Okay. There's been a build up of momentum as people like you taking your time to look at this blog and I appreciate it. Let's keep this up. If I could get more exposure, it would be brilliant so if you want, help spread this topic around because if more people look at it, hopefully we'll make progress.
On the car preservation front, there have been some cars built in the 1980s that are becoming collector's items as they become valuable worth from $3,000 to $10,000. Rest assured they'll be safe from hoons and better still, the crusher.
If you think about it, hoons buy cheap powerful cars and thrash them to the max. They target big Fords (Falcons, Fairlanes, Fairmonts and Falcon utes) and Holdens (Commodores, Calais, Statesmans/Caprices and utes) or anything that's rear wheel drive. Thrashing as a no brainer puts strain on a lot of working components and gradually destroy a car. It's absurd for anyone who loves their cars but thrashes them but there are those kind of people who would be willing enough to nurture them. Cars are expensive pieces of machinery to get to places but if looked after, they would serve you well with less repair bills to worry about.
Now, about the crusher bit. I used the pun 'safe from the crusher' to say that any valuable car in good condition is too great to die. When cars are driven to the ground, they're recycled (parts stripped, body crushed, shredded and recycled into new steel) but that creates this problem. One car crushed would be gone forever but even when the defunct car may be in a sound restorable condition, that would be so sad. I am determined to have more cars saved and restored rather than just rust away and not be repairable.
Inspiration
Any person interested in car restoration may develop interests from car shows, TV shows and magazines. Take the Motorclassica for example. It's run by the RACV in the Old Exhbition Building in Melbourne every October and when I went there one time with my dad, I found it quite interesting with all the old cars on display in showroom condition. Their owners have dedicated their livelihood to their old classics. TV shows have been interesting in which in my point of view, I got so inspired. Take shows such as Classic Car Rescue and For The Love Of Cars as tow examples. They collect old barn finds and fix them up and I like the ideas. However, just a note to consider that car restorations take skills and know how and if done properly, it would be rewarding. Community TV channel C31 have their own show Classic Restos showing well, classics.
Finding the right car for your project
With the way I see it, there aren't many old cars around on the roads especially 80s cars. And because they don't have much resale value, they mightn't be worth selling and they retire into the wreckers yards. But with my confidence, I feel they don't always have to retire but be rejuvenated to keep them running. I'm talking about 80s cars. They've been engineered to be reliable so why are we ignoring them? I don't know. If you're seriously committed, look around for any cars that are in sound repairable condition and also, they're dirt cheap as opposed to older barn find cars. And they're getting harder to find. You can also buy old cars still in okay condition for under $1,000 and any problems can be fixed if someone has the know how.
Finding the right parts
So, if you have found an old banger, you would need to find the right parts. That's when you need to look around in various car wreckers, websites and automotive parts supply stores such as Supercheap Auto, Repco, Bursons and Autobarn. The most important thing and it's a good idea is to do research. What I also find really useful is Rare Spares. They provide parts for anyone restoring their old classics and it would be easier to find the right special parts so you may be interested.
Keeping an 80s car
There's one problem with keeping old cars. They cost money. Depending on the age and collective status, parts would be more expensive to keep it going. And insurance can be costly as well. But with 80s cars, my theory is they wouldn't be as expensive and when I did a comprehensive car insurance quote on an old 80s car, it would cost around $24 a month. But still, it would be interesting. It is best and for any car to be kept in garages in our homes. That way, they protect any car from the extremes of weather and also protect them from possible vandals.
So guys. What are you waiting for?
Friday, 31 October 2014
Thursday, 30 October 2014
Inspiring 80s cars (my opinion)
Just felt like posting something more interesting but all to do with 80s cars. In my life, I have only driven my family's past 1988 Nissan Pintara. That is a car i've driven built in the 80s era but anythings else, I haven't. That is my small confession. The reason i'm wanting to post this topic is to tell you how inspiring these cars are. I have been a regular Gran Turismo player mainly because of the variety of cars to take for a spin and buying some 80s cars have opened up my expectations on the way they go. One golden rule i'll stick to is not have driving aids on as I rely on the car's handling characteristics. But first, i'll talk about the Nissan Pintara.
