Various Trips

Overnight the Aston had dried off a lot with the dehumidifier running - made it look very dirty.

Then as it was sunny we took it to Diss to look at granite tops. I liked the large slate boulders echoing the colour of the car.

We also popped in to look at taps (exciting I know) and I foolishly parked close to a big 4x4 so I spent half the time worrying about it.

PM the sun broke through again so I ran the Alpine to town and back as the road is effectively closed on my circuit. The car went well I have to say and the rubbing from the brakes is lessening on each run.

Finally the Caterham off to save the planet, across the bridge. No parking anxiety there...

Dehumidifier and data

Tried Oliver's dehumidifier in the brick garage, as storm Dennis raged overhead.

I noticed the Aston was damp too - not sure when I last used it.

Not sure what I was expecting, but it seemed to suck out some water.

So after 7 hours it had some water in it but just below the gauge. So I left it running overnight.

Oh and the Imp does not need an MOT until ...

31st December 1902. How odd.

Windy again and more rain

Weather really has decided to frustrate classic car action, although I could have got out really early.

Wondering how to shuffle the fleet though...

Add to basket

Well it felt that easy.

So it should arrive in a few weeks after some tidying.

Smitten

Well, we drove down to Bibury on a cold dank morning and went to look at the car.

It looked even better in the flesh too. Like a small Jaguar SS100 or a British Alfa Romeo Monza.

I was very nervous about it - but I drove it and the pre-select works fine. Probably a bit less performance than the Alpine, but not much less.

A bit bumpy and it dropped onto 3 cylinders on the second test drive - but goes well and definitely gives the 'vintage' feel I wanted. It's got the odd ding and scratch but a history file going back to 1934. Oh - did I mention it is 86 year old.

Now I've got to work out if I really want it...

Either that or this tiddler we spotted on the motorway services on the grind there and back.

Sunny but cold run

Alpine out again and down to the boat for more anti-fouling on the bigger of the two Swedes.

Fidra now looking blue under the water line again.

As I left I chatted to a retired chap (aren't we all) about the Alpine - he liked it - but I think he just wanted a chat. Cold run back but the car likes the cold air.

Then just checked on the Riley to see if it was coming to London. It was ... but then I thought we see it first... Tomorrow.

Masking Up

SAAB to Rassy to help with the anti-foul in the freezing wind.

Seemed to look better once we had finished.

Afternoon ride in the Mk7 and then finally late pm Mk7 drive to pick up some more car crap !

Make the most of the lull

Storm Ciara was quiet for a few hours and the sun came out so Alpine out to collect my lights etc.

Then drive down by the river for a longer spin - water was rising and on the way back the tide was in the road. I'n not remembered the 1.5m tidal surge - neither had the chap parked in the layby I suspect.

Glad I did not go tot Shotley though - which was the original plan - as the river was cascading over the lock gates into the basin and the spray was over the road.

Swedish Landrover ?

The storm arrived Saturday night and kept gong for at least 24 more.

I kept the fleet inside until late in the evening when I took Nana some lights as her power had been out all night. As had a lot of East Anglia.

But I think we were hit less than the west of the country.

SAAB pottered through the twigs and other tree litter being blown around but it was actually fine and the lights came back on a couple of hours later anyway.

Still hesitating about another car and an expensive Riley... Perhaps a 4x4 would be more appropriate now ?

Spring day - so I sprang the Alpine

Sun was out most of the day - ahead of the storms predicted for the next two - so I decided to exhume the Alpine and get it started.

Stage 1. Fan heater for an hour or so.

Stage 2. The Alpine started after about 10 minutes of trying with a combination of using the battery boost and just turning it over so the petrol came through.

The next problem was that the clutch (like last year) seemed to stick so you couldn’t get the car into reverse. After several attempts and a bit of pumping I did what I did last year - which was to turn the engine off put the car in reverse and start it and it frees up the clutch. Ran a bit lumpy but then she hasn’t been driven for several months. The brakes are binding but we’ll see about that later.

