Prepare for the Deluge

I looked at the weather for the weekend ...

It is not looking that good, so I started packing early to dodge the showers here. Mind you they don't appear to be arriving on schedule.

Lots more to go though. Eventually we had a few slight showers but not enough to wet the car really.

PM it was a MK7 ride to Harkstead and then and collect the lead from the boat.

Back home and it was still warm and sunny - so the E-type got a run out.

Other than the rattles and squeaks it is running very well. A pleasure to go round the block in it.

Finally I took the miles, but as I went around the cars I started the Aston. That started fine - twice. I'm going to leave it off the trickle charge for the weekend and see if it starts easily next week.

Miles wise - wow the Talbot was streets ahead - with it's Gloucester jaunt - at 425. Mind you the Alpine did over 200 again and the others were not too far behind. Alas the smoky Imp and the Troubled Aston were low scores.

Pick-up and Spruce-Up

MK7 to pick up the SAAB first thing - then once home I set about cleaning it.

First tyres - all needed air, then under the bonnet checking water (none) oil (a little) etc. What struck me though was the leaf litter under there.

By the time I'd cleaned both sides I had enough to fill the bucked to 1 inch. 

That done I gave the car a clean in the gutters before running it though the car wash and filling it up with petrol. I did spot another MGB (honest) but no way to take a pic.

Back home, I did the windows, door shuts etc. and then I cut and polished the bonnet. It was looking quite smart after that - if you ignore the multiple stone chips and rust on the wheel arches.

Then off to collect the top box.

Here we are - in Stutton again - so that was that.

But wait it is still sunny and there is time to take something for a run ... what needs it ?

Well, the Talbot had only been out once since the return from Gloucester more than three weeks ago - so it got released. The rattle from the dash had gone - although the door seems to be joining in again - but I'll count that as a success. The car went well and kept cool - I'd forgotten how heavy it is though and had to correct the path around a bend a couple of times.

Home again and packed away that was really that.

3 out of 3

I checked on Talbot battery 2 first thing and it was green to go as expected. Then Mk7 ride to Melton for walk and brunch. A bit cleaner than usual today.

Although in the shadow it is hard to tell. We then wandered into and around Woodbridge only to spot this in a garage.

Another tidy MGB - looking good - are they following me ?

Back to the Golf again and home. Then very dirty SAAB to our evening meal via the dried out road. The old Ipswich Road that went through Tattingstone and was covered by Alton Water is now above the water lever due to the extended dry spell.

After that excitement we set off, parked up at the restaurant, had our meal and took a taxi home.

2 in 2 and Smoky Imp

AM pottering - including trying to flatten the driveway a bit more in the grass verge.

PM though Ferrari out and about. I spotted this nice MGB GT V8 parked near me.

That's two MGs in two days. The Ferrari still trumped it in the V8 stakes.

Mind you I was watching the learner drive in the background as much as the car.

Next I took the dusty Imp out in the wind.

It feels slower or less responsive or something and is definitely smoking a little. Perhaps it's time for some professional care ?

Or at least a clean.

A Bus by George

We awoke after a sleepless hot and noisy night in Brixton to another warm and sunny day. We had a few hours to kill so we JUMPED ON A BUS and went to a market. 

So I used my free bus pass for the first time. When we got back we shot off to lunch in the MK7 - parking on the street.

Then we walked to the venue - which was fleet appropriate as before.

After Lunch another walk to the park and I spotted this tidy looking MGB on the road.

Good I thought, but that was the motoring highlight. The run back home was ok but punctuated by the usual 20 mins slow traffic at the Dartford crossing.

A tale of two chargers ?

The Talbot battery was still charging - after two days ? The Aston one was on full. But we were London bound so I left it there and just finished packing the MK7.

We had a fine run down - even over a bright and sunny Dartford bridge.

However we arrived in Brixton later than expected as even the South Circular was now limited to 20mph. After getting our parking pass and looking at the Porsche now parked outside the flat - with a subtle cover on - we set off into central London.

A quick hop on the tube to the Escher exhibition which was good - bigger than expected - with some nice interactive sections, but no cars ...