R31 Nissan Pintara
Okay here it goes. This is a R31 model Nissan Pintara built from 1986 to 1989. They have a simple honest 2.0 litre electronic fuel injected straight 4 engine, a choice of a 5 speed manual or 4 speed automatic combined with rear wheel drive. As far as I know in terms of models, the Executive and GLI are the base models, the GX being the mid-spec and the GXE as the top-of-the-range model. They're nice cars to drive with plenty of power, comfortable driving, they're economical and last but not least, it's been proven durable to a test of time. And I enjoyed driving it as well.
Our past Nissan Pintara used to be a GX model so that had power steering, power mirrors, tachometer and a digital clock. It was also equipped with a manual gearbox and was a sedan. The colour of the car was cream until a major repair when it was painted teal green. It was a good memory to have and I should never forget.
We'll now look at in my opinions the cars in Gran Turismo 5 and 6 that defined the 1980s era.
1983 Mitsubishi Lancer EX 1800 GSR IC Turbo
This is what I like to call a poor man's Ferrari. But it's no Italian supercar. It's a Lotus. It's an awesome car to drive if driven carefully as it handles brilliantly with rapid acceleration. I do like mid engined sports cars but not the seriously powerful big engined cars like Ferarris, Lamborghinis and Paganis. You can still have fun with these kinds of cars with smaller engines as you feel the sensation of driving pleasure. I'm no V8 fan but I still like the idea of engines with fewer cylinders because after all, these sports cars are designed to be light and fun to drive.
We have learnt more things about 80s cars in what they're like to drive. I took the time to do so and I hope you enjoyed it. All the best!
R31 Nissan Pintara
Okay here it goes. This is a R31 model Nissan Pintara built from 1986 to 1989. They have a simple honest 2.0 litre electronic fuel injected straight 4 engine, a choice of a 5 speed manual or 4 speed automatic combined with rear wheel drive. As far as I know in terms of models, the Executive and GLI are the base models, the GX being the mid-spec and the GXE as the top-of-the-range model. They're nice cars to drive with plenty of power, comfortable driving, they're economical and last but not least, it's been proven durable to a test of time. And I enjoyed driving it as well.
Our past Nissan Pintara used to be a GX model so that had power steering, power mirrors, tachometer and a digital clock. It was also equipped with a manual gearbox and was a sedan. The colour of the car was cream until a major repair when it was painted teal green. It was a good memory to have and I should never forget.
We'll now look at in my opinions the cars in Gran Turismo 5 and 6 that defined the 1980s era.
1983 Mitsubishi Lancer EX 1800 GSR IC Turbo
1.8L straight 4 Turbo
Power: 114 kW @ 6000 RPM
Torque: 206 Nm @ 3500 RPM
Drivetrain: Front engined rear wheel drive
I had a go on this car when I first done so playing Gran Tursimo 4 when it debuted. It's a ripper of a small sedan especially if it's turbocharged. It's got good pickup and it handles nicely when driven properly. When you push through corners, it may tend to understeer but that car lets you know you're going too fast around a corner. However, this car has got a tight turning circle so it can zip through tight corners more easily. This car is also featured all through to the sixth installment of the Gran Turismo series.
1983 Toyota Corolla Levin GT-Apex (AE86)
1.6L straight 4 Naturally aspirated
Power: 92 kW @ 6500 RPM
Torque: 137 Nm @ 5000 RPM
Drivetrain: Front engined rear wheel drive
In Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec, I noticed an interesting body shape design similar to this but isn't this model. It was a Sprinter Trueno with the foldable headlights. This however is a Corolla Levin GT Apex. It's light, powerful and nimble and provides a great exhaust note. It's a great handler and once driven properly, it flows through the bends without noticing any oversteer. It's quite easy to drive this thing without much trouble. Even though this model is phased out, Toyota re-introduced a new rear wheel drive sports car, the 86 (called that in Australia) and it has had postive reviews and supply couldn't keep up with demand. This is how great this car is.
1983 Honda Civic 1.5 3door 25i
1.5L straight 4 Naturally aspirated
Power: 71 kW @ 6000 RPM
Torque: 118 Nm @ 4000 RPM
Drivetrain: Front engined front wheel drive
These kinds of Hondas are what defined their image. Japanese, reliable, good quality and fun to drive and this is one of them. I do like this Honda Civic as it's light and nimble and according to the information, it resembles a link between a sexy coupe and a practical hatchback all wrapped in one. Also, Honda at the time have a range of body styles to cater for different kinds of people. If they want a normal Civic, they could have a 4 door sedan. If they need a Civic with families in mind, there's a wagon version called the Shuttle. But if they're single, a couple or want a car for pleasure, there's this hatchback. To be honest, I really like these cars better than the new Civics today because I feel that Honda have gone backwards with making fun and reliable cars which has been missed. Why?
