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A decision was finally made ... and the money was on the table.
With the 64 ID19 Parisienne an indeterminant way off it was out of the picture. The 74 Safari drove well, looked good externally, needed some internal work but had a gave in its provenance. Leaving "Eloyse" who had good paintwork, re-upholstered in original material and colour, 2.3l reconditioned engine replaced the original and known life history.

Offered once recently for a 'fishing trip' price of $18,000 it now became a sensible offer over $10,000. Price settled on off we went .. to visit Laurens. It turned out to be a wet day in anotherwise very dry Perth summer. Initially drove well but as the distance in the damp increased and the motor got warmer the engine cut out every time we slowed at traffic lights.

Took "Eloyse" home to introduce to my daughter and grandchildren. When I asked my 5yo granddaughter if she'd like to meet my new girlfriend "Eloyse" I was told, "Granny won't like that!"



Next morning arranged to meet youngest son and drop Jacinta off at school. Arrived at the school and my daughter went in with Jacinta. Cameron, Luke (3yo) and I waited in the car. Suddenly there was a loud bang as the right rear window exploded, showering glass all over Luke and into the car.

As Luke was putting his seatbelt on at the time I thought he must have flicked the buckle against the window. Cameron said that it wasn't the cause. The only other possibility was that Luke had his foot on the winder and as he pushed back to click his seatbelt in forced the winder to push glass to the roof and under the pressure the glass shattered.

Shattered glass, distraught grandson and sad looking "Eloyse". Cleaned up and when daughter returned went off to check for replacement. Laurens was best bet as on previous day had seen his Aladdin's Cave of DS parts. No answer so left a message.



Not keen to drive 400+km into possible wet weather waited for call later that afternoon. Arranged to go and replace glass the following morning. Driving up the Mitchell Freeway a Holden ute pulled up alongside, moved slightly ahead, then I saw an extended arm with a thumbs up, before it moved away.

Replacement glass found, old glass and frame removed, new one installed, Laurens looked at the idle but without much joy. Headed for home leaving Roe and Great Eastern Hwy intersection at 12:15. Arrived in Denmark at 17:05 after a fuel stop at Williams and 440kms. Cruised at 100-105kph in gently wallowing comfort. Some wind noise from drivers window. Need to adjust door to bring in tighter on body.

Unable to anything until the following Monday. Visited a friend, Paul, who had owned an ID 19 in South Africa in the 1970's. Pulled the top half of carbie off and cleaned it. Reset the float to specs and reassembled. Checked the points. Could only get it to idle at 2,000rpm on the dash. Adjust slower and instant death. Late in day so off home with a 'fast idle'.

Next day back again and decision to remove air filter and thus made task of removing whole carbie easier. While Paul stripped the carbie I cleaned air filter with blow out, soak in petrol and reoiling. With everything reassembled started up and adjustments made by Paul seemed to work. Now have a satisfactory idle and no 'sudden death syndrome' when slowing down.

Looked at hand brake pads and adjustment as no effective hand brake at moment. (Make sure wheels are pointed to kerb) Decided a hoist was needed and will lash out to get a new cable. Previous owner tells me it is the original. Today took boot struts off, sanded, primed and will repaint (I know they were plated but can get that done down here) Will look much better than rusted plating and can re-plate at a later date if necessary.

Well here we are at the end of the first 10 days. Replaced rear window, stripped and replaced carbie, cleaned and re-oiled air filter, cleaned and reprimed boot struts as well as installing beeper to go with additional flasher light added in 1973 by first owner. Also reconnected the interior light cable to dash switch. Checked rheostat for instrument lights but seems to be dead.

Will give the occasional update on what has been happening ...

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