Slightly Sad

Really dreary day so I did research and sorted out the paperwork for the Seven. 

Late afternoon I started it up and cleared the boot of my tools and found the covers that are going with it.

Then I popped to Oli's to tell him and collect his keys. I still slightly regret getting rid of it - but it's for the best. 

I guess if the chaps in the club had been a bit more friendly then I would not have let it go.

Talking of clubs - the organiser of the SROC meeting liked my photos a lot - "Thanks so much ... lucky you won as we struck gold with your photo skills" so that's cheered me up again.

They were good though.

I'll Start that Again

First thing I went to Lee's to start on cleaning the Alpine. Got there and started work about 9:45.

Five minutes later I was on my way back to Harkstead for jobs. About an hour after that I was back again working on the Alpine. At least I could get more equipment though.

I cleaned all the inside, boot and even made a start on the engine bay. I also now know why the passenger seat would not go all the way back.

Yep - that's a ball bearing stuck on the runner.

The car will need another good clean but at least I've started and made a list of things I need to do.

Finally treated myself to an Aston run to save the planet.

'Not another one' I thought as it failed to start  - but did so fine the next time. Odd.

What have I done ?

A dull rainy day so all I got done was fitting the new battery to the E-type.

I did change the nuts on the clamp though so you can undo them more easily.

Then I bit the bullet and sold the Caterham. I'm not using it so it's better it goes to someone who will. I guess by next week it will be gone.

Then John rang - he has bought his car too - so that's two of us. Old-car fools or old Car-fools - who knows, but as he said between us we're propping up the market !

Deal Done - and a 'Beeping'

So AM was sorting out the E-type and unpacking having just left it when I got back last night. The 'new' battery is still not showing fully charged wich was odd.

PM was the crunch time visit to the Talbot. 

Plugs were good - a nice brown colour even after the 30+ miles of slow running I did. The endoscope showed some faint lines in the bores but no damage as far as I could tell. Finally the pressure test was fine on all cylinders. As we were doing that Ian Polson cam out to see us - so that was nice - but I suspect he was probably making sure the deal was closed.

So here we are, the fully documented engineers report I took away with me...

... and off goes the money when I can sort that out.

I then made a template to help lift the seat back and took the long (too long) way home.

It still feels like a car I am visiting though. I should collect it next week and then the fun, heartache, remorse, elation - begins.

When I got home the SAAB decided to join in the fun as started 'beeping' when I opened the door. Very odd. Later when I went out I noticed the lights were on too. WHAT ?

It appears that some prat had turned to side lights instead of off when they got out. Well I never.

Ups and Downs

So early morning 7:45 sunshine and off we go - heading East to go West again. Glevering and then cross country to the A14. Looking good and feeling confident ... Even if the immobiliser was playing up.

The fuel seemed to go down quickly - but then it went up again - odd. However the car started again when I picked up Chris - so at least we will get there I thought. We had a good run [only two stops to check and correct the route] and by 10:30 we were almost there when I noticed the numbers align. 50,000 exactly so obviously I stopped to take the pic.

We went in - ushered through the special exhibitors gate proudly showing our TALBOT sign (as the Sunbeam Rapier Owners Club was apparently called). As we parked up next to the only Rapier there a Traction Avant pulled up. Oh nice - but also not a Talbot !

Turned out he was not even in out party so was ushered away in the end - to be replaced by a Lancia. 

Anyway a few more cars turned up including a few Rapiers at last with several other non-Rootes interlopers. Then they drew the raffle and I heard my name. I had won - so I was quickly whisked off for a short flight in a Cessna 150F by one of the SROC chaps.  A but frantic to get off before the show was due to start but we made it there and back. [No flight suit this time].

Not easy to take pics out of the window but I was allowed - which was a bonus - in fact I was ordered to by the organiser.

Then the show itself began so I spent the next four hours shooting aircraft. The highlight for me being the de Havilland DH.88 Comet I had hoped would be flying.

So after a very hot and busy day we got going around 6 pm and hit the queue to get out. Great run too except the roadworks - but the car was enjoying the cool summer evening. The only worry was the fuel seemed to be going down a lot quicker than I had thought it would - I suspect the 'tweaks' I did were to blame - but we were looking fine.

As we turned off the A14 for the back roads the car gave the odd cough - which I put down to being hot and bothered. However about a mile before Glevering the temperature gauge started to go down quite quickly - odd I though - then the car coughed again. Then as we drove up the final leg of the drive was it just stopped. Dead. No power not even enough to sound the horn. Bugger - but at least it was here and not on the main road.

