'80 13BT Series 1

[KiwiDave]

Are you breeding those buses now dude?

Good to hear that you are still Rotavated. Congrats on the new little garage helper

And say hi to Matt

[A7RXY]

Would love to hear how you are getting on with the RX3 and Porche. Congratulations with your new arrival.
Dibs

[Chud]

*peeks around door nervously*

Good morning everyone from isolation in Somerset - this is my what appears to be bi-annual update. I've been working away a great deal since the last time I checked in, and the restoration of a different kind in the shape of the basket case barn that we bought and moved in to has been sapping any spare time and funds. We're coming out of the other side of that now though so here's an update on the vehicular movements.

Mazda - wise I've not a lot to report, the S1 is still here safe and dry albeit in even more need of a respray now. The 13BBP is in the process of being built and I have the quads here from Matt ready to go, they really are a thing of beauty.





The RX3 is still waiting something to happen



Bought another S1




Realistically donor material though - she's not pretty.

I swapped this...




For this..









For those interested it's a 1968 Chrysler Town & Country - still with its original 383cu motor but running a big Holley. Thats not to say performance has been enhanced though as I sure some of the original ponies have long since departed so at around 140hp per ton she's not the spriteliest. What a laugh to drive though, so comfy, the noise of the straight pipes its just a dream cruiser and has become an unlikely hero amongst my wife and kids alike. Whether she can stay after bleeding so much money into the house remains to be seen but we'll see.

Back last august I went and collected my dream bus, and one I'd first seen 3 years previous for sale at the show at Spa. We embarked on a road trip that saw us tow my mates van (these stories are always better when one person calls the other and says those immortal words - "I've got an idea") to Antwerp, unload his there, load my new one and drive to my dad's house in rotterdam with Ben driving his behind. Then onwards to the ferry port in rotterdam where we'd take the overnight ferry to Hull. On from there we'd go to the (best) vw show in the UK at skegness and with a bit of coaxing and bus whispering manage to start mine and drive it into the show.

After that she went into hibernation of the winter and would reappear with a full interior and a bit lower to the ground. I wax lyrical about how easy it was - it was a battle, she was a mess underneath.














And that leaves us with the 912 - which has pushed me to the limits of patience and then taken me to the highs of elation on an hourly basis. The motronic system on the 3.2 carrera was a revelation in its time - but mine was a mess. The loom was brittle, sensors were inconsistant and she never ran right. One afternoon I lost the will to live and ripped the whole lot off, and put it on eBay where it sold within and hour. With that I contacted Jenvey (Jesse primarily ) and they (he) built me a set. I coupled that with a new Canems ecu which comes with an uncut loom to plug up at your leisure. They kindly supplied a base map based on some information I gave them about injector sizes etc and after some fettling it started. So where I'm at now is I need to sort the throttle cable setup from the pedal box, and finish my clutch hydraulic conversion. After that its bolt seat in and see what happens.









Watch this space

I promise to keep more up to date, I've been shit - sorry.

[ian65]

Hey, welcome back Tim, it's been a long time man. Very envious of that great collection of vehicles you have there
Is that S1 a UK car? if so, any chance of the reg for the 1st gen register please?

[Chud]

Hey Ian, thanks for the welcome (back)

I need to retrieve that S1 from outside storage to into the dry so once I'm allowed over there I'll dig around for the number plate for you.

[Hobbawobba]

Mean update my bro! New intake setup is looking sweeeeeeet . I'll need to come down and check out the new place soon and pick up my RX-3 . Once this Corona rubbish is over with. Good to see some more pics also

[Chud]

Yeah man kettle is always on.

[KiwiDave]

Hey Tim Cool to get an update. I'm really looking forward to some progress on the Rx-3. Loving the Chrysler and the 912 looks to have a bad attitude but in a good way. Stay safe dude ... really nice to hear from you

[myatt1972]

Wow Tim what an update, I love the stance of that 912, super cool

[Chud]

Hey Tim Cool to get an update. I'm really looking forward to some progress on the Rx-3. Loving the Chrysler and the 912 looks to have a bad attitude but in a good way. Stay safe dude ... really nice to hear from you

Cheers Dave - I’m in regular contact with Jim so once this current situation has passed be good to catch up.

Keith ask me how I feel about the ride height once I’ve driven it