Not on the level

Talbot prep today.

I washed the car first - it did not really seem dirty but the bucket of black water said otherwise.

That only took 20 minutes - although it felt longer.

Then a quick SAAB trip to pick up a vintage voltage tester. 

Not sure how it works but I'll investigate.

Then back to the Talbot and the polish then the windows, which definitely did take much longer.

I also checked the water - needed almost none - and the oil - needed a pint. Odd as it has not really been using oil. However after putting it in the level did not seem to go up at all ? Looking at the car it might have been on a slope so I resisted the urge to add more and put the car away before checking the level again.

Then MK2 into town for hair cut - parked by the twin towers.

No, not those Twin Towers but it was apposite. I filled up the petrol on the way back too.

Back home I checked the Talbot oil on the flat - that was better - I added a 1/4 of a pint and called it a day. Looking at the Golf thought it deserved a clean. 

So it got a clean. Then I did the windows - I even did the door shuts. I popped the cover on it as I suspect it won't get used for a couple of weeks now.

Next - the Aston. The charger was on green so I started the car, backed it out and added another 10 litres of fuel and put it away again. The charger was back to being on low battery health, climbing to four dots after a couple of hours.

Which is not that bad, but it's not what I'd expect.

However the day was not quite over yet. The SAAB out again - up to Harkstead to drop off a big bag of drugs.

Hold again I tested the Tslbot lights. Fine although it did that trick of cutting all power as the switch was moved over. Probably a bit of corrosion on the switch as it’s been unused all year. 

So then we did stop.

ION: 25 years since 9/11 - when the Twin Towers were hit by two aircraft killing 2,700 people. That really was a start of the new Century.

Another Dash or two - this time for Fuel

G2R first thing for a day sail.

The sun was out if a bit Autumnal. 

Home again early afternoon and it was a bit warmer so I went back to jobs. First the Alpine out to get more fuel for the Beast.

It ran well and was nice to get it out again - a bit dusty though - but it is running the fuel tank down.

After that I thought the Ferrari needed a run.

So I dashed around the block.

Dash (board) ing Around

So what is the plan for today ?

First start the Talbot. It was a chilly morning but even after 14 days the car started well, after a few goes that was. I backed it out and let it sit in the sun before popping off to fill it up with petrol.

Nice picture of the dash.

Then I decided to swap the Alpine and Imp over. But the Imp really needed a clean - so I did that first - then went around the block. It seemed to be going well in the cooler air too.

Nice picture of the dash.

Then I swapped the Alpine back under the covers.

Nice picture of the dash.

Can you see where this is going yet ?

Then we took the top box off the SAAB and put it in Oliver's shed - not 100% ideal but much easier than the garage loft.

Then a DIY electrical problem to work on - so E-type out to collect LED lights. The chap at the unit liked it.

Nice picture of the dash.

That did not fix the problem though so I went back into town for a replacement unit in the SAAB this time. But they did not have one.

Well you know what I write next.

So that was ... almost that. The sun was still just setting so I though I'd brave the Aston and test the starting. First time - but then the charger was green.

I put 10 litres of petrol in it and looking at it (and hearing it) I wondered whatever made me think it should go. Bad Martin. I decided 'sod it' lets go around the block - and it did not disappoint.

We - dash'ed around the circuit. 

When I plugged the charger it it was immediately on low. Oh and the fob needed a new battery yet again. 

Finally I confirmed James and Miri for the London adventure in two weeks' time.

ION: An AI expert/techie has stated that there is more than a 1:10 chance that AI will destroy the Human Race within 10 years. Oh well - better get driving.

Utility and Photo Fame ... ish

A lot of home jobs AM [including unblocking the sink] but I did notice three my photos in the Talbot magazine this time.

A bit over processed and too dark, ten years ago I would have been 'cock a hoop' to have a picture in any mag - now it is 'whatever'. Well it is still nice.

PM was a run to Harkstead in the rain.

As it had been raining all day the roads were getting quite flooded.

After that I played with some pictures - nice Anglia one.

Worked quite well I thought.

Dump Day and Tiger Tracks

I spent most of the morning cramming crap into the SAAB. Well the detritus of civilisation I had accumulated over the last few months.

I put the front Talbot battery on charge and it instantly came up green which was a good sign.

PM was the run to the aforesaid recycling center - it took two of us 15 mins to unload.

As to the tracks - I spotted this mess as I loaded the car.

That will be the Tiger spinning its wheels while I tried to reverse it out yesterday morning.

So late evening I treated the Alpine (and me) to a warm run around the block. 

After stopping it was a little lumpy for a while but generally a very nice drive, but I suspect bad weather is on the way.

Tiger at the Ball

How did it know ? After weeks of good weather why was it going to rain at 7:15 am this morning ? It was only a few drops - although kept going on and off until 9:00 - but that was not going to spoil the day. 

