My 1983 Suzuki Alto Mk.1

[drakkie]

As some of you know, I got a nice ride for me to restore. In this thread i'll put some pictures and the restoring process kept up-to-date.

First an introduction; the slowest ride on these forums ever! According to the importer, there are around 150 of these rides left in the country in exactly this version. So what have I got ? Well, a Suzuki Alto with a 0.8L engine and 2-speed automatic transmission! The cutest ride ever! Coolest thing was that I bought it at a official dealership

Unfortunately there are some problems with this ride. The ones I have discovered so far:
- oil leak at the crank shaft
- rusted through wheel arch left rear
- terrible driver seat
- wiring issues, i got a brake light OR my rear lights
- missing various bits of chrome trim
- not-functioning heater, leaking fluid into the interior and onto my shoe


For a 26 year old (yes, it's a classic !) car it is in exceptionally well state with just 126.000km. The paint is red, but has barely faded and the car is 100% original! It even has it's original AM-radio fitted Full maintenance history as well !

So far I have fixed various things:
- Brake pads replaced
- Drum brakes (rear) refurbished
- Tried to sort out the wiring, not succeeded yet
- Full work-over of the engine, head gasket, filters, valve timing and so on
- Welded and painted a piece in the luggage compartiment, where it was rusted through.
- Sorted out insurance issues (major headache, I apparently drove around uninsured for a week because of a mistake by the insurer ).
- Ordered various bits & pieces in Japan.
- Polished exterior and interior (after the pictures).

I must have this car in 100% condition before June 13th as I will be taking part in a car rally to Monaco, via Hungary in this car. 3000km in 5 days

I will be keeping the Ford Fiesta for daily usage at the moment, until my brand new Suzuki Alto will arrive in August! Nice ride for a really nice price, I cannot wait as my Ford has serious issues, beyond economic repair.

[Ferrer]

Congratulations.

Altough it must be slow indeed...

[Wouter Melissen]

It generates some serious downforce, even while stationary.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

Congratulations.

Altough it must be slow indeed...

doesn't matter, it is FWD....

[nota]

Originally Posted by Wouter Melissen

It generates some serious downforce, even while stationary.

a tortoise, turned turtle

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by henk4

doesn't matter, it is FWD....

I've driven some front wheel drive cars that'd try to kill you every time it had an opportunity...

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

I've driven some front wheel drive cars that'd try to kill you every time it had an opportunity...

not caused by driver error of course....

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by henk4

not caused by driver error of course....

Of course.

People for some reason have the notion that front wheel drive cars can't be tail happy. They don't know how wrong they are...

[LTSmash]

Originally Posted by nota

a tortoise, turned turtle

Clever.

[f6fhellcat13]

Congrats drakkie.
Your fascination with underpowered POSs is very interesting and humorous.

[cmcpokey]

looks fun. does it have power steering? how about fuel injection? albert and i had a few discussions about how the stripped down, simple cars are a lot more interesting to drive, even if they are down in power.

[kingofthering]

Nothing like vintage JDM, is there?

[drakkie]

Originally Posted by cmcpokey

looks fun. does it have power steering? how about fuel injection? albert and i had a few discussions about how the stripped down, simple cars are a lot more interesting to drive, even if they are down in power.

It has a very simple carburetor with manual choke Power steering is not available on this car, been a while since I drove a car without it.

For some reason it is indeed a lot of fun to have a tiny, super low weight car. It costs barely nothing and because of the slowness you are bound to drive much more relaxed and much more enjoying the environment. It is actually quite comfortable too!

Exactly this is the reason why the Suzuki Alto has this hardcore fanbase! Because of it's cheapness, crapness, basic motoring feeling the cars have a soul. We have grown to a respectable club with about 30-50 members that meet twice a month and a few thousands that visit sometimes but don't come to the meetings and so.

For tomorrow my ride will be photographed for commercial activities by Suzuki at the introduction of the new Alto. Pretty cool!

[IBrake4Rainbows]

2 Speed Auto.

How do you live?

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by cmcpokey

looks fun. does it have power steering? how about fuel injection? albert and i had a few discussions about how the stripped down, simple cars are a lot more interesting to drive, even if they are down in power.

Indeed.

I'd only fear the 2 speed auto taking off too much of the fun.