Practically Classics Forum

That Granada's a massive bargain if its mileage figure is real, and it does look as though it may be so. Were that an auto, I'd be on the way: Bus & train to Newcastle, Metro to Sunderland and finally; train to the 'Boro.

It could eventually be a superb donor for a NS Scimitar Diesel conversion, just the auto box, flex plate, converter and pedal box to find (Granadas.ne, £not that much). Actually no, forget the Reliant, at least the late Granada is a rare car that will attract the right kind of attention. Hmm, seems there's a clutch servo kit available for these, dashboard clutch lever and away we go.

kevin wrote:

arceye wrote:Why should someone expiring in the drivers seat put anyone off......

that'd just be like not buying an old house just because someone once popped their clogs there, never bothered me.........

Mind, I always wanted a hearse as a luxury estate car but the missus would never go for it and someone even refused to get on the back of my motorbike just cos its "cherished" number plate is Y666 BMW I didn't put it on there, I'm far too tight for such frivolities

if anyone wanted such a number plate it could be available to adorn your modern BMW box at a very sensible price

That would suit my boxer m/bike nicely!

Kev

Damn..... your nice motorcycle is too old to wear that plate though is it not cos it would have to go on something modern from around '99 onwards.. A shame really as I'd happilly let go for a couple of hundred notes to a good home providing the purchaser paid the transfer fee.

Ah well, better not drag this thread off topic, I like the Talbot John put up, though I can't remember when I last saw a Talbot of any model.

How about this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Datsun-120Y-E ... 339b373a7e

Possibly a little small on the engine size but it might fit the bill

These 120Y are great, simple wee things. I had the earlier shape, a 4 door saloon in yellow that had been a farmer's car and was rotten when it was only five years old but [GMS124S] was mechanically unburstable and had a surprising turn of speed for something with an 1171cc engine. I took it to Nottingham University for the A40 Farina Club AGM in 1985 and was asked to park it around the corner from the field, just as well really because while Dad was chewing the fat with other A40ists, the damned Datsun was on stands behind the summer school dorm building having its calipers freed off!

I eventually got a refund on the Datsun from the supplying dealer who was as shocked as I was to find both wing rails had vanished and that the turrets on the inner wings were close behind. The car that replaced it as part of the refund deal was VBW723T, my Fern Green Renault 12 Break and that was a cracking car that stayed around - alongside several of my classics - for seven years.

A R12 would also be a good economy choice for a long run, they're very, very comfortable and pretty lively too.

have you thought of flying out & driving something interesting for the return trip?

arceye wrote: Ah well, better not drag this thread off topic, I like the Talbot John put up, though I can't remember when I last saw a Talbot of any model.

According to the Simca Club, there are only two Tagoras in the UK on the road, one of which was on their stand at the NEC. Meanwhile here's a nice diesel model for John to drool over.

talbots
http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/661738092.htm?ca=18_s
http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/717947243.htm?ca=18_s
http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/718060073.htm?ca=18_s

and a possibly quite nice Alpine 1600

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Talbot-Alpine ... 3cf0a981f8

suffolkpete wrote:

arceye wrote: Ah well, better not drag this thread off topic, I like the Talbot John put up, though I can't remember when I last saw a Talbot of any model.

According to the Simca Club, there are only two Tagoras in the UK on the road, one of which was on their stand at the NEC. Meanwhile here's a nice diesel model for John to drool over.

Peugeot 505 wheels?

Rich, that idea has not been missed - but isn't popular with the missus as she is still wondering why I'm going down this route! I will however be keeping my eyes open!

Some great shouts here for some cars I'd forgotten about - I've not seen any talbots for years!

The last one I saw came to my dad, a horizon of all things came in with a faulty gearbox, turns out the gearstick wasn't connected to the gearbox! The woman bought a fiat 126 bis!

Ah the memories....

I'm thinking along the lines of a big citroen or jag something that kind of size, I'd happily go in a Suzuki cappuccino but unfortunately were are heading into wine country! That idea will have to wait!

I'd also seen some fairway cabs but that got me some very grumpy looks - imagine the wine you could get into one of those!

Anyway - opnions please!

What counts as as a full/deep service?

The reason I ask is this - in the last 10 years I have owned 2 cars, my Passat and my beloved merc e230 (an early German production model, so no rust there!) and a succession of modern vans, so im starting from base!

A deep service to me is going through the car methodically from front to rear (or rear to front ) checking all components as you go.
So, for instance, taking a rear wheel off, removing and rebuilding the brake mech, adjusting etc as opposed to just giving it a quick visual check, and then moving to the other side.
After completing the exercise, get some decent miles under the belt to ensure it is reliable.

Kev