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1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!

trigger Posted a lot Posts: 3,388	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!trigger @trigger
	Mar 4, 2013 17:21:14 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	I thought I'd introduce the lastest arrival to the Trigger fleet and the story behind. A few years back I spotted this little Alto sat in on a local driveway, I took a photo and uploaded it to my Flickr page and thought no more of it, 1985 Suzuki Alto FX in Ipswich by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr Then a few months back when I got a comment on the photo from the owner saying it was his car but he was going to scrap it due to the head gasket going and the battery being flat, being rust free and such low mileage (only 22000) this seemed criminal so I stepped in a bought it of the lad. My 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr My 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr My 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr As you can see it's a pretty tidy old thing really, It belonged to a old boy until 2008 when one day he was reversing out of his garage and hit the door, he decided to retire driving after that and sold it to his cleaners son as a first car who brought the mileage up from 10000 to 22000 miles. My 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr# And the power of the beast, 3 cylinders, 796cc and about 39bhp, It's a beast alright.
	Last Edit: May 25, 2013 17:28:48 GMT by trigger My car blog East Coast Retros

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trigger Posted a lot Posts: 3,388	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!trigger @trigger
	Mar 4, 2013 17:21:39 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	As I had to wait a while for parts to arrive for the head gasket I decided to attack the car with my polishing mop and hover and tidy it up, the bodywork came up remarkably well, and even the dent in the rear door pushed out well. 1985 Suzuki Alto 800 FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr 1985 Suzuki Alto 800 FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr When I first got the car the radio didn't work but having looked it seems it had aftermarket speakers fitted in the rear at some point so I removed the dead wiring and fitted a old shelf speaker I once had fitted in my old BMW 1602 to the shelf under the dashboard, I now have *GREAT MW sounds. 1985 Suzuki Alto 800 FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr 1985 Suzuki Alto 800 FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr This is the only rust I can find, and yes those are the original Dunlops still. 1985 Suzuki Alto 800 FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr
	Last Edit: Mar 4, 2013 17:35:12 GMT by trigger My car blog East Coast Retros

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trigger Posted a lot Posts: 3,388	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!trigger @trigger
	Mar 4, 2013 17:27:27 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	The car also came with quite a bit history. My 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr Then last month my dad came over to collect it so we could get it back to his to change the OMGHGFCHAOS, you can get the idea of the Alto's pure tinyness from it sat on dad's trailer. 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr I'll update with more tomorrow.
	Last Edit: Mar 4, 2013 17:28:30 GMT by trigger My car blog East Coast Retros

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Stuart-c Part of things Posts: 85	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!Stuart-c @goldenbarge
	Mar 4, 2013 18:33:47 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	That is sublime, I remember hating these as a kid but now it looks great. Nice find!


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Stu Posted a lot Posts: 2,913	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!Stu @stu
	Mar 4, 2013 20:58:06 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Super! Looks in great condition
	'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5

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trigger Posted a lot Posts: 3,388	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!trigger @trigger
	Mar 5, 2013 15:52:46 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Thanks. So once it arrived at my dad's house we made a start stripping the engine down, It really is the smallest little engine I've seen, I think the battery is bigger! Engine bay with head removed by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr It wasn't too bad to work on actually as everything was pretty easy to remove due to how good condition it is, there was no obvious damage to the head or gasket but we sent the head of to be skimmed anyway. I was a bit surprised it cost £61, especially as a more local firm quoted £44 but as the car was in Colchester I had no choice. Reconditioned head being assembled by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr head fitted by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr We fitted the new head, changed the cambelt and changed oil and filter, the parts for this was quite cheap, the headset came from Belgium and was £32 and cambelt was a new one of ebay for £5, bargain! All fitted and finished! by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr After topping up with water and a few turns of the key she fitted up and was running sweet as a nut, well chuffed!. Still can't work why it over heated in the first place, the radiaors not leaking and the stat is working fine but I'm collecting it from Colchester on Saturday so I'm sure the 30 mile drive home will show any problems, I'll update with some new photos once it's home.
	Last Edit: Mar 5, 2013 15:55:13 GMT by trigger My car blog East Coast Retros

