Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Nov 22, 2020 20:44:47 GMT
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I bought a few cars over the last ten years or so, but never have I had so many ins and out in such a short period of time...
Tues 3rd Nov, Prairie goes Thurs 5th Nov, Saab 9-5 goes Sun 8th Nov, Hyundai Scoupe comes in Mon 9th Nov, Rover 45 V6 goes Tues 10th Nov, Saab 900 goes Tues 10th Nov, Saab 9000 in Wed 11th Nov, Rover Tomcat in Fri 13th Nov, Volvo V70 in Sun 15th Nov, Mk1 Punto bought (still awaiting collection in Birmingham)
So on the 2nd, I had: '84 Stanza '89 Prairie '97 Saab 9-5 '92 Saab 900 '00 Rover 45 V6 '90 Rover 820
But by the 15th, I had: '84 Stanza '90 Rover 820 '89 Saab 9000 '98 Rover Tomcat '94 Hyundai Scoupe '00 Volvo V70 '98 Punto
Four out, five in. I'm just not very good at trimming down the fleet.
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Last Edit: Nov 22, 2020 20:45:27 GMT by Geordie
CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Looked like it had been towed for being illegally parked as it had a notice on it. Looked in good nick. Ah, the Mazda. I wonder if it is ok?
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Last Edit: Nov 21, 2020 9:19:31 GMT by Geordie
CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Hi mate, That's an interesting list of cars you have again. The Scoupe I am not so sure about. I remember when they came on the market. I did like it at the time but the drive was really disappointing. I later drove a turbo but that was not much better. However I love your Tomcat. I don't think that I have seen one besides on photo's. They might had them in Holland too. I can't remember. Looking forward to see the Saab. I love everything Saab. How's the shop going? Did you open a second shop? Cheers Hi. Updates on everything to come. Been a bit of a mad time. There are some Tomcats in New Zealand, judging from what I've seen posted in owners groups, so there might have been a handful make it over to Oz, but I doubt many.
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Nov 20, 2020 22:38:40 GMT
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Car is fab. I saw your old white mazda coupe in a scrap yard in Carlisle in September. It still looked good. I saw a pic of it in the scrapyard. I wonder how it ended up there, and what, if anything, is wrong with it?
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Nov 20, 2020 19:00:33 GMT
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Well, it was surely just a matter of time before I ended up owning another Tomcat. Especially in Nightfire Red. A car which carried lots of memories of a very up and down second marriage, but over the years since then, the ties to that rocky time become less important than how much I love these cars themselves. Here is my old thread for the second Tomcat I had, back in about 2012... forum.retro-rides.org/thread/142494/1995-rover-tomcat-coupeand this is that car.. ![](https://i.imgur.com/DiTAAcv.jpg) I just love these, and could happily stare doey eyed at the rear end of them for hours. Love the lower rear diffuser, love the chunky spoiler, the glass T-bar roof, the classy leather interiors (in the ones that have them) and of course, when it's all smothered in gorgeous Nightfire Red all the better. I'm really not to bothered in which engine is under the bonnet, it's all about how lovely they look. My first one was a non-turbo 2 litre manual, the second one was a 1.6 Honda engined auto. This one is a 1.6 manual, so it's the K series. An engine with it's well known flaws and achilles heels, but an engine which most people accept is revvy, perky and not bad at all. A future proofed K series is a happy thing to own, which is where the new one enters stage left.... forum.retro-rides.org/thread/207920/rover-216-coupeI was in touch with Pete exactly a year ago, when he originally had the car up for sale when the head gasket went. He decided to keep the car and fix it, and we left it that if he ever did decide to sell it, he'd tip me the wink on it and let me know. A man good to his word, that's exactly what he did in October. After he'd pretty much overhalled the whole car! A list of the work done includes: New oil rail New uprated head bolts New headgasket New cam cover gasket New thermostat New inlet manifold gasket New exhaust gasket New radiator New Timing belt New Water pump New tensioner New inlet manifold bolts/nuts New exhaust studs and bolts New front exhaust section New front calipers, discs & pads Full seats and carpets out deep clean New MOT I'm not sure I could have asked for more peace of mind. Bad bits? There's some lacquer peel on the bonnet, and some small bits of bubbling near the sill ends, but the sills themselves are very, very good. As one of six new cars in the last two weeks, I think it has to be my favourite, due to my history with them, and it just has to be a keeper. I mean, I'll never get a better one that ticks more of my personal boxes. Here's some pics anyway, the first of which is the ubiquitous first fill up shot on collection day in Sleaford... ![](https://i.imgur.com/4kk4tcV.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/ctE97tl.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/54pz2nt.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/JioBvcl.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/zTgDTS1.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/xPjZJrq.jpg) ploppy white number plate screw caps ![](https://i.imgur.com/xOcsktC.jpg) replaced with nice ones. It's the little things... ![](https://i.imgur.com/Ufd48Am.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/ttVWbgQ.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/JMiZELs.jpg) It has a lovely piped cream leather interior... ![](https://i.imgur.com/tTUfbPM.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/OIFw36y.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/4IPnHno.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/Nl7R6vR.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/pskMwj3.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/wVDpSeG.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/iGHW9GF.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/hYEIPA7.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/sfrcadw.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/TDLK3ww.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/KgSlKSn.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/EThiCyk.jpg) That lacquer peel... ![](https://i.imgur.com/HoFLXHW.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/wzbyeGg.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/xMQMB0r.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/1Z2LeVG.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/xVbFCjL.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/VyN0bwd.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/srdrDfG.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/cSE0nR0.jpg) With my other 90's coupe, the Hyundai Scoupe. Watch out for a new thread on that one soon... ![](https://i.imgur.com/weul18p.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/sVnW4ES.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/B3CKoQ7.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/B1FUEC2.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/RoQQIg5.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/44GFfE3.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/Y7QXzZY.jpg) Engine bay... ![](https://i.imgur.com/bGTh1RM.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/JMX9ba3.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/jflKWsR.jpg) And there we are for now. Not sure what else I can do for now, apart from sort the lacquer peel out. These R8's are growing in popularity and appreciation these days, so I think I feel a big wedge of relief to get one of these, in the right colour for me and with all the work done. Thanks Pete, I'll look after it.
