stanski

I don't think we are that much apart age wise I was a loon in the 70's also but I seem to have a fantastic memory then now I can't remember what I did last week??

I will get a GT-R badge off fleabay!!

Thanks for the replies and 70's memories . My Mates dad had that celica in black too very cool looking in it's day. I used to basic interiors with my beetles and vans and I like the simpler designs over a lot of the stuff today. Agreed its a bit concerning being in a 70's biscuit tin today but you can say that about anything. I drive my Vw camper 700 miles a week on the motorway and yes it doesn't feel as safe as a modern car but as long as you can be aware of everything around you and stay sensible and keep it serviced properly.

I could probably shoe horn a new Micra Engine in or maybe a Copen engine with a turbo! But no we like it stock that's it's charm. Alloys maybe one day not massive Nismos though

Nice write up Mart - has it been that long!! I always seemed to be behind you in Wales and Scotland runs - and that low suspension - oooh the noises it made over bumps!

As you know this week I saved a little Datsun Cherry from certain death - impulse buy ... yet however today I can say of all the cars I have ever owned this one has earned my admiration Finally had time to take the tarp off it, put a new battery on - turn the key and it started no problem. So far everything seems to work perfectly, even the engine sounds sweet. The rear seat looks like its never been used. The only thing that has failed is the nearside headlamp bulb! Bugger - a brand new Vauxhall has that as standard! The rear bumper apparently was a new purchase (12 years ago) but has survived well. It has been resprayed at some point but looks presentable. Since the weather has been so cold recently I was concerned over the radiator not having any antifreeze - so opened up the pressure cap and added some water thinking there was none - wrong it just needed a teeny top up - so far so good - no leaks except a petrol pipe at the back somewhere - first to-do item I think. Drove it to the end of my drive and back again - really easy and fun to drive actually with a great gearchange - of course all fluids and cables will be replaced as a matter of course, I think even the old battery is salvageable (on charge now) plates were covered in acid no dry chambers. Shame there is a rip in the drivers seat but I can fix that without too much hassle. Its surprising how small yet roomy this car is the floor is flat and the seats tip forward easily to access the rear (handy for Ania) Anyway thought I would share some pictures taken today. We have decided to go down the - get the work done for it to be MOT'd tax it and use it - with a proper tart up in summer. Lets hope its ok on the motorway Oh its called Doris btw! Must remember to pump up the tyres! My favourite view - love that coke bottle shape! Ania wondering what has dad gone and done now! I like that 70's dash its quite sporty looking really - I can pretend its our baby Zed! Need carpet fitting otherwise think it just needs a clean? Period shelf speakers - will keep them! Engine bay will need a tidy up but nothing major thats obvious yet?

No its not compatible with the seat base due to the way the seats are in the rear - thats why I wont bother with it now. shame.... (Got ma cherry instead!)

+1 I know you don't want to spoil it Stan, so that's fair enough. I am a sucker for "updated" retro classics though. Does it even have 4 wheels the same at the mo? Mart if I got a 240z I may as well sell the house to pay for the fuel!!! Too Flash for me I love my peoples cars! Andy it has the same wheels at every corner I can assure you those crosses are plastic hubcaps ( the missing ones are inside) to be honest I couldn't get the other ones off Ok maybe a nice set of alloys after it's restored Pete thanks for the picture I love those faded pictures you can stick your sepia toning in Photoshop original fading is best

Mustard - cool thanks mate - there is one for sale actually but the really early one in that colour £800 on car and classic! I quite like the colour actually - yes ours is an E10

Far too much time on your hands - MArt will be looking for spoilers for it soon!

A neighbour had a MK1 in the 70's in yellow and suppose thats where I remember it from? It was the only car on the street! Like you say compared to the Leyland cr** they must have been years ahead - just like they are now. Lucy's 2002 Zed had the Jap all in network setup in the car - forgotten the name but its basically any service you want via a mobile internet and phone connection - so you can order goods say - traffic reports anything infact at the touch of a button. They are only discussing this sort of stuff in Europe now and making it a big seller for the posher end of the market - this stuff has been around in Japan for at least 15 years now!

A lot of owners do that - Viper stripes, minilites, lowered springs , the next size engine in + turbo -but thats not what I want I like it factory boggo - thats its period charm - it even has the 1970's aroma inside - heady mix of plastic, metal and goodness knows what else!!!

