Another Van Trip

AM played with photos and admin. Made some a bit better - which was pleasing.

PM it was another van run - Harkstead time. Then Holbrook and then a shuffle of cars back again.

Early evening it was E-Type time.

Autumnal now though - so that was that.

Joining the Dots and Night Time

Slow day after all the excitement of yesterday but I did arrange to get the Aston battery changed.

I marked the old one though.

Not quite sure why I bothered though.

I also thumbed through the Kop Hill program looking for our entry only to find this.

Yep my picture again. They do lead a life outside the camera.

Then it was late so ... I took TAS our again. Not sure why it beckoned but it went very well. I could even think better than a bit ago - perhaps it had cleared any gunk after the run yesterday. 

On the way back the sun was setting so I thought I'd try for a sunset shot. A bit rushed and unplanned but OK for a first try this year.

We'll see if we can improve.

Hill Climbed and Storm Weathered

So it rained quite a bit overnight - as predicted - so a very wet car greeted me when I went to warm it up first thing - well 7:03 AM.

It started first time though - there was no obvious water inside as far as I could see. I tried the lights and they did their trick of turning off all the electrics. I did find that the back leaks and therefore the water stains will be worse when it dries out again as it was quite wet.

No more rain fell on the way to the hill though and we got there in good time. I faffed about for a while and then we registered the car and 15 minutes later listened to the drivers brief and got ready for the first run up the hill.

After a short queue and 'interview' we set off. 

Here we are half way up. Then 1 min 25 seconds later we were passing the checkered flag. Most of the way in third then a change down at the very steep bit into second. Fun really.

After that we returned via the town and wondered around the site before the rain came back in earnest.

Sheltering in the Talbot Marque I chatted to someone who had driven his car down from from the North for me to see - did I forget to mention that ? However having looked at it in the flesh it was not as nice as TAS - and we sort of concluded no Talbot would be. Not even this Concourse winning one - although it is growing on me.

The one I was seeing did not even get a proper picture - it's the red one in the background.

TAS got dried ready and soon it was time for run two.

That was all in third gear - although perhaps the car cried out for second. Again was almost an identical time - perhaps 1 second quicker.

However that was that and we set off home at the top.

We'd agreed to take the M25 to speed up the run which in retrospect was fine - other than the rain, the leaks and heavy traffic.

We encountered torrential rain so got a but 'dripped on' but the windscreen seemed to clear itself so the (slow) wipers were only used a bit. At times the temperature went above 90 degree - but then I'd forgotten to remove the plaque from the front of the car. In fact if we went quicker the temperature seemed top go down.

We got back in about 2h 20 mins - although with the weather and the heat inside the car it felt longer. The car just shrugged it off and did not look as it it had even been out of the garage since the clean and polish on Friday.

263 miles and all is well - although so far we have found that the nearside window was a bit stiff and the inside at the back was wet ... However checking the oil we used none.

More Noises

So - off we go again. Packing the Talbot in fits and starts ready for our latest trip. It started first time too - although I did let it stall. I had a bit of an odd feeling though. Were we too rushed - or just slightly dreading the social interaction ?

Still looked magnificent though on the drive. So off we went with no drama, up the A14 on a route we know well. We stopped to fill up at Newmarket which was a bit early in retrospect although I made sure the tank was almost sloshing over with the 30+ litres I squeezed in.

Then off-piste and the A11 across to Baldock - there were some odd noises after about an hour and a half but I put it down to the strong wind (for the booming noise) and the tinkle to the oil getting thin when very hot.

The A505 was a good choice - but luckily the Duxford air show was mid way through so the traffic was fine there. Then we ventured onto the M25 for two junctions. Which was fine if a little worrying as the car seemed less powerful - but again I suspect it was the hills and punching through the wind.

The oil pressure stayed fine all the time and the temperature actually ran slightly lower than the Prescott weekend - although it's not 80 outside degrees any more. As soon as we were back on the smaller roads the car sounded better. We overshot the Hotel but after a U turn we found the carpark and slotted nearly into a space.

