Isuzu Bighorn - A Norfolk Barn Stormer

[Whatty]

Apologies in advance for another riveting chapter in the motoring adventures of 'Whatty'.

Another shaggy dog tale of a thread where there is never any riveting and certainly no welding. Well not by me at least.

This may well be a short chapter as the rightful owner of this new but old 4wd trooper is Ms Whatty.

Ms Whatty has, bless her, agreed to up sticks and swap the suburban bright lights and chrome plated diners of New Jersey for the rural paradise that is Norfolk.

That’s Norfolk England. Not Virginia. On this occasion we're the original article.

Strictly an A-to-B motorist and a true Daughter of the American Revolution means that her car tastes are a bit Puritanical.
The Citroen C4 we found her last year was deemed by her to be a bit frivolous.

I did point out the lack of rear electric windows and sunroof but to no avail.
Shame as I quite like it.
Stylishly supple.



It was suggested that something more utilitarian in design with the ability to scale the steep slopes of the South Norfolk Alps might be more her thing.
Armed with nothing more than the cash equivalent of three USA-UK return airfares I got busy.

Must haves:
The ability for her to sit up high while using automatic gearbox.
Plus 4 wheels. 4 seats. Space.
Be Green or Burgundy in colour.
Two weeks and a phone call later.

Colour box ticked.


Seating for 5 = Good
+ 2 = 7 = Great.



Uncrushed Velour (heated) = Extra points.



Trailer hitch and Tree stump removal tool = handy.
Note reversing camera.



Retro In Car Entertainment and B/W TV . Crap reception.



Momo Steering Wheel with Lotus content = A huge WIN.
Needs a bit of TLC.



Proper 4WD knobs.
None of your WAG RR Sport electronic hill descent functionality for my gal.



Load lugger with highway hugging provenance c/o our neighbours at Hethel.
British Badge Engineering at its best.



19 years young but well travelled.
Despite racking up three countries in its log book - JPN > NZ > UK Still got both keys and the OEM Sushi Menu Manual.




A newly minted MOT, some small adjustment to rid the steering box of a little vagueness and we're all set for some off highway hauling and trackside service support.


Cheers, Whatty.

[AlmostUseful]

I quite like that, and having had a wife with a C4 (still got the wife, C4 has gone) I know how happy they become when they get a car that isn't a C4.

[jamiebae]

That looks phenomenally clean and tidy, most of these have been used as builders trucks, dead animal removal vehicles AND banger racers by now.

[mcelliott]

I had a big horn earlier, but with the help of Missy Elliott it subsided.

Edited by mcelliott on Wednesday 4th March 21:12

[coopedup]

Good to see you back fella, any news on your future wheels?

[Whatty]

mcelliott said:

I had a big horn earlier, but with the help of Missy Elliott it subsided.

Edited by mcelliott on Wednesday 4th March 21:12

The comedic value of the model name might just outweigh the actual worth of the vehicle.

coopedup said:

Good to see you back fella, any news on your future wheels?

Thanks Mr. C.

The future wheels remain under lock and key, actual and virtual. New shed contract about to exchange - just need a completion date and I can bring home the new bacon.

Despite the cold and snow I had a good time in New Jersey.

Not much happening car wise over there but I did scoop a picture of a new MY 2016 Lexus. ( I think it is anyway)
Hoping Autocar or Road & Track will pick it up.

Tricky photographic conditions -.bright sunshine, moving vehicle.

Likewise Ms Whatty not too happy being snapped in public.


Don't know why







Cheers, Whatty.

[coopedup]

God she must love you for that one, looks like you've got a right looker there

[Whatty]

coopedup said:

God she must love you for that one, looks like you've got a right looker there

quote=coopedup]God she must love you for that one, looks like you've got a right looker there

I saw the photo opportunity and could only think of 'Olive' from On The Buses......

Of course the white boots might suggest a former career as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader?

I can only hope that Doris's Sister rates somewhat higher in the Readers Cars rankings?



Car wise in Jersey I did find this other old girl still awaiting a new home.
I wouldn't mind finding a AMG SLS in my Christmas stocking.
Snow bound or otherwise.





Cheers, Whatty.

[coopedup]

Bloody hell you would have thought that would warrant a garage!

She is not quite in the same league as Doris's sister, make of that what you will...

[Whatty]

coopedup said:

Bloody hell you would have thought that would warrant a garage!

My pal is still the bemused caretaker two and half years on from Hurricane Sandy when it met its watery end.
As he's not seen a dime, dollar or penny for repair or storage its just another clunker in his eyes.

