Am I Doing it All Wrong ?

What to do ? More admin or get out in the cold crisp sunshine  ?

Well it was only the SAAB but it's the last day of the year and I can't do a 'Nil Pointer'. However another mad thought hit me ... What about getting the Talbot out ?

Mad - as it's not charging and is a pain to start ! But why not - so two heaters for an hour or so and with some trepidation I decided to try. This time without spinning it over to get oil pressure, the hand throttle on full and five pumps of the accelerator.

It stared first time !

So we're friends again. Have I been flooding the plugs by churning it over a few times ? I'll have to look at the first time it was harder to start and/or when I started to get the oil pressure up first.

More madness - we'll do a quick and dirty film as we go.

So we did.

Very glad I braved it too. I can't believe how easy it started - it must be a fluke after running it yesterday, but for now I'll just take it as a great ending to the year.

Talking of which ... how did the fleet do in 2024 ?

The surprising winner was the Ferrari at well over 1k. The early test runs, substituting for the Aston and then Grimaldi and back three times might explain it though. Next was the Alpine with a respectable 800+ - the opposite of the Ferrari though - the years miles were back-ended with the run to the NEC in November.

Next down the list was the E-type, which I'd have sworn I'd not used much - 700+ but I'm not sure where we went ? The Talbot pipped the Aston - 653 to 637 - today's run being the tipping point. Finally the Imp with a respectable run just shy of 350 miles. The MK7 managed just shy off 700 but has been subbing for the SAAB on accasions.

Finally the [miss-behaving] SAAB and the MK7 swapped placed - the MK7 doing the French, German and Belgium runs gaining about 4k miles in the process.

So what next ? Fix the Talbot and improve the Alpine steering. The interesting thing is that I'm planning more events for those two than the E-type and Ferrari and thinking about another pre-war car - has 'Peak Classic' been reached ?

Big Boys Don't Cry

Cold but bright start to the day. I'd put one fan on the timer for 5am and then set the second when I got up. Two fans for a couple of hours and the garage was warm I was glad to find.

One by one I cut the wires and attached the fittings and then put connectors on the wired like I was defusing a bomb.

I did not think the red wire was actually fitting well so I re-did that in-situ, but by 12 o'clock the unit was on and all the wires connected - although one wire was a little bit suspicious as it did not make a 100% connection. I taped it up and fitted it, I think it's ok.

Next job is to re-connect the batteries. That done I could not resist turning the ignition on. Well no sparks or "phut" noises so I'll take that as a positive sign ...

What next - leave it on charge all night and try the car in the morning ? Actually I decided to complete the re-fit which took me up to 1:30.

Then SAAB off to Harkstead for jobs but back as the skies looked threatening.

I decided to tidy up and keep warming the car - everything was packed away by 3:45. Fans both on by then so we'll see if it starts.

Well it started - after the usual palava - and for a while gave me hope. The red light glowed far less - I could have sworn it was out in fact so I turned the garage lights off - was it still slightly 'on' ? I revved the car a bit to see it change and then - "Pop" bright red again. 

I could have cried - but I was sort of expecting it.

No noise but it changed in an instant. I don't think the extra revs did it though. However, I thought I'll stop there. Look at the fuses in the new year - and check the slightly loose connection.

Tiger Time

Washed the MK2 Golf first thing. Bloody cold out there. But it was well worth it. It even shone a bit after I'd got the wax on the bonnet. Here we are at Glevering to pick up Chris.

Looking good - but not as good as John's Tiger - which was rather splendid in blue. 

Here it is at John's in Wickham Market where we went to the pub for lunch. I do like a courtyard.

After lunch he dropped Chris back and left me to thumb through some mags and admire the Vauxhall 30/98. 

There are worse ways to while away 15 mins - although it was getting a bit cold by then.

On his return it was my turn and we went about 40 miles for fuel and back - it was a shakedown run as he had just fitted a huge new carb. The car really did pull though - far faster than Chris'.

MK2 pottered home in the dark [the lights are poor] and we were back. One thing in the bundle of mags John gave me was a picture of TAS from 2009.

So that should spur me on to get the new regulator fitted tomorrow. 

Hippo Time

A dull and cold start to Sunday - which just kept on getting duller as the day went on. I did a couple of jobs and then we had to save the planet. SAAB at the ready.

