i have just purchased a 1986 D reg master ace surf with 67thousand km on clock imported 99 what is likley to be the real milage the engine is very tight when cold with a1 engine brake even on the auto the over drive dose not do alot though it the reves are low in top no ew or cl though has been fiiten with thatcham class alarm good on motor way serprisingly will pull 160 no probs .Any ideas on how to fit inersha or harness belts as haves youg children.Air con poor ? what is a fair insurance value and cost of .Has towing gear ?. Has no over cover on head light is ok or has this been removed ?. thanks gav seat belts info ASAP

- (#3362) Gavin Withey, 14 Jun 02

Phew, you need to slow down a bit, so many questions in just a few words, now let's see if we can answer them in some sort of order!!

1. 67KKm is quite possible, even for an '86 car, remember that Japan is quite small, so none of these vehicles cover great milages until they reach these shores, however it doesn't mean that it hasn't been clocked, our had only done similar mileage, but it is a 1991.

2. What do you mean, 'the engine is very tight when cold' is it sluggish to start? or is it difficult to get it to rev until it is warm?

3. The overdrive switch is just there to allow or prevent the auto box from selecting 4th gear, if overdrive off then you only have the first three gears, only really need to use the button if it is hunting between 3rd & 4th on hills etc.

4. When you say no EW or CL, do you mean they are not fitted, or not working? Later models had all this stuff pretty much as standard, but some early models were short on some of the spec. Just depends what our little yellow friend ordered when vehicle first supplied.

5. Make sure you have the Fitting Certificate for your Thatcham approved alarm, some insurance companies demandit, others will give you a discount if you can prove vehicle has the system.

6. Yes ours will do 160Kmh (100Mph) on the motorway, good examples of these beasts will go well, but remember the brakes & handling aren't what you would want for that sort of speed, I tend to cruise at 80-90 Mph on the motorways, she seems happiest at that!

7. Inertia belts can be fitted, but cause problems on middle row of seats, regarding their swivelling, see the main site (Link at bottom of page) or Townace.com for more about fitting inertia seatbelts.

8. If the air con is poor, then it probably needs servicing, and refilling with gas, assuming no leaks on the system, it will need a new receiver drier (£50 ish) and to be refilled with R134a gas (original gas was R12) having had a 'retro kit' fitted. Probable cost in the region of £200 for all of it, phone around the air con people in your area for quotes. Again see this subject on townace.com

9. Insure it for what you paid + a bit more, insurance cost is dependant on age & area, we live near London and are both mid thirties and paid £343 with Tesco Insurance, but others have found great deals, again look at the main site & townace.com for more info.


10. What do you mean by 'Has no over cover on head light is ok or has this been removed ?.' can't quite fathom what you're talking about here, give me more info & I'll try to help.

11. Oh! there isn't an 11

Hope this helps, next time separate your questions then I can answer them more easily. Regards Rob.
- (#3372) Rob Drinkwater, 15 Jun 02

ROB thanks for the time to reply to my many questions.I had my car head on.
ref ; head light cover i have no glass cover infront of lights appart from the sealed units.mabe that was the spec then though i have not seen one like it before ? ref over drive dose not respond thanks again look forward to your replys

- (#3410) Gavin Withey, 17 Jun 02

Right, I have just fallen in what you mean, yours is a mid eighties model, it will therefore have the four headlights + foglights across the front, this is normal for this time & no cover went over them, the later ones, about 88-89 onwards have a completely different, slightly more streamlined (streamlined? on a vehicle with the aerodynamics of a breeze block!) headlamp set up, with the wrap around side (turning) lamps going into the headlamps then to the middle with foglamps & a clear trim to complete the whole front end, so no problem with yours. As regards your overdrive problem, have a look back through the posts, and on townace.com, much info is available her, possibly could be a dirty switch contact, but look at the postings and you may well get the answer. HTH Regards Rob.

- (#3413) Rob Drinkwater, 17 Jun 02