Father, son and a V8
Discussion
Anyhow, now that I'm back home and the Lincoln is safely tucked away, I'll begin...
Early starts and Saturdays rarely make good bedfellows, today was no different. However tea, peanut butter on toast and the prospect of driving the Lincoln ensures my mood is nothing sort of bonny.
That and the surprise I have for my brother.
Now, lying is a bad thing but there are times when its for the greater good. Those of you who have been following this thread will know that I had asked my brother to give me a lift to pick up a runabout for the misses.
Namely a Nissan Micra.
Now my brother is a car enthusiast like myself, so quite naturally was interested in what the car was and why I was getting it. In fact he had talked about it at his work, as he found my situation quite amusing, in that the change from a Saab 9-5 Aero to a Nissan Micra was quite a large one.
So I had to start filling in the blanks, it developed a partial service history, an ownership profile (and indeed an owner), a year (1997) and an engine and trim level (1.3 SX Electric windows!).
Being the silver tongued lothario that I am, my brother was convinced. Hook line and sinker.
So off we drive to Harlow, laughing about how my trip back in a ultra basic Micra would be quite distant from fun. About an hour or so later, we arrive near the venue. To my horror its small twisty streets, great in a Micra a tad worrying in an eighteen foot, five and a half foot wide yank.
We turn the corner and I spy the Lincoln, my brother sees the Lincoln but doesn't recognise it as he is still looking for the Micra! On second glance he realises what car it is as I say "Yeah, we're not here for a Micra"
He's was blown away.
This was a strange moment, because its the first time I've ever paid for a car upfront, sight unseen. It makes for a fairly bizarre buying process as all that really needs to be done (certainly in this case) was to sign the paperwork. After some obituary checks such as lifting the bonnet to check that there was in fact an engine present I started her up.
It's been a long time since I've heard an American V8 and although the 302ci (5 Litre) powerplant in the Lincoln isn't what you would call a high-power variant (160bhp) it does sound good.
So, I guess the burning question on your minds is what were your first thoughts and how does she drive?
The Lincoln is pretty much the same as when I left her, thats both a good and a bad thing as it wasn't close to concours condition in 2006. Although the following five years have not been unkind to her, they are noticeable. It appears to been stored outside, so the underneath is rustier, there was condensation on both sides of the window and the brake light was on.
None of that mattered though.
After a much needed coffee provided by June (the now former owner) and with my brother taking the lead we started the journey home.
Now this is a big car, a big, big, big, BIG car.
Did mention it was big?
The Lincoln was definitely not designed for small English backstreets, but as soon as we hit more sensibly sized roads things were slightly less hair raising.
The initial part of the journey was uneventful, but stop start traffic and a trying to stop a two tonne car going down a large hill created two things:
1. A lot of smoke
2. A small fire
Yes ladies and gentlemen, I have cooked the brakes! Namely the drivers o/s. I suspect that the Lincoln has been driven much in the last few years and that the discs, pads and fluid are truly shot. A now completely spongy brake pedal would confirm this.
But I managed to limp her home, there are many things to fix or improve but I've got a lifetime to sort them out.
Early starts and Saturdays rarely make good bedfellows, today was no different. However tea, peanut butter on toast and the prospect of driving the Lincoln ensures my mood is nothing sort of bonny.
That and the surprise I have for my brother.
Now, lying is a bad thing but there are times when its for the greater good. Those of you who have been following this thread will know that I had asked my brother to give me a lift to pick up a runabout for the misses.
Namely a Nissan Micra.
Now my brother is a car enthusiast like myself, so quite naturally was interested in what the car was and why I was getting it. In fact he had talked about it at his work, as he found my situation quite amusing, in that the change from a Saab 9-5 Aero to a Nissan Micra was quite a large one.
So I had to start filling in the blanks, it developed a partial service history, an ownership profile (and indeed an owner), a year (1997) and an engine and trim level (1.3 SX Electric windows!).
Being the silver tongued lothario that I am, my brother was convinced. Hook line and sinker.
So off we drive to Harlow, laughing about how my trip back in a ultra basic Micra would be quite distant from fun. About an hour or so later, we arrive near the venue. To my horror its small twisty streets, great in a Micra a tad worrying in an eighteen foot, five and a half foot wide yank.