But wait.

Why not get the Beast out instead ? Because it is cold and the roads are shitty. Ah fuck it.

Use it or loose it. Supercars to the shops ! Well it made sense to me. What was the quote "No one died thinking 'I should have used the Aston Martin Less !' "

I took it steady as the roads were quite bad - and now the car is quite dirty - but again I'm glad I did.

So the planet breathed a sigh of relief. 

So when will I 'fix' the Talbot I was thinking ? We'll try that task next week.

Imp in the Wild

First job was to wave everyone off as they left for several destinations.

Next job was to drop off a food parcel and leave the van (and associated clobber) in the Harkstead garage.

So that fits fine - although a bit hard to start again first thing.

Then what ? Well warm the Imp up and get it out for a run. So I did - but first I shot several films of it to make a short montage. Here is a still.

Oh and a pic too.

Cold, bumpy and it got the car dirty but glad a did it.

More Van

Yep - AM run back to Harkstead with the van for pick-up. It started better even though it had been colder over night - a bit of use probably helps.

It seems the wheelchair can drive up the ramp too - so no faffing with the straps and winch.

Then PM re-trace my steps.

Finally SAAB run in the late afternoon to Stutton and the Pub which was a shock.

Van-ageddan

Well van run twice. Holbrook to Harkstead to Holbrook.

All well. 

The reverse not so as I did the strap badly and it go trapped on the wheel. Then the chair kept beeping and we could not find out why ? The manual said a motor was malfunctioning or had become disconnected ?

Bugger.

In fact it was the house phone still in the bag on the side warning us it was out of battery !

A final Xmas present

Dawn broke an I could see the drive starting to get full again.

Early trip in the van planned - so off to Harkstead. Here we are in the cold.

Note no bubble in that large empty garage this year. Off to the Food Hall for breakfast and then back later.

Finally PM run back to Harkstead in the SAAB with everyone for Birthday tea and cake. Cold and dark when we left though.

However the good news is that the replacement voltage regulator arrived. So that's my Xmas sorted.

Lets hope the wires are the same colours ...

Wood-Man and a Man with a Van

Well more a large tipper truck. 

AM waiting for the wood delivery only to find it turning up with the Passat and family.

He squeezed in nicely and tipped it close to the wood store - so an hour later it was all packed away. We dragged the trailer back too.

Then we went off to get the van, just to fit in.

I'd forgotten how uncomfortable it is - mind you I'd just been packing wood for an hour before.

Trailer Trashed ?

I started by moving the trailer out of the wood pile working area - where it has been sitting for for almost 8 months. I needed to get it out of the way as we have wood being delivered tomorrow morning.

Looking closely at the back where the manure had been leaking, it looks like the hinges and the lights may be shot. I'll have to give it a deep clean and test them when it eventually gets emptied. 

Any guesses when that might be ?

I was actually working on the garage though and started by fitting a longer bottom catch so it won't slam shut (or open) now. I also changed over the hinges - back to match the existing ones. They are a bit bright but they will weather over the Winter.

Finally I took the SAAB to get it washed. It looked like the aliens were watching me in there.

Then fuel topped up too. Se we'll all ready for driving over Christmas.

Finally MK7 tyres checked and inflated. Not down much but then again down enough to trigger the warning system.

That pump is great.

ION: Someone will not be 'Driving Home for Christmas' any more though - Chris Rea died today.

Again ?

AM housework and then as a reward PM a run in the SAAB to Harkstead.

What joy.

Night Run

It started as an afternoon run - just jobs off to Stutton.

By the time I left though it was very dark - but we still went around the block the long way to give the car a bit of a warmth.

Back Home - Both Ways

Run back in the MK7 (I drove) quite acceptable in the morning Sun - going the right way of course - out of London.

On the way home we got another request for help. More broken tech in Harkstead. So there I went again as my first job after unpacking.

So back to the grind in the blink of an eye. That done the roads looked dry and clean - so get a a car out for a blast ? No just pottering. I did pop to the garage though and fit these outer filters to the original bubble.

Not sure where the old ones went though - I thought only one pair had deteriorated ?

Two Ians, Movies and that Merc

I had an email first thing from Ian Potts saying the Talbot regulator was toast - good. So that might be my first job in the New Year when the replacement arrives. 

