Zel's Eclectic Fleet Blog (Volvo, Rover, Trabant, Invacar & Occasional Distractions)

[Zelandeth]

Fact of the matter is that I really need to downsize. Five cars is too many. Plan has basically been to move the P4 on in the spring as this is a terrible time of year to try to sell a car. However the inevitable has of course happened and someone has offered something up that's on the list of things I've always wanted a shot of. Turns out they've always wanted a shot at a P4...so we've arranged a trade.

Now the car I'm picking up is far smaller than the P4, that counts as fleet downsizing, that's how this works isn't it?

Does it make any sense? Not really. Do I care? Not really. Am I really expecting it to be a long term fleet member? Probably not. Just a bit of fun. 1/3 as many cylinders as the P4, less than half the weight, and about as simple as motoring gets. Not a 2CV though, that would be far too obvious (and these days, expensive).

[Dick]

I will miss the rover, though I can't wait to see what you're getting to replace it.. a little honda kei car gets my vote...

[Zelandeth]

I will miss the rover, though I can't wait to see what you're getting to replace it.. a little honda kei car gets my vote...

I will too, but it was always going to have to go come the spring with the P6 having turned up.

Funny you should mention Kei cars, my Cappuccino (sold back in 2011) has turned back up for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Sadly it's far more of a project than I'm in a position to take on just now, or I would absolutely have bought it back again. They are absolutely cracking little cars.

Japan isn't the area we're looking at this time though, bit closer to home than that.

[Dick]

I will miss the rover, though I can't wait to see what you're getting to replace it.. a little honda kei car gets my vote...

I will too, but it was always going to have to go come the spring with the P6 having turned up.

Funny you should mention Kei cars, my Cappuccino (sold back in 2011) has turned back up for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Sadly it's far more of a project than I'm in a position to take on just now, or I would absolutely have bought it back again. They are absolutely cracking little cars.

Japan isn't the area we're looking at this time though, bit closer to home than that.

Bmw/fiat??

[Zelandeth]

Geographically closer, but no. Not something that (as far as I'm aware) was ever officially sold in the UK. Though apparently there are something like 500 buzzing around over here nowadays.

A car which is subject to nearly as many urban myths and misunderstood "facts" as the Invacar based on what I've read.

[Dick]

Trabant?

[Zelandeth]

Trabant?

Bingo!

It's one of those cars which I've had on my radar (probably unsurprising given there have been half a dozen Ladas and rear engined Skodas in my automotive past) for a long time but has always eluded me so far.

Will it be a long term fleet member? Who knows. Most likely not, but is something quite different and should be a bit of fun to get to know.

I've quite a history of enjoying cars which on paper aren't anything to write home about, so we'll see what I make of this.

[Dick]

Trabant?

Bingo!

It's one of those cars which I've had on my radar (probably unsurprising given there have been half a dozen Ladas and rear engined Skodas in my automotive past) for a long time but has always eluded me so far.

Will it be a long term fleet member? Who knows. Most likely not, but is something quite different and should be a bit of fun to get to know.

I've quite a history of enjoying cars which on paper aren't anything to write home about, so we'll see what I make of this.

I'm looking forward to reading your experiences with it, when does it arrive?

[gazza82]

Trabant?

Bingo!

It's one of those cars which I've had on my radar (probably unsurprising given there have been half a dozen Ladas and rear engined Skodas in my automotive past) for a long time but has always eluded me so far.

Will it be a long term fleet member? Who knows. Most likely not, but is something quite different and should be a bit of fun to get to know.

I've quite a history of enjoying cars which on paper aren't anything to write home about, so we'll see what I make of this.

I'm looking forward to reading your experiences with it, when does it arrive?

Judging from videos I've seen you'll hear it and see the exhaust smoke way before it gets to MK!

Is it old enough to be ULEZ exempt? If it is, drive it past Genghis's office a few times .....

[Zelandeth]

I'm looking forward to reading your experiences with it, when does it arrive?

All being well, should be collecting it tomorrow. Only a 120 mile drive home, so nothing like a bit of a trial by fire! I've a choice of the M25 or A34 for the bulk of the journey, neither of which are roads I like. Will probably opt for the latter given that there's less chance of it turning into a car park at the drop of a hat. Will be timing the journey to try to be home before rush hour and darkness arrive. As dealing with rush hour mostly in the dark in a car you don't really know yet isn't my idea of fun.

Judging from videos I've seen you'll hear it and see the exhaust smoke way before it gets to MK!

Is it old enough to be ULEZ exempt? If it is, drive it past Genghis's office a few times .....

They really shouldn't smoke much once up to temperature if they're properly tuned and the oil mix is right. Unless it's been idling for a while anyway - at which point you will inevitably get a James Bond style smoke screen when driving off as the crankcase will always load up with oil to some extent just due to how they work.

Sadly this one isn't old enough to be registered as a historic vehicle - will be next year though.

Won't likely be going anywhere near London though - my approach to driving anywhere inside the M25 is simple: Don't! It's a city I tend to avoid like the plague given the opportunity whether driving or not - though doubly so if driving is involved.