Then a later we went for a wander around a packed and warm central London with me spotting various cars - and registrations - like this Tesla.

Almost Tesla - then a BMW with this:

Almost Berlin ? Then a white Ferrari Roma which looked much better than the red one I drive a while ago.

I gave him a thumbs up which he appreciated. Then back to Brixton on a hot and very noisy tube and called it a day.

E=MC2

Well E - out twice least.

We started the day with the expensive deliver van. I took the long way around the block too. Car going like the wind in the cooler air.

Yes the E-type to collect some wine from town. The chap in the shop liked it.

Then after a bit of pottering I decided to try to start the Aston - the battery charger was on green.

She fired up first go - so I decided to go for a run. Oh that was good too. The car started twice again in the garage when I got back - although the key did feel hard to release.

Finally rain and wind predicted but it was ECR. I decided to risk it and took the  ... E-type again.

Mind you this was the most interesting car there.

I think the chap said it was a Riley 9 Merlin Saloon - sold from the estate of a local Riley chap.

Battery Boy

A nil points day.

I did pop the Talbot battery on to charge for a few days time but that was that.

It did rain a few times too so I expect that's it for the Summer now.

Route 66 ?

Ferrari up to Thorpeness for a Lads day out. The car looking good still after cleaning it a week early. I put some fuel in it on the way and the cashier was amazed it was almost 50 years old.

I picked one passenger up on Woodbridge as arranged and we scooted up country until we came to a halt five miles from out first stop. Looked like heavy plant was moving to Sizewell. We got there last which was a little annoying, but here we all are.

Four very different cars again. The Nova, an Audi R8 V10 GT Spyder, an MGB and finally the Ferrari hiding at the back. 4/10/4/8.

The run up was slow from this point though on the back roads, but I have to say the Audi exhaust note was epic. We parked up at Thorpeness Cafe - well after 20 minutes trying to get the parking payment system to work with very little signal - we did.

We let everyone admire the cars too. An elderly lady seemed to like the Ferrari a lot and asked to take a picture of it - obviously we said yes. When we were leaving she left too - only to find a parking ticked on her windscreen ... was she distracted ?

Anyway we moved some of the cars onto the 'Shell' carpark and had a walk into town and back.

I tried to take an 'arty' show of the MG but it was not that good - until I did this with it.

All done we went our separate ways and I let the Ferrari off the leash on the bypass for a bit. It sounded great with both windows open - really showing off the Webers.

So Route 66 ? Actually the route was 66 miles.

When did the SAAB Shrink - and Premium Delivery

Just an admin day - and jobs - getting glass and mountboard (bored yet) so trusty SAAB. I looked at the car when I walked back from the shop.

How small it looked. Some of that is perspective but really - that Audi was huge.

The job was framing the cards and it took most of the morning and some of the afternoon. Hopefully it will be OK. Delivery was the best bit though.

E-Type as van to Stutton.

Vanning - again

Oh well - AM pottering - a SAAB visit to the allotment for work and then nothing else.

PM the Van got out again, so MK2 Golf up in the Harkstead forest.

Then after the usual loading faff - off we went. Here we are at the Co-Op in Belstead.

And here we are a bit later at the RIGHT Co-Op in Belstead !

Who knew there were two. 

Back again and I was surprisingly knackered after all that - so I gave it a rest.

Pottering around in the evening I checked on the Aston - battery charger where it should be - but it was not locked. Pratt. "It is Now !"

Tools out for the Lads

As per routine - I checked the Alpine for drips (front and rear) and found none. So we were good to go. We were parked next to John's much traveled Tiger which looked good too.

Again went in slow convoy with the Rapier, stopping for a quick brake at Newmarket Services. When we parked up Chris asked that the red flashing light on the dash was ! It looked like an after market alarm - odd. He's had the car several years and it's never come on. Anyway, after we all had a (comfort) break we set off again - rather we didn't.

Chris's car wouldn't start. Was it too much fuel, flooded or what was going on here ? That little light kept flashing and we all wondered what it was. I decided to whip the plugs out, but as Chris did not have a socket set with a plug spanner I got mine out of the boot.

