Author Archive

…and every day, the paperboy brings more

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November 9, 2010
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More spare parts for the BFMR, that is. The convenient thing about amassing a giant pile of spares is that you’re guaranteed to find something missing, broken, or jabroni’d on the project car which requires replacing, post-haste. Usually something trivial, too!

See, I knew this stuff would come in handy one day!

Been ferrying things daily from the lockup down to the garage as I need them, today’s pile of swag includes the radiator overflow bottle, a factory blow off valve return line, the rear washer bottle, a piece of intake J-pipe, and some assorted sensors and electrical parts for when I start testing that side of things.

Anyway, in my first project BFMR update I mentioned briefly that I had a theory the supposed engine failure wasn’t catastrophic. After the jump is a related photo, and some rumination on why I think so:

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: Authors Cars, Random Retro Snap

Treading some rather Familia territory

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November 8, 2010
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With the TX3 complete, a shed full of spare parts to clean out, and a lack of anything to do on any of my other cars (except a shifter cable swap on the AW11, which I can now proceed with as the new bits have arrived) I decided to kill my boredom and get rid of some of those parts by purchasing a wee little 1985 BFMR Mazda Familia in need of some sorely required maintenance.

In the seller’s own words, “the engine shat a brick about two years ago, and it’s just been sitting in my garage doing jack since then.” I know a challenge when I see one.

yeah I can’t seem to stay away from the damn things – as anyone who reads my numerous blog posts about them can tell you – but surprisingly enough this is my very first proper BFMR, having owned a BFMP and BF5S in the past. This isn’t taking into account the TX3s of course, but since they’re the exact same car, all of my expertise carries over, which makes this a fairly easy walk in the park.

currently the plan for this car is to undertake as close to a factory-standard restoration as I can manage without going too overboard a la TX3. With fewer and fewer BFMRs left in this country it makes sense from an enthusiast’s (and possibly investor’s) point of view.

So… presenting the new summer project!

Finally, my very own BFMR

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: Authors Cars, Automotive Maintenance

Nitpicker’s Corner: DR30 vs. HR30 tail lamps

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November 8, 2010
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Much like the “FC3S Infini has more power than the regular version!” rumour floating around the internet and countless forums*, there exists a similar old wives tale regarding the “smoked” (or facelift) tail lamps on the R30 Skyline.

I’ve now lost count of the number of times (no doubt Michael has as well) I’ve seen the dark coloured HR30 smoked tail lamps being advertised as DR30 ones, and usually with a hefty price premium attached. Simply speaking, when the facelift R30 range was released Nissan decided that they would set the DR30s apart in more ways than just the glaringly obvious front-end treatment by subtly colouring the backing of the rear lamps a different shade of grey to the HR30 ones.

Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself.

HR30 on left, DR30 on right. The difference in shading isn't a trick of the light

This is not to say, of course, that facelift HR30 lamps aren’t worth anything – in fact, they’re still worth quite a bit of coin – but yeah, just some misinformation that I thought I would clear up once and for all.

And no, my HR30 lamps ARE NOT for sale, don’t bother asking.

*they DON’T have more power, interestingly enough – see this link for proof

: Automotive Documentation, Random Retro Snap

World of Goo: ’84 Paul Newman Version KHR30

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September 22, 2010
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You may find it hard to believe but the Paul Newman Version R30 Skylines still fetch a decent amount of coin back in Japan. Apart from being specced to the same level as the top of the line GT-ES models and the inclusion of a R200 LSD as standard equipment there’s not much else that makes the PNV any better than a regular HR30. (Unless you count the signature decals of course)

For sale on Goo-net: Paul Newman Ver! L20 Turbo! RS Watanabe Alloy Wheel!

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: Car Spotting, Cars for Sale

Caning round Taupo in the DR30

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September 13, 2010
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Friend of mine finally ripped the footage from when he rode shotgun in squid around Taupo a couple of weeks back. His camera is ancient and the sound quality isn’t the best, but it gives you an idea of the track layout (as well as my dismal efforts at piloting the car around).

Need better brakes and some bigger cohones!

Right at the end of the video you can hear me say “It’s running a bit hot”… the radiator top sensor finally carked it, meaning the cooling fan wouldn’t switch on (great design guys!) and as a result the water temp started creeping past 100 deg C on the gauge. Fortunately I managed to get it back below 90 deg on the cooldown lap which followed.

Video credits: APESHIT/Rob.

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