Chucking it down this morning, but decided to go to see my brother Bill in Stonehaven anyway, 75 miles away, using the 924. 150 miles later ... I’m impressed.
Remember this is a 32 year old car which until yesterday hadn’t turned a wheel in two years. Yet it thrummed up the dual carriageway to Stonehaven with no problem at all, no leaks, no temperamental displays. It settles easily to a speed of about 75 mph in a very long legged, loping sort of feel. The unassisted steering which is so heavy at parking speeds chats away in your palm, or through thumb and forefinger actually, and the whole car seems to breath with the tarmac in a way that todays tautly sprung cars seem to have forgotten. Modern Audis for instance seem to want to combat the road, batter it into submission. This old Porker just rolls with the road, quite delightful, and very old skool. There are no trip computers, no digital readouts, slow but accurate gearchange, no automatic anything ... this is a very analogue car. I was worried about subjecting it to a 75 mile journey, but it shrugged it off with nonchalance, and felt like it would happily have run all the way to John O Groats at 75 mph without a hitch. With every mile it seemed to get a bit sweeter too, like an elderly athlete coming out of retirement, and getting the stiffness out of his joints with the first few laps. After a quick brunch with Bill of bacon and egg rolls at a local caff, I came back home the coast road, where again it just loped along like an old GT car, rather than the manic sports cars of today. Very rewarding drive. Stopped at Montrose harbour where I took these pics.
Of course it’s not perfect. There is too much vibration and harshness getting into the cabin, I suspect the engine mounts may have hardened or failed (a known fault on these cars I believe?) or perhaps there is a component somewhere not quite balanced. The brakes are still juddery, but getting better. It doesn’t rev as easily as modern engines, nor is it terribly economical, but that’s hardly surprising. I have lots to fettle and improve, but it feels to be a sturdy and reliable travelling companion.
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