Another Dirty Car

Took the MK2 into town shopping - gosh that is filthy too.

Went well, although the oil buzzer went off - oh and the horn did not work. Must investigate.

Then late morning visited the Stutton Brazill's in the 308. That's still very clean and shiny.

Finally a pm by a ride in the MK7 - another car that could do with a good clean.

SAAB Treated

Running around in the load lugger again. B&Q and Halfords - what an exciting morning. The car was so dirty I decided to give it a treat.

A quick trip to Harkstead too - just in case I forgot where it was.

Evening Run

Most of the day was working on the house/garden but late PM the sun was still out and I had a chance to get a car out. Nippy though so layered up. What to take ?

The Imp got another run around the block. Although we stopped to check the rocker box cover as something sounded a bit loose - it was ... just. So I tightened it.

Then home again. Happy with the run.

Then noticed we were 'featured' in the VSCC write up of the Suffolk run - well our picture was in there twice.

I'm told Ludvigsen is a motor writer too !

Small Load and Smaller Car

The car events started pm with a run to Harkstead to pick up and deliver surplus Kitchen bits and bobs back to the shop. Not a huge load but better than just taking them to the dump.

Then early evening it was time to follow a neighbour to the ECR meeting in Shotley - but what to take ? Well the Caterham needed a little run to set the gunge I'd slapped on the exhaust so that was the steed tonight.

A busy but not packed show but then it was midweek and still quite chilly. Most interesting car for me was this 1950 Riley RMB. 

Un-plugging the Gaps ?

Time to clean the plugs and get the oil out of the spark plug recesses on the Imp. So that was the first automotive job. The plugs did not really need a clean though as the tip was a steady darkish brown.

But there was a lot of oil in the recesses so that got cleaned out.

Then after adding a light to the garage loft it was time for the Caterham to have some love. 

I found that the exhaust pipe was a little loose - just moving in the join. SO I put some exhaust putty in the gap and replaced the circlip - twice as the first broke. Mind you the second was a bit flaky too. We'll see how we get on.

I also tidied up all the tools etc. I had left out and was just putting the Imp soft top frame away when I noticed four screws each side and a spare one lower down. Ah Ha. I saw that if I removed the screws I could shorten the arms and get it in the boot. So I soaked them in DW40 and went to lunch.

Then after lunch I gave a few a try - not a chance. But I managed to get a couple out by cleaning the paint off and giving it a bit of a knock with the hammer. 

However it was SAAB time. Some small Kitchen jobs in Harkstead but thankfully it meant a backhaul of most of the tools.

As I put the tools away I tinkered with the Imp frame again and after 30 mins I had all the screws out. 

I even used one of the BSW taps I had salvaged to clean the threads too. Then I found that the 'bend' on the frame did not fit the new position of the one I wanted to shorted. A bit of tentative brute force on each side to re-bent it and it was there - well enough to get four of the six screws in place. I'll take that.

So would it fit in the boot ? After 10 mins I had managed to work out how it fitted and we're all good !

I'll have to see how low that makes the hood later but for now I'll take a small victory.

So what to do now ? It was still sunny and not exactly hot, but warm enough - so get the E-type out and pop around the block and drop off a bit of recycling. Can you guess where ?

Stutton of course.

So another busy day.

Writing up and Popping up

Made a start of the Imp run article and photos. 

Then PM SAAB to Harkstead for a few jobs but also a small back load again.

Then PM more writing and admin.

You are Number #35

Well, we did the VSCC Suffolk Tour today - me and the Riley Imp - and Chris from the RGEA. All told it was just shy of 140 miles after I did the run up and back to the start point. Here we are at the Mill with the adults, parked next to the tool room copy of an MPH.

Interestingly, the owner of that and many more people gave me the time of day - was it seeing what I came in or my confidence to engage with them ? Less so I thought when I was sporting my 'The Beeches Maintenance Team' top and looked like a contractor.

Anyway the route was good, although it was through really small Suffolk lanes - too small for my liking sometimes - up and down hills. It remained cold but eventually the sun came out when we arrived at the lunch stop and I had to strip off several layers.

Here we are outside a cottage opposite the pub in Hawkedon.

