Firebrand

It's really time I got my arse along to another meet, this looks ace...

A few weeks back I ended up buying a complete black interior from a guy in Auckland, I was heading up there for work anyway so it worked out well. My current interior was looking rather tired, so it's definitely an improvement. Over the last couple of weeks I've stripped out most of the old interior and put the new stuff in, not quite finished yet but it's looking good so far:

Best thing is the door cards have survived nearly 30 years without someone cutting speaker holes in them:

I haven't had time to get the dash swapped over yet, I think it's going to be a mission, but will be worth it, the new one is mint:

So just a bit more stuff to do, then time to book it in for a WOF and see what's wrong with it...

When they make that a one way road it'll be brilliant.  As it is now I'm going to try never to drive it again.  Even doing 10kmh it feels deadly as people come around blind corners at 70 odd kmh completely on your side of the road.

I agree, if it was one way it would be incredible. So many muppets use it sadly.

Quite a fan of the Akatarawa Road (Upper Hutt > Waikanae).

https://goo.gl/maps/u9hK6

But my all time favourite is the road through the Maniatoto (Outram > Alexandra). So much open space, so few people.

https://goo.gl/maps/xjDUM

I think the little vacuum lines are all to do with the EGR/emissions system, but i can't remember which ones go where. The little extra tube running to the sump is probably for the drain that runs from the bottom of the factory oil catch can (which is attached to the airbox)

Almost back in business. I put on the late model (Widebody) tail lights I imported from japan a couple of years back. Still haven't fixed the dented rear corner properly, but I don't care right now, I just want to drive it...

Just a bit more reassembly to do, then in for a WOF, hopefully no major work needed...

Also picked up these nice old Clarion speakers (used but still in original box). I only got two, but I have 4 speaker holes to fill, so if anybody has a matching pair let me know:

So I've been making slow but steady progress, new door is on, rust free and straighter than the previous one. I've repaired both front fenders. Pulled off all intercooler piping, repainted everything and replaced all silicon joiners. New spark plugs & leads, gave engine bay a general tidy up. Replaced the gear shift bushing & changed trans fluid, gearbox feels much tighter now. There's so much more stuff I've forgotten about, but it's getting there.

I fixed up a whole lot of surface rust and flaking paint around the rear of the car. 

I've decided against getting a full repaint for now, I don't have enough money at the moment, and I really want to just get the car back on the road. 

So today, I put in a new battery, and fired her up for the first time in 6 months, started fine without too much complaining  

Just need a bit more paint work, mostly in the rear lower fenders, then to reassemble everything. Once ready I'll book it in for a WOF, also needs new tie rod ends (and probably more), and the clutch is engaging with the pedal really close to the floor so I'll get that checked out too. 

All going to plan it should be ready by the end of May (famous last words!)

I love that blue vinyl! such a tidy looking car

Shit that was a good day, really eclectic selection of cars there, I was impressed by the workshop area also. I wasn't feeling great so couldn't stay around anywhere near as long as I wanted to.

I'm definitely planning to have my car there next year.

I'm definitely going to come check out the open day (Southwards is incredible), my car is still in pieces sadly, but I'll come and say hi.

cheers guys! hoping to get a fair bit done over the break, really want to drive it again soon!

My Starion

discuss here if you want?

This is taken earlier this year: 

Bought it sight-unseen from Christchurch and drove it back to Wellington. 

I moved to Dunedin in 2010, so drove it all the way down packed full of gear. 

Spent the next three years tinkering with it and driving it all around Otago, it was pretty solid and reliable considering 80's, turbo etc. but the paint was flaking badly in places (from a poor respray sometime in the distant past), heaps of play in the steering and it was getting a bit of rust in sills, doors etc.

So at the start of 2013, I returned home to Wellington, got a better job and the last couple of months I am finally starting to make some progress on the car. I hauled it into my garage and went over it with a fine toothed comb, noting down every flaw to be fixed and improvement to be made. I ended up with a list of around 160 items! The major ones are a repaint (properly this time),new wheels (probably 15" this time), getting steering sorted, LSD (if I can find one), and just a really good tidy up of everything else. 

So the tear-down begins :

Found a bit of rust so far (mostly in the rear corners), but not as bad as I expected. Paint is flaking off all over the place, it looks way better in the photo than in real life.

Pulled off the fenders:

I think I've saved about 2kg in weight just from dirt and dust I've removed from underneath panels and other places. Luckily very little rust on either fender, which I am really happy about, as starions usually rust like crazy there. Underneath the fenders looks pretty good too. Just needs a cleanup and a coat of paint.

The door in the background of the second photo is rust free and almost ready to go on the car also.

discuss here

Driven past this one for many years now, so decided yesterday to grab a photo of it

Is that at the bottom of Kaikorai Valley? - I believe the guy who owns that shop has a Celeste rally car, that must be his spare parts supply...

I always had bloody good service from Mark at Car Connection in Kaikorai Valley when I was down there. Reasonable prices too.

Looks awesome mate. A bit of inspiration to get my one sorted for summer.

A few randoms from my trip to Nelson/Motueka on the weekend...

also there's a few shots from the WOW & Classic cars museum here.

yeah that was my first thought. the hard part is finding some!

how about these just asking to be widened...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/mitsubishi/suspension/auction-611750488.htm

Was cool to meet some of you guys, will be coming to future meets for sure. Pretty random selection of cars, was great!

Yes come along. I went to my 1st meet about 6 months ago and havent missed one since.

Welly OS peeps are friendly. Just come along and make yourself known.

See you there.

Really looking forward to it

Seriously considering coming along for this, been lurking on here for long enough...

Have to throw this one in here

Saw a dude collecting funds for this outside the wellington railway station this morning, good on him. I doubt they will recover it but fingers crossed they do, or they can sort something out for the old guy. Have had a couple of my own cars stolen, it's fuckin gutting.

That was me Just moved back to wellington from dunedin.

Looks pretty staunch on those wheels mate, good luck with the build Have a look at austarion.com if you haven't already, there's a lot of info there...