Aston across the Continent - 1

After no rain for several weeks and cleaning the car thoroughly for the trip it was obvious that the rain would start just as we set off about 7:00 am for the port. Soon we were in a horrendous thunderstorm on the A12 and down to 50 mph. The Aston had swallowed the luggage well and we could have got more in if the bags had fitted together a bit better, but it was more than enough for the seven days away.

120 miles later and Dartford Bridge crossed, the sun had come out and we stopped at the services nearest the terminal to fill up with petrol. They seemed mostly deserted with the shops closed. Anyway we topped up with 25 litres of super unleaded and headed back on the motorway for the terminal.

At the terminal it was not really obvious when to board, but we parked up, eat breakfast and set off when called. I could not help noticing that the car was already filthy, but we still got a “beautiful car” from terminal attendant as we passed. So I blipped the throttle to their delight. The train was 20 minutes late though. On the train we hosted a family with three kids who asked to sit in the Aston to take photos – I’m not sure if the dad was the one who instigated it though, but he did not seem that interested in it.

Off the train and on towards Belgium and the Trench of Death at Diksmuide about 55 miles away. Mostly on the motorway and 130 kmh in France, but 120 in Belgium, but it gave me time to get a feel for the car – and notice a nasty blind spot on the rear quarter. The American tourists at the trenches liked the car enough to go over and look at it and take a picture.

Next was the Tyne Cot Cemetery – about 15 miles away - but via several small roads as the main one was closed. It was getting hotter and walking around in the 30+ degrees was hard going. 49 in the car was a bit hot too.

The Aston air conditioning worked well as we headed to the hotel in Ypres, less than ten miles down the road. We found a good parking spot in the Ariane Hotel - with a trio of TVR’s who had beaten us to it. Having a look they were all different models and I think we had a Tasmin (wedge) a Tamora with personalised plate and a Belgian Chimaera.

The next morning I noticed the chap with the Tasmin had cheated and cleaned the car. We passed them parked up again the next day as they eat at a café while we roared past.

One last job

Pottering around and getting packed up for our run to the battlefields but as normal there is one more job to squeeze in. Collecting the sofas for Oli in the SAAB with the trailer early evening.

Surprisingly one sofa actually fitted into the car.

and the other went into the trailer.

Then we packed in the old ones and left them in the car for the week - a job on our return.

Finally Mk7 to the pub for a meal.

SAAB in the rain

Short hop in the SAAB for jobs as the rain fell steadily.

Falling back to 3 ?

After the rain had stopped (first for many days) I took the Caterham out to town for jobs. It got very hot and so did I. Still in the 20's and we've forgotten that's a normal hot summer. Must check the water.

Noticed a hitch hiker on the way again - crawled up from the front over the bonnet. Stopped to take it off and release it on grass.

Found a couple more on the cover when I put it away.

On the way back it was very hot and felt like it was going back to 3 cylinders ?

Also noticed the E-Type battery takes a long time to get charged and given that yesterday the charging was far over to the left I suspect a new battery needed - the old one is now 10 years in - 2008 and that French one from Le Mans.

Then SAAB for short trips.

Mr E finds a friend

Collected first thing in a nice SAAB 95 off to the garage to get the Jag. Had to do a few jobs first though like picking up a customer car which we swapped to (93 estate) - chap thought I'd been there before. Then shopped for cake and a trip to Tescos on the way back. I think I'm close to becoming part of the staff.

Anyway we eventually arrived at the garage and had a look at Ed's Barn-Find. In a barn no-less.

Solid car, and about 150 chassis number before mine - still has the silver aluminium dash in the center. All there (Ed thinks) but the chap started restoration c20 years back so lots of it is in boxes. Hopefully it will get done. Lent Ed my Jaguar authenticity guide.

Time to go and I reversed the E-type off the ramps myself - the fuel pump noise was a lot worse. But then noticed the boot floor was unfitted - so stopped and sorted that out. Then reversed out.

Got home and although we had a few nice looks on the way - mine was a very dirty car. Perhaps I should mention to Abbotts that this lets them down ?

Put the car away until I could park it in the shade and then gave it a good clean.

Then off to get petrol but was running late so missed the garage out and just did the block.

Anyway - it is all fixed and the gears go in ok - oh and it does go very very well. (Still has it's tinkle and blow though).

Away before the thunder

E-type whisked off on the trailer - must find out how to tow/winch it. Ended up pushing it onto the ramp and then using the starter motor to kick it up a bit more.

Not nice for it - nor me.

Then SAAB to town for jobs as it was too hot for Caterham or Alpine - at 32 deg.

Final Alpine run for petrol in the evening - still 28+ deg and showed signs of hot fuel after we had stopped.

Oh and Abbotts phoned to say the car is ready - already.

