So... what car do you guys drive when not flying?

[kelvedon]

Quite possibly is, I'm guessing there would be a few in NZ as their import rules weren't as restrictive as ours. I'd love one of those, as well as a Vauxhall Chevette and a TR7/v8 and an Opel Manta and a.............................

Ah the much maligned TR7. A revolutionary wedge shape whose beauty was only revealed when they produced the convertible. I seem to remember It was originally designed as a convertible but concerns that the US might ban convertibles forced them to put a roof on it when launched. And the V8 engined version was called the TR8. I think the Speke factories' quality didn't help its reputation.

 

[Cossie]

Yes .

I might have to pm you, if that is ok!

Also, there is a big Small Ford show on this Sunday at the Victorian School for Deaf Childern on St Kilda Road. I was planning to be there, but probably won't be able to.

 

[Deleted member]

What are you having done to it.

I have just returned from looking her over, they have replaced the wheels with beautiful new wire spokes and new tyres, new (upgraded from Generator) alternator, new radiator, new headlights, blah blah blah i need the (non standard) power booster for the front discs to be reconditioned and a host of other things. so far $2k on the wheels and tyres and an estimate of about $7 k for the rest of the mechanical..
then i have to think about paint work, but that will have to wait.
cant wait to get her back on the road

 

[kelvedon]

Plus you can see one of my other hobbies on the back wall!



View attachment 117340 View attachment 117341

Number plates? I have a Libyian plate from a car my father owned. In the early 60's he was working in Libya, and bought an Alfa Romeo Guilietta ti. He drove it back to the UK and tells a funny story of being parked illegally in central London. A traffic warden started to book him but gave up when he couldn't write the Arabic script on the ticket!

 

[blackcat20]

I might have to pm you, if that is ok!

Also, there is a big Small Ford show on this Sunday at the Victorian School for Deaf Childern on St Kilda Road. I was planning to be there, but probably won't be able to.

Sure thing.

 

[Milboo]

Quite possibly is, I'm guessing there would be a few in NZ as their import rules weren't as restrictive as ours. I'd love one of those, as well as a Vauxhall Chevette and a TR7/v8 and an Opel Manta and a.............................

My first car (in the mid 90s) was a bright orange Vauxhall Chevette. I quickly had to learn how to use a manual choke!

 

[Cossie]

Just received a recall notice on my RS Focus.

I knew that there had been reportred problems overseas with possible head gasket issues.

Apparently, if the car is driven extremely hard with lot's of boost, the engine gets very hot and if it cools down quickly, coolant can get into the cylinders causing white 'smoke' (which I guess is steam) at next startup.
Meant to be more of a problem in countries where it is much colder than here.

"The repair may take up to two days to complete due to engine heat up and cool down times as part of the testing"

Hmm, don't like the idea of the engine getting that hot, then let to cool down as I don't drive mine very hard at all, but if they have to do it, then I don't have much choice.

 

[Quickstatus]

Just received a recall notice on my RS Focus.

Otherwise hows the hot hatch?

 

[Cossie]

Otherwise hows the hot hatch?

Did a trip down to the south coast last week, down the Clyde and back up Brown Mountain, I don't drive fast, but I love the acceleration for overtaking and it handles like a gokart.
If I wasn't so worried about doing something silly and embarassing myself, I'd take it up to Wakefield Park for some real fun.

 

[Quickstatus]

I'd take it up to Wakefield Park for some real fun.

For that, complete the look with a fluffy toy hanging off the rear tow hook or just drive around town with it

 

[Buzzard]

down the Clyde and back up Brown Mountain

How I used to love that trip on a sport bike. I came down the Brown today in my diesel Prado. Not quite the same.

 

[Quickstatus]

Was the gearing ratios such that the diesel was able to go down Brown without braking?.