What to do ? I suspected a dead battery as we had had the fan on (well showing a high rate of charging) for most of the day. We went to get the Tiger battery but it was far too big. So Chris kindly drove me all the was home and back to get the one from the Golf - smaller but it should be OK for the run home - IF THE CAR STARTS.

But an hour later the battery was fitted and the dead one dumped in the foot well.

OK now for the moment of truth. The car started first turn of the key (so to speak) even if there were a few tense moments with the immobiliser not working again. Off I shot into the dark - on dipped beam and very low fuel. 

What to do ? Risk stopping to top up or just go for it. The fuel light only came on as I sowed for roundabouts then went off again as we leveled out. I guess I have 20 miles when the light is constantly lit so I kept going - and going - and going. By the time I got to Freston it was on all the time - but by then we were almost within pushing distance. So here we are - on fumes but safely back.

Almost 11 o'clock but home safe and sound.

As I say to myself - you don't have adventures or stories to tell sitting at home watching 'Cash in the Attic' - but some days ... 

Pre-flight checks

Well pre-Airshow checks.

But first early run in the MK7 to WWW - for a potter in the growing warmth. We got the early but it was already busy. Found the Bentley back - it's not quite as it looks being a 'Special' made from a 1948 Bentley Convertible. Back after being missing last year though.

Then PM checked over the E-type for the Sunday run to Shuttleworth. Petrol and cleaning.

The only issue was that the oil was down a lot - so put in three pints. Looked good after a bit of detailing though. Very good in fact in the dying sun. Packed and ready to go by late evening.

It really is a good boot - even without the back shelf down.

Bloody Privileged

So Imp out up to Glevering first thing - for a day working on the Tiger. It went well and as the sun was out it was a good drive up there too. Here we are first thing.

So Chris and I spent a morning working on the Tiger getting it fettled and ready for a long test drive. Exhaust hanger (which is in the wrong place) seat (which has broken) and a few bits and bobs. So late lunch time we set off to see John and then went for petrol and found:

1. The brakes were not binding

2. A violent shaking on slowing down from about 40 - but a smooth acceleration

3. If you over fill the tank it leaks a lot (as the chap that stopped us said !) and smells

After filling up with petrol I drove it a few miles to Snape and found:

4. The steering is really hard going

5. The turning circle is poor

6. The drivers seat has been put in too high

But at least we made Snape for lunch ok. Here we are.

I let Chris drive back as it was a bit hard going with the shake etc. On the ramp his mechanic Ron found a leaking diff, a wheel bearing gone and a shot prop coupling - so easy fixes.

In between this I spoke to the Talbot chap. I agreed a price in principal and said I'd go back Monday for a pressure test of the bores etc.

We then took the Imp to see John - and sat in the sun in his courtyard having tea and looking at pictures of the Vauxhall 30/98 he wanted but will probably not buy now - as they have put the price up and as its considerable more than the Talbot I can understand. I then took John for a drive and he liked the Imp - which I thought was a vote of confidence.

I dropped Chris off back home and headed down the A12. The Imp seemed to be making a bit more noise at 55 but who knows. It's so noisy - we'll see how it behaves next time out.

As to the title - as Chris said we must be privileged to spend the day in the sunshine, with old cars and friends. Too bloody true.

Offer Rejected

So here we are then. 

PM SAAB loaded up for a quick trip to Harkstead to check the drains. Then fully loaded with equipment again to unblock them. Well it's been 18 months I think.

As I loaded the car Polson rang. 'No' to my offer but they'll let me chip a bit. Time to get on with it - or not I thought - but it give me my excuse to drop out.

After the work and a rest I took the Imp out for petrol - I might take it to Glevering to help with the Tiger tomorrow. I drove it more sportingly and it's great. Much more bumpy and raw than the Talbot though - so quite a different car. I hope you can see where this is leading...

Great XK140 coupe drove into the petrol station behind me. Great looking car ... 'Bugger I've been trumped' I think he was thinking. 

Mind you his petrol tank probably does not leak. 

Umm - I must remember not to brim the tank again.

So should I  ?

Offer in

So first thing the SAAB to town for jobs. I managed to get so low the 'Refill Now' message came on before I could get to the petrol station. It took a whopping 72 litres - and cost £117 - but then I did treat it to the 97 Octane for the runs it's doing. 

I also treated it to a car wash as it was very dirty.

PM it was off to see the Talbot again - this time armed with, foam, wood, cushions etc. to make the seating position better. I managed to get it 95% there I'd guess. Here is the random combination that worked.

