Beschreibung
Up for sale is Bessie, my 1986 Nissan Spirit GS Auto. It’s had 3 previous owners (one family) from new and it’s currently on 143K with an MOT until November 2021. I bought this car in September after someone I know contacted me and said his friend was giving up driving but didn’t want to see the car scrapped as it held immense sentimental value to her.
The car in recent years has done very minimal mileage (just 8 miles in 11 months before I bought it!) but it fired up with a jump and drove back home without any problems. Soon after she started developed some electrical gremlins, this was traced back to the aux belt not being properly tensioned and a few dry joints, these were all soldered up and Bessie was back up and running. Took it for an MOT where she needed 2 bits of welding and once done it went through with no advisories.
Bessie has received a lot of mechanical work since I bought her which has all been done as a precaution because of the age and mileage as she came with no service history. The following work has been done/ parts renewed since November:
Fully engine service
Auto box fluid change and sump gasket
HT Leads
Dizzy cap
Rotor arm
Fuel Pump
Fuel hoses
Timing belt and tensioner
Water pump
Alternator
Aux belt
Coolant flush (including matrix)
Thermostat
Battery
3 new tyres
New wheel trims
Section of coolant pipe replaced with cooper
Accelerator cable
2 bits of welding for its MOT (n/ s front floor and o/ s rear sill)
Rubber vacuum pipes
Mechanically the beating heart of Bessie may have high mileage but do not let that put you off at all because it really is a cracking little engine, it always starts first time and although it is not the smoothest idler on cold and it is a little loud but really is reliable and has proved itself by covering 2500 miles in 5 months. It gets up to temperature quickly and does not overheat. Brakes are sharp on it, suspension is good with no knocks or bangs, steering is good etc.
The gear box is a 3 speed auto, it left the factory in 1986 with a manual gearbox but when the lady I bought it from inherited it from her father in 1996 she had it converted to an auto. It is not the best gearbox but, in all honesty, I suspect it has more mileage on it than the engine. You cannot start the car in P because it used to be a manual, you must bring it down to N and it starts perfectly. The cable underneath the car has been adjusted as D was becoming difficult to find, in doing this you can now no longer select first and second on the box but in D it goes through first, second and third no problem. It is not a silky-smooth box but in all honestly, I would not want it to be because it all adds to the charm and character of Bessie.
Aesthetically, Bessie is a little challenged but again for her age and mileage she is far from being a banger! Overall, she is in fairly good nick I would say, it has some rust on the front wings, valance etc but it is a solid car and has been welded up where needed to MOT standards. With the exterior it is best to let the pictures do the talking and you can judge it for yourself. She has rust, some trolley dents and other age-related marks but find a car that has been in daily use for 35 years that doesn’t!
The interior, again for its age and mileage I would say has really stood the test of time, the seats have a few rips but there is no ware on the bolsters or carpets, and it is a wonderfully comfortable car. There are signs of wear elsewhere on the interior, door cards, dash etc. The n/ s window has dropped off the runner, it can be wound down a few inches then start’s to tilt. Sunroof is sealed with silicone but easily removable. The original radio can be quite temperamental but does work! All dials on the dash work and there is one for the reverse lights, toggle switch to the left of the steering wheel for the washer pump. The heater in this car is incredibly good!
I have no doubt I have missed stuff so please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. It is incredibly important to me and the previous owner that Bessie finds a new, loving, and caring owner who will be as enthusiastic about her as I have been and will promise to keep her on the road. She is far from a show queen but the ideal candidate for Festival of the Unexceptional! I have had a love/ hate relationship with her but there is something so endearing which is why I have held on to her but now it is time to say goodbye as she is no longer needed.
I am looking for £1000 ONO for Bessie.
