All day at it

Decided to try to fit the new wing to the Caterham.

80% there after 8 hours.

Best fault was the electrics - the diagonally opposite indicators flash on their own...

Long story to follow.

Ely Classic Car Rally

The day started ominously dull and grey with drizzle dripping onto the drive as I went to pack the car before the journey up to meet everyone at the show. This is the second time the Cambridge & District Classic Car Club (CDCCC) have organised an event in this magical setting - on the Palace Green outside Ely Cathedral. The event raises money for Memory Lane Singing Café - a Dementia support group in St Ives so we in the East Anglian SAOC were very happy to go along and support it.

Firing the car up and backing out of the garaged I noticed the bonnet ‘pop’ open. I assumed I’d not closed it after checking the oil and water the previous evening, but try as I might (eventually bumping and slamming down) it would not stay closed. However as you know the blessing is that the bonnet hinges from the front so I was ok to drive up to the show.

It is about 60 miles from my house to Ely which is in the heart of the Cambridgeshire Fens. Sometimes called the ‘Isle of Ely’ it is the tallest point in the Fens – although at 85 feet (26 m) ‘tallest’ is relative. The current cathedral dates from the 11th century and is in the oldest part of the city, so with the prospect of busy Saturday traffic clogging the lanes I elected to hit the A14 for much of the way as I did not want to be late. Although the grey clouds continue to haunt me on the run, as I neared the Green most of them went away and the sun broke though. Thanks to David Hunns (an enthusiastic fellow Alpine owner, member of the CDCCC and Organiser) we had star billing in the front of the green, actually in the shadow of the tower itself.

Picture from Ely Cathedral Octagon Tower courtesy of Roger Carr

I parked up (re-closed the bonnet as best I could) and after a few minutes most of the other Alpines arrived and the public began to wander around the cars. We had a group of five Alpines and my Series 1 quickly had lots of admiring looks and even some children pointing at the wheels, which was odd, but as I chatted away I spotted that unfortunately the attention was due to the flat rear tyre and not my newly polished three pointed spinners.

For the next 10 minutes I provided some ‘live theatre’ for the public milling around the cars as many just stood and watched me change the wheel. I’d only had the correct three pointed spinners for two weeks but had made a wooden tool to protect them and it worked well. Since I took the car to Duxford in April, I’ve fixed the wheel bearing, replaced the brake light pressure switch and re-done the boot lining (it had none at all in fact) and luckily I’d checked the pressure on the spare wheel before I put it back. Job completed I had a wonder around the cars at the show.

Immediately next to me was a 1964 Triumph Vitesse. I thought it was interesting that that it and my car were built quite closely (Canley and Ryton six miles apart in Coventry) but remembered that as a Series 1 my car was built by Armstrong Siddely at their Parkside plant - co-incidentally also about six miles from Ryton. (Although I was born in Coventry, not having lived there for many years please forgive me if my geography is a bit hazy - but you get the point.) Anyway on that theme, in turn the Triumph was flanked by a slightly younger MGB GT (probably made 60 miles away at Abingdon) and skipping over a couple of interlopers was joined by an Aston Martin DB9 (Gaydon - 26 miles) another MGB GT and a magnificent Humber Super-Snipe (back to Ryton).

So it turned out that most of the front row were made within a few miles of each other – and with the exception of Aston Martin – are sadly no more.

There were just over 50 cars at the show and the event was a huge success, raising money charity, and filling the green to entertain the public. An Armstrong Siddeley Hurricane was the Committee's choice, but my favourite car was a tie between the Humber Super-Snipe and a very nice 1933 Austin Seven Box Saloon.

Alpine to Ely

Nice small show in front of Ely Cathedral - Alpines got special treatment as the organiser is an owner.

 

 

 

Prettiest car there was probably the Austin Seven in the corner.

 



100+ miles to Ely and back - A14 quite dull but country roads well suited to Alpining.

Bonnet popped open and would not stay down when I left and I arrived with a very flat tyre so entertained the spectators changing it.

Still got it

Looking and driving the e-type I can see why it is an icon. Looks from parked cars said it all. 

Evening circuit was clear - aero engine sounds overtook the rattles. Kept pace with moderns easily. 

What's not to like. 

Moved a bit

Moved the car wing out of the way - that's all.

Will attach it Monday.

Winging it

Unpacked the new wing - good colour match so will aim to fit it.

Quick dash in the car afterwards too as the clouds darkened and rain spat. 

Earlier bled the Alpine brakes a bit. A bit of a balancing act but used the magic stick to help again.

Needs a clean for Saturday - but more rain predicted.

Beer Buddies

Aero as dray - taking back the beer barrels.

Then fixed the Alpine brakes by swapping the pressure switch. Need to bleed the brakes now. 

The switch came in an original box too. 

The Caterham wing turned up and we'll see tomorrow the colour match. 

Final Alpine run to bottle bank - brakes ok...

10 foot team

Moved the Ferrari and Aston out of the garage to pack away the table. A total of 10 feet each I'd guess.