I then went for a long run in it again and it was great this time. Still a 92 year old car but relatively comfortable and quite drive-able.

Then I checked the paperwork and the owner really had spent a lot on it over the years. As I thought about it I looked down - the car looked smaller from above as I wondered what to do. On the basis that you only regret what you don't do - I made an offer and we'll see what they say.

Then SAAB back again - that's another 80+ miles round trip to visit them but shorter than Blue Diamond at Rochester or Bicester.

What to Do ?

So SAAB off to see the Talbot in the morning. Picked up John Day on the way for help. Here we are looking at it.

As I thought, it looks better in the flesh as the rear seems to shrink away. As to the drive. OK - to start with I could not see over the steering wheel - then I was too far away from the pedals - so the test drive was very hard work. However - she went well (well faster than the Imp) and we did a stretch on the A14 to show the speed was up to it - just.

So what to do now ? Return tomorrow with padding and try driving it again.

Finally I thought I see what mess I have made of the E-type - so I took it out in the fading sunshine.

Seems very little was wrong after a spirited drive - but I'll be getting Abbotts to re-tune it this year as part of the service.

Not a Wash Out

ECR meeting first thing but the forecast was for more rain - after the last two good days it is a shame. However I took the MK2 (dusty and dirty I am afraid to say) to show solidarity. I may have arrived a bit early.

After a while more cars turned up and in the end there were 100+ brave souls - not a lot of very interesting cars though. Although there was this very clean Stag - with original Triumph V8.

Although I doubt it left the factory that shiny.

PM I 'tinkered' with the E-type carbs to improve the cold starting by adjusting the choke mixture - but I suspect I only managed messing up the carb balance - we'll see when the rain stops and I can get it back out. At least I fixed the broken strimmer.

Finally planning the new car ports and how to keep all the cars ...

By the Coast

Early E-type run out this morning. Loved the sunshine and cool air.

PM we took the SAAB down to Felixstowe with the Stutton offshoot to see the cars on the prom. It was packed so I ended up parking on the grassy bank.

The car that caught my eye was this 1966 Corvette Sting Ray. 

OK I transported it a little bit to find the beach and more sunshine but it did look good.

Finally a short jaunt dropping off tools at Oli's to close off the day.

Many Journeys

Car shuffling AM. First park one at Wooverstone, then leave one at Shotley for a walk back.

Then PM I thought we'd get the Imp out in the cold sunshine. Nice run around the block - seemed to go well. 

Still thinking of giving it a pre-war mate.

Then Aston to the re-cycling - that goes even better - but quite a change of tempo.

Finally another lift in the MK7 to collect the SAAB - and back.

Chasing Cars - Again

Slow very wet day so admin and looking at cars. Oh no I spotted this pop up at the dealer near us.

Now that's familiar I though. In fact this is the car from Kersey Mill in 2010 which I admired then. I also saw it at the Classic Le Mans that year. A Talbot AV105 Ulster.

So what to do ? First step is to see it Tuesday morning.

Then we rounded off the wet day with a MK7 ride to Harkstead. ECR cancelled due to the rain so no car fun though.

Researching in the evening I even found an Octane magazine article with the car in it from September 2004.

A sign ?

Clean as a Whistle

Thought I'd check the Caterham plugs this morning - as I expected though - all bar #1 was very clean.

So no joy there. Then off to the Allotment in the trusty SAAB for more plumbing.

But the fittings did not work - so back to the plumbers that afternoon for more. So after four attempts and about 30 miles of running around and we're done !

Unexpected Good News

Bright sunshine and even warm from the get-go. SAAB out first thing to the allotment with the new battery powered strimmer. That's what batteries are good for at the moment - not powering a car 500+ miles.

As I was working the phone buzzed a few times. It was Lee with news of the Alpine. It is painted !

But before I could go and see it we had an errand to do - Harkstead/Ipswich/Harkstead - so the SAAB was out and about again. Here we are - oddly parked outside the Fiat dealer.

Anyway after that I was going to pop down in the SAAB but thought  - it's a very warm day. Let's take the Seven. So I did.

Still a little pop and bang but it enjoyed the run. Anyway the star of the show was there.

It is very red. More so than before - I don't know.

Still along way to go - so I will come down and work on it in a couple of weeks time too.

Evening was RGEA meeting so I took the ... Caterham. As a reward for running so well. I don't think it will leave the fleet now. A bit lumpy on the way there - although better on the fast stretches.

Good turn out with two Tigers and John's older Sunbeam. Plus a stray Austin (Wolseley) Princess.

I think the older Sunbeam looked great - although they were trying to get me to buy a Tiger ...