British Leyland

**sidecar bob** · 12th June 2016, 20:19

Originally Posted by YellowDog

Yes, I do agree. You could get yourself a really nice classic V8, for that kind of cash and it wouldn't have the "Brits are crap car builders" associated problems.

BUT for around $5k, bring it on

My father on law's truck, for a start. Not many left with the flattie still in. He bought it when my wife was one year old. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...?id=1099871228

**Motu** · 12th June 2016, 20:58

No airfilter - he really knows how to look after his truck. A good base for a rotor transplant.

**sidecar bob** · 12th June 2016, 21:00

Originally Posted by Motu

No airfilter - he really knows how to look after his truck. A good base for a rotor transplant.

Yep, you would know best.

**Motu** · 12th June 2016, 21:15

That they run better without an airfilter? I'm sure they do, but if that truck has been running since 1974 without an airfilter, it's too late now. Too late to edit his ad too, it's the first thing I saw, and I'm sure everyone else is smarter than me.

**dangerous** · 13th June 2016, 06:22

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

My father on law's truck, for a start. Not many left with the flattie still in. He bought it when my wife was one year old. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...?id=1099871228

ummm old Norton in the back ground? pick me pick me

**sidecar bob** · 13th June 2016, 11:51

Originally Posted by Motu

That they run better without an airfilter? I'm sure they do, but if that truck has been running since 1974 without an airfilter, it's too late now. Too late to edit his ad too, it's the first thing I saw, and I'm sure everyone else is smarter than me.

No doubt. .But im not sure he cares about your opinion as it will probably only be bought by somebody that has money.

**sidecar bob** · 13th June 2016, 11:54

Originally Posted by dangerous

ummm old Norton in the back ground? pick me pick me

Its a Trident, but if you want an old Norton, I have one. You will have to ask Motu about it though, he knows more about it than me, he saw a photo of it once.

**Motu** · 13th June 2016, 17:37

Oh, that one. Carry on.....

**russd7** · 17th June 2016, 18:56

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/spec...1096944927.htm
just because

**Motu** · 17th June 2016, 19:16

Saw that one earlier, very impressed....but a bit scared to mention it incase I mentioned the incorrect top hose and someones brother in law's best mate knew the driver in 1959.

**russd7** · 17th June 2016, 19:37

Originally Posted by Motu

Saw that one earlier, very impressed....but a bit scared to mention it incase I mentioned the incorrect top hose and someones brother in law's best mate knew the driver in 1959.

its just bloody beautiful

**Motu** · 17th June 2016, 20:23

I like the gearlever - it didn't matter if it was a Hillman Minx or a Super Snipe, all the Rootes cars had that same lever. I can't remember with the Rootes, but with BMC's, the early column change had 1st down and up - away from you, the neutral gate came up. The later ones, with the same lever had 1st up towards the wheeel, and then up to the screen, 3rd and 4th were down lower. Seems hard to describe a column change after all these years, but anyway, there was a reverse of the shift pattern.

**Moi** · 17th June 2016, 21:24

Originally Posted by Motu

I like the gearlever - it didn't matter if it was a Hillman Minx or a Super Snipe, all the Rootes cars had that same lever. I can't remember with the Rootes, but with BMC's, the early column change had 1st down and up - away from you, the neutral gate came up. The later ones, with the same lever had 1st up towards the wheeel, and then up to the screen, 3rd and 4th were down lower. Seems hard to describe a column change after all these years, but anyway, there was a reverse of the shift pattern.

IIRC the early Rootes [Hillman and Humber] of the fifties had first and second on the up/down plane furthest from the driver and that changed to the closest plane with the cars of the sixties. Reverse was selected by pulling the gear shift lever end piece out and then pushing down and down... does that make sense?

As for the ambulance - if you have to be transported by ambulance, at least that has style...

... however if you wish to live, I'll have one of the modern ones...

**Motu** · 17th June 2016, 21:36

Something of my own. I had this 1954 A40 in the mid to late '70's, they kept the Devon shape for the pickups and vans rather than go to the Sommersault shape. I had known this vehicle for some years - we lifted the original tray off without unbolting it, it was so rusted. Got it with a stuffed steering box, and fitted a Devon one, and had to convert it to column change for the ute. Originally on 17in wheels and impossible to get tyres for, so fitted 16in from a sedan, and had to fit the sedan diff head to raise the gearing - this was good because it was too low geared anyway...it had a sticker on the 1/4 window saying not to use 1st gear. I had been given an A60, so fully rebuilt the 1622 - new pistons, crank grind, new oil pump, valves and guides, then fitted it to the A40. Nicely powered then, used the SU carb and electric fuel pump. Then I damaged the front end, so fitted the A60 suspension and brakes, and 14in wheels. Later I swapped to the A60 diff too. I couldn't use the longer B series gearbox because of the X member chassis. The paint was a dark green, repainted it the same colour, but mixed in some silver wheel paint...and made an enamel metalic. The front end got pretty stuffed, and priced the parts at $400 - so sold it for $50 minus engine, which I fitted to my wife's MkII Oxford. The A40 ended up with a nice wellside, a 351 and painted metalic pink. The bad photo was taken with an Instamatic at Aotea Harbour.