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xbo11ox Posted hell of a lot Literally 'an embarrassment' Posts: 6,985	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!xbo11ox @xbo11ox
	Mar 5, 2013 21:47:59 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	FOUND ON FLICKR - ITS A CRACKR
	1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 Mazda 929 Coupé 1986 Mazda 929 Wagon 1979 Mazda 929 Hardtop 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 1989 Subaru 1800 Wagon 1982 Hyundai Pony 1200TL 2-dr 1985 Hyundai Pony 1200 GL 1986 Maserati 425 Biturbo 1992 Rover 214 SEi 5-dr 2000 Rover 45 V6 Club 1994 Peugeot 205 'Junior' Diesel 1988 Volvo 760 Turbodiesel Saloon 1992 Talbot Express Autosleeper Rambler 2003 Renault Laguna SPEARS OR REAPERS

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Roo Part of things 'Nina' the German Cortina Posts: 130	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!Roo @roo
	Mar 6, 2013 13:14:53 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Looking good Twig! Hoping to see this at one of our meetings soon then! Start saving for some some suspension adjustment in the direction of terra firma and some retro jdm style wideys.... NICE
	1969 Ford Taunus 20M RS Renovation thread so far........(CLICKY) EastCoastRetros@groups.facebook.com

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trigger Posted a lot Posts: 3,388	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!trigger @trigger
	Mar 11, 2013 23:01:39 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Mar 6, 2013 13:14:53 GMT Roo said: Start saving for some some suspension adjustment in the direction of terra firma and some retro jdm style wideys.... NICE I doubt I'll be lowering it mate, it's really bouncey as it is plus It won't go in my wifes works car park lowered. So yesterday I collected the Alto from my dad's at last, I must say It's the funniest car I've ever driven, It's quite pokey feeling and has very light controls, it's ever so easy to drive for a old car. I drove 15 miles across Colchester to my in laws and it behaved perfectly, once at the in laws I had a queue of family members all wanting a drive who all couldn't believe how nice the car was, as there was less the quarter of a tank of fuel I decided to top up at Tesco, it took £17 to fill it up and the gauge still hasn't moved!, So then I had the 20 mile drive home up the A14 to Ipswich where again it cruised along at 65-70mph perfectly except for the hills where it died on it's a bit. Still not sure how long I'll keep it for but I'm 100% happy that I took the gamble and saved the car now, It's given me a nice warm feeling inside . 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr Even Alfie the dog took it for a spin this morning and commented how nice it was too drive.
	Last Edit: Mar 11, 2013 23:05:09 GMT by trigger My car blog East Coast Retros

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jonw Part of things Can open a Mouse with a File Posts: 768	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!jonw @jonw
	Mar 12, 2013 11:36:33 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Great car!!! Must be brilliant for bimbling about in!
	Suzuki SV650R The good Triumph T20 The Bad BMW G650GS The Ugly Matchless G12CSR The Smokey Toyota Hybrid One pint or Two? Ingredients of this post Spam Drunken Rambling of author Bad spelling Drunken ramblings of inner voices Occasional pointless comments Vile beef trimming they won't even use in stock cubes

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79cord Posted a lot Posts: 2,617	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!79cord @79cord
	Mar 12, 2013 12:27:22 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Great to hear its better now & you can get some enjoyment from it. (Thermo-switch for cooling fan?- might not provide problem unless stuck in traffic for long period)
	Last Edit: Mar 12, 2013 12:29:21 GMT by 79cord '79 HondaAccord, '89 CR-X SiR,'88 Integra '81 Prelude, '74 Z360H/top, '65 S600 '75 BetaCoupe, '73 Cortina, '65 Cortina forum.retro-rides.org/thread/36869/1979-accord-prelude-integra-civics or www.cardomain.com/id/79cord

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trigger Posted a lot Posts: 3,388	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!trigger @trigger
	May 25, 2013 17:20:51 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Seeing how *popular this car's been on here I thought I'd better update this thread, It's been on the road a few months now and is being happily enjoyed as my wife's daily driver who has taken to using it remarkably well for a 29 year old, It's now covered 900 miles since the head gasket rebuild and touch wood other than it dieing one day at a junction then luckily restarting again (I think it was curse word in the fuel working it's way through the carb) it's performed faultlessly. It's now done 23000 mile which is nothing, it breezed the mot with the tester remarking on how mint the floor was, how it had been ziebarted from new and asking if I'd sell it to him! I've also fitted a new set of 145/13's which cost £140, more than the car cost me! Anyway here's some new photos from this afternoon. 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr 1985 Suzuki Alto FX by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr
	My car blog East Coast Retros

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neilos626 Part of things Posts: 187	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!neilos626 @neilos626
	May 25, 2013 17:31:19 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Love it, glad you've not fettled with it. Looks fine as is.