The afternoon route back was harder to follow and we got off the map quickly although I found the better 'B roads' easier to drive on if I am honest. We also avoided the Ford twice passing through a bridge just wider than the car instead.

Eventually we reached the Mill again and parked up - to be rewarded by tea and cake. Very civilised I thought. I also luckily found the Riley Area chap at last and had a positive reception, so I'll make an effort to meet up.

I checked the oil in the car park after the run and it was fine - about a quarter of the dip stick showing so - and the plug holes were clean. I decided to leave it alone until I got home. 

The run back was fine although the car started to sound different on the A14 and on investigation once home I guess that was because the cam cover had come loose again and I could hear different sounds. I topped up with fuel just before the end and noticed a slight leak again - but I may have over-filled it. I need to test this again as it did not leak last time I filled it full. Or did it ?

Headlines were: for the 140 miles we used 5.3 gallons of petrol, just over a pint of oil (half the dip stick) and almost no water despite running hotter then I had seen before. We seemed to have done about 26 miles to the gallon and 140 mils to the pint if my measurements are right. The tank was still c30% full when I topped it up so we might make just shy of 200 miles on a long run. The rack worked well too.

It was hard going through the lanes and very bumpy but much better on the wider better surfaced roads.

It's all in the Prep

7:15 am and I was spraying the Imp luggage rack. Getting a coat of black on it to dry.

Then MK7 out to take Oli to Colchester to pick up his van - the modern in case I needed the Sat Nav.

Home and unload the SAAB before we took it to a packed but very cold Weird and Wonderful Wood to meet the Stutton offshoot. Not really needed as we did not buy anything large - nor did they.

Then Loaded the Caterham for a quick run to drop of sheets to protect the furniture Oli is collecting in said van. Sounded as if the plugs need cleaning or the exhaust manifold is loose again - added to the list.

Then Imp prep for tomorrow as the weather is OK - perhaps not as hot as predicted but no rain predicted either. We will see.

Finished the rack and worked out the best way to strap the basket on it. What struck me is that the cord should be red. But that's just me. Did the oil and water next and decided what to pack.

Finally I finished it off with a detail and then a short trip to top up with petrol. Only took just over a gallon - I thought I'd done more miles since filling it up.

In the process of the trip I also tested the basket. Fine. Miles logged at 37399 when we got back - so we are ready for the adventure.

Four More

SAAB, SAAB, SAAB, SAAB. Harkstead, Ipswich, Harkstead, Ipswich, Stutton.

Here we are on the second run in the backstreets of Ipswich for a C-19 jab for the Harkstead offshoot.

Then off we went again with the 'Check Engine Light' on the third trip to buy parts to build a rack for the Imp. Needed fuel too as you can see.

The rack seemed quite good - if I say so myself - as I finished it quickly and then rushed a first coat of primer before the Stutton jaunt packing boxes to finish the day.

Lets see how it fits next.

Keep on trucking

Thunder rumbled all day - but not much rain with us. Too busy with DITY for classics though.

SAAB out PM for a 'Driving Miss Daisy Run'. Popped out for a B&Q run though during the job.

Then once home I decided to re-load the SAAB for the dump run tomorrow morning to save time.

So that's more of the old kitchen units and tiles. It will cost a bit too.

Another Small Backload

SAAB out first thing into town for exciting stuff - well a hair cut.

I then decided to look at the Imp as it's looking OK - ish for Sunday so should I take the hood ? I looked at the fittings and thought they might be on the wrong way around - hence the seat is a bit recessed. 

An hour later I had removed them and then put them back where they came from. Turned out they are handed too.

Then PM off to project Kitchen again. Brought some more tools home though so we're slowly clearing up.

The trouble is we also seem to be bringing back more crap.

Designed for it

SAAB in use again as Hospital Transport.

There was nowhere to park, so I found a 'space' on the end of a row. Then moved, only to coma back to find two cars had done the same thing.

Then the bridge was closed so we had to go via town. All at a standstill.

Ipswich really needs a Northern by-pass - but who looses their garden for it ?

Then pm ride in MK7 to the allotment for veg. Followed by the SAAB with two pallets. They fitted exactly in the load space.

