Only a little run in the MK2 today - Stutton.
Ley Hill Rootes Convertible Rapier and Gazelle Meeting
After the run to Gaydon last Month the next adventure planned in the Sunbeam Rapier was the Ley Hill Car Show where Chris was invited to meet up with a number of other Rootes convertible four-seaters. This time we had a crew of three - Chris, his friend Norman and myself.
Ley Hill is just over 110 miles from Chris’ home he had chosen a route to take us on A roads as far as possible. Setting off just after 9 am we had a Good run to start with on the Suffolk stretch of the A12 – the car still had a little vibration but seemed better after the replaced UJs.
About 9:30 we were crossing the Orwell Bridge when we all heard a resounding loud ‘Thud’ that reverberated around the car. Nothing apparently changed though, no metallic noises, no more vibrations and all the gauges were reading normally so we put it down to just hitting something on the road we had not seen. On we went.
We had passed Colchester by 10:00 and were making steady progress turning onto the A120 at Marks Tey running between 40-50 most of the way. Once onto the Braintree bypass Chris sped up and he thought that the car started to vibrate a little more. The road surface was not that good though so we put it down to that. Further on it was more obvious that the vibration was coming from the car and not the road so Chris slowed down which helped but did not cure the problem.
We’d thought of swapping drivers at Bishops Stortford which was about half way but decided to stop early at the Great Dunmow Rest Area to check the car over before we went any further. We all looked underneath – nothing falling off, checked the spinners - still firm, the tyres - no obvious problems and the engine bay - all dry and a comfortable temperature.
I took over the driving and as Norman thought he had sensed a slight unevenness in the ride as we parked I slowly left the rest area to see if it returned. It did not seem to be causing problems and as I accelerated onto the main road it seemed OK.
However, about 5 miles later the vibration was making the car uncomfortable to drive. I decided to speed up and see if I could drive through the vibration. “NO!” – was the emphatic answer from the car and I slowed down quickly to a very sedate pace – it was going to be a long journey now. Passing the Bishops Stortford interchange and roadworks we all heard a new noise, a metallic scratching on the rear near side. Luckily I immediately found a convenient place to pull off the road into a sandy layby and we got out to investigate.
It did not take us long to spot the problem. We had driven about 50 miles since we heard the ‘thump’ crossing the Orwell Bridge and the tyre had finally given up. The tyre had lost some outer tread and the wire reinforcing had broken through. Somehow the tyre was still holding air and it had not disintegrated at speed.
We set to work unpacking the boot to get at the jack etc. as Chris re-arranged the roadwork barriers to give us some protection from the oncoming traffic.
The thee of us had the wheel changed in quick time and we were on a way again in just over five minutes. I was very happy to report that the car felt immeasurably better. I even braved the M25 for a few miles.
Arriving slightly later than planned the show was in full swing but we managed to get there before the group photographs. Chris was welcomed enthusiastically as we took our place on the end of the row of gleaming Rootes four seaters.
The day passed quickly, as Chris fielded questions and swapped information and we wandered around the cars. I like shows like this as they are multi-marque/multi-age and throw up modern and vintage surprises. Two of my favourites were the Vintage Hillman parked near us and the air-cooled Jowlett Javelin previously used as a Taxi covering a claimed 200,000 miles.
Eventually it was time say our farewells. We had decided to take a slightly less direct but easier route back which took us on the M25 for longer and M11 as well, but given the car’s steady progress in the morning (post tyre change) we had every confidence in her.
Stopping for a driver swap at the services 60 miles later we were met by smiles from the two young women who drew in beside us as well as some nice comments from passers by. Norman took the final leg and immediately had to cope with to the car’s slightly poor steering and breaks as he headed strait into the traffic chaos in the roadworks on the exit. After this baptism of fire he was able to enjoy himself and the journey settled down to the monotony of the A120/A12 for the next 50 miles. We finally arrived back to base just before 7:30 pm.
Looking back we suspect the tyres were close to 40 years old and as the car was used so sparingly they were never an issue. The MOT pass also gave a false sense of security. A lesson we will all take home.
Thanks again to Chris for the invite and the organisers of the show.
So after jobs I washed and polished the Imp.
Pleased with the results so did not wax it at all.
Then I tried to fit the Golf exhaust hanger again. It was the same size and the old one in my stock and therefore did not fit. So I cable tied two together - we'll see how that works... I also ordered a longer one as I know the answer to that question.
Then SAAB into town and off then fruit picking (hence the ladder) before a Harkstead visit.
Finally ECR and the rain has stopped so E-type out for a run.
SAAB mid morning to collect the glass for the Summer House - I'll fit it tomorrow - so tonight it stays in the boot.
Then home via B&Q for some DIY stuff.
PM was fitting the new boat gas cylinder regulator and pipe. So down to the boat in the MK2 this time.
Oh - that knocking noise - that's the exhaust hanger gone again. Looking back it lasted more than a year - so that's something. Add it to the list.
As we had to get some more gas pipe - as the current one was out of date - next was a MK7 ride to chandlers and then back to the boat. At least the job was in the do-able pile.
