Losing baggage
James thins fleet in an effort to get Saab over the line
Nobody should every feel overwhelmed by a hobby that’s supposed to bring joy… but that’s how I've been recently, standing there with a fistful of keys and gawping at my fleet of old cars. With the Saab project becoming a handful financially and mentally, especially as I don't have the skills or cash to get it looking nice on top, I realised a clear-out was required.
First to be moved on was the ‘Youtube famous’ 500,000-mile Citroën Xsara Picasso that featured in the January 2024 issue of Practical Classics. It’ll continue to float around online for many years to come, I’m sure, if the next few keepers take my advice and get that cambelt and water pump changed. I am a little worried they won’t, which would be a shame. Is it me or do some folk think cars run on a mix of high hopes and magic fairy dust?
Next to go was the Smart Fortwo. This was quite upsetting, as I’d rescued it from a Scottish hedge a few years ago and was still absolutely head over heels in love with the thing. I’ve been driving it throughout this year, but in recent weeks the ABS instrument light has decided to permanently illuminate. I checked all sensors and ABS rings but they were fine. A visit soon after to Ben Coleman at Smart Tecnic in Birmingham confirmed a faulty ABS pump and an unavoidable expense. I bailed and sold the car for £800 – which was about what it had cost me to rescue and revive. Another one saved – but I miss it terribly.
Berlingo number two – that petrol one also featured in the January ’24 issue – has also gone. I had plans to turn it into a ‘GTI’ of sorts, by fitting a Peugeot 406 V6 engine. It was an ambition too far, really. Instead, I’ll focus on sourcing all the parts my daily driver diesel Berlingo will be needing soon – the clutch is getting heavy, and I can hear some new clunks up front, suggesting aged top mounts. I sorted the cruddy brake hoses and replaced the wheel bearings, learning in the process that Peugeotcitroën decided to change the ABS rings halfway through production. The only ones available from reputable online suppliers have too many teeth – which means my sensors need replacing, too.
‘Too many project cars are bad for your heath’
Annoying when that happens, isn’t it? In other matters, I’m keen to explore options for further transforming it into a more usable camper. I’ve been researching diesel heaters and leisure batteries, so if you have any tips, do drop me an email!
My third Berlingo – a terminally rotten spares car – is still clogging up the yard outside the PC workshop, but given that 'Our Clive' needs a tailgate and bonnet for his own Berlingo, the pair of us will wait for a sunny day so we can strip it for parts.
The 2CV has been the least demanding of my fleet. It sits outside, happy to burst into life whenever the key is turned in all-weathers. I changed the oil a few months ago after last summer’s holiday to Switzerland, but it hasn’t so much as spluttered since – despite subsequent journeys to London, Wales, Gloucestershire, and regular trips back and forth to the shops. Meanwhile, the poor Smart Roadster – now in my possession for 18 years and once my daily driver – has emerged from my garage only a handful of times. That is despite plans for a long-awaited adventure to Scandinavia. Instead, it only came out last year for the odd blast around local countryside. Sun shining, roof down, it reminded me just how much I still love this car. What I need to do now is find a way to fall similarly for the Saab. Easier said than done when you look at the crusty wheelarches and the criminal damage to both front doors – thanks to the would-be thieves who tried to pry them open with a crowbar. They failed but… it hasn’t helped. Still… we must remain positive. Letting those cars go and ditching a load of parts has lifted my mood and allowed me some extra brain space to focus on what must be done. Onwards to the finish line!
james.walshe@practicalclassics.co.uk