Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Dalston, parked on the street. So maybe not too bad at all.

Think between me and wife we have decided to just rent/zipcar when we need to. Makes more sense than owning a cheap banger. Have to factor in parking permits, fuel etc. etc.

It all adds up. The difference for me was the trips to the West Country (1 or 2 a month) and the college trips to Bristol (1 a week). 300 miles an a piss-freezing day in the mgb sucks. Banger it is.

My journey to Leicester this morning was interesting.

Just as I joined the M1 the now-familiar det-at-3,000 rpm reared it's head.

I thought I was going to have to get the car relayed when I was passing Dunstable, but nursed it the rest of the way.

I did stop 7 miles from my destination at the services for a coffee, re-joining the M1 was shit-your-pants terrifying as I had to short-shift at 2,500 rpm to avoid the det-zone.

And of course, the second the mech took the car out it span the rev needle round the dial to 7,000 perfectly cleanly.

Thankfully (in a way!) it then died at 3,000 on the way back to the workshop, so he knows what's happening.

I left it with him with a request to "fix everything". He's also going to drop in into a local paint-shop to get a quote for a proper re-spray as that's something I've been seriously considering.

Place that painted this (guy who shares the workshop with my mech built this car):

I don't want to see the Volvo again until it's running perfectly.

So, never. .

Could I interest you in mint condition p1800?

Probably!

Red Victor?
Always loved that beast.

@rive_gauche Have you got a mint P1800? Currently looking for one for a client.

My parents used to have a P1800, though they had to sell it when my mum was too pregnant (with me) to fit behind the wheel. Still feel slightly guilty about that. Awesome cars though. Nom:

Saw one of these earlier and reminded me of my lust for one

266bhp and 243lb/ft from a charged 1.6.

not for me.

Face only a mother could love, which is a shame given that sexy double bubble action.

P1800s are very cool and still reasonable money I think.

Interesting:

pm'd you V-L

Bollox, just got the bimmer back from the garage. It's gonna need new front wishbones and shocks. Not gonna be cheap.

Bleurgh

so much wrong with that. But it will fly out of the dealers lot.

Cuntmobile.

Christ, that's bad.

My turbo is deffo dead, thinking about a 19T exhaust/20G compressor hybrid.

And, a friend has just bought this for his bike shop:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kinugawa-Turbocharger-VOLVO-S70-850-TD04HL-20T-w-7cm-angle-Hsg-9-Blade-Wheel-/121282911496?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6393

9 blade wheel and with the 0.8 bar spring in the actuator is what I am thinking - any advance on that?

woo. engine is back from the machine shop. head is done next week. i am looking forward to putting it back together the weekend of the 13th and in the car for easter.

i am fucking excited.

60% increase in brake ponies!

^that is if the car is making anywhere near std power. probably closer to double the knackered old engine that's currently in the cat.

The Kinugawa turbos are well rated in the Subaru world

Am test driving a Golf R on Friday.
Anybody got one/had one/driven one?