Help identify this vehicle and catch some thieves.

Derek wrote:

> "The Natural Philosopher" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>Adrian wrote:
>>
>>
>>>The Natural Philosopher ([email protected]) gurgled happily, sounding much like they
>>>were saying :
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>>Not so sure about that - almost anything Escort-sized and below apart
>>>>
>>>>>from probably the last five years or so. Hell, many Fiesta-size use
>>>>
>>>>>135 and 145. Escort Vans are prime thieving pikey scum fodder - and
>>>>>would have no problem with a bit of muddy grass, especially with
>>>>>somebody who'll be used to nicking things out of sheds in the middle
>>>>>of the night behind the wheel.
>>>
>>>
>>>>Ok, I'll buy that. Where can I find track and wheelbase data on Escort
>>>>and Fiesta sized vans?
>>>
>>>
>>>'92 (Mk IV) Escort Estate :-
>>>http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=27027
>>>Wheelbase 2525mm
>>>Track F 1440mm, R 1462mm
>>>Total width 1696mm
>>>
>>>Damn near spot-on your measurements, right?
>>>
>>
>>NBot as spot on as te Legacy.
>>
>>Denitely track was 1.45-1.46 and thesame at frnt and rear benear as
>
> dammit.
>
>>wheelbase is 2.56-2.6. Escort is too short.
>>
>>
>>>>>I'd have thought 4x4 tyres would be fairly identifiable from the
>>>>>tread, too - chunkier, more open.
>>>
>>>
>>>>Its the cheapo michelins similar to what you get on any small car -
>>>>longitudinal sipes wih lateral ones at an angle on teh edges.
>>>
>>>
>>>Bit upmarket for a pikey Scrote van... <grin> Probably nicked.
>>
>>I think its an old soobie legacy 4x4 estate with the cheapest tyres you
>>can fit on the rims on it.
>
>
> not a scooby legacy then 185 tyres and 2581mm wheelbase
> 1461 fr track 1450 rear and I wouldnt bet on the gouges in the
> grass proving it was a 4wd coming to a halt on wet grass from
> 5mph will leave gouges when the wheels lock

It was more the identical gouges on a PLOUGHED FIELD where it stopped,
and then _took off_ again. There were signs of wheelspin on all four wheels.

The tyre issue is resolved. The actual tread widths on michelins I
messured were 20-40mm narrower than teh tyres rated 'width' to that
means it was likley 185-205 actual tyre. I re-ran the data search, and
the legacy still is really teh only vehicle - 4WD or not - that fits.

Astra and Sierra were close though.



> Derek
>
>

The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> Apologies for X posting.
>
> Six months ago I had a 'visit' from the light-fingered brigade who
broke
> into my shed and relieved me of an old lawnmower, and more
expensively a
> brand new hedge trimmer and chain saw.
>


(PSST! Anybody wanna buy a lawnmower or hedgetrimmer?)

In article <[email protected]>, The Natural
Philosopher <[email protected]> writes
>Apologies for X posting.
>
>Six months ago I had a 'visit' from the light-fingered brigade who broke
>into my shed and relieved me of an old lawnmower, and more expensively a
>brand new hedge trimmer and chain saw.
>
>Two nights ago the same tyre tracks took the same path across the same
>field and stopped in the same place outside my hedge.
>
>I no longer keep anything of value in the shed, so no crime committed,
>but this time I got some decent measurements in the wet soil.
>
>What I have is:
>
>Wheelbase 2.45 meters +- 50 cm.
>Track 1.45 meters +-5cm.
>Tread width 165mm, sidewalls maybe 200mm apart, Michelin cheapo tyres
>Almost certainly 4x4 to leave the sort of marks it did - there were 4
>equal sized gouges where it stopped, and then took off again.
>A bit lighter than a Landrover Defender - mine leaves deeper tracks on
>wider tyres.
>
>Since the intention was to remove large garden machinery, I am guessing
>a pickup or a van style back - as in landrover and jap copies thereof.
>
>Any suggestions as to the make of vehicle would be welcome. By me and
>the police here. They are cagey, but I have the impression they know who
>it is, but lack evidence.

I've seen a few suggest Subaru but not the Impreza, here's the spec for the
middle aged model, '94 to '02ish I think, the 'quiet' shape before the more
radical look:

Dims are the same for both saloon & hatch (looks like an estate) within
5mm):
Wheelbase: 2.52m
Tread (as they call it), I assume it is track: 1.46m
Tyres: Turbo 205/55R15, some late models had 16" & lower profile tyres
RX 195/60R15 (I'm guessing this was the UK 2.0 Sport model)
Non RX various 185/70R14, 175/70R14, 165/80R14 but I think that only the
Turbo and Sport have ever been marketed in the UK

Also, these models were very popular in the country, real farmers' cars
reputation, before they went really sporty. IIRC all subarus are perm 4WD.
--
fred

"fred" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]..

