Showing posts with label Tango the Smart Car. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tango the Smart Car. Show all posts

Wednesday 13 July 2022

Farwell to an old friend...

 It has been pretty hot weather the last week or so, I am sure you will all agree. Well on Sunday after finishing a rather warm and sticky day at work I jumped in Tango and headed home. I had both of her windows open as she was roasting inside. I mean, she had been waiting patiently all day for my return in the glaring sun.

I popped her air-con on to help with cooling. I know you shouldn't have the windows open with the air-con on, it was just until things got cooled down as we drove home.

Glenn and Tango the Smart 451
Wow this was 7 years ago the day I bought Wee Tango
 

So off we set on our usual route, with no dramas, Tango running perfectly smooth. It wasn't until I got real near home, just about opposite Humber Hill, when I smelt a burning smell. I thought it was something from outside somewhere.

As I pulled up outside our house and parked over the road on the grass verge and went to get out of Tango, that is when I noticed a small amount of smoke. I originally thought it was coming from my rear drum brakes, however as I inspected my wee car, it soon became apparent it was more of a burning oil type of smell.
 

I had turned her off at this point and went in to get Ern's opinion. Ern came out and suggested we leave Tango to cool, saying "come on, we can go up to the tip and drop off all this garden stuff". We had been on cutting the hedges you see, so had loads of cuttings, in a dumpy bag and wrapped in a tarpaulin.

When we arrived back home, it was still red-hot and Tango was still warm. My dad popped Tangos tail gate and lifted the carpet and protective sound deadening, then released the clip that holds the metal engine tray. We then got a rag and pulled out Tango's dip stick, checking her oil. The oil was up to the recommended level and looked lovely and clean, I mean she is serviced by my dad regularly. We then replaced the dip stick and went around to the front of Tango and checked her coolant level, again it was perfect.

We then had a go at starting Tango, and she just gave off a pitiful little groan... Oh! Dear!

My dad suggested leaving her until the following day, and whilst I was at work, he would investigate further. Upon picking me up from work, my dad let me know that Tangos engine felt "Tight". He had put a socket and wrench on her and tried turning her engine over by hand. She wasn't exactly seized, however she was poorly.


I have had Tango 7 years, and she has been a great little car, ideal for what I needed her for. I was gutted, however at this point I had had enough of spending money on her, I mean just last month I had spent over £500 on new suspension parts a tyre, then had to get her tracking re-done. I decided pretty much there, and then it was time to say farewell.
 

Tango 451 Smart Car
Tango when I first saw her and fell in love with her

Tango 451 Smart Car
I will miss my little Tango

I no longer have a Facebook account, so I used my dads and banged Tango up for a £1,000 on marketplace. Within minutes of the ad going up, I had 9 people contact me. So I was furiously trying to answer everyone's questions. I hate selling stuff, as you either get some numpty trying to bid you down or asking ridiculous questions. Not just that when someone really wants something, and you only have one, it's difficult trying to not come across as a complete dick when someone else buys your gear, and it's gone. Maybe I am too soft, LoL.

Anyhoo within about half an hour of the ad being out, a guy informed me he would be at our house the next morning with cash, and true to his word he arrived, paid for Tango and took her away. I wasn't in, as I was at work. I said my final farewell that morning, which was really sad, I loved that little car and had some good times in her. I hope Colin, her new owner, can repair her, and she sees many more miles of bringing a smile to someone's face.

And so what to do for a car for a run about and for work. I can't possibly use Grandma as she costs a fortune to run, plus she hopefully will be a future classic. I don't want to use Myrtle as well she uses just as much fuel as Grandma, however annoys a lot of people on the road as she is soooo slow and there is the fact she is not ideal to park, and I am still on the fence about her semi-auto clutch adaption. I still get anxious on hills and at junctions at times. Sometimes I can pull away smooth and on other occasions she either cuts out or, like when I was a learner, as if she has kangaroo petrol in her.

Sometime ago I had debated selling both Tango and Myrtle and was checking out an Abarth 595 Competzione. I'd actually love an EsseEsse, however they are hard to get in an auto and a lot more expensive. It sucks being an amputee as I am limited to an auto, and you always seem to have to pay a premium.

