Sun comes out for the Italian one

Dropped the MK7 off for a service and took the Ferrari. Looked great in the sun even though it was dusty.

Young chap at the VW dealer had a chat and liked it a lot.

Later on the Aero pressed into service.

E-Type Club Round Brittan Coastal Drive

Car	1964 Jaguar E-Type S1 FHC
Miles this month	202
Latest costs	Fuel Pump - £150 Dynamo - TBA

The Run Up

Given the Indian Summer that September had served up it was almost inevitable that the rain would arrive. As I looked out of the window on the Monday, afternoon drizzle turned to real rain. At least the dust will have been washed off the roads a bit I thought.

My interest in the weather was due to having decided to volunteer my 1964 E-Type 3.8 Fixed Head Coupe to do the last three legs of the E-Type Club Round Brittan Coastal Run. Organised by Philip Porter and run on behalf of Prostrate Cancer UK, it comprised of 18 legs starting and ending at Goodwood Circuit and taking in as much of the UK coast line as possible. Participants had paid to do one or more legs to raise money for the charity with rides in the more famous cars also being auctioned off.

Many people chose to do their local sections and I as am fortunate enough to be close to both the 'Cromer to Maldon' and 'Maldon to Folkestone' ones I picked those. After a while I also decided that it seemed bad form not to do the final run from Folkestone to Goodwood circuit as well, hence I booked myself in for all three. I had talked to a couple of friends about coming with me as the route was quite complex, but in the end my son James had a few spare days before starting work and offering to navigate for me - a decision he questioned when I presented him with the fiendishly detailed road book on the first morning.

The car was cleaned, Oil, Water and Tyres checked and all packed up ready for the off that morning. It's at times like these I praise the FHC boot space and access via the rear hatch and it easily swallowed our luggage, coats, tools and all the spare parts I had with us.

We set off for Cromer late Monday afternoon - in an attempt to avoid the Norwich rush hour - aiming to book into our hotel that night in preparation for the early start the next day. We were staying in the Dales Country House Hotel in Sherringham, only a fifteen minute drive from the Tuesday morning start point just outside Cromer, but 80 miles and two hours away from home.

The drive up was good - only punctuated by a few odd showers - more annoying was the dirty spray from the lorries coming down the A140. We followed a rainbow up ahead - always out of reach but getting stronger as we progressed - that was a portend of worse rain, but we never caught it up.

Round Norwich was as expected - traffic better than rush hour but still the City is in need of a decent ring road. We passed a light blue E-type on the route and they waved us on our way.

The final 29 miles great driving roads - but it was getting dark when we approached Cromer looking for petrol and I'd forgotten how poor the Jaguar’s lights are. We found three petrol stations – to our disappointment one was closed and the next two had no Super-unleaded. Eventually we found a mainstream Esso station on the Sherringham coast road that had what we needed. The enthusiastic youth behind the counter wanted the car 'how much and where can I get one ?' he asked - but thought it was an MG.

Soon we arrived at the hotel, to a full car park with no spaces left but at least there was another S2 4.2 FHC. I saw a gap in the wall that in the dark looked like the overflow carpark, but turned out to be a short off road course leading to the compost heap.

We off loaded out bags and as I was waiting outside for a space a chap came out and I asked if he was leaving, it turned out that he was the E-Type owner and he and his wife were off for the formal meal elsewhere. Chatting to him the next morning I learned that they had hit a wall of water from the rain clouds we had seen earlier that afternoon as they came onto the Norfolk coast making driving very difficult - so I guess we were luckier than I thought.

Another E-type (S2 FHC) arrived later that night before there were spaces – looked at the road I had taken but thought better of the off road path after a good look - he seemed to have better lights too.

So having planned an early start and set the alarm we turned in.

Day 1

Morning was chilly but the sun was shining. The car sat in the shade covered by a thick layer of clear dew. Excellent for leathering off and cleaning I thought, so I started work about 7:30 am while James had a shower. We skipped breakfast, set off early as planned and James navigated us the 10 miles to the start point through the lanes easily.

We got to the Hotel early with only a few other E-Types parked up outside. To be honest when we went in we felt a bit like outsiders - as those staying in the hotel chatted over their breakfast. However more and more cars turned up including one with Marcus (a personable and knowledgeable Australian who works for Suffolk Sports Cars I'd met a few days before) so the three of us chatted and watched the rest of the cars arrive.

Soon the carpark was filling up and owners had to navigate to the far end. All hearts went out to the owner of a red 2+2 who arrived with battered sides and front wing - he'd been hit by a modern car earlier in the tour - and everyone gritted their teeth as people scraped their exhausts on the steep speed bump that guarded the entrance.

