S12OC UK Forum

Good day to all; long time reader, first time writer. (=

I <cough> have had a succession of gazelles,

1. 84 two tone blue ca20 solid axle model that had more hits than elvis used as a daily driver for 3 years, was very good to me - it got a dose of heavier duty springs, shocks and urethane injection - the only thing that wasnt a standard consumable that required replacement was the thermostat housing (pinholed) , diff whined, gearbox whined, hell, everyhting whined but it just would not die. The guy i sold it to was planning an SR conversion, welded the diff and proceeded to do donuts in a carpark for 40 minutes to destroy the engine, the old beater just wouldn't give up. :) His name was Johnny5 because he was still alive (and i bought it with "John" scratched into the bonnet)

johnny5
http://skylab.bitstripped.net/galler...3/IMG_1444.JPG

2. Couldnt resist a cheap as chips spare parts car - had a terrible red vinyl graphic on the rear window "Red Eagle" ended up being used aforementioned thermostat housing, all other panels sitting in the shed, some sold for proceeds towards the next gazelle purchase (always good to have spare parts for these cars!)

red eagle
http://skylab.bitstripped.net/galler...1/IMG_1108.JPG

3. bought a automatic sister car that was MINT with visions of doing an engine conversion. Not having an actual garage (that was my old mans garage) he moved house, needless to say this didn't work out :)

Johnny6
http://skylab.bitstripped.net/galler...4/IMG_1482.JPG

4. since having no garage, found one with ca18det conversion / s13 front end already done, just needed tidying up and a few bits completed (like exh. manifold held on by 3 bolts.... EEK - noticed that the first time i boosted it!)

have bought a property with rear lane access since and its sitting out the back waiting patiently for me to finish the cooler install and replace the exhaust manifold! (bought a stainless one which turned out to be a bit bodgy, welding dags from inside it came off and got stuck in/mangled the turbo (aka welding dag ping pong with exhaust wheel). She's called Betsie, after the sticker on the cam cover that came with the car. :)

Betsie
http://skylab.bitstripped.net/galler...2/IMG_2797.JPG

Only mod besides cleaning up the bits that needed it is a 4.375 <i think?> R180 rear diff (yes yes, infinite slip) and s13 kyb front coilovers/rear kyb shocks - now just want to get her up and running for a track day!

Matt.