wuvvum Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Here's a picture of the Saviem on the trailer in a layby on the A433 near Cirencester on Monday. Notice anything? No? Look a bit closer. Yup. To paraphrase Britney Spears, oops, it did it again. And this time I didn't have a spare, having utilised it already when the first tyre blew out. Bumhats, as Pogweasel would say. I called the AA, and they said that because the two blowouts had happened in quick succession I couldn't be blamed for not carrying a spare so they would send someone to fit a tyre and pay the callout charge, but I'd have to pay for the tyre. No probs I thought, it's a 175x13, I'll just get a cheap Hankook for about £35. In fact I might even get two, just in case I have another blowout. Anyway, an hour later an AA patrol van turns up. Naively, I asked him if he'd come to fit the tyre. "Nope", he said. "Oi've worked for the AA for 34 years and Oi've never fitted a tyre in moi loife" (we were near Cirencester, remember?). So I pointed out that the chap at the AA call centre had said they'd send a mobile tyre fitter out. After a brief discussion about the difficulty of finding a mobile tyre fitter who was working on a bank holiday Monday, he made a call back to base and eventually found someone who could fit me two tyres. So off he buggered, and about 40 minutes later a recovery truck turned up to take the trailer (with Saviem still on the back) to a garage to have the tyres fitted. The trailer jockey wheel snapped off as the trailer was loaded onto the truck, so we had great fun steering three tonnes of trailer up the bed of the truck by hauling on the drawbar. The garage was in Swindon, so I followed him all the way back to there, the fuel fauge in the Trooper going deeper and deeper into the red and the Saviem-on-trailer-on-recovery truck teetering precariously round every corner. We all got there in one piece and without running out of fuel, and about 20 minutes later the tyre fitter turned up. He wouldn't fit the cheap car tyres I had wanted because he said they weren't up to the load and would make the trailer dangerous. Fair enough I suppose. But the expensive tyres were £72 plus VAT each, and he strongly advised me to have two as I still had 200 miles to go and there was a fair chance another of the trailer tyres would blow. By this time I had been waiting for four hours and was so pissed off I said "go for it". £169.20 later, the trailer was hitched back onto the Trooper, at which point I found out that when the back of the trailer grounded out as it was being winched onto the truck it had sliced through the wires for the trailer lights. So I had 200 miles ahead of me, most of them were going to be in the dark and I had no back lights. In the end I just turned the Saviem lights on - it didn't solve the indicator problem, but there wasn't a lot I could do about that. From then on everything actually went fine, although we didn't get back to Norwich till gone midnight, and by the time I'd dropped the trailer off and then run my mate back home I didn't get home till 2 am, having left at 6.45 the previous morning. Other amusing incidents on the trip included some dozy mare in a Defender coming hooning round a blind corner on a steep hill somewhere in deepest Gloucestershire (between Tetbury and Uley I think) and clipping the trailer - no harm done to the trailer fortunately - and the fact that when the Saviem was loaded onto the trailer there was exactly 1/16th of an inch of clearance either side of the wheels. So that's it. I've had enough - I'm not buying any more vehicles that need trailering. It's just way too much hassle. Anything that can't be driven is going to have to miss out on the joy of joining the wuvvum fleet. The Saviem's fine by the way - indicators don't work at the moment but I'm sure it's something minor, it's in dire need of a tune-up and the steering is impossibly heavy, but I drove it the six miles to my garage last night and it managed it fine, with no cutting out and no overheating (I don't think anyway - it doesn't have a temperature gauge). The column shift is among the better ones I've used, the brakes are adequate and although it's not quick by modern standards, for a 40-year-old tipper truck it goes like the clappers. Hopefully it won't need too much for an MoT - I'm a bit worried about the tyres though as a couple of them have a bit of cracking on the sidewalls and they're a completely stupid size (19x400 I think) so I've got no chance of finding any this side of the Channel. In fact I'd be pretty darn pleased with my purchase if it didn't now owe me almost a grand and 20 hours of my life... