Now the Calls will Start

Another rainy day - cold for the end of May too. So more paperwork sorting.

I was also told that the Talbot is in the magazines this month For Sale.

Here we are in Octane. Looks good too.

Then finished off sorting the papers and put them away. The bills seem to reduce as the years went on. Hopefully a trend I can continue.

Looking back at the miles for the month the E-Type won with 227, although the vintage fleet were close behind The Talbot on 138 and the Imp on a round 100.

Paperwork Trumps Traffic Jams

Started the day going through the two boxes of paperwork that came with the Talbot. Seems most of it was invoices.

I found a few pictures - but it was mostly bills. I hope to stop that I thought.

Then off we went to Cambridge in the MK7 - the A14 roadworks looked almost done. Mind you that did not stop us taking almost two hours to get back home.

Then once home I decided to go through the balance to find - yes - more invoices - but the pile of technical information was quite vast too.

That's starting to be better

First thing I went through the mass of paperwork and I found a few more old photos of the Talbot, including one that looked like how it was found or at least stored before restoration.

Then SAAB out to Manningtree for jobs as the skies darkened again.

Then looked at the Talbot again. I found the indicator solenoid although hard to photograph or read it. I also found the lid on the floor used to get to one of the batteries was very loose - so hopefully that is what was rattling. 

The few bits of sticky padding I put on the corners should stop it. I also looked for a way to turn off the heater - but nothing leapt out at me.

Then another Harkstead trip out and about in the SAAB of course. While I was waiting for my passenger I read the Talbot book - it said put your foot on the clutch when starting 'except when a traffic clutch is fitted' Clear ?

Back home and the sun was still out so I thought I'd brave it. I did put my foot down on the clutch - having pumped in fuel - and put on some advance and throttle control all the way down. A couple of pumps of the accelerator pedal for good measure too. It roared off - a little too much in fact - but I suspect I'm being a gentle. So off we went around the test circuit.

I've not stopped here for a while but it looks like we've got a new flag.

I started again (no clutch down) and it did not want to start - so down went the clutch and she chugged into life. Phew. Home again and I thought I'd look for the starting handle.

There it was - under the cover - I tried turning the car over too. Bloody hell it was hard - how on earth would I start it from cold ?

So I'll keep driving, keep learning and keep researching. But which club to join - Talbot or STD ?

It's Official

Rain Rain and a bit more Rain today.

SAAB out for jobs first thing - Harkstead/Nuffield/Harkstead.

Then after lunch more admin including making up the Talbot folder. So it's got its own one now.

Feel the Fear ...

AM I was supposed to be working on the Talbot to remodel the seat to fit my short frame but I decided to re-fit the Golf battery instead.

It had been out so long I could not work out which way round it should have gone - but it was bloody obvious. Glad I did though as I needed my jig-saw which was still with Oliver - so off I went in the MK2 to get it.

Then I could make a start on the seat. Having re-measured and templated the wood fillet for the back rest. Made an OK fist of that first time IISSM. 

If I cover it in fabric you will be hard pressed to spot it. Then I filled the seat void with an extra foam seat I had in stock and blocked the gaps with hard foam. Finally I stuffed the real seat with fiber filler and there we were. 

A bit puffed up vs the other one perhaps, but it might settle and I can stuff the other one a bit too.

Then it was time to go off to see John. But it was just raining... so should I ? Well I bought the car on the basis I could use it in the rain ... I was a bit nervous too. 'Why do this long as the first real run' ? Jana sensibly asked. Umm - 'Because'. So although I was almost shaking I decided to get it going.

Er ... but it would not start. Perhaps I'd not got enough fuel pumped in or the gear was not quite in neutral but it took a few goes to get started. Eventually it did and was a bit lumpy, but settled down.

So off I went and it was fine - good actually although a bit shaky at 65. Eventually I made it and parked up in the courtyard after a 10 point turn.

The car was appreciated by all comers and then we took it for a run. It seemed to enjoy that and started with not much fuss. On the return the consensus was that the wheels were incorrectly toe in/out cambered and needed to be sorted. OK.

Then the main event. We saw John's Vauxhall. It looked much bigger than the one next to the Talbot a couple of weeks ago. Much nicer too. Maroon (like the Imp) and black with a polished bonnet.

Then after tea I tried to start it and again it was hard to get it to kick in - again I wondered if the gears were wrong and stopping it. I took another of John's friends for a run with the Sunbeam in the lead. He seemed to like it too. Swapping over passengers I left them and pottered home. All fine and even got a wave and another thumbs-up.

Home and I shuffled the fleet around to put the Ferrari in the bubble for a while. Again the Talbot refused to kick in the starter motor, but I managed it eventually. Odd. Then I got the Imp out for a comparison.

Here the Imp looks almost the same scale. What a life I thought as I packed all the cars away. What a lot to learn too.

Another home run

So MK7 back up the A12 and again no delays for us through the two sets of roadworks.

PM run to Stutton to pick up wood and go to Screwfix with EB in the back. Home with several large bits of wood to help clear out.

Then thought about getting the Talbot out - but with no one else to help me navigate my way out the the tight space and the tree I decided to take the Imp. What a choice.

Nice run and I think I'm getting the hang of it after the lessons in the Talbot.

Down and Out

After the excitement of yesterday it was an easy run in the MK7 down to London - some how avoiding the one hour delay that other met - and there was even a place for us to park up in Crough end outside the house.

A bit of walking, Tube and Train and we were at the restaurant for James' 30th meal. On the way out I spotted this Fiat being used for a publicity vehicle - a little rusty but nice never the less. Apparently a Fiat 600 from 1965.

Finally Train, Tube and walk back. 

