So onto Frank...

We saw this advertised on Ebay with no MOT or Tax and a starting problem with bids up to £50 and a B.I.N of £250. We offered £150 which was accepted and off we went to collect. The owner was 100% honest as to the state of it so we weren't expecting much. What we found was the ideal car

Observations..

1. It's blatantly done way more than the 100K on the clock going by the war and tear - infact we suspect it to be an ex-taxi as there is loads of wear in the back. - Doesn't matter

2. Body is rough, lots of low quality paint repairs with overspray all over the shop. The bonnet is a particular work of art. - Doesn't matter

3. Clutch is edgy - no worries, easy enough job

4. No record or last cambelt change - again, easy job

5. EML light on - meh, it's an Ecotec... I've sourced a good cam sensor so will whack that on and hope it cures it (along with the minor starting issue)

6. Needs a good service! - No worries there.

So a few pics...









The car was destined to be called Dave 3 but the previous owners had named him Frank so we kept the name.

So, first things first. MOT

It failed but not badly!

1. Foglight switch sticking on - Mutantcav on here is sorting me one of those.

2. One tyre perished - The local tyre company will do this at cost £30

3. Emmisions - Only just failed on CO. Will change the cam sensor, give it some fuel system cleaner and give it a run and it should be ok

4. Washere inefficient - have cleaned the filter and they're fine now.

So, should be in for a retest next week and hopefully a pass. Then the fun can start!

Sounds like a laugh, I hope all goes well in the fixing and the journey, if you posted where you are you might have a few locals on the forum who can stick it on a reader to see what the problems are

Plomien wrote on 11. Mar 2010 at 15:04:


Good point! I'm in Northants, have updated my profile accordingly..

Thanks for the comments so far chaps!

spray the car white and put a big orange stripe down the side!!!

Hi there im new to on here
And i was just reading your post and it sounds like loads of fun. Id like to do a bit of that. Iv got alot of free time on my hand now,As iv  lost my right arm in a bike crash about 5 years ago. So iv give the bikes up now. And i think i need to have sum fun now. So id like to no more about the Ramshackle rally. All the best to u and good luck Jason

Well, thanks to Mutantcav I now have a foglight switch on the way for just the cost of postage. Thanks mate

My local tyre company are also doing me a tyre at cost so that's another off the list.

that MOT's getting closer!