Just one Job - Again

This morning's job was to get the Alpine soft top out and erected - then leave it in the sun to stretch a little. The first thing I noticed was that the rear clips no longer aligned. Odd.

So I left it in the sun to stretch and wondered what to do. Meanwhile the SAAB earned its keep.

Hard to spot but that's a large board on the roof - more Stutton Clearance Services.

Then I addressed the soft top and re-aligned four of the clips. It fits better but still does not sit correctly at the back - I suspect it never will. Odd how many tools I needed just for that job.

Looks like nine if you include the block of wood. I also changed one of the small clips on the frame - I only remembered why I'd not done that before when I was typing this ... because the larger ones hit to car ... so that got corrected.

In doing so I thought perhaps I can make my own - two attempts later and I had a 'workable' prototype. Not a bodge at all.

I also gave the soft top a quick wash.

Then MK2 off to Harkstead.

Finally Alpine hood back down and then off to meet a few of the RGEA team at Manningtree - gate crashing the SVEC fish and chips. Not many cars there really, but the members are getting very old nw and not driving I suspect by the number of them leaving in 'moderns'.

John brought the 30/98 which was a class above the rest.

But the Alpine went well and looked good too in the sunset.

It does sound quite agricultural though and it is very bumpy, but went OK at 30 mpg all the way. I guess I am a but of a worrier.

ION: It is another record hot day for June now up to 37 degrees. Hospital MRI units are now stopping - with overheating.

Some of the Same

Fixed the locks on the shed first thing - well after two hours of trying - and then popped out in the SAAB to Harkstead. This time to collect and drop off the air condition unit I collected and dropped off Sunday.

Then home via Stutton to drop it off. It was a warm 30 degrees by then and getting hotter.

I thought I use the spare time before lunch to get the jack under the Alpine door and get everything ready for working in the afternoon, but I sort of got carried away ...

The problem was having taken everything apart I couldn't get it back together again - in fact I ended up with the door sort of stuck and then I was having to use my knee to keep it up and I wasn't quite strong enough ... I also stripped a screw.

After cursing many times, and re-treading the screw I'd actually got it done and surprisingly with all my efforts it seemed to be ore aligned - e.g. it doesn't kick out at the bottom anymore because I removed the shims. It still toes out a little bit on the bottom corner, but I think I can live with that for now. I also touched up the paint where it was bashed.

I also tried the storm cover that I bought for it and although it is for a BMW mini, it will do a decent job and with a soft lining I hope it will not scratch the car particularly even on a windy day.

Of course by then it was shed time again so I did some more painting and called it a day.

Until it was cool enough to take the alpine around the block again. Well 26 degrees is cool now. The car was fine - although a little stutter when very hot - oh and I made the speedo get to 50, but I must have been doing 60 at the time.

ION: It is a record hot day for June as predicted 36.1 degrees.

Still Wobbles

AM SAAB into town and badly parked.

But safe.

PM was more 'shed time' to avoid the sun, but that's coming to the end (the painting - not the sun) that just getting hotter. Then MK2 back to the allotment for watering.

Finally a run in the Alpine - around the block in the 25 degree heat. 

The car went well to start with but started to suffer a little on the way back - I am sure it is the heat. I'm also sure the speedo won't go much above 40 mph either - but we'll monitor that. The steering seems to be getting worse too but them I am a 'stress puppy' and the roads have worn out parts again.

Oh and did I mention the heat ?

'No-Show' Ferrari

I was up early - before the heat hit - and went back to the shed for a bit. Then pottered and popped to the allotment for watering in the SAAB. Then admin and finishing the Talbot archive article.

The day seemed to whizz past and then it was time for a B&Q run on the way to Glemham, on the way to Needham Market. I took the Ferrari as it needed a bit of a proper run, even though it was not going to the show. 

It was hot but also very bright. The run to Glevering was good with the car performing well. There was also little traffic on the road but they've installed two speed bumps on the drive to the hall but at least some of it had been tarmac'ed. I had to park in the cheap seats but that was fine - out of the way.

So the car we took - the Rapier Convertible which was stylish way to arrive.

It was a bit like Shotley - without all the boy racers - but a smattering of others. So basically the usual subjects. There were a few older cars including the white Talbot 90 team car replica that I've seen several times.

I had a chat to the owner at the end and he's thinking if selling it ...

There was also a nice XK140 but the paint looked too good and the front looked too wide when I saw it, oh and the modern switch gear was a give away - it was a kit which was disappointing. The nice Sunbeam Talbot was a solid alternative.

I drove the Rapier back and it 'fluffed' a bit - probably oily plugs. Nice run back in the warm night and open top. Back at the Hall I Jumped into the Ferrari - well after cleaning off the bloody bird shit. Ah that will be why no one was parked under the tree.

Oh well - at least the run back was good too - speeding through the last of the day. I did spot the charge light was glowing a bit when the main lights, brakes and indicators were on - but the battery was green when I packed the car away.

