Coming and Going x2

So first thing (8:30 in fact) it was time to wash Mr-E. I also put another layer of polish and wax on the roof.

It seems to be bringing some of the shine back.

Next I stuck down the Alpine window rubbers and left them to set.

The wedges seemed to do the trick. Then I cleared the matting from the car port as the heat built again - and its only the end of April. After lunch we tried to move the trailer. Nope. In fact it took us about an hour to get it out and reverse (what a shit show that was) into the space next to the wood store.

Next on the agenda was swapping the Imp back into the garage so the Alpine goes back into the bubble. It seemed churlish not to take the Imp for a run so I went for petrol and back. Then moved the Alpine out to snap them together.

Next a rather stunning Austin Healey 3000 turned up for our trip to the ECR evening.

We went in convoy - the Alpine not that happy at 30 mph in the heat. Lots of the usual there but a good turn out and chats to fellow sufferers of the old car affliction. 

All in all a good night after a productive day.

Monthly miles wise - the 308 did close to 200 miles - a respectable distance for April. Mind you the Alpine, Talbot and E-Type all did over 100 miles each. Even the Imp did almost 50 and that was in the bubble for half the month. I guess a testiment to the great April weather we had.

Oil and a Damp Patch

Back to SAAB time and a Hospital run with Harkstead cargo. I was just thinking that it was behaving itself when there was one FLASH on the way back - umm.

Next was checking the oil and water in the Talbot. It needed a bit. 1/4 of the gap ?

I'm still not sure what the dipstick gap is. Two or three pints ? I put half a pint in and it seemed to make no difference - so I put another 1/2 in.

Checking in the evening it was well over the max - so I think 1/2 a pint might have done it. I'll run it a bit and check again.

I then thought the E-type needed fuel before Thursday so that got a run out too. 

Dusty - although hard to tell. It did seem to smell a bit after I topped it up but when I got home I noticed a damp/oily patch in the foot well again. I checked the brake fluid etc. but it seemed fine. Hopefully it is just all the oil I put down the steering column a while ago ...

Yes that's is it - experience tells me it's always simple and inexpensive. Oh and it seemed to be knocking from the back again over bumps ...

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' and it was a bit noisy and bumpy.

However sitting in the sun it did look good. Would I risk a trip to Germany in it ?

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

The run back was fine although much busier. 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 take the Alpine to to Woodbridge for an early lunch 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 not at the top and bit hard to see where it was - 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.