Finally early evening as the thunder clouds rolled in, the Caterham got a run out. 

It got a bit hot and bothered sitting in traffic but we got home dry.

More Routine

SAAB out early for a Kitchen Project run. This time though we're bringing tools etc. home again.

The decided to get even more done and give the MK2 a run out. It started but was very lumpy - so what do old fashioned mechanics do ? Rev the bollocks off it. So I did - and took the long way round - mostly in second and third.

Did the trick and felt much better on the way back.

Compare and Contrast - Oh and Contrast again

Started with walking around the village looking at the Best of Brittan. Not sure why as I have it in my garage.

Then as it was the Ipswich Felixstowe Classic run we went to the front to see the cars - in the MK7 though. Met a couple of well known chums too. 

Here is one now. Lots of interesting cars, busy with crowds and very sunny thankfully. Great to be a bit warmer. I spotted several cars that I liked especially an Alvis - but he upset us by saying the vintage car prices had halved last year. I'm not sure he is right - but luckily I don't do it for the money.

Odd to see so many of Clive's finest in one place too. No E-types nor Ferraris in the line up though.

Then home and Caterham to Harkstead to collect tools etc. as the dark clouds gathered.

Then home to do some simple DIY and warm the Riley up. The weather still looks bad for next weekend so I thought I'd get it out in the late sunshine.

As bumpy as the Caterham but not so loud - not so fast.

Then as the sun was still out I decided the 308 deserved a spot of warmth too. Here we are again.

So here we are. This one is not as bumpy but much faster than their earlier two. Interestingly not sure how it would do against the MK7 ?

Still Working

A particularly dreary day with rain on and off.

Tested the MK2 between the showers though. Still working - if a little sluggish to fire once it started. Could be the cold and damp - it is only May after all.

Ride in MK7 for wet walk in the afternoon. About the highlight really.

In Royal News: Charles III was crowned King in Westminster Abbey

A Little Load and Progress

SAAB out to the kitchen project first thing. Making more progress.

Then off to B&Q for supplies. Such a little load.

Then PM I unpacked (wow) and decided to try the MK2. It started ! Then I tried again and it did not. Nor again etc...

So I had a quick look under the bonnet and found the starter motor. The wire looked loose so I took it off and sanded down the rusty connection.

Fired up first time, again and again. But that's what they always do. 

I'll try again tomorrow.

Then the rain came back - stair rods, lightening and thunder so that was that.

Camera Shy

MK2 out first thing for project Kitchen. Looking very dirty now.

Not that you could tell from this picture.

Then PM Caterham out in the fading sunshine. Cool...ish when the sun went. No pic though.

Late evening run to Stutton in the Golf MK2 just to finish the day off. 

Oh and it would not turn over again when I left - but Oli push stared me easily though. Odd.

One of Everything Please

The day started with a quick shuffle of the moderns off the drive so I could weed and spray.

Then an evening RGEA meeting - but what to take ? It was so cold I decided on the E-type for a run and not the Caterham. Nice to see the E-type got lots of looks and photos taken by the pub crowd, but it did look good in the dying sunshine. Mind you they were spoilt.

A Tiger, a Humber and a Hillman - keeping the Rootes end up.

However the highlight of the meeting for me was John's 1929 Sunbeam 20.9. He even gave me a ride in it - faster than I thought and good visibility from up there.

 

Mind you the E-type seemed to get better the faster I went coming home - enjoying a slightly longer and faster run.

Odd to come home in the dark too.

Large and Little

SAAB to town for swift dental treatment - fix my broken front tooth.

Then PM Caterham up to do a couple of Harkstead jobs. 

I need to get on with it now. Hopefully the weather will hold.

Another Toy

Late morning run to the allotment to put on some barrier matting. Full of friendly birds eating the worms. So I popped back later to photograph them but they did not appear. Ho Hum.

Then PM run to Ipswich as Uber. Dull day.

Started the Golf - seemed a bit hesitant - only been off the charger for a day - so we'll leave it until Friday and see what it feels like.

However in between the showers I managed to get the E-Type out for a run and another 'Toy' shot.

Also got a 'Nice car mate' from a biker when I was filling up with petrol. Always makes me smile.