My 1992 SSEi four years on
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 4:14 pm
In a months time I will have had my 1992 Bonneville SSEi for exactly four years. It has been my only car throughout that time and is my daily driver. It gets used in all seasons and all weathers, and has been the most dependable car I have ever owned, despite the fact that it is approaching 24 years old. It has taken me all over England, and even to Germany and back - a trip I only undertook because I completely trusted the car to get me there and back. It had 147,000km on the clock when I bought it, and it now reads 191,500. It is looked after, and acceptably maintained, but is certainly not pampered!
Anyway, I thought I'd mark my four years of ownership with some up-to-date photos, taken last weekend...
Most of you already know this, but my Bonneville is a Euro-spec model, which makes it a little more unusual. It was originally sold new in Germany where it was allegedly a fleet car to begin with - although the mileage is low for that. It was imported into the UK in 2002, and I am only the second UK owner. When imported it was registered with the personalised registration number SXI 8705, which is actually a Northern Ireland plate (they have different combinations to the rest of the UK).
As a Euro spec model there are a few minor differences to a US-spec car. You can see the towing eye under the front bumper in this shot, and the indicator repeaters on the front fenders:
The headlights and sidelights are US-spec items on my car, as it is extremely difficult to locate Euro-specific spares.
At the back it has a wider licence plate recess to accomodate the wider Euro-size licence plate, and has fog lights built into the rear bumper:
The exhaust system on my car, aft of the cat, is actually intended for a '96 to '99 Bonneville, but has been adapted to fit.
Views down the flanks:
Interior shots:
Original stereo!:
Wheels are also stock, shod with Vredestein Quatrac 3 all-season tires:
Here's my engine bay, which I admit is embarassingly filthy! But hey, it is my daily driver and as I said it is not pampered...
Anyway, I thought I'd mark my four years of ownership with some up-to-date photos, taken last weekend...
Most of you already know this, but my Bonneville is a Euro-spec model, which makes it a little more unusual. It was originally sold new in Germany where it was allegedly a fleet car to begin with - although the mileage is low for that. It was imported into the UK in 2002, and I am only the second UK owner. When imported it was registered with the personalised registration number SXI 8705, which is actually a Northern Ireland plate (they have different combinations to the rest of the UK).
As a Euro spec model there are a few minor differences to a US-spec car. You can see the towing eye under the front bumper in this shot, and the indicator repeaters on the front fenders:
The headlights and sidelights are US-spec items on my car, as it is extremely difficult to locate Euro-specific spares.
At the back it has a wider licence plate recess to accomodate the wider Euro-size licence plate, and has fog lights built into the rear bumper:
The exhaust system on my car, aft of the cat, is actually intended for a '96 to '99 Bonneville, but has been adapted to fit.
Views down the flanks:
Interior shots:
Original stereo!:
Wheels are also stock, shod with Vredestein Quatrac 3 all-season tires:
Here's my engine bay, which I admit is embarassingly filthy! But hey, it is my daily driver and as I said it is not pampered...
