twas_brillig
Jedi Knight
Offline
Brought our yellow BE home this afternoon from the shop that fixed the problems with my Datsun five speed install - slightly snowy, couple of degrees above freezing, top up, side curtains not.
It's been probably 5 years since last driving it at all regularly - hopefully this summer it will see decent miles.
Impressions: the cupola around the shift lever is off which presumably affected the noise level - but the 948 cc engine sounded like an enraged sewing machine. But not quite as powerful.
My feet are about 10 1/2 and I was wearing New Balance walking shoes which are a bit wide, and the pedals felt amazingly close together - will wear narrower shoes next time. The transmission felt awkward at some points and very easy shifting at others - the shift pattern will be something minor to get used to. The standard drum brakes aren't worth diddly squat when you're used to power assisted discs. I don't remember being concerned about the brakes back when it was our only car, some 40 years ago, so will just allow a bit more space and get used to putting a bit of leg muscle in to stopping. I also don't remember it being such a long way down into the seat and a longer way back up....
Lots of mechanical noise so will have to check the valve clearances, but it may also just be that I'm not used to anything that's not hydraulic or overhead cam, with plenty of sound proofing.
I thought about whipping around some corners, but just as well that traffic was heavy as I haven't checked the 'best before' date on the tyres (and their pressures haven't been checked since December.)
But it's just nice to have it home again, and ready for wandering off for ice cream etc. this summer. Or just wandering. Doug
It's been probably 5 years since last driving it at all regularly - hopefully this summer it will see decent miles.
Impressions: the cupola around the shift lever is off which presumably affected the noise level - but the 948 cc engine sounded like an enraged sewing machine. But not quite as powerful.
My feet are about 10 1/2 and I was wearing New Balance walking shoes which are a bit wide, and the pedals felt amazingly close together - will wear narrower shoes next time. The transmission felt awkward at some points and very easy shifting at others - the shift pattern will be something minor to get used to. The standard drum brakes aren't worth diddly squat when you're used to power assisted discs. I don't remember being concerned about the brakes back when it was our only car, some 40 years ago, so will just allow a bit more space and get used to putting a bit of leg muscle in to stopping. I also don't remember it being such a long way down into the seat and a longer way back up....
Lots of mechanical noise so will have to check the valve clearances, but it may also just be that I'm not used to anything that's not hydraulic or overhead cam, with plenty of sound proofing.
I thought about whipping around some corners, but just as well that traffic was heavy as I haven't checked the 'best before' date on the tyres (and their pressures haven't been checked since December.)
But it's just nice to have it home again, and ready for wandering off for ice cream etc. this summer. Or just wandering. Doug