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The Polo

Oh how I wish we had these here. I don't know how good they would be here given some of the reliability issues of the recently produced VW's, but they're just adorable and I love small cars. VW really had a pen for good looking cars in this era. Is the 1.4 a petrol engine or diesel?

I recently picked up a used 1991 Geo Metro (Swift) and it's in dire need of work. The one thing I like about them is that they are simple and economical as well as cute. Considering I paid only $300, it's a great project car, and everyone needs one of those.

-Tim
 
The engine is a petrol one. I am driving it now for just over a year and haven't had any issues with it. The only bad thing I can say about it is that the motor sounds rather raw when accelerating. But for the rest I am very happy with it.
 
Mileage

I'm just curious what the power rating and fuel consumption is like on that little thing. Also would you have any more pics to post, either here or via e-mail?

Thanks

-Tim
 
I'm just curious what the power rating and fuel consumpt

Well it all depends on the engine specification...but the versions we get here are rated as follows....

1.2litre - 77 kilowatts (100hp approx.) Petrol 44mpg combined
1.4litre - 63 kilowatts (82hp approx. ) Petrol 38mpg combined
1.6litre - 66 kilowatts (86hp approx. ) Diesel 52mpg combined
 
Those are for the newer models, mine is an older model, this 1.4 has 55kw. I don't have any figures for the fuel consumption of the model with the automatic transmission. On average it uses 7.5 liters per 100km I think.

I don't have anymore pictures but if you do a Google search on Volkswagen Polo 2004 you'll find some.
 
Huge Polo fan here.....

VW should have brought them over, but I'm sure the decision was made not to compete with the Rabbit/Golf, even back in the 70's.

Chris, regarding the Morris transmission. I've got a good section on them in the Technical Advice pages of my Austin America website (www.austinamericausa.com) and you can see some of the steps to rebuilding. Basically, a loss of friction material and failing rubber o-rings and oil seals causes the transmissions to loose pressure internally and stop clamping down the way they should.

You might try adjusting the brake bands and that can be done in car:
-Drain the oil
-Remove the front transmission cover, including the oil filter assembly
-Inside the transmission on the driver's side, you'll see 3 adjustable brake bands. Loosen the lock nuts for each band and thread the domed nut upward until there is as little free-play as possible in the "jaw" of the brake band (you can try lifting the brake band jaw open). Ideally you only want about 1-2mm of play, but due to wear you may have more. But that's okay. Right now, you probably have a half inch of play!
-Generally the transmission cover gasket will stay completely attached to the cover, and you can re-use it by coating it with a gasket sealant like Hylomar, or Permatex Aviation Form-A-Gasket.
-Refill the transmission with 10w/40 and you should have a working Reverse and much less flare up between 3rd and 4th.

Your next job is to "shorten" the link rod between the carburetor and the transmission. Shorten it unil, under full throttle, the transmission holds itself in 3rd until about 50-55mph.

Following this adjustment, you'll be amazed at how the car performs.[this post was last edited: 11/19/2010-17:34]
 
Todd....

....that is one fantastic site - I've visited it several times before.

I was thinking about the brake bands actually....as I mentioned, it is only when the car is:

Hot - hates reverse
Cold - hates to change 3-4 automatically.

I tend to change manually until I've done a couple of miles and ease off completely when doing the 3/4 change until the oil is warm....mind, an oil change is due and I know that makes things a tad better....
 
It's great that you've been easy on it. They may be the saving grace.

Probably wouldn't take you (or a shop) more than an hour to adjust the brake bands and I think you'd be amazed at the results.
 
Thanks, Todd. It is not nearly as presentable now - the paint is terrible and I can no longer hide it with waxing. I want to try to paint it in the next year but things keep coming up and making me push the project back.
 
Zoom!Zoom!

I have a 2007 Mazda 3. His name is Max. I absolutely love my car. It's been nothing but wonderful and super fun to drive! My second Mazda in a row (I previously had a 2001 Protege, which also -- other than regular maintenance and a few repairs, also very problem-free).

hooverwheelaway++11-19-2010-21-20-26.jpg
 
David, all your vehicles are just gorgeous! The 58 limited is my absolute fav. Totally kills the 57 chevy in style. Such elegancy the chevy lacked. The tail lights are just awesome too.
 
Can't imagine the cost of painting the buick, even in a solid color. It would take me a month just to get all the trim off it, and 6mos to get it all back together after the respray!

I love the big sleds like that though. There is a car show here in SLO every July where a club from the SF Bay area and a club from the San Diego area meet to show off their big American Iron....the vast majority stuff on par with your Limited. Most everything either restored accurately to the most infinate detail, or still in amazing original condition. It continues to be my favorite car show.
 
The daily driver.... an oh so exciting (NOT!) Toyota Camry Hy-bird (hybrid). But since it averages 33 - 34 MPG for my daily, mostly city streets commuting duties, I'm not complaining!

I also have an older (1991) supercharged Mustang and a 2003 Ranger truck, for hauling appliances around, of course!

BTW Chris and Todd... I really like the Austins and LOVE the Citroens, especially the DS!!

Kevin

revvinkevin++11-20-2010-00-44-41.jpg
 
The Beast

A '50 GMC 100. It was a retired Pacific Telephone truck when my dad bought it in 1960. I'm guessing that Ma Bell mounted a box on the back, and that's why it has a '54 bed. The 228 engine is original but got a rebuild quite a while ago. It will start right up after sitting for a week or two or three, and is still used for hauling mulch and the occasional appliance.

I'm not inclined to paint it or restore it since I don't have garage space for it. Plus, it has more personality the way it looks now. My dad changed out the original round side view mirrors at some point, which I wish he hadn't done.

This is the first vehicle that was mine to drive after I got my license and before I bought a car of my own. Operating a three-speed on the column is second nature to me, there's nothing difficult about it, yet uninitiated passengers marvel as they watch me run through the gears. It's hard to believe that I've been driving this truck for almost 40 years. I know so well how it wants to be driven, it's like a part of me.

rp2813++11-20-2010-01-45-35.jpg
 
Cheers....

....Kevin....

Citroens are fantastic cars and basically bullet proof from an engineering point of view...

As for the Austin/Morris, they are lovely and far more practical than an old Mini...

BTW, Todd has the Austin MKII version and I have the Morris MK I version. Apart from looking a little different, my car was made in Zetland, Sydney, Australia rather than the UK and has a few key differences compared to the British built cars:

- Rotodip rust proofing
- Bench front seat
- Handbrake repositioned between the door and the seat
- better dust proofing
- Deeper foam in the seats
- No suspended headlining (just foam stuck to the roof)
- Moulded boot mat around the spare rather than 'floor above the spare'

...overall there were 37 changes that were deemed essential for the Australian market.



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