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Lawks!Congrats on retaining your 'sense of humour' -I would probably have snapped.Looks good though -deeply envious -and I reckon its well worth the funds swallowed to date. I'd have been mighty tempted to drive it on 'spare' Frog plates -but it is kinda a long way -isnt it? But -whatcha gonna doo wif itt? Bring it to the museum next weekend -dare ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pogweasel Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 EGGS SELL ANT RECOVERING SK1LLZ. I probably would have become so mercilessly angry that I would have torched the whole lot at the roadside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spottedlaurel Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Well done on persevering with it. No comeback on the trailer company, or is there some clause that gets them out of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torsten2001 Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 ^Wot he said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 I probably would have become so mercilessly angry that I would have torched the whole lot at the roadside.I think the thing that would have pushed me over the edge would have been if I'd got there and the farkin' thing hadn't fitted on the trailer. Seller told me the track was 6' and the trailer bed was 6'2" wide so I thought it'd be tight, but not that tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 is there some clause that gets them out of it?Yup. "Any damage, however caused, to the trailer during the hire period is the sole responsibility of the hirer". For all they know I could have run the trailer up a steep kerb at 30mph, which would have buggered the tyres up. I didn't actually check the tyres before I took the trailer - probably should have done really. I was going to say "I'll know better next time", but there ain't gonna be a next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 Bring it to the museum next weekend -dare ya!Ain't gonna happen. I've had enough of breaking down for this month... If I'm feeling exceptionally brave I might attempt to take it down to the Larling Angel for the RR meet next week, but I think it's unlikely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaseracer Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 ...I'm a bit worried about the tyres though as a couple of them have a bit of cracking on the sidewalls and they're a completely stupid size (19x400 I think) so I've got no chance of finding any this side of the Channel...Sounds like Citroen H-van size. Try Vintage Tyres (01590 612261) or PM me for a couple of contacts in the Citroen Car Club.Top truckage, Wuv. Approve muchly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.welfare Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 Your tat saving skills are beyond reproach. True dedication! And what a lovely truck!What's the storage situation at the new place like though - are you having to keep these beasts out on the road? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 What's the storage situation at the new place like though - are you having to keep these beasts out on the road?I still have room for 3 at my garage - currently those 3 are Volvo 164, JU250 and the Saviem. The Renault 6 is on my driveway, the Skoda, the red 166 and R12 are at mates', the Giulietta is near where I used to live and the old 900 Turbo is at a local Saab specialist who is trying to sell it. Everything else is on the road at the minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.welfare Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 I can't keep up! Did you fragfeed the MX-3 and the Omega? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRegieRitmo Posted May 28, 2008 Share Posted May 28, 2008 How much was the trailer rental? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 How much was the trailer rental?£60 for Saturday to Monday. Plus £169.20 for two new tyres, so £229.20 in total. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted May 28, 2008 Author Share Posted May 28, 2008 I can't keep up! Did you fragfeed the MX-3 and the Omega?Yup. And the Rover 825D and the Volvo 460 and (reluctantly) the Renault 5 too. MX-3 blew its engine eventually after one too many overheating episodes, Omega had overheating issues plus a duff starter, Rover and Volvo weren't too bad but I got fed up with being arsed around while trying to sell them for £150 so weighed them in and got a lot more. Renault 5 was a bit of a wrench, but it just had too much wrong with it (steering rack, CV joints, suspension bushes, carburettor, handbrake, plus however much welding it needed) to be worth doing, and when the gearbox computer packed up it was the final straw. You just can't get gearbox computers for them. And auto steering racks are bloody awkward too. Was half thinking about hoiking the engine out to put in the 6 but it was running like a bag of poo and doing about 15mpg so I decided it wasn't worth the hassle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Sad, so sad. When 'enthusiasts' -like us (!!) cant make it work -what chance of many 'ordinary' cars surviving much longer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.welfare Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 It's a combination of cold, hard economics, and the hassles inherent in selling a cheap old car, isn't it?To be honest, if either of my 405s end up needing excessively costly (>£500) repairs, I will probably weigh them in and find a replacement. Hopefully they won't die for some time yet, as the hard work has been done on both - new cambelts and water pumps, a full suspension and brake rebuild on the saloon, and 5k servicing should keep them sweet for many more miles. What I would replace them with, given the dwindling numbers of decent diesel 