That's More Like It

A packed day, starting with a cold (only 6 degree) SAAB run to drop it off at Abbotts for the service and MOT. 

We'll keep our fingers crossed as the rust is a bit bad over one wheel arch and not that better over the other.

We picked up the garage lights on the way back and even made time for a de-tour via Harkstead for a job and to pick up the van. I also warmed the Talbot up to reverse it out to make space.

The afternoon was spent fitting those lights after moving the Talbot onto the drive - checking for leaks I spotted water splashed on the panel on the other side of the engine bay too, but no obvious drips.

I was temped to take it for a run, but thought I should investigate first and also get on with the job in hand. The first one was hard work - and a learning curve, but the second was fine. I moved the Alpine out next - the Ferrari will be back Thursday so I might as well pack it away until the Imp goes.

Two and a half hours later we were all done and boy what a difference.

I only used four lights (vs 6 old strip ones) but it is much brighter and whiter too. Now for the other garage ?

Little Splashes

I looked at the Talbot first thing. There was no sign of a leak but there was a water 'splash' on the drivers side panel.

I assume that it must be flicked by the fan - something to look for.

Then I needed to get more data from Harkstead so off we went in the SAAB into the gloom.

I'd also checked the SAAB tyres before and a pumped the up again. There is a bit more rust on the wing - I wonder if it is going to pass the MOT in a few days time ?

The good news though is that Grimaldi phoned and it was a spark plug breaking down and causing the issue - so yet again we should be back in play !

A Grey Day

No car activity at all but I did spot the parking lot full of grey and black cars when I got up.

Seems that was all we were allowed at that time in the industry.

To end the day we took another black car to Harkstead - and that was that.

That Dripping

The day was supposed to start with getting the Talbot ready for the run. However the Harkstead client had other ideas and it started with a SAAB run up there - and me in a very troubled mood.

I parked on the grassy knoll but left 10 mins later - job completed.

So next really was the Talbot. I topped up the water - quite a bit - put the back battery on charge - and then went to check the oil - a little needed but fine. I then spotted the wet patch.

After a few checks I concluded it was coming from the same place - the big joint on the water feed pipe to the top of the radiator. Annoying as the red dots were still in line so the packing had deteriorated. I tightened it up but I think it was still weeping. Oh well only about 70 miles to Ickworth House and back plus the 15 miles divertion to the Hawkendon VSCC meeting and back. We'll be OK.

After not getting lost but also not getting the satnav to show us the route we arrived fine - me watching the temperature gauge like a Hawk - for no real reason as it ran cooler then normal. Here we are just before 12:00 with lots of cars already there ...

... and more quickly arriving. It's odd how many people I am now recognising (and a few even remembering their names). Nice to See John (in the Vauxhall) and Alex already there.

There were several cars/people I recognised from the CVMC - one of which congratulated me on the artical in the CVMC mag.  Ian Polson arrived in a very small, very vintage and very rare Gwynne 8 Brooklands from 1924. Only 2 survivors it says.

Inside were more CVMC people I knew and (Chas and Ex Alpine member) the owner of this Ford Model A. 

Which was patina personified. As I wandered around I spotted another familiar face looking at TAS and showing his friend photos on his phone - my photos in fact from the London Night Rally ! He drives this 90 Team car replica so is obviously a bit eccentric.

- as are most of us in our own way. There were a few classics floating around but it was mostly about 25 pre-war cars.

Soon it was time to depart for Ickworth House to meet everyone else. An easy run and after lunch and a wander around the house it was time to get TAS home. 

We flew back on the A14 - still with the water temperature fine - at 65 to 70 most of the way. I even found the source of another new rattle (the sunroof know) so that was cured on the run. I must investigate the water leak but we had a great day and I'll try to go again.

That Knocking ?

I took the Talbot to fill up with fuel late morning - in the gloom - and then shopping - Tescos in fact.

I'd forgotten how hard it is to maneuver - especially with all the cars buzzing around and not giving you any room. However all done and home safe.

