Oddest 'what car' ever? What V8 to drive from UK to Vietnam?
Discussion
Right, an update!
Been fairly busy with work and other such inconsiderate things lately, but have also been keeping an eye on what's out there in the world of V8s, and viewed my first car today - a Mercedes SL. Admittedly, despite being a soft topped GT, it's very much at the sensible end of the spectrum, but as I'd never really poked around one before, I felt I should give it a chance. You can read my extensive whafflings on the subject in my blog here:
http://80breakdowns.com/2012/09/26/v8nam-the-searc...
...or for the to-the-point version, basically, I think it's a bit too much of a safe option, and so the search continues. I hope to get out and view a few more possibilities over the weekend, but being based on the Devon/Cornwall border, there aren't very many possibilities coming up close to home. Things intriguing me at the moment (which aren't at the other end of the country) are:
This Chimaera. I was all set to arrange a viewing, but then I noticed it's also up for auction on the bay, with some quite hectic bidding. 4 days to go, so I may try a sneeky bid at the end. PS- you ain't seen it, right!
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
This... erm... well, it's a Pontiac Firebird. I have no idea if that's a good thing or not, but it's not a bad price, it's manual and looks cool:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PONTIAC-FIREBIRD-TRANS-A...
There are a few other ideas too, but I'm going to keep them to myself for now, as flashing up funky budget V8s you're keen to buy on here probably isn't the best way to make sure there's no competition... I'm sure you understand!
Oh, and after a lot of thought/perusing ads, I've decided against the Daimler 250 by the way. I still feel too young for it, I'm afraid; erring towards something slightly sportier...
Been fairly busy with work and other such inconsiderate things lately, but have also been keeping an eye on what's out there in the world of V8s, and viewed my first car today - a Mercedes SL. Admittedly, despite being a soft topped GT, it's very much at the sensible end of the spectrum, but as I'd never really poked around one before, I felt I should give it a chance. You can read my extensive whafflings on the subject in my blog here:
http://80breakdowns.com/2012/09/26/v8nam-the-searc...
...or for the to-the-point version, basically, I think it's a bit too much of a safe option, and so the search continues. I hope to get out and view a few more possibilities over the weekend, but being based on the Devon/Cornwall border, there aren't very many possibilities coming up close to home. Things intriguing me at the moment (which aren't at the other end of the country) are:
This Chimaera. I was all set to arrange a viewing, but then I noticed it's also up for auction on the bay, with some quite hectic bidding. 4 days to go, so I may try a sneeky bid at the end. PS- you ain't seen it, right!
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
This... erm... well, it's a Pontiac Firebird. I have no idea if that's a good thing or not, but it's not a bad price, it's manual and looks cool:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PONTIAC-FIREBIRD-TRANS-A...
There are a few other ideas too, but I'm going to keep them to myself for now, as flashing up funky budget V8s you're keen to buy on here probably isn't the best way to make sure there's no competition... I'm sure you understand!
Oh, and after a lot of thought/perusing ads, I've decided against the Daimler 250 by the way. I still feel too young for it, I'm afraid; erring towards something slightly sportier...
Rach* said:
mig25_foxbat2003 said:
DonkeyApple said:
Yup. It's a gamble as to whether Isreal hit it while you are there or not and personally, I wouldn't think it worth the hassle.
If you'd been, you'd understand that it massively is worth the hassle. Can you imagine an English person finding you pitching a tent (unknowingly) on his land, and instead of giving you a b
king, insisting that you come eat dinner with his family and sleep in his living room? Without sharing a single word of common language? Iranians are awesome. It's their government who are knobbers.
Given all the sabre-rattling, now probably isn't the time, unfortunately. I'm going to see what develops in the coming months, and would love to be proved wrong, but all the signs are that Iran is best left for another time, when it can be enjoyed without the current stresses.
peatmoor said:
I had a read of your blog in the 944, seems like you are an expert bodger so it strikes me that the chim has the engine to survive the journey. Have you got a mate coming along with a 4x4 and a tow rope for tricky roads? Sounds like you've got your heart set on the chim too, it would be epic!
I wouldn't say I'm an expert bodger; I just do what anyone would do when things go wrong and you need to improvise to get yourself out of a 'situation'.There is another car coming this time - not exactly a 4x4 though; one of the guys who came across Africa in the Shogun is bringing an old Rolls Royce along. However, from previous experience of driving the first 2/3rds of the way to Vietnam (from the UK to the Chinese border), I recall that the roads aren't as bad as what the Porsche coped with in the Sudan and northern Kenya, so both cars should manage okay. And while I'm not 100% set on a Chim, you're right - I am rather fond of the idea, and it would be pretty damn epic...
peatmoor said:
Details OP!! Details!
Always liked the look of them I have to say.
Details, you say?Always liked the look of them I have to say.
It's a 1990 Chevrolet Corvette C4.
