Thursday fun

Dump run in the Aero. 

 

Then more Alpine action. 

Found pegs to fix the boot lid. 

Still booting up

Alpine getting lots of attention at the moment. Boot floor now painted and re-fitted. Carpet to come.

Then Aero in the spitting rain. More rubbish cargo ?

It's 308 time

Early morning washing and polishing the Aston for the prom run. Not that you'd notice - as the before and after pics show little difference.

But it was shining in the garage as the reflection showed.

Then as I felt I was not using the Ferrari much recently - I popped off to the shops and did the long run back. Looked very good on the drive.

Finally I made a small fitting for the Alpine out of billet Aluminium.

G2R again

Dull start to the day and Mk7 to boat. 

Late run to bottle bank in Alpine though in the sun. 

Lining it up

Finished boot lining for the Alpine - bent cardboard but 1960's original.

Took her out for an evening spin.

Also Caterham around the block - long block 25 miles - mpg not much more than before though.

Booting up

Updated the Alpine boot - adding the correct sides. 

Need a new boot mat next. 

Lights work well on a dull summer's day. 

Evening run

Run out in the Caterham last thing.

Looked tempting in the sun. 

Earlier on a flat on Aero - another tyre another flat may I add - and runs to the dump.

Oh and Euro Referendum result was to come Out. better change those Euro number plates.

Aqua Golf

Feeling deflated with the E-Type rattle and Caterham wing damaged, especially as the rain came down in stair rods again this morning.

So I took MK2 for a spin to the shops when it stopped - not thinking the roads would be flooded - again.

Paddled through with no harm but a few mud splatters. It really needs a clean now.

Hesitated on start up at the shops and the windows seemed a bit sticky, plus it's using a bit of water. Runs fine though and probably needs more use.

Decided to fix the boot mechanism - seems like the arm that moves the boot lock over is jamming but WD40 squirted in there seemed to free it up - so see how it gets on.

Also ordered Alpine boot card material to make up panels. See how good they are.

Two runs

Early Alpine run into town to get roof tiles - so sunny I could not resist taking it even if I ended driving round in the Ipswich rush hour across town twice.

Clouded over quickly as the picture shows - but got back before the rain. 

The day got so dull a bright red car looked incongruous. 

Then experiment recording the E-Type rattle. Noticed lots of smoke on start up - probably needs sorting sooner rather than later - perhaps they are related ?

 

Seems the best recording of any odd noise was front nearside by the suspension. Inconclusive but worth pursuing.

The worst time is the car goes do well - especially driving if more - so into it for another long run in gone early evening. During the two runs I must have had three waves of appreciation. 

I'm fully employed looking after the nations motoring heritage. 

Fortune favours the foolhardy

Made the mistake of going into town in the 308 at 4:30 pm. Knew it was wrong on so many counts. 

Hit slow moving cars and cyclists out of the village. Traffic was already queuing as I got to the junction on the A12, police had stopped 2 cars in a lay-by and the bridge was already stationary for the return leg. 

Parked next to another classic though and went shopping. 

Return was fine - traffic cleared and some nice man in a white van let me cross two lanes of the main road to join it. Who says people don't treat you well in a Ferrari. 

Earlier 70+ miles in the Alpine - after a dust and a detail - even a bit of polish on the bonnet to try to get some colour back. 

Looking good. 

More Bloody Rain

So just Aero pottering for jobs. 

Hoping for some sun tomorrow. 

Spinning Wheels and Meals

Took Alpine out for a test jaunt - all spinners seem solid and locked on - and no wobbles from the wheels either - so fingers crossed.

Then researched the engine on the Caterham. I've been told it's a 'Roger King' built engine - asking him, his guide to where the new engine numbers should be (small shelf on block and above bell housing) were both blank.

Took her out for a blast though and she definitely runs more sweetly - especially when not on max heat soak. Picked up food on the way back too.

I wonder if I could cook it on a long run ?

Making stuff

Made two wooden tools to take off spinners. One quite poor and one ok that I glued together. 

Will use to tighten them. 

Late evening Aston run with blinged-up cars on the background. 

