Welcome to The Tinker Zone — otherwise known as the place where I convince myself I’m good with tools, attempt to fix minor issues, and occasionally create new ones.
Here you can follow the ongoing misadventures, upgrades, cosmetic tweaks, and random bursts of “I wonder what would happen if I just…”
Cassie has only had a set of new HT keads and a new set of wheels / tyres fitted in my ownership, both of these were purely cosmetic and I will get the original Ford wheels refurbished at some point. There are a few small jobs on the to do list including fitting new headlamps (already purchased), the drivers seat could also do with a re-trim at some point in the future, and some niggly marks around the car, she drives very well for a 40+ year old car.
Juliette had a full nut and bolt restoration around ten years ago (long before she came into my stable), she requires very little work as she is in near mint condition, the only things that I can think of is she could do with some new tyres as these ones are over 5 years old, this will require new wheels as the tyre size is no longer made, the other thing that she requires is me refitting the steering wheel centre that came out in my hand as I was parking her up for the winter season (she is 56 years old)
Vader was an inpulse purchase, I really shouldn't just place a cheeky bid without checking the auction description, he requires quite a bit of welding underneath (I do have a welder, although haven't learnt how to use it yet, also being lowered it takes some jigery pokery to get him of the ground) I did fix the fuel leak that he came with and he starts and runs nicely. On a positive, he is the more sought after 3 door with the big bumpers - if you are interested in purchasing Vader, please use the contact me form on the contact page.
Homer is a tough car, I had someone run into me on a roundabout as they decided to switch lanes halfway round, a week after getting him back from the bodyshop, someone decided to reverse into him, and then I decided to have an argument with a little wall while going into a services, so homer has plently of battle scars, but flew through his last MOT, I will probably keep running Homer until he falls to bits. I have no planned work to do on Homer, it's only the usual wipers, washer fluid and tyres, oh and a cabin filter every two years, so may do that next year.
Scarlett, the newest addition to my fleet, very tidy for a 24 year old car with absolutely no rust on her at all, although being a 24 year old car means she isn't pristine condition and there are a couple of snaggy things to look at, the rear wiper switch needs looking at, the indicator switch could also do with looking at (doesn't auto cancel) The engine sounds amazing and the tiptronic box appears to be working as expected (she has had the IMS bearing upgrade in her past) - I have treated her to some flat wiper blades, although I haven't got round to fitting them yet, this weekends job.