It's done 82,000 miles.
It has the least tasteful interior of any car I've ever sat in.
It's got a 5.7l V8, and came with invoices for a 288 cam, big-valved cylinder heads, aftermarket headers, and some other performance stuff. Standard output is 250hp, so I'm guessing it makes a little more than that...
It has funky rectangular exhausts and is so loud it makes my TVR's soundtrack seem shy and retiring.
It has the coolest pop-up headlights I've ever operated.
It has zero ground clearance.
...and it set me back £3,800. Bargain!
I'll get some decent photos up when the sun comes out...
Hi folks, thanks for the general positiveness...
I've given up waiting for the sun to come out for photos of my new toy and taken some this afternoon anyway, in a lull between showers:
I've driven it about 80 miles so far, and still haven't got used to its combination of excessive width and wrong-hand-drive when combined with its new Dartmoor home. Narrow lanes are a chore, and passing manouvres are best dealt with by sticking the drivers side of the car as far into the undergrowth as possible and hoping for the best.
However, the more the road opens out, the more tolerable the 'Vette gets. In a straight line it's not lacking in speed (being comparable to my 4.0l Chimaera) and the ride isn't nearly as stiff as I'd expected, being less lively than the Chim; though the auto box and excessive 275-section tyres blunt any inclination to have fun in the corners. The interior seems comfortable enough for us to survive the trip, but the boot is sufficiently small that we'll be packing rather lighter than we did on the African Porsche trip. As for other road trip practicalities, I'm not sure I'll be able to put a roof tent on it due to the lift-out targa panel, and something will definitely need to be done about the loud exhaust, as it drones like nobodies business whatever speed you're doing. On the plus side, the car seems to be a good'un - everything except the heater blower seems to work and there aren't too many rattles or worrying noises...
I've ordered the Haynes Manual this morning so when that arrives I'll get properly stuck into checking the car over, but until then, I'm just enjoying having a choice of V8 Sports Cars at my disposal each time I open the front door (despite the fact that together, they still cost less than a new Golf).
PS- I think I've found the ultimate marmite car! Blokes love it; women won't go within ten feet of it...
I've given up waiting for the sun to come out for photos of my new toy and taken some this afternoon anyway, in a lull between showers:
I've driven it about 80 miles so far, and still haven't got used to its combination of excessive width and wrong-hand-drive when combined with its new Dartmoor home. Narrow lanes are a chore, and passing manouvres are best dealt with by sticking the drivers side of the car as far into the undergrowth as possible and hoping for the best.
However, the more the road opens out, the more tolerable the 'Vette gets. In a straight line it's not lacking in speed (being comparable to my 4.0l Chimaera) and the ride isn't nearly as stiff as I'd expected, being less lively than the Chim; though the auto box and excessive 275-section tyres blunt any inclination to have fun in the corners. The interior seems comfortable enough for us to survive the trip, but the boot is sufficiently small that we'll be packing rather lighter than we did on the African Porsche trip. As for other road trip practicalities, I'm not sure I'll be able to put a roof tent on it due to the lift-out targa panel, and something will definitely need to be done about the loud exhaust, as it drones like nobodies business whatever speed you're doing. On the plus side, the car seems to be a good'un - everything except the heater blower seems to work and there aren't too many rattles or worrying noises...
I've ordered the Haynes Manual this morning so when that arrives I'll get properly stuck into checking the car over, but until then, I'm just enjoying having a choice of V8 Sports Cars at my disposal each time I open the front door (despite the fact that together, they still cost less than a new Golf).
PS- I think I've found the ultimate marmite car! Blokes love it; women won't go within ten feet of it...
mig25_foxbat2003 said:
I know it's completely against the spirit of what you're trying to do, but I can't help thinking that a proper "Dakar Spec" Vette, with loads of ground clearance, knobbiles, spotlights etc, would look cool as hell!
Are you going to flog the performance bits to help the budget?
You mean something like this C3?: http://www.vetteweb.com/features/vemp_1007_1969_ch...Are you going to flog the performance bits to help the budget?
I've looked into it and the racier heads and cams aren't actually worth that much so they'll probably stay on. Exhaust is definitely going to need changing though, as deafness is way over-rated...
famfarrow said:
Fantastic! At least the interior is a nice talking point amongst V8 startled locals!
I don't know what all the fuss is about. If it was an Alfa GTV or Honda NSX with a red leather interior and plasticy dash, I'm sure everyone would be swooning over it.Disclaimer - Okay, I lied about not knowing what the fuss is about; it's just I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact that I'm going to spend 3 months crossing Asia in a mobile brothel next year...
irocfan said:
fivetenben said:
famfarrow said:
Fantastic! At least the interior is a nice talking point amongst V8 startled locals!