My land cruiser going down mountains like that never seems to have the correct gearing - either too high and it slows down too much or too low and it speeds up too much

 

[rogerkambah]

Did a trip down to the south coast last week, down the Clyde and back up Brown Mountain, I don't drive fast, but I love the acceleration for overtaking and it handles like a gokart.
If I wasn't so worried about doing something silly and embarassing myself, I'd take it up to Wakefield Park for some real fun.

Clyde and Macquarie Pass is a good drive too. My WRX is great on acceleration and handling too, but I don't think it would be as good as your RS due to size, weight less power. Love my Porsche too as the roof folds back, but on a hot day not so good, so its become a bit of a garage queen lately.

 

[kelvedon]

Just received a recall notice on my RS Focus.

I knew that there had been reportred problems overseas with possible head gasket issues.

Apparently, if the car is driven extremely hard with lot's of boost, the engine gets very hot and if it cools down quickly, coolant can get into the cylinders causing white 'smoke' (which I guess is steam) at next startup.
Meant to be more of a problem in countries where it is much colder than here.

"The repair may take up to two days to complete due to engine heat up and cool down times as part of the testing"

Hmm, don't like the idea of the engine getting that hot, then let to cool down as I don't drive mine very hard at all, but if they have to do it, then I don't have much choice.

I would imagine the two day repair time is because they have to replace the cylinder head gasket. Not a quick thing to do. Lucky it's under warranty as it would otherwise cost a lot of money. If Ford described it as a bit of "white smoke" its quite an understatement. Water in the cylinders and loss of compression is a big thing.

Four cylinder non turbo Subaru's from a few years ago also had "under engineered" cylinder head gaskets that are failing at about 100k kms. Being a horizontally opposed engine they have two head gaskets meaning these aren't cheap repairs either.

 

[Deleted member]

I was hoping the MG would be ready before this weekend, there is a 50th anniversary celebration of the first hill climb event at Mt Cotton. MG drivers get a special parking area reserved for the Marque , I suppose for those just having a look , it’s an easier way to see all of the MG’s on the day. Sadly, even though the car is (mechanically) ready, I have to get it registered and get across town to pay for it and pick it up (Mrs GPH is allowed to drive at present) and still meet all of my work commitments. So looks like it will be next week now.
Still going to need a paint job to bring it up to scratch, but that will have to wait, I’m about $3 k over budget so far

 

[tgh]

50th anniversary celebration of the first hill climb event at Mt Cotton
Might come and have a look, an old codger I know with a hot Jag will probably have a run

 

[Cossie]

I would imagine the two day repair time is because they have to replace the cylinder head gasket. Not a quick thing to do. Lucky it's under warranty as it would otherwise cost a lot of money. If Ford described it as a bit of "white smoke" its quite an understatement. Water in the cylinders and loss of compression is a big thing.

Four cylinder non turbo Subaru's from a few years ago also had "under engineered" cylinder head gaskets that are failing at about 100k kms. Being a horizontally opposed engine they have two head gaskets meaning these aren't cheap repairs either.

From what I have read and heard, the metals are contracting at different rates after being very hot and normally the head gasket would stop any weeping, so technically it's not actually a failure of the gasket.
It's basically the same engine as in the 4 cylinder Mustang, but the block and heads are made out of different alloys, there has been reports that the Mustang head gasket was fitted to some RS engines by mistake. These are also a different specification to the Mustang ones which aren't under as much stress

 

[Buzzard]

Was the gearing ratios such that the diesel was able to go down Brown without braking?.

My land cruiser going down mountains like that never seems to have the correct gearing - either too high and it slows down too much or too low and it speeds up too much

My Prado which is a 4 speed has the same issues.

 

[Deleted member]

50th anniversary celebration of the first hill climb event at Mt Cotton
Might come and have a look, an old codger I know with a hot Jag will probably have a run

No actual hill climb on the day. It’s more
Of a social event. Plenty of other cars going apparently. Looks like I will miss out. Driving duties on that day.

 

[Deleted member]

Finally made it home today.
33 Degree heat made it a wee bit uncomfortable.