Mixed feelings

Washed the Caterham to find a damaged rear wing - garage had 'forgotten' to tell me. Promised it will be fixed when I return the car. Seems like lightening strikes twice as it's the same panel as the G4 was hit on. Offside rear.

Then fitted the new spinners. Hard work 'whacking' them on - and they look fierce. I need to make a tool to protect them. Seems like the wheel I had the bearing failure with is still a bit iffy.

Aero run to shops for ply to make a protector - a job for tomorrow in the rain. Accident on road out of the village and flooded roads.

If I was only 20 I'd start to believe in climate change... but then I've seen the winter of 1964 and the Summer of 1976.

Fleet re-United

Aero first thing. 

Picked up Caterham from garage. New plugs and knock fixed etc. Sounded more rawtey and bass ?

He had a Caterham 21 in there - rare car. 

Run back was going well until traffic jamb lead me to back roads and overheating - at least it was just me and not the car. 

Passed the old owner on the run home too. 

Now back and needing a clean. Even Jana thinks it sounds better. 

Mixed running

Alpine in the sun ...

and Aero for jobs. 

Counting on the Spinners

Well it looks like 12 TPI so I ordered four new three eared spinners.

Seemed a bit simple - so we'll see what arrives.

Aero run in the showers just to make it every day so far. Also topped up oil - it's been making a 'squeak' on start up and for the first 5 mins - I assume that will  now stop.

Oh and Golf MK2 back in the fold - paint looking very tired and boot is locked shut.

Shitty Summer Soaking

Most of the day it rained - and sometimes very hard. So no car action.

Noticed water flooding down into the entrance to the wooden garage but not getting in - I need to add more drainage or something. 

However price of 308's seems to be exceeding £100k now even if this is a low mileage one. Not sure if that value a good thing though.

Back more smoothly

Another 250 miles back from the North West - four up and packed with luggage. 

Suspension knocking a bit. 

Liverpool pottering

Aero as minicab for a few trips.

Golf Mk2 living on the street seems ok ...

Friday 250

Run to Liverpool in Aero - rain so hard and standing water so deep - at times it felt the handbrake was stuck on.

This was on the new M6 Toll. 

Roadworks and delays all the way so about 7 hours. 

More sun still

Running around - Alpine pressed into box carrier again.

At least they were only filled with bubble wrap. 

Aero next for load. 

'Tut North tomorrow. 

Also noticed the E-type used in an advert for the Silverstone classic from July 2011.

Classic tow car

Nice old V8 Rover at B&Q used but not ratty. 

Went in Aston with the energy that has. 

Then Aero run with bike. 

Last min run in Ferrari - very dusty and Windows filthy - half heartedly cleaned then. Can you see the dust ?

No me neither. 

It's got to go soon

Long tun out in E-type after various fettling - no joy on brakes - tried water bottle but as bad as ever. 

Run to pick up chainsaw. 

That only confirmed issue very much still there and that it stops on braking. 

Late run in Alpine ended up with boxes piled high. 

Runs in the Suns

Aero to the dump first thing - natch. 

Then Alpine to shops as it was very sunny. Then fitted new bumper. 

E-Type run to the marina for photo op. Interesting clue/red-herring to rattle. It goes away with my foot on the brake.  

Then final Ferrari jaunt to take pics of a field of poppies. 

Running around again

Aero to Rassy. 

Sun out all day. 

Final day run in alpine. Sounds agricultural not unlike a sewing machine from the cambs. 

AERO Hero

Run to get silo looks like we overloaded the trailer and the car felt 'heavy' esp on braking. 

Then afternoon run for turf. 

Then late sun run in Aston. I deny the car is trying to kill you. 

It's communicating all the time - tyres - wheel - power - acceleration. Just embrace the beast. 

Aero worth it's weight

More trailing to the dump. 

Mind you it's cold 12 degrees and windy - so not classic weather yet - it's only June. 

ADD

Another dull day. 

Aero for jobs - looking for the sun. 

Jolly June it's not

Heavy rain and a cold 12 degrees greeted me this first day of June.

Fixed the trailer electrics with little drama under the carport work area - my 8 flood lights do make a difference.

Loaded up with hardcore and ran to the dump in the Aero - only to find it closed now on Wednesdays.

Guess what tomorrow's first trip will be.