Oh and the knocking from the rear ? That was because I'd not closed one of the catches for the boot properly last time. Dho !

More Van Time

This time an early PM run in the SAAB to Harkstead and then up to Henley House to look at the Care Home.

Easy run up there but the traffic was worse on the way back - fine though really. A few car pics around like this one of the Buttermarket c1950's.

I think it would be better as it is there vs the dead street it is now.

Battery and Shuffles

The battery was well packed but a little smaller - so I hope it does the job.

The new one also 'wobbled' (as the old one had) when I bolted it down so I padded the back clip to make it less loose which seemed to work fine.

I then moved the Alpine in to the garage slot vacated by the Ferrari.

Odd how it looks more 'red' in some lights.

Next I took the Golf around the block to max the battery - only to find the lights for the roadworks at the RHS were not working - so the cars just gingerly threaded their way through anyway. I'd sort of forgotten about the water leak but it was fine. More a 'weep' than a leak.

Next I swapped the Talbot battery charger over which went green instantly. I also put the fan heater on to start it up later.

They looked good together.

I'm not sure they have been together before ? Odd to think there is only 27 years between them too.

I started the Talbot a bit later and it roared into life first go. It stopped again as the fuel ran out but started again easily - so I let it warm up for a bit. It will need petrol before the run out if I take it Saturday though.

PM it was the obligatory Harkstead run.

But at least I put the van on charge too.

Later it was the RGEA meeting at the pub.

Two Tigers braved the cold and dark - Tom with a roof and John not !

I, however, was in the SAAB.

ION: Another election swings back against the right as US mid-terms produce a landslide for the Democrats following on from Brazil and Serbia earlier in the month. It will be interesting what will happen next year in Europe.

Pops and Bangs

Lots of them in fact as I started the Ferrari to take it into Grimaldi.

It was a cold dreary day and although no rain was forecast it was pissing it down.

As I ran to fill it up with petrol it was backfiring and popping a lot - and well down on power but we made it. I filled up with 3/4 of a tank but it still smelt a bit.

The run was fine though - on and off rain - but the misfiring settled down to slight shaking by the time we arrived. It's only 35 miles but takes almost an hour.

A nice selection outside and 'just' a couple of F50's inside.

I bet they don't pop and bang.

Anyway lift back in the MK7 as the rain cam back with a vengeance. So that might be it for today. At least the MK2 battery turned up on time so that is the first job tomorrow.

Knobs On

So let's just re-run yesterday morning with knobs on.

8:30 call - SAAB to Harkstead - van to Shotley.

Then back to Harkstead - SAAB to Holbrook - back to Harkstead and home. Well that pissed away another morning.

PM spent on a fruitless review of a Care Home and then maddening admin after the 'plan' was revealed.

So a most frustrating day.

The Beeches Roadside Rescue

An 8:30 call to action from the Harkstead client started the day. That job done I also moved a tree off the road on the way back.

So after that ... the Alpine out into the gloom for a SAOC meal this lunchtime. I detailed it and cleaned off the dust but that was it. It started up second try and so we got ready - with warm coats, blankets, German hat etc. It did look red though in the gloom.

It was also a bit cold on the run up but basically fine - well fine ish ... for me. We arrived just as another early car was parking up - a stunning S2 all the way from the Fens.

A great turnout - 17 in all - but only 1 other car,  John's Tiger.

However the problem was that the MK2 Golf battery was dead - so the car was left in Manningtree for us to recover. Here we are at 17:50 after dropping the van back at Harkstead and collecting the keys.

The jump pack did the trick and off we went. Mind you I could not resist this.

More Van Time

So off we go again - early run for the C19 and Flue jabs.

Mostly clear blue skies - warmer than expected when working too. Ho Hum. 

At least I have booked the Imp transport and the Ferrari goes in Tuesday. So we're making some progress.

Next was SAAB to town for a job - well a haircut. It was even getting gloomy when I got back.