We watched the local press chat to a few owners and then the reporter went off for a ride in a Left-hand drive primrose S1 soft top. Eventually the time ticked on to 10:00 and we quickly joined a queue for the first batch of cars getting ready for the off. Getting flagged away about 10:10 we set off following several cars - hoping the leader knew the way.

The roads were good – but the route book practically useless. Luckily the car in the lead sped us along the route or as close as made no difference as far as James could see. We passed along the Norfolk coast with lots of similar 'Beach Road' or 'Coast Road' signs flashing past as did small villages, fields and some smaller seaside towns.

At one point we turned abruptly off the route into a very narrow road which got even more rural with the grass in the middle getting longer and longer each minute until we popped out at a cross roads. Fifteen minutes later more cars had caught us up we were in the middle of a convoy about seven strong and running through great roads. There was even the odd appreciative nod or wave from people we passed. There is always something heart-warming about being in a convoy of classic cars – even James commented on the feeling that it brought us – and as we zoomed on, even the sun seemed to come out a little more.

However, about 30 miles into the run I spotted the charging light glowing faintly when the revs dropped. I looked over to the ammeter and saw it sitting sullenly in the discharge zone. I tried keeping the revs up which helped a bit, but it seemed to be a losing battle so I pulled off into a carpark to check if anything had fallen off. Obviously it had not (it never is that simple) so checking the route I decided to keep on the main roads to maintain the revs and decide what to do as we went.

The plan worked for a few miles but then we hit traffic getting round Yarmouth and the red light seemed to be more consistent. I resolved to push on and pull into a petrol station with a large forecourt and check and tighten the fan belt in safety rather than just let the car peter out on the road. A few miles later as we past Lowestoft we spotted a Shell site and I stopped at the far end, in the shade to investigate.

Several minutes later I'd got the tools out and started tightening the belt when a dark blue E-type drew up to fill up with petrol. He parked up and came over to see if he could help. It turned out that he was Phil Bell, an editor on Thoroughbred and Classic Cars magazine. Obviously a knowledgeable enthusiast we chatted about the possible cause and testing the tension on the belt he confirming my feeling that it was tight enough and suggesting I called the SNG breakdown team supporting the run.

He was navigating on his own and his plan of following another car backfired when it pulled over to confess they were also lost. Phil left to re-join the run wishing us well. Several more E-Types passed the garage and another white S1 E-type stopped to see if they could help.

I rang the SNG Barrett support team and spoke to Simon. He said he was about 15 minutes away so I finished tightening the belt while we waited. I'd just finished when he arrived. Ten minutes with the circuit tester confirmed the worse and he found that the Dynamo was only just charging at 3000 revs and not really working at all below that. The ignition light glowed slightly even at those high revs so there was no easy solution. He also thought the belt had stretched which is why the dynamo would hit the cross member on full adjustment.

He had not got a Dynamo nor a voltage regulator in his spares and knew they had none back at base. Cheerfully he confirmed that I'd probably get the 60 miles home if I did not use the lights/indicators/wipers etc. and possibly up to 100 miles if all went well. He suggested I swapped batteries every few hours with another car to continue the run (it would therefore get re-charged) but my heart was no longer in it.

As a final thought I put in a call into JD Classics in Maldon (the high end Classic Car specialist) who had worked on my car before and was conveniently our destination that night. Although they don’t normally use them any more (reliability problems) they were hopeful as they used them to concourse cars and went off to search for one, but unfortunately they rang back to confirm they had no serviceable units left in stock.

We headed for home and with every few miles the charging light got brighter. I knew that the spark plugs drew a very little current and having had the same position in my Citroen fifteen years before I knew the logic was right and the battery would last - it was just waiting for the stuttering as the spark died that stressed me.

However we got home as the sun faded and the storm clouds came out again and parked up safely back in my garage - not the end to the run I had wanted but OK in the end.

James and I went down in the SAAB to go on the tour of the JD Classics’ impressive facility. When there we spoke to one of their restoration team (and the owner Derek) and it turned out that they convert every car, with the exception of 100% original cars destined for the concourse circuit, to an alternator which they suggested I did too. Hence there was nothing available in stock and only suspect second hand ones were left - all of which needed to be refurbished.

We bumped into Marcus, Paul and the other couple that stopped to help us who all enquired how we had got on, but we had to confirm that we were dropping out.

The tour of the showrooms over, we came home, had supper and watched the local Anglia news. It featured our car in the front row of the establishing shots for the 2 minute article and I thought that was good enough end to the escapade.

Overall the car ran very well (even when not charging) for the 190 miles and remembering it is a 52 year old car it maintains the performance and good looks that still sets the E-Type apart today.

