Will the real Steve White please stand up

I started day with a great big shock - Steve replied saying the car was a FAKE.

So after a few gulps a strong coffee and a few minutes panicking I sent him the history and more details. Almost by return he came back and said it was a different car he was thinking about - PHEW.

So there are two Steve's with Riley restoration businesses. I also had the surname wrong too - DHO !

PM MK7 trip to see the boat before the rain came back and it was still 'a work in progress' with no mast. Which was a bit disappointing.

When we got back I tried to make the cover for the Alpine from the van one. I cut the shape out ok but could not get the sewing machine to stitch properly. I'll have to ask why.

Then I started on the other slightly larger Riley model. First job was taking the model I have apart - I'm good at that bit. Then I cut a hole in the rear as the model had a boot instead of an open wheel well. I'm OK at that bit.

But it starting to come together.

Any spare hand baskets ?

Looks like the world really is going to hell in a hand basket at the moment.

Stock markets have crashed (down 25%) due to the expected impact of the virus ... Covid-19 continues to spread widely and appear in new countries ... Turks and Syrians are virtually at war and the displaced 3 million are trapped in a city being bombed ... Storms and bad weather continue to hammer at the UK worsening the floods ...

BUT WORSE STILL ...

The Riley is still not fixed and it will probably be a few more weeks until I can have it.

Anyway - a SAAB trip in the rain today was the motoring highlight.

Although I did buy a small book of 50 cigarette cards about motoring safety from 1934 - the year the  Imp was built.

I also decided to ask the Steve who owned the car what the engine detail was. So I tracked down his Riley restoration company and sent him and email.

Van Life

After a day researching Rileys as the snow fluttered down, the afternoon brought a man in a van.

I ended up going with him to Stutton to get him to quote on the stairs and then back in the Mk7.

Getting the ladders out of the garage I passed the Ferrari. I don't really want to get rid of it - bit it is the sensible thing to do ...

Cold and White

Started by spraying the Imp model white, as I heated up the Alipne.

Then Alpine out and a run around for fuel - despite the very cold morning. Again the car seems to like the cold air and is better for the first 10 miles.

Then Aston to the re-cycling.

Rain and roadworks stop play

SAAB out and around the houses first thing as the road is still blocked.

Then I was in two minds to take the Alpine out PM for a short run, but the clouds seemed to be ok so I bit the bullet. Circumstances meant I left it a bit late and then it rained on us just as we left the village - and then round the corner in the rain we hit another set of bloody roadworks.

Both things ruined the trip and as the clouds looked bad I just came home - despondently.

Well at least I stuck more of the model imp together.

And made up a real leather seat too. Yes the Nerd I am.

More inside admin

I really should get out more - but the rain came down most of the day again.

The only car action was getting glue all over my fingers.

Admin run really

Mk7 passenger as - rain had lashed down all day.

Will chase for Riley next week though !

A couple of SAAB trips

Work am - off to help Oli with his workshop. Then PM another trip in the dark.

Also found a great picture from a old 1960's Monza Circuit Album. It's an Alfa race car B-2600 'P3'.

I'm taking quite an interest in older cars now...

The Alpine likes the cold air

The Alpine does seem to go better in the cold - a bit bracing for me though as I drive to Harkstead in the morning with the grey clouds overhead.

PM I looked at the white metal model Riley Imp. I tidied up the mounded parts and assembled it to see how it fitted. It's coming together.

I suspect it will be quite a struggle but looks a decent replica - but some of the parts were smaller than the off cuts.  I would like to put leather seats in it too ...

Out in the drizzel

More storms sweeping over so I had to put the straps on the Caterham cover again.

SAAB out and about though - needs another clean.

And looked at doing the garage floor in the wooden garage at last.

Deeper Clean

I gave the Mk7 Golf a deeper clean - door shuts etc.

It needs a polish too though - and the crap sweeping out of it.

Then spent the rainy afternoon researching Rileys.

Two clean, one exhumed and two runs - and guess what ?

Fan heater on the E-Type while I worked.

First the Aston cleaned as it was really looks unloved - or well used.

It seems to have changed colour too - but that must just be the light. Then I put it back to dry.

Then Mk2 Golf cleaned and run round the block - went fine except for the blowing noise of course.

As the sun was still out I also re-did the tyres on the E-type and took that for a run. Slight rub from one side but that seemed to get better as we went along. Not bad for sitting since October though.

And the guess what ?

That's the Riley just poking out of the crowd at the dealer I spotted it in the E-type Magazine. First of many pics in mags ?

Various Trips

Overnight the Aston had dried off a lot with the dehumidifier running - made it look very dirty.

Then as it was sunny we took it to Diss to look at granite tops. I liked the large slate boulders echoing the colour of the car.

We also popped in to look at taps (exciting I know) and I foolishly parked close to a big 4x4 so I spent half the time worrying about it.

PM the sun broke through again so I ran the Alpine to town and back as the road is effectively closed on my circuit. The car went well I have to say and the rubbing from the brakes is lessening on each run.

Finally the Caterham off to save the planet, across the bridge. No parking anxiety there...

Dehumidifier and data

Tried Oliver's dehumidifier in the brick garage, as storm Dennis raged overhead.

I noticed the Aston was damp too - not sure when I last used it.

Not sure what I was expecting, but it seemed to suck out some water.

So after 7 hours it had some water in it but just below the gauge. So I left it running overnight.

Oh and the Imp does not need an MOT until ...

31st December 1902. How odd.

Windy again and more rain

Weather really has decided to frustrate classic car action, although I could have got out really early.

Wondering how to shuffle the fleet though...

Add to basket

Well it felt that easy.

