GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project~”

[Grizz1963]

Sunday fun.

My day was less than perfect.
Wrote up a bit of Cantaloupe and posted a video and pics.
Then moved cars about and took Rezin Rock-no-go for a drive to see Nick up at the farm. I used his trailer originally to recover it and he is currently struggling with his wifes real CJ7 he built for her, he is a good builder. He was impressed as well with the whole build and MOT result.
I then drove back to thr main road, ostensibly to go for a drive to go do some photos of Rockit if I found a decent spot.
Poop, the thing died 500 meters from home. Refusing to restart. Thankfully it’s downhill all the way from the farm, well a slope really. Back home it still refused to start. Not sure if a wire has slipped off or something bigger.
So I just rolled it from the kitchen down and dumped it in the carport.




Thought it a good sign to take S10 truck for a run as I really enjoy using it and pop in at @forddan68 to see if he has bought anything interesting lately.
As I got to the truck out on the front drive the new neighbor landed and asked if I could come help him swap roof panels around on his wifes summer house (he says its a shed with glass doors and French windows)
Perfect distraction. So I reversed it back and parked the truck, saving myself £10 in fuel, made myself a coffee and got some tools and went to help him.
Ended up doing roofing felt and trims.
Perfect afternoon for me as I did manage to distract myself and forget about the dead car parked over the hedge. .




Horrible bitumen paint to help seal and secure overlaps.

I never use it.



And once done, along with fighting the wind that was making it a bit awkward, it looked OK.

Next job for his wife, is to paint it some variation of green.



Suddenly is was 4.30 and I went home, shut shop and went indoors to cook dinner as Sally had been at work and I had offered to feed her.

I will look at the Rezin Rockit when I get time.

This week is a bit hectic.

[Grizz1963]

ITS A MIRACLE…..




So tonight after work I walked down to,the carport where I dumped the car, tried the ignition……

And it fired up instantly, ran at 2k rpm for a bit, hunted then died.

Started it again….. lots of smelly, oily smoke, like before, some hunting, revs up and down and died.

Third time I started it, smoking loads, but fast idle, so I revved it blipping the gas, to close the choke, and still smoking.

Turned it off.

Came indoors to put some mini pizzas in the oven.

Then went back and started it again…….

Resulting in this.

https://youtu.be/BMDwiYqiywo

So many reasons, so many answers.

Just a matter of which one.

[Grizz1963]

So, based on the input from various places, it seems a name may have fallen out of a hat.

Based on @therascalking suggesting this, which does appeal to my twisted sense of humour, and the fact that someone made an attempt at humour before……

This works.








Day job is a bit hectic.

Weather sucks, rain all day, or at least unpleasant enough not to motivate me.

Took the day off in the hope to get a few things done outside, but that’s not happening.


Took a few interior photos.

Some of the clever guys on here may recognise that parts and where they are from.

And also got a problem to solve.

Ignition barrel and keys are unavailable and destroyed.

The seller suggested it was Opel/Vauxhall

I still need to figure what, then buy an ignition and keys to fit into this hole.







Instrument cluster shows how low the mileage on this was.

And just how badly stuff can be abused at times…… leaving so much to fix, repair, replace.








Lights, fog lamp etc switches.





And lastly, a distinctive style and shaped stalk to the left of the steering wheel.





So there you go, a bit closer to, and more detail of this cars parts bin roots.


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[Grizz1963]

Having joined a small Facebook group that mostly seems to be for buying, selling, finding Canta and micro car related stuff, I saw this one advertised.

A few things became apparent.

First;y, they seem to really retain their value……



Then, the mileages they do are actually quite high, this one has done 28784km which is 17885 miles since 2005

Does not sound like a lot, but actually, for a small country and the design purpose, this is a well used example, claimed to run beautifully.



And the third observation, knowing these were custom fitted to the owner/driver is that this one is a two pedal model.



Once agai, weird as it seems, this little car and what it represents, has me smiling.