Stage 3. I went for a very short test drive and it ran at least.

I decided to pack the bubble away now, and I suddenly realised of course I’d missed a 60th birthday as the Alpine turned 60 in January as well. Packed the toys away and went inside wondering if I really need another car.

Stage 4. Later in the afternoon the sun was still out so I went for a longer drive - filled up with petrol and did about 8 miles - the car ran well to be honest - but the brakes are pulling to one side. Finally as I put it away again I thought even the body work looked fine - in the dying sunlight anyway.

Finally those storms are due to bring 67 mph winds so I won't be going out in a classic for a while.

Lift - that's all

Short hop in the MK7 - utility run. Weather supposed to be god tomorrow (before the impending storms) so will try to spring the Alpine.

Short hop

SAAB out and about - roadworks still not stopping the short-cut I'm happt to report. Cold morning too.

Ah - that Golf

Decided to give the MK7 a good clean.

To be honest it needed another clean after I'd finished - but it will do.

Then CAterham out in the sunshine after lunch - it's getting cold though I noticed.

Evening SAAB run to Essex to look for a good spot for light trails - and then north again for a well attended RGEA meeting. Jon's Tiger

and a new Singer Vogue Estate.

Another Nail in the Car's Coffin

Well, the government announced that 'a ban on selling new petrol, diesel or hybrid cars in the UK will be brought forward from 2040 to 2035'. Not sure what I feel about that.

Anyway, I cleaned the SAAB - top to bottom. Did the windows and put a bit of polish on it too. Noticed the refurbished wheels are already looking worn ... and the rust is taking hold on the wheel arch. Looked good though, still needs the trim blacking and the tyres doing but I'd already spent three hours on it and it was thinking about raining so I stopped.

Not as clean as the Ferrari perhaps, but at least you can see through the windows. This is shot 'trough' the closed window too.

I may even do the Golf next - but I'm not saying which one.

Finally I took the Aston to the recycling - and shopping - just to celebrate.

Seems I was the only one brave enough to venture out. And this is a Tuesday.

Then in the evening the Government seemed to announce it was a 'consultation' about moving the date forwards. Well whatever, it still gives me 15 years of running normally, plus say 5 before petrol is being phased out and another 5 when it is hard to get. So 20 years left - it might even see me out.

Finally it looks like that Riley Special did not sell - I can't bring myself to spend the money though.

Two Big Swedes

SAAB down to the boat loaded up with ladders, platform, buckets etc.

Fidra now cleaned, polished and waxed -  and I think the car deserves a clean of its own now.

Inside and out.

Loaded for work

SAAB full of equipment and off to the boat tomorrow.

After we clean the boat - I think I'd better clean the car. Oh and I spot rust too on the wheel arch.

C to R

Caterham run in the sunshine (and then slight rain) down to the boat to take stuff that had been forgotten.

Mk7 lurking in the background.

Well that's it then

Brexit day. At 23:00 we officially left the EU. Not sure what that will mean - but I suspect we'll be going back to Green Cards and possible International Driving Licences...

Car wise just a ride along in the Mk7 - a 'made in Germany' car - VIN states W - Wolfsburg, Germany. So was the Mk2.

No need to trouble the Planet

Indoor day - looking at stuff and keeping out of the drizzle.

Wondering if someone else bought that car ...

Short SAAB dash

Just a quick run to Harkstead - still a bit light at 5:00 and the junction on the ponds is very busy because of the closed road.

Aston Run for SAAB Blade

Aston to the shops in the sunshine looking for a rear wiper blade for the SAAB - as an excuse to get the car out. Which they did not have.

As I came back to the car I got a txt telling me the battery in the fob is low - I'm sure I only changed it 6 months ago.

Too rich for me

... and that's from the man who regularly takes his Aston Martin V12 to the shops.

I also used the SAAB too - for the recycling and a charity shop drop off - so I'm saving the planet really.

