes shoved down its panelling, had seats removed. They’d always weigh the spare wheel; they’d even risk shoving their mitts into my dirty laundry.
Eventually, I got grumpy about it when they were removing the boot lining.
“Why me? You’ve seen me come through here often enough, and usually at about this time on a Sunday night?”
“Oh, it’s not you, sir. It’s the car.”
I got interested; I’d bought the car from a friend. “Ah. Does it have a history, then?”
“Not specifically – the model in general. There are lots of hiding places and they carry extra weight well. We have a high return from them. Smugglers seem to like Saab 900s.”
“So they should. They’re effin’ good motors. Now can you put it back together again, please?”

I wasn’t stopped again after that. If I’d known, I might have considered a new career running contraband.

[EssexExile]

I had an Escort estate like that, it cost me £100. I was ripped off. Meanwhile, in the dim & distant past:

[biggbn]

Originally Posted by Wagon Sailor

To continue.


I moved jobs. The Rover was rather thirsty and although it was fine for my 30 mile commute, I didn’t want to use it for business trips.

The next three cars were all lent to me by the company, starting with a handy diesel Astra.



The firm wanted to give the Vauxhall to a service engineer. I didn’t have a car in my contract but needed something other than the Rover to shuttle backwards and forwards between two plants. They gave me the rustiest thing in the fleet – much more battered than the one in this picture. Was it a message of some sort?




Luckily, I didn’t have the Escort for long. I didn’t complain when this BX Gti came up as a replacement for when I needed to whiz up to Yorkshire or over to France, which seemed even more appropriate.




The Rover’s bonnet catch broke at 70mph (long story) and the resultant damage to the bonnet itself, screen and surround put the thing off the road. Unfortunately, I had to go away for a few weeks. When I got home, unusually high winds had lifted the covering tarpaulin and the car was full of water. I needed something quick.
This was an answer of sorts. There were two downsides. Firstly, it was not a good car, however cheap. Secondly, it meant that the company didn’t feel too bad about taking the BX back off me.



I broke my wrist in two places and driving became difficult, so I had to find an automatic. I sold the Princess for its tyres and picked up ‘the car you always promised yourself’. A 1.6 auto, it was possibly the worst spec Capri you could get, but it cost pennies and did the job.



As soon as I could drive a manual again, I flogged the Capri to a mate who was intending to beef it up – but only on condition that he also took away another of my garden sculptures (the M-B 250). The V8 was still very damp and I ended up with another P6, a 2000 this time.



The 2000 was a nice enough car, but grossly underpowered and I regretted buying it. I needed something more capable of long distances. This was the answer. Especially when I met my new love.
She lived in Germany and I lived in Hampshire. I’d drive over for the weekend every fortnight, piling on the miles. The Saab never missed a beat.

Customs officers at Dover were a trial, though. At different times the car was sniffed at by dogs, had endoscopes shoved down its panelling, had seats removed. They’d always weigh the spare wheel; they’d even risk shoving their mitts into my dirty laundry.
Eventually, I got grumpy about it when they were removing the boot lining.
“Why me? You’ve seen me come through here often enough, and usually at about this time on a Sunday night?”
“Oh, it’s not you, sir. It’s the car.”
I got interested; I’d bought the car from a friend. “Ah. Does it have a history, then?”
“Not specifically – the model in general. There are lots of hiding places and they carry extra weight well. We have a high return from them. Smugglers seem to like Saab 900s.”
“So they should. They’re effin’ good motors. Now can you put it back together again, please?”

I wasn’t stopped again after that. If I’d known, I might have considered a new career running contraband.

From that edition. I had a mk2 escort van, went through three engines.. I was 18!! Had a 2.8i Capri, lovely old motor, (preferred my manta although it was only a 1.9 sr Berlinetta, far better handling and much prettier) had almost every iteration of Saab 900, wonderful, separate cars, a mk1 Astra gte, better than mk1 golf gti in my humble opinion (BIG golf fan having owned half dozen or so mk2 gti, just never a mk1 gti fan), and owned a brace of bx tzd estates, lovely cars but subframes rotted for fun....