Miserable day here, and the rain means I will not be doing anything constructive to either the LLAMAGHINI CANTACH or the Rezin Rockit but maybe I should edit and create some content for the next YouTube episode .

Where is the sun?

Another question elsewhere……..


[quote author="@dodgerover" source="/post/2775138/thread" timestamp="1679086408"]Would the MOT man have issues if you did away with the steering lock and just used a normal plant or tractor key set up on the dash?
Is it tested as a light tricycle or quad or something equally strange?[/quote]

Yes.


Being an unknown quantity, I suspect that anything that has safety, form and function, would be acceptable.

Remember, these were customised to each buyer, so if you only had a right arm, why put the ignition on the left etc……

Hand controls vs Foot controls, all,were acceptable as they were adapted to the individual needs of the user.

Most 16 year olds kids, who were also permitted to drive it, were probably able bodied.

https://youtu.be/OCvgFwV-mBw


And to take it a bit further……


In the Netherlands, at 16 you can drive a microcar, nd buy beer…..


Watch this cutie.



https://youtu.be/FKpkFH73_pM



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[Grizz1963]

Quick update again.

Time to get a closer look at this little car.

Try get under its skin.

Small.



And just nasty.



So the time had come to see just what is under this thing.

Easy to lift.



While preparing for the days work, Mickey came around, completely blown away by the car.

He just wanted to take it home.

Perfect fit.



Once Mickey left, I got the jack out, lifted the car…….



Front and rear views.






So at this -pint the question was….. what have we got here….?

Rear drums.






And the front end, discs.






Of course the question now arises as to what these were from originally.

Quad bike parts?


Though it was a cold day, I decided to carry on.and pressure clean the ting….. using my broken pressure cleaner, rather than the brand new one I had in the garage, because I had forgotten about it.


So I parked the Canta with its rear end up in the air, up on the ramps and got to work.







And eventually it was done.

Wet and cold




Video for those who prefer not to read.

https://youtu.be/iqsU1PVWfM4


Enjoy and share.



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[Grizz1963]

A small add on video I forgot to release previously.

Fitting the dash

https://youtu.be/fgSKmPN3DTw


Later.

[Grizz1963]

Seen in London today.

Battery assisted.

[Grizz1963]

In the mean time, Georges people have moved away.

He lives here most of the time but I still see him headed back there occasionally.

Sorry for him but hopefully he’ll get enough love and care here.

[Grizz1963]

Had an estate agent over to value my house last night.

Before I could make him a coffee, George claimed him as subject.

Poor guy did not know what to do.

George did.

[Grizz1963]

Saw this Canta advertised online in the Netherlands.

The seem to retain their value really well.

22k km on the clock.



Guess it makes it worth trying to do it justice in the repairs stakes.

Getting it to be a decent little car for someone.

[Grizz1963]

Nothing much to add at this point.

Just a short clip for those with spare time.

Update once some random work is done.

https://youtu.be/8p9dNB-I5so

More problems to be honest.

Time to move it on yet?

[Grizz1963]

As suggested before

A wing.

Errrm…..

Naaaahhhh.

Needs a lot smaller addition, maybe a roof rack is a better idea.




The search continues for silliness.


Time to mow the wet lawn.

[Grizz1963]

So.

Canta Time.

Or is that lolloping with the LLAMAGHINI

Plan was to get it up on the ramps in order to remove the front bash plate, which had previously been bashed……

First job, get the cat out.



That was, George, no catalyst on this.

Then shove it onto the ramps, which kept sliding away.



Bit of a wrestle…..

Bashplate

Off.



So looking under the engine and body.

Exhaust tailpipe under the cab, missing.



Front wheel drive, CVT system.

Guess the Dutch got to know them well with the DAF cars of last century.





Cable from the cabin to engage forward and reverse…./.



Completely misaligned

Guess engaging forward and reverse would be close to impossible.

Closer inspection.

Yup.



Needed more open inspection space.

Front bumper in the way…..

Now I need a few of these panel clips (or whatever they are called)





And it is off.

