A little move

Well I moved the Alpine again - soon I'll be looking at the suspension knocks.

But first I'll put the Imp back together.

Linear not Exponential

No car action, although the cup washers arrived and we visited the car. The restoration people also phoned and said to be in contact when the situation is clearer.

2020 is cancelled

All parts of UK 'on emergency footing' now and everything points to the Lock-down to be extended from 3 weeks to 3 months.

Gives me time to put the Imp back together but not use it. I'll have to learn to drive it on the drive.

Another 30 feet

Moved the Alpine to clear the work space - then ran it around the drive to warm it up a bit.

One more day and then I can start on the Imp, the model and the Alpine.

Two clean - and a hole lot more

Started by warming the E-type up and then reversing it out - to discover a bit too much water on the floor. It also seems to be on the fan belt. Investigations lead me to believe I have a small leak somewhere - or the water splash I went through soaked everything.

We'll see. Anyway the car came up clean as usual.

Then gave the Mk2 a spruce up too.

I decided to look at the Imp for a bit... Just a bit. I pealed off the paint on the tank to look for a leak. In fact I got up courage to re-fill the tank and look for leaks. I'm glad I did as I discovered two issues.

The main leak on the tank body just smaller than a little finger and the neck of the filler also weeps.

I took a gallon out again and patched the hole with exhaust tape to stop any smells.

Admin Frenzy and tiny delivery van

I realised I'd not been keeping on top of the admin so I spent the morning on that.

However got the Caterham out in the cold sunshine to deliver the shopping to mum - felt a bit guilty as it was enjoyable.

Cup washers arrived - but were too big so I've ordered more smaller ones.

Imp looking sad and neglected. Alpine getting dirty too.

We'll survive.

Moving the Alpine backwards and forwards again

Just another 100 feet backwards and forwards.

Freeing up space for the saw.

Paint arrived for the models - so I might try that for a more restful day.

But at least the pressure of off the Aston.

An imp in bits already

I decided to dismantle the Imp and look for the leak myself. Well I thought I'd just start to make it easier for any one else - but no one of coming now I suspect.

It looked a bit sad after all the bits I took off (seats wheels panels etc.) but it will give me access to give it a good clean and fix a few other things.

I found most of the cup washers were missing and I think I found the leak too - it should be repairable - but I'll wait for the emergency to be over before I do anything else. Other than cleaning and putting everything back together again.

Possible way forward - but the lock-down has arrived

Started the day by moving the Alpine a bit to use the slab and work area for the sleepers.

Got a call in the afternoon from James at TMH - suggestion is that they use a company based in Suffolk to look at the tank - Tudor and Black I think (correct if wrong). We'll see.

Then drove to allotment in the trusty SAAB for a spot of work with Oli.

21:00 update. It looks like all bets are off as Boris shut the country down this evening. The order is to stay at home for 21 days. So I'm not sure if I should have him round (the mechanic not Boris I mean).

A few jobs for the Golf

Mk2 out and about to do some maintenance jobs at the Harkstead off-shoot of the Brazills instead of celebrating Mother's Day.

All communications via the window as well - although the porch works well.

Not sure what to do with the Imp now.

Keep it until the country gets back to normal and keep the tank low - or even try to find the leak and fill it from above ?

and its probably going back

I started the day in optimistic mood. I read a few of the notes from Henrik and re-printed my guide to starting - plus I added a picture to annotate for the switches etc.

Then started her up as per the notes - it works fine. I backed out of the garage and decided to look at the choke cable - which I re-threaded and seems to work fine and not stick out of the dash any more.

I then tackled the number plates - one already had two sets of holes in it so another did not matter. Looked better with the old ones back on though even if they were a bit battered.

Then I topped up with the two cans of petrol (just under 2 gallons) and played around on the drive.

I then took Oliver for a short ride ride and Nigel for a longer one. The car did looks quite nice in the dappled sunlight. Then I put 2 more cans in the tank I'd gone to get in the trusty SAAB.

