CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[Zelandeth]

...I may need a shot of that.

Been a hell of a long time, but I really do have fond memories of the one I had to retrieve from Inverness for the garage.

Speaking of car shampoo Jim, I've got a huuuuuuge bottle of Autoglym stuff here which is probably enough to wash me cars for about 15 years. You're more than welcome to some of it! It goes a stupidly long way.

It's really interesting that if you looked at either of those cars in isolation you'd say "white" and it's only when next to each other that it's really obvious how different a colour they are.

[CitroJim]

Come round and have a drive of it Zel Live the dream again...

Thanks for the shampoo offer... A small bottle would last me ages as I'm not know for over-frequently washing cars

It's really interesting that if you looked at either of those cars in isolation you'd say "white" and it's only when next to each other that it's really obvious how different a colour they are.

Yes, now I've looked again, you're right and it's not because the Saxo is fresh out of the bath either... The Ka is a bit grubby but not nearly as grubby as the Saxo was yesterday!

[Michel]

Have you noticed the name badge on the back yet Jim?

Yes, I have It made me howl

It really is a hoot Mike.. It drives like a demented go-kart

Named after my gym instructor as she's also small, noisy and fun..

A hoot to drive indeed. Just a shame I couldn't persuade Mrs Michel it was!

[Michel]

You'll be relieved to know I arrived safe and sound back in Staines after diverting via Huntingdon and Twyford in the 207 Jim. Lovely driven really smooth and much better than my old one. I suspect a difference in tyre size or springs. Seem to sit higher up too.

I'll go to the car park and help the car recover from the shock of going over 60mph and doing 175 miles in one go

Oh... and..

[Hell Razor5543]

OK, so what IS the Ka named?

[Stickyfinger]

[CitroJim]

You'll be relieved to know I arrived safe and sound back in Staines after diverting via Huntingdon and Twyford in the 207 Jim. Lovely driven really smooth and much better than my old one. I suspect a difference in tyre size or springs. Seem to sit higher up too.

Excellent Mike Pleased she's good and yes, it must have been a shock for her but then her previous owner was not noted for hanging about so in a way it's a return to normality!!!

[CitroJim]

I've been having a good poke around the Ka this afternoon to see how good/bad she is and if worth an MoT...

Good news Mechanically she's excellent and bodily she is, I believe, passable...

I attacked the obvious patches of rust on the OS sill with hard pointy tools and no perforations could be found. It looks worse than it is...

Own Work

Own Work

Oddly, the NS sill is a lot better than the OS sill... The OS sill has already been patched once and poorly painted...

The floor pans and other structural bits seem OK...

I've given the areas I attacked a rough coat on white Hammerite and will re-do it when it's a bit drier and warmer. Not an ideal day for the job today!

I've been for a decent drive in it today and it really is a noisy go-kart but great fun to drive... It just begs to be thrashed everywhere to within an inch of its life

I could fall in love with this car... It has oodles of character and its fun factor along with its f**k it attitude appeals greatly

I live in dangerous times as if I do fall in love with the Ka then that'll be it - she'll be staying...

This is not the most refined of engines... Noisy and rough up against the silky, refined TU engine in the Saxo... Basically it's the old Fraud Kent with multi-point fuel injection... An engine that did almost as long service as the BMC's A-series... It may have gained a posh modern-sounding name but no hiding its real identity...

Own Work

I like that it took £30 of petrol to fill the tank but not so happy that it costs a little more to insure than the 207 did

[lexi]

If you get the Oxford stick welder out, you should be able to blow a hole the size of that full Ka sill, then Mig a new one in
Me thinks that rust is hiding behind there?

[CitroJim]

If you get the Oxford stick welder out, you should be able to blow a hole the size of that full Ka sill, then Mig a new one in

I reckon it would blow a Ka-sized hole and blow the whole thing away Lexi! Where there was once a Ka there would be just a puff of smoke... A bit like the smile of the Cheshire cat

Me thinks that rust is hiding behind there?

Without doubt! If I can squeeze one more MoT out of it I'll be content

[CitroJim]

I am utterly delighted to report that amid much nail-biting and nervous energy, Sally has passed her MoT today with flying colours and a clean sheet

The MoT tester was very complementary of her

This is quite a triumph for me as MoTs are always a difficulty for me and it took a lot of courage for me to present her...

As usual, I needn't have worried...

Next MoT will be the Ka, then the Pixo and then the C1... The first may be interesting but the next two should be straightforward...

Here's Sally looking all chuffed with herself and unusually clean

Own Work

As soon as the weather allows I'll be getting stuck into the Ka bodywork and the reason why her airbag light continually winks at me

[Hell Razor5543]

Sally fancies you, Jim!

[CitroJim]

Sally fancies you, Jim!

The feeling is very mutual James

[Hell Razor5543]

You are both light in weight, agile, and require little in the way of nourishment. It is a match made in heaven!

[CitroJim]

You are both light in weight, agile, and require little in the way of nourishment. It is a match made in heaven!

Never looked at it like that James but yes, absolutely true in all respects