crushed avant

[Mike Mulholland <meyeke@netinc.ca>]

on sunday i went to look at the advertised 87 avant whose roof had been
crushed by an errant windblown tree. it was minimum three hour drive each
way so i was hoping that the owners description was accurate. on the way
down i took a run of about 75 miles on the 401 hwy towards windsor and
although the average traffic speed was about 140kph (80-85 mph) i was
frequently passed by suv's. the most amazing though was an old tempo driven
by a kid that went by at about 160 kph (100mph) spewing all sorts of noxious
fumes and parts....and BADLY needing rear shocks. i guess he had no idea
what would happen if he needed to brake hard or manoeuver quickly.
        i found the address quickly and first spotted the beautiful 200q in
the drive and then the tarp covered avant. i must say that i was taken aback
when the tarp was removed...what was under the tarp was a mirror image of my
red 86 5kcdtq, except it was an avant. the leather seats, though similar to
mine, had a lighter suede insert. all was not well however and as soon as i
opened the door i realised that this car was not for me. the interior was
uncared for and it STANK. a look under the hood revealed a very low pentosin
level, low and very dirty oil, leaking around the banjo bolts on the
hydraulic pump, many wraps of duct tape around the michelin-man hose. and
disconnected warning light switches. Even without the roof damage this one
was a pile of problems. it did have good recent rotors and pads, and even
good tires. the roof damage was something that i could have fixed with a
roof replacement from my 84 5ksw. the roof was seriously bent diagonally
from the left rear to the right front. the windshield was broken on the
right front, and the left rear window was broken. the hatch window, although
visibly bent was not broken!!!! the doors all worked well. but the
smell...like the aftermath of an all night drinking party...(yes i was young
once and as foolish as most) i was disappointed, but i now know what it was
like, rather than just thinking "i shoulda"
        the drive home was uneventful except for one heartstopping moment. i
had followed a old triumph spitfire at 10 km below the limit on a two lane
double yellow lined winding road for way too long. i could see a passing
zone coming up, and opposing traffic was clear. i downshifted to 3rd in
anticipation.....and at the right moment floored it (i love my cars whooosh
of accelleration in third) shifted into 4th as i returned to my lane, and
checked my mirrors once again. at that moment i had rounded a curve and
there in plain view were 4 police cars with flashing lights and partially
blocking the road. i was already decellerating at that point so a touch of
the brakes brought me down to speed fairly quickly and by that time i could
see that i had happened upon an accident scene. at this point the spitfire
caught up to me and the occupants were almost splitting their sides
imagining my consternation.

mike 86 5kcdtq
84 5ksw