Sticker inside shows 1999 as manufacturing date.





Remember the engine bouncing about in reverse?

And also the shift engagement cable misalignment?

Yup…..

Completely broken off engine mount.

Will need new steel welded in and mount base repelled…..

Then get it all back together, hopefully allowing easy shifter engagement.

This car has been abused with a capital A.








Finally, I got to a point where I could not do much more for the day and shoved the car back into its space under the carport.

More to follow as soon as I get my YouTube video edited and loaded.

Weekend over.

Short 3 day week for me, or even 2 days, as my car is in for a service on Wednesday while I wait and Thursday is hospital day. Yay…..

Have a good week, and thanks for checking in.



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[Grizz1963]

For paint, though hitching the wagon in front of the horses right now….. as it would be one of the last things to do.

I have a different idea. (Nothing new though)

That is, if I end up spending a lot more time and money on it all.

I would need to go practice and get it right myself, or find a banger racer painter or similar kind of painter who wants to have a bit of fun……

This really appeals to my sense of madness.

[Grizz1963]

Well, I have taken 4 consecutive Fridays off work.

Theoretically to work on the Canta.

Rain and various other interruptions have caused chaos with the unwritten schedule.

Unlike the madness that was the Rezin Rockit, this was not, and will not become an obsessive build.

I think Sally is a saint for letting me get on with the Rezin Rockit build the way she did.

So the LLAMAGHINI build will be fitted between other tasks and also day job pressures and activities that continue to increase and demand more attention.

So mate Craig came down to collect some stuff from @pauly and from my place as well as a few other detours to collect various things on a monster road trip.

As usual, he slept on the couch on a sheet, under a duvet, with George the cat watching over him, because both my spare rooms were taken up by lodgers.

But, like when we do our USA road trips, we really do not mind where we sleep, as long as there is a shower or bath to be had.


So up early, before me, Craig started out reading and catching up on some corporate work, till I got up.

Then we packed his AMG ML Benz, which is a long way from the luxury cruiser it got sold as new, now rather a brutally powerful tow vehicle and large space to be filled with all manner of treasures.

After breakfast we headed down to the garage, first messing with the Rezin Rockit that he had not seen for a while.

Then switching attention to the Canta, Craig who also wants to own it, was fascinated by it all.

And helped with a few small fixes.

More in the video, linked below.




We did very few photos on the day, but at least we did a short video of our findings.

https://youtu.be/OkHouIXatdQ


Thanks for checking in.

If you like the videos, please LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE as it motivates me and the various collaborators.

More soon.

Maybe

[Grizz1963]

Took a few pics of some of the worst body damage today.

More reporting tomorrow.

Lazy evening here.


The gel coat or whatever is used to coat the body panels will need a lot of repairs.





From when it landed on its side down the road.





Brought it up to the house today for some more work and cleaning up.

Small for sure.



Later.

[Grizz1963]

New subscribers appeared on Retrorides after seeing a YouTube clip on the Canta.

Commented thus:

As a owner of a Canta in the Netherlands, it's hilarious to see one outside of the Netherlands!! Can't wait to see more!!!

99 Precent of all Canta's are the same when it comes to wheels. Other things however get modded a pretty bit. Mine for example has a self made compartment in the back (will share pictures later if intrested), A audio system, A DAB+ Radio and a lot of other little things like LED bulbs! You mostly see them with 160CC and 200CC engines so your one is pretty rare to see. There are most common to see around Amsterdam and get used for everything like elderly people to teenagers since they are license free in the Netherlands!

If you want more information, feel free to ask!!

[Grizz1963]

Right…….

Where were we?

Kinda behind on the postings and updates by a few weeks due to various unforeseen circumstances.

So we got to this point, and I actually did record a bit of it.

Glued the bits of film together, more as a record of where this Canta has been for future reference.



I actually reported on these bits before, but had not thrown the YouTube video together and was not planning on doing one.

But I do know that some guys to enjoy the detail, in order to be able to comment and give advice.