Testing Talbot Times

MK7 ride to pick up the Talbot first thing. Sunshine and expectations were both bright.

After going through my checklist and details with both John and Ian Polson (who came out to see us) we were ready for the drive back. He admitted that they had had a lot of interest - and disappointed prospects - and seemed sad to let the car go to a new home.

We set off about 11:15. First of all we got lost looking for petrol, but eventually found ourselves in the middle of the traffic in Bury St Edmonds and filled up. 

I had to chuckle when I saw the drip - but I think it was just the breather pipe overflowing as I topped it up to the max. Then we made it onto the A14 and headed for the roadworks. Stop-start traffic in a 1930's car is no fun but we were fine until everything just cut out and we coasted to a stop at the side of the road. 

Out came the LED warning triangle. The traffic was so busy that they could not go past very fast but some of the lorries came a little close for comfort. Anyway - not the maiden voyage we're hoped for. 

Luckily John Polson was in Bury so came to help us. He found the cut of switch wire loose and once it was put back more firmly the car started again. (See below). He then followed me to the petrol station and tested the car himself. It felt fine. Finally as a precaution he followed us all the way home.

So here we are - at last - just before 2:00 so about 2 1/2 hours later.

After lunch I started to tidy up the bits and bobs when Nigel and the Daimler appeared - it's staying here for a week.

Then we tested the car and the bubble - it just fits but not easy with the tree in the way.

Edging it out was hard later when we went off to show it to the Stutton offshoot but they all liked it.

So home again but had to avoid a prat on the wrong side of the road at the Mill corner - at least I know the brakes work as we skidded !

So we edged the car back into the bubble and called it a night - Phew.

PS - I unplugged the wire to make the connection better and there was no power to the ignition - but when we stopped there was some power at least. So I'm not convinced.

I Scream, you Scream we all Scream Windscreen

Am saw me and the SAAB drive down to Lee's again as arranged - to try to fit the windscreen. It took us both about 2 hours, lots of soapy water, a rubber mallet and three ratchet straps. 

And to be fair a lot of patience and skill from Lee. But eventually we closed the gaps and it's now resting on the car awaiting the replacement dash cover.

PM I also 'fixed' the replacement rear light by gluing a small bolt in the damaged fitting. Seems to work, but I suspect it might hit the bodywork ? We'll see.

Then I put up the bigger bubble with the frame for the Talbot tomorrow.

Once I had finished I began to wonder it it was tall enough ? We'll see (again).

Finally an Aston run to the bottle bank. No alarm this time so I blame the sun-spots last time. Seemed I was the only one out saving the planet though tonight.

More cleaning - and a wet PM

AM out and about to Harkstead for jobs. Including dropping off Phil's money on the way home.

Then an afternoon of cleaning Alpine parts again. I even found an odd bit - I don't know what it is for ?

I seem to have quite a few boxes of them now.

Finally a very wet Rishi called the General Election at last - 4th July - so more bloody politics for the next 6 weeks.

Not sure it's a sign ?

Alpine a go-go

Down to Lee's first thing in the SAAB to work on the Alpine again. This time I had better results.

First I did the tank - that took just over an hour but went in after a lot of 'jiggling'.

The car looks more precarious that it actually was too. 

Then I tackled the sticking rear drum. Not so easy. I had to take it to bits three times including pushing out the brake cylinder by accident so I had to fix that.

It turned out that the rear shoe was misaligned and therefore would not allow the drum back on. Not too sure how it happened but after another two hours I'd fixed it.

Finally I did the wiring for the battery and cut off switch.

That took me to 3:00 so I re-packed the SAAB and headed home.

Not quite a wasted day

So cleaned lots of Alpine bits in the morning - and sprayed a few fittings and the new windows.

Then in the afternoon I went to see work on the Alpine - via the allotment to a. drop off the chairs ...

... and pick up six bags of compost.

Not a lot of progress on the Alpine all told. I'd forgotten some tools and the nuts holding the seatbelts on looked likely to fall into the void. The battery also needed more work to connect it but at least I was able to route the cable correctly and cut out the work part. Why we did not have more problems I don't know.

In the end I just fitted the seat and went to buy parts.

Not much to show for 1 1/2 hours working though.

During all this activity I had - I arranged the Ferrari to go in, in about a month, said fit the tyres to the Talbot, confirmed the Caterham ownership has changed and booked the electrician to fix the E-type immobiliser. I also spotted three vintage cars on the road - a grey Riley, a Green Alvis and another Alvis I think looking very like the Talbot. I found out later they had all been at the Fox at Newbourne.

Home again I played with the electrical fittings I had bought (which did not fit the battery) before finally topping up the MK7 coolant. 

First time I've had to do that so we'll have to make a note and see if I need to do it more frequently.

Tangled up and Treasure

G2R first thing for a sail in the warm May sunshine. 

However when we stopped (moored against a buoy) the rope got tangled around the chain and it took us more than an hour to free it off. We'll have to be more careful.

On the way back we spotted free plastic chairs - which was our treasure !

Then later in the evening I decided to go out to the shops in a classic car - but which ? Caterham (gone), Alpine (not here), E-type (imobiliser playing up), Ferrari (Nope) - umm the Imp ? Actually I chose the MK2 but then er ... it's got no battery !

So SAAB it was.

There she goes

The driver turned up quite early as he'd only come from Coventry - but he's got a long run now.

I drove it up onto the back of the truck - for one last drive I guess. He thought it was going to stay dry. I hope he's right.

Then off it went. So we have a space...

Next was the SAAB to town for a hair cut - it's still filthy from hauling the manure etc. Then MK7 ride to Harkstead. Finally Imp out in the sunshine vis Stutton to help with electrics - then a good run around the block afterwards.

Trying the advice on the pre-select too.