Still there and many visitors

Put the 'net' in the boot of the Alpine first thing. Should be fine now.

Popped out to get some Mobil 1 for the Aston - just in case. Quite hot in the SAAB - went to 31 in the end.

Then detailed the 308 for the meet. My 'dad' had one of those they say. Well he did. poor UK spec Mustang. I must have a pic of it somewhere.

Friend had just bought the Jag.

But my Jag remains on the drive.

Crash Box

SAAB first thing to the dump - got rid of the old Alpine engine oil. It was a bit black.

Then E-type out to get a bit for the boot. One the way back i felt the clutch go to the floor with no pressure. Got to the A12 in 3rd and then 'crashed' the gears into fourth.

Calculated the route home was better the long way - left - left and left into the drive. Stall.

Checking I found this.

No fluid in the reservoir. Topped it up and it just leaked out when I pumped the pedal - slave cylinder has perished. So the car is marooned on the drive until I can get it collected.

Also the fuel pump seems more noisy than normal. I noticed it at the Woolverstone show but put it down to heat and low fuel. Fuel was lower - but still the same with the two gallons the SAAB brought back for it.

Then looked for bags for the Aston.

The boot is a bit bigger than you think. If a bit untidy.

A Net

Found an old salvaged cargo net from the SAAB. I'll use it to keep the contents of the Alpine book enclosed - just in case.

I need to drill a few holes but it will work well.

Other than that passenger again in Mk7.

Alpine Passenger

Jane drove the Alpine to Ikworth to get used to it ahead of the run to Chester. Just showed how hard it is to drive and how I have adapted/compensate.

I'm not used to being the passenger in any of the classics.

Anyway - a small but good turn out.

Boot stayed shut  - but then would not close again after a while ? Pushing it slightly left did the trick ? Umm.

I ran it back and it's an art - also the fuel seemed to go down quickly.

A bit of cleaning etc.

Cleaned the Alpine for tomorrow.

Then thought I'd have a go at the rear bumper - its not fitted right for a long time. Added a few washers to make it stick out further - but not sure that's right either.

Behind the red car

Mk2 Golf to town - which went well - although the oil buzzer came on for a bit. Car went well though.

Came home to a note saying my package had been put behind the 'red' car. Good choice.

Then dash out in the SAAB.

Two different Oily Plugs

Started the day by cleaning the plugs on the Caterham. 1, 3 & 4 were fine but #2 was caked in oil deposits.

Remembered to put the leads back on, then put in 2 pts of oil and put the bonnet back on.

Started work on the Alpine. Changed the oil - all 8 pts of that. It was very very black. Not sure when I changed it last. Not too much deposit on the plug though.

Also changed the rubber strip around the boot lid. It made it very loose, but adjusting the catch again seemed to help. We'll see later today.

Then ran the car and sprayed the carbs. Spraying the manifold had no effect but spraying each carb at the rubber gasket seemed to slow it down a bit. Which means what ?

Then took the Caterham on a test drive to get a pipe to make a better oil breather for the Alpine. Went fine - but very hot out there.

Fitted the pipe to the Alpine and we'll see what happens.

Then Alpine to the station as test drive and the boot stayed closed this time.

However, there was a track-side fire so no Jana to pick up - instead a dash via home to change to the trusty SAAB and off to fight the Colchester evening rush-hour traffic. God how I hate Colchester traffic. Anyway only two hours later we were home ...

Put the Alpine away and the boot was still closed. May still make up some straps.

Home on Three ?

Cleaned the Caterham ahead of the meeting tonight - more dusted it and then detailed. Looked good.

Played with the Alpine boot lock again and found that it seemed to be the spring was too weak to keep it locked. It was under some pressure due to the boot seal, so ordered some thinner stuff.

SAAB for jobs PM.

Then 90 mile round trip for the meeting. Arrived late but not many cars had arrived so I ended up at the back.

Meeting ok but format is not that easy to talk to people.

On the way home in the dark it was fine and warm-ish. Tried to photograph it, not that successful.

Kept the speed down as it was hard to see with the lights but I was enjoying the drive. Then the car started to 'stutter' when I slowed down for a 30 mph zone. Felt like it was on three cylinders - with 20 miles to go.

It was OK (if a bit rough) above 3000 revs (50 mph) so I decided to make it back instead of stopping. On the last leg of the A14 the car started to backfire, but then luckily it cleared. I limped home.

So another job for tomorrow. Mileage about 45040 when it happened, almost 3000 miles since the plugs were changed - so let's hope it's just that.

Making a V12 Nappy

Time to wash the Aston but I had a job first. I made a cover for the engine, for the area where the water comes through the vents. That should stop most of the water.

Later I sewed up the edges and I even put a the logo on it - so it is official merchandise.

Then I gave the SAAB a clean with the water left over - my god was that dirty. Looked like it was dipped in glue and then sand was poured over it. Took a wash and a rinse to get it looking ok.