So here you go……,,,


https://youtu.be/FifQconAICg


Sorry for those who do fall asleep along the way.


Better, up to date, update maybe later today.


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[Grizz1963]

Another Easter weekend entry.

Remember the scruffy Nissan Micra I had last year?

Thread: https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...niels-complete

It needed so much cleaning and remedial work, but once done, it made a huge difference.

Seats were a case in point.

From this…..



To this…..




Well, the seats in the Canta were clearly treated with as much disrespect as possible…….

So I decided to first clean out all the dirt in them, followed by a dry vacuum cleaning.

Both of them had a handful of dirt between the seat back and seat base, these seats are non-adjustable, so have pockets where dirt collects.

No idea how one can go to this level of abuse.



So once they were dry vacuumed it was time to get out the Vax Wet cleaner, an amazing tool, as previously proven with the Nissan Micra seats.

If one repeated the job a second time, I am pretty certain they would come up even better.



So ready for action.

I started with the fabric surfaces, and Vax machine.

Once that was done, I used an ammonia based cleaner for the vinyl sides and backs which were also damaged, due to the car being used as a mobile wheelbarrow for building rubble and garden refuse, plus the rest of the smelly stuff I had removed previously.

The result was worth the few hours spent cleaning up.

So I started with these.



And after the first round, this was some of the very murky waters it resulted in.



And for the lazy ones who prefer a movie……

All captured, along with some advice and description of how to get the results I got.

https://youtu.be/ZMS_avBneto

Of course there are different better ways to do stuff in everyone’s opinion…..


But this works well enough for me.


Next up of course…..


Interior.


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[Grizz1963]

I am definitely treating you guys way too good.

Another update…….?

Bolloxx.


Saturday I brought the Canta up to the house, closer to everything.



More vacuum cleaning and hard brush action.



Interior looked like this….

So a bucket of warm water, some dishwashing liquid and a lot of wash, rinse repeat was needed.

This thing is as filthy as you wished your girlfriend would be.

Just really bad.













I think the best part of the job was the fact that it was a decent day outside, dry, warm and no wind.

Good for the morale when working alone.



So here is an example of what you start with and what you end up with…..

Start



Wash, disassemble where possible…..



Clean up all the parts



Reassemble and grin.



Add wax based furniture polish……



And repeat for the whole interior.

Clean glass, repeatedly till you can look inside.

Wait for interior to dry.

Then wipe down all surfaces with polish and grin madly at the transformation.









Seats back in.





Of course the floor carpets look like absolute Sh!t but that is a job for another day.


More in the next report tomorrow ……


Starting to feel this now.


Happy Easter.

[Grizz1963]

BY NOW MOST PEOPLE KNOW I LOVE FREE CASH, OR STUFF.

It all translates into being able to do other things, buy stuff, or even give stuff away, things that make me feel good.

My younger brother “DOZER” retired after 41 years in the military Engineering Corps as a Warrant Officer, or Sergeant Major or Sargeant Major depending on where in the world you are.

We grew up in a time when fixing things, repurposing, or reusing was the norm, and hand me down clothes from two, three, four other cousins was the norm in our family.

Our father and mother both grew up on farms and knew the value of gathering wild fruits, foods, mushrooms etc, and they taught us these skills as well.

Of course not everyone cares for this sort of thing, and for many it is not good unless shop bought and issued with a “Use by” date.

Working across Africa in various war zones in Burundi, DRC and others, building roads, dams, homes, repairing ravaged infrastructure, my brother was able to often use the skills learned as a kid, finding fruit, vegetable and other things like wild honey etc. to supplement, to the surprise of his colleagues on these operations, their standard issue rations.

Back home at the Engineers base where he was attached, the old skills and pleasure of gathering “Free cash” or food etc continued.

With a very keen eye, he had long since identified quite a few Pecan Nut trees, both in the base, and on some of the village streets where he lives.

So every year during the season, he gets around and gathers all the pecans as the trees fruit, and then sits at home removing the shells.

