Utility 3 - Fun Nil - but a new Driver

Early run to the airport to pick up James first thing. 

Cold wet start too - the SAAB was wet all over - mind you the clocks had gone forward so it was only 7:00 am really. Stanstead also seemed further away and the 60 limit has been dropped to 50.

Only one Harkstead trip but a bit of fun first with Monty first as he 'drove' across the drive with us.

So the month and the quarter ends. 300+ miles traveled in the toys so not bad for a wet and windy March.

Phew - Spotted It

SAAB to town early pm for exciting hair cut run. Just squeezed in on the end of the row after two attempts - and still I was not strait.

Then PM E-Type out to Tescos - very busy but we found a parking space. As a chap in a Volvo left he Looked at me incredulously as if I was mad to bring the car there.

As it turned out the only damage was self inflicted as my passenger court the rare chrome clip on the side of the door frame and knocked it off. I remember it took me several years to find one.

Luckily I spotted it happening before we left and we found it in the car well behind the seat - phew.

Riding Around in the Space Age

Up country in the BMW first thing in this modern.

Even the key was several generations beyond the SAAB.

But I do wonder if it tech for tech sake. Anyway we were teleported in it to Bressingham with the steam vehicles and train rides - plus a few old cars - for Monty's birthday p1.

Then SAAB to Stutton pm, followed by a trip to the other Swede in the MK7.

Finally off for a curry - SAAB again to night time Ipswich where we discovered the parking charges have been extended.

SAAB 4 - Storm 0

Wet and (very) windy day, but SAAB out first thing to Harkstead.

Then back there again later in the afternoon. Then Stutton visit as the wind got stronger.

Finally a night run to Dedham for birthday meal.

Little Things

SAAB first. Given a good clean - especially the boot liner that was covered in dried manure etc.

Then noticed the 5 valve caps I had painted. Here are three.

So I put them on the Imp.

Finally with a nice clean SAAB I got it dirty again and popped to Harkstead.

But no - evening run in the Aston to save the planet. 

Odd to be out in the dark.

King of the Bodgers

Am I rigged up a 'button' to start the MK2 when the key fails. I could not fine a way of feeding into the car so I just taped it to the battery.

Far better then getting it fixed. Then to celebrate and reward the car it got a good wash. It now looks far more presentable.

As a test we went off to Ipswich - the car failed first time so I used the button. Parking up I did wonder what next. The car looked good but the rain was due ... in 2 hours.

However, the optician took longer than expected and then I had to make a call so the rain front was coming closer than I wanted. Anyway the car just started (second turn perhaps) and off we went - only to get stuck in traffic as the Police were stopping traffic crossing the bridge and had closed one lane for repairs - I think after the crash yesterday.

Anyway the rain just started as we got home - so I parked up and headed to Harkstead and then Stutton in the SAAB as the weather worsened. Set for a few days now I think.

Heading for Lotus Contry

SAAB off first think to Glevering to help Chris take the Rapier up to Norfolk to get a new hood made.

So we set off in the Rapier and at 50 mph it took about an hour to get there. I'd forgotten how slow it feels - but it goes really well.

At the trimmers he had a picture of Colin Chapman on the wall and a sad looking Lotus in the yard.

It's a Lotus Excel. A runner but of the road due to the cost of the petrol. I'm sure I've been in one of those in a past life in London. So lift back in a modern Ford Kugar - then SAAB home again. 

Seemed more tiring than it should have been.

An Earned a Run - and 7.5 out of 8

After a sunny start but a gloomy day the sun came out just as I was deciding on what car to take.. 

Showers were predicted but I took the E-type anyway. We went of to see a 'parking solution'. Well a four post lift - it was only in the Belstead end of Ipswich. I still got lost - well went past it anyway.

Looked very sturdy - but oh so tight.

Then over to Felixstow to pick up some Triumph Stag stuff for Steve.

Nice chap now had a 1970 MGB as the Stag was long gone. He even got his wife out to admire the E-Type (as did the neighbors) so I let her sit in it. Well it did look good until the sun went in.

And yes it did rain on the way back but that was OK. I though that was it ,,, but then I decided to try the Ferrari again so warmed that up.

Out into the night as it turned out.

It was darker than I expected too. I only got down the road when I passed a sick Lotus.

His first run out and only firing on 3 not four. He got going though so off I went - still an imperceptible shudder - probably firing on 7.5 and not 8 myself. Two small 'pops' early on but from then on it settled down.

In fact nice to be out in the darkness.

It Earned that Clean

SAAB dash to drop off stuff in Stutton first thing.

Then E-type washed (well wet dusting) first thing in the cold. As a reward for being fixed yesterday. I even tried to clean the chrome wheels but they are a bit rusty.

But it had to go back into the garage as the rain started for a little bit. Next - as it had been warmed up - the Caterham got a blast around the circuit. 'Wow Look at That !" a little girl yelled as I went past - which was nice.