Then Alpine to the shops.

And finally SAAB out for a run.

How dirty can it get in a day ?

Back home in the Mk7. Now covered in bird droppings and footprints - must have scratches too.

Then hopped into the V12 and popped back to collect the rubbish we left on board. Aston looked menacing there.

Then filled up with petrol - £90 worth - still can't get back to £100. Someone got out of his car in the queue and had a good look at it. It also needs a good clean.

As do all the rest...

G2R #17

Left a clean Golf Mk7 at the marina and went for a sail.

New sail deployed again fine - just need to get it rolling.

Paint Problem - but on the new car

Gave the Golf Mk7 a really good clean and vac. In fact I cleaned it twice - washed it twice all over.

Looks clean - but there are marks all over the bodywork - like the paint has been damaged under the clear coat ? I tried cleaner, detailier, clay-bar etc. Nothing would fix it.

Later I took the Seven round the block - nice run.

Then SAAB for jobs - and re-fixed the washer that had packed up completely on the drivers side.

Long live fuse wire.

12 and 6 out

Aston off to Clare, parked between a nice TR4 IRS and a 2CV. Made a nice row.

Also a Morris Minor in the car park. Shit colour though - even if it had period racing stickers.

Then took the E-type out to the marina - no decent pictures but the car got a better run.

Woolverstone Show 4-6-8

Took three cars to the small show locally. All clean.

Firstly the E-type and Alpine (driven by Jana). Looked good on the drive and at the show.

Tried the picture outside the house but it was blocked by a tractor so this had to do.

Then swapped for the Ferrari for the last hour.

... and a final utility run in the (extremely dirty) SAAB. 

Cleaning again

Alpine bonnet cleaned, waxed, coated and waxed again. Looks OK.

Then a quick clean and detail for the E-type. Both ready for the small show tomorrow.

Then I found a key for the Alpine boot - so I locked it - Job Done.

Jana then drove the car to Harkstead and it still opened - as it did on the return run. How can that happen when it is locked ? Bloody hell - must investigate.

Windy for the Swede

Hard getting off the berth as the wind was blowing quite hard.

Mind you it looks nice in this shot.

Then back home in the Mk7 again.

Evening drive round the block in the Ferrari - noticed that the engine cover was quite dusty. Tut Tut.

G2R in the murk

Off sailing to Titchmarsh so down to the marina in the Mk7. Dull day.

Seven out - plus a boot issue

Running building stuff to Oli first thing in the Caterham. Seemed it was an appropriate car to get out in the blistering sun. Looked very like France parked there.

Then went back out and topped it up with petrol - 25L anyway.

Then Alpine to marina for photos late afternoon - not many worth sharing - but I spotted a few younger people looking at the car and taking a photo when I got back - which is nice.

Oh and the bloody boot keeps popping open ... Got to find a fix.

Inactivity Faults

SAAB out to retrieve the Mk7 first thing. Then settled down for lunch and to watch the match with the rest of England. A 2-0 win over Sweden put us into the Semi-finals - first time since 1990.

Afterwards we took the E-type out for a run and as we left the house I noticed this:

Yes - no speedo. Fiddled under the dash to no avail, but the counters were still going round. Tapped the dial on the way back and it sprang into life. Good I thought.

Then I noticed I had no indicators - we were sure they were flashing on the way down.

Looked under the dash on my return and found the large silver relay hanging out... I must have knocked it off with my fumbling. Dho. It is quite loose though so I'll have to tape it on.

I'll put the speedo fault down to inactivity and very hot weather.

Diesel Driving

Golf Mk7 to boat first thing to try the new sail out.

Worked fine and does what we expected - deploys when asked and picks up the wind well.

Then I took the boat into the lock for the first time. Not perfect but fine.

Then an evening run in the Mk7 again - for a beach bbq - sunny evening and the river looked great. Well we'd sailed past it that morning so we suspect it would be.

Golf trip for Henry

Bit the bullit and made the extensions for the Apine Tonneau.

A bit basic but should help stop the water getting in.

The collected the Henry Hoover from repair in the Mk7.

... and the Aston t the bottle bank for a run and finally to the shops in the very dirty SAAB.

Jobs again

Paperwork and then SAAB to the shops.

Then Mk7 to the boat to raise the new sail.

We were making 5 knots on the pontoon too.

Alpine trip for Ferrari

Washed the 308 first thing before it got too hot. Then decided to replace the battery. Harder work than I suspected as it is buried under the spare wheel low down in a tray.

The old one (I'd not replaced it as far as I remembered) did not have a handle either so it was a real pig to get out. Then took the Alpine off to the shops to get the new one.

Fitted it (just - as it was a bit taller) and we're back in business - we'll have to see if it charges now.