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

Not quite what I was asking, but I was also wondering that.

To rephrase - what state is the car in now?

And @Dammit - I'm now steadily working my way through all the episodes of Roadkill. Big fan.

As good as new - no dents, dinks or rust. It's fucking glorious. I'm rather tempted to ask NH to photograph it. He said he's always wanted to.

Engine next.

Then the slow acquisition of interior parts begins...

Wow. Sounds like it will be fucking stunning when it's done.

Any ETA on the complete project? How long's it been going for thus far?

In answer to your question, its been an ongoing project since 2001, but a serious project since June.

I like to look at it in how many girlfriends I've been through since owning her.

I bought Eva the Evo when I was with Gertrude (2001). I saw Gertrude on and off for a few years. She was in a loveless relationship with a man who used to beat her. Gertrude didn't like Eva at all. I didn't like the bloke that Gertrude was with. I eventually saw the light.

I had a bit of time off in between Gertrude and Mabel. Mabel was a borderline alcoholic/drug addict. Mabel liked Eva, but in an ironic way. Mabel liked Eva's lines and the fact that she was (only just) from the eighties. Mabel and I went our separate ways when she found out I was having some utterly filthy sex with Ethel, in Hertfordshire. Ethel was unbelievable - she could suck a golf ball through a hosepipe, but it wasn't meant to be and we parted company.

Then I moved from East to West and the Eva fell by the wayside. She remained insured and roadworthy, but was left outside exposed to the elements slowly ageing.

Mrs b&d adores Eva. Even she admits that the car has been the one consistent thing in my life over the last twelve years. She has taken a job which has placed her in Dubai. It was about this time that I decided maybe the car should not be part of my life. I was advised to sell her as she was because I'd never see any of the money again which I had invested in her. I decided against that. I spoke to a close friend who owns a 635csi and he pointed me in the direction of the guy she's with now. He's an obsessive kind of chap who'll work on anything but specialises on older stuff, particularly VW Camper vans. He fully restored a splitscreen shell that a chap had bought on eBay and pushed into his workshop. The shell turned up with four tea chests full of not necessarily corresponding parts. He's not cheap (like twice as much as another quote I got), but I got a good feeling about the way he spoke of his work and the level of enthusiasm he had for it. I figure I'd rather pay a lot now than have to do this again in five years.

Over the years I've put a fair amount of money into her - the bloke I bought her from said that it would probably be less costly to either have a scorching cocaine problem or to burn fifty pound notes. I didn't think that she'd cost me so much. Economy wise, she has a terrible drink problem - imagine a party with Keith Moon, Oliver Reed and George Best. Just when you think you've got everyone under control, Eric Clapton and Ronnie Wood turn up with Ringo. I haven't actually filled her to the brim for years and I don't think I could because OPEC is a cruel mistress...

It didn't matter. None of it mattered at all. The memories of obliterating the ridiculously pimped and tweaked cars of my native Essex are countless. The kids in Ilford shouting "phat car innit blud" from the windows of the heavily spoilered Nissan Micra's, the gentleman in his mid-fifties who approached me in a car park and said "I never actually had one of those, but I really wanted one" (you all have filthy minds...). None of it matters at all. I know that she's a pain in the arse if you go over a bridge or have to pay motorway tolls because I'm sat in the wrong place. I know that she sounds like someone dragging a sack full of tin cans and bolts around until she's been running for ten minutes and the Mobil 1 is slowly getting up to temperature. The joy that she gives me when I get her relatively small 2.3 litre, four cylinder engine above four thousand RPM is like no other feeling I've had with my clothes on. And I have a girlfriend for when I've got my clothes off..

I have new badges which will go on this week. He'll write up the final bill and she will be parked, turned over and moved around whilst I'm away.

How could I sell Eva the Evo? Why would I want to?

Chapeau

In answer to your question, its been an ongoing project since 2001, but a serious project since June.

I like to look at it in how many girlfriends I've been through since owning her.

I bought Eva the Evo when I was with Gertrude (2001). I saw Gertrude on and off for a few years. She was in a loveless relationship with a man who used to beat her. Gertrude didn't like Eva at all. I didn't like the bloke that Gertrude was with. I eventually saw the light.

I had a bit of time off in between Gertrude and Mabel. Mabel was a borderline alcoholic/drug addict. Mabel liked Eva, but in an ironic way. Mabel liked Eva's lines and the fact that she was (only just) from the eighties. Mabel and I went our separate ways when she found out I was having some utterly filthy sex with Ethel, in Hertfordshire. Ethel was unbelievable - she could suck a golf ball through a hosepipe, but it wasn't meant to be and we parted company.

Then I moved from East to West and the Eva fell by the wayside. She remained insured and roadworthy, but was left outside exposed to the elements slowly ageing.

Mrs b&d adores Eva. Even she admits that the car has been the one consistent thing in my life over the last twelve years. She has taken a job which has placed her in Dubai. It was about this time that I decided maybe the car should not be part of my life. I was advised to sell her as she was because I'd never see any of the money again which I had invested in her. I decided against that. I spoke to a close friend who owns a 635csi and he pointed me in the direction of the guy she's with now. He's an obsessive kind of chap who'll work on anything but specialises on older stuff, particularly VW Camper vans. He fully restored a splitscreen shell that a chap had bought on eBay and pushed into his workshop. The shell turned up with four tea chests full of not necessarily corresponding parts. He's not cheap (like twice as much as another quote I got), but I got a good feeling about the way he spoke of his work and the level of enthusiasm he had for it. I figure I'd rather pay a lot now than have to do this again in five years.

