EpochNZ

Thanks to James out in Amberly (not sure of his business name, I'll let @- i5oogt - fill in that blank), the naughty rust patch found by that nasty warrant man was cut out and patched. A Quick visit to Kaiapoi Alignment and Tyres for some new rear rubbers, a fresh bulb and a hell of a lot of hope......turned into this. And not a moment too soon as there was pressing work to be done at the islands northern extremities. Grabbed an eye wateringly expensive roof rack (could have shopped around via mail order, but in a hurry) and set off. 3 days and 1400k's later we are back home. It wasnt all plain sailing, steep hills are quite clearly her nemesis and she has an auto choke issue (we think) that means the mornings can be a bit embarrassing (like on the Blenheim BP forecourt). No one really needs to see an older car being pushed away from the pumps so it can have a few moments in the corner having a damn good think about what its done. 15 minutes later, liberal applications of throttle and excessive cranking and shes away again while laying down a blue smokescreen. Weird, cos then its fine for the rest of the day. And starts first time fine, its just the second start after a short run. The run home in the dark was interesting especially when you realise the car behind you is illuminating more of the road in front of you than your own puny headlights. Oh, and the WoF note that the front shocks may need replacing soon was pretty much on the money as steering at speed could be a tad sketchy at times. And with all good wagons, if the back wasnt full on the way home then it was a wasted trip... Great to meet Dylan ( @ThePog ) and a big thanks to the Marahau Mafia ( @yoeddynz, Hannah and Kevin) for their awesome hospitality and discussions on repowering options. Cos as we know, Alex will tell you straight....like a Pear CIder.... (He nearly got gifted a Saaaaab for Xmas but the other 50% owner of the engineering workshop was having nothing of it).

When the days are a bit longer I'll get onto that.

Yup yup yup yup yup. Helps having a vehicle again.

Not 1/24th, but I'll just leave this here....you're all rank amateurs...

Just take a morning/afternon to walk around the CBD.....so much has changed and its a real rabbit warren to explore.

Home at last, although the latest run at a warrant wasn’t a success. More welding to be done unfortunately. However, it’s good to have her home so I can, at the very least, play around with a few things…

Funny, when Karl mentioned "Coast" I immediately thought Kaikoura.... Happy to go either way TBH.

And more from @- i5oogt - Going all jelly with anticipation. The Bride tonight offered to swap it for the Golf as Daily Driver/Work Hack. Politely informed her what equestrian mount she could leave on.

Up to 1300 you say......

Hayabusa powered?

Pics?

Latest release from MiniArt:

I think any OS trip to Ferrymead was waiting for Spring....so yes, we can sill organise that as well.

I think I've found the destination for the next OS Tram adventure.......Ferrymead has several working examples of telephone exchanges dating from the 1920's. Lots of clanking spinning bits while you can prank call each other on rotary phones.

Currently losing sleep over wheels for my Sierra, what are the deets on yours? (tires, rims, offsets etc)

What, an update you say? Well, okay...... After many many miles (trips) in the Sierra the time came to front up for the WoF....and as expected, things werent overly flash.....lots of rust in weird and unusual places making it a health hazard to both those on the road and those inside. And probably to Albanian children as well (somehow). So for the last wee while she has been out at "The Farm" where @JustHarry has been working his magic on it (most usually when he's lost the will to live or wants to take out his anger on something). Noises are being made about it (hopefully) being ready soon for another crack at this mad WoF thing, we await with bated breath. On the minus side, Harry has found rust in a few more previosuly unseen places so it might be a bot terminal. But Cest Le Vie, lets just drive it like we stole it until the WoF guy says we cant (on its 2 litre Pinto and 3 speed slushbox) then go find another one. On a whim I splashed out on these. They are from an ST170 Focus but I fear there might be some shenanigans needed to get them to fit (if at all). For the record they are 17x7/ET49 (and that offset is probably the killer) with some 215/45 feet on them. Now I've read lots of conflicting stuff on the interwebs about what people have got to fit and what didnt, so I guess the best we can do is strap them on and see. Maybe some 205/40's might be better, either way i can see guard rolling in my future. Watch this space...

You do realise what forum youre on, right?

Its like going from Dos 3.3 to 5.0....

Oooooo, nicely done. I can only dream of a 4x4.... @Stroker What size are those wheels?

No, seriously outbid in my current state of OS poverty. And I agree about the paint. I dont even think thats a real colour.

Theres one on the Tard at the mo, but slightly out of my league....still tempting to drop the running gear into the Estate though.

Oh well, its not like I didnt already have one....but this puppy (despite being unreged and a bit poked) did have the unicorn poo 5 speed box in it.

After some of the feedback tonight, I’m thinking next time we do this (and there will be a next time) we will put it on a wee bit earlier so the kids and middys can come for a ride as well.

That would work really well during one of the big full park open days they have every now and again. I'll pass the idea up the chain of command.

Oldschool.ng....doing weird shit since ages ago....