[Wagon Sailor]

Originally Posted by biggbn

Had a 2.8i Capri, lovely old motor, (preferred my manta although it was only a 1.9 sr Berlinetta, far better handling and much prettier) had almost every iteration of Saab 900, wonderful, separate cars ...

Ah, yes. The 2.8i was good to drive. And yes, the Manta was better (see below).


My (now) wife ran what effectively became Car 52. The little Peugeot crossed the channel almost as often as the Saab. Sometimes, we’d have the German registered car here and the UK-reg one over there. The 205 diesel was a brilliant little car.




The lhd 205 was sold after a year to make way for something a bit more suitable for UK roads.

We found something quite different. We could tell that it had once been pranged, but the repair job was so good we took a chance. It turned out to be a good move.

This was one of the best all-rounders:-
Robust and reliable? Tick.
A touch of sportiness? Tick.
Room for a kiddy-seat in the back? Tick.
Good luggage space? Tick.






The Saab was sold after 3 good years.
Next came two Sierra Sapphires in quick succession. The first one was nearly new, in shining red, and arrived with a change of job. The 1.8 engine in that one would never melt tarmac, but having someone else pick up the garage bills was ample compensation.

I bought the second off a brother-in-law for 4 pints and two dinners. It was worth it, even if it was a gutless 1600, a faded burgundy colour (which merged nicely with the rust) and more than a bit scruffy.






The Mazda Xedos 6 was another grossly under-rated car. You could think of it as a 4-door MX6 with added quality – and far better and more dynamic than its bigger brother, the Xedos 9 – or you could see as a premium family saloon with a bit of pep, yet few people had heard of it. It had a jewel of engine and could cruise all day at surprisingly high speeds. The steering was slightly over-servoed and the ABS slightly too keen, but they’re the only criticisms I had. All the toys worked, the full leather was spotless, and there were never any rattles. It was superbly well put together - perhaps the best-built car I’ve ever owned.

(PS: ours didn’t have that silly boot spoiler you can just about see, and had what looked like exotic BBS wheels, much nicer than the ones in this pic.)

[biggbn]

Originally Posted by Wagon Sailor

Ah, yes. The 2.8i was good to drive. And yes, the Manta was better (see below).


My (now) wife ran what effectively became Car 52. The little Peugeot crossed the channel almost as often as the Saab. Sometimes, we’d have the German registered car here and the UK-reg one over there. The 205 diesel was a brilliant little car.




The lhd 205 was sold after a year to make way for something a bit more suitable for UK roads.

We found something quite different. We could tell that it had once been pranged, but the repair job was so good we took a chance. It turned out to be a good move.

This was one of the best all-rounders:-
Robust and reliable? Tick.
A touch of sportiness? Tick.
Room for a kiddy-seat in the back? Tick.
Good luggage space? Tick.






The Saab was sold after 3 good years.
Next came two Sierra Sapphires in quick succession. The first one was nearly new, in shining red, and arrived with a change of job. The 1.8 engine in that one would never melt tarmac, but having someone else pick up the garage bills was ample compensation.

I bought the second off a brother-in-law for 4 pints and two dinners. It was worth it, even if it was a gutless 1600, a faded burgundy colour (which merged nicely with the rust) and more than a bit scruffy.






The Mazda Xedos 6 was another grossly under-rated car. You could think of it as a 4-door MX6 with added quality – and far better and more dynamic than its bigger brother, the Xedos 9 – or you could see as a premium family saloon with a bit of pep, yet few people had heard of it. It had a jewel of engine and could cruise all day at surprisingly high speeds. The steering was slightly over-servoed and the ABS slightly too keen, but they’re the only criticisms I had. All the toys worked, the full leather was spotless, and there were never any rattles. It was superbly well put together - perhaps the best-built car I’ve ever owned.

