[*]
[*]
Some of you will already know about this car, some of you will have been out in it and some of you have even driven it.
I figured it was about time I put up a 'Readers Rides' thread about the car. Please note, this is not a build thread. Yet. That will happen once I finish the Rascal. Until that point I intend to keep driving the thing and continuing to have the laughs it has given me so far.
For now, this thread is more of a 'diary' of the car since I bought it. So here goes:
25th July 2009
I head out from Bristol to Kettering in the work Delica to collect a V8 engine for my other Delica which I hope to one day fit. The plan was to get to Kettering, collect the engine, head home, job done.
Here is the V8 loaded into the back of the Delica. So far so good:
Around this time, I had been looking at getting something fun & unusual for the Summer and had seen details of a Fugitive for sale....one of my childhood dream cars! (Sand rails, not specifically a Fugitive)
I happened to have the sellers details with me and decided, seeing as I was out 'on the road' that I'd call him and arrange a viewing. There & then!
Just under 2hrs later I find myself in Stafford looking at four wheels loosely held together with some scaffold tubes and an engine slung out back. It didn't take long until we'd agreed a price and I said to the owner that I would be back the following weekend to collect the car. "No need" he replies...."it comes with its own A-frame. You've got a tow bar, you can take it with you now if you want"
Imagine my delight when I realise that the engine I had 'popped out' for resulted in me buying a car too! (If you can call it a car?? ;D)
A quick trip to Halfords for a light/trailer board and I am heading home with my new toy.
First shots taken on my way back to Bristol (Michaelwood Services - M5)
The one and only problem that I could forsee with my amazing new purchase was the slight issue of explaining to my GF how I came home with more than just the engine I'd gone to collect! Luckily she was away for the weekend so I still had a few days to formulate my excuses & reasons.
26th July 2009
I wake up and look out of the window with a HUUUGE grin on my face. There it is, sat on the drive, ALL MINE! It's just begging for a blast out.
The quickest shower ever, dressed and out the door, I get it into the lane for a few shots. I always forget to get shots of a new purchse. Not today!
I head stright up to Clifton and pick Jim (Tofufi) up and we go for a blast around Bristol.
By this time it was raining.....but even so, there were these two guys driving around in some tubes on wheels getting absolutley soaked while simply laughing and laughing at how much fun it can be on four wheels. I'll never forget that first drive.
OK, the steering didn't work (all four ball joints seized which meant mega stiff to steer and no centering!) but the grin factor was off the scale! EPIC!
I didn't get any photos of the first drive out, it was too wet and we were having way too much fun. At this point, I knew this car was going to take me on a whole new & exciting motoring experience.
Tune in soon for the next installment......
I figured it was about time I put up a 'Readers Rides' thread about the car. Please note, this is not a build thread. Yet. That will happen once I finish the Rascal. Until that point I intend to keep driving the thing and continuing to have the laughs it has given me so far.
For now, this thread is more of a 'diary' of the car since I bought it. So here goes:
25th July 2009
I head out from Bristol to Kettering in the work Delica to collect a V8 engine for my other Delica which I hope to one day fit. The plan was to get to Kettering, collect the engine, head home, job done.
Here is the V8 loaded into the back of the Delica. So far so good:
Around this time, I had been looking at getting something fun & unusual for the Summer and had seen details of a Fugitive for sale....one of my childhood dream cars! (Sand rails, not specifically a Fugitive)
I happened to have the sellers details with me and decided, seeing as I was out 'on the road' that I'd call him and arrange a viewing. There & then!
Just under 2hrs later I find myself in Stafford looking at four wheels loosely held together with some scaffold tubes and an engine slung out back. It didn't take long until we'd agreed a price and I said to the owner that I would be back the following weekend to collect the car. "No need" he replies...."it comes with its own A-frame. You've got a tow bar, you can take it with you now if you want"
Imagine my delight when I realise that the engine I had 'popped out' for resulted in me buying a car too! (If you can call it a car?? ;D)
A quick trip to Halfords for a light/trailer board and I am heading home with my new toy.
First shots taken on my way back to Bristol (Michaelwood Services - M5)
The one and only problem that I could forsee with my amazing new purchase was the slight issue of explaining to my GF how I came home with more than just the engine I'd gone to collect! Luckily she was away for the weekend so I still had a few days to formulate my excuses & reasons.
26th July 2009
I wake up and look out of the window with a HUUUGE grin on my face. There it is, sat on the drive, ALL MINE! It's just begging for a blast out.
The quickest shower ever, dressed and out the door, I get it into the lane for a few shots. I always forget to get shots of a new purchse. Not today!
I head stright up to Clifton and pick Jim (Tofufi) up and we go for a blast around Bristol.
By this time it was raining.....but even so, there were these two guys driving around in some tubes on wheels getting absolutley soaked while simply laughing and laughing at how much fun it can be on four wheels. I'll never forget that first drive.
OK, the steering didn't work (all four ball joints seized which meant mega stiff to steer and no centering!) but the grin factor was off the scale! EPIC!
I didn't get any photos of the first drive out, it was too wet and we were having way too much fun. At this point, I knew this car was going to take me on a whole new & exciting motoring experience.
Tune in soon for the next installment......
Ax GTi Turbo
Look forward to updates as they come (and I WILL get myself down to Area 52 one day 