405s, I don't know. Probably a W/X-plate Skoda Octavia TDI wagon, or perhaps a 406 2.1TD as I now know the 1.9TD 406 doesn't cut it. Hard to find something a little newer these days that doesn't suffer expensive electronic maladies really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted May 29, 2008 Author Share Posted May 29, 2008 It's a combination of cold, hard economics, and the hassles inherent in selling a cheap old car, isn't it?Exactly. Plus the fact that I now have significantly reduced storage space compared to what I had before so there is a limit as to how large my fleet can be now. When I decided to have a cull I put all the cars I was getting rid of up for sale on Retro Rides, most of them at more or less scrap value. The only one that sold was the Celsior. I even 'Bayed the 825D in case anyone wanted the engine for their Range Rover or Cherokee - I only had one bid, and that was from a pain in the arse who wanted me to completely rearrange my life so that I could tax the car in time for him to be able to collect it at lunchtime so he could drive it back to Lincolnshire before the traffic got too bad. He didn't seem to understand that there was a limit as to how far I was prepared to go out of my way for the sake of £150. I got nearly double that from the fragger anyway.The Renault 5 was a difficult one though. If I'd thought there was any realistic chance of it going back on the road I'd have held on to it. To be honest though, it wasn't a particularly good example, and with the amount of work it needed it was a borderline case even before the gearbox went. Once that went it was to all intents and purposes undriveable (it was stuck in third so it wouldn't climb hills). It wouldn't even have been much use as spares as pretty much every panel had either dents or rust and the interior was rather tired too. I really didn't want to see it scrapped, but there comes a point when you have to just be rational about things - "cold, hard economics" as you put it. I'm hoping the same doesn't happen with the Giulietta - after the shite-induced hassle and expense of the weekend I briefly contemplated weighing it in on Tuesday, but there's something about a 27-year-old Alfa that still has fully working electrics that was enough to override my foul mood. Plus the interior is immaculate. The fact remains though that if the engine is shagged, this coupled to the amount of welding it needs will mean it stops being a realistic proposition from my point of view, and unless anyone responds when I advertise it it will end up going to Alfa heaven (or to China) as I simply don't have the room to keep it as a non-runner. If the engine turns out to be OK I will fork out to get the welding done and enjoy a summer of going sideways round roundabouts accompanied by the scream of the twin cam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Have you made any progress with the engine wuvz? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted May 29, 2008 Author Share Posted May 29, 2008 Have you made any progress with the engine wuvz?Not as yet - haven't had a chance. Going to stick some diesel down the bores over the weekend and see if it does any good. If compression returns I can then set about trying to get a spark... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spottedlaurel Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Shame about the R5.I'd happily home the Alfa should you decide to get shot of it, runner or not. Sentimental value and all that. Even if I just park it in the garage and sit in it every so often I'd be happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted May 29, 2008 Author Share Posted May 29, 2008 OK, looks like the Alfa's safe then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.welfare Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Even if I just park it in the garage and sit in it every so often I'd be happy.No no, you must have it in your living room as some kind of "art installation"! S'funny how certain cars kind of defy the whole head/heart interface - if I reckoned I would have found the time to drive it more than 200yds a year I probably would have kept my Mk2 Granada and spent money at a proper bodyshop getting it minty fresh. I was lucky to find a true Grandad enthusiast to buy that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Potential dibs 2 on the Alfa as well -loved my two (both barn burnt) .Wasnt meant as a criticism mate- hope it wasnt read as such. Just feel that there will be no 'character' cars left after this 'cull' ends -we'll all be in computerised white goods - effectively controlled by the state.Luckily I DO have space (-although the Council here is getting a bit arsy but I can deal with that) so can save borderline nonsense -with a chance of later repair....Just sold my old Midget for a good(ish) price -buyer flew down to Southampton from Newcastle and is driving it home right now. He left home seconds after the wife went to work and needs to get it into the garage -hidden before she gets back at 5pm.It'll be close -but it heartened me to know there are others out there, so devouted to old loss leaders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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