Was tipped off to have a look at this car and wasn't anywhere near it, so just took a punt on fleabay. Nice motor. Didn't take much to MOT, fresh brake bits: caliper seals, rear wheel cylinders, master cylinder and flexi-hoses. Only other things were exhaust downpipe and sidelamp bulb. Mate was doing it on my behalf and it went in for a MOT and passed first time. Tester seemed impressed with the fresh underside and structure. Needs a bit of touching-up of the paint in a couple of places, but otherwise the body is in fine condition. Collected "Abby" at the start of the honeymoon...though I'd surprise the Mrs!

It was up here

Currently honeymooning on the IoW with Mrs and "Abby"


I need to find a Smiths temp sender soon...

Wow really nice 343! Looks great in white!

Not sure what looks better mate.
The 343, or the hat.

both have quite a high Awesomeness rating.

I still think you are a madman surprising the Mrs with it Hope you are having a good time mate

I don't have much luck surprising my Mrs with that kind of thing. But, great choice of honeymoon motor! It looks superb, particularly in white.

Tom

What a belter - quite literally - the car, of course!!

Looks like a good one.

Such a nice 343, keep her good

*Click on thumbnails for larger images*

Bought with 14,267 miles on clock. Ebay, July '09 for £335. No Mot, not run for five years or so. Sight unseen, and bought on the strength of four poor pictures.



On the plus side, it was only about 45 miles from a mate's place about 45 miles. Seller agreed to hold on to it for a couple of weeks while mate was on holiday. Delivered on flatbed for £40 two weeks later, but forgot to bring the V5C. Ended up collecting it myself on day 1 of honeymoon so I could get some tax on it and not busted.

Instruction to mate: Have you got a bit of space for a few weeks? Have you got a bit of time? If it's a load of rubbish I'll stick it back on the 'bay. All good, and jobs done as above. MOT'd August at 14270 (although MOT got it wrong and put 14720).

Old biddy had it from new, although no extra paperwork Appears to have been garaged all her life (the car, not the old biddy ), probably dealer serviced too. Note on keys brown tag was instructions that said oldie was to stop driving. So that's probably five years ago when it was parked up. Presume owner died, then garaged cleared. Luckily didn't end up in the scrappage scheme, probably due to not being eligible for some reason. Temp sender not functioning, steering lock not locking (but no signs of other damage) and one set of keys. Granny knocks as below. Slight scuffing of paint on rear of tailgate top edge and some surface rusty scratches on sill door step on nearside. Tailgate struts saggy, but changed last trip over for SGS ones.

Ok, some more pictures:
Showing 14,656 miles on IoW. Covered around 8-900 miles in 12 days in August.

Had camera handy this weekend, but ran out of daylight and only chance for a while to take pictures on Monday:


Granny dent, nearside front wing.
A wee granny bump on the offside rear corner, minor scuffing and out of position.
One of four places gutter is deformed. Small strap-on rack been fitted at some stage.
Monday evening's mileage now 15,822

Rest of set HERE

Car now has bodged choke cable. Was stiff, since bodging warning light always on. Adjusted belts on Sunday. Condition reasonable. Had to move the adjuster nut so much, nearly run out of adjustment. Minor corrosion on pulleys, will smooth properly when changing belts soon. Changed the small pipes to petrol expansion tank, will do the breather pair next trip.

Proper pictures when I get some proper weather and daylight!

Very jealous, that looks absolutely lovely! Looks superb in white!

Awesome bit of Vario lovelyness dude.

See my green envy emoticon -

Ooh i only just noticed it's a vario!

SteveP wrote:Ooh i only just noticed it's a vario!

Venty Venty.

That, plus the detailed description of the belt adjustments kind of gives it away like.

Is this payback for my Mk3 comment

SteveP wrote:Is this payback for my Mk3 comment

You will NEVER be forgiven for your comment regarding Mk3s Stephen.

EvilSteveP wrote: Only a person with mental retardation would waste money on purchasing, or improving a MK3. And Anyone who does it, recieves my contempt.