In God we Trust

So it's the hottest day of the year and we're driving an open top 1930's car. 

What could possibly go wrong ?

As it happens - not a lot. A very un-cool 80 miles later we'd visited one stately home (we were late, last in and then got lost in the grounds) and six churches (well five and saw another one in the distance). 

Here they are:

Above is the is the wrong side of Crow Hall. Below is where we were supposed to be.

So onto the Churches. We were supposed to take pictures of the cars in front of each Church - not that easy. First a nice XK140 drop head -  I was told later is is owned by the chap that own the hall we started at. 

Then to Woolverstone and I chatted to the owner of this 1935 Lagonda Rapier.

Next a longer run to Stoke By Nayland and the Church is up a closed path. This is a TR4 (or 4A) as close as I could really get.

The next one was hard but not impossible if you parked illegally for a bit. So here we are outside Kersey Church.

The next one at Semur really was impossible - not only was it down a grass track - there was also a wedding taking place. This is that Lagonda again next to the Imp for comparison.

Then onto Bildeston which was remote but accessible. The only other car that arrived with us was that Lagonda. So here it is yet again.

Finally we were off to the last top Lavenham, but that was impossible too really but I did manage this distant shot of a 1950 Bristol 401 from the field we were parked in.

Then after a quick check of the oil it was time to head home. This time along the A roads, 24 miles and about 50 mins later we were home and unpacking in the heat while the car looked unperturbed.

Overall the car got very hot (185 deg F) but not overheated, used very little water and about a pint of oil (half way down the dip stick). All the cam covers stayed in place despite the rough roads. The speedo came and went though.

It did start to make some odd noises at times but then they stopped. I suspect one might have been a bit of the 'clutch' breaking off as it sounded like something rubbing as it went round, but there are no fan belt etc.

So we'd do it again but I'd prefer not to do it in 30 degrees heat.

PS At the time it did not feel relevant but someone asked me if we were running with a supercharger as he could hear a whistling as he followed us. Fast forward to 31st October ...