December 2003
Mrs No Dosh is a puzzled pixie.
On her daily commute to Dorchester she saw a van of unusual appearance and knowing what a fine bunch her husband corresponds with on that internet thingy, set me the task of finding its origins.
Best described as looking like Postman Pat\'s van, very upright and boxlike at the rear (absolutely vertical rear doors) with prominent wheelarches and, most puzzlingly, what appeared to be a tube/rollbar running from the front bumper, along the top edge of the wing and up the A pillar. Wasn\'t able to discern whether the bar continued across the top of the screen.
The bonnet was short, rather low and had a pronounced curve, almost like that of a 2CV but starting lower down.
It was white in colour, but the bars were bright yellow.
Similar in appearance to a Citroen Berlingo, but closer to the Ford Courier in size. Her initial thoughts were that it was likely to be an electric or hybrid vehicle.
Any takers? Read more
Just wondered how easy it would be to nick my 2002 new shape Polo. Factory fitted immobiliser but no burglar alarm. Read more
see
www.ncsr.co.uk
Hi, I have lost the handbook for my R reg 1.4 Ford Ka (petrol).
Can anyone tell me the radiator capacity or how much antifreeze to add?
regards, David S. Read more
Telegraph readers may have already seen the letter I had published today:
"It is not only emergency vehicles that are damaged by speed bumps. Every single vehicle is physically punished each time it crosses one of these ill conceived obstructions, even at low speed.
Each crossing involves increased wear of tyres, suspension systems and brakes, plus greater exhaust emissions from the ensuing acceleration, plus more noise from deceleration, impact and acceleration -- all negative effects that not only hit the pocket of the vehicle owner but also degrade the environment. In aggregate, the costs are huge.
When are the authorities going to come to their senses and abandon these stupid devices?"
I don't suppose anyone will take any notice at all, but I live in hope (a lifelong problem). I'm not going to let up on my local councillors and the county highway engineer. Read more
There was an article on North West Tonight many months ago about a new form of traffic calming, on a street somewhere in the Greater Manchester area. It didn't involve speedbumps. Instead, on small stretches of the street they replaced the tarmac with nicely patterend and laid bricks, they painted parking lines so that residents parked diagonally, effectively reducing the road to one lane, and they put in flower beds. Not only did it beautify the street, it also did the trick re keeping speeds down.
If I could be bothered I would pop into the office next door, which houses the Tameside Traffic Engineers, and ask more, but am the shy type, so won't ;-)
I've been quoted for 174/65 R14 tyres, the bloke reckoned that Regal are one of the best budget tyres (of course he does...).
They are 27.50 each inc VAT fitted and balanced. I'm inclined to trust these more than the GoodRider / Matador / TGAR i've been quoted with elsewhere.
At least dunlop acknowledges their existance - www.dunlop.co.za/regal/ unlike some other budget brands.
what do you lot reckon? Read more
got 'em they seem fine, good grip, feel quite soft to touch, tredwear index of 220?
Hi.
My wifes Fiesta has got a cold.
I went to top up the oil as its below the full mark and i found this grey/green mass of cream under the cap and in the rocker cover hole there isnt any on the dipstick.
The cars details are :
Fiesta mk3 999cc L spec not LX 4 speed manuel with 55 thousand miles on the dial.
I havent told me wife as it may upset her.
Thanks
Martin Winters Read more
I think I'm right having called it the rocker cover, I meant the bit which the oil cap goes onto. There are six or eight bolts around it's edge, unscrew then and it just lifts off. There is a gasket all the way around it, make sure this is properly aligned when you put it back as it prevents oil seeping out.
Has anyone else seen this TV advert? I've caught it on cable channels (Disc Home & Leisure?) the last couple of nights and I thought the music was particularly catchy. A bit like "Mad Bad Leroy Brown" for those of a certain age.
Most memorable line was "You don't tug on Superman's Cape"
Terry Read more
Mk4 GTI done 105,000 miles. I get a light "clunking" noise from the suspencion when driving over speedbumps/potholes. Is it likely that the front suspension top mount bushes need replacing? Should I change the springs and shocks or just the shocks as well?
Thanks Read more
My guess would be the anti-roll bar bushes. Had to get them replaced on my golf after 45k miles. Main dealer replaced them at a service and I think I was charged about £36 - fitted price
Hi
today I have been the unfortunate vctim of a minor hit and run incident. Som toerag has decided to leave a nice dent on the rear quarter panel of my car. I think it may have been caused by some body reversing into it at say 5-10mph.
Surprisingly the paintwork seems undamaged. Does any body have any idea how this can be repaired and how much and how long it will take to repair.
Thanks in advance for any replies. Read more
Thanks for all the replies.
Rgds.
KAL
A simple question.
Can any lawyer type person out there explain why ignorance of the law is no defence?
How can any normal person be expected to know every motoring law that has ever been passed?
Read more
I thank you.
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The S-Cargo is certainly a different looking sort of van, with a name and an appearance like that no way you could complain if it had the performance of a snail!
wonder what l'escargot thinks of it?
there were even light-up "antennae" at the front...
at the time there were several great concept cars from Japan, the Nissan Figaro was like a diminutive Wolseley Hornet...guaranteed to get positive reactions form other road users I would have thought.
pat
PS Thanks for the gen on the "courier". You will see I am selectively lazy about what I look up on Google as "piddle" and "trent" are the same river but I can't remember the name of the one that goes through Dorchester!*
*PPS Frome ( I looked it up)