So - how to start and then back out a recalcitrant Tiger from the car port ? Well the neighbors definitely noticed me revving - and stalling - and revving - and stalling - until the car settled down enough to attempt to move it backwards - with a Roar.

I set off for Woolverstone just before 7:30 and although it was hard to keep going I managed to get there - and into the show - with out stalling. I did cheat and slow down a lot and then use the handbrake to come to a full stop. That minimised the brakes locking on. 

We then went back for the alpine too. So here we are almost the in prime position and almost first on the field with the Tiger in the front and then my Alpine at the back.

Chris eventually arrived and parked next to his Tiger - at last they were together again at a show.

Why do Tiger boys always have their bonnet up ? Eventually we had eleven cars on the stand and a nice mix of Rootes models even if Tigers were in the majority. 

Anyway the show was good and we had lots of interest in the cars. The venue worked well as did the entry and at the end of the day, so did the exit. There were only a few vintage cars though and a lot of 'moderns'. 

The Alpine did look good though - I suspect after the 3 miles there it did not even have time to get dusty.

However, I still had to get the Tiger home to Glevering that night which was beginning to prey on my mind.

We waited for the show to thin out and as Chris was packing up to leave, I decided to take the Alpine home and get a lift back for the Tiger run a bit later. I was back before the Rapier has even moved an inch. 

I started the Tiger - well I started it several times - eventually it settled down and ticked over fine. The problem was that as soon as I touched the throttle gently it stalled. If I put my foot down hard or 'blipped' it past that point it seemed to jump up and get going again. I waited for almost all the traffic to clear before I tentatively set off - this time with another Martin as 'observer'.

We went to long way to avoid the traffic lights and the car was quite 'judery' again. Once on the Manningtree road it seemed to settle down a bit. In fact pottering along at 50-60 on a low throttle it was OK. Not quite as bad as before perhaps ?

By the time we'd crossed the Orwell bridge and made Woodbridge the car was feeling a bit better, but it was still hard to manage roundabouts as the speed you wanted was the worst place for the throttle. I sat in third for some of the way [still keeping the revs to about 2000] to balance the car.

Onto the final leg and the bypass it was running badly but better than the day before - in fact it felt like it was only on 7 cylinders - like the Ferrari did with a burnt out lead. It did not want to accelerate either. I'd been trying to not use the brakes but by the time we left the A12 the 'automatic braking system' was in full flow and I did not need to use the brake pedal at junctions - the car just stopped on its own.

We made Glevering without incident although I was revving it a bit to keep it running at times. I parked it in the garage and let out an audible sigh. 

After doing the tests on the brakes again we left well alone and called it a day. They were both back in the garage by 6:00 and I decided to get going again. 

The MK2 was still there, still filthy but seemed to fly along on the run home.

Job Done.

Tiger Taxi Man

So against all odds it looks like the Tiger is getting released. A after a successful test drive yesterday Ron - the wizard mechanic - has fixed the carbs and declared the car fit for the show. 

So my first job is to shuffle around my cars, move the Imp across a little bit and then get ready to bring the tiger back. That done I took the very dirty MK2 Golf up to Glevering early o the morning to start the process.

The first job however was getting the Rapier out and going off to fill with petrol - I drove back and it is really running well.

Then we went to see the Wizard who had just arrived. To be honest he was a bit shocked that the car was actually leaving his workshop and I felt he did not want to let it out. I'm not sure the car wanted to leave either as it was very hard to start and then kept stalling as it was slowly backed out into the open.

I then got my first ride in it since all the work. So how was a 4.7 liter V8 Beast ? Absolutely terrible. It stalled on a couple of occasions, it ran really rough for most of the time and seemed to resent being in the daylight. Did I really want to attempt the run myself after this ?

Back at the garage it was my time to take it on. I stalled once and then managed to get it around to the back of the Hall for a photo. I took all the crap out of it first and re-set the door handle. Then we lined up both cars for a picture with a beaming Chris - at last the Tiger was back.

So all I had to do next was to drive it 22 odd miles back home. I started the car (still a bit rough) and set of gingerly across the lawn with Chris filming me.

I stopped after a few 100 yards as the car felt as if the brakes were on a bit.

Which indeed they were - yep the brake lights are on again - so the problem that the car went into the garage for two years ago is still there. Disappointing - but I can drive though that.

The run back home was terrible really. The car needed revving hard to keep it running coming up to the first junction (a nasty hill start admittedly) and there was a total flat spot just past tick over - so it was very much on/off with the power. On the A12 it felt a little better but was not running smoothly - I kept it down to around 2000 rpm, but that's 60 mph for he Tiger so we were fine.

Until we hit the Melton roundabout. As I slowed down the tick over dropped dramatically and the brakes stayed on so I had to rev it harder as well as find a way to stop - heal and toe is not my forte - so we stalled. At least that release the servo pressure and luckily it started again.

