Bookending the jobs too

Aston out first for the wash it has missed for the last few months. Nice warm sunny weather for it too.

Washed and polished. Complete with the bespoke Aston-Nappy.

Post lunch a quick utility run in the MK7 as passenger to the Heath. 

PM I finished off the Aston windows - it could do with a hoover too - but that can wait. 

Then I decided to clean up the oil in the Imp plugs - that went well but I noticed that there were chips by the bonnet catch that pops open. It turned out that the bolts were too long and hitting the bodywork. So I cut them down and low and behold the clip works much better. 

I also noticed the bodywork on the other side where the front fitting went was bent out a bit - again the bolts were too long - so I swapped them for shorter ones. We'll see of the bonnet stays shut better now.

Finally I tried to stop the Alpine clutch pedal squeaking - not sure how well I did.

Bookending the Treats

An early morning Mk7 passenger ride to work on the boat - getting the sails on. Not as easy as I thought it would be. Then home again. 

Afterwards I decided the Imp would make the return trip to the marina - so it did.

Not sure the picture is the best though. That Shotley road is also very bumpy - and the speed bumps are dreadful.

Then after getting home an excuse to get the other extreme out and about again in the dying sunshine.

Needs a clean badly too now. But muck does not dent the performance - nor the noise.

Six then Four

Ferrari out in the late Evening sun. Well the clocks have gone back and there is a warm spell.

Checked the oil too and it was fine. Mind you with a total of just over 400 miles since the service I'd hope so.

The Alpine out as the sun set - petrol and around the block. Again after filling it up it ran worse. Must be the heat synch and the ethanol in the petrol - even 97 octane.

Good to get it out though.

SAAB SAAB SAAB

Well three trips by Swede - as utility rides go its fine.

We did look at the other cars with EB though but that was it.

Now toying with extending the car port for a 4th bay ... so the Golf is properly undercover. Oh and making Perspex walls and making it look like a car show room !

ION: Over 30m people un the UK have had their first C-19 vaccination and part one of the relaxation starts tonight at midnight.

Too many treats

Decided to warm the Imp up and start it, as it had not been warmed for a while. Started ok ... a bit reluctant but it was only 10 degrees and probably less in the garage.

Backed it out and let it warm in the sunshine - needs a clean and greasing really. Then Mk2 down to get some fuel for the outboard - young chap in the station liked it.

Next was the SAAB to the boat - with the said outboard - boat now looking splendid with new fenders.

Then Aston to post a letter - well it needed a run.

Then finally the E-Type out in the cold too. So that's a few starting to be used - and the weather is getting warmer.

Buoys will be Buoys

SAAB to the boat loaded with 8 buoys and assorted kit.

Should smarted it up a bit. Let's hope we get to use it this year.

Then rain pm so pottering again.

Taking to opportunity

MK7 ride to walk then to collect 8 fenders.

Then Seven out between showers - running nicely - but I'm not using any of them enough.

Jobs Jobs Jobs

SAAB into town to collect wood then up to Harkstead for Tea.

Then back in the evening for more wood.

Anniversary Run

Mk2 out first thing to drop it off at the garage to get the water leak looked at.

Then Alpine out in the spring sunshine for a utility run, encouraging comments from a couple who parked near buy was nice to hear.

Then Golf pick up and run to fill with petrol.

Looking a but dusty but more encouraging comments from a young chap at the Petrol Station too.

ION: It is 1 year since we started the first Lockdown - we've learned a lot since - but lost 126,172 people along the way and it is still creeping up.

Let's all just calm down

Aston out early afternoon - normal service now being resumed. 

There were other people out to - but looking at that picture you would be hard to spot them.

Then the Ferrari out as well - to warm it up and run it around the block. Hard to start (although turned over every try) as it was very cold in the garage, I did not use the fan heater and it's not even been started for close to a month. Still has a slight squeak from a pully.

Ran well though and it was nice to be out.

ION: Europe may restrict C-19 vaccines as they don't seem to have enough - they also say we have done so bloody well we can wait for them to catch up. That is really going to annoy people.

SAAB jobs

More shed work at Stutton. So a couple of runs there in the trusty Swede.

Almost fixed the gate too...

ION: C-19 is on wave three across Europe so Foreign holidays may be out this summer.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

First the Good. Alpine looking great - on the drive for Classics 4 Carers. Got a bit of interest and chatted to some people passing too.

Then took it over to Oliver's with tools to help with the shed.

But the Bad is that BOTH Oliver's cars have been keyed - in the parking bay at Catsfield. 

Some people are shits is all I can say.

ION: 50% of the UK population have had their first C-19 jab, but the UGLY is that we may be back to vaccine wars as countries disagree about supplies and finally parts of Australia is now being flooded - I'm sure this time last year it was on fire ? Turns out it was December 2019 through January 2020.

Busy Day - and the 60th

 Alpine warmed, started, washed and polished by lunchtime.

Then hoovered it out - sheet back on - ready for display tomorrow.

Next - started the E-type and packed away the bottom half of the bubble. Then around the block for a run in the sunshine. Got a toot and a wave from a chap in a Corsa. I think I need to raise the steering a tad.

