bryck

Old man had a Kingswood wagon when I was 7 or 8. He swapped a Chevy big block in, not sure exactly what size but it was rowdy. I remember when he sold it, guy who bought it was in a wheelchair, had no legs, tried to pay in weed. So yeah the 90s were interesting

Very pink. So cool!

Before and after shot is awesome, new wheels are a massive improvement

Can't offer any suggestions as to how to sort your saggy spring issue but the rear seat came out fantastic. Really enjoyed reading through your build, great skills on show

So... center console had no armrest. I'd really rather have one, I find it makes a car much more comfortable. I don't have a really good before picture, but this is the type of center console I had: Went through my parts and pulled out a grey center console which was from a later car. Had an arm rest and was all one piece. Tried it in the car and it didn't fit very well, possibly because it was from a car with an MT75 gearbox? Not sure. Regardless, the colour was off compared to the rest of the interior, twas a much bluer grey. So I had a look online and saw that there is an arm rest option for the split style console that was in the car. Couldn't find one locally so looked to the UK and found one advertised without the lid/armrest part. No problem, I have that part already, I can swap it over from the one I have right? Surely that part is the same, why would you make another one that looks the same? Saved me a boatload on the price too which was already more than ideal. After about a week of waiting, it arrived and I eagerly unpacked it and screwed on the lid I already had. It went smooth to this point, then I tried to close it. The latch was no where close to hitting the keeper, out by nearly 20mm. Not cool. Quick moment of despair, then resolved to making it work. What's 20mm? Managed to slide the arm rest back, remount the hinges into it and just get it to latch. Success! Now to get the handbrake to work with the concertina shroud thing which I new needed to be done. Cut a bunch of the existing plastic shrouding off the handbrake leaving just a small sleeve to cover the lever until it disappears into the console. A fresh new spot to lean. I think I'm out of level 4 things I can do to this. Need some freedoms so I can go get bits off the parts car. Near the top of the list are a set of Cossie Recaros in desperate need of recovering. Anyone got any suggestions for an auto upholstery places in Auckland? Keen to hear people's recommendations. That'll almost finish off the interior I think.

It's an affliction that's for sure. My preference is for the MKII's but still appreciate the earlier cars. Saw this the other day and felt a certain kinda way https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294306707241?hash=item44860bf729:g:k~8AAOSwJkhhBlgm

NC MX5 would give you a decent drive train like @avengertiger suggested. There come up on TM from time to time like this one https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car-parts-accessories/mazda/other/listing/3236407541?bof=wiGR3YUX I suspect it might be quite a spendy option though as there doesn't seem to be many about. I always wondered about the 1.8 BP out of an NB MX5, slightly smaller displacement but a fair bit newer engine than the pinto. Never driven one though so couldn't say how it would go in a Sierra.

Got a WOF back in July no problem which was a bit of a relief. After that it wasn't long until we were thrust back into lockdown again, which limits what can be done for the next little while. So time for some more low level interior upgrades. I'd already ordered a set of NOS car mats, so chuck them in, simple. Then I had a search through the garage to try to find a box of parts which had a Cosworth steering wheel in it. Managed to find it, gave the wheel a quick clean and put that on as well. Much better. Before: After: Then as mentioned, the front speakers needed to be swapped out for something less crap. Ordered them after lockdown had started, wouldn't have called them essential myself but I'm not complaining that they turned up a couple of days later. Gave me something to do between bike rides with the kids. Front speakers are in the dash, so a stupid amount of trim has to come off to get to them. But managed to get the old 4" speakers out then modified the mounting plates to accept the 4x6" replacements. This is with the first one done, second one was the same. These were essentially the largest size speaker that would fit in the space. This has made a good improvement to the sound but definitely need some rear speakers to fill in the sound. And bonus being I managed to get all the trim back on with no left over screws lol. So my car being pretty poverty spec, didn't have the rear tailgate mounted speakers. I pulled the trim panel off to see how I might go about routing the speaker wires only to find the boot had the speaker wiring in place. The wires disappear under the roof lining but they don't go all the way up to the dash, anyone got any idea how far they might go from there? Discussion thread:

Anything to discuss? Or anyone need to show their disgust? Either or.