They both looked great in the sun - but no time to run them round.

Finished with MK7 run to marina.

Packing it all in

Packed the Aero full to the brim of wedding presents first thing.

 

Then a run to Milton Keynes in the Aston to pick up James.

Then a run in Aero with load - plus surprise ride and a drive in the Mercedes. 

And 250 back

Better run in the Golf - M6 still a roadblock but it could have been much worse.

Biggest travelling day of the year - 12 hour delays into Dover. So we had it easy. 

Friday - Nill

City living in Liverpool so no car action.

Golf 250

Mk7 up North

Same pattern

Early Aero run with bench in boot. 

Then Ferrari trip out as Alpine brake lights are dead. 

Saw a Ferrari California T in the car park. 

Not too shabby. 

Then evening run in E-type which still rattles but did not smoke much - I guess it was hot. 

Finally Aero to town for supper. 

Little and Large

Aero to dump - again.

Caterham around the block as the sun set - with no doors - windy as hell. Saw this in the next village looking good. 

Shine and Show

Mk2 got the treatment from James and Fiona. Clean, Cutback and Polish.

Looked verrry presentable for the show.

Alpine for me in the blistering sun. 

Shotley show mix of cars - a few classics - a few moderns, but mostly mid range young timers and young classics like the Golf. 

Earlier in the day Aero pressed in to service hauling a few hundred glasses. 

Packed drive again

More lorries and cars. The odd Aero run but not much more disputed the sunshine. 

Saturday shuffling

Aero for jobs and balance for showing off.

Aero Treat

Got SAAB washed for the wedding. 

Amongst the jobs. 

Thursday squeeze

More vans etc but squeezed in an Alpine run - looking good in the sun amongst the moderns. 

Drive full

Lorrys for the marquee etc. 

So no exit for us. 

Contented myself by polishing the Ferrari. 

Alpine Dash

Aero first thing again for jobs - then Alpine dash and finally just as the thunderstorm hit took the Aero again for more jobs. Looking decidedly dirty again.

Did finish the boot cover though... Not bad for a first try.

Bad thing is the water came into the garage again... must re-clear the drains.

Missed out again on another mid-week car show (modern this time) as the rain was back.

Rain all week ?

Aero and jobs.

There might be a lot of that this week.

Polished the E-Type and the Alpine bonnet.

Made a few road signs too.

Then late evening Aero trip out - 5 up in more rain - joked as a man took pictures of it in the car park - well the rainbow behind it anyway.

Getting Bored ?

Caterham round the block - great run and it sounds really mechanical.

Not enough energy for a late run though.

Bit of Pottering

Aero to dump. 

That's it, plus a ride in the A3. 

Then late night Aero airport run. 

Jobs and a Blast

Morning murk and Aero shopping then evening in the sun for a long blast in the Caterham - looking at routes for the Alpine run in 2017. 

Very hot in the car with a fleece on. But goes very well. 

Missing out.

Lots of Alpines on their way to Le Mans Classic. Not mine. 

No trip this year and I even missed out on a small local show tonight - too many jobs to do. 

Alpine out in the morning sun though. 

Then Aero as van for jobs. 

Then evening dash in the prancing horse. 

I guess that will have up do. 

In the dark

Took Alpine out early evening.

Earlier took the Caterham into town, round the block and chatted to owner of Alpine, Tiger and V8 Aston - and even a Series 3 Land Rover tucked away. 

Van Time ?

Ok perhaps I should buy a van or something. I keep putting the seats down in the SAAB. 

Oh and this all fell out today. 

Ouch - it bit me

Getting into the Alpine I snagged my leg on the top of the window channel. How ? Beats me to, but it bloody hurt.

Loaded the Aero for jobs then took the Golf shopping.

Red (Letter) Day

Golf Mk2 run for fuel and car wash first thing. She started OK but will still reset the earth leads from the started motor as a precaution.

Looks a lot better clean, but in need of polish.

Ferrari run out - after topping up the oil - looks like Dante's inferno in there - in the dry sump.

Evening dash around the bock in Mr E - been neglected due to rattle. I guess I'll just drive it until it brakes - sounded more like the rear middle again tonight. And much dustier than she looks too.

Oh and of course the Aero for jobs in the middle of the day. That's a banister, not a flag pole.

Another car that could do with a clean...

I'll never make a seamstress

Well almost finished the Alpine boot cover. A bit of a mish-mash as the sewing machine balked at going through five layers.

Next I need to tidy it up with a needle. 

Aero dump run again - and then treated it to a clean up - vacuum in side. 

Also started the Mk2. I suspect it was a stuck solenoid or a poor earth. Will monitor the situation. 

More alternative stories.

More Alpine work on the boot - no joy sewing so off to mum's for tips. 

Results better with stronger cotton and some tips (eg put the foot down) but issues still surfaced after an hour good going. 

Thought I'd finished the car events with a prom run in the Aston - Followed an R8 and BMW i8 into the event. 

Then Golf Mk2 was dragged home with no power. 

Time to investigate tomorrow.