Abarth 595 Competzione
Abarth 595 Competzione

Obviously not in the market for a brand-new car, my budget won't extend to that, but something a couple of years old would do the trick. I am also trying to resist the urge of getting a car and modding it. I have already noticed there are loads of nice bits of gear out there for the Abarths Lol



Saturday 14 May 2022

Finally got Myrtle's Steel Smoothies done.

Well, that is another job done on Myrtle, having just got her steel smoothie wheels powder coated and new tyres fitted over at The Wheel Specialist in Durham, more on The Wheel Specialist in a moment.

Myrtle VW Beetle 1965
Myrtle with her Smoothies all coated
 

Those following Myrtle's progress, here upon my blog, will know I bought a brand-new set of 17 inch SMA alloys for Myrtle and the chew on my dad and I had fitting them.  I also wanted a set of steel smoothies and waited ages for Just Kampers to get the 8x15's for the rear. I would have preferred 8x7's but hey they were not available. I bought the new wider wheels, way back around the November of 2020.

8x15 Smoothie
8x15 Smoothie
 

The wider smoothies came in a silver colour. I wanted them gloss black, so always had this as a to-do job. I was unsure of what size tyres to pop on the new rims. When I was on Facebook and using the VW forums, a few people recommended 195's and some others 205's. My dad popped over to a local scrapyard and managed to pick up some second hand tyres, one of each in the sizes, and we experimented with how they looked on the rims. To be honest, I wasn't best pleased with either size, they just looked way too stretched.


Anyhoo over two years passed by with both my old front skinny wheels and my new wide wheels lying in our shed. I then decided to bite the bullet and ordered some Kumho Ecowings for the front and rear. Getting 145/65/15's for the front and 205/60/15's for the rear. Once the tyres arrived, I was again dragging my heels in getting the powder coating done, other financial things occurring, so I kept putting off getting the wheels done. Eventually, after having a good look around and getting various quotes to get the wheels coated, and the tyres fitted, I opted to take them to The Wheel Specialist. This was after a recommendation from Ash over at the General Garage at Anfield Plain.

Myrtle VW Beetle 1965
Little black & white shot of Myrtle

Firstly I visited the Wheel Specialist's website and got a custom quote, and then the following day I got a courtesy call to inform me of my nearest dealership. As I spoke to the friendly lady on the phone, she transferred me over to the Durham branch and as I explained what my wheels were and what I would like done the helpful advisor informed me that the quote would change slightly as steel wheels require a lot more prep work. I was happy with the quote, which was £278, this was to powder coat the wheels gloss black and then fit the new tyres that I was going to be providing, along with new valves and finally balance the wheels.

VW Beetle 1965  steel smoothies
VW Beetle 1965  steel smoothies

My dad and I dropped the wheels off on the 8th of April and I awaited eagerly for their return. Unfortunately I had to wait a little longer than expected, however this was not the fault of The Wheel Specialist, as when I spoke to the advisor he informed me that he had been having a nightmare getting a hold of new valves for the old 65 rims. Apparently the holes in the rims for the valve are larger than newer type wheels. The new valves are also quite  expensive, at £18 pounds each.

The Wheel Specialist Durham
The Wheel Specialist

The Wheel Specialist Durham
The Wheel Specialist
 

So a little longer waiting, and then  I received a call to say my wheels were ready to pick up, my dad and I headed off to collect them. I was over the moon when I saw the wheels. They look like new, with a very shiny gloss black coating, not only that the tyres I opted for, for on the wider back rims, although stretched look far better than the trial ones my dad and I experimented with from the scrapyard.

VW Beetle 1965  steel smoothies Coated
Wheels now coated in the back of Ern's mobile skip

VW Beetle 1965  steel smoothies
New hubcap clips to rivet in place

Upon getting the wheels home, I had to order some new hubcap clips. When these arrived, my dad pop riveted them in place. This was instead of using the rivets that came with the clips. Just meant less trying to tap the rivets in place with a hammer and accidentally chipping any of the coating. Wow! Getting the hubcaps over the new clips was a right pain. Originally, we didn't think they were going to fit. You see, we have secured studs into the hubs of Myrtle, rather than using bolts. It just makes it that much easier to mount each wheel when changing them. What we were concerned about was that the wheel nuts would prevent the hubcaps from sitting in place, as the studs are that bit longer than an original wheel bolt. I am also running 1-inch spacers on Myrtle, and she has the short axles which came on the swing axle 65's.