ION: The ULEZ (ultra low pollution zone) came into force at midnight last night. So no trips to Heathrow or Wembley Stadium or Brixton for older cars unless they pay the £12.50 daily charge.
The sail back from Burnham was slightly impacted by a. lack of wind (or wind the right direction) b. the failure of the cruising chute to deploy properly (seemed to jamb halfway through unfurling) and c. a lack of Diesel !
We'd not used much up on the run yesterday but it seemed to be eating its way through the tank today as we had to motor due to lack of wind. I managed to get the cruising chute to open in the end but with lack of wind we sailed most of the way at a slower pace to conserve fuel.
Our 'reward' was seeing this swimming with us.
OK its a Harbour Porpoise and not a Dolphin but nice to see neve the less.
Anyway back to the problems and it was a bit worrying as we had to use the engine for the last hour - in the approaches to one of Europe's busiest Container ports) - but we made it. Arriving back with this showing on the gauge, about 1/8th left - if we were lucky about 7.5l.
When we topped up the tank we got in 42.5 litres in it and as we have a 60 l tank that's still 17.5 left. So a fair margin of safety.
Finally as we drove home in the MK7 I spotted this nice looking Porsche 948 in the sunset next to the boat the owner was working on. Nice reg to - L30POR.
MK7 down to the boat first thing for a sail down to Burnham. Quite windy and very threatening skies but it only rained a bit in the end.
SAAB to Orford Castle AM. Buried the spoiler in the grass by accident trying to park to give another car some space to get out.
ION: In other democracy news ... Donald Trump's mugshot was released by Fulton County Sheriff's Office very quickly after his arrest. (Can't work out if this is the 3rd or 4th one).
SAAB back to Harkstead PM - about it really.
Did amuse myself creating this though.
ION: The leader of the Wagner Group Mercenaries (Yevgeny Prigozhin) who were marching towards Moscow in late June appears to have been killed in an air crash - along with all his top team.
A day doing jobs - moving the cars around and putting the top-box back. I must work out a better way.
Well we did almost 500 miles over the weekend camping. Mostly there are back of course.
Here we are packed up and ready to come back.
Off to a castle for most of the day - Sudeley Castle in fact. The usual tale of the bankrupt English upper class marrying the American heiress' money. Not many cars in evidence though.
Then off to Broadway village - where we parked next to this - in the huge SAAB.
Winchcombe first thing to reproduce an old picture - the main difference ?
The street was full of cars and bins.
Then off to Tewkesbury for the day, again over bad bumpy roads. At the car park predictably the machine was broken and we had to use an app - only 10 mins to get the password re-set.
After that it was back to the campsite.
Drove through the backroads to Fairford near Cirencester for a fate. Some were very small and full of sheep !
I recognised a turning and through 'that's where I test drove the Imp'. Indeed we arrived at the Classic Motor Hub and so we popped in.
They seemed to be having a VW cars and coffee, but still had lots of nice cars in their posh area - seem to be going down market too - well most were sub 100k anyway.
Then the fate which had lots of big smoky traction engines and a few cars.
Ended up driving out of the muddy field after the rain - so the car got even more mud splattered.
Run to Winchcombe camp site was ok - under four hours with road works and some traffic.
The main thing was to get there and get set up before the storm hit - which it did about an hour after this picture was taken. Phew.
MK7 to the boat to drop off stuff - but via Harkstead for a quick visit.
Then SAAB out for petrol and loading for camping. So as SAAB was full, next up was an afternoon run in the MK7 again with tools to Harkstead.
MK7 up country to Lowestoft to go sailing. Slow drag up there - but quicker than the last time we were there as we'd sailed from Shotley.
Scruffy car park for a Yacht Club too.
However the racing yacht we had come to crew for a Tiger owner - an Etchells - was nicely presented.
It only lacked on thing - an engine. So we had to paddle it out before we could put the sails up and then sailed out of the harbour.
Oh but there was an old chap struggling to maneuver his Ferrari California in the car park.
Run back in the MK7 also uneventful.
All day not doing car stuff again. Then a SAAB run to the Creek for photos in the sunshine.
Then PM a friend dropped off 100 Alpine Mags he was throwing away. Fine - however he left a few family photos in there, plus a couple of large format negatives. I rang him and he came back to collect them but in the mean time I took a crude picture of them on the iPhone using the neon light in the shed !
Had a day off after a long one yesterday. Just the write up and working on the pics.
I should go back to using my own cars !
SAAB chosen for the 8:00 am start to meet Chris for another run in his Rapier. This time we had a crew of three Chris, his friend Norman and myself.
Started the day taking the Seven into Ipswich - parked on the street and put the crook lock on it.
Final BMW ride to Stutton and back in the night.
Just a small jaunt in the Imp to the Chelmo.
Probably about eight miles if I was generous.
AM moved the Seven out to do some woodwork.
Then a bit of a SAAB and MK7 activity early afternoon as we collected the Harkstead offshoot with motorised wheelchair and trolley.