Short answer NO! But techically you can but I think you cant have any lights on the roof or markings etc

Nice but I think Colin prefers stealth - he would have the blue lights behind the fangs for example so you cant see him pounce!

Damn your right! Its well over due!

Unfortunately I have bitter experience of something like this, I was left some land on Skye by close friends of the family but years later suddenly the will was changed so everything went to the owners of the carehome that she stayed in when her husband died. I was contacted by a well meaning solicitor who held the original will and thought it was suspicious, but nothing came of it, they could'nt do anything - the laws around carehomes in Scotland differ a lot frfom England and after spending a few thousand on solicitors in Scotland it went to the high court for evaluation but they did'nt think there was enough evidence - so s**t happens but thats life you learn and you move on, hopefully they will choke on their spoils! b*****ds! I will have a word with a good contact for you mate - will PM later

Sounds good will ponder that one too and yes I know I know - but it had to be saved from the scrappers - worse case I was going to break it and sell the parts on fleabay but I cant do that - it wants to live! I admit it has a pong of petrol about it at the moment but thats because it had a little wee on the ramp - petrol tank - will have a peep at the pee on the weekend if it ever stops sodding raining!

You are so right mate - I was born in the wrong time - I am well ahead of being behind! Ironically I prefer driving old tins to new ones but liked the Zed because it had that Classic sports car look and feel - even though it was very advanced Btw a Smurf?????!! Will have to grew side burns and start to wear flares soon at this rate I will end up playing this in the car!

Its a Datsun 100a - later known as a Cherry - 1971 - 1976 for this mk1 model. 998 cc - FWD independant suspension all round, aparently they were good rally cars once you dropped the suspension Will bring it to a show once ready - I understand there are only 90 left in the country, 91 including this one. Whats suprised me the most is the general thickness of the metal and build quality is superb - shame they did'nt rust proof them better otherwise the streets would still be littered with them now! No name as yet still pondering -the numberplate is probably worth more than the car at the moment but I wont split it - one of my pet hates. Once we clean it up a bit this weekend it will be easier to see where to begin the resto.

I have to thank AK350Z - who's fault this really is ultimately - otherwise I would'nt have looked at car and classic for a while! I think my midlife crisis has finally arrived..nope no interest in Porkers, Mercs etc instead I picked up this little fellow from Edinburgh yesterday (why does my life revolve around that place! ) I had to save it from the scrap yard. 4 owners since 1974 only 32K miles from new, been in a lockup for the past 12 years. We put a set up of jump leads on the battery and it started on the button, all the gauges work etc, I went for a little drive around the lockups and brakes although a little spongy work fine as does the clutch , gear change is slickest ever and well it just works! So thats 12 years stood in a garage ! Fantastic ! Yes it will need some welding but not as bad as it looks in the pictures - I need to patch the sills in places and of course there will be other bits I will find along the way but so far its good enough to rescue. Its had a respray at some point in the original colour but I will try to polish it up first but will respray it all myself in the summer once all the welding is completed. Lucy although not entirely happy thinks its cute too and we hope to have a little drive in it once the rain stops on the weekend. Before Nixy says anything I am in the process of finding a lock up for it and the Wolseley. So there you can laugh now.... Incidentally it cost me more to hire the car transporter for the day +fuel than the cost of the car - figures!

Hey mate your talking to someone who likes Bakellite and old valve radios! I've got my dads old 1957 Voigtlander Rangefinder camera and its still better than most new tin - yes its film not digi but quality is quality.. But yes I agree its nice to have both and thats partly why I will get the Pentax K-7 once the price drops a bit more I know its not Cannon or Nikon standard but you get a lot for the money. I just like my stuff seperate really but then again I use my bleeding wonderphone for pictures and videos (just as its always to hand!)

Here you go http://www.datman.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6130 Mart knows all about these Bit of Blackfire wax and its good as new!

True - the thing with TVR's though is the constant hassle waiting for the breakdown services every week!

ha ha no I am putting some bang'in tuuuunes on the wonderphone...so just surfing whilst its synchronising - oh the thrilling life I have! Naa Ania is fast alseep all the usual baby stuff is long done mate - organised here!