100 Miles South and back

So we took the Ferrari down to Hyde Hall through the A12 late morning traffic. Packed with plants, boots etc. It went well although at times it did feel 'lumpy'.

However sitting in the sun it did look good.

A nice 1980's BMW 635csi in there near us too.

The run back was fine although much busier back home. It seemed quicker though. Checking the Oil it did need some topping up so I put a litre in.

Over fillers Anonymous

So Drive it Day 2025 and it is blissfully warm and sunny.

I'd set the timer to warm the Talbot from 5:00 am so it started fine first thing but .... with no show to attend we decided to go to Woodbridge for an early lunch in the Alpine and check on the progress of the long boat at the Long Shed. The Alpine looked splendid after I'd given it a quick dust/detail.

Here we are between the moderns. Only one other classic in the car park - this Mustang.

The boat was progressing but won't be in the water until early 2026.

Then home again via the Waitrose and the Food Hall vintage fair. Very middle class.

I then decided to take the Talbot on the run it deserved but first petrol - it took a bit over 40 litres. I filled past the tank level and up the tube - I should not have put that much in as it was dripping a bit when I drove off.

However, its doing about 16 miles to the gallon again even on these short runs. After filling up we went to Manningtree and I chatted so someone about the car. 

When I came to drive home it was a bit 'lumpy' that will be the hot fuel in the carb I thought - it soon cleared though which seemed to confirm it.

While I was driving around I thought it's better to have the car on the road to show people rather than sit in a field with a group of classic car converts and look at each other's cars.

Then next - prep the Ferrari as I thought I'd take it tomorrow. Checked the oil etc. and it was almost at the top so we'll check it after tomorrow's run.

I filled it up with petrol too and the chap there recognised me and knew he'd seen me with the Talbot an hour so so before too. He also said 'getting the showroom out today then ?'.

After a quick run around the block and it felt fine. So we probably will take it.

Just Marking '7' Time

MK7 to Stutton for EB's party AM.

Evening it was MK7 again - this time down to the Essex coast for a meal in support of historic barges at the Blackwater Sailing Club. We seemed to take some very small roads down there - grass in the middle type roads ? A bit muddy down there.

The run back seemed just as long in the dark too even though we were on main roads most of the time - odd.

Golfing in Town and Country

So MK2 off to town for jobs mid morning. Seemed to be enjoying the use. Parked next to a very orange 'thing'.

Car still going well but the paintwork is getting flatter by the day.

Then a SAAB quick dash to help a fellow Alpine owner who could not reach a bolt. Turned out he had the right spanner all along ... but it's nice to help.

Finally MK7 to Harkstead for tea.

Side Two, Plug Problem and Ferrari Run

Another morning on the Alpine carpets - this time I decided I did not need to take the seat out - which in practice was fine. The seatbelt fitting was fine too although I almost dropped the nut in the void.

I managed to get some pressure on the carpets to help stick them - first by clamping a block down and then weighting the long one with tools etc.

That done I did the back carpet and finished the lower footwell - again with some pressure.

So all done and back in place in three hours. That included fixing the broken wire too. SO I set about cleaning the engine bay again. I did the carbs which seemed to come up well.

I did a bit more and then went back to the other side. I decided the only way I could clean the side of the engine was to take the plugs off. That helped and it came up well.

The only problem is that when I put the leads back I reversed them - Dho ! Anyway I spotted it after a couple of failed starts and a big backfire. After that a quick run to heat up the engine bay and dry off the standing water. The only problem being I forgot to disconnect the charger before I drove off - Again.

Finally early evening run in the Ferrari. A pop and bang first thing then it settled down with a low tick-over. So off planet saving and more glue for the Alpine.

Another good run although it still feels a bit 'lumpy' at times.

ION: Another war brewing ? This time India and Pakistan are squaring up to each other again.

One Sided but Brave Move

Started fitting the carpets in the morning. I thought I'd worked them out but I started doubting myself. However I thought I would risk unbolting the seatbelt anchor to change the ratty bit. 

Actually the process was painless and the nut stayed in the deep socket. However the carpet I cut to replace it was not the same so I re-did it and used the old transmission tunnel one to cut a second bit. I started out sticking that in and it was quite pleasing. Until on re-attaching the seatbelt ring the socket got stuck on the nut. So that took me 10 minutes to free up.

