well i was just out driving the other day and come across a first gen sitting on the side of the road with its hazards flashing away. so i pulled over to see if i could help.

anyway i found an older man with a 88 manual EFI glx wagon that 'just stopped'. so checked for spark, none. dissy looked fine, coil looked like it had been replaced and all so i went and got a power transistor (the module besides the coil) out of my tool box in the back of my wagon thats full of spares (also got all belts, full set of leads and cap, coil, few hoses, all basic tools ect), clipped that on and it fired strait up. i knew the power transistors were a common thing but not that common lol. just blind luck i always carry those parts just in case im stuck lol

so anyway the bloke was very appreciative (tryed to give me $50) but considering i have got another few at home i couldnt take it. so in conversation he told me he bought the car brand new in 88 and had put 440,000k's on the original engine and tranny. only ever did 2 clutches (due for one now), one set of cv's, stem seals and a few other small things besides the standard stuff. still on original alternator but had the regulator replaced lol. sounds a bit rattley on start up but for it to have lasted that long when most of the ones in wreckers around here never make 300 is quite a feat.

so anyway referred him to the club but he doesn't have internet lol. but he swears by the car. its seen him through two divorces and a house fire so he cant part with it. but he was on the mornington peninsular where he works on the way home to Heidelberg. a trip which he does a few times a week in the old beast. but most amazing of all still serviced by the original dealer!

so anyway thought this was a great example of what the old first gen can do. it was a bit shabby inside and a few scratches outside but still comparable to my car witch is in pretty good condition. never been in an accident apart from a woman reversing into the tale gate in 2004 witch insurance payed out for.

so anyway thought this was a great story!

Nice work!

Yep sounds about right if you have your car serviced properly! My current TF has been through a few different things. Helped in two house moves and has towed a crashed car out of a field. I love my car, hope I have mine as long. It's good to have history with a car and it when it becomes a part of the family. Sounds like this guy's lucky :)

Wow what an awesome story :) Your total right most second gen / first gen only seem to do mid 200 000 kms before they are scraped. Good work for stopping and helping out.

think the main problems leading to a lack of servicing and ending up in wrecking yeards at 250,000 is more to do with owners who underestimate the longevity of these things. sure they are notorious for valve stem seals and carbys with autos are like a bear with a sore head but really care is all thats needed. mine got 220,000 out of original engine but only cos i had an reco tr engine for free.

and couldn't resist stopping. just seeing another first gen is enough to make me stop lol. besides prob would have cost the bloke $200 to get it towed home! got to pitch in for the team! lol

440,000kms? Not sure that I believe it - good story though. Back in 1993 when I started at City Mitsubishi in Brisbane, I used to cringe when an old TM came in.

440,000kms? Not sure that I believe it - good story though. Back in 1993 when I started at City Mitsubishi in Brisbane, I used to cringe when an old TM came in.

My wife's father had a TM sedan which he passed down to his son, who then sold it to get his current car.
It had 500k on it, all original engine and tranny with only wear and tear items replaced when needed and religiously serviced.
Any motor/tranny will last for as long it's looked after.

my 91 tp is used and abused. 350,000 om the clock aridge motor and box, smokes , like a deisel . starts first time every time . have to give it a b,day soon and fit the rebuit tr engine in her.

Ah yes, the old power transistor and new ignition coil trap! lol
My TS 2.6 blew the coil, bought a new one and that blew within a few months. Replaced the coil and power transistor with bits from a wrecker, and all was good. Maybe the power transistor takes out the coil and they should both be replaced at the same time? Just a thought.

Nice story BTW

Car at pick and payless currently with a good 400XXX on the clock, body was reasonable at that, the engines are certainly capable of it, they just were not cared for as a car.

They may not be toyotas where you can dump diesel into the tank and have it still run (though rough - yes, been there) but they are very reliable indeed.
I'm keeping my astron motor that's lived it's life in 3 cars and done accumulatively 300XXX, and that motor has a bit of internal work also and runs like a dream.
Probably won't ever be in another car ever again, but it's too good a heart to scrap.

It's certainly good to hear. My Scorpion has around 450,000kms on it, original engine, gearbox, etc. My dad rebuilt the engine about 250,000kms ago and it's still going strong. We recently pulled the timing cover off of it and the timing chains and tensioners are still in great condition. It's only had RX Super in it since the rebuild which I believe is why the engine is still in such good condition.

Even rarer is someone who will stop to help a stranger with their car. Good on you.

About 6 years ago I had a cheap runabout TP Wagon with over 320,000 kms on it with the original engine. Went very smoothly. But the clutch was no good, 2nd gear was rough when the car was fully warmed up and the front left hand strut was bouncy.

Ten great parts to that story...

1. That you stopped to help. (and that's a big thing to do - hats off to you - :bowdown:)
2. That he allowed you to help - some people would be too scared or suspicious of Good Samaritans.
3. That he had owned the car since new - not many people like that for this long.
4. That you managed to get the old girl going.
5. That he offered money for the job.
6. That you declined.
7. That the car had been going so well given it's age and KMs.
8. That he was still loyal to the same dealership.
9. That you mentioned AMC to him.
10. That you thought of us and popped in to let us know the wonderful story - Thanks mate. :thumbsup: