Use 'Em Quickly

DIY morning but I did clean off the paint on the 'new' Alpine windows I bought a few years ago.

I really must start chasing Lee up - especially after seeing Chris' Tiger.

Then just SAAB pottering - back into town again as the weather was wet and windy (and Cold).

Finally a Harkstead run.

ION: About the cold. "Data showed last month was the world's warmest March on record, extending the run of monthly temperature records to 10 in a row". So perhaps we're nearing a Tipping Point rather than a gradual boiling. Better get driving.

Tiger Team !

E-Type off first thing to Glevering to help Chris get the hardtop fitted and START THE CAR !

I could not resist a quick photo when I arrived though. So as to the Tiger ... Here it is in the marque where it is living at the moment.

We got the hardtop on after a bit of 'fettling' but it is secure (and heavy). Next we tried to start the car - but I spotted what looked like a mouse's nest which we cleared out first.

It was a bit sluggish to turn over and would not fire. So we borrowed a jump pack, then some easy start and finally Ron the mechanic - he got it going after a while and it sounded very nice.

The E-type run back was even better - so I think the car is enjoying being used. As to the Tiger - that is in desperate need of use too.

Screwing around on a Carb Diet

So first thing I decided to 'adjust' the mixture on the Caterham - all four of the screws given a 1/4 turn. Then I upped the tick over too. 

Putting the bonnet back on I realised three of the nose cone fasteners were undone - so I also did those up. Odd. 

Then off to meet Mac and Rob for some Alpine Carb fun. The Caterham seemed less prone to the slight spitting through the carbs - but not 100% better. It went really well though and sounded great. They had already started when I got there but it was good to have three pairs of hands and everything seemed to work ok. Here it is.

Home again and the run seemed better but I reduced the tick over and backed off the screws a 1/8th turn too. We'll see how we get on.

Running Too Lean ?

So SAAB out first thing for a utility run - Harkstead/Ipswich/Harkstead. Basic stuff really. 

I had the disabled passenger - but as you can see I did not use the space.

PM the sun was out so I got the Caterham out too. Stutton first to drop off bags and gave EB a short run in it too. Then home and I noticed the yellow and green flowers and car combo before going out again.

Good run when 'pressing on' but a bit of carb spitting on low revs. Looking at the problem is could be a lean mix - often used to get through the MOT - umm that would make sense as it happened when I got the car back.

Could that be the Ferrari problem too ?

Finally I re-checked the oil on the dipstick in the Imp - and yes it is just that clean.

But then the sun came back out - so the E-type got a run and tank of 99 octane. 

Still the odd hesitation - oh and the squeaky pipes. Mind you the 'youths' at the garage liked it a lot.

Unexpected Adventure

After the morning rain had cleared the sub tried to break through and eventually did. What to take out ? Well Drive it Day and Kersey Mill is only 16 days away so I thought the Imp better get a shakedown run.

Heater on for an hour and then she started after a bit of a churn and an extra squirt on the carbs.

So we set off for Shotley to check on the part we need for the boat - over the bloody speed bumps again. It was the part I thought - so I took some photos and left but then spotted this 1960's Bentley on the way out so I could not resist a snap.

I had time so I thought we'd go to Foxes, top up the fuel and get the part. So off we went.

Here we are at Foxes. But no - they did not have one. So I decided to go to Levington Marina and pick up one there, but it would be madness to take the Imp across the Orwell bridge on a Friday afternoon.

But that's what I did, although it was a bit scary when the lories went past. On the Levington road I passed a double decker bus at an angle and a smashed up car in the verge but no services which was odd.

Here we are though at the next marina after negotiating the rough road and speed bumps as bad as the ones at Shotley. They had the part so after a delay as they tried to find a price we set off home again - back past the crash (now with lots of flashing lights and about eight vehicles in attendance) back over the bridge and home.

All in all just shy of 40 miles. I checked the oil and found this.

It's either all gone or it is so clear you can't see it and hardly used anything.