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darrenh Posted hell of a lot Posts: 6,656	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!darrenh @darrenh
	May 25, 2013 19:03:44 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	what an absolutely cracking little motor, love it ! front head rests, rear head rests, horn push on the steering wheel this was luxury spec in 1984
	1989 Astra Merit estate 1991 Astra GTE 16v group A build 1982 land rover 88 sw

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jellygut231 Part of things Posts: 184	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!jellygut231 @jellygut231
	May 25, 2013 23:07:59 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	I love that you have kept the 2 knob job radio in it absolutely cracking little car


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acidicdavey Part of things Sexy Volvo! Posts: 415	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!acidicdavey @acidicdavey
	May 25, 2013 23:59:56 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	What a cracking little motor Begging for a gold pin stripe along the shoulder line though
	98 Volvo V70 AWD - Long Term Project, the Volvo with a 'twist'!! 01 Alfa 166 3.0 V6 'Zender' - Retired due to 'Alfa issues' but still here! 96 Volvo 850 R Estate - The accidental project.

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Ratdat Posted a lot [][] Posts: 3,219	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!Ratdat @ratdat
	May 26, 2013 6:00:53 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Cool little car. Proper kei car too, albeit with a bigger engine than it's Japanese brethren. I'm guessing it'll be much like the 3 pot Daihatsus to drive... quite torquey low down and not as revvy as you might expect. Both the Mira and Cuore we've owned were great fun to drive. There's a copper coloured Alta exactly the same as yours in my village, although it looks like it has now been retired as it's sat in a garden unused for the last few months. Maybe I should knock on the door before they scrap it?
	1962 Datsun Bluebird Estate - 1971 Datsun 510 SSS - 1976 Datsun 710 SSS - 1981 Dodge van - 1985 Nissan Cherry Europe GTi - 1988 Nissan Prairie - 1990 Hyundai Pony Pickup - 1992 Mazda MX5

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trigger Posted a lot Posts: 3,388	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!trigger @trigger
	May 26, 2013 11:07:09 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	May 25, 2013 23:07:59 GMT jellygut231 said: I love that you have kept the 2 knob job radio in it absolutely cracking little car Cheers, I added a undershelf speaker as there wasn't any speakers fitted even though there was a radio?, It works ok but you can only get MW which means Classic Gold, which isn't too bad. May 26, 2013 6:00:53 GMT Ratdat said: Cool little car. Proper kei car too, albeit with a bigger engine than it's Japanese brethren. I'm guessing it'll be much like the 3 pot Daihatsus to drive... quite torquey low down and not as revvy as you might expect. Both the Mira and Cuore we've owned were great fun to drive. There's a copper coloured Alta exactly the same as yours in my village, although it looks like it has now been retired as it's sat in a garden unused for the last few months. Maybe I should knock on the door before they scrap it? Well I'm not sure you can class a 796cc 39 bhp engine quick but I guess it has slightly more go then a J version!, It's actually pretty fun to drive, it whizzes off quite quickly and is great in traffic around town but out on the dual carriageways it's a bit of a experience, especially on the hills when it loses power and gets a bit hairly!. It's worth saving your local one if you can, they are cheap to run and good fun, a bit like a modern japanese version of a Mini, I've had several people now offer to buy it off me so there must be a fan base for them.
	Last Edit: May 26, 2013 11:08:29 GMT by trigger My car blog East Coast Retros

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smart Part of things Posts: 134	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!smart @smart
	May 26, 2013 11:22:37 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	This is so cool! Sure Suzuki could interested in this should you ever want to sell it
	1998 Rover 400 Derv

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Deleted Posts: 0	1985 Suzuki Alto FX - Fire up the Alto!Deleted @Deleted
	May 26, 2013 13:03:27 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	can someone write totally brilliant on the back???


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