Then ride in MK2 to 2 marinas - Shotley to get and then drop off the cover at Levington - where I spotted this nice looking 1948 Derby Bentley 4.25l in the sunshine.

Finally a run in the dying sunshine for a E-Type 60th birthday photo with the new flag.

Stick on and Bolt on

Pottered around for the morning looking to work on the E-Type but it rained on and off - so I left left it alone. I did find an old (1970's ?) sun strip in a box from my mum which was a throwback.

Then the bolt for the steering arrived from a nice chap at the E-Type club - so I fitted that late in the afternoon. It's subtly different with a bigger shaft before the thread (top is the new one).

Swede to Swede

SAAB down to the boat to have another look at fenders and drop off a bag.

Looks odd with no sails. We can't use it until the end of the month though.

Nowhere man

Well I went nowhere - unless the bottom of the drive counts.

I did read a few more entries of the Alan Clark Diaries (3) and many things resonated. I especially liked the entry that he said he's run out of time to take any of the classics out that evening.

My thoughts exactly.

OK it's finished

Dropped off the MK2 first thing for the MOT.

Then I did a little to the Jag steering - connected the electrics and positioned the column in the surround and then left it alone again.

The garage phoned quickly to say the Golf had passed ok - after a bulb was replaced. So after lunch we went to the boat in the MK7 and I picked it up. The quote for the water leak was fine so that will be booked in once parts arrive.

Then I decided to do a little bit more to the Jag ... and finished the job after three hours. I do have one small washer left over though ?

Anyway - short test drive and it all seems to work (indicators and horn) although there is a little play in the column which should reduce in hotter weather.  We will see.

A couple of trips out

Alpine out in the chilly morning sunshine ... ish.

Then SAAB out in the gloomy afternoon for a short trip.

Blustery day with hail

 Not much going today - but EB liked sitting in the cars - I suspect she remembers them by now.

Now, what's cooler than being cool ? Ice cold !

Well bugger me...

Trip in the SAAB to the Manningtree dump before lunch - to be met with a long queue.

Then after lunch I decided to do a trial fitting of the steering column. It had been on the freezer for four days by then so was very cold. I had to ware gloves to handle it.

And bugger me - it slotted in fine ! I then found that it was not quite aligned so I took it out and did it again and phew - yes it fits. However ...

I realised that the slightly oversize new outer column was too big and the holes did not align.

I could cut it down but I suspected it was still a mismatch - so I decided to re-use the old bent one. So I took it all off again and refitted it in quick time - only to find the bolt would not fit ! So out it came again and re-aligned by 1 single spline and hey presto - it's in.

So next job is putting all those fiddly little electrical fittings back on.

Then finally SAAB out again for petrol, re-cycling and flowers.

Leaking a bit too much now

Mk2 out and about - forgot the road was closed so only two half runs.

Noticed the water light was flashing so topped it up. Looks like the small leak is getting worse.

MOT on Monday so I'll add it to the list. Other than that going nicely.

Stormy day as expected

Rain and strong winds prevented any classic car action. Too cold even for a visit to the garage.

Before the storm

SAAB out early for a utility run into Ipswich.

Then Caterham out in the sunshine around the block to the allotment - twice in fact as the road is blocked still in Stutton.

There could be worst issues - like filled up with petrol on the way back and I could swear it did not run as well ?

Oh and there is a storm coming tomorrow.

Cooling off period

So I started the little steps to getting the steering column back on.

Cleaned all the splines and found they were in good condition - not battered - but I made sure they were all clear.

I then fitted the bushed to the steering arm outer - and of course they would not go over the inner - so as expected I had to grind them back a bit.

But that's now done and the inner column is wrapped in a plastic bag and in the freezer !

Another SAAB story

Quick SAAB jaunt to finish jobs off and Tea.

But I did hang up my third E-Type mag front cover.

Unexpected trips

SAAB to meet up with Oli and EB for a family walk first thing - but we had to go the long way around as the road was closed for another burst watermain - and in fact the Anglia Water van had sunk into the hole too.

Then a call to fix the electricity in Harkstead so SAAB again as it was dreary weather. But I needed more tools so back home and a choice... with a bit of wintry sun.

Well the Alpine won and the chap that saw me liked it. Cheered him up I suspect.

A couple of utility trips

I seem to have found my vocation. Delivery driver. A 'Just Eat' bag I found it in the road - blocking my SAAB's path.

Or if not that a Hospital Porter perhaps ? Mk7 run to Hospital and pushing the wheel chair.

ION: 2/5th of the UK adult population has now been jabbed once and the data is going in the right direction - and quickly too.

Lockdown Breakout

Short run to the boat as passenger in the Mk7 to check it was ok. Yep in the water.

Just sitting around

Nothing doing - dull misty start turning to rain.

Did think about the indicators for the Imp though ... if that counts.

More SAAB action

Not a 'fun' trip but off to the Dentist in town.

Looking at the graffiti to see if it would make a good backdrop for a photo. At least it was sunny.

ION: Covid-19 trends are accelerating DOWN at last.

What's wrong with this picture ?

Well, it's a SAAB in the Waitrose car park instead of the supercar ?

The as the sun was just breaking through the cold day I fired up the Seven (after remembering to buy the tax).