Ah - they are Handed

Another day down.

Slow start but I did fix the E-type fitting. Turned out they were left and right handed.

I had a spare I thought and indeed it was the correct side. So its a bit on the wonk but covers the gap and I even screwed it in properly this time too.

Then the sun was out so we took Mr. 7.75 cylinders around the block. Not as good as a few days a go but acceptable. It is still very dirty though and as it keeps raining I guess it will stay that way for a while.

Not that you can really tell.

Then SAAB down to the boat to pick up a part we need - not sure I brought the correct one home though. Car looked good though in the sunshine - still a pleasing shape.

Finally home via Harkstead for tea and jobs and back before the next storm sweeps in.

Van Life and Famous Families

So SAAB up country to Glevering again for an early start to help drive the van.

This time to help collect 1. a soft top frame for Chris' Rapier.

Followed by 2. a short engine and various alpine spares.

In the evening it was the RGEA meeting with a guest - the son of Lord Rootes popped in. Nice chap and still surprised the 'brand' gets so much love. That's two of the family I've met and chatted to now. See 30 May 2022. Odd of course I forget Chris is a Hurlock.

ION: Trying to identify the Van Mercedes Vito is my guess. That was correct too.

Third Time's the Charm

SAAB out early (ish) to drop James back at the train station. Quiet run as it is half term.

Then after lunch a shopping run - perhaps I should have done it yesterday as it was back to Ransoms.

Finally buying a birthday present - so back to Ransoms - this time B&Q. Decided to take the MK2.

It started first time - and then at B&Q it started third or fourth time. But no bonnet raising action.

Italian April Fools

I started by heating up the Ferrari for a test run in the morning sun. However I took out the SAAB instead to Harkstead (of course) for jobs mid morning to free up the afternoon. I'd opened the garage door but forgotten to turn off the fan heater though - DHO ! 

Anyway I stared the Ferrari on my return and she sounded 7.75 fine.

Then Stutton trip and Passat ride to Flatford, in return we collected all the crap for the recycling.

So together with our contribution I took the SAAB into town (bottles, cloths and shoes) and then locally for the paper. The sun remained out though so ...

I get the slightly dirty Ferrari out for a run and fuel. I thought some Tesco Super Unleaded would be a treat it deserved. 

I pulled over after the fill up to clean the windows, but instead I found the lead substitute petrol treatment in the boot so I filled up with that watched by a couple of truckers.

It must have been an illusion but the car even felt better on the way to the petrol station - and even better on the way home ... umm. Was it just teasing me as it was April Fool's Day ?

We'll see - however it also now deserves a good clean when the rain goes away.

Utility 3 - Fun Nil - but a new Driver

Early run to the airport to pick up James first thing. 

Cold wet start too - the SAAB was wet all over - mind you the clocks had gone forward so it was only 7:00 am really. Stanstead also seemed further away and the 60 limit has been dropped to 50.

Only one Harkstead trip but a bit of fun first with Monty first as he 'drove' across the drive with us.

So the month and the quarter ends. 300+ miles traveled in the toys so not bad for a wet and windy March.

Phew - Spotted It

SAAB to town early pm for exciting hair cut run. Just squeezed in on the end of the row after two attempts - and still I was not strait.

Then PM E-Type out to Tescos - very busy but we found a parking space. As a chap in a Volvo left he Looked at me incredulously as if I was mad to bring the car there.

As it turned out the only damage was self inflicted as my passenger court the rare chrome clip on the side of the door frame and knocked it off. I remember it took me several years to find one.

Luckily I spotted it happening before we left and we found it in the car well behind the seat - phew.

Riding Around in the Space Age

Up country in the BMW first thing in this modern.

Even the key was several generations beyond the SAAB.

But I do wonder if it tech for tech sake. Anyway we were teleported in it to Bressingham with the steam vehicles and train rides - plus a few old cars - for Monty's birthday p1.

Then SAAB to Stutton pm, followed by a trip to the other Swede in the MK7.

