Update time.
Well the adventure of getting this car back to the Netherlands was an expensive lesson. I will try to make this as short as possible for all you modern people with short attention spans!
Picked up the car in Kings Lynn. Quick inspection showed me it had been sitting around for a while. Bit of surface rust, leaves and loads of bird shit. It started straight away, no smoke.....
! My buying blind over the net in a telephone auction decision...so far so good but still not sure if I did good.
Drove it out and brakes moved (pumped like a bad ABS) as I pressed them, but the car still stopped so again, happy! Drove it to North London to stay at a mates and it made it with no issues. My only initial problem is the fuel gauge doesnt work....the reason....no original fuel tank. The previous owner had got a custom made aluminium one installed. I did 200 miles on a full tank so this is my limit....I want an original tank eventually.
The next day, drove to Oldone Racing for an inspection. Spent most of the time there chatting but when we did get around to a walk around, a thumbs up on the motor, bit of surface rust on the disks hence the bad feel to them but the walk around gave me the confidence i needed to drive back home to the Netherlands. As I left and got onto the M3, cops pull me over. YES.....I know was in the wrong....NO INSURANCE. I thought I could get out of the country without it but the new cameras/computers make it impossible so I got done. Cops took the car and a juicy £300 fine!
Cop drops me off at the station, train back to mates....'spewing' as they say. So I get back and 'think' I have sorted insurance...£85 for 24 hours. The next day I go to the station with documents but it wont do...money lost. 3 hours of internet surfing and countless conversations for insurance, no luck! I BLOODY NEED UK INSURANCE FOR 2 HOURS TO GET ME TO THE EURO TUNNEL!!!!!! :x
4 local insurance brokers later and its official, no one in the UK will help me. All hope is lost! Cop behind the counter who like the cop that pulled me over are nice and try to help me but it looks like a lost cause and the cop said earlier that if I cant get insurance, I will lose the car. Then I remember the last broker I begged for help mentioned Dutch insurance. I call a mate of a mate who works at an insurance company in Holland. 5 minutes later, I have an email with Full Euro cover Dutch insurance on my UK car. I email it to the cops. Cop calls someone saying this is never been done before and he doesnt like my chances. Guy on the phone said I think that should be OK, cop behind the desk saids, I will take that as a yes.....I DANCE FOR JOY!!!! He stamps my paper, I run to find a cab who takes me to the impound where another £150 to release the car get me my keys back. I drive off hoping to make my fixed ticket on the EuroTunnel. Traffic delays, loads of rain with wipers that get stuck, empty bank account.....but I have my new car.
I make it with not much to spare, I cross the French border part, put my hand out the window, stick two fingers up at the UK (mainly for the insurance companies) making sure the French dont think its for them and I am half way home.
The drive all goes well, smooth, no problems, then 3 miles from home, I decided to boot it a bit....fan belt snaps. I let it cool down, then 45 minutes later switching the car on and off I limp home. The most stressful day I have had in a long time!
3 days later I put a fan belt on and it starts no problem cold and hot so I know I didnt do any damage and after about 700km covered so far in my new 7, I take the car for a drive which I FINALLY enjoy.
PICTURES TO FOLLOW!!!!! (including cops and tow truck!)
1985, FB, RX7. Building the dream car.