SNIP

>
> I've seen a few suggest Subaru but not the Impreza, here's the spec for
> the
> middle aged model, '94 to '02ish I think, the 'quiet' shape before the
> more
> radical look:
>
> Dims are the same for both saloon & hatch (looks like an estate) within
> 5mm):
> Wheelbase: 2.52m
> Tread (as they call it), I assume it is track: 1.46m
> Tyres: Turbo 205/55R15, some late models had 16" & lower profile tyres
> RX 195/60R15 (I'm guessing this was the UK 2.0 Sport model)
> Non RX various 185/70R14, 175/70R14, 165/80R14 but I think that only the
> Turbo and Sport have ever been marketed in the UK
>
> Also, these models were very popular in the country, real farmers' cars
> reputation, before they went really sporty. IIRC all subarus are perm 4WD.
> --
> fred

Don't think anybody has mentioned the Mazda 4x4 pick-ups that were around in
the late 80's - were they B200s or something? I think there was a rebadged
Bedford version, too. That'd be a typical Pikey chariot... I tried Googling
for some specs but failed miserably :-(

Simon H

fred wrote:

> I've seen a few suggest Subaru but not the Impreza, here's the spec for the
> middle aged model, '94 to '02ish I think, the 'quiet' shape before the more
> radical look:
>
> Dims are the same for both saloon & hatch (looks like an estate) within
> 5mm):
> Wheelbase: 2.52m
> Tread (as they call it), I assume it is track: 1.46m
> Tyres: Turbo 205/55R15, some late models had 16" & lower profile tyres
> RX 195/60R15 (I'm guessing this was the UK 2.0 Sport model)
> Non RX various 185/70R14, 175/70R14, 165/80R14 but I think that only the
> Turbo and Sport have ever been marketed in the UK

They launched the impreza in the UK with the non turbo saloon, and hatch
in 1.6, 1.8, and 2.0L forms. The Turbo a while after. The sport was a
more recent addition for those who want the looks but not the power of
the turbo. The conventional cars sold steadily at typical subaru volumes
(i.e. small) prior to the debut of Mr. McCray. They entered rallying in
a serious way in about '92 with Colin McRay driving the Turbo Legacy,
which they raced for a couple of years, before switching to the Impreza.

> Also, these models were very popular in the country, real farmers' cars
> reputation, before they went really sporty. IIRC all subarus are perm 4WD.

All current models are. Historically a good number sold in the UK were
front wheel drive only, and many of the AWDs were switchable between
front and four wheel drive (with a dog clutch rather than a centre diff).


--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

fred wrote:

> In article <[email protected]>, The Natural
> Philosopher <[email protected]> writes
>
>>Apologies for X posting.
>>
>>Six months ago I had a 'visit' from the light-fingered brigade who broke
>>into my shed and relieved me of an old lawnmower, and more expensively a
>>brand new hedge trimmer and chain saw.
>>
>>Two nights ago the same tyre tracks took the same path across the same
>>field and stopped in the same place outside my hedge.
>>
>>I no longer keep anything of value in the shed, so no crime committed,
>>but this time I got some decent measurements in the wet soil.
>>
>>What I have is:
>>
>>Wheelbase 2.45 meters +- 50 cm.
>>Track 1.45 meters +-5cm.
>>Tread width 165mm, sidewalls maybe 200mm apart, Michelin cheapo tyres
>>Almost certainly 4x4 to leave the sort of marks it did - there were 4
>>equal sized gouges where it stopped, and then took off again.
>>A bit lighter than a Landrover Defender - mine leaves deeper tracks on
>>wider tyres.
>>
>>Since the intention was to remove large garden machinery, I am guessing
>>a pickup or a van style back - as in landrover and jap copies thereof.
>>
>>Any suggestions as to the make of vehicle would be welcome. By me and
>>the police here. They are cagey, but I have the impression they know who
>>it is, but lack evidence.
>
>
> I've seen a few suggest Subaru but not the Impreza, here's the spec for the
> middle aged model, '94 to '02ish I think, the 'quiet' shape before the more
> radical look:
>
> Dims are the same for both saloon & hatch (looks like an estate) within
> 5mm):
> Wheelbase: 2.52m
> Tread (as they call it), I assume it is track: 1.46m
> Tyres: Turbo 205/55R15, some late models had 16" & lower profile tyres
> RX 195/60R15 (I'm guessing this was the UK 2.0 Sport model)
> Non RX various 185/70R14, 175/70R14, 165/80R14 but I think that only the
> Turbo and Sport have ever been marketed in the UK
>
> Also, these models were very popular in the country, real farmers' cars
> reputation, before they went really sporty. IIRC all subarus are perm 4WD.

Yup, but wheel base is a tad short.