These are the trees, hiding in plain sight.

They seem to also fruit at different times, which means he has a “harvest season”







Saturday he went over to the military base he retired from and got his first collection together.

He has confessed that the first harvest does get eaten mostly as they get shelled.

Then they collect and store them for use through the year.

Rusty, his one rescue dog keeping an eye on the goods.



Shelling and tasting…..



Because the Pecans are so freshly gathered, he and his son tend to dry and even lightly roast them in the oven before storing them.




I am actually quite envious of these Pecan nuts, as they are not that cheap to buy, and interestingly, as kids, growing up, my dad was involved in South Africa in some local farming initiatives, one of which was pecan nut production, and every year a large bag of unshelled pecans would find their way home to us.

Great memories.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Da1sycat

Great story, and you and your brother look a lot like each other. Interesting to see the blue skies yet doggo in his coat. I guess the temps vary a lot this time of year?

Thanks, as I often tell people, we were fortunate enough to grow up in an era when men were men and sheep were nervous…….

I think we grew up quite privileged, being taught the value of things and to survive somewhat.

Quote from my brother:

Damn!!! We look like "armgatte" (poor arses) with our worn “garage clothes” that is actually what we wear at home because sometimes a fart escapes upwards toward our brains and then we decide to do something spur of the moment. When we realise we are wearing our "town clothes" (Grizz in a suit and tie for work, me historically in my military uniform) that are now all dirty or damaged. Note Grizz's patented Safety Flip Flops etc!! Our teabags get dried, recycled, and then stored in a bottle with paraffin/white spirit/turpentine to be used as fire starters as I BBQ a few times a week and every weekend,(trick learned from Grizz's buddy Maritz in Cape Town years ago). Much cheaper than fire lighters!! Yes, free $$$’s is good, even if you have to do a bit of work for it.

I am always surprised that people see us resembling each other.

Rusty is an old man now, and being a Daschund has no real fur so even late Autumn is cold for him, as SA is headed into winter now.

[Grizz1963]

Sometimes the little things in life can get you down, like the weather screwing up days off work….

Then sometimes the little things in life can make a huge difference.

Like a remote body microphone to use while recording on my phone for the YouTube channel.

I am aware that often, walking toward, or working with my back to the camera, the sound fades, more than it should.

Yesterday, rain was a problem, though I was actually working…..

But the Amazon guy/girl/whatever had delivered an envelope some time early, really early.

So I found an envelope addressed to @craigrk in the porch, texted a pic and said he had a parcel 200 miles from home at my place…..

No, it is for you, came the reply.

So I finished my breakfast and opened the parcel.


Bloody brilliant.


iPhone remote Bluetooth clip on microphone.


This could be a game changer (less swearing under my breath I guess)

Will test it out when I work on the Canta next.

Anyone use one before?


Weather changed again later, but in between…… a nice optimistic pic.










Almost the weekend……

[Grizz1963]

Saw a 13HP for sale yesterday…….

VS this 11hp big block.

Worth it?

[Grizz1963]

Still raining here.

Good news today…

Well, actually double good news.

The V5c got issued a week ago, and the document landed today.

What has me really pleased is the fact that is has a registration with a PLG rating.

PLG is Private Light Goods for those not in the UK.

This means a regular car with access to all roads.

Also means I do not need to change it from Disabled class to PLG.

It was then obviously used as a regular motor vehicle before when imported into the UK.

Wish I could find out more about its history.

INTERESTING.




Looking at the DVLA (DMV) website it shows that if registered before 01 March 2001 the road tax is £200.00 per year, not cheap as a motorcycle of the same capacity, but less than a newer vehicle.
This is a 2000 model, that was registered in the UK in February 2001.

Also, the registration documents show that I am the second registered owner.

For some people this is also important, I really don’t care.

The abuse this has had, shows that one registered owner means very little.








I need to SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) this online so that no taxes can be raised agains the car.


Onwards as my friend @pauly always says.


More tomorrow.