A wee puzzle...

[hogweed]

This has been buried up my local hill for a long time, but I can't for the life of me figure out what it might be.


Clues: It's a transverse engine, but not an old Mini as I first thought. Somebody might recognise the wheels, which are steel, but nealry as wide as their diameter and the top edge of the rear ¼ window is curved, sweeping coupe-style from the roof down to the boot, but the body is in bits and mostly rusted away, so can't identify anything.

[clf]

Originally Posted by hogweed

This has been buried up my local hill for a long time, but I can't for the life of me figure out what it might be.


Clues: It's a transverse engine, but not an old Mini as I first thought. Somebody might recognise the wheels, which are steel, but nealry as wide as their diameter and the top edge of the rear ¼ window is curved, sweeping coupe-style from the roof down to the boot, but the body is in bits and mostly rusted away, so can't identify anything.

Hi Roger,

hope you are well?

there's some treats uppa hills

It reminds me of a VW wheel (or although perhaps too wide a mark 4 Escort/Fiesta), and the engine looks as though there is no carb manifold (but the images are not clear or with much contrast). which would suggest an injected engine of some sort.

Although it has rusted away, making it appear as though it is very old, a lot of cars were stolen and burned out 'in the country' so therefore rusted away quite badly. I would suggest that if you look amongt the metal, particularly where there would be no rain/wind contact, you may find smoke marking.

I am going to suggest an XR3i (the rocker cover reminds me of a CVH)

[MarkS]

2014 Mercedes, in reasonable condition for that year ???

[hogweed]

Originally Posted by clf

Hi Roger, hope you are well?

Hey Alan, survived so far – glad you have too. Being very old, I’ve had my 1st shot, and 2nd due next month. Be good to get back down to Whose? for a salt’n’chilli chicken – I’m experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms

Originally Posted by clf

It reminds me of a VW wheel (or although perhaps too wide a mark 4 Escort/Fiesta), and the engine looks as though there is no carb manifold (but the images are not clear or with much contrast). which would suggest an injected engine of some sort.

It’s way up the Carnmoney Hill, long way from any of the roads, buried in a briar patch which has grown over it. Very badly rusted, so not a great deal to go on, but I’ll have a look round the back of the engine next time I’m up. It has an exposed toothed cam wheel on the driver’s side, not that that tells us much. Have to say it wouldn't have been particularly easy to drive it to where it is!

Originally Posted by clf

Although it has rusted away, making it appear as though it is very old, a lot of cars were stolen and burned out 'in the country' so therefore rusted away quite badly. I would suggest that if you look amongst the metal, particularly where there would be no rain/wind contact, you may find smoke marking.

Originally Posted by clf

I am going to suggest an XR3i (the rocker cover reminds me of a CVH)

Yeahhhh… not sure they ever had wheels like that though
I’ll measure the wheels next time too!

[hogweed]

Originally Posted by MarkS

2014 Mercedes, in reasonable condition for that year ???

Ha ha are they that bad? Never owned one!

[clf]

Originally Posted by hogweed

Hey Alan, survived so far – glad you have too. Being very old, I’ve had my 1st shot, and 2nd due next month. Be good to get back down to Whose? for a salt’n’chilli chicken – I’m experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms




It’s way up the Carnmoney Hill, long way from any of the roads, buried in a briar patch which has grown over it. Very badly rusted, so not a great deal to go on, but I’ll have a look round the back of the engine next time I’m up. It has an exposed toothed cam wheel on the driver’s side, not that that tells us much. Have to say it wouldn't have been particularly easy to drive it to where it is!






Yeahhhh… not sure they ever had wheels like that though
I’ll measure the wheels next time too!

Funnily enough, I nearly ordered some salted chilli chicken just there for e dinner lol.

But a few more clues to this car, it has been on fire, the springs are collapsed because of this, so the rust may be misleading on its age. It could be a field car, but I would be willing to bet that it has been driven to destruction even into difficult areas as a 'challenge', and the area has partially grown around the car.

It looks to have a power steering pump on the lower left front corner of the engine too.

Is it possible that it is an L series? The rocker cover looks so familiar.

The water pipe behind the exhaust manifold also reminds me of a 1.6 Renault engine from the 90's - my dad's Laguna and my own Megane both had on like this.

Also another Renault hint is a shallow oil filter.

1.6 Renault from the 90s. (almost certain now)

[hogweed]

Originally Posted by clf

It looks to have a power steering pump on the lower left front corner of the engine too.

Is it possible that it is an L series? The rocker cover looks so familiar.

The water pipe behind the exhaust manifold also reminds me of a 1.6 Renault engine from the 90's - my dad's Laguna and my own Megane both had on like this.

Also another Renault hint is a shallow oil filter.

1.6 Renault from the 90s. (almost certain now)

I'll get up again next week and try and take some more photies. I'd suggest joining me if you're bored (or are you at work?), but of course that's not allowed

[clf]

Originally Posted by hogweed

I'll get up again next week and try and take some more photies. I'd suggest joining me if you're bored (or are you at work?), but of course that's not allowed

I would have been up for that, but I am back to work next week. Could have met you up there, and socially distanced walking. I cannot even plan anything just yet, as my temporary promotion ends at the end of the month, so have to train up my replacement, after that, with all of the changes that have happened, I do not know what I will actually be doing any longer - have been away from it for 2.5 years from a 2.5 month placement lol.

I am convinced of it being a mk1 Megane, if there is a crack in that water pipe behind the manifold, and dented passenger door (if any of it survives), it once was mine! Sold to a couple of hoods for £90, in Asda Shore Road car park on a tuesday night lol.

Got a call on Thursday night to say that it was abandoned among a lot of tyre marks, in Cambrai Street partially blocking the road. Gave the police the address I had for them, which turned out derelict houses in that area, and said it was not my problem.

Two weeks later a letter from a salvage company with the chief constable's headed paper stating I owed £290 and rising in costs. Phoned them and told them the background, and that was the last I heard of it. Perhaps the salvage company dumped it there (I doubt it lol).

But look at the image, and of the rocker cover bolts, the PAS pump bracket, and the oil filter Along with the curved rear pillar you mentioned before. I did have an image of the wheel on mine, but my hard drives have collapsed lol.



the bolt pattern of the manifold and on the manifold itself (cylinder 4)

the engine bracket for hoisting.



and the wheel (you can just make it out)

https://bestcarmag.com/sites/default...pic-39801.jpeg

[hogweed]

That's very impressive mate


I think you're right, too - wow. Not much of doors and things left...


Sorry to hear about confusion etc in work - hope it turns out OK for you


Hopefully we'll get a wee visit to Whose if things ever get back to normal

[clf]

Originally Posted by hogweed

Sorry to hear about confusion etc in work - hope it turns out OK for you


Hopefully we'll get a wee visit to Whose if things ever get back to normal

work? lol You know where I work lol, I am lucky I have a job, particularly the one I have. It will turn out fine, there are more important things to worry about.

When it all opens up we can get a whose organised.