VW Beetle 1965  steel smoothies
Much happier with the Kumho and how they look on rims


Classic VW Beetle Steel Smoothies
Full set of wheels coated

Myrtle can air up and air down, and there is no catching of the inner or outer wing lip, with the 1-inch spacers and the 8 x 15's fitted. 

We had a few technical issues on today's drive to get some petrol from Cost Co and when parking up at Waldridge Fell to take some photo's, in that Myrtle appears to be a lot lower on her driver's side rear. I think it is because she has been standing so long, not getting used, the old girl is just a bit stiff. I will try and get out in her a lot more and work on getting used to this clutch adaption I have had fitted, so that I can drive her as an amputee.

Myrtle VW Beetle 1965
Myrtle VW Beetle, 1965

Myrtle VW Beetle 1965
Myrtle aired out on the grass

Myrtle VW Beetle 1965
Myrtle 65

Myrtle VW Beetle 1965
Myrtle 65

Myrtle VW Beetle 1965
Myrtle 65

Almost the end, a little feedback about The Wheel Specialist. They offer a first class service, the staff are very friendly and know their stuff. The quality of their work is first class and as mentioned their turn around is quick, it was just unfortunate that the valves for my wheels were hard to source. I was pleasantly surprised that the quote remained the same, and that I didn't get charged for any extras, as in the valves. Oh! And a very nice touch is the aftercare, you get a 12-month warranty and I also got 2 friendly reminders via email to check my wheel nuts, after driving my car, as the wheels need to bed in with the new coating applied.


If I require rims refurbished, coated etc I will most definitely be visiting these guys again.


Oh! And to finish off, to save me writing another blog.... Poor Tango, my Smart Car is unwell. After driving along the front of the RVI the other week when I had finished work. Approaching the roundabout near Exhibition Park, poor Tango broke something on her front suspension, following falling down a huge crater of a hole or bump in the road. I have spoken to lots of my colleagues at work, and they all say the same about this stretch of road, it's a nightmare, and know the exact place.

Smart  Fortwo 451 Tango
Oh! The Wheel dear poor Tango

Smart  Fortwo 451 Tango
New wishbone fitted

Smart  Fortwo 451 Tango
Poor wee Tango
 

Anyhoo Tango is laid up in our backyard...disassembled, as my dad and I attempt to reconstruct her. Tango has snapped her driver's side front spring, and it has gouged her tyre. So I had to get a new one, Grrrrrr! Still loads of tread on the old one. Upon closer inspection as she is getting on a bit, 11 years old now, we decided to fit new dampers/struts, a damper rebuild kit, new springs, drop links, ball joints and bottom wish bones, oh and brake dust backplates, so quite a tidy sum.


Going to have to use Myrtle for work tomorrow, so hope she behaves herself and not too cold in the morning as no heaters, LoL


Sunday 25 April 2021

Myrtle, Tango & Grandma

Wow! What an exhausting couple of weeks I have put in with Myrtle my 65 Bug, Tango my wee Orange Smart car & Grandma my beloved Beetle GSR.

I am actually attempting to write this with ever so painful, skinned fingers, that are down to Tango, I will get to the tale of that soon, but thought I'd start at the beginning with Myrtle.

After having a few practice rides out in Myrtle, with her semi auto clutch adaption fitted, it soon became obvious that her brakes were not working correctly. From time to time she would have a really soft pedal or in some scary instances no pedal at all. We thought the problem might have been an old sticking brake master cylinder, so we ordered a new one, and whilst we waited for it to arrive I set about trying to repair the damaged paint work underneath Myrtles fuel tank were old brake fluid had been leaking from the brake reservoir and the brake master cylinder, man that brake fluid is nasty stuff, it had completely eaten the paint, and caused it to blister and turn to mush.

Nasty stuff that brake fluid

Damage already done by a leaking brake reservoir

I had to order yet another rattle can of Mango Green paint, it's rather expensive stuff at almost £20 a can, with postage, and it doesn't match identically, however the job is done and my main concern having some protection has been achieved. Masking off the area was another mini nightmare, as obviously I had to watch for overspray. Masking off the car was a job in itself, and following this I had a little bit of a trouble spraying the required area as there wasn't much room.

