After 22 years....
Discussion
Tank Cradle looks OK from that. Car looks good still (unusual colour), but agree the wheels may need some attention. They almost look like they have been powdercoated in a matt effect, but assume they just need a decent polish - then its back onto the debate about which method of restoration to use!!!
The official colour is cobalt blue.
One of the wheels got damaged and I got a refurbished one to replace it. To start with, it looked well out of place, all nice and shiny, whereas the others are somewhat pitted. But I don't think it was a good refurbishment as the surface is lifting in quite a large area. I don't really want to see what's underneath!
I did get hold of some magic wallop wheel cleaner but it wasn't much cop. I'm sure it just needs more effort than I've given so far.
One of the wheels got damaged and I got a refurbished one to replace it. To start with, it looked well out of place, all nice and shiny, whereas the others are somewhat pitted. But I don't think it was a good refurbishment as the surface is lifting in quite a large area. I don't really want to see what's underneath!
I did get hold of some magic wallop wheel cleaner but it wasn't much cop. I'm sure it just needs more effort than I've given so far.
It is a beautiful colour (I think you should sell it...to me !!!)
Did I say that out loud ! http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/10.gif
Did I say that out loud ! http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/10.gif
I bought it wanting a nice refined colour, so I avoided the glaring red they did, particularly because it is apparently the case that vivid colours attract the attention of all sorts of undesirables and the police (in the days when they had to actually catch you to give you a speeding ticket). I thought the blue very suitable and rely on the exhaust note for effect.
Update.
Well, it passed it's MOT no problems! So I have decided to tax and insure it for another year. I did 535 miles in it in 2011 and 530 in 2012 according to the certificate history, so how about that for consistency! So if I do the same in 2013 it's coming out at a quid a mile (MOT/Tax/Ins), plus petrol.
That's if I don't bother getting the garage to service it. I had it done last year but it seems hardly worth it for 500 miles. Anyone think there's anything essential I really need to do? (It's kept in a garage all the time with a battery charger permanently on.)
To those people who expressed an interest in it, sorry if this is bad news. Let's see what next year brings.
Well, it passed it's MOT no problems! So I have decided to tax and insure it for another year. I did 535 miles in it in 2011 and 530 in 2012 according to the certificate history, so how about that for consistency! So if I do the same in 2013 it's coming out at a quid a mile (MOT/Tax/Ins), plus petrol.
That's if I don't bother getting the garage to service it. I had it done last year but it seems hardly worth it for 500 miles. Anyone think there's anything essential I really need to do? (It's kept in a garage all the time with a battery charger permanently on.)
To those people who expressed an interest in it, sorry if this is bad news. Let's see what next year brings.
unicorn77 said:
Anyone think there's anything essential I really need to do?
I would change oil & filter each year even at low mileage.if you read through a "sevice schedule" vast majority are checks.....
Check washer fluid
Check coolant level
Check wiper blades
etc. etc. etc.
... things you probably do (or could do very easily) regularly yourself
Niiige said:
It is a beautiful colour (I think you should sell it...to me !!!)
Did I say that out loud ! http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/10.gif
.Did I say that out loud ! http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/10.gif
Hi Niiiiiige,
Glad I am not the only one to do that and add the pistonheads gif address rather than the smillie. but after a couple of years on here I have managed to get it.
Me again!
Just got it through it's 21st MOT. Not cheap though, had some rear suspension work done on it. Guess I'll have to do more summer motoring this year to justify the cost!
Strangely, my garage is not mentioning the exhaust manifold anymore. Fortunately, as I reckon it's cost enough for the suspension work, probably more than replacing the manifold. My plan now is to keep it on the road for 25 years in my name. Only two to go!
I'm going to get underneath (if it ever stops raining) and have a look at what's been done, take a photo and post it here.
Just got it through it's 21st MOT. Not cheap though, had some rear suspension work done on it. Guess I'll have to do more summer motoring this year to justify the cost!
Strangely, my garage is not mentioning the exhaust manifold anymore. Fortunately, as I reckon it's cost enough for the suspension work, probably more than replacing the manifold. My plan now is to keep it on the road for 25 years in my name. Only two to go!
I'm going to get underneath (if it ever stops raining) and have a look at what's been done, take a photo and post it here.
Well done that man. The right decision indeed! Good to get that extra bit of history. So what is the target for this year 550? 
I bought my motorcycle of a guy who hadn't used it much; I noticed 4 MOT's with pretty well identical mileage between them. Proved to be the distance to and from the original dealer for MOT!
I bought my motorcycle of a guy who hadn't used it much; I noticed 4 MOT's with pretty well identical mileage between them. Proved to be the distance to and from the original dealer for MOT!
I read this as all being new posting, until I re-read the 2012 dates, Great to hear the MOT is in the bag, for another year. These cars, I have been assured, need to be used to keep them working well, what the calculations point to is, tax insurance and petrol costs versus repairs of things that have deteriorated through lack of use. Plus the wrinkles caused by smiling a lot when driving it, or grimacing at the garage bill.
Reading on here as well the growing market in the States for over 25 year old examples , could help values as you mention.
Niiige, I cheat, its simple to add smillies, on the iPad, its PC's that defie me!
Reading on here as well the growing market in the States for over 25 year old examples , could help values as you mention.
Niiige, I cheat, its simple to add smillies, on the iPad, its PC's that defie me!
I too almost came to selling mine last year (I owe money to family due to my Divorce) but after a chat with Family and some positive comments from various S owners I'm keeping her another year then will review the situation again.
I did my own out-rigger repair, replaced the chassis cross tube that runs under the sump, new gearbox mount plus had the propshaft ballanced which has reduced the gear stick buzz.
As Mike says they really do need to be used and I usually drive mine all year round but the heavy rain we had just before Christmas has caused the driveway that runs down to my garage to sink, the 60x60cm slabs have sunk into a deep v so this weekend I have one of those large bags of Type 1 sub-base being deliverd along with sand and cement, busy weekend ahead as long as it stay's dry!
I did my own out-rigger repair, replaced the chassis cross tube that runs under the sump, new gearbox mount plus had the propshaft ballanced which has reduced the gear stick buzz.
As Mike says they really do need to be used and I usually drive mine all year round but the heavy rain we had just before Christmas has caused the driveway that runs down to my garage to sink, the 60x60cm slabs have sunk into a deep v so this weekend I have one of those large bags of Type 1 sub-base being deliverd along with sand and cement, busy weekend ahead as long as it stay's dry!
Well, I'm definitely going to use it soon - nearly out of petrol 
Can't do more than 1000 miles though, due to the insurance restriction.
Come the summer.....
(Just looked up my records, last time I filled it up was March! Is anybody else sad enough to have a vehicle with a record of every time they put petrol in it, how much went in and what it cost?)
Can't do more than 1000 miles though, due to the insurance restriction.
Come the summer.....
(Just looked up my records, last time I filled it up was March! Is anybody else sad enough to have a vehicle with a record of every time they put petrol in it, how much went in and what it cost?)
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