We turn the corner and I spy the Lincoln, my brother sees the Lincoln but doesn't recognise it as he is still looking for the Micra! On second glance he realises what car it is as I say "Yeah, we're not here for a Micra"
He's was blown away.
This was a strange moment, because its the first time I've ever paid for a car upfront, sight unseen. It makes for a fairly bizarre buying process as all that really needs to be done (certainly in this case) was to sign the paperwork. After some obituary checks such as lifting the bonnet to check that there was in fact an engine present I started her up.
It's been a long time since I've heard an American V8 and although the 302ci (5 Litre) powerplant in the Lincoln isn't what you would call a high-power variant (160bhp) it does sound good.
So, I guess the burning question on your minds is what were your first thoughts and how does she drive?
The Lincoln is pretty much the same as when I left her, thats both a good and a bad thing as it wasn't close to concours condition in 2006. Although the following five years have not been unkind to her, they are noticeable. It appears to been stored outside, so the underneath is rustier, there was condensation on both sides of the window and the brake light was on.
None of that mattered though.
After a much needed coffee provided by June (the now former owner) and with my brother taking the lead we started the journey home.
Now this is a big car, a big, big, big, BIG car.
Did mention it was big?
The Lincoln was definitely not designed for small English backstreets, but as soon as we hit more sensibly sized roads things were slightly less hair raising.
The initial part of the journey was uneventful, but stop start traffic and a trying to stop a two tonne car going down a large hill created two things:
1. A lot of smoke
2. A small fire
Yes ladies and gentlemen, I have cooked the brakes! Namely the drivers o/s. I suspect that the Lincoln has been driven much in the last few years and that the discs, pads and fluid are truly shot. A now completely spongy brake pedal would confirm this.
But I managed to limp her home, there are many things to fix or improve but I've got a lifetime to sort them out.
Cracking end to this tale, and start of another one!! 
Thomas, it's a great thread and I'm happy that you now have the car. Sorry to be a party pooper, but does this mean that your ad in the Saab section was part of the ploy to fool your brother? Only reason I ask is that I've sent you an email regarding the car, I would have been very interested!!
(but the boot is big!)
a11y_m said:
You read some amount of s
te on PH but threads like this make it worthwhile putting up with the garbage 
Excellent thread OP and looking forward to the pics.
I agree.te on PH but threads like this make it worthwhile putting up with the garbage Excellent thread OP and looking forward to the pics.
Glad to hear the car is back home looking forward to updates, will they be in this thread or a new one in Reader's Cars?
Things to sort out and/or replace:
Remove stupid v8 badges (yes two of them!) from rear!
Brake discs
Brake pads
Oil and filter
Thermostat
Temperature sensor
Brake fluid
Master/Slave brake cylinders
Brake lines
Find the source of whatever is loose and causing a clanking noise on the os/r
Transmission fluid change and filter
Recondition wheels
Respray (currently three colours white, green and matt black)
Replace trim
"Needs some suspension work and shocks. Brakes, brake pads,
lining, steering box, transmission, rear-end.
Dr. Peter Venkman: How much?
Dr Ray Stantz: Only $4800.
[Venkman looks shocked]
Dr Ray Stantz: Also new rings, mufflers, a little wiring."
So not much then!
Remove stupid v8 badges (yes two of them!) from rear!
Brake discs
Brake pads
Oil and filter
Thermostat
Temperature sensor
Brake fluid
Master/Slave brake cylinders
Brake lines
Find the source of whatever is loose and causing a clanking noise on the os/r
Transmission fluid change and filter
Recondition wheels
Respray (currently three colours white, green and matt black)
Replace trim
"Needs some suspension work and shocks. Brakes, brake pads,
lining, steering box, transmission, rear-end.
Dr. Peter Venkman: How much?
Dr Ray Stantz: Only $4800.
[Venkman looks shocked]
Dr Ray Stantz: Also new rings, mufflers, a little wiring."
So not much then!
Edited by LincolnLovin on Sunday 16th October 09:43
First drive of the Lincoln after getting it home:
http://youtu.be/C6FpomWOT0c
My brother is doing the filming
http://youtu.be/C6FpomWOT0c
My brother is doing the filming
Edited by LincolnLovin on Tuesday 1st November 19:05
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