Then before I could leave Ian Polson also phoned - he'd got he letters and would try to put them in order for me. Nice I thought.

Then we started out to the Tube by foot - in the pouring rain - past the MGC that looks sadder each time we visit London.

It is still missing its badges and had a broken reversing light as well this time. Anyway we walked on and then jumped onto the bus - as it really was raining very hard - to get a lift to the tube. Off to the Design Museum (Walk/Bus/Tube/Tube/Walk) and the Wes Anderson exhibition of his film props. Not many cars in the collection but a few nice pictures. I spotted a DS in the poster though.

Back by same route - less rain this time though.

Late evening out walking again - this time off to eat - and past the Mercedes that had moved a few parking spaces up the road.

It turned out to be a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 3000. So a few years to go before it can avoid the ULEZ.

London Run

Mk7 packed and off we go. 

I did spot a nice red SL something Merc parked around the corner in Crouch End but not much other excitement.

Let's go Pottering

 Murky old day. Rain in the air too. So a quick Harkstead run AM obviously.

Mind you mid December and 13 degrees. Umm Global warming - or just weather ?

Then SAAB again to Screwfix for garage bits and bobs. I got stuck on the crossing coming back.

Sitting there as the train went past though, I though many years ago that's where I would have been - so it's not all bad.

Later as I'd also been working on more Talbot records - I called in on the car to say Hi.

ION: It's official - the European Commission has proposed a new 90pc cut in car fleet emissions by 2035, replacing the previously agreed 100pc target that would have effectively phased out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

ISO SAAB

Off to pick up the ties I needed mid morning - went past Lee's place basically. Here they are loaded in the trusty SAAB.

Back home Aston out ahead of the work.

Then PM floor down and ramps fitted. The new tiles were a slightly darker grey and the ramps a bit hard to mesh but it's done and looks fine. 

It still needs a clean though.

More Floor Fun

Back to the garage floor first thing - in fact by 8:30 the Aston was out and we were starting.

Looking tempting again in the sun though.

But back to the garage floor. As usual the edges took much more time to do than the middle as I needed to cut every tile - but in the end [not counting a few mistakes] it was done - other then the front ramps and the 16 missing tiles.

Then after lunch a short run to save the planet.

Well it give the Beast some exercise anyway.

ION: The EU have [unofficially] said “the technology ban on combustion engines is off the table”. E.g. Petrol cars are back baby !

A Bit Dirty for Now

Aston out first thing to install the LED strip light - gosh that's bright. Almost as good as the car looked in the sunshine.

I then decided to put the floor tiles down I'd had stored outside. Umm they were a bit dirty but should clean up fine. 

Mind you they do show how misaligned the space it. I really should line the garage walls too.

Anyway - then the main event Aston out and about around the block. I did notice the traction control light flash - and I was not 'pressing on' in any way. Just shitty, wet and dirty roads.

Nice Drive(s)

'Fill the Bins' they cried. Well with what ? I decided to do the trees and cut back the crap from the drive.

Nice drive 1.

Then as the sun was out I heated up the Imp - and after lunch [the sun had gone in] but we still went for a drive. 

Nice drive 2. Mind you it does whine at 40 MPH a bit too much. Glad I got the courage to get out and about.

Then MK2 up to Harkstead.

Just for a few jobs again.

So sunny and dry tomorrow - so what next ?

A Boy Interrupted

A change of jobs - but the sun was out and the wind was slight ... ish.

So down to the boat first thing - well mid morning by the time we actually got down there.

We found a more efficient way of taking the fittings off the main though which was pleasing. The wind stayed 'reasonable' too.

In fact we got everything packed away relatively efficiently and were heading back home just before 12. So just shy of two hours.

Back home the afternoon saw another attack on the Talbot - gently undo everything: another photograph or two. But before I could get going - another call from Harkstead meant that I had to stop. The same shit as before. SAAB of course - off we went and then came back an hour later.

So back on the Talbot - I set out to label everything and make notes again.

I did find a blue wire that wasn't attached to anything - which is a little bit sloppy - but we'll leave that one alone for now. So there we are, about an hour give or take - and now off it goes in the post. I hope it is broken !

Oh and then finally a Harkstead SAAB dash in the dark to chat the the flying Dr.