grahamc

Not my first classic.... had a Datsun 240z before - would love another

Well, she officially lives and sounds pretty damn good on throttlebodies! Ok, the engine cover needs painting and the front fenders need their badges (had MEXICO badges, but removed them - have a set of ST170 badges to go on). Couple more things to do, mount ECU, hide some wires, make some gauges work, REMAP and thats about it.

ZETEC engine and 5 speed type 9 gearbox are now in the car! Waiting for some more parts to finish off the fuel system, induction and electronics. Hopefully in the next few months.

Update:- Well I broke it driving it back from Caffeine & Machine had some issues. Post failure, found low compression on cylinder 4, so took the decision that the pinto engine just wasnt up to the task. Queue the music Decide ZETEC 2l was a much better option, so a friend and I started doing some research and figured what could possibly go wrong. So I have bought a donor Ford Focus ST170, we have stripped both engines and gearboxes off the cars and ordered round 1 of 2 of parts for the conversion. Round 1 gets the and the new 5 speed gearbox into the car. Round 2 will get it running with the added benefit of throttlebodies.

Good! Keep it, drive it..... maybe sell later.... Its great fun to drive!

Update time..... she is road legal and is running The day started quite badly, wouldnt idle and lost all power to start. But after a fuse replacement and fixing a lose connection, the beast runs..... and she runs well! Still need to sort the fuel gauge (doesnt read anything) and the speedo (it only reads 20mph), oh yes and the brakes because pulling on the steering wheel is more effective than pressing on the brake pedal....

Its a brilliant country, but has too many issues! The self imprisonment is one of the main reasons I left the country. I was lucky, I had a British Passport. The food is just fabulous and its not expensive! Especially coming from this side of the world. Nikon D850, but want something smaller/lighter for travelling. Oops, India is on the list that I wrote down, so its just an ommission - as well as Sri Lanka. That group of countries may well be 2 trips. I have lived in London (a rather busy city) and never felt more alone at times.... I guess its a different country and cant paint it with the same brush. Have done long term travel before, ex and I spent 3 months in Japan, 1 month in Taiwan and a few weeks in Shanghai and Hong Kong - all with a big backpack and small one. Loved it!! But now its alone, which I love the idea of, but also somewhat bricking it! That would be an interest! https://www.elitedaily.com/news/world/50-dangerous-cities-world Hmmmm Cape Town is more dangerous than Johannesburg..... damn things have changed! Looks like my South America travel ideas may be slightly on the risky side!

Oh yes.... due an update! I received the V5 for this yesterday and a few weeks ago I changed the starter motor... she now starts perfectly, but idle needs a touch of adjustment. Other than that, she is sitting in the garage at my moms place. Tomorrow I will insure and take for a drive, once the weather clears a bit

You most likely are not aware, but I grew up in South Africa in Cape Town stunning place, but such a shame the way the country is going. Definitely no fancy watches etc, but taking a fancy camera is a must, its a big hobby of mine. Definitely have that gut instinct, been to places in SA that I really shouldnt have!

So, much has changed in my life and I am back in the UK for a little sorting some things out, while I prep for my next step in life and to be completely honest - I have absolutely NO idea what that will be! Bloody scary if I am honest and extremely grateful at the same time. But thats not the topic..... Travelling alone is. I am giving serious thought to taking a 4-6 week trip to Kenya, Zanzibar, etc in September to do Mount Kenya, Kilimanjaro (maybe) and Serengeti migration. There will be more, but those are my top items. I have done short trips to Turkey, Czech Republic, driving trips into France, etc by myself, but this is next level..... and it scares the hell out of me! Just wondering if anyone has travelled alone and what the experience was like? This will also be a "step" in the direction I want to go, which is a much bigger/longer trip through Tibet, Nepal, Vietnam, Thailand, etc next year. Yes I am properly trying scare myself! Well outside of my comfort zone!!

