TIMS BX BLOG

[Philip Chidlow]

It's certainly the case that the forum is a lot quieter since the Facebook aspect has taken off; but there is still a need for this forum - it's certainly not redundant! We just have to get used to 'less traffic'...

[Tim Leech]

The Athena had moved from its resting place finally after 10 years..,, fingers crossed its not a colander!

Progress on the metro is slow and steady

[Tinkley]

Re Project 2 - yeah that ugly Juke needs some real attention.....

One of the very odd 2D Japanese designs, the actual profile views are OK, but in 3D nothing quite works. Seems to be a Japanese design trait , I've run into it on several items, like domestic kettles and stuff. Surprising really since the widespread use of sophisticated 3D software, mainly Alias for automotive surfaces. Also the reason real physical prototypes, clay models etc are built, to check reality.

Good to hear the Athena moved OK, she'll survive if not rusted away underneath - it will need some welding I'd guess. V dependent on where the car lived in terms of salt etc, the outside looks OK, but then so does mine but I know the underside too....

[Kitch]

..,, fingers crossed its not a collider!

Hadron?

[Tim Leech]

haha! I wish! stupid autospell

Anyway good news!! The Athena asides needing the boot corners doing (hardly a deal breaker) is not a colander!

So its going to live at Bourne for a while whilst he welds, changes bits and makes it sound whilst I collect parts for it.

The metro will be in for a MOT very soon too now I have a set of legal wheels.

[Tinkley]

The Athena had moved from its resting place finally after 10 years..,, fingers crossed its not a collider!

I almost took that literallly, as my first Athena was smashed into twice by others - their fault 100% each time.

[Tim Leech]

Oh dear

You didn't happen to keep any parts from it did you?

The drivers wing and door are badly scraped on this one.

[bx petrol auto saloon]

They both look very very nice Tim Have you still got the SD 1 and the moggie Tim
Take care
Vince

[Tinkley]

I still have the car - blocking my driveway! Minus engine/gearbox and front sub frame as well as a few other bits. Unfortunately although a repairable it was smashed quite hard on the o/s front wing corner. So new outer wing, cross members, slam panel, bumper as a minimum. Repair estimate was £3,300 to give you some idea. Still driveable though! fairly sure the geometry is not out of true although the rear shunt earlier (write off 1) did widen the o/s C pillar by about 4-5mm... the parcel shelf falls through too easily!.
It's not too rusty especially compared to the current one. However removing the drivers door would leave it open to the elements so I am reluctant to do that. Also the oiks round here would soon smash the rest of it up - currently has cover over it. It is literally about 150mm from the kerb edge of the street, unfortunately to move it would require a manual lift and it would have to go up about 3 to 4 meters over 25 of sloped earth rough driveway. It may have to be done, as the neighbours have complained but were not willing to help move it....

As it cost me 25 quid to buy back from the insurance company it was a no brainer at the time. So I've kept it to keep the current one going, it may eventually become the runner swapping stuff back to it.

[Kitch]

Don't suppose the subframe you removed is surplus to requirements??

[Tinkley]

Aaah that was the problem Kitch, I bent the one on the runner at around 15mph near Frensham Little pond. Sodding potholes. Had no choice but to swap it over. Still have the bent one it's pretty bad on the o/s ie the wheel (tyre really) just touches the back of the wheel arch... had to drive back about 4 miles like that....
However after the nice creasing the rest of it is OK and not very rusty, a lot better than your 16TRS one much much better. So I am looking for a Mk2 subframe as well partly because it would make it a bit easier to move the old car and winch it up the driveway. So about 75% good tbh even the wishbone pin alignment on the o/s is good, just the bit inboard of that is buckled.

[Tim Leech]

Moggie went last year but the Sd1 isn't going anywhere! Ok if you DO break the Athena and the drivers door is good please let me know

Also im after a gearknob and rear headrests.


Thanks

[Tinkley]

Neither of my Athenas' had rear head rests, just the blanks.....

Though of course any GT of the same era should have the matching black head rests. If I had a bit of free cash, I'd get her (the damaged one) fixed, either with a local guy (whose currently got a Golf GTI MK1 on it's side), Chevronics or a local DS specialist in Kingsley. Not sure Kitch (who would also do a great job) has the space.... just need the lottery.....

The drivers door is OK though I'll probably raid the window motor. Will certainly let you know if I do have to break her. Again a Platinum grey GTi or 16v should be the same? You can pretty much match the paint colour with straight silver (base) and RAL 9011 Graphiteshwartz, mixed to suit. Not sure what it's like on a whole panel but for local repairs I've got it very close.

[sdelasal]

Kitch, have you tried Edwards, near billericay, for a subframe.

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk 2

[Kitch]

Aaah that was the problem Kitch, I bent the one on the runner at around 15mph near Frensham Little pond. Sodding potholes. Had no choice but to swap it over. Still have the bent one it's pretty bad on the o/s ie the wheel (tyre really) just touches the back of the wheel arch... had to drive back about 4 miles like that....
However after the nice creasing the rest of it is OK and not very rusty, a lot better than your 16TRS one much much better. So I am looking for a Mk2 subframe as well partly because it would make it a bit easier to move the old car and winch it up the driveway. So about 75% good tbh even the wishbone pin alignment on the o/s is good, just the bit inboard of that is buckled.

The bent one may be just what I'm looking for! I want to dissect one and rebuild the TRS' bearing-type unit. I don't need the bits the spindle mounts through, I need the rear leg supports more than anything.
Sadly I don't have a spare mk2 unit, other than the 16v one which is still fitted underneath a 16v in the yard!