Not much room to get in and apply paint
 

With the front end stripped, by this I mean the petrol tank removed along with the air ride cradle air tank, twin compressors and AirLift manifold, we decided to have one more go at what has been one of our nemesis on this wee car, and that is the wiper motor. Not joking this wiper motor must have been taken off between 10 to 15 times and messed around with. Whilst it works alongside the switch with 2 speeds, slow & fast, it just refuses to park. I had seen this guy on eBay offering to repair them, so sent it away. Apparently there was a terminal missing at 31b.

31b Terminal missing

In order to get the motor out I had to remove the windscreen wipers. I bought brand new wiper arms and even new wiper spindles only last year, Wow! I am not best impressed with the quality of the finish on the wipers, as I went to remove them I noticed they were all rusty, and residue had run down the spindles and just made everything look awful, another job to sort.

These were brand-new spindles along with wiper arms

Terrible quality
 

The motor was only away a few days and came back with a new terminal in place. We eagerly fitted the motor and... Crap! It still refused to park. I got in touch with Nick the friendly gentleman who had replaced the terminal, and he very kindly tried to give me some advice on the potential problem. Nick advised taking the small plastic protective cap off where the parking switch mechanism is and clean the contacts. It looks like an old distributor, with points. My dad removed the plastic cap,  and cleaned the switch contacts, however the motor still would not park. I must add at this point we had it hooked up to a battery on a workbench and properly earthed.

My dad decided to remove the alloy wiper cover, and he discovered that the small rubber seal at the base of the alloy cover was not seated correctly, it was in fact just say catching the small park switch and stopping it from making contact at the closed position. I informed Nick of this, and he advised to send the motor and complete mechanism back to him, and he would do a full inspection of the motor alongside the other parts, you see Nick had discovered my motor was actually from a 1968 Beetle so must have been retro fitted at some point. Problem with this is that it could potentially have the wrong wiper mechanism, and this could also prevent the proper function.

I am now just awaiting its return as I can't get anything built up, as the motor has to be put in place first.

Going back to brakes, they are now all sorted, new rubber brake hosing, brake lines to master cylinder and reservoir and a new brake master cylinder and all bled off.

Moving on to Tango, oh and a mention of my amazing dad, Ern. He just turned 80 in November of last year. When I say "We" work on the cars by that I mean I sometimes get to hold a spanner, or wrench, like when Ern says "Pass me the 10 mm". On rare occasions I have even been let loose with a screwdriver.

Myrtle in her what seems usual position & some maintenance on Tango

A few weeks ago I thought about putting Tango up for sale. No other reason than being bored I think, as the wee car has served me very well. I have owned her coming up to 6 years. I decided to give Tango a much-needed clean and this is one of those times that when we talk about hindsight being a wonderful thing I wish I had never started the job I am about to mention.

So upon cleaning Tango and going to polish her roof I noticed a sort of "bloom" in her roof panel. I polished and polished, but the mark just would not go away. I then went onto YouTube and watched a video of a couple of guys restoring a Smart car roof. It looked pretty straight forward, all I would need was an orbital sander and some discs. I already had an orbital polisher. I asked Ern to pick me up an orbital sander when he was down at Team Valley, and he also ordered me some sanding discs from Amazon as no one had the relevant grits locally. They arrived the next day and I set about completing what I thought would be an easy and straight forward job I mean how hard can sanding be right?

Tango's roof what a nightmare

Just one little patch of clear coat or so I thought

Ow! Ow! Ow!
 

Oh! I should probably mention that Tango has a panoramic roof, it is made from polycarbonate and not metal. The bloom had arisen from the sun and UV light affecting the top clear coat on the roof. The job entailed removing the clear coat and then, so I thought polishing up the polycarbonate underneath. 