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Last Edit: Mar 7, 2021 14:03:30 GMT by Geordie
CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Aug 21, 2020 17:54:54 GMT
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Rover 45 V6 150bhp, handles well and a fantastic sound. Less than 100 now left, and cheap as chips if you can find one. A pleasing and surprising car. ![](https://i.imgur.com/VmMyopd.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/14J5ZHt.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/RuKkI9e.jpg)
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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You always seem to have a different car when I look on here. how's the green rover going? Going well mate. Its a great example.
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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My sensible head, and business head, got the better of my 'Jeez, I love this Busso V6' head, and I sold the Alfa 166 to a petrol head aquaintance. I wasn't after another car. That was kind of the reason for selling, however, I was offered this one in part exchange, and thought, well, it's unusual being the V6, so why the heck not? ![](https://i.imgur.com/3K4hgDo.jpg) I actually knew this particular car from some Hubnut videos from 18 months ago when Ian Seabrook owned it. He praised the car highly, as did the guy who bought it from him, and subsequently bought my 166. So it was nice to have the opportunity to see whether their praise was justified. 2000 Rover 45 V6 2 litre KV6, 150bhp 5 speed Jatco automatic transmission Wedgewood Blue 113k miles Club spec, with blue velour interior Coronet alloys ![](https://i.imgur.com/14J5ZHt.jpg) Right. I'll come to the point straight away.... I love this car already. What a forgotten gem. Lovely, comfy velour interior .. tick Saloon, over hatch, any day .. tick KV6 sound .. massive tick Auto .. tick Needs pushing along to make decent progress .. yes, and it's addictive! It is carrying a few panel dents, which I'd rather weren't there, however, saying that, this car is all about the lump upfront and the pleasant assault on the ears it inflicts. ![](https://i.imgur.com/8LDNDGK.jpg) When I say it needs pushing along, some people might be happy to just make more sedate progress than me when behind the wheel of this car. But once you know what awaits when the go-go pedal is planted, sedate just isn't an option. It does lack a bit of torque, but that's really not the reason I get poor mpg results. ![](https://i.imgur.com/VmMyopd.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/s2Hmh6g.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/BYJzsTd.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/aATmzmx.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/RuKkI9e.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/uRQuXWQ.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/R5P5kdi.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/73Eh4Bq.jpg) Apparently there are less than 100 of these 45 V6's left now, with about 30 of these Club spec, and about 60 Connoisseur spec. Did I say I love this car?
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Jul 23, 2020 22:09:39 GMT
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Love it! How do the front doors latch, presumably not to the rear doors. With the rear door open, I assume the front door still latches shut. Do they latch to the roof and sill? Correct, top and bottom
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Jul 23, 2020 19:12:48 GMT
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A couple of little things sorted just before and just after the MOT. This dent is no more... ![](https://i.imgur.com/vEcA21o.jpg) and this loose bit of trim reattached... ![](https://i.imgur.com/rCoRAPC.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/xU3EG5d.jpg) Rear bayonet fit wiper changed....it did need doing! ![](https://i.imgur.com/VYheptB.jpg) Its all taxed, tested and insured now, so I'm hoping to get it out and about tomorrow or Saturday ![](https://i.imgur.com/mpZh5d7.jpg)
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Last Edit: Jul 23, 2020 19:15:58 GMT by Geordie
CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Jul 22, 2020 17:44:13 GMT
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Yesterday was a good day... ![](https://i.imgur.com/yJ6H4qc.jpg)
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Jul 16, 2020 18:30:11 GMT
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Jul 15, 2020 10:25:57 GMT
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Gorgeous, and Nightfire Red, the best colour too.
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Jul 15, 2020 10:21:10 GMT
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Pretty car
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Jul 13, 2020 19:22:07 GMT
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A quick hour in the engine bay has helped things... ![](https://i.imgur.com/HMk2FFx.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/94hFzOD.jpg)
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Jul 13, 2020 11:22:08 GMT
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But with only 1 (large) post... You're right, sorry. I'd not even contemplate selling it if it wasn't for the expansion of the coffee shop business
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Jul 13, 2020 10:57:51 GMT
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^^^ Mate, give us at least a few updates before you sell your car! We can't keep up. The Alfa is already gone. We didn't even have time to make silly remarks about reliability issues, rust or just to acknowledge your great taste in clean cars... Anyway enjoy the new car! I did create a thread for it.... forum.retro-rides.org/thread/214645/99-alfa-166-litre-v6
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,516
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Jul 12, 2020 19:26:17 GMT
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CURRENT FLEET '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '99 Alfa 166 (3 litre V6, 89k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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