Then I lined up the carpet for the sill. It was not right and when I tried to fit it obviously the wrong side. So swapping it over I found the correct edge but it still did not seem to go in the right place so I did the long run first. I also did the rear and let them both dry off over lunch - but not before I found another secret plate on there.

After lunch I finished off the side and put the seat back. I'll need to make up a panel for the foot well, but that can wait a bit.

Next we went for a ride to Martlesham to get some house electrics. The car behaved itself well and looked good in the sunshine.

However the trading estate was a nightmare to get out of and the car got very hot - so the run home it was a bit 'lumpy'. I kept an eye on the temperature gaure even knowing it was disconnected ! Hopefully it was fine though.

Ah - those Carpets and that Car

AM I started to look through the piles of carpets for the Alpine ones. After looking through what was in the bag I only recognised the odd bit. Odd. Then I noticed the bag was from SNG Barrett so I got the feeling most of them were for the E-type - Dho !

Next step look at the Alpine and what it is missing ? Inner sills and back of the face of the rear bench. I also need to make better panels for the sides of the foot wells.

Back to the loft. Second time lucky - there in another pile were the Alpine bits.

I decided to take the seat and other carpets out so the side carpet can be fitted. Probably a bit OTT but it should help.

I then did just under an hour on the engine bay. I made a slight improvement on one side but lots more to do.

In the afternoon it was time to visit the Aston. Oh now that looked great - far more dramatic than I remembered it as. Looked fantastic in fact. It will be like getting a new car when it comes back.

Mind you it was in good company. Checking the oil it was of course fine too.

What a choice to have I thought on the long drive home. Long because I got a bit lost.

More of the Same

Just a run in the MK7 to drop James off at the station and then a SAAB run to Harkstead to drop off frame.

Dull end to the Bank Holiday but it's out of the shed ready for work next week.

Mini-Me ?

So Swede in play for early transport - Harkstead and back a couple of times of course for Easter.

On the drive however we had the massed German ranks in wait.

Meanwhile - Little and Large sports cars chatting in the garage overnight.

One more German (well made in China) and an Italian. Both as shiny as each other.

Just a German Tech Machine

Down to a cold and blustery Felixstowe in the BMW - with the MK7 in tow.

... and er back again. Not much more.

Oh until I snuck an Alpine run in too.

As the sun set - in the cold - to save the planet.

Also James took the clean MK2 down to Brentwood and back for a party that night - one day he'll take it over completely perhaps ?

Multiple Joys

Where to start - well washing the MK2 seemed to be a good place. So I did. The paintwork is getting 'flatter' by the month. Probably the result of sitting outside - oh and being red does not help.

Here I have washed - then cut - then polished - then applied wax to the bonnet. I can't say it made a big difference. 

Next I started the Talbot - easily after I 1/2 hours on the fan - but did it sound different as I span up the oil pressure ?

Then a quick run to Tesco and squeezing in amongst the huge cars.

It did not look too bad - but I remembered that had forgotten to fix the indicator.

Then I looked at golf indicator bulb. Oddly the bulb filament looked fine and it tested fine too ! I traced the fault to a bad earth from the unit.

In the end I traced it back to a connector that had disintegrated and the connection was exposed and both were very rusty. 

I cleaned it all up and on came the light.

I then started the Imp for a bit of a swap around. The plan is to put the Imp away in the bubble and the Alpine in the garage to fit the carpets next week. Before that though I thought why not go for the 'Coventry Shot'.

Not a bad first shot but needs some work. That done (well an hour later) I put the cover on the Imp and put it away on the bubble.

The Alpine out to Harkstead to drop something off - sounding good with the Webers.

And Finally ... Talbot to the station to pick up James.

IISSM - the most stylish Uber amongst the other's picking up at a busy time.

Splashing is Good

G2R first thing for a reprise of the shakedown sail.

Not a lot of wind until the late afternoon, but a lot of splashy' noises from the exhaust telling us the seawater cooling system is back working again.

Then early evening the MK2 to Harkstead for a quick job - that needs a clean again.

A job for tomorrow.

One run Good - Two runs Better

So PM off to Hadleigh in the E-type. I'd already warmed the Ferrari up again - but we were collecting food and I suspected putting it next to the hot engine was asking for trouble. Glad I did really.