The 'rich' bit is because I spotted a nice Riley Special - over £100k. Looked nice, but probably sold though ...

Mopping Up

Dull-ish grey day again - weather wise.

So I took the Caterham out to collect the mop and go round the block.

Went well although the roads were wet and mucky - as was the car when I got back.

But no water on the garage floor - which is encouraging.

For 7cm more

Measured the seating in the Caterham to see how wide it was vs the Riley Brooklands Special.

The Riley is 7 cm smaller - which it turns out makes a lot of difference it seems - 93 vs 86 cm.

Have asked what size a gorgeous (and very expensive) Riley Imp is...

Zig-Zag but no way through

SAAB out to Colchester and through terrible traffic as normal. Not sure what they are doing. Then got lost coming back out.

Run to see EB etc. early evening in the dark and murk too. There is a way around the roadworks - through the back hills. We tried to zig-zag through the barriers but the road is fully blocked - I must pop out and take a look.

Swedish drop off

SAAB to drop off five boxes of DVDs and old PC games.

Listened to the ways of saving power and boiling less water and having the heating down a bit are ones we should follow...

Mind you the number of new 4x4 monsters in the car park probably needs a lot less kettles.

Singer to Harkstead

Well SAAB out late afternoon in the mist and cold. We'd forgotten the sewing machine was in the back of the car - a Singer.

Mist another day

Although there was a small Alpine in the logo for the group of us going to Spain late Summer.

I better get the car ready then !

Normal service resumes - with a twist

Aston out to the bottle bank mid morning.



Getting a bit dirty in the winter muck.

Also noticed it 'twitch' when accelerating up the slip road. I must not forget the power of the beast - and the fact that the roads are a bit salty and wet and cold ...

One run - then everyone of them turns up

SAAB out first thing to look at a sewing machine base with Nana - I am living life to the full.

Then Birthday meal with family and cousins. I've now got an off road driving experience to take - interesting. Then a surprise gift from James a huge poster of all my cars...

It's much better in the flesh.

Nice Sign - Nasty Sign

Literally a nice old sign spotted in a small museum in Woodbridge.

Mk7 to see a film in a boat shed where they are building a life size replica of the Sutton Hoo longboat. Should have taken another car but the parking was a concern and as it turned out it would have been.

The bad sign is the new 40 mph limit that starts on the Freston Hill. It does go past the Freston crossroads though so it should slow a few people down on that. To quote the paper 'The nearby bus shelter was destroyed in a separate incident involving a car in November 2009 and had to be replaced with a more modern shelter.' 

Quite.

I've got this covered too #183

Started the day with the new E-type magazine arriving with another of my pictures on the front cover.

I'll need another frame now.

Then Caterham out in the sunshine and around the block.

There was no 'wet patch' on the floor - but we'll see if there is anything there after the run - once it's cooled.

But SAAB to station late afternoon in the drizzle.

Wet coat was my excuse

Well - I was about to go to town in a fantastic vehicle ...

But my coat was still wet so we postponed the trip.

But I did notice another of my pictures made Low Flying.

Jobs Jobs Jobs

SAAB out and about again.

Bottle Bank and shopping.

Ho Hum.

At least the Macro car park was not flooded this time.

Bypass bodge and blowing

Ran the ticking Golf to the garage first thing.

Then I worked on the Caterham all morning to get the dipped beam working again. Took most things apart in the end as it was obvious that there was power to the switch and so to that end of the wire - but not to the headlight end. I could not trace where it had failed though so I ended up running a new wire.

I assume that somewhere along the length it is broken...

I also found a few odd bare wires and bad connections along the way which I tried to fix.

In the end it all was working again though.

There was also a little leak from the front bottom hose - so I tightened that up. Will see if that still leaks quite quickly.

Then picked up the Golf - the oil change and clean had got rid of the 'tapping' but uncovered an exhaust manifold blowing noise. Ho Hum. That will have to wait for the MOT though

Mini-International

Run in the MK7 to look at the Riley Specials - 110+ miles away.

