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.

[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.

[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.

[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.....

[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.

[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.

[Whatty]

coopedup said:

Hopefully it will be a cold day in hell before Doris's sister sees any action

Like that is it Mr. Coopedup ?

I did ring Sister Suzan in New Jersey. She was a bit evasive about reaching out to ACBC on the other side.
In fact when I pressed her with information about my Bighorn she got a bit funny and hung up.
Charming.

Friday March 27th 2015.

Dull week.

Random car pictures.

Porsche 911 x 2.



Whatty Jr got a test drive with Team Duplo.
Now awaiting an offer or he's off to Ecurie Sticklebrick.




Posted Citroen ad on F-Book.
Can't bring myself to sell 4Mo at present.



Reluctantly for sale.
2005 Citroen C4 SX 1.6 - a sensible car for sensible people.

As NOT seen on Top Gear.
NEVER raced or rallied.

Two owners.
First possibly housebound for long periods.
Second a real Lady.
Full service history from new with all books and keys present.

Only 36,300 miles from new.
YES thats only THIRTY SIX THOUSAND miles.

Lots of life left, perfect for weekend runs to the seaside.
Enjoy safe and secure cliff top parking with power assisted steering, working brakes and central locking.

Automatic gearbox plus cruise control for lazy people.
Electric front windows for easy access to bracing breezes and sea views.

CD player for easy listening.
Choice of ABBA or Matt Monro cds can be fitted as no cost option.

Unmarked silver coachwork, ding and dent free.
As new grey cloth interior. Free of stains or annoying squeaky leather.

Freezing cold air conditioning for the scorching British 'summers'.
Toasty heater for those 'freezing cold' British winter mornings.
Tartan car rug available. Choice of colours.

Recent cam-belt change and new battery,
Respected Technical Expert opinions suggests:
"That won't need no money spending on it any time soon."

Boringly reliable, boring to drive but super comfy and 38mpg.

New very old car forces reluctant sale of this charmingly dull Gallic seaside cruiser.
Will take Smeg fridge, or a nice shed or 6 Rhode Island Red hens in trade.
Or track car.

Price on application.

Cheers, Whatty.

[Whatty]

coopedup said:

Please tell me that Lego car was all your own work, or did young Master Whatty turn his hand to building it to show his Dad how it should be done?!

Ms. Whatty built it. I wouldn't have had the patience.
Like wise Master Whatty would get tetchy and then throw a tantrum.

Now a terrible Two'ster he's started punching things.
Understandable in one his age but acceptable?

Coughs.



Cheers, Whatty

[Whatty]

coopedup said:

st yes says Adam Halls! Fair play to your good Lady for having the resolve to build that, puts you to shame

Thank goodness the clocks have changed.
Long winter nights pushing these back and forth is starting to bore me.



Random pic btw - I'm not with the constabulary/force/service/militia.

I suppose this period arrives in every man's life?
All you can really do is be grateful for what you had.

Reminisce about all the great and memorable times.
And then just enjoy reading about it.




Cheers, Whatty.

PS.

Ms Whatty drove me safely home from lunch yesterday in her new old Bighorn.
Good times.

[Whatty]

Good Friday - April 3rd 2015.

FFS I should not be sat here writing this. We should be moving into new house.
Which in turn brings me closer to my shed.
Fark this whole house buying chain nonsense.

Still I did get to watch the some of the Goodwood Masters lat night which was nice.
Also photographed 14" of retro Mountney loveliness.





Sit back and await response to 14" gag.
Gag line a joke in itself perhaps?



Cheer's Whatty.

[Whatty]

April 12th.

House of Whatty
Norfolk.

Dear Mr.WoodPigeon



Kindly bugger off and find another telephone wire to sit on.
The billing and cooing is nice but could you not let me enjoy my Sunday morning lie in?
I know its Spring and you get all lovey dovey but your time will come.

You'll recall the fate your pal met last year?

PHer's of a sensitive nature may want to scroll down very quickly.





Now thats off my chest.

GOOD NEWS!!

Journeys end in sight. House sale completion actually on horizon.
About time too.

No thanks to the local estate agent.

I knew this was going to be a slog when I saw his company car.
High performance property pedlars? I think not.



Sorted garage crap yesterday .
Curious to know where my back jack wheels have gone?




Likewise the Bighorn's voltage.
Some tea and adjustment to belt tensioner.
All good now.



Random Lotus spot. Vintage Eclat in burgundy.
Little known fact that the designer of things wedge shaped still resides a mere 100 yards from where I type.
Mr. Cheerful I call him.




Master Whatty got some novelty pork by way of a belated Christmas pressie.
Result: French made sort of Lego stuff.





And on the topic of pork.
French bred bore at the Three Boars, Spooner Row.





This week celebrates my 10th anniversary of not smoking in cars.
I do miss the smell of burning nylon in the morning.





Cheers, Whatty


PS. To the PH'er who dropped me a line last Sunday. Any luck?

Edited by Whatty on Sunday 12th April 07:56

[Whatty]

To the North and back..
One wedding and a road trip.

One 1996 Suzi Bighorn.
+ One tank of diesel

Friday and a random overtake pic.




Saturday.

Much beer, some bourbon.
One happy couple.

Sunday.

The Woodhead Pass and a hangover.



72 hours and 466 trouble free miles later.
One tank of diesel.




Old motors. There is no substitute.


Cheers, Whatty.