Andrew353w

I found these two while on my peregrinations earlier today in north Watford. The Hillman Hunter's been there for AGES......

I've always thought our "left-hand running" stemmed from the need to draw sword; most people, being right handed, would draw their sword using their right hand, to defend themselves on their right side. Of course, this might be an urban myth.....

If I'm correct the Fiat next to the red Fiesta is a Fiat 600D, which was a sort of "grown up" Fiat 500, with a larger engine and body, but still air-cooled and unbearably noisy! I read there was an Abarth version-blimey, a real 1960s "pocket rocket"!

I know a few of them.......Oh no, wait a minute.... Escorts in London....Sorry, another double entendre...

U.L.E.Z. compliant Ka?

Looking forward......

Sorry, my typo-it's Murton, near SEAHAM. I should add that all four of us popped into the local pub for a "few jars" yesterday evening and I must confess I could not understand the barmaid, her accent was SOOO strong! Another local had to "interpret" for me! This is real County Durham; lots of disused old mines everywhere and I was told that the final scenes of "Get Carter" were filmed on the coast very near to here-WOW!

My current wife and I have been away in Northumbria for the weekend & booked into a B&B near Seaton. My wife spoke to the owner, who explained her husband's "a bit of an odd-ball car fan", to which she replied "don't worry, my husband's probably worse!" This is what was in the guest house car park: When I expressed "some little interest"in his vehicles, we came to a mutually beneficial arrangement", that being we received two nights free B&B and I tuned the Daf 44, 46 and Kalmar! Saturday, in glorious sunshine, was spent swapping carburettors, cleaning jets, checking timing and replacing points & condensers and tomorrow will be spent adjusting belts-a perfect, if completely unplanned weekend! My current wife's struck up a friendship with the the owner's wife and spent the day in Durham, shopping. All in all, a winning weekend for al!

Spotted in my local B.P. this morning-very lovely!

I'm no expert on the workings of Diesel engines, but as I understand it they're more economical if left ticking over for short periods of time, as opposed to being switched off and then re-started. It's something to do with a "dollop" of diesel fuel being squirted into the engine all at once on start-up, as opposed to an extremely small amount being used when the engine's idling. I'm probably wrong, but I feel I've read or heard this somewhere....

What's the car centre-stage in the first picture? I'm thinking a Simca, but I'm probably wrong!

THAT'S MY OLD WARTBURG! May I ask where it is now?

Yer, that there car's a Wartburg! Proper job!

You have a point there. My late grand-father and father ran an electrical retail business in Bideford and were enthusiastic supporters of Sir Peter Cadbury and his plans-not least since a good local T.V. franchise would encourage sales of T.V.s! KERCHING! Oddly north Devon (but not the rest of the county) had the relative luxury of tow I.T.V. franchises; Westward T.V. from Plymouth and (as it was) T.W.W. (Television Wales and the West) from Bristol, which was transmitted from South Wales. I appreciate I've gone "off piste" rather here, so will take my anorak from under the pile of coats in the spare room and take my leave......

Westward T.V. was established by Sir Peter Cadbury (he of the chocolate fame) and it was a great company, with an interest in the local area. T.S.W. (Television South West) who gained the franchise in 1982 were never as good at the local stuff.

Anyone spot the express train in the background, hauled by 2 class 25 locos? I'll get my anorak and leave....!

I may walk by and inspect the progress.......

As Central London is becoming! We were in Shaftsbury Avenue on Wednesday, to see "To Kill A Mockingbird" (bloody good show, by the way!) and saw quite a few "more mature" vehicles running about. We're in again tomorrow to see Henning Wehn's latest one-man show "It'll All Come Out In The Wash", so I'll remember to take some pictures! .....Of the cars, that is!

All indoors busy signing a treaty.......

I've always loved the Citroën Ami 6!

Now THAT'S what I call an early Skoda.....

Agreed 100%! The change from leaded (2,3 & 4 star) to unleaded petrol, which removed lead particulates from the air (and, oddly, reduced crime!) was accomplished smoothly, with everyone agreeing: 1/ Unleaded petrol was cheaper-financial WIN! 2/ Car manufacturers was "on board" new cars can on unleaded-WIN! 3/ Older cars simply "died off" or the owners paid to have them converted-WIN for the environment or the local garage! As an aside, your remarks about buses applies in Barnet; the 84 route, a vital link between Potters Bar and Barnet was cut (partly as a result of the U.L.E.Z. regulations, although other factors were involved) yet many buses running from Barnet into London are garaged in Potters Bar. The result is that 263s & 134s run empty from Potters Bar to Barnet (but I appreciate this is veering off the original topic).

It's an illness, called "Dafaddictus"; symptoms include an irrational urge to save as many Dafs as possible and talking non-stop about drive belts and small air-cooled engines!

Very New Barnet!

And I 'emerged' it! It should be moving to my driveway in Barnet quite soon! I'll be posting about the move on here!