Then I took it down to the petrol station and filled it up. It did make a slight whine at some speeds on the way there (and back) but seemed to go well. On the way back it started to smell of petrol - well I'd completely filled the tank and it does that in the E-type. I decided to investigate when I got home.

Unfortunately the problem was simple enough for even me to find.

The fuel was pissing out of the tank.

So what to do - send the car back and hope I get it before the shut down or do it myself ?

It's here !

It was like an adventure story with blow by blow updates as the mechanic and electrician finished it off in the morning and then set off that afternoon.

Having joked about 'one Imp added to your basket', it arrived in what could have been an Amazon delivery van just after 6:00.

So here it is in the garage, Speedo is still not working bit we'll sort that later.

On less important news all facilities where groups of people congregate (bars etc.) have now been closed and we're being warned that it's a 12-18 month horizon.

Hopes dashed - possibly not

James (TMH) phoned at 4:30 to say ... he’d not got any news - they were due to leave first thing Friday so that looks doubtful.

They could deliver Saturday though if it’s all done. What to do - take the car without it ?

Well I don't have to move the cars around yet then.

Also Boris bravely announces that 'we can turn the tide on Covid-19 in 12 week's' if we all obey the guidelines. I can't see how - but he's banking on the boffins coming up with testing: 1. for the virus and 2. to see if you have had it and are now clear.

Fingers crossed on both counts.

Late call confirmed the car is not ready but well on the way. Saturday still an option...

Oh and I think I tracked down the Imp's paint colour - Jaguar 'Opalescent Maroon'.

Brinkmanship or Impmanship ?

Out and about first thing - shopping in packed shops for things that were not there. Shelves quite empty of basics.

So I paid for the Imp - quite a big transaction. The status is that it should be done tomorrow and shipped Friday... before... lock-down. I insured it too - so I guess that's all I can do.

As the rumour mill says that London (at least) will be in lock-down from Friday night. Schools will be closed this too Friday - probably until the Autumn.

SAAB topped up and petrol in the cans. We may just be sitting very tight for a while though.

Looks like all car events will be cancelled this year too.

Very Real

OK - so on the Imp front there is progress. The man (Steve ?) arrived with a dynamo and regulator and thinks it's fine so all they need to do now is fit it.

The cable 'should have' arrived to but they were unsure. Their aim is to get me the car this week, probably because the country is closing down.

The virus is spreading fast although thankfully the death rate is very low. Some sectors are in turmoil and the government is bailing us all out. Mind you the pension is not looking very healthy - and add to that the fact that the cars are worthless I may need to re-think my strategy !

Anyway on a lighter note, I had already shuffled the cars around to make space to use the chop saw, but also so the Alpine can be kept outside now when necessary.

Then pm Mk2 run to Stutton for more EB'ing.

Then after a long think I took the E-Type off to the bottle bank in the dying sun ...

... and to top up with more petrol.

This Shit just got real

They have cancelled the NEC restoration show - ECR will be next.

Seriously, the UK has now decided to start locking everything down. Other countries are ahead in the timetable and stricter. France is having a full lock in.

James possibly has the virus and will now be be isolated for 14 days.

Will I get the Imp home under the wire - who knows ?

But I topped up the Jerry can and ran the SAAB to look after EB today.

Cataloging, Contact and DIY trip

Spent the day going through the photos of car shows and races. Found so good ones too. Interesting how they got better over the years.

Then B and Q run for wood in the SAAB - just like the old days.

Looks like we'll be staying at home this summer as European countries start to close their borders too.

Oh and Henrik answered my email. So that's good too.

Tidying up - before we put the barricades up

SAAB out to buy sleepers - found an easy way into Colchester too.

Then got the carport ready for the Riley - if it is allowed to be delivered as ...

Covid-19 is taking hold across the world: UK flights turn around in the air bound for Spain, US banning all UK as well as European flights, most sporting events postponed and mass closures across Europe. However so far:

So we have a few to go to catch up.

Unexpected progress on two fronts

I decided to put  the Alpine back together and re-think. However, after looking at it again I decided the handbrake mechanism was incorrect. That might have explained that the new cable was too long.

