'82 343 DLS: beyond the arctic circle

[trabitom99]

Thanks for the offer Mark! Unfortunately, the part number for the DLS/GLS-style clock is different from the "regular" 78-82 dash clock. I don't know what the differences are exactly.

Cheers

Tom

[macplaxton]

Tom,

Mark has a spare clock (S type), it's sitting here* I'll test it if you like. We're just waiting for the day we can find a MPH "S" speedo (and a bit of dash rewiring given the different pinouts of the same multiplugs in the loom).

As I never tire of looking at these, here's a rather rubbish picture of it sitting in the BB dash.


2013-08-05_21-33-56_820.jpg by macplaxton, on Flickr


*unless Mark has a secret stash of them I don't know about

[trabitom99]

Ooh, you're joking! Yes, if you could test it that would be fantastic. Many thanks to both of you!

Cheers

Tom

[macplaxton]

Ooh, you're joking!

Nope, not joking. Mark got this before he bagged a tachometer for his regular non-S dash.

An example of joking:

"Mark has at 8 non-S dashes and is currently making a fancy coffee table out of them..."

[trabitom99]

As long as he's not making Star Wars props out of them

Seriously, I'd be really happy to take a (working) DLS/GLS clock off (both) your hands ...

Cheers

Tom

[macplaxton]

I'm sure we can do a wee exchange of clocks.

[MCHUDD]

Hi lads.
I will go along with swopsys lol.
Cheers Mark.

[trabitom99]

Well, if it works out that'd be fantastic. Got back from a 735km round trip yesterday to the Oktoberfest in Erfurt (no, not THE Oktoberfest, but you need a reason to go, don't you!) and having a working clock might have meant getting back before midnight

All went well with the car this time, but I need to get the wheels balanced, the car gets a bit jittery above 120 kph. The noise level is a good deal higher than on later cars too, probably due to less sound deadening and the 4spd gearbox.

Some pics:

Early 7:30am start:



Breakfast:



Passing the HUGE Amazon logistics centre in Bad Hersfeld:



Short stop:



Made it!



Erfurt, capital of the German federal state of Thüringa, famous for art nouveau buildings and sausages:





A "proper" classic tucked safely away ...




... and some old bangers parked on the kerb:




Buildings and trams:




"Anger number 1" and even the tram is frowning.






and some very last leftovers of Eastern Europe:




9.5 - 10L of 98 RON fuel per 100km (about 28 - 30 mpg):



Last stop for dinner.



I'm not convinced that the "Hercules" alloys suit the car. They may be fine on an '84 MkII saloon, or on a MkIII special edition (like a redline) but on this car I don't think they quite look the part. What do you all reckon?






735 km in total, the furthest the car has been anywhere in the last 5 years or so. Next on the "to do list": change the points, they've been in there for 13000kms now, and that's pushing it a bit.

Cheers

Tom

[macplaxton]

It's screaming out for some GT alloys!

[trabitom99]

Do you mean the "Black Beauty" ones? They'd certainly suit it better than these, I agree!

I think Leos would be my "wheel of preference" though, I've got a set but with some ancient rubber on them, and I'd rather keep my pennies together ATM

Cheers

Tom

[macplaxton]

Yes, or you could go for the VIP look:


DSCF6892.JPG by macplaxton, on Flickr

or if you can find the papers some ATS 5 spoke stars.

or just go back to good old steelies

[trabitom99]

or if you can find the papers some ATS 5 spoke stars.

Are these the ones you mean?



Getting hold of "Hör" papers could prove hard though ...

Tom

[macplaxton]

or if you can find the papers some ATS 5 spoke stars.

Are these the ones you mean?

Yep, those are the ones.

Getting hold of "Hör" papers could prove hard though ...

Easier to clean than those Rial "Theis" (which also remind me too much of the Maestro 2.0 EFi)


Back in the mid/late 1980s, everyone seemed to be going for this multi-spoked madness, such as the BBS alloys on many an BMW E30. Then in the early 90s the fashion went 3-spoke, like these:

Couldn't go anywhere without seeing a Nova with these on, well unless you bumped into local junior plod Derek, who had a white Nova SRi with these Cavvy SRi fan-blade alloys on. I was working night shift in the petrol station at the time and used to give him dog's abuse for having such crap alloys. Even the passage of time hasn't made them look any better.


Anyway, sorry for the digression. I really should get one of my 300s going again so I can wear out my Vredestein Snowtracs too. (Are yours Snowtrac 2?)

[macplaxton]

Maybe old Albrecht Hör might remember a thing or two about the conversions? Those ATS wheels are still available in some sizes and are now called "Classics". I believe that ATS have a form and a 15 yoyo wallet-lightener.

Anyway, what's wrong with steelies.......in body colour (+louvre)! (okay, okay, I know it's not white)

[trabitom99]

Easier to clean than those Rial "Theis" (which also remind me too much of the Maestro 2.0 EFi)

I remember those They look OK on an MG Maestro / Montego I guess, but pretty god-awful on that Theis-300...

Then in the early 90s the fashion went 3-spoke, like these:

Urgh! Definitely not my cup of tea. Especially not if there's a big rusty brake drum visible behind it.

Anyway, what's wrong with steelies.......in body colour (+louvre)! (okay, okay, I know it's not white)

Nothing! Mine would need a refurb though, and the summer tyres on them are getting old. If I end up replacing the "summer tyres" I'd rather put them on some Leos TBH. But I agree, I like the "classic look" as seen here by S10NPH:

Anyway, sorry for the digression. I really should get one of my 300s going again so I can wear out my Vredestein Snowtracs too. (Are yours Snowtrac 2?)

I can't remember. I think so ...

Cheers

Tom