Hirstのブログ一覧

Here's some more photos from my phone taken through 2014.



This Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II was at the supermarket. These are usually used for wedding cars.



I saw this Daihatsu Naked in the countryside, we never got this model! It could have been a private import or possibly an evaluation model imported by Daihatsu UK (they would often import models in small numbers to test - we also got a few Storia X4s).



This is an unusual model, a Quantum 2+2 Convertible. These are a British-made "kit car" based on the Ford Fiesta XR2, so they're FF with 1.6 engine. The chassis is GRP, so it's very lightweight. It looks a bit like the later type Lotus Elan.



Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet. The XR3i was the normal sports model with a 1.6 injection engine. The condition was excellent and it was driven by an old man! When I was growing up, I would see these everywhere. They were part of the "boy racer" craze we had in the 80s and 90s, where young men would race around the streets in cars, usually sports models of normal hatchbacks.



This basic Audi 80 was in great condition. It's at the same supermarket I saw the Rolls-Royce. It's such a big parking area, I usually see something worth looking at.

The title picture is December 2014 from my calendar, a Datsun 240L (Laurel C231). When I see interesting cars, I usually try to take a photo. Unfortunately I don't always have my camera with me, so I usually use my phone. I thought I'd transfer all the photos I took this year.



I saw this Jaguar Mark 2 at some kind of village event. These were popular with thieves in the 60s and 70s, because they were fast and tough (also, easy to steal). There's an old TV drama here called "The Sweeney" which featured many car chases with these Jaguars. Here's one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFeJAe4f9g0



This Volvo Amazon was at the same event. I've driven one of these, but only around a parking area. The Station Wagon type is quite rare.



Rover "P6" series, 2200 TC (Twin Carburettor). These were popular as police cars. There was a 3500 V8 version too.



I went to look at this P10 Primera after somebody told me about it. I had the chance to buy it, but there was a few reasons I didn't want to get it. It's the 2.0 SRi, which looks similar to the sports model but only has the standard engine (about 120ps).



I was driving somewhere and saw a car meet so I went to take a look. I was surprised to see this later-type Celeste!

I've got some more photos, I'll upload them over the next few days.

I wasn't expecting snow, but I got snow...

It looks nice, but it's not the best to drive in. The 156 has wide summer tyres and a heavy front end. There's no law here about having winter tyres. I'd like some, but the weather can be variable. Last year we only had one day of very light snow and I'm not always sure what car I'll be using. I don't live far from work, so a car isn't very essential for me anyway. I could walk if I needed to.

Tomorrow I was going to install a new interior light in the P11 Primera (the one inside is broken), but if it's still snowing I think I'll do it another day. For now, I'll just stay inside and have a drink.



Usually I get my parents a few bottles of alcohol for Christmas, but when I was in the shop they had Midori liqueur on sale. I've never had it before, so I bought it. It's great!

The Primera P11 has been making some progress! My friend arranged to take it to MOT Inspection. It only needed a few parts to pass. Usually the P11 has some corrosion issues, but this one is perfect.

So I've had some chance to drive it properly now. It's an unusual specification - GX grade with 4AT and A/C, but no sunroof. GX is quite a low grade, so it's really strange for it to have A/C. In the UK, cars of this age didn't usually have A/C at all unless it was the highest grade. It's also very late to be this style of front (Autumn 1999), just before the latest facelift. These hatchbacks were exported from the UK factory to Japan, so I wonder if it was originally to be exported. Perhaps it was a cancelled order.

It's been a while since I've driven an automatic car. For some reason, automatics aren't that popular in the UK (although they have become more popular recently). Even basic economy cars usually have manual transmission. On this P11, the automatic box is just a conventional 4AT with overdrive. The later type have a CVT 6-Speed, but I've never driven one of those. I quite enjoy the kickdown to drop gear, but overall I prefer the 5MT in my P10 eGT. But it's quite relaxing!

Today I've spent most of the day cleaning it, but I'm only about 30% complete. I've polished it and waxed it on that side only. The interior is still being cleaned. The carpets are quite dirty, but it's looking a lot better. I wish I had a "Wet & Dry" vacuum for cleaning carpets. I should have asked for one for Christmas.

It still needs a few things. The interior light was broken, so I ordered another. I also need a radio, but my Kaitai-ya friend has lots of those. Finally, I need a set of hubcaps. I know a yard where there's a broken P11 Primera, so I'll try there first.



It's the later sort, but as long as they're 15-inch I'm happy. Looks like quite a heavy impact to the front, but the cabin is perfect. I'm sure the driver was OK. Impressive safety design!

I took the Prelude for the first long drive today. I drove about 100 miles (160km). The engine is great! Even though it's just a 2.0L without VTEC, it's surprisingly punchy and responsive at highway speeds. I like Honda engines, they always seem to be very smooth. I have driven a European-type Accord (similar to the Ascot Innova) with the same engine. This feels more powerful though. Maybe they tuned it differently.

It's my first experience of driving a low car properly. The last guy changed the springs. I've driven some lowered cars, but never on a long trip. The ride is pretty good, but I scraped the exhaust on a few roads. It was nice on the highway, though.

I think the only thing it really needs is a new set of wipers and for me to install the radio properly. It came with no radio, but I got a JVC-Victor CD Player with the P11 Primera. It was already taken out and I had the correct ISO connectors, so I fitted it to the Prelude instead (I have a Nissan radio I can put into the P11). I need to install it properly though with the fitting "cage" so I'll probably do that at the weekend. I was in a hurry.