I did 60 of the 80 miles on the night - but driving the Rapier was fun.

ION: As predicted Starmer resigned so we're into #7 PM in seven years ? As the joke goes Italy are sending over a consistency adviser.

SAAB Uber runs

So, a SAAB run first thing - Manningtree station pick up James and then off to Ickworth House. Not much of motoring interest there, but I did spot a nice bike pic.

The Head Gamekeeper on his JAP engine'd 'something'.

After that and the run back it was a Harkstead shout - via Stutton to collect cooling equipment.

Then back to Stutton via home. Home via the allotment to water - well it's been 25+ degrees all day. Then a dash to fill up the car as we're running low on the good stuff.

That was a lot - and I thought the war was over ! Anyway, all a bit routine.

Two at the Show

Early start and pottered about doing jobs waiting to get the cars ready for the Stutton Fete. Cars out first thing then.

Then a planet saving trip - but locally so double saved.

Then it was Show time - so we shuffled the cars over there.

Odd collection turned up really but we got a few visits. We were there until just before 4:00 in the blistering sun, so a tiring day.

I checked the Riley when I got back and yes it had goo on the top of the catch tin. I cleaned it off, but the joints seemed fine, so I started the car and ran it for a short while - it was coming up from the tin and not down from the pipes - even odder. The breather was also smoking a bit. So I took the lid off the tin.

The tin was full of emulsified oil - I don't think it was like that last time ? I decided to empty it by sucking on a pipe. Yuck.

In the end I got about 200 ml out and started the car again. It did not bubble up but the car still smoked a little. I did wonder (well I hoped) water had got in there when the head gasket blew three years ago ? I'll have to check the crank case again for signs of emulsified oil.

Checking the hot water pipe it was not sucked in this time though.

Parallel Pratt and TAS goes down a Storm

I started the day working on 'shed town' in the morning sun, painting the new store and the old shed in about 30 degrees. 

PM MK2 off to town for jobs - I thought I'd squeeze into a parking space outside the hair dresser. Only I took four attempts to get it in.

Back home I'd felt guilty that the E-type had not get the same treatment as the Imp (and Alpine) so I thought I'd gave it a quick detail in the afternoon.

I started with the roof but, oddly the detailer seemed to make a spotted pattern on the paint, then the 'lime lite' and polish actually made marks as if it had burnt into the paintwork.. I cleaned that off and spent about half an hour making it worse until I got some shine back. The paint is really bad though, with marks appearing in various places. In the sun it is not so noticeable, but this enhanced pic shows what is happening.

Then I started the Talbot to warm it up - it started first time - to take it to the ECR meeting tonight. Yes - the most un-suitable car. However it went down a storm. IISSM.

Well amongst the 'older contingent' it attracted lots of attention. I heard/got lots of positive comments to and it really looked magnificent in the sunshine. I got some very good professional feedback on the quality of the paintwork too.

No water escaping either - so that's good too.

ION: Makerfield went to Burnham, so we're entering a period of political uncertainty ... again

Early Doors

I had started on the Riley by 8:30 - after a 6:00 am start and a run on the two wheel member of the fleet.

I thought I would start with a temporary fix (bodge) so I put foil tape around the loose joints of the oil breather. We'll see if it works for a bit.

Then I decided to give the Imp a three stage detail - so treated it to a wipe over, a polish and then a wax.

Oddly when I was hoovering out the car and checked under one of the seats, I actually found the missing nut to hold the clock in - so I swapped it back - that's a tiny, tiny job but it made me feel good.

So waxing was finished by 10:15. 

It looked shiny and smells of wax when you go into the garage now. Amazing what you get done when you get up at 6:00 AM - so what next? 

Gardening actually.

PM was admin and then a SAAB run to Harkstead for jobs and tea. Then the rain came back - so that was that.

More Mysterious Marks

I started on the Alpine again first thing in the morning and decided to continue from the rear panel across to the boot and noticed more mysterious marks on the rear valance - odd. The boot looked especially swirly too. I guess it's a very flat panel. I followed my checklist and had the four stages all laid out in the shed.

The rear was all done by 10:45 - looking much better but it's hard work. One door and front wings done by 12:00. After lunch the bonnet and door - all done by 2:00. After which I moved the car into the sun again for the wax to 'set'.

Late afternoon I went took the Talbot out. It stared quite well considering it's been almost three weeks. 

Still looking stately. I was really testing the new seal for the radiator cap - so around the block we went in 24 degrees of heat. No sign of any weep or leeks or sprays on the windscreen - so we'll say that's done.

I was going to take the Alpine out later to save the planet, but we got a Harkstead call so I went there.

The car is going well although the rear closures for the soft top are rattling a bit - I'll have to see what I need to do for that.

ION: John D phoned about another auction, but interestingly he said the Alvis was not that good and needed work.

66 Not Out

I moved the cars out and parked Alpine in the sun first thing to help dry it off if there is any moisture left. I also moved the Mk2 as well to clear the space for work.