Conclusion is that the foot pedals are very important and the space you have for the feet is small in a special. The steering wheel is also very close and the cockpit is very small. Especially for two.

I thought the Brooklands Special was the nicest in the flesh. Although not sure I could drive it.

Here it is looking like a small Aston Martin International.

Just riding along again

Mk7 passenger back from Harkstead - after I walked there in the late afternoon gloom.

Garage visit

I did pop into the garage - but failed to even turn on the lights.

I did make a start on the next book though - and noticed that I've not bought a car since 2015 - so it's well overdue.

Luna-Tick

SAAB to the coast to look for the moon at Felixstowe.

I managed to miss it though as I was looking in the wrong direction and in the wrong position.

I should have checked the VR app before I decided to change my position ...

Oh and hopefully to 'tick' from the Mk2 is just a blocked oil way the garage think.

Two Cars - Two Problems

Caterham out and for a longer run in the gloom of mid-afternoon.

Sounding less like a rabid machine gun and more sewing machine working in a well oiled bath. Not sure which I like better but the car seemed to go nicely and the roads were dryer so I did push it a bit more one the tyres were hot.

It did seem to have a new rattle though - I suspect it is the exhaust again.

I took it across the bridge for a longer run and came out of the shops to find a 2 year old boy admiring it with his Grandparents. Even though Grandad thought it was a Morgan I let him (the boy) climb in and steer - which he liked.

Run home fine but when parking up I found out the lights are back to their old tricks - side and full beam are fine but there is no dipped beam ... Now how did I fix that last time ?

The Mk2 out for the evening run to the RGEA get together. That sound like it had a new 'clicking' which went away when the clutch was depressed ? Still seemed to go well but kept 'clicking' on the way home too.

Anyway I'll investigate in the light.

Aston Shopping

Just a quick pop to buy anti-foul for the boat and then a slow run down there to take a look at the boat in the impending rain.

The tins were so heavy they even left a set of rings in the boot.

Alpine in Shock Order

Well I spent the day doing admin etc. but did squeeze out time to order the Alpine shock absorbers - they should arrive in a week or so.

Bar Crawl

Aero to B&Q - for once - to get some aluminium square section to make a camera mount.

Oh and used it as a ladder to got into the green bin too.

Shot-Lived Chauffeur Job

A passenger ride in the MK7 today as Jana gets back to driving. She's not driven since 25th November - about 40 days.

Then a lift in another Golf - MK6 I think - with blue green dash lights.

Missed Another

No driving today. Working on stuff I guess.

Bits keep falling off too.

Looking for the winner ?

Dull start to the year - rain in the air - but no salt. So my auto activities were restricted to looking at cars on the web and reviewing last year. In December the Golf Mk2 was the most used followed by the Caterham and the Aston - in almost joint second place - if at less than half the miles though.

Looking back at 2019 the Alpine pipped the Aston, both at over 1k. The full scores being:

Alpine - 1027
Aston  - 1016
E-Type - 715
Golf MK2 - 658
308 - 416
Caterham 7 - 383

That's well over 3k in the classics.

On the moderns the SAAB at 5896 only just beat the Mk7 Golf by 201 miles. That might have been reversed if Jana had not hurt her foot and therefore missed driving to Peterborough in November.

So vs the previous years ?

Well, 2019 was almost 2k down for the classic fleet vs 2018 and about 1k less than 2017.

Overall (not including the Golf Mk2 which James used a bit) the total millage for 2019 was just over 15k which was well down on the 2016 peak of over 24k.

Looking back at Dec 2016 I find the Ferrari down (in some part due to the starting problem) and the Caterhan even lower. Only the Alpine really got long runs. The least comfortable and oldest.

..And that my friends points the way - it's got to be an older car on the cards - just where do I to put it and do I keep the rest of the fleet ?

Though in the present 'Climate' - pun intended - do I really need another car ?

New Year - Same old, same old

SAAB to the shops (0.5 miles) as walking was not on.