(PS: ours didn’t have that silly boot spoiler you can just about see, and had what looked like exotic BBS wheels, much nicer than the ones in this pic.)

Never had many Peugeot's. A brace of diesel 309 is it if memory serves. Owned a 1.8 Sierra and a 2.0 glsi, the Twin Cam one with the sports suspension, that was a great car, quick and a good handler. I agree about the xedos 6, and 9. Never owned a Mazda which is strange given my attraction to the oddball. Always fancied a 323f with the 2.0 v6, the thinking man's vr6!!

[Wagon Sailor]

Quote:
Originally Posted by biggbn
Always fancied a 323f with the 2.0 v6, the thinking man's vr6!!

I know what you mean about the 323F, except that it's not very good looking, is it?

Quote:
Originally Posted by biggbn
Owned a 1.8 Sierra and a 2.0 glsi, the Twin Cam one with the sports suspension, that was a great car, quick and a good handler.

Our paths cross yet again!

It was time to replace the Manta, which had lasted well and had managed more than 80,000 miles in 4 years, but was now beginning to get ragged around the edges.
This Sierra 2 litre hatch was so nicely presented that we couldn’t tell when we bought it that it had been a mini-cab. In the end, we estimated that it had done over 400,000 miles by the time we sold it – we ourselves put on at least 150,000 in nearly 8 years, carrying on the tradition set by the Opel.

[Wagon Sailor]

We were in the Xedos. Some bitchcow with a phone stuck to her ear came screaming round a blind corner in her Golf. The lane was barely wide enough for two cars. I’d have probably gone for a glancing blow, except that I saw a small head next to her: a three-year old on the front seat with no booster! I chose the telegraph pole rather than the VW. I hit it at a speed low enough to keep the airbags intact. Bitchcow’s driving did the rest, raking her car all down the side. The Mazda was written off.
So was Bitchcow’s marriage, as it turned out. She hadn’t been paying attention – she was in a hurry to drop off her boy at playgroup before going on to meet an estate agent for a shag on the side.


The 2.5V6 Galant was a fabulously comfortable mile-eater, let down by a well-performing but fragile automatic gearbox. Mitsubishi had long known about the problem, but had never done anything about it. Ours had had a new box installed just before we bought it, so we thought we were safe. Hah! £800 every 24,000 miles at an independent specialist or £1800+ at a main dealer? This was unacceptable in the extreme. What could have been a great car was seriously spoiled by penny-pinching (ie: using a part originally designed for something else, or so I was told).






The Ford’s twin-cam engine had been strong to the end, but eventually we got tired of the annual tradition of “welding come MoT-time”. We sold it at the same time as the Rover V8.
Meanwhile, our son had passed his test. We bought him an AX. He pranged it at a roundabout, making a typical beginner’s mistake. He bought a sporty-looking but actually pudding-engined Saxo. When that wasn’t good enough, he bought a Mini City E and sneakily lumbered us with a Citroen we didn’t really want.






When the lad wanted money to upgrade from the 998cc Mini runabout to a bonkers 1380cc minivan, we saw an opportunity to ditch the Saxo.

The van went like a rocket (between head gasket changes), the City E merely plodded along nicely. It even managed to get round Castle Combe.
The Mini was uprated with a 1275 Metro engine, but needed more work. On the one hand, it’s a car I knew how to fix: carburettor, a distributor you can turn to get the timing right by ear, and didn’t need any tools I wouldn’t have picked up along the way when working on my old bangers. But to be honest, I’d really rather prefer to fart around on a car forum than to skin my knuckles in the cold and/or wet. You can’t have it all, can you?





Car 61 was one of Hungary’s finest. It was another one the lad had owned before us. He’d used the low-power, minimum-slip 4WD to its best effect, pulling cars out of trouble in the snows and doing ridiculous things on Salisbury Plain. The Justy’s last hurrah was a 1000 mile continental trip. Every home should have one.