Dolly wheels

[JPB]

Nice MG. I like your methods of altering Hydrasag ride heights, there's been some development there since I last worked with Hydro-sprung BL stuff.

Just when you think Hydragas is dead (with the outgoing MGF, prior to the TF and its steel springs), along come Citroen and use what is, to all intents and purposes, Hydragas by any other name on some of their newer stuff. Doing away with the onboard ride management offered by their older systems.
Last time I owned a Metro, it was a very standard-looking, Lipari Blue 1.0 City X on an 'F' plate. Not a bad car at all, typical of BL/Austin-Rover or whatever name they were using then, the car was basically a good idea that suffered problems with build quality at various times throughout its lifespan. Hmm, now what other BL cars can we think of that were similarly inconsistent?

Yep, I'm thinking SD1.

[scoobyh123]

Sorry to say it John, but i have to agree with you re the SD1 - a superb car let down by bad build quality! The early years were the worst, 76-78 and they started getting better but at this time they were also using sh*te metal and the damn things rusted faster than an Alfasud in a salt bath!
From about 80 onwards, they went back to the better metal and just about got build quality back to where it should be. Trouble was by then, the damage to the reputation had been done. The best ones were the Series 1 facelift models IMHO, the ones with the chrome mirrors but mechanical dash and still recessed headlamps. The series 2 which also had chrome mirrors had flush headlamps and the electronic dash, which proved problematical. Another downside was they fitted Stromberg carbs with some kind of auto choke, which was about as reliable as the weather. This was addressed with the series 3, going back to SU carbs but with the FASD (fully automatic start device) which could also give trouble but was not as bad as the Stromberg effort. The series 3 also gained a few "nice" touches, including EFi for the top V8 models, improved upholstery and improved electrics. In an effort to meet ever more stringent USA emission controls, power and economy were down on the series 3 and not much later the 800 was launched, ending a 10 year production run.
I've had about 6 SD1s, mainly V8s and worked on many more. It is from my experience i make the comments above so if anyone has an absolutely superb series 3 that would knock spots off a Series 1, you've obviously got a good one!!

Cheers,
Dave