The Story of Shortie
Posted: 18 Feb 2017 16:58
Okay, I admit it, I am not well.
But then, if the symptoms aren't so bad, is there a problem with it?
I am not taking any medication for it, and I do not intend to see a couch doctor either.
So things are likely to remain this way.
I am Alex, and I am a Patrol fanatic.
My beautiful wife did not think it appropriate for me to pull a car over on the N14 almost 2 years ago.
I did this because the guy was driving a short wheel base Patrol - unforgivable!
I went straight for the punch line and asked him if he would not be interested in selling it.
Quite relieved that there was nothing wrong with his car, he replied, No.
I still gave him my number, but never heard from him again.
These cars do not come by often.
So when one came up for sale two weeks ago, I had to contain myself, while Piet was considering it for himself.
But when I got the green light, I bought it.
Hooray!
It is 24 years old, needs lots of love to get it back to its former glory.
But then how can you not love this beauty?
Now the work (and fun working on it) starts.
Unlike most Shorties in SA (all imported as they never got sold in this market), this has a TB42 Petrol engine.
Even before I bought it I smelled a bit of fresh petrol at the grill after the test drive.
I did not think much of it at the time.
However the day after bringing her from the dealer I opened the bonnet after a short drive and saw petrol dripping from the carburattor.
These are from the vacuum pipes that have worn and hardened over the years.
Until the car's first appointment with Graham, I have replaced these with strengthened PVC pipes of the time being.
Next issue was the radiator overflow bottle, which is completely kaput.
When Piet test drove the car, it picked up temperature quite quickly.
It has not done so with me yet (after 300km so far)
But I suspect the dealers replaced the water in the radiator when it was cool (given that the overflow is broken).
So that was step 2 so far, replacing the bottle - Courtesy of a spare bottle that Tinus had!
Next step was to give the car seem "street cred" with decent tekkies and rims!
(actually, more urgent is for Graham to go through the engine and other essential parts, but the appointment with the guru is only 21 Feb).
Tyres and rims I traded with Tinus (again!)
As can be seen, the car sits pretty low on the wheels.
That is because the coils and shocks are moeg. Baie moeg.
So after the once over health check with Graham, I need shocks and coils.
And after that,....many small niggles to be done over time.
Once finances permits, the car will get a decent makeover from a panel beater with a passion for Trolls.
Then, the interior.
The purpose of this car is "Kerk & Werk".
"Speel Kar" and "Toer Kar" are stories for another day.
I feel too sorry for it to push her through mud, and make it hit the chassis on a rock. No!
Yes, I know shorties are awesome on trails, but, I love this little thing too much.
Watch this space...
But then, if the symptoms aren't so bad, is there a problem with it?
I am not taking any medication for it, and I do not intend to see a couch doctor either.
So things are likely to remain this way.
I am Alex, and I am a Patrol fanatic.
My beautiful wife did not think it appropriate for me to pull a car over on the N14 almost 2 years ago.
I did this because the guy was driving a short wheel base Patrol - unforgivable!
I went straight for the punch line and asked him if he would not be interested in selling it.
Quite relieved that there was nothing wrong with his car, he replied, No.
I still gave him my number, but never heard from him again.
These cars do not come by often.
So when one came up for sale two weeks ago, I had to contain myself, while Piet was considering it for himself.
But when I got the green light, I bought it.
Hooray!
It is 24 years old, needs lots of love to get it back to its former glory.
But then how can you not love this beauty?
- Justbought.jpg (297.83 KiB) Viewed 5852 times
Unlike most Shorties in SA (all imported as they never got sold in this market), this has a TB42 Petrol engine.
Even before I bought it I smelled a bit of fresh petrol at the grill after the test drive.
I did not think much of it at the time.
However the day after bringing her from the dealer I opened the bonnet after a short drive and saw petrol dripping from the carburattor.
These are from the vacuum pipes that have worn and hardened over the years.
Until the car's first appointment with Graham, I have replaced these with strengthened PVC pipes of the time being.
- VacuumPipes2.jpg (265.16 KiB) Viewed 5849 times
- WaterOverflow1.jpg (245.52 KiB) Viewed 5852 times
It has not done so with me yet (after 300km so far)
But I suspect the dealers replaced the water in the radiator when it was cool (given that the overflow is broken).
So that was step 2 so far, replacing the bottle - Courtesy of a spare bottle that Tinus had!
- WaterOverflow2.jpg (237.9 KiB) Viewed 5852 times
(actually, more urgent is for Graham to go through the engine and other essential parts, but the appointment with the guru is only 21 Feb).
Tyres and rims I traded with Tinus (again!)
- NewTekkies1.jpg (198.19 KiB) Viewed 5852 times
- NewTekkies2.jpg (224.69 KiB) Viewed 5852 times
That is because the coils and shocks are moeg. Baie moeg.
So after the once over health check with Graham, I need shocks and coils.
And after that,....many small niggles to be done over time.
Once finances permits, the car will get a decent makeover from a panel beater with a passion for Trolls.
Then, the interior.
The purpose of this car is "Kerk & Werk".
"Speel Kar" and "Toer Kar" are stories for another day.
I feel too sorry for it to push her through mud, and make it hit the chassis on a rock. No!
Yes, I know shorties are awesome on trails, but, I love this little thing too much.
Watch this space...