So it should arrive in a few weeks after some tidying.

Smitten

Well, we drove down to Bibury on a cold dank morning and went to look at the car.

It looked even better in the flesh too. Like a small Jaguar SS100 or a British Alfa Romeo Monza.

I was very nervous about it - but I drove it and the pre-select works fine. Probably a bit less performance than the Alpine, but not much less.

A bit bumpy and it dropped onto 3 cylinders on the second test drive - but goes well and definitely gives the 'vintage' feel I wanted. It's got the odd ding and scratch but a history file going back to 1934. Oh - did I mention it is 86 year old.

Now I've got to work out if I really want it...

Either that or this tiddler we spotted on the motorway services on the grind there and back.

Sunny but cold run

Alpine out again and down to the boat for more anti-fouling on the bigger of the two Swedes.

Fidra now looking blue under the water line again.

As I left I chatted to a retired chap (aren't we all) about the Alpine - he liked it - but I think he just wanted a chat. Cold run back but the car likes the cold air.

Then just checked on the Riley to see if it was coming to London. It was ... but then I thought we see it first... Tomorrow.

Masking Up

SAAB to Rassy to help with the anti-foul in the freezing wind.

Seemed to look better once we had finished.

Afternoon ride in the Mk7 and then finally late pm Mk7 drive to pick up some more car crap !

Make the most of the lull

Storm Ciara was quiet for a few hours and the sun came out so Alpine out to collect my lights etc.

Then drive down by the river for a longer spin - water was rising and on the way back the tide was in the road. I'n not remembered the 1.5m tidal surge - neither had the chap parked in the layby I suspect.

Glad I did not go tot Shotley though - which was the original plan - as the river was cascading over the lock gates into the basin and the spray was over the road.

Swedish Landrover ?

The storm arrived Saturday night and kept gong for at least 24 more.

I kept the fleet inside until late in the evening when I took Nana some lights as her power had been out all night. As had a lot of East Anglia.

But I think we were hit less than the west of the country.

SAAB pottered through the twigs and other tree litter being blown around but it was actually fine and the lights came back on a couple of hours later anyway.

Still hesitating about another car and an expensive Riley... Perhaps a 4x4 would be more appropriate now ?

Spring day - so I sprang the Alpine

Sun was out most of the day - ahead of the storms predicted for the next two - so I decided to exhume the Alpine and get it started.

Stage 1. Fan heater for an hour or so.

Stage 2. The Alpine started after about 10 minutes of trying with a combination of using the battery boost and just turning it over so the petrol came through.

The next problem was that the clutch (like last year) seemed to stick so you couldn’t get the car into reverse. After several attempts and a bit of pumping I did what I did last year - which was to turn the engine off put the car in reverse and start it and it frees up the clutch. Ran a bit lumpy but then she hasn’t been driven for several months. The brakes are binding but we’ll see about that later.

Stage 3. I went for a very short test drive and it ran at least.

I decided to pack the bubble away now, and I suddenly realised of course I’d missed a 60th birthday as the Alpine turned 60 in January as well. Packed the toys away and went inside wondering if I really need another car.

Stage 4. Later in the afternoon the sun was still out so I went for a longer drive - filled up with petrol and did about 8 miles - the car ran well to be honest - but the brakes are pulling to one side. Finally as I put it away again I thought even the body work looked fine - in the dying sunlight anyway.

Finally those storms are due to bring 67 mph winds so I won't be going out in a classic for a while.

Lift - that's all

Short hop in the MK7 - utility run. Weather supposed to be god tomorrow (before the impending storms) so will try to spring the Alpine.

Short hop

SAAB out and about - roadworks still not stopping the short-cut I'm happt to report. Cold morning too.

Ah - that Golf

Decided to give the MK7 a good clean.

To be honest it needed another clean after I'd finished - but it will do.

Then CAterham out in the sunshine after lunch - it's getting cold though I noticed.

Evening SAAB run to Essex to look for a good spot for light trails - and then north again for a well attended RGEA meeting. Jon's Tiger

and a new Singer Vogue Estate.

Another Nail in the Car's Coffin

Well, the government announced that 'a ban on selling new petrol, diesel or hybrid cars in the UK will be brought forward from 2040 to 2035'. Not sure what I feel about that.

Anyway, I cleaned the SAAB - top to bottom. Did the windows and put a bit of polish on it too. Noticed the refurbished wheels are already looking worn ... and the rust is taking hold on the wheel arch. Looked good though, still needs the trim blacking and the tyres doing but I'd already spent three hours on it and it was thinking about raining so I stopped.

Not as clean as the Ferrari perhaps, but at least you can see through the windows. This is shot 'trough' the closed window too.

I may even do the Golf next - but I'm not saying which one.

Finally I took the Aston to the recycling - and shopping - just to celebrate.

Seems I was the only one brave enough to venture out. And this is a Tuesday.

Then in the evening the Government seemed to announce it was a 'consultation' about moving the date forwards. Well whatever, it still gives me 15 years of running normally, plus say 5 before petrol is being phased out and another 5 when it is hard to get. So 20 years left - it might even see me out.

Finally it looks like that Riley Special did not sell - I can't bring myself to spend the money though.

Two Big Swedes

SAAB down to the boat loaded up with ladders, platform, buckets etc.

Fidra now cleaned, polished and waxed -  and I think the car deserves a clean of its own now.

Inside and out.

Loaded for work

SAAB full of equipment and off to the boat tomorrow.

After we clean the boat - I think I'd better clean the car. Oh and I spot rust too on the wheel arch.

C to R

Caterham run in the sunshine (and then slight rain) down to the boat to take stuff that had been forgotten.

Mk7 lurking in the background.