"The Natural Philosopher" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

SNIP

>>
>>
>> I've seen a few suggest Subaru but not the Impreza, here's the spec for
>> the
>> middle aged model, '94 to '02ish I think, the 'quiet' shape before the
>> more
>> radical look:
>>
>> Dims are the same for both saloon & hatch (looks like an estate) within
>> 5mm):
>> Wheelbase: 2.52m
>> Tread (as they call it), I assume it is track: 1.46m
>> Tyres: Turbo 205/55R15, some late models had 16" & lower profile tyres
>> RX 195/60R15 (I'm guessing this was the UK 2.0 Sport model)
>> Non RX various 185/70R14, 175/70R14, 165/80R14 but I think that only the
>> Turbo and Sport have ever been marketed in the UK
>>
>> Also, these models were very popular in the country, real farmers' cars
>> reputation, before they went really sporty. IIRC all subarus are perm
>> 4WD.
>
> Yup, but wheel base is a tad short.


I don't think anybody has mentioned the Mazda 4x4 pick-ups that were around
in
the late 80's - were they B200s or something? I think there was a rebadged
Bedford version, too (Brava???). That'd be a typical Pikey chariot... I
tried Googling
for some specs but failed miserably :-(

Simon H

I'm pretty sure that the '92 Legacy I used to own had 175/70 tyres on
14" rims. The Turbo one I have now has 205/60R15s, so the earlier cars
were never very generously-tyred.

Almost all Legacies sold in the UK have been 4wd, and would have no
trouble crossing a field. The flat-four has a very distinctive sound.

David

On Thu, 27 Jan 2005 13:50:28 +0000, The Natural Philosopher <[email protected]>
wrote:
| The one issue I thouh was resolved, is the tyre width. But it seems a
| '165' trye may be narrower at the tread than 65mm. so I am off to
| measure the wifes tyres to see what tread width correspnds to what tre
| size, as she has similar sort of tyres on board.
|

Clive Summerfield muttered:

>
> "The Natural Philosopher" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Apologies for X posting.
>>
> <snip>
>>
>> Wheelbase 2.45 meters +- 50 cm.
>> Track 1.45 meters +-5cm.
>> Tread width 165mm, sidewalls maybe 200mm apart, Michelin cheapo tyres
>> Almost certainly 4x4 to leave the sort of marks it did - there were 4
>> equal sized gouges where it stopped, and then took off again.
>> A bit lighter than a Landrover Defender - mine leaves deeper tracks on
>> wider tyres.
>>
>> Since the intention was to remove large garden machinery, I am guessing
>> a pickup or a van style back - as in landrover and jap copies thereof.
>>
>> Any suggestions as to the make of vehicle would be welcome. By me and
>> the police here. They are cagey, but I have the impression they know who
>> it is, but lack evidence.
>>
>
> Hmm.
>
> Kia Sportage comes in at 2.65m wheelbase, track is 1.44m, runs on 205/70R15
> and weighs in at 1494kg unladen.
>
> Others such as RAV4, Freelander, Vitaras, et al don't seem to fit the
> dimensions you give as well as the Kia Sportage. Also strikes me as the sort
> of poor mans 4WD that thieves might use. After all, if they want to keep a
> Freelander running, they'll need more than the proceeds of shed break-ins.
>
> Cheers
> Clive
>
>
We had a drive-by a few months ago (the follow-up to an actual garden
equipment burglary the previous year) and by tracks left in the field next
to our shed, worked out it was a Subaru 4WD estate.

Magwitch wrote:

> Clive Summerfield muttered:
>
>
>>"The Natural Philosopher" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>>
>>>Apologies for X posting.
>>>
>>
>><snip>
>>
>>>Wheelbase 2.45 meters +- 50 cm.
>>>Track 1.45 meters +-5cm.
>>>Tread width 165mm, sidewalls maybe 200mm apart, Michelin cheapo tyres
>>>Almost certainly 4x4 to leave the sort of marks it did - there were 4
>>>equal sized gouges where it stopped, and then took off again.
>>>A bit lighter than a Landrover Defender - mine leaves deeper tracks on
>>>wider tyres.
>>>
>>>Since the intention was to remove large garden machinery, I am guessing
>>>a pickup or a van style back - as in landrover and jap copies thereof.
>>>
>>>Any suggestions as to the make of vehicle would be welcome. By me and
>>>the police here. They are cagey, but I have the impression they know who
>>>it is, but lack evidence.
>>>
>>
>>Hmm.
>>
>>Kia Sportage comes in at 2.65m wheelbase, track is 1.44m, runs on 205/70R15
>>and weighs in at 1494kg unladen.
>>
>>Others such as RAV4, Freelander, Vitaras, et al don't seem to fit the
>>dimensions you give as well as the Kia Sportage. Also strikes me as the sort
>>of poor mans 4WD that thieves might use. After all, if they want to keep a
>>Freelander running, they'll need more than the proceeds of shed break-ins.
>>
>>Cheers
>>Clive
>>
>>
>
> We had a drive-by a few months ago (the follow-up to an actual garden
> equipment burglary the previous year) and by tracks left in the field next
> to our shed, worked out it was a Subaru 4WD estate.
>

Apprently teh most sought after vehicle by our travelling friends, who
find its speed and 4WD capabilities highly useful..