Post Script:

On taking the final photograph I noticed that the mileage had just clicked over to 43,666.

More Pics at: Album

Driery turns to Dry

Morning saw the Aston soaked and but the rain beading well on the polish.

Jana made the mistake of opening the window before it had all cleared and got soaked. as did the car.

Went down to Rye in more rain and worried about the public car park - shame.
 Got a nice appreciative yell of 'that's a classic mate' from a van driver at a roundabout though.

Last leg via 'Caterhams and Classics' at Brands Hatch so Jana could sit in a car with movable seats. She was not impressed buy I felt it was much better. She did warm to Orange and black though.

Aston arrived home filthy.

Aston to the castle

Decided to take the Aston down to Hever Castle and use up the hotel room I could not cancel. 

Good run down - even the M25 was kind to us.

Used the poor satnav in the car - ok but very old looking interface. The old Volvo one I think I was told. Parked on the grass as the car park was quite busy.

Run from castle to hotel down fast narrow country lanes would have been even more fun had I known them.

Roxane

... You don't have to put on the red light.

To all the old Police fans. 

E-type run ended with the failed Dynamo and charging light glowing. Got home ok and into the garage safely. Last 2 legs gone. 

Still got the tour of JD classics and their cars. 

Ok so out of my price range - but then again ...

Dash to Norfolk

80 mile run up to Cromer in the drizzle - OK with the car going very well. Arrived in the dark - this hot September is fooling me into thinking the sun will stay out longer.

Indian Summer

Made the most of the late Summer sunshine. 

Early jaunt in the Aston to the 400Alliance catch-up. Coffee and chat to young petrol heads with lots of cars. Mainly Audi and Porsche but parked next to a strong looking Merc. 

Then out in the golf for a run - parked next to a BMW. I guess it's Callum's ?

Next the Caterham in the sunshine - round the block - petrol running low after 120 miles. 

Final Ferrari trip for photos in the sunset by the river. 

Variety pack

Running around in the SAAB again working. 

Popped into town and spotted a Jenson Healy - looking good but being driven very hesitantly. I stopped to take a picture of it. 

Then a V8 Vsntage raced past sounding glorious. 

Finally a MG TF in the garage - looked surprisingly nice too. 

I ended the day in the Aeto again - all packed up. 

More jobbing

Aero to the shops again. 

Hardly used the boot. 

Dump and Run

Well dump at the end of the day again. More loads for the Aero - not sure what sign I should have on the side though.

Sun went in before I could spring another car.

Aero Van

Getting paint on the steering wheel - shows the workhorse in action. 

If I'd known

Needed to put the e-type tour banner on the car - so I needed to remove the age old stuck on club badge that came with it - I'd been dreading doing it for a while - but now I had a reason. 

How easy it was - it just pealed off after I'd used a scraper to lift the edge - then I clean the screen. It was especially easy as I removed the mirror and found out how to adjust it in the process. 

Then took out the Aero for jobs in the rain. 

More pottering

Aero for jobs - weather cooling.

Classics getting little action. 

Did see a fellow Alpine owner on the road, but that was about it. 

Models

Alpine down to marina to check boat ropes and drop off stuff.

Shows how small the car is. 

Lighting unit

Aero for early jobs and MK7 for trip.

Then replaced the faulty Caterham light switch - of course I 'popped' the fuse in the process, but the trip switches saved the day.

All seems to work now - and other lights seem brighter as well ?

8 hours of Fun

M25 gridlocked.

Eight hours in the car running to pick James etc. up from Heathrow. North M25 closed due to flooding. So South was the best option, with everyone else. It took close to 5 hours to get there. Three to get back.

 

Hat Trick of Necessity

Aero for jobs early pm.

Then I decided the Golf Mk2 needed petrol, a run and a bit of a clean.

Those lights make it look good.

Then cleaned the Caterham too.

Also good in the sunshine.

Final run  in the Aston - not used for almost 4 weeks. Too much time on my hands to use the cars ?

Played with the photo - best of British ?

Alpine Morning

Re-wired the switch from scratch - no where near the same as before.

Jumped the live across the two banks of terminals and used one for main and the other for dipped beam. Not sure it ever worked before though now. 

Then E-type round the block for the first time is a few days - rattle seemed less - but car definitely going well - fingers crossed - did read about loose baffles internally on the exhaust ?

Took the Caterham to Harkstead the long way round to celebrate but tires so sticky it picked up all the loose grit. 

Shuffled the Alpine back into the garage too. Everything is getting very dusty. 

Hot day again

Nice run in the Caterham across the bridge in the heat. Thought I'd spotted the problem with the Caterham lights when I found a wire off. 