So here we are - Amersham just shy of three hours later - and 126 more miles under our belt.

Luckily I popped back to the car a couple of hours later - to find to instrument lights had been left on - for long and why/how ? However the car started fine so I hoped we'd be ok in the morning.

Taxi both ways to the meal and then bed - with only a little trepidation of the next day and the early timings.

Not on the level

Talbot prep today.

I washed the car first - it did not really seem dirty but the bucket of black water said otherwise.

That only took 20 minutes - although it felt longer.

Then a quick SAAB trip to pick up a vintage voltage tester. 

Not sure how it works but I'll investigate.

Then back to the Talbot and the polish then the windows, which definitely did take much longer.

I also checked the water - needed almost none - and the oil - needed a pint. Odd as it has not really been using oil. However after putting it in the level did not seem to go up at all ? Looking at the car it might have been on a slope so I resisted the urge to add more and put the car away before checking the level again.

Then MK2 into town for hair cut - parked by the twin towers.

No, not those Twin Towers but it was apposite. I filled up the petrol on the way back too.

Back home I checked the Talbot oil on the flat - that was better - I added a 1/4 of a pint and called it a day. Looking at the Golf thought it deserved a clean. 

So it got a clean. Then I did the windows - I even did the door shuts. I popped the cover on it as I suspect it won't get used for a couple of weeks now.

Next - the Aston. The charger was on green so I started the car, backed it out and added another 10 litres of fuel and put it away again. The charger was back to being on low battery health, climbing to four dots after a couple of hours.

Which is not that bad, but it's not what I'd expect.

However the day was not quite over yet. The SAAB out again - up to Harkstead to drop off a big bag of drugs.

Hold again I tested the Tslbot lights. Fine although it did that trick of cutting all power as the switch was moved over. Probably a bit of corrosion on the switch as it’s been unused all year. 

So then we did stop.

ION: 25 years since 9/11 - when the Twin Towers were hit by two aircraft killing 2,700 people. That really was a start of the new Century.

Another Dash or two - this time for Fuel

G2R first thing for a day sail.

The sun was out if a bit Autumnal. 

Home again early afternoon and it was a bit warmer so I went back to jobs. First the Alpine out to get more fuel for the Beast.

It ran well and was nice to get it out again - a bit dusty though - but it is running the fuel tank down.

After that I thought the Ferrari needed a run.

So I dashed around the block.

Dash (board) ing Around

So what is the plan for today ?

First start the Talbot. It was a chilly morning but even after 14 days the car started well, after a few goes that was. I backed it out and let it sit in the sun before popping off to fill it up with petrol.

Nice picture of the dash.

Then I decided to swap the Alpine and Imp over. But the Imp really needed a clean - so I did that first - then went around the block. It seemed to be going well in the cooler air too.

Nice picture of the dash.

Then I swapped the Alpine back under the covers.

Nice picture of the dash.

Can you see where this is going yet ?

Then we took the top box off the SAAB and put it in Oliver's shed - not 100% ideal but much easier than the garage loft.

Then a DIY electrical problem to work on - so E-type out to collect LED lights. The chap at the unit liked it.

Nice picture of the dash.

That did not fix the problem though so I went back into town for a replacement unit in the SAAB this time. But they did not have one.

Well you know what I write next.

So that was ... almost that. The sun was still just setting so I though I'd brave the Aston and test the starting. First time - but then the charger was green.

I put 10 litres of petrol in it and looking at it (and hearing it) I wondered whatever made me think it should go. Bad Martin. I decided 'sod it' lets go around the block - and it did not disappoint.

We - dash'ed around the circuit. 

When I plugged the charger it it was immediately on low. Oh and the fob needed a new battery yet again. 

Finally I confirmed James and Miri for the London adventure in two weeks' time.

ION: An AI expert/techie has stated that there is more than a 1:10 chance that AI will destroy the Human Race within 10 years. Oh well - better get driving.