So the key for the rest of the run was to try not to use the brakes as once on they were not coming off. Of course the last few miles are the worst as it is all roundabouts and junctions but we made it. It felt like an age but in reality only about 40 minutes had gone by.

I lifted the bonnet to let it cool and staggered in to the house for some lunch.

I had decided to clean it as it was quite dirty - and ended up scraping the mud out of the gutters inside and out where the dust has set after the first wash. However with a layer of polish after that it came up well - although there are several scrapes and paint blemishes to attend to now.

However it looked good on the drive and was presentable now for the show. I packed it away next to the Imp and got ready to go out again.

That involved a MK7 ride and then drive home- with the people we met asking what the new sports car on the drive was !

He Skids ... but Misses

Alpine first thing - well almost first as it was raining and not really encouraging me out to the garage. However we detailed the car which was surprisingly clean after Wobaston.

I then tried to stick the door rubber back yet again.

Next was the Van swap. However on the way I almost had a head on with another car which was racing through the lanes. Quite a long skid actually but we whispered past each other.

So I brought the wet Mk2 back home - but as I'd parked the Imp badly it will have to stick out slightly for a while.

PM after more admin I pottered about and put the Talbot back battery on charge - I also noticed I'd still got the tumble dryer in the SAAB boot.

Why not start the Aston I thought as I passed. So I did.

It started first time too - and a second time - so I thought I'd be safe to fill it up with petrol so went inside for my money. That was lucky as it then failed to start several times on the trot and whimpered into life at last. I just put it away and tried again. No way it was going to start. 

To add insult to injury I then got a txt from Vodaphone saying the fob battery was dying again.

Back on went the trickle charge and of course it was reading almost empty. I assume the battery was fucked by the dying charger so I will ask for it to be swapped out on the service - if I get it there.

Back to Work 2

So ... SAAB in play first thing. Off locally to pick up a secondhand tumble dryer.

Then install at Harkstead, taking the old one home again.

I then got the Alpine out to see what was needed before Sunday and to move it to the garage. It was a bit reluctant to start - but then its been a couple of weeks again., but here we are.

I moved the Imp too - which started far more easily - out of the way.

I went to put the Alpine away and thought why not - so we went around the block. It seemed to be going well to start with but a bit judery towards the end - but it was 25 degrees again.

PM I thought I'd see if a visit to Glevering was on the cards to look at the Tiger. No but lots of IT problems were the issue, so back to work I went. In the SAAB still with the old dryer in the boot.

That was a lesson in IT/email and Windows 11 - but 4 hours later we were heading south again.

Car stuff will have to be squeezed in.

Back to Work

Admin AM - then PM the obligatory Harkstead run.

I took my chances and found it just open.
Back home in the dark I was thinking that the 

So MK2 up and the Van to Shotley and back.

Then just when I was getting ready to leave for the RGEA meeting I had a call. So back up and get the van for tomorrow - only the road is still closed. Or is it ...

Then SAAB to the meeting (via the petrol station) to find several Tigers were already there as was this Hillman Avenger Tiger.

On the way back I was thinking the check engine light had not put in an appearance for a while when ... FLASH. There is was.

Ah that will be the M42 then

After a very restless night listening to the busy and loud traffic, the day dawned bright but chilly, so we commenced packing the poor long suffering SAAB again.

That done we set off for lunch, then left for a fine run and back in under three hours - so I did it in one hit.

Back home I was looking through the STN bulletin and found this: 

I'm sure that's my photo !

Of course it bloody is.

ION: The Met office has declared 2026 the warmest Summer on record ever. No Shit !

Under, On and Over

Foot traffic first thing. Walking around the lakes but under the M42.

Then drive in it - busy and then the Coventry ring road to ... another National Trust House of course.

We went for a short walk first to explore the industrial heritage - well a stream with this ...

... and a Borris bike (or whatever they are called in Coventry) dumped in the weeds a few yards further before we found the viaduct so over grown it was impossible to see really.

Back again and walking around the house there was a Coventry motor club visit picture.

Now that looks fun - well for the driver it did. The Tri-Cars are from Coventry as they are Coventry County Borough registrations DUT 8 etc. so perhaps a Riley.

A45/M42 back and then home to the camp site on the small roads. Final SAAB run for take away that evening and that's the month done. 160187 on the milometer.

Just pottering again

Wet over night but the SAAB is holding up and still looking quite clean.

Anyway another day - another NT house and another garden. Thank god I'm a pensioner.

The only 'car' fun being the little Grey Fergie in the coffee shop.

I had to chase the kids off that to get the shot - although Sue was keen to have a go too.

So we went to go home, but as Antony (16 stone) got in the back there was a very loud bang. Nothing seemed to be wrong but I'd swear the car is sitting lower at the back - but on both sides.

It hammered down with rain in the evening with violent storms. Lucky we're not in a tent. 

Oh yes you are ...