So a bit of accurate drilling and I had a 'new' fitting that made it longer (further away from the mechanism).

This moved the rods that activate the handbrake back so the shock absorbers fitted. Well if I bent the brake pipe a bit - I'll get that fixed later.

Having spent all morning doing one side it took less an than an hour to do the other. So several days later here we are.

The test drive uncovered a few new knocks and rattles though which need investigating.

The other unexpected progress ? Well, the Imp might be ready early next week. Their mechanic knew of the 'wrong Steve' too and after a chat he's now visiting them with a replacement dynamo next week - I bet he wants to see the car. The cable is also ready and may be there Tuesday too.

So we will see.

More Delays - of differing kinds

E-type out of the bubble and everything packed away in a couple of hours.

Nice shot of the two cars on the drive too - one looking very mean - the other very clean. Actually the Aston is very clean too.

Then E-Type off to a club 'mini-meeting' - four of us and three cars - not to bad. Two S1s and a V12 which sounded great on start up. Turns out we all had a few extra cars in our fleets too.

On the way back I got hit by an enormous splash by the river. Then Caterham to Harkstead - again the roads were so wet I got that wet and dirty too.

Oh and the Imp Dynamo might be three more weeks - unless we can find a workaround.

And on Covid-19 we've moved into the 'Delay phase' as the markets crash. Enjoy the cars while I can.

Wolfsburg's finest back on the road

SAAB to the boat with more stuff and then moved it to the birth.

Spotted an odd remote control boat on the slings.

Then picked up the Mk2 with new MOT, tyres and the blowing from the exhaust manifold.

Looks good in the dying sun too.

More modelling

Caterham down to the boat in the sunshine late morning. Well it was a bit sunny when we started out.

I thought this was an appropriate backdrop. Boat looking very smart now with the new sail cover and cockpit hood.

Then Aston to the shops pm for the run. Parked very neatly if I say so myself.

Then back to playing with the model Imp to get an appropriate rear.

Having checked - the real one is still 'in-progress'.

Time to Pivot

OK so more measurements and photographs have convinced me that the suspension strut will not fit on the Alpine, even if I re-route the brake pipe.

There is just not enough room. Consolation is that the garage looks like a real workshop.

So to cheer myself up I took the Aston out for jobs, while we're still allowed out and the car is still allowed to run it. Did a 0-60 (plus a bit more perhaps) and gosh - I'd forgotten how fast it accelerates.

Finally I found references to Henrik in Octane and the restoration of his very rare Bugatti race car. Umm he is in a different league than me I suspect.

Packed full again

SAAB packed with the boat cushions and down to the marina.

Mk7 also came to get everything in.

SAAB for Jobs - Aston for run

MK7 run to the boat in the morning.

Then PM SAAB out on utility run - still got the blocked road so I'm not keen on taking classics through the back roads. Then Aston to town and more little jobs.

Looked good on the drive as it is still clean.

Also spoke to the 'correct Steve' White - he sung the praises of the Imp.

Then I found pictures of Henrik with his 2 Imps (inc BGW at the back) taken in 2017. I find it is easier to track people down when you can spell their name (Henrik) correctly. He had them for 34 years. I'll drop him a line too next week.

And finally a ride in a Nissan Cashcow (Qashqai) - or however you spell it.

More 'under the car' time

It looks like the Alpine brake pipe is not running correctly which is some of the problem I think.

Lots of pictures showing how it should work...

Imp not ready and not sure wen it will be. Dynamo in re-build and they forgot to ask about the speedo cable. But they are keen to get the rest of their money !

OK a little bodge

Alpine work again first thing. Made up a 'spacer' to reduce the length of the cable - which seems to work fine.

I might 'monitor' the situation. 

As it seemed to be going well I tried to fit one of the shock absorbers. It did not seem to have enough room to go through the gap between the axle and the handbrake rod. This dummy pictures is where it should go.

A bit of good news though is that the MK2 passed the MOT ! So they will look at the blow now.

As to the plague it claimed it's first UK victim.