Another weekend, more rain and a sick daughter conspired to provide me with a few hours this afternoon to tinker away on a few minor things. First thing to go was the bulbous wind deflector on the drivers window, it was massive and didn't look right only being on one side of the car. Other thing that managed to sort was the radio, had an ancient Sanyo tape deck in it which had power but no sound from the speakers. Swapped in a spare mechless Sony unit I had in the garage and got sound coming out of the fronts. Apologies for the rubbish photo. Highlighted a few things; first the front speakers are horrible and need to be replaced and second, it really needs some rear speakers. One step at a time though.

Bought this over Queen's birthday weekend, weather held out for the drive home but unfortunately it's pretty much rained ever since so I haven't got a lot of photos yet. Some photos from the listing: This is my third sierra wagon, still have one other one which has been off the road for over 10 years and will now donate a few parts. This one has the bonus of not having a sunroof. The sunroofs on these have a steel frame bonded to the glass and are extremely prone to rust. Saw a NOS sunroof sell on ebay a couple of years ago for over $1000 which is crazy. Used ones are either already rusty or the good ones being hoarded as replacements by people for when the sunroofs on their Cossies rust out, so really glad I don't have to worry about that with this one. This photo was taken during a lull in the weather once I'd got it home. This is actually the second time I've tried to buy this car, was up for sale about 4 years ago in Lower Hutt through a "trade clearance" car dealer. I had contacted the dealer but just didn't have the cash to make it happen at the time, mortgage, children etc. Suspected it was the same car but couldn't remember the plate, but had it confirmed when I went down and viewed it and the keyring was from the dealership. Older, retired guy had bought it back then as a bit of speculator investment, hoping it would appreciate in value like escorts have done recently. Had a good yarn to the guy, seemed a good sort. Had a '65 Mustang and a Morris Minor he and a mate had recently dragged out of a field and got going again. He was off on a rally the following day, hoping the Minor would hold up. Anyway, the Sierra, he'd originally listed it for over $10k! I know car prices have gone a bit nuts lately but found that a bit hard to swallow. Luckily, the price gradually dropped over several months until it was inline with what I could justify spending on it, just a little more than it sold for 4 years ago. It's reasonably tidy outside, got a few minor scrapes and dings about it but nothing major. Interior is very tidy. Been a few Sierras on here lately which is really good to see, @CPR's 3 door in particular really got me enthused again, definitely helped in confirming I did indeed want to go ahead and buy this car when it dropped into the right price range. Still waiting for an update on @R100's Sierra too In the short term, WOF is due at the end of the month. Let's see how that goes but I'm not expecting too many issues, maybe that's asking for trouble? I suspect the brakes are going to need some work, they feel pretty lousy. Once the WOF and any required work is done, will lower it and get it on some better wheels.

Looks really good in red, looking forward to seeing it all back together

They will, but you might have to push them to ring up and confirm some details as the waitemata hydraulics website doesn't explicitly list the model number. I had airpoints dollars to use otherwise I would've just gone through waitemata hydraulics

Waitemata hydraulics has the Weldtech 160A MIG/ARC/Lift TIG welder on sale until the end of the month for $349+GST https://www.waihyd.co.nz/weldtech-160a-mig-inverter-welder-10-amp-plug-mig-tig-mma-1433314

BMX is sweet!

Max, all the best for your trip. Hope it's all smooth sailing and look forward to seeing you back in a few years.

Glad to see you put up a build thread for the sapphire. Will be following along with interest. I've got a pair of front cossie calipers you can have for the cost of postage if you want? They've been in pieces for a few years and one of the bolts has snapped off in the other half of the caliper, so not in brilliant shape but salvageable with a bit of work. Even given all that it's not like you can call them overpriced! I can't remember if they're off a 2wd or a 4wd, will check next time I'm round at my parents place. Let me know if you're keen.