Oh no - A14 closed and the traffic crawling. We made Hadleigh OK though and even with my crap parking on show the car looked good.. 

In fact when we got back to the car it was being admired by two chaps - one had a 4.2 convertible - so we chatted cars for a bit. Nice that the car sparks conversations.

Home through small backroads to avoid the A14 as it was still closed. Some nice driving roads out there - in the cold but sunny afternoon.

Early evening the traffic had cleared so I risked the Ferrari after all. Only one little 'pop' as we started up this time.

Great run too in the dying sun. Still 99% but we're getting there.

Pole Dancer

So it was going to be a 'nil-pointer' to day but instead late on we took the spinnaker poll back to the boat.

Can you spot it ?

Well actually we don't have a spinnaker, but we think it will stop the jib sheets getting jammed when we tack. Hopefully we'll be able to test it later this week.

SAAB had a brief stutter but a high rev blast seemed to clear it.

Finally the Talbot video got released. I think it works fine.

30 - 60 - Rassy

So Imp out early PM in the sun for a planet saving run - and then around the block back home. 

It went nicely and felt good - although still lacks a bit of power up the hills. Passed the chap with the black MG (I think it is a Magna) twice as he was doing the same. Us 1930's types.

Then I decided to visit the boat as they had phoned to say it was fixed - yes we had probably got an air lock running with no water - and sorry they did not tell us about the seacocks.

I went to see them having checked the boat and they explained how it all worked. They liked the car too though. I did think it was a 1960's icon as I drove home though.

Water Water everywhere - but not a Drop to Cool

So G2R first thing and off for the shakedown sail. All was going well with the engine running smoothly as we went into the lock until ..

The lockmaster said 'your engine sounds odd - like it is running dry' e.g. there is no water coming out of the exhaust pipe. Bugger. So we turned round and moored on the waiting pontoon to investigate. He was right. So we discovered two things.

1. The stopcocks on the water pipes had been left 'off' - e.g. at 90 degrees to the pipes - so no water could flow.

2. Even when I turned then on - no water flowed through the system.

So that was that - we came back in and stopped quickly on the waiting pontoon.

Shame. G2 Home and jobs instead. 

A nice end to the day though was video Oliver sending me some stills from the filming.

Car looking good - not sure about the fat old git in the check shirt though ?

Don't Panic Captain Mannering !

So out first thing as UBER to Stutton. Cold and misty at 8:00 but not as cold as 7:15 when I was on my bike.

SAAB felt 'odd' like yesterday but I could not put my finger on it. Anyway I decided to warm the Ferrari up and see if that made it better. Well...

But first I got the Alpine out and cleaned the plugs. They really needed it. I last did them when I got the car started in August.

I know it's running rich and I really should get it tuned up now. However back to the 308 ...

A few pops and bangs on start up and one on the way out of the drive but it soon cleared. I should have been a bit more confident in it I guess. So I put it away and told myself not to be so jumpy next time.

Then mid afternoon it was Alpine time - up to Stutton in the sunshine.

And yes - if you know where to look you can spot the touch up - but it will have to wait until another year !

Two Bangs Bad

I started the Talbot after an hour or so on the fan and did not let the oil pressure build up. She made a 'bang' odd noise - hopefully a re-alignment of the starter motor teeth ... or perhaps the gears ... Let's just hope so.

Everything seemed OK though all day. First the wash and then a bit of a detail underneath. The sump got a clean as I went round.

I also did all the wire wheels. Not sure you can tell though. I also painted the chips on the suspension units at the front - which seemed better - again hard to tell from this.

Then after lunch we did the video - drone shots and me talking again. Seemed fine. 

After that I went to take the Talbot around the block but there was a 'Road Closed' sign again in Stutton so I just came home. I took the SAAB out to look for the Kite etc. we saw when filming instead but it had gone - of course.

Later it was Ferrari time to go to the shops. However it had other ideas - pop and BANG it went several times - very disappointing and odd. So I had to take the E-type (not a real issues) instead. Good run in the setting sun too.

B&Q carpark as the shadows got longer. How glamourous.

ION: China slaps 125% tariffs on US goods in retaliation - it's getting silly now.