Lude Generation

Well here she is! My new family member "Betsy" ... The new "new family" wagon

I made a promise to her previous owner (the chattiest woman in the world ) that I'd keep her name and take good care of her. So I can't let her down... In so many words, she actually told me she'd hunt me down otherwise lol.

Apologies for the pictures. I only had a small window between showers today and it was getting dark already. I'll get some better ones soon as these don't do her any justice...














She's an '89 12 valve EX-2.0i Accord Aerodeck running the A20a4 engine (122bhp non-cat version) in a rather rare Monterey Green. With 4wALB (Now that's old skool ), cruise control, electric windows, electric sunroof, poppy-uppy lights and "coolness"

First impressions... I love her! She's obviously got a few issues being nearly 22 years old, but they are minor. The downpipe flexi is blowing quite badly, but I ordered a new one as soon as I got home yesterday (for £55 delivered ). The "ALB" light is on pretty much permanently, but hopefully that shouldn't take too long to track down. The nearside (I think) CV joint has just started knocking, but I'll get that sorted out in the next MOT in April, and the aerial isn't extending or retracting on command, but again that shouldn't take much to sort. And that's pretty much it mechanically. Other than pulling away a bit sluggish due to the blowing down pipe, she really goes! And the engine is smooth as you like and purs amazingly. You can tell it's had a FSH.

Bodywork wise, there's a few more issues than expected, but again there's nothing serious...

Both rear clusters have condensation, but that should be a simple case of removing them and drying them out. Maybe resealing them if they need it...





There's some surface specs of rust just starting to develop below the tailgate...



There's some paint-wear along the window trims...



Of course there's rust on the rear arches But it's not too far along to cause too much concern...





The front bumper has dropped on the nearside, but it's simply missing a fixing...



The rear bumper has obviously dropped a fixing as well, and it's been tied back with a nice screw (Which is quite literally the only de-facing of the otherwise completely standard car)...



And finally the passenger door has a very subtle crease in it...



The lot I intend to put back right

Modification wise, I don't intend to do a great deal... I have Patch (the lude) for that, and being so rare, remaining as OEM as possible only adds to her charm.

I do however want to fill in those wheel arches some what...



... but don't feel I'd be detracting too much from it's original style if I lower it as I'd be following the original release pictures ...



I also think they look pretty with tinted rear windows which was also an optional extra. Not quite as dark as this though...





And the only other mod will possibly be some pretty deep dish retro rims But we'll see ... They to will have to be just as rare, so we'll see what wonders ebay has to offer in time

Anyway, that's Betsy

Crazy_C wrote:As you know, I love it!! Definitely need to get some dark smoke tints on there (what I had on the Kangoo. They look dark, but don't distract really from looking out.

The wheels I told you about are quite rare, so not a bad option as you know

I think a light tap with the lowering stick would do it some good too

rob quilter wrote:This is just so cool



I want!

indigolemon wrote:There needs to be a party thrown in this cars honour

RattyMcClelland wrote:That.......is..........wikkid.

I love it. Old skool Carb, ALB, erection headlights, unique looks and Honda.

Very very nice purchase.

mercutio wrote:very nice matey

Cheers for the comments guys... Thought you'd approve

Not on carbs though Ratty ...





Whilst I'm here... Does anyone know anything of Cobra lowering springs? They boast a good 25 years experience or so, but I've never really heard much about them. They're also 3/4 the price of H&R, but they obviously have a good rep.

Crazy_C wrote:

RattyMcClelland wrote:erection

Giggidy!!

RattyMcClelland wrote:

Crazy_C wrote:

RattyMcClelland wrote:erection

Giggidy!!

Ohh righhhht!!!

4thgenphil wrote:ok WTF is 4wALB?! im sure i'm not the only one asking it !

4thgenphil wrote:4 wheel anti lock brakes? just a guess!

Crazy_C wrote:Yup, you got it right. Hahaa. Before ABS became a standard phrase. Like airbags used to be called "personal impact protection system" on some cars and SIPS was called "side impact reinforcement structure"

4thgenphil wrote:4 wheel anti lock brakes? just a guess!

You're so bwainy!

Lude-Dude wrote:very cool, nice

d_a_n1979 wrote:Old Skool freshness

Just needs some Mugen lovin and it'd be lush!

Mart609 wrote:woooooooooooooooooop!!!! love it!!

Well I fixed Stace's exhaust yesterday, so today I was allowed to fix one of my own cars (I've been told to state that that's a joke... Stace doesn't want to come across as a hard ass )

First job... Fit the new downpipe...



I was a bit apprehensive about the 2 to 1 section at first as it's not quite a mandrel bend ...



But it's exactly the same as the existing one (OEM or not) so I thought what the hell...



The existing one was blowing pretty bad and I was losing a lot of power, and here's why...





As always I was dubious about undoing the downpipe nuts, not knowing what condition they were in and when they were removed last. So off I popped to Tool Station to get some penetrating oil after the second nut refused to budge. Gave them all a good spritz and had a cuppa. By the time I returned they all pretty much just span out

Next task was to make a couple gaskets. I had some left over gasket from another job so I cut it to shape...



Gaskets and new pipe in and voila!





I took the car for a spin to check all was well and the difference is amazing! The car really has some go!... And purs beautifully

...

After I returned, the next job on the cards was fitting the towbar. Bumper had to come off first. Not quite as obvious to remove as a Prelude bumper, but I figured it out in the end...



Whilst removing the bumper, a slight issue became apparent. The Offside arch under the bumper kinda looks like this...



I knew there was a hint of rust there as with the bumper on it looked like this...



So I'm glad I've found it, as as it didn't look that bad I was going to leave it a while as there's other things I should be doing Anyway, the sun went down so I've left Betsy bumperless under the watchful eye of Harriet for the night...









...

Next time on Nathan's Family Wagon I'll be bringing out the wire brush.

Had a delivery today...









I had a bit of worry when they arrived at my work and I was told a set of 4 tyres had arrived for me. They were convinced they were only tyres as they'd picked them up and there was no real weight to them. But no, it just turns out that they're just that light!

They're RH Classics. 15"x7J ET25. They've been rattle canned silver and it's a bit orange peelly, but they'll definitely do until the tyres need replacing

I've also treated the rust on the rear arches, popped the bumper back on and fitted a new towbar, but I'll pop up pictures this weekend once I've fitted the wheels