1987 Buick GNX
3.8L V6 Turbocharged
Power: 200 kW @ 4500 RPM
Torque: 471 Nm @ 3000 RPM
Drivetrain: Front engined rear wheel drive
When I got this car as I was playing Gran Turismo 6, it's an interesting car. In an American muscle car, it's got power and torque but it handles the bends nicely and come to think about it, I would like it better than older muscle cars such as Chevrolet Camaros, Ford Mustangs and Dodge Challengers. With Buick's turbocharged V6, it may not sound like a V8 but it sounds decent. It's a good engine too and the wide ratio gearbox to match the engine's large amount of torque making it a cruiser and a grand tourer in one. These cars are not too unforgiving in terms of handling but in fact, they drive nicely.
1983 Honda City Turbo II
1.2L straight 4 Turbocharged
Power: 78 kW @ 5500 RPM
Torque: 147 Nm @ 3000 RPM
Drivetrain: Front engined front wheel drive
Another hot car from Honda is the turbocharged sports model of the City. When I drove it in the game, I realised it's such a cracker in terms of performance in a small city car. I really do like this car. Being a small light car, it can handle tight corners and with the small but turbocharged engine, it is great to have the extra power. I raced it particularly in the Sunday Cup races and it is competitive even towards more modern cars who have advances in engine performances. But who needs new cars to compete when there's this car?
1987 Lotus Esprit HC
2.2L straight 4 Turbocharged
Power: 157 kW @ 6000 RPM
Torque: 284 Nm @ 4500 RPM
Drivetrain: Mid engined rear wheel drive
This is what I like to call a poor man's Ferrari. But it's no Italian supercar. It's a Lotus. It's an awesome car to drive if driven carefully as it handles brilliantly with rapid acceleration. I do like mid engined sports cars but not the seriously powerful big engined cars like Ferarris, Lamborghinis and Paganis. You can still have fun with these kinds of cars with smaller engines as you feel the sensation of driving pleasure. I'm no V8 fan but I still like the idea of engines with fewer cylinders because after all, these sports cars are designed to be light and fun to drive.
We have learnt more things about 80s cars in what they're like to drive. I took the time to do so and I hope you enjoyed it. All the best!
Why like the cars of today?
Hello guys. Since I was young, i've been pretty much fond of different cars. I thought the newer the car, the better. It can the the case but now, I believe its becoming less of the case in many ways. Compared to cars from the 80s, the new equivalent cars are bigger, heavier and may end up using more fuel.
Yes, you heard me. As cars become roomier and safer, they add weight which affects, fuel consumption, acceleration, wear and tear of components and driveability missed from cars built in the 1980s. Plus, car manufacturers stuff new cars with as much technology to make it safer and more convenient with all the gadgets and gizmos not only adding weight but cost.
But another bugbear would be the reliability and overall durability of new cars when bad stories have been said. Particularly with Volkswagen's Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), this is new technology in future automatic cars which makes the cars more responsive and use less fuel but however, there are bad stories of malfunctions which costs owners a great deal of money and the agony of going through dealerships to have it sorted out. As far as I can see in terms of recalls over mechanical and safety issues, I am not aware of any issues with 80s cars in terms of reliability but hell they're strong in the long run.
Modern cars are computerised and yet again, another pain in the proverbials if anything goes wrong from a slightest glitch to a major breakdown. No ordinary mechanic would have a hope in trying to solve these complex issues unless he or she is trained with computerised systems in mind. But still, they're expensive problems requiring a lot of labour to do so. And some frustration that goes with it.
Now let's talk about modern cars reaching classic status. They're loaded with technology to make the cars safer, use less fuel, make us comfortable and stress less. Think about restoring these cars if you don't know how to reprogram the technology. I'll give you an example. Hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius are mainly computerised not as mechanical. It would be interesting for someone to have a go.
I stand by the preservation of the 80s cars. I've heard from one Autobarn worker as I asked him about Holden Geminis in terms of keeping them on roads and he stood by his opinions that they're fun cars to work on and they're willing to keep going. That's the magic of these cars. As these cars reach their useful life, they could provide spare parts possibly making any restoration more easier. Plus the majority of spare parts are available in automotive stores so why can't we love them cars again?
They're becoming dirt cheap to buy and they're pretty easy to fix for a typical average mechanic. Why not?