Taking the miles the SAAB is plodding on. Although the headlight is dying and the stutter pops up from time to time.

As for the toys - oddly even with the trip back from Grange the E-Type beat the Aston by a few miles.

Final ride to Stutton in the MK7 to round things off. Now that car has dome some miles this month - over 1250. France and pottering - although we did do a lot of miles in France last time out.

Sneaking out Another

The house was full of young(ish) people working from home ... So SAAB out in the morning sunshine - back on the usual run.

Holbrook/Harkstead/Doctors/Home. Just another job - life taking the piss (sample).

Then PM the sun was still out - if a bit cold. So E-type out and around the block.

Still looking (and going well) in the chilly air.

The 'A' Team

The sun was out and it was quite warm ... so after jobs I thought I could do an errand in the Alpine.

Obviously Harkstead - the Alpine liked the cold air too. However that was not the end of it. I had to return to Holbrook and then re-visit Harkstead with more free pills from the NHS. 

I just snuck into the small spot at the DR. Not the best of pics into the sun. After that I detoured via home to spray the mechanism for the hand brake with grease to see if I could stop it rattling so much. 

On the way back up the Harkstead it did seem quieter ... well a bit.

Finally a run in the Aston - a bit longer today down the A12 to the garden center.

The car is going well - although I'm not sure what happened to the photo !

Clean as a Whistle

After an Admin morning I braved the Ferrari. I thought I'd just get ready but the tactic worked and I got stuck in.

I checked the leads I could get to (e.g. 3 1 8 5 4 and 6) plus the main HT lead too.

They were all like this - clean and unburnt, but with the odd small wire inside. However the key was there were no burnt bits or discoloured connections.

I started the car up and it gave me one little pop but it was running rough and tick over was slipping down again - mind you it is cold and not started for xxx days.

It seemed a bit better the second time so I left it to warm up. It was still running rough though.

Roberto thinks it might be a plug that has failed as its happening more and more frequently to NGK plugs after the Champions were also at fault.

Finally a Van drop of and Harkstead run via Shotley for pills that were in Holbrook !

So it was Holbrook next - and then home as it was getting dark - even at 5:30.

Golfing Days

First was a ride in the MK7 to look at a Car home (I keep typing Car Home) north of Ipswich. What struck me was how many houses are being built up there. It was all fields in my day - I actually had that B&B for three months near there so I cycled past the fields in 1996.

So the sun was out PM so I decided the MK2 Golf needed to be readied for Lord James at the weekend. It's not been used since September 11th. Looked good though.

It was quite clean but dusty. The tyres were all down a lot though, it also needed some oil. I also hoovered it out and gave the windows a clean. I ran it for a while to warm it though and spotted the top of the radiator was wet. Ah - and there was an area of 'stain' above it.

So that's on the job list. However I went around the block and it did not seem to leak much. I'll have to start it u and look immediately to see where it might be leaking next time.

500 yards and Van Time Again

SAAB to the co-op in the rain. It turns out that in the end I have to get the V5C for the E-type corrected to get on the electronic system.

BAAZILL VS BRAZILL

Then PM it was Van time again.

In the drizzle. Holbrook/Shotley/Harkstead then after all that off to Tesco for petrol and pickup.

I did bump the van on the post - luckily it was plastic.

Then on the way back I picked up a hitch hiker - turned out that they had just bought Barn Owl. It is a big wooden yacht at Shotley - we pass it often on the way in and out of our birth.

Anyway that added an hour to the return run. Finally a SAAB Pickup and home.

Wild and Windy

The rain had passed but not the storm as we set off for Hyde Hall first thing. MK7 rather than anything more exotic for the expected roadworks. But there were none and we were greeted with this smart V8 Vantage.

He's not afraid to use his car I thought. Oh and what a timeless shape.

Anyway - home again and stop off for petrol.

Is 15 mins queuing worth the saving ?

Wet and Wild

But not in a good way, so nothing to report.

Well LDOTC 2016 v1 turned up.

Slightly bashed as usual !