I don't know what all the fuss is about. If it was an Alfa GTV or Honda NSX with a red leather interior and plasticy dash, I'm sure everyone would be swooning over it.Disclaimer - Okay, I lied about not knowing what the fuss is about; it's just I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact that I'm going to spend 3 months crossing Asia in a mobile brothel next year...
Alfa GTV:
Honda S2000:
Corvette:
...then I had a moment of clarity and wondered what on earth I was doing. After all, this is Pistonheads. Speed matters and all that.
Why on earth are we discussing the colour of the interior when it cost not-a-lot and is propelled by a breathed-on 5.7 V8?! I feel sullied. If I hadn't had a few too many beers I'd rush out and do some burnouts to compensate...
rswift said:
Just finished the kindle version of your book .... loved it.
I can wholeheartedly recommend it to any PH'er to add to their xmas list (and therefore hopefully help fund V8Nam)
Hi, glad you enjoyed it - not sure I'm going to manage to pay for V8Nam through it, but still, every little helps, and I appreciate the thought!I can wholeheartedly recommend it to any PH'er to add to their xmas list (and therefore hopefully help fund V8Nam)
General busyness has meant I haven't really had much of a poke around the Corvette yet, but a sunny day on Sunday did mean it got it's first proper run, a 60 mile blat across Dartmoor from Plymouth to Hound Tor and back, roof off and in convoy with the TVR - a fun day, all in all!
Corvette was great - garish, wide, deafening but great. I probably should stop playing with it sometime soon though, and figure out how to raise the suspension and fit everything in it...
mig25_foxbat2003 said:
When are you leaving again? Genuinely considering jacking in my job and following your route like some kind of Partridge super fan.
Failing that, I'm looking forward to the blog thread.
We're leaving at the start of April next year, planning on taking 2 months from UK to Vietnam, then spending a further month bimbling around SE Asia. You could always get a nice shiny XJ8 or Merc 560 SEC, fill it with like-minded PHers, and join the convoy! Failing that, I'm looking forward to the blog thread.
XJSJohn said:
Just as well you have gone for the 'vette. Recently i tried to sort out visa's etc for a drive to Vietnam (i live a bit closer than you) and was thwarted by the Vietnamese Embassy who even after me pestering several times and even going to visit them in person stated that currently they do not allow right hand drive cars into vietnam!
I thought about just rocking up at the border but that was a bit of a risk, and even with coffee money to get the car in, i may never get it out again!
Thailand, Cambodia and Laos are no problem, just do paperwork at the border and buy local 3rd party insurance ticket. Things are getting easier in Myanmar too, had some friends ride their Harleys to Yangon recently with no hassle
Hi John, thanks for the info! LHD will certainly Make things easier - the only RHD vehicles I know of to enter Vietnam had to jump through all sorts of hoops before getting permission from someone very high up in the government. There are similar issues with getting a RHD car into Azerbijan too, so the 'vette may have been an inadvertently inspired choice!I thought about just rocking up at the border but that was a bit of a risk, and even with coffee money to get the car in, i may never get it out again!
Thailand, Cambodia and Laos are no problem, just do paperwork at the border and buy local 3rd party insurance ticket. Things are getting easier in Myanmar too, had some friends ride their Harleys to Yangon recently with no hassle
That's great news about Myanmar, i'd pretty much written off taking a vehicle there as a non-starter. Did your friends keep a blog or anything? I'd love to follow in their tyretracks!
AJS- said:
What a brilliant adventure. How are you getting across Burma/China? (Sorry haven't read the whole thread, but I understand these places are nearly impossible to drive your own car into?)
If you find yourselves in Bangkok give me a shout as there's definitely a pint waiting for you here.
We're planning to head through China from Central Asia to Laos. It's a bit of a bureaucratic pain taking a car across China and you need a government 'guide' to accompany you, but it is at least possible, and a few PHers have done it in the past (Rach* for one). Not remotely cheap though!If you find yourselves in Bangkok give me a shout as there's definitely a pint waiting for you here.
I'm never one to turn down a pint - hopefully see you next year!
mig25_foxbat2003 said:
I've just finished the book. Some warnings to anyone considering its purchase:
- It WILL leave you with severe itchy feet syndrome
- It WILL send you to the classifieds for 944s.
- It WILL leave you with that slight feeling of emptiness (which all good books do) once you finish it.
I sincerely hope you'll be writing one about this trip Ben?
I'm glad you (and others who have mirrored your sentiments) enjoyed it - thanks for saying so as it kinda makes the years of effort writing the thing worth it. I am indeed planning to write a sequel about V8Nam; hope this trip doesn't generate quite as much material to work with though, if you catch my drift!- It WILL leave you with severe itchy feet syndrome
- It WILL send you to the classifieds for 944s.
- It WILL leave you with that slight feeling of emptiness (which all good books do) once you finish it.
I sincerely hope you'll be writing one about this trip Ben?
So Mr Foxbat, are you still tempted to stalk us across Asia in an old XJ8?
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