Utility and Photo Fame ... ish

A lot of home jobs AM [including unblocking the sink] but I did notice three my photos in the Talbot magazine this time.

A bit over processed and too dark, ten years ago I would have been 'cock a hoop' to have a picture in any mag - now it is 'whatever'. Well it is still nice.

PM was a run to Harkstead in the rain.

As it had been raining all day the roads were getting quite flooded.

After that I played with some pictures - nice Anglia one.

Worked quite well I thought.

Dump Day and Tiger Tracks

I spent most of the morning cramming crap into the SAAB. Well the detritus of civilisation I had accumulated over the last few months.

I put the front Talbot battery on charge and it instantly came up green which was a good sign.

PM was the run to the aforesaid recycling center - it took two of us 15 mins to unload.

As to the tracks - I spotted this mess as I loaded the car.

That will be the Tiger spinning its wheels while I tried to reverse it out yesterday morning.

So late evening I treated the Alpine (and me) to a warm run around the block. 

After stopping it was a little lumpy for a while but generally a very nice drive, but I suspect bad weather is on the way.

Tiger at the Ball

How did it know ? After weeks of good weather why was it going to rain at 7:15 am this morning ? It was only a few drops - although kept going on and off until 9:00 - but that was not going to spoil the day. 

So - how to start and then back out a recalcitrant Tiger from the car port ? Well the neighbors definitely noticed me revving - and stalling - and revving - and stalling - until the car settled down enough to attempt to move it backwards - with a Roar.

I set off for Woolverstone just before 7:30 and although it was hard to keep going I managed to get there - and into the show - with out stalling. I did cheat and slow down a lot and then use the handbrake to come to a full stop. That minimised the brakes locking on. 

We then went back for the alpine too. So here we are almost the in prime position and almost first on the field with the Tiger in the front and then my Alpine at the back.

Chris eventually arrived and parked next to his Tiger - at last they were together again at a show.

Why do Tiger boys always have their bonnet up ? Eventually we had eleven cars on the stand and a nice mix of Rootes models even if Tigers were in the majority. 

Anyway the show was good and we had lots of interest in the cars. The venue worked well as did the entry and at the end of the day, so did the exit. There were only a few vintage cars though and a lot of 'moderns'. 

The Alpine did look good though - I suspect after the 3 miles there it did not even have time to get dusty.

However, I still had to get the Tiger home to Glevering that night which was beginning to prey on my mind.

We waited for the show to thin out and as Chris was packing up to leave, I decided to take the Alpine home and get a lift back for the Tiger run a bit later. I was back before the Rapier has even moved an inch. 

I started the Tiger - well I started it several times - eventually it settled down and ticked over fine. The problem was that as soon as I touched the throttle gently it stalled. If I put my foot down hard or 'blipped' it past that point it seemed to jump up and get going again. I waited for almost all the traffic to clear before I tentatively set off - this time with another Martin as 'observer'.

We went to long way to avoid the traffic lights and the car was quite 'judery' again. Once on the Manningtree road it seemed to settle down a bit. In fact pottering along at 50-60 on a low throttle it was OK. Not quite as bad as before perhaps ?

By the time we'd crossed the Orwell bridge and made Woodbridge the car was feeling a bit better, but it was still hard to manage roundabouts as the speed you wanted was the worst place for the throttle. I sat in third for some of the way [still keeping the revs to about 2000] to balance the car.

Onto the final leg and the bypass it was running badly but better than the day before - in fact it felt like it was only on 7 cylinders - like the Ferrari did with a burnt out lead. It did not want to accelerate either. I'd been trying to not use the brakes but by the time we left the A12 the 'automatic braking system' was in full flow and I did not need to use the brake pedal at junctions - the car just stopped on its own.

We made Glevering without incident although I was revving it a bit to keep it running at times. I parked it in the garage and let out an audible sigh. 

After doing the tests on the brakes again we left well alone and called it a day. They were both back in the garage by 6:00 and I decided to get going again. 