Well, I am back and the London apartment has sold, just waiting for it to complete. Estimated date is 1-15 June.... Today, I went for a drive through Lincolnshire, unfortunately it was in a 120d BMW, not exactly an exciting drive. So with the first part of my budget becoming available shortly, I have obviously prematurely started to look at cars. The budget is MAX £25k for this car. Needs to be fun and thats about it. I would prefer cars that dont cost a fortune to tax or insure. My list:- -Datsun Z car -Alfa Junior Any other ideas? Will consider LHD as well

Of course, 1st world problems really! Makes it easier that I dont have kids or permanent home. Good luck with it!

Oh most definitely.... once the travelling stops, there are a few ideas! Cars features heavily (of course) as well things like working with wood, restoring a house, building a GT40 as you do! For while I travel, there are a few other things including photography, but I am finding it difficult to spend time on the laptop to do the editing, etc. For forums, looking at cars, where to travel no problem, but when its associated with work, no chance. I also read a lot! There is also the current hobbies of trying to learn French, violin and drawing and an avid climber the list goes on

Hahaaa.... getting there! Will see after next few months, which will be tough. May need to go back to IT for a couple of months, but will see soon. 2.5 months in Japan was pretty awesome! So much to see.... we were quite rushed and still missed loads! Definitely want to go back, but in a different season, maybe autumn.

Having managed 192mph and regularly done 175mph (at events and track days) in the GTR, the car felt awesome at those speeds, not the slightest concern, it honestly felt like 120mph in a normal road car. So the type of car does make a difference, but I do agree with the statement above about what is appropriate. Especially considering what many in the UK consider a following distance at 70mph! Must admit that the first time I passed 160mph in the GTR was on the AutoBahns and it definitely did scare me! 150+mph on public roads with people that have no real concept of driving at high speed, it is just silly IMHO. On the South Africa crash, what road was it on? N1 into Cape Town? As I have seen a silly accident there.... in a Toyota Corolla. The car was above 200kph, I was doing 160kph (silly yes) and he made me look like a hotdog stand! Undertook me, tried to cross from lane 1 to 3 as the road has a kink. Went a little to far and the rear wheel dropped off the tar and into the gutter...... game over! I was first on scene and not something I ever want to see again. Police couldnt ID the car, I told them what it was. Car ended up up-sided down wrapped around a palmtree.

A quick update.... the car has been finished and has been put into storage. Have finally come to "terms" with my ex and at the end of this month, I am taking ownership of this little thing Some minor jobs to do, change pedals, fix passenger door (that has stopped opening), maybe some front bumpersHere are some quick pics of how she stands now!

Well, time for the update........ a bit late yes, but when you have nothing to do, you manage to be surprisingly busy France, Japan, Taiwan, etc last year were all awesome!! Taiwan was the pick of the bunch.... ended up having to change the end of the trip though. It was cut short, so no Indonesia and we spent 9 days in China instead. I was then back and worked for 6-7 weeks in June/July and then spent the remainder of the year in Marseille, trying to learn some French. Wow do I struggle with this!! Marseille is awesome, well the city is ok, but the nature, mountains, sea, etc is just lovely! And being able to have lunch on the balcony in December is pretty. So this year was a month in Jordan, which was quite cool, but the food was a touch boring after a week. Only so much hummus and falafels I can do! Now back in the UK, helping my mom to sell her house and move, finishing things with my ex (nearly 3 years of this sh!t)!!! But finally getting somewhere.... Hope everyone else is enjoying their lives

SOLD

Yeah, nice place.... food got a little boring after 3 weeks though. Hope you had a good time.... Paint was done by Village Garage in East Grinstead

Thanks all Im in Jordan till the end of the month and in no rush to sell.

Had a manifold on my supercharged MX5 3D printed, more airflow, more efficient, cheaper, lighter and could take more heat.... If the wheels are that much lighter, why not - just not that design.

I will have another one, once this is sold, but it will be LHD as I am living in France now. So oddly, really excited to get this sold......... so that I can buy another one Will happily consider swapping for a LHD 240/260/280

GTR R36 (if it is realised) will be over £100k, so the R37 will be even more!!! Any idea on the final price of the Toyota or is it still just guessing?