Over the years I've put a fair amount of money into her - the bloke I bought her from said that it would probably be less costly to either have a scorching cocaine problem or to burn fifty pound notes. I didn't think that she'd cost me so much. Economy wise, she has a terrible drink problem - imagine a party with Keith Moon, Oliver Reed and George Best. Just when you think you've got everyone under control, Eric Clapton and Ronnie Wood turn up with Ringo. I haven't actually filled her to the brim for years and I don't think I could because OPEC is a cruel mistress...

It didn't matter. None of it mattered at all. The memories of obliterating the ridiculously pimped and tweaked cars of my native Essex are countless. The kids in Ilford shouting "phat car innit blud" from the windows of the heavily spoilered Nissan Micra's, the gentleman in his mid-fifties who approached me in a car park and said "I never actually had one of those, but I really wanted one" (you all have filthy minds...). None of it matters at all. I know that she's a pain in the arse if you go over a bridge or have to pay motorway tolls because I'm sat in the wrong place. I know that she sounds like someone dragging a sack full of tin cans and bolts around until she's been running for ten minutes and the Mobil 1 is slowly getting up to temperature. The joy that she gives me when I get her relatively small 2.3 litre, four cylinder engine above four thousand RPM is like no other feeling I've had with my clothes on. And I have a girlfriend for when I've got my clothes off..

I have new badges which will go on this week. He'll write up the final bill and she will be parked, turned over and moved around whilst I'm away.

How could I sell Eva the Evo? Why would I want to?

Inspired. Thank you. I was initially planning just to post 'repped' but I don't think that would have really conveyed just how much I enjoyed reading that. Fantastic.

Did my Volcane have this?

Yes. Citroen may in fact have pioneered the system on the ZX.

As good as new - no dents, dinks or rust. It's fucking glorious. I'm rather tempted to ask NH to photograph it. He said he's always wanted to.

Engine next.

Then the slow acquisition of interior parts begins...

Any time, buddy. It's what I do best with a lens.

You're on. Got your Murts product?

Great write-up B&D. Non-car people don't get it but it's a great feeling to have a real relationship with an in-animate object. I'm looking forward to seeing pics.

In other news, I had a look at the Speed Trials yesterday when I was at Brighton. it was my first visit after reading about since I was a kid and it was great. Awesome mix of cars & bikes (though not quite as many as I thought). I took my film camera with me so need to get film developed but will gets some pics up when I get a chance.
Sad to hear the news about the sidecar accident at the end of the day.

The engine's sound - I already have the necessary bits and bobs and the gearbox should be fine.

One of the fortunate things about owning this car for as long as I have is that I get a decent deal at BMW nowadays. They look after me.

I'm looking for the centre console and carpets etc.

I know it's wrong but I love my MK3 GTI Golf - the ugliest and most ginger step-child of all Golf GTIs. However, she is utterly rust free, and purrs in the most unreasonable way for a car that is 18 years old. Shockingly good fun to drive around that London and several dare I say it 'comfy' trips on coil-overs to The Lakes and beyond. A paltry 67k on the clocks and with the reputation the old 16v 2.0 GTI lumps have there's plenty of life left for at least double that.

Van, make sure the oil breather is kept clear.

Anyone go to the speed trials?

You're on. Got your Murts product?

Yes I did thanks, much appreciated. Did you move all your stuff OK?

I know it's wrong but I love my MK3 GTI Golf - the ugliest and most ginger step-child of all Golf GTIs. However, she is utterly rust free, and purrs in the most unreasonable way for a car that is 18 years old. Shockingly good fun to drive around that London and several dare I say it 'comfy' trips on coil-overs to The Lakes and beyond. A paltry 67k on the clocks and with the reputation the old 16v 2.0 GTI lumps have there's plenty of life left for at least double that.

I'd say the most 'ginger step-child' was the MK4 2.0 NA GTi which VW were so ashamed of they didn't even badge it as a GTi in mainland Europe.

I think it had less power than yours, weighed more, and handled like a car twice its weight.

Yes I did thanks, much appreciated. Did you move all your stuff OK?

Piece of cake.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5009296592_44ea5b7343_o.jpg

I'm getting a feeling that you're a fan of Legacys?

last few have been Forresters....

ElHuron - if you are after a legacy then check out uklegacy.com - really good bunch of people over there - its mostly centered around the gen2/3 twin turbo models - but there is some decent Gen4 stuff. It's a world away from the petty squabbling on most of the impreza forums....

+1 but mine now has 90k and I don't consider it ugly or ginger step-child-esque.

I know it's wrong but I love my MK3 GTI Golf - the ugliest and most ginger step-child of all Golf GTIs. However, she is utterly rust free, and purrs in the most unreasonable way for a car that is 18 years old. Shockingly good fun to drive around that London and several dare I say it 'comfy' trips on coil-overs to The Lakes and beyond. A paltry 67k on the clocks and with the reputation the old 16v 2.0 GTI lumps have there's plenty of life left for at least double that.

Anyone go to the speed trials?

See post 7 above yours....

My car was, when it rolled out of the factory in (probably) the Netherlands, bright red.

It's now pink, and not so pink, as I've not bothered washing it in ~7 months, and it's parked outside.

Sometimes this bothers me, and one of those times is today- mainly as I have a meeting in Cobham tomorrow for which it would be convenient to drive, but the car looks a bit shabby.

If I did get it repsrayed (at no doubt huge expense) would it not just go pink again?

Would I be better off getting the roof and bonnet vinyl wrapped in a red that matches the side panels, (which have not pinked) so that the vinyl can be replaced every couple of years?

Or is there a wonder coating that would keep the UV off the remaining paint if I get it machine polished back to a deep Ferrari red?

How much do you want to spend on a respray?

cut it back with a mop, polish with red pigmented wax compound.

It would be a lot cheaper than a respray.

If it still looks pink then you could wrap the bonnet and roof in matt black or carbon-look.