Give it another couple of years and I'll make a silly offer.

Cheers, Whatty.

[Whatty]

Aaah the joy of old cars.
I spy with my little eye.....

[Birdster]

Looks a cool retro 4x4. I like - what's the ride like?

Some insurance company hasn't come for someone else's SLS and it is on his drive?

[Whatty]

Birdster said:

Looks a cool retro 4x4. I like - what's the ride like?

The Big Horn rides nicely, and not as retro as the styling might suggest.
Definitely better than the Disco 2 I'd originally envisaged.
Underneath needs a bit of attention to keep the rust at bay.

Birdster said:

Some insurance company hasn't come for someone else's SLS and it is on his drive?

Long story about the SLS - flood damaged in New Jersey in 2012 while en route to a new owner outside the U.S.
Shipping company paid out compensation to new owner, but now its a bit of a white elephant as MB won't supply a new engine.
My pal and repair shop wizard stores it for 3 years but currently has no claim to ownership and the shipping company isn't really bothered what happens to it.
By the time it all gets sorted out I fear Mother Nature will have had its way. Look for it in the 'Found' column of Classic & Sports Car Magazine in 2038

Cheers, Whatty.

[Whatty]

Some time spent shopping locally.....

Support your local motor factors.
Formerly a beef butchers. Note old beams and bull motif.
Quite appropriate for this BIghorn repair.



50% cheaper than a certain online parts supplier of a European persuasion.
Yields a brace of belts. Assume big old AC compressor puts added strain on one alone.



Plus a 14mm socket and some skinned knuckles......
Quick lunchtime job 'jobbed'.



Thanks to Frank at W********* Motorist Centre for 5 star service and 9/11 Conspiracy Theory.
I fear he only got one out of the two right.

Cheers, Whatty.

[Whatty]

House of Whatty
March 21st.

Unimpressed by lack of new UK home, Ms. Whatty has mostly been on Shanks Pony while musing on the muppetry of the English home-buying-chain-system.

Or as she rather more succinctly says " how hard can it be to give your fking cash away?"

In a bid to distract her and avoid a domestic Battle of The Little Bighorn.
Take a diversionary riverbank walk.



At this this seasonal point she could be forgiven for shooting me in the back.
Long range shot possible?

[URL=http://s46.photobucket.com/user/ROBWHAT/media/Isuzu%20Bighorn/P3180022.jpg.html[/URL]

Too easy.
Some other random but bizarre small horn.



Digress. Domestic riverbank battles irrelevant.
Car stuff needed.

Bighorn looks good alright at 6 feet.
Not bad. But aged pin-striping shows it age.



Up close and personal.
Horrible. It must go.



To the trusty motor factors we must go.
Again already? Need 'Goo Gone' or UK equivalent.




Some time. Some heat. Some elbow grease.
6 panels down.
2 to go.



This posting was bought to you c/o Norwich City Football Club.
Yet another of my random pop up offices.

Hopefully the Pride of East Anglia today.
Today playing at home to Forest.



Cheers, Whatty.

[Whatty]

Wednesday March 25th.

bh of a Job jobbed. 6 hours total.
Much removal of ye olde stripeage and adhesive.
Good time to blag a bank. Thumb prints now completely missing.




To re-stripe or not that is the question?

Cheers, Whatty.

[coopedup]

Some nice tasteful flames down the side?

[aspirated]

A colour code to green would really freshen it up but that's probably going too far

[TEKNOPUG]

Is she your daughter or your wife?

[Whatty]

coopedup said:

Some nice tasteful flames down the side?

Hiya Mr. CoopedUp
Hmmm - American Graffiti style flames + Handling by Lotus badge = ACBC spinning in his grave?

SeriousIy though, I will call Sister Suzan, my old psychic in New Jersey, and see if she can get Colin's opinion from the other side.



Sister Su' is always good value and quite accurate. Much better than those Dial-A-Horoscope things.
Doris's sister might want to give her a jingle to see if there is any romance in her future.

aspirated said:

A colour code to green would really freshen it up but that's probably going too far

Was considered but rejected on the grounds of patina. This buggy will have a hard life.
Ms. Whatty + Master Whatty + 2 terriers = A detailers nightmare

TEKNOPUG said:

Is she your daughter or your wife?

Hi Mr. TEKNOPUG

You refer, I assume, to Ms. Whatty?
She is the mother of Master Whatty if that helps.

Cheers, Whatty.