Sanding disc fitted to orbital sander, 400 grit I set about sanding the first part of the roof. Within about 30 to 60 seconds it soon became clear that the discs would not last long, they clogged practically immediately. After going through all the 400 discs and realising I wasn't actually getting anywhere other than making a huge mess I decided to try using wet & dry and doing the roof by hand. Again had to go out and buy various grits of wet & dry. This time I appeared have more success in removing the top clear coat, but man was it hard work. Long story slightly shorter I actually spent over 7 days sanding the roof of Tango and some of those days were 10 or 11 hours at a time I kid you not. At the end of which I had an extremely sore hand, still have my fingertips are killing me, Oh and end result you may ask? Tango's roof although smoother than a babies' arse looks absolutely terrible. No matter what I put on it and I have tried a lot of products I just cannot get a shine and there are swirl marks. I have gone all the way from 400 grit right up to 1500 in stages, and I am now at a point where I can't possibly do any more I have conceded defeat.

I did a spot more research online and discovered that the roof issues are a common fault that Smart/Mercedes are aware of. At one time you used to be able to claim under warranty and even from your insurance, under glass replacement, not sure if this is just the US market. It's like I say the heat and UV rays destroy the polycarbonate roof, they either get crazing/cracks or like mine bloom in the clear coat.

To have a new roof fitted is extortionate, so tomorrow I may shop around for some quotes at a body shop and try and find out if anyone can pop a clear coat on my roof, as this should in theory bring back a glossy finish.

And finally on to Grandma my VW Beetle GSR. Grandma has been hibernating over the winter. I bought some new 20" wheels for her about 6 months ago and on Wednesday popped down to D&R Tyres at Shield Row to see Dougie about getting some new Michelin Pilot Sports fitted. I explained to Dougie my biggest concern was that my new rims may get scratched or scuffed during fitting. Dougie was spot on and assured me this shouldn't and wouldn't happen, he  then sorted out a quote for 4 tyres and also informed me of a deal where you get £100 back from Michelin on a pre-paid Mastercard, so when that arrives I can use that money towards a service on Grandma. Dougie said he would call me the following day when the tyres came in stock, and he could get them fitted when I dropped the wheels off.

Concaver CRV4 wheels
 

Good to his word the tyres arrived the following day and I dropped the rims off for fitting. I then went back home to continue messing around with Tango and Dougie rang me not long after to say the wheels were already to be picked up. I went down and the lads gave me a hand to pop the wheels in the back of my dad's car. Job sorted, the wheels look awesome, even the lads in the garage commented on them. Fitted balanced, with new valves and not a mark on them. A Top quality service by a local friendly firm, who offered a good deal and some great advice, can't ask for any more than that. Plus you can tell they care about their customers as they maintained social distancing and even-handed out masks to customers if they had forgotten their own. It's just the little touches.


Having got the wheels back I didn't fit them immediately as I wanted to give Grandma a good clean, as like I say she has been in the garage for months and upon going down to get her she was very dusty. As I got in her to start her up I soon discovered that her battery was flat...Again.

I don't have electric in our garage otherwise I would leave her on a trickle charger. A walk back up the street to see the chief mechanic, Ern. My dad drove back down in his car along with his battery boost charger and we soon had Grandma fired up, along with a dash full of various warning lights, oh and a soft tyre.

Could do with detailing under her bonnet

Once she had time to warm up I took her around the block and to our house, thankfully all the lights had gone out, well apart from the tyre sensor one. I then set about giving her a thorough clean, inside and out starting with hoovering her out. Her carpets were manky, you see there is a pot hole right near our garage and it fills with water on the drivers side. I can't step over it, due to my gimpy leg, so on the last occassion it was full of water and mud I must have stepped in it and transfered all the crap on the inside of Grandma. I had to actually wash her mats, put them outside to dry and later on in the afternoon discovered wor Baxter had pulled them off the garden bench/seat and had been lying on them. The little sod, now they need hoovering again as they have white dog hairs all over.

 
I gave Grandma a proper good wash then used a combination of my orbital polisher and by hand to apply and then polish my car. I used some new polish which I had purchased from another local business, one I didn't even know exsisted until my mate John mentioned them. The business is called Juicey Detailing and they are over at  Tanfield Lea North Industrial Estate Unit 11C. Again more great customer service from a very friendly chap. I bought some Bilt Hammer alloy wheel cleaner for Tango which is the best alloy wheel cleaner I have used so far, it stinks, but does a great job, oh and the polish was  by Chemical Guys, called V4 Extreme All-In-One Polish, which again is an amzing product, easy to apply and remove and it works great on minor scratches and swirl marks, polishing  up to a high gloss finish.