I'm starting to get tired of new cars as they've become less desirable apart from the Toyota 86 coupe. In general, the other new cars are becoming more like appliances on wheels and that's a bit disappointing.
Well that's it for me. I'll be back.
Yes, you heard me. As cars become roomier and safer, they add weight which affects, fuel consumption, acceleration, wear and tear of components and driveability missed from cars built in the 1980s. Plus, car manufacturers stuff new cars with as much technology to make it safer and more convenient with all the gadgets and gizmos not only adding weight but cost.
But another bugbear would be the reliability and overall durability of new cars when bad stories have been said. Particularly with Volkswagen's Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), this is new technology in future automatic cars which makes the cars more responsive and use less fuel but however, there are bad stories of malfunctions which costs owners a great deal of money and the agony of going through dealerships to have it sorted out. As far as I can see in terms of recalls over mechanical and safety issues, I am not aware of any issues with 80s cars in terms of reliability but hell they're strong in the long run.
Modern cars are computerised and yet again, another pain in the proverbials if anything goes wrong from a slightest glitch to a major breakdown. No ordinary mechanic would have a hope in trying to solve these complex issues unless he or she is trained with computerised systems in mind. But still, they're expensive problems requiring a lot of labour to do so. And some frustration that goes with it.
Now let's talk about modern cars reaching classic status. They're loaded with technology to make the cars safer, use less fuel, make us comfortable and stress less. Think about restoring these cars if you don't know how to reprogram the technology. I'll give you an example. Hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius are mainly computerised not as mechanical. It would be interesting for someone to have a go.
I stand by the preservation of the 80s cars. I've heard from one Autobarn worker as I asked him about Holden Geminis in terms of keeping them on roads and he stood by his opinions that they're fun cars to work on and they're willing to keep going. That's the magic of these cars. As these cars reach their useful life, they could provide spare parts possibly making any restoration more easier. Plus the majority of spare parts are available in automotive stores so why can't we love them cars again?
They're becoming dirt cheap to buy and they're pretty easy to fix for a typical average mechanic. Why not?
I'm starting to get tired of new cars as they've become less desirable apart from the Toyota 86 coupe. In general, the other new cars are becoming more like appliances on wheels and that's a bit disappointing.
Well that's it for me. I'll be back.
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
A Youtube video's contribution to saving 80s cars
Hello again. While i'm there, I just thought I might show you a video from Youtube all about saving cars from the 1980s.
I came across this video as I was scouring through these videos and this particular one according to the uploader mentioned these cars as cars making history and they should be saved. Yet, more people around the world on my same path.
As of the 29th October, 97,115 have viewed and a majority of viewers like this video. What more can I say?
The internet can be good in ways of getting publicity. We make blogs, upload videos on Youtube and post things on Facebook and have it shared around.
And finally, I do see some 80s cars rotting away or in just junkyards being stripped apart. And the uploader behind this video has seen these kind of cars not used again. We don't have to see them in junkyards if you're a mechanic because they can be fixed. After all, 80s cars were well engineered and it may as well need a simple mechanical repair. It depends though.
Enjoy!
As of the 29th October, 97,115 have viewed and a majority of viewers like this video. What more can I say?
The internet can be good in ways of getting publicity. We make blogs, upload videos on Youtube and post things on Facebook and have it shared around.
And finally, I do see some 80s cars rotting away or in just junkyards being stripped apart. And the uploader behind this video has seen these kind of cars not used again. We don't have to see them in junkyards if you're a mechanic because they can be fixed. After all, 80s cars were well engineered and it may as well need a simple mechanical repair. It depends though.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
What you may need to have for keen novices
Hello. Since I thought about cars built in the 1980s, I felt that one day, I could save one car and fix it to its former glory. I am embracing my automotive boyhood again with cars and it is growing so I got to go out and do this. But i'm not a real mechanic but my passion is bigger than that but I do know some basics such as screwing and unscrewing, cleaning and detailing, doing some basic servicing and inspecting. Those skills are important but with a tad more experience, I could harness these skills to good use.
I have talked about fixing up cars in my previous workplace with interest. I used to work in the parts department at a farm machinery shop for those who are curious. As I talked, my former work colleagues took interest and there's one who fixes cars as a hobby. No, maybe two. Fixing up cars is a hobby as well and in my opinion, fixing 80s cars would be beneficial than gaming. If you think about it, video game consoles and computers can cost around $500 and the games aren't what you call cheap. But when compared to buying old cars, it can vary. Earlier cars are harder to find at a cheap price but 80s cars would be a good deal. There would be more around sitting in yards rotting away unless they get picked up and fixed. Well that's what I gather.