Then Mk2 to Harkstead to baby sit BT engineers - until they realised they could not upgrade to telephone due to the power lines (?) and then they went away to think again.

After getting back I moved the Alpine back as the clouds loomed to do a bit of polishing.

However before that I tried to get the Talbot radiator cap seal in place. I'd checked and the kit I had bought (strangely a part of the kit of the brake repair kit for the brakes for a Ford Cortina MK4) fitted. It looked like it did.

First I had to remove the old one - which was harder than I expected - but all in all only a 30 min job.

Then I did a bit of 'glassing'. Four (8) passes on each section. Wash and dry the panel (2), then cut it with the new style T-cut to carefully remove the scratches and clean it off (2), then apply polish and buff that off (2) and finally the wax - dark Dodo wax to hide as many imperfections as I could and buff that off too (2).

I started with the offside rear. I think 90% of the scratches came out with the first buffing and it was radiating when I'd finished. So 15-20 mins per panel/section. That's a half day for the rest of the car.

Then it was time to get the broken lawn mower to try and fix for the allotment. So SAAB of course. Here it is: 

After two hour I'd got the frame sitting correctly and found the broken starter cord. I'd also discovered that the starter had been replaced and riveted on and the choke connection was all loose. Not sure it's worth sorting but we'll see.

Finally Alpine out to drop off a payment at Phil's in Harkstead.

I took the long way home. I'm getting used to it again - but I must calibrate, as I forget it is 66 years old.

As is the Driver.

It's our Navy !

Monday we woke to virtually no wind so we started with a gentle potter by diesel. Exiting the Deben we were passed by lots of small ships with a Royal Navy ensign, like this one.

That's what's left of our Navy we thought.

Home again and late afternoon I unloaded the trailer. I noticed the MK2 needed water when I moved it to get past - looks like it's leaking near here and spraying about looking at the staining.

I'll have to investigate.

G2R - Once more

Packing for the trip first thing.

Light load though.

We were passed by the Stenner Line as we left.

We should be on that in a couple of weeks time (well the night crossing) bound for Germany in the Alpine.

Perhaps we'll be treated to a nice sunset like we were tonight.

So I'd better got on sorting the car out.

We're Keeping the Ferrari

So we better use it. So we did.

However the Ferrari was a little hard to start - well second turn of the key - but it’s been almost 2 weeks somehow. Then as I left it sitting on the drive warming up to close the garage door and turn the lights off were they bangs ? Just from across the road I was glad to say. 

We flew around the block and stopped at the EE petrol station to make notes.

I noticed the fuel gauge looked low - given that we'd only done 80 miles on a full tank, we'll have to watch that. Is the petrol going down a little quick ? 

Good run though - just around the block but keeping adding miles. 

Then a work call so SAAB and trailer in play for more of the Stutton detritus. 

PM we were off the party - so I dithered. The sensible choice was the MK7 Golf. But I decided not and cleaned the E-type and took that instead. So many times I opt out of the nice cars and play safe. Here we are at the secret location in deepest Suffolk.

The best car in the car park - IISSM - even better than those locked in the storage unit behind us I thought on the way home. Appreciated too by a couple of chaps.

Finally a business unit stop over on the way back.

We were picking up a Kebab supper ... but looking $1M.

ION: I looked at the auction and the Alvis only went for £20k. Bloody Hell. However earlier in the day I'd reasoned I was only buying it because I thought it would be cheap and that's not why I buy my cars. 

I'll just use mine more to use up the cash !

Clean Start - and Starting

Having left everything in a bit of a mess while I had to dump and run yesterday I started by cleaning everything up tidying up putting everything away and giving myself a clean start to the day. The weather had turned back again and now we're expecting showers all day so that elusive test drive will still have to wait.

Everything back in and vacuumed by 10:00 and then the door ... which unfortunately has already chipped the edge. 

Oh well I can touch that in when I do the rear valance.

I added shims to the drivers door and it stopped clipping the front ring - but sticks out a bit more. I suspect I need to put the shims in the other set of hinges.

I finally cleaned the tonneau.

PM I started her up. It started first time after a week of sitting which was good. It sounded different with a slight mechanical noise from there the bonnet - odd. I opened the bonnet and checked the oil. Right down on Empty and also the sensor had already fallen off.

I put in 2 pints - which on checking was a bit too much - and stuck the sensor on the rocker box cover for now.

The drive was ... fine. Actually we went well in the sunshine. The car drove better but the steering still has a slightly 'dead' spot in the center, mind you it is 66 years old. 

At the petrol station I got an 'Assume car mate' from the young chap in an Audi next to me and 'I bet the paintwork is better than when new" from an older chap in a Jag.

After filling up with petrol the 'stuttering' came back for a little but cleared up quickly. At home, the temperature gauge showed about 140 where as the remote thermometer was more like 180 - both fine. 

I need to drive it more now to get used to it. At least the indicator now stays on.

I then treated myself to a run out in the E-type.

That went even better - but then in 1964 it was about £2,000 and the Alpine was about £700.