A few pops and bangs on the over-run but we both enjoyed a spirited run in the cold air.

Finally a SAAB run to the boat with more equipment - then picked up the sails too.

Spotted this Yank Tank (Sorry - Town car) as we left. In fact a 2001 Lincoln Town Car. 

Could be a V6 or V8. Lincoln is Ford’s luxury division I found out and they don't make cars like this any more.

Back via Harkstead - and so ends another busy day.

Hauling, Priming and Testing

So SAAB first - loaded with compost - and rakes - bound for the allotment.

Then backwards and forwards with bolts and pump for the wheel barrow. Not sure it will hold air though.

Then after lunch a visit to the Alpine. This time newly covered in primer.

After a couple more weeks and we might even see paint. Then around the houses shopping on the way back in Manningtree.

Home again and the weather was holding if looking gloomy - so what next. I really should test the E-type I thought - but no courage.

Then late afternoon the sun came out and I thought I really should bite the bullet and test it at least.

Well it went like the wind. No hesitation and flew down the back roads. So fingers crossed we're ok again and I'll have to clean the pugs when it comes out of the bubble next year.

Only Golf and Ferrari to sort now.

Shitty Plugs ?

Started by looking for the Alpine bits. Carpets, windows, some headlight surrounds and other bits.

Then looked at the E-type and cleaned the plugs - they were all very sooty and black.

Then I unearthed a few more Alpine bits - including the new rear light cluster - but I failed to drill out the screws so not sure what to do. 

No time to test the E-type either - that will have to wait.

Small Progress - but another Stutter

Lee sent another picture of the Alpine in the morning - the epoxy is now being flattened before the 2 pack primer is applied.

So it looks like its gone backwards. I must get the rest of the bits together though and visit.

I also spoke to Grimaldi about getting the Ferrari in - June/July perhaps - but he thinks it could still be electrical. We'll see.

Then time for a fully loaded SAAB with cushions down to the boat.

The weather was so nice I decided to take another load - this time in the E-type.

Before I left spoke to the owner of a modern XK who was admiring it. So feeling good I came home. 

On the way back the stuttering began. A little to start with and then a little bit more. It seemed to be worse at slow speeds so I kept it in third and sped up and it got me home. 

Let's hope it's dirty plugs after all this pottering around.

A Jiggle and another Italian Tune Up

First job was a  MK7 ride to check the boat is in the water. 

Looks like it from here. Then off to pick up the MK2. MOT might have been passed passed but it took several 'jiggles' to get the key to work. I think I'll rig up a separate switch while I work out what part I need.

Then later in the morning SAAB trip - Harkstead and Ipswich and back. 

Oddly there was another abandoned car on the junction near Fishponds - this time an Audi TT - but it was gone when we got back.

Finally late afternoon, despite the gloom I warmed the 308 up and took it out. Looked good too but ...

...again 95% by the time I got back - not good enough so we'll have to book it in.

Jiggle it ?

MK2 down to Parkers first thing for the MOT and to fix the ignition - so busy we had to park it outside.

Then home in the MK7, before a PM run to Harkstead for jobs etc. However when I left the road was blocked by this car.

As to the MK2 - good news is it passed the MOT - as to the ignition I was told just to 'jiggle it' ! We'll see how I get on but I might get a replacement barrel anyway.

ION: 'President' Putin gets re-elected for a fifth term - by a landslide. Ah that's saved democracy then. 

But perhaps not Western Civilisation.

What M25 Problems ?

On the overnight crossing we found the missing cars. Then it was time to get off the boat and away from this ugly beast which was behind us. 

It's a 2023 Lexus NX 350H CVT - Hybrid Electric - thing.

Through customs OK - but the run back in the rain was slow and the spray bad. 'Road Liable to Flooding' signs all up the route - how about fixing it.

Anyway all week we had been wondering what route to take with the M25 'Closed' where we joined it. The announcements were confusing but logic said it would be open the way we needed to turn off - we tried it to find out. There were no 'Road Closed' signs on the way there though - until right at the junction.

But that was it - no queue and no problem getting onto the M25 our way. Odd again. 

So home in good time and unpacked this lot when the rain stopped.

I hope Alan would be proud.

Just pottering and packing

Plus a couple of trips out - including documenting the piles of tyres etc. we have seen on several junctions ready to block the roads (again) when the Farmers next feel like it. 

Mostly cleaning and odd to be home on the day we 'leave'. Finished packing too - I always like this shot. Reminds me of another car man ... Alan Clark.

Although I suspect his was a decent Claret and not Saumur - oh and it is a Porsche not a SAAB.

Finally off to the port late and even odder to be arriving at the Ferry on our own too - everyone else seemed to be on board …

Taking La Hise

Quick trip to La Hise - parked in the usual car park. 

I'd not noticed the wall on the hill before. Then PM popped into town and petrol. Full up again. This time road blocked by a lorry picking up his tractor. 

Finally evening run to town for evening meal out.