Alpine run to Harkstead PM but too tiard to take anything else out so looked at the wiring again. 

Not to be that easy though. Reconnected two loose wires and the dipped beam is still not working. Will need more work.

Catching up with jobs

Alpine wheel back on and tire fixed with the new inner tube.

Although it had not gone down in 2 weeks - I though I'd better do it though and they did not charge me for doing it either.

I tried to fit it on the back of the Caterham - but it's too deep - and too big to go into the passenger seat - so I took the easy option and the SAAB.

I thought about the MK2 but I noticed the Golf tire is a bit down. On the list.

Then I ran round the block in the later sunshine - still 70 degrees. Alpine hard to start and juddering a bit at low speeds.

England might be closed - but Brixton is open

Run back was OK on the French side as normal and we were even joined by a nice old French Mercedes 230 in the queue.

Then eight hours later we hit the sunny shores of the U.K.

First the A3 was jammed because of traffic from Goodwood Revival and two brakedowns (only one was a classic, a dark blue Volvo P1800ES).

Then the M25 Dartford tunnel was closed due to power failure - so all the traffic was told to go West on the M25 through Heathrow etc. We decided to to through London ... on a quiet Sunday night. 

Old memories of the Wandsworth one way system came flooding back as we toured the mean streets of South London arguing. I wanted the simple route - A3 all the way to the river then the A13 out. Sat Nav had different ideas but I managed to get my own way my making some mistakes and using a hunch. Even on a Sunday night Brixton was in party mode. It's interesting to see a 24 hour city close up again.

Made it home after 4.5 hours instead of three - so not that bad after all.

We also did just over 1124 miles in 10 days, which means we could have gone to Warsaw instead.

100k down 100k to go

Waited until it ticked over to 100k on the run out. Aero doing fine although the rear suspension sounds bad at times.

Also found some great classic car roads through the countryside - not too narrow sweeping bends and interesting villages and farms. On the run down to Andres des Eaux.

Grime Scene

Dusty grey car matching the dusty grey car park.

Castle and Corn

Crossed into the final 100 miles 99,990 - while out looking for a chateau. 

Passed a nice Belgian Z4 again and again but not much else. 

Lakeside

30 degrees heat. Pottering in the countryside and approaching 100k on the milometer.

Saw premium diesel at the pumps which I'd not noticed before.

Little and Large

Saw a French registered Fiat 500 on the quay at St. Malo attracting tourists (like me).

Then a huge Rolls Royce Cornishe - probably only a 2001 model but it looked older.

Alvis perhaps

Saw an interesting old car with Jersey plates on the way to the supermarket.

Best guess was something like a 1937 Alvis Speed 25 - but driven very slowly.

It was a very old black car with a large bird/woman mascot on the bonnet - an Alvis perhaps ?

Up at dawn

A run in the Aero to the moors. Up the hills to a Toor - just missed a sheep that leapt out.

Run to port punctuated by a stop for petrol and seeing a bunch of Marlin kit cars assembling - the owners as Old and disheveled as the cars. We also came across another car event starting to meet up with Cobras and then an Aston on the road.

At the port was a Old English White Spanish registered Hillman Minx convertible and a very rare small Daf pickup from the uk (with a uk J registration) driven by a Dutchman on his way to camp in Normandy.

The rest were Euroboxes and fast estates.

Bumped into the Minx in the petrol station.

Just over 660 miles crossed off when we arrived. 

No action

I did find man with XK8 but he did not talk much about it. Found it in the car park in the morning - nice but surprisingly normal.

 

Devon for Lunch

Left at 6:30 to get ahead of some of the traffic.

A12 - M25 - M4 - M5 - joyless roads all of them. Lots of accidents etc. At least the new signage showing the blocked lanes is clear. Mind you people don't obey them.

Bright Orange McLaren LP4-CDS- 3746378 (or whatever) was highlight in the morning.

Small roads in Devon have sides like canyons with hedges above the cars when we got there. Slave to the sat-nav sending us the 'shortest' way.

Then the grass was growing in the middle of the road... And the brambles were touching BOTH sides of the car at once.

Glad it was the workhorse and not a flash car.

Night Moves

Started the day swapping the cars around putting the Caterham in the garage and put the Alpine in the car port with the crook lock on it. Will have a flat when I return.

Nice sweep across the team though. 

Then spotted Golf Mk7 with added 'Feet' on the roof - how did that happen ?

Ended the day with a night run to town in the Caterham - noticed that the lights don't work again. Main looks ok but no dipped beam. Add it to the list. 

 

I had forgotten how nice it is to run roof down in the warm and dark in a classic car.