All polished and with new wheels fitted

Grandma

Wasn't sure if I liked the new look at first

May even be able to get Grandma a tad lower
 

Following all this hardwork, Ern and I removed my old winter wheels and fitted the new wheels to Grandma. I wasn't sure I liked them at first, but they are growing on me, plus they don't scrub or catch, which is such a relief. I got changed, grabbed my camera and went for a most enjoyable tootle up to Waskerley in Grandma, it felt great to go for a spin, she is just such a lovely car to drive. She has power on tap and I love the sound as she burbles away, or if when you put your foot down she roars and the turbo whilstles.

VW Beetle GSR
VW Beetle GSR

VW Beetle GSR


VW Beetle GSR
Love this car

VW Beetle GSR
VW Beetle GSR
 

Oh I also had my birthday this month, after all this graft yes I am feeling my age, it's hard work maintianing a car never mind three, not only on your pocket, but physically too LoL. Not complaining mind I feel very fortunate.

Saturday 22 September 2018

She's back and on the road....Yay!

So early on in July, the 3rd as I recall, whilst on my way home from work in Tango I got rear ended at the roundabout at Stanley. The damage wasn't to severe and as the young chap who bumped me was with the same insurance company as myself, things got sorted out relatively quickly.


Tango

Monday 21 September 2015

A lovely afternoon out, over at Wylam.

Friday evening and my usual venture up to my good friends Ade and Amanda's. It has become a part of my weekly schedule to go up on a Friday evening and there we have a catch up talking about the weeks events and Amanda makes me several cups of tea and plies me with various cakes, biscuits, bags of crisps and even on occasion ice cream lollies.

Anyhoo on Friday I mentioned to Ade I would really like to try and get some decent photo's of Hagg Bank Bridge as Rachael had mentioned she liked the bridge as it used to be on her daily commute on her way into work each day when she was on the train. So I arranged with Ade that we would have a drive over that way the following day.

After having a bit of a nightmare getting my new car, "Tango" taxed because of this cherished plate transfer. I was over the moon to have been able to sort it all out on Friday morning. So my little Smart car was all road legal and I was looking forward to a blast out in her. The little Smart is so much fun to drive and quite pokey around town, in fact it surprises quite a few drivers just how quick it is. Quite a few people have a habit of pulling out on me as they think "Oh it's only a Smart Car".
 

Tango


Thursday 10 September 2015

Tango!

Me n Tango!
Upon visiting Ade and Amanda on Tuesday afternoon, talk came around to cars and my lack of one. I haven't had a car now since I sold my MINI  COOPER S way back in ooh I think it was 2007, a good few months before I had my leg amputated. Part of the cash I got for my car I gave to my dad to put towards our little Honda Jazz and the rest well I bought a rather expensive mountain bike.
Love at first sight
Anyhoo I was chatting way to Amanda and she asked me what did I fancy car wise. I have always fncied a "Smart Car" and had even done lots of research into getting one and then having it modified with a Hyabusa motor. The problem I always encountered was how to make the car semi automatic as I struggle with a clutch.

 Amanda happened to look upon Auto-trader asking me "what colour are you after", "Oh an Orange one I jested". After a few moments Amanda said "Hey there is one here in Orange". So I had a look and thought "wow that looks cool and it's not badly priced". Amanda sent me the link and I didn't really think anything more about it until the following day whilst out shopping with Ern.

"I'm just going to ring that garage and see if the car is still there" I said. I spoke to a lovely lad named Dean and pretty much decided then and there, you know what I'm going down to have a look at this car this afternoon.

Tango!
So that's what I did. I rang Ade asked him did he fancy a look down with Ern and I and we drove to Bradford. The garage was right next to Bradford Football ground and the Smart was in the forecourt, gleaming away. Dean invited me to check the car out, which I did and then it was job done. Make payment, sort out insurance then we had a drive home.

I'm very pleasantly surprised by this small shoebox on wheels. It is quite pokey for a 1.0 litre. I'm not sure I like the auto box as it is slow to change, however I have heard a remap can help with this. The interior is funky and has loads of room and I can get in and out with ease. It's also great on petrol and very comfy and fun to drive. The engine sound canny for a little car and the whole car feels like driving a go cart.

Rachael has decided to name my car Tango, it seems to fit as it is quite a bright orange colour.