The MK2 was still there, still filthy but seemed to fly along on the run home.

Job Done.

Tiger Taxi Man

So against all odds it looks like the Tiger is getting released. A after a successful test drive yesterday Ron - the wizard mechanic - has fixed the carbs and declared the car fit for the show. 

So my first job is to shuffle around my cars, move the Imp across a little bit and then get ready to bring the tiger back. That done I took the very dirty MK2 Golf up to Glevering early o the morning to start the process.

The first job however was getting the Rapier out and going off to fill with petrol - I drove back and it is really running well.

Then we went to see the Wizard who had just arrived. To be honest he was a bit shocked that the car was actually leaving his workshop and I felt he did not want to let it out. I'm not sure the car wanted to leave either as it was very hard to start and then kept stalling as it was slowly backed out into the open.

I then got my first ride in it since all the work. So how was a 4.7 liter V8 Beast ? Absolutely terrible. It stalled on a couple of occasions, it ran really rough for most of the time and seemed to resent being in the daylight. Did I really want to attempt the run myself after this ?

Back at the garage it was my time to take it on. I stalled once and then managed to get it around to the back of the Hall for a photo. I took all the crap out of it first and re-set the door handle. Then we lined up both cars for a picture with a beaming Chris - at last the Tiger was back.

So all I had to do next was to drive it 22 odd miles back home. I started the car (still a bit rough) and set of gingerly across the lawn with Chris filming me.

I stopped after a few 100 yards as the car felt as if the brakes were on a bit.

Which indeed they were - yep the brake lights are on again - so the problem that the car went into the garage for two years ago is still there. Disappointing - but I can drive though that.

The run back home was terrible really. The car needed revving hard to keep it running coming up to the first junction (a nasty hill start admittedly) and there was a total flat spot just past tick over - so it was very much on/off with the power. On the A12 it felt a little better but was not running smoothly - I kept it down to around 2000 rpm, but that's 60 mph for he Tiger so we were fine.

Until we hit the Melton roundabout. As I slowed down the tick over dropped dramatically and the brakes stayed on so I had to rev it harder as well as find a way to stop - heal and toe is not my forte - so we stalled. At least that release the servo pressure and luckily it started again.

So the key for the rest of the run was to try not to use the brakes as once on they were not coming off. Of course the last few miles are the worst as it is all roundabouts and junctions but we made it. It felt like an age but in reality only about 40 minutes had gone by.

I lifted the bonnet to let it cool and staggered in to the house for some lunch.

I had decided to clean it as it was quite dirty - and ended up scraping the mud out of the gutters inside and out where the dust has set after the first wash. However with a layer of polish after that it came up well - although there are several scrapes and paint blemishes to attend to now.

However it looked good on the drive and was presentable now for the show. I packed it away next to the Imp and got ready to go out again.

That involved a MK7 ride and then drive home- with the people we met asking what the new sports car on the drive was !

He Skids ... but Misses

Alpine first thing - well almost first as it was raining and not really encouraging me out to the garage. However we detailed the car which was surprisingly clean after Wobaston.

I then tried to stick the door rubber back yet again.

Next was the Van swap. However on the way I almost had a head on with another car which was racing through the lanes. Quite a long skid actually but we whispered past each other.

So I brought the wet Mk2 back home - but as I'd parked the Imp badly it will have to stick out slightly for a while.

PM after more admin I pottered about and put the Talbot back battery on charge - I also noticed I'd still got the tumble dryer in the SAAB boot.

Why not start the Aston I thought as I passed. So I did.

It started first time too - and a second time - so I thought I'd be safe to fill it up with petrol so went inside for my money. That was lucky as it then failed to start several times on the trot and whimpered into life at last. I just put it away and tried again. No way it was going to start. 

To add insult to injury I then got a txt from Vodaphone saying the fob battery was dying again.

Back on went the trickle charge and of course it was reading almost empty. I assume the battery was fucked by the dying charger so I will ask for it to be swapped out on the service - if I get it there.