DavidI
16-06-08, 01:04 PM
So I finally got sick of the non-running "bought it just to have something to drive in hillclimbs and sprints" Gazelle and started cruising Ebay.
Found a 1986 series 1 Suzuki Swift GTi, seller had intended to turn it into a rally car but was selling it off to fund other projects.
I was the only bidder, $950 later it was mine.
Trailered it back from the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon, with a fresh battery it started first go, no visible fluid leaks (coolant is fresh, so leaks would show really well), no mayonnaise in the oil, doesn't blow smoke - apparently the old guy who used to own it (before the ebay seller) had reconditioned the engine before selling it, condition would suggest this is the truth.
Needs new tyres, windscreen has a largish crack in it, needs new battery clamp (due to corrosion from battery) and battery terminals, and headlights need looking at but other than that it's even roadworthy (roadworthiness isn't in the plan though!).
Apart from the above, it has a small amount of rust around the windscreen and the paintwork is what you'd expect from a 20 year old red japanese economy car, but my wife's uncle is a panel beater who will fix the rust and respray it for family rates.
The plan now is: replace the stuff mentioned above, put in the required safety equipment (I've already got extinguisher and harness from the Gazelle project) and finally get my fat arse out on the track for some budget sprinting action. Long term, I'll perhaps strip it out, put in a cage and play with the suspension, but I'm basically taking the "don't fuck with wot works" approach to modifications at this point ('cos doing the opposite is why the Gazelle is a no-runner!).
Found a 1986 series 1 Suzuki Swift GTi, seller had intended to turn it into a rally car but was selling it off to fund other projects.
I was the only bidder, $950 later it was mine.
Trailered it back from the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon, with a fresh battery it started first go, no visible fluid leaks (coolant is fresh, so leaks would show really well), no mayonnaise in the oil, doesn't blow smoke - apparently the old guy who used to own it (before the ebay seller) had reconditioned the engine before selling it, condition would suggest this is the truth.
Needs new tyres, windscreen has a largish crack in it, needs new battery clamp (due to corrosion from battery) and battery terminals, and headlights need looking at but other than that it's even roadworthy (roadworthiness isn't in the plan though!).
Apart from the above, it has a small amount of rust around the windscreen and the paintwork is what you'd expect from a 20 year old red japanese economy car, but my wife's uncle is a panel beater who will fix the rust and respray it for family rates.
The plan now is: replace the stuff mentioned above, put in the required safety equipment (I've already got extinguisher and harness from the Gazelle project) and finally get my fat arse out on the track for some budget sprinting action. Long term, I'll perhaps strip it out, put in a cage and play with the suspension, but I'm basically taking the "don't fuck with wot works" approach to modifications at this point ('cos doing the opposite is why the Gazelle is a no-runner!).