I've just had the worst week ever.
I was once the proud owner of a Renault 16 TL (1976). She ran beautifully, albeit with a few starting problems in the mornings. Fortunately, I live at the top of the hill so the old push-start was never a problem when ocassion demanded it.
I reckon I'd spent about 13,000 modifying and repairing the old girl. I had to have many part especially made by the local blacksmith, such as the front grill (NOT grille) - on which you could have BBQ's under the bonnet after a long run down to the coast. This was always a favourtie with my girlfriends.
Standard mods included 19" low profile TSW Kylami alloys, Rezistanz red under-body lighting, 5 Rally 3000-B fogs across the front (cool blue design). In addition to the beautiful bodywork I managed to squeeze a 3L BMW E36 M3 engine into her (for the best part of £7,000 incl VAT and labour).
Now, you may think I'm a fool for doing this (don't forget the chrome exhaust etc) but she was a real speed machine in disguise. She was refined, down to the very last detail (Rage carbon fibre pedal pads included). The number of times I passed a copper at say 90mph + who'd tap his speed gun afterwards, not believing the 16 could reach those dizzy heights.
Needless to say, I had hours of endless fun in the old girl. I remember doing laps of the M25 on a warm night last summer, with my mate on his Kawasaki trying to keep up - it was hilarious. Michael Bolton would have wept!
Anyway, yesterday morning I hear a knock at the door. It's only the county court bailiffs. Apparently I owed them £500 in overdue parking fines, court costs, bailiffs fees and everything.
Naturally I told him to stick it up his hairy a&$e but arguing with these people is useless. They already had clamps on her beautiful limbs, and she was immobilised. Something that was once so agile and brisk, sat there so helpless and useless. I swear I could see tears in her headlamps.
I had no choice, where could I find £500, I had to let them tow her. Now I have just 7 days before she is... I can barely bring myself to say it - CRUSHED. I think you all understand this is a travesty - does anyone know of any loopholes for getting my baby back?
Does anyone have any ideas on how to raise the money. I am really devestated. If they crush the 16 - they crush me. Please help!
Rhys.