Finally off for a curry - SAAB again to night time Ipswich where we discovered the parking charges have been extended.

SAAB 4 - Storm 0

Wet and (very) windy day, but SAAB out first thing to Harkstead.

Then back there again later in the afternoon. Then Stutton visit as the wind got stronger.

Finally a night run to Dedham for birthday meal.

Little Things

SAAB first. Given a good clean - especially the boot liner that was covered in dried manure etc.

Then noticed the 5 valve caps I had painted. Here are three.

So I put them on the Imp.

Finally with a nice clean SAAB I got it dirty again and popped to Harkstead.

But no - evening run in the Aston to save the planet. 

Odd to be out in the dark.

King of the Bodgers

Am I rigged up a 'button' to start the MK2 when the key fails. I could not fine a way of feeding into the car so I just taped it to the battery.

Far better then getting it fixed. Then to celebrate and reward the car it got a good wash. It now looks far more presentable.

As a test we went off to Ipswich - the car failed first time so I used the button. Parking up I did wonder what next. The car looked good but the rain was due ... in 2 hours.

However, the optician took longer than expected and then I had to make a call so the rain front was coming closer than I wanted. Anyway the car just started (second turn perhaps) and off we went - only to get stuck in traffic as the Police were stopping traffic crossing the bridge and had closed one lane for repairs - I think after the crash yesterday.

Anyway the rain just started as we got home - so I parked up and headed to Harkstead and then Stutton in the SAAB as the weather worsened. Set for a few days now I think.

Heading for Lotus Contry

SAAB off first think to Glevering to help Chris take the Rapier up to Norfolk to get a new hood made.

So we set off in the Rapier and at 50 mph it took about an hour to get there. I'd forgotten how slow it feels - but it goes really well.

At the trimmers he had a picture of Colin Chapman on the wall and a sad looking Lotus in the yard.

It's a Lotus Excel. A runner but of the road due to the cost of the petrol. I'm sure I've been in one of those in a past life in London. So lift back in a modern Ford Kugar - then SAAB home again. 

Seemed more tiring than it should have been.

An Earned a Run - and 7.5 out of 8

After a sunny start but a gloomy day the sun came out just as I was deciding on what car to take.. 

Showers were predicted but I took the E-type anyway. We went of to see a 'parking solution'. Well a four post lift - it was only in the Belstead end of Ipswich. I still got lost - well went past it anyway.

Looked very sturdy - but oh so tight.

Then over to Felixstow to pick up some Triumph Stag stuff for Steve.

Nice chap now had a 1970 MGB as the Stag was long gone. He even got his wife out to admire the E-Type (as did the neighbors) so I let her sit in it. Well it did look good until the sun went in.

And yes it did rain on the way back but that was OK. I though that was it ,,, but then I decided to try the Ferrari again so warmed that up.

Out into the night as it turned out.

It was darker than I expected too. I only got down the road when I passed a sick Lotus.

His first run out and only firing on 3 not four. He got going though so off I went - still an imperceptible shudder - probably firing on 7.5 and not 8 myself. Two small 'pops' early on but from then on it settled down.

In fact nice to be out in the darkness.

It Earned that Clean

SAAB dash to drop off stuff in Stutton first thing.

Then E-type washed (well wet dusting) first thing in the cold. As a reward for being fixed yesterday. I even tried to clean the chrome wheels but they are a bit rusty.

But it had to go back into the garage as the rain started for a little bit. Next - as it had been warmed up - the Caterham got a blast around the circuit. 'Wow Look at That !" a little girl yelled as I went past - which was nice.

A few pops and bangs on the over-run but we both enjoyed a spirited run in the cold air.

Finally a SAAB run to the boat with more equipment - then picked up the sails too.

Spotted this Yank Tank (Sorry - Town car) as we left. In fact a 2001 Lincoln Town Car. 

Could be a V6 or V8. Lincoln is Ford’s luxury division I found out and they don't make cars like this any more.

Back via Harkstead - and so ends another busy day.