Well
this is the car!
It is a 1992, LHD Volkswagen Polo - with just 1043 cc under the bonnet and almost 180,000km on the clock. We failed one MOT (see the blog for the reasons), but as of August 7th, we have passed (again see the blog)! The Polo has now had a limited service (oil, filters, plugs, etc).
When we bought the car (£150 on ebay), it had been broken into. We have therefore replaced a broken quarter light window (and the car seems weatherproof now), and have changed the steering column (damaged in the break-in), front suspension and front disks and pads (MOT). Concerns that the head gasket may have gone have been eased. Apparently Polos often get condensation in the head when the engine is run for very short periods. Longer runs have got rid of these.
So, we found the car on E-bay, and decided to go to £150, but were outbid. We then got a second chance, but this time decided to go and see it first in Sheffield. The car had been broken into, so the quarter light window on the passenger's side was smashed, the locks on both doors had obviously been attacked with a screwdriver, and the plastic around the steering wheel had been ripped off (presumably to hot wire the car). Despite that, the car could still be locked - the key worked on the driver's side only - and all the electrics seemed sound. Underneath, all seems okay. So we bought it, and drove it back to Settle in Yorkshire - about 50 miles. It drove very well, was quiet and all seemed well - but things have not been so simple since. (See the blog for all the updates on the work on the car). At present (mid -October), the Polo does now seem to be running well, it has a set of new door locks (apart from boot [trunk for our American friends]), a freshly installed cigarette lighter (still to be wired in) and some great new air horns (essential for African driving).
So what luxuries does the car have? Well none really! It is a basic car (hopefully maintenance will be easier as a result). So, we do not have:
But the car radio does still work (very badly), and the aerial is still functioning, and we have intermittent wipers (as well as the normal ones). The exhaust looks okay, and all the pipes under the car seem sound (at the moment).
Based on the results of the auctions in Gambia in January 2008, we expect the Polo to raise over £500. A 1993 VW Polo was sold for £643 this year - so we may even raise more!!.
See our photos for more pictures of the car, including some more up-to-date photos.