But now, here are some things you may need to have for starters.
Tools
Tools are very important when a time comes to fix a broken appliance. Maybe a car. When I got
this for Christmas one time ago, I really enjoyed this gift. I found it very handy. A set of tools are good and more of them would be better to cover a variety of repair tasks. You can never get rid of them as it's best to keep them just in case there are things to fix.
Repair books (eg. car body)
This is a good book to have for people who have little experience in body repairs kind of like me. I've been given this book as a gift as part of my farewell at my recent workplace. These books give you plenty of details to cover many jobs such as panel beating, painting, rust repairs, rattle and squeak repairs and general restoration.
Repair books (car)
And last but not least, restoring cars requires automotive knowledge. I find these kind of repair books very useful as cars vary and you can buy them at car parts supply shops. They give you plenty of information including the tools required for repairs and detailed step by step instructions including some illustrations.
And by the way, these are what i've got apart from the Subaru repair book. That's all what I have to offer at this stage. Thanks for looking.
I have talked about fixing up cars in my previous workplace with interest. I used to work in the parts department at a farm machinery shop for those who are curious. As I talked, my former work colleagues took interest and there's one who fixes cars as a hobby. No, maybe two. Fixing up cars is a hobby as well and in my opinion, fixing 80s cars would be beneficial than gaming. If you think about it, video game consoles and computers can cost around $500 and the games aren't what you call cheap. But when compared to buying old cars, it can vary. Earlier cars are harder to find at a cheap price but 80s cars would be a good deal. There would be more around sitting in yards rotting away unless they get picked up and fixed. Well that's what I gather.
But now, here are some things you may need to have for starters.
Tools
Tools are very important when a time comes to fix a broken appliance. Maybe a car. When I got
this for Christmas one time ago, I really enjoyed this gift. I found it very handy. A set of tools are good and more of them would be better to cover a variety of repair tasks. You can never get rid of them as it's best to keep them just in case there are things to fix.
Repair books (eg. car body)
Repair books (car)
And by the way, these are what i've got apart from the Subaru repair book. That's all what I have to offer at this stage. Thanks for looking.
Introduction to cars of the 1980s
Welcome to my new blog all to the dedication to cars built in the 1980s. A thought came in my mind as I question myself whether these cars should be saved and kept as classic cars. The year now is 2014 and it will be 34 years since the first cars of the 80s left the production line. These kind of cars are the next game changers in the automotive history in many ways. They're
- More reliable
- More economical on fuel
- More safer
- More technically advanced
- More modern in appearance
After two oil crises in the 1970s, the automotive industry recovered. When old gas guzzlers are declining, more economical mobiles flourish and look at small cars for instance. The 80s are a big decade for trendy smaller cars. Think about Honda Civics, Toyota Corollas and Mazda 323s as examples. These game changers made us think that we can still drive cars throughout the future with fuel bills to bear in mind as these cars are more economical.
Not only cars at the time are more economical, they're more reliable. You may come across old modern-ish cars that keep on going despite some cosmetic flaws. Have a look at Volvos and Japanese cars. My family used to own a 1988 Nissan Pintara as I was growing up and it lived for 20 years until the harmonic balancer in the engine cracked ending its useful life. Yes you heard me. It's dead. Still, it comes to show how mechanically marvelous these 80s cars in terms of durability in the long run.
Well that's what I can see and what i've heard.
Now, we don't see much of these cars on the roads today. They may all be worn out, sent to various wreckers yards across the world rusting away, getting crushed and recycled into new steel. But just as bad as seeing sound 80s cars rotting away, they're falling victims towards P platers who have little money to spend on a car just to go from A to B. For those who have high incomes, the cars can be souped up and modified spoiling their originality. And then, driving them to their deaths. This I find is a sad reality because once they become defunct, they'll be gone forever.
And about treasuring these kind of cars, I even asked quite a few people to see whether 80s cars should be kept as classics and interestingly, the cars people say should be kept that way and safe from any crusher. Many people agreed that more 80s cars should be saved because otherwise, they disappear never to be seen again.
However, there could be an opportunity to save these treasures from the 1980s and let them live on.
Let's save them!
Let's save them!
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