Having checked on Talbot progress in the morning everything was looking good. Everything done - even balancing a wheel - and just the test drive left to do. So off we went to get it.
Why not collect the Talbot on the warmest day of the year with the Mk7 Golf showing 30+ degrees ?
On the way we got a call - er ... the heater pipe had burst and made the carpets all wet. New pipe being fitted but they want to clean the carpets. I said we'd still come so we did - and to slow us down we went via Homebase for gardening supplies - even if I can not use the satnav properly. Oh and the road was closed which gave them more time too.
There she was waiting though - a bit grubby as I'd not given them time to clean it - but ready to go.
After a chat with John, Ian and the Engineer Alex (who had test driven the car up to 75 mph) we decided we would never know if the car behaved unless we tried - and we joked that you could not brake down at a better place than the VSCC and Talbot anniversary meeting.
Just before we left another mechanic appeared with three photos that he gave me.
It was him [on the right] in the late 1990's with the car - he did the original paining during the restoration. That was kind of him I thought.
Setting off we went for petrol first [50 litres] ...
... then took the slightly longer run home of almost exactly 50 miles.
Everything ran well and far less wobbles, with the heater kicking out less heat and the windscreen open to cool the car. The engine temperature hovered around 90 degrees going slightly hotter at 60 mph and cooler at 55 mph.
The only worrying part was on the A14 about 30 mins in when it felt rough - a bit like dropping on less than six cylinders. That cleared up when the road surface changed. Umm.
Home in just over an hour and 15 mins - but I would have to admit it was a bit of a workout. I took the carpets out to dry fully and tomorrow I'll check the oil and see what suitcases fit.
ION: Ian said he thought HRH had both a Saloon and a Coupe Ulster !
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