I took a couple of plugs out and they were clean as a whistle - not damp - and actually in better shape than mine. We then tested a couple of plugs for spark and there was none. We were in a bit of a quandary at that point but everything pointed to the new flashing light and therefore the Alarm. Chris suggested we disconnected the battery for a while and try again - an interesting thought - which as it turned out worked. 

Off we went again and about 20 minutes later Chris' hazard lights came on - but he does not have any - so we concluded it was his alarm again.

Eventually we left Chris (and Norman) to to turn off and we headed home - to arrive Hot when we got back and I'm sure there was something rattling that I hadn't heard before in the engine bay - but there we go. Can you spot it ?

The speedo said we've done about 74 miles but I think it's about 80 which just shows you the inaccuracy of the gauge. 

So another event completed in the Alpine - the car we don't use for long journeys ! It can rest a bit now and I'll fettle it next week before the RGEA meeting and then Woolverstone.

Finally a SAAB run to Stutton for jobs to round off the day.

The Right Red ?

I went out first thing and checked under the car (again) and there was nothing dripping from the tank even overnight. We then parked on the field for the group photo. Lots of Alpines but I did not see a single other Series I.

It was when I was showing off the engine bay that I noticed the subframe was wet again. Ah. But I could not find an obvious drip ?

I took it easy on the drive out but the only time the temperature went up was during the slow maneuvering when we turned around twice. Then it cooled quickly in the airflow and we arrived with no dramas as we parked up amongst the moderns.

After the visit the subframe was still damp but there was also water left in the header tank too.

On leaving I spotted an old telephone box - just the right Red I thought and turned round to get a photo.

The run back was good as the weather was cooling, but the slight dead spot on the steering caught me out once as we changed direction. We also popped another 20 litres in the car for tomorrow. Dho - too much again. That's 4 gallons and it topped the tank almost to the brim.

Checking at the Hotel again though nothing seemed to be leaking but we'll see in the morning - this time I have two ends of the car to monitor.

80 miles West

After a few domestic jobs I went to take the cover off the Alpine and decided it did need a quick detail after all - well it was only 7:45. Looked good when I moved it onto the drive.

We headed for the Sorrel Horse and to meet the Rapier Crew around 10:15 and it was already very hot, very sunny and nearing 80 degrees.

The run to the event was slightly slower than I'd planned as we were keeping to about 55 with the Rapier following. Plus we stopped at the Newmarket services (I always call them Cambridge Services but they are not). Chris' car was running very well too. So we made a nice convoy.

The final bit of the run was quite easy - if a bit torturous - punctuated with all the new roundabouts past Cambridge being installed from there to the Black Cat - when it is finished it will be much faster until they build all the new houses on the land they have now 'released for development'. The only excitement was when my cap blew off but luckily it was on a quiet stretch and I was able to go and get it. Phew.

We arrived in good time to find it already busy with cars.

PM we ran into St. Ives for a walk to the delight of a chap who admired the car a lot. Although I was more worried that the parking ticked would blow off.

We visited the Town museum which was vaguely interesting, but the only car related picture I found was for the New Wolseley 10.

On the way back I filled up with petrol - a little too much - so we'll check for drips in the morning.

 Chatting later I got a tip on the tyres - try with 25 psi said Andy goldsmith.

Cleaning up - but not at Home

So off first thing with the loaded SAAB up country to Glevering.

Basically I was part of a team helping clean Chris' Rapier - and hopefully Tiger too - ready for tomorrow.

After a wash and chrome polished plus a wheel spa (that means scrubbing the white walls) it came up great.

After a drive in it during which it performed really well after the recent work we headed for lunch in the SAAB. Later I hoovered the carpets and we tidied the interior. The seats are falling to pieces underneath but probably an easy fix.

Less easy was the Tiger. In the morning it looked 50/50 as the fuel line was disconnected but progress was being made, but by the late afternoon check the odds had widened a lot. The new carb was in pieces, as was the old one and it did not look like it would be back together this week.

The car continues to look a little unloved too. Shame.

I jumped back into the SAAB and came home. I was too knackered to clean the Alpine - it's still looking good though but did work out how to pack the cases.