CARLTON DIPLOMAT 1993 , A WORK IN PROGRESS

[vauxhalljohn]

Thanks guys , i was a little worried about the pipes being a faliure this year . the only time when i get a propper look underneath is when ive got the car down at national and i have a good look at everything and darren lets me know what he thinks needs doing .

As far as the gas shocks go i think they were removed at some point in the cars history , as the self leveling valve has been removed and replaced by a rubber bung . So standard shocks are now on the car . i must admit its a litle more bumpy than usual but once they`ve settled down after a few hundred miles , it should feel alot softer .

HMK , were you driving through newark yesterday evening ??. I was flashed by an cdx estate owner coming the opposite way . I assumed it was Gav as it was identical to yours but because i was keeping my head on the road i did not remember the number plate .

[HMK]

Ah, a professional job of removing the system then with a proper plug fitted in the hole where the valve would be - GAV has had exactly the same modification. It will/should feel 'bumpy' for a good few years to come cos you've now got new, stiff shockers on - you got too used to having virtually no damping on the back with the old worn out shockers

No, I wasn't out Newark way yesterday, I was out & about north of Lincoln & i was in 'Christine' the white one

[vauxhalljohn]

just to report that i nearly had the old girl stolen last night , they managed to set off the alarm , but have caused damage to the drivers door lock . tha car central locking is still intact and still works . but they have damaged the lock with the screw driver or what ever they tried to use at the time .

Local police have been great and have looked after the incident very well . Only trouble is now i do have to claim on the insurance but luckily i have 6 years no claims protection . and my access is £100 . Just a pity they did not try the door already damaged , i might have got the damage already done repaired aswell . Just awaiting a call from National Body Repairs, who will be doing the repairs. 

[steph]

You're really not having much luck with her at the moment are you!! 
Its always the way, never damage the bit that already needs work!!
If bad luck comes in 3s is that it now??
Hope it all gets fixed though!

[vauxhalljohn]

Its just the way may luck is going just recently , and i had a letter from my ex wifes solicitor today saying she wants to emigrate to the usa and take my son with her . so along with evrything else thats going on in my life i think ive just about had enough 

[HMK]

Ah, sorry to hear all your bad news, John. I hadn't seen this up-date to your thread until just now

[vauxhalljohn]

no worries .

[vauxhalljohn]

just an update .

The lad from the body repair place came out to look at the damaged door lock yesterday , and said it will need replacing , and once its done the door will need respraying were its scratched and then it will need the rear passenger door sprayed and blended in aswell with the front .
estimated £400 !!!.
when asked what the market value of the car was i said about £500/£600 max . so he said the insurance would right it off . so after a bit of disscussion and begging not to have her written off , we agreed to drop the claim and i was advised that he could re-build the lock barrel for under my £100 excess . So for the price of a re built barrel , wich includes work and refitting and a tidy up of the door , he said you wont need to claim and it would be cheaper and better in the long run . Also it saves my poor old girl being shipped off to a breakers yard .

I just need to go and get another key cut so they can use the master key to build the new barrel with . so im happy in many ways but pissed off that some TWAT !!, has caused me so much hassel and more expence .

[Pedro]

Good to hear that you can sort it John.

Have to say - it didn't sound like anyone else's fault though..................

[Whippit]

This one is the attempted break in not the bump with the land rover Pete

[Pedro]

Oh - I see! 

Muchos apologeticos, amigo!!!!!

[vauxhalljohn]

cheers guys 

[vauxhalljohn]

so far uo to date , she is driving lovley . damaged still bearable untill i can afford to have the repair work done . just bracing for winter now , but i must service her before to long . but still as reliable as ever.