Mr Lobster

Well. When I say 'Inspector' I actually mean 'MOT man' and when I say 'calls' I probably mean 'taken to his place of inspection' but whatever, I like the title and we've not had an update on this in ages so here goes.
 
After six months and 3.5k miles theres surprisingly little to report. Only expense has been a couple of tyres but otherwise it continues doing its thing. Its been completely reliable if slightly thirsty in the way that a 2.0 petrol Mazda will be but otherwise its been a nice thing to drive and looks respectable enough.
 
But with the end of August brings drawing in of the nights, falling leaves and the expiring of the MOT. So in it went...
 
And it's not too bad. Tiny bit of welding on one sill, couple of bulbs need replacing and both front shock absorbers are leaking. The reality is that this will cost more than the thing cost in the first place or is really worth but its too nice and useful to scrap for what are only minor bits so its getting fixed and then set for some more (hopefully) uneventful motoring.

Well. When I say 'Inspector' I actually mean 'MOT man' and when I say 'calls' I probably mean 'taken to his place of inspection' but whatever, I like the title and we've not had an update on this in ages so here goes.
 
After six months and 3.5k miles theres surprisingly little to report. Only expense has been a couple of tyres but otherwise it continues doing its thing. Its been completely reliable if slightly thirsty in the way that a 2.0 petrol Mazda will be but otherwise its been a nice thing to drive and looks respectable enough.
 
But with the end of August brings drawing in of the nights, falling leaves and the expiring of the MOT. So in it went...
 
And it's not too bad. Tiny bit of welding on one sill, couple of bulbs need replacing and both front shock absorbers are leaking. The reality is that this will cost more than the thing cost in the first place or is really worth but its too nice and useful to scrap for what are only minor bits so its getting fixed and then set for some more (hopefully) uneventful motoring.

Well. When I say 'Inspector' I actually mean 'MOT man' and when I say 'calls' I probably mean 'taken to his place of inspection' but whatever, I like the title and we've not had an update on this in ages so here goes.
 
After six months and 3.5k miles theres surprisingly little to report. Only expense has been a couple of tyres but otherwise it continues doing its thing. Its been completely reliable if slightly thirsty in the way that a 2.0 petrol Mazda will be but otherwise its been a nice thing to drive and looks respectable enough.
 
But with the end of August brings drawing in of the nights, falling leaves and the expiring of the MOT. So in it went...
 
And it's not too bad. Tiny bit of welding on one sill, couple of bulbs need replacing and both front shock absorbers are leaking. The reality is that this will cost more than the thing cost in the first place or is really worth but its too nice and useful to scrap for what are only minor bits so its getting fixed and then set for some more (hopefully) uneventful motoring.

I think this post needs no explanation.
 
Hear this.
 

 
PM’s have been sent, and some bargaining has been done. I shall let the (potential) new owner reveal himself on here. It’s been rescued and hopefully will be leaving the yard very soon. This is a VERY GOOD DAY.

I'd love that but common sense, such as it is, has to prevail I suppose.   Really hope someone will save it.

The majority of mine are now dead. There's a handful that might have survived the great weighbridge in the sky or that I'd even like back...
 

 
Sold to the James Hull collection and subsequently to JLR so still around albeit seemingly never used since I sold it. Hoping it might turn up at a Brightwells Auction when JLR dispose of a few more of the collection.
 

 
Proper R11 Electronic with everything working. Sold it when they were worth buttons and I'd lost my old car mojo. Still around though. Unlike this, which sort of replaced it...
 

 
Alfa seemingly died in scrappage in around 2009. Body was mint and mechanically it was pretty good after I'd spent way too much on it. Electrical bits were exactly as you'd expect though.
 
Technically not mine but I really liked this one. First car I'd been able to pick and spec to how I wanted it. Did 28k in the six months I ran it. Deceased now though.
 

 
Amazingly, R11 Electronic #2 is still about too. Recently seen on eBay looking sorry for itself.
 

 
The one I most regret selling is this one. Seemingly dead now but if it wasn't I'd have it back in an instant.
 

 
As for a few others. Nothing but memories and the odd photo now
 

*cough*
 
https://www.lobsterdiecast.co.uk/shop/1984-citroen-c25-pilote-r470-campervan-143-scale-partwork-model-altaya/
 
10% off to tat botherers who use code CCW18 at checkout too.
 
Just saying...
 
*/cough*

I'd love that but common sense, such as it is, has to prevail I suppose.   Really hope someone will save it.

*cough*
 
https://www.lobsterdiecast.co.uk/shop/1984-citroen-c25-pilote-r470-campervan-143-scale-partwork-model-altaya/
 
10% off to tat botherers who use code CCW18 at checkout too.
 
Just saying...
 
*/cough*

*cough*
 
https://www.lobsterdiecast.co.uk/shop/1984-citroen-c25-pilote-r470-campervan-143-scale-partwork-model-altaya/
 
10% off to tat botherers who use code CCW18 at checkout too.
 
Just saying...
 
*/cough*

I'd love that but common sense, such as it is, has to prevail I suppose.   Really hope someone will save it.

I went to my local breakers yard this morning.
 
I could not believe my eyes at what I saw there.....
 

 
A bloody Mazda 929! I nearly fell over backwards when I saw it. I think it’s been off the road since 1985 and has been (badly) stored until this year. If you look hard enough there is a 1970 Triumph 1300 right behind it.
 

 
How bloody ace does this thing look?
 

 
Grumpy because it’s ended up here rather than in the hands of a restorer - I don’t think it would have needed much in the way of bodywork. It had done 68k from new.

The majority of mine are now dead. There's a handful that might have survived the great weighbridge in the sky or that I'd even like back...
 

 
Sold to the James Hull collection and subsequently to JLR so still around albeit seemingly never used since I sold it. Hoping it might turn up at a Brightwells Auction when JLR dispose of a few more of the collection.
 

 
Proper R11 Electronic with everything working. Sold it when they were worth buttons and I'd lost my old car mojo. Still around though. Unlike this, which sort of replaced it...
 

 
Alfa seemingly died in scrappage in around 2009. Body was mint and mechanically it was pretty good after I'd spent way too much on it. Electrical bits were exactly as you'd expect though.
 
Technically not mine but I really liked this one. First car I'd been able to pick and spec to how I wanted it. Did 28k in the six months I ran it. Deceased now though.
 

 
Amazingly, R11 Electronic #2 is still about too. Recently seen on eBay looking sorry for itself.
 

 
The one I most regret selling is this one. Seemingly dead now but if it wasn't I'd have it back in an instant.
 

 
As for a few others. Nothing but memories and the odd photo now
 

The majority of mine are now dead. There's a handful that might have survived the great weighbridge in the sky or that I'd even like back...
 

 
Sold to the James Hull collection and subsequently to JLR so still around albeit seemingly never used since I sold it. Hoping it might turn up at a Brightwells Auction when JLR dispose of a few more of the collection.
 

 
Proper R11 Electronic with everything working. Sold it when they were worth buttons and I'd lost my old car mojo. Still around though. Unlike this, which sort of replaced it...
 

 
Alfa seemingly died in scrappage in around 2009. Body was mint and mechanically it was pretty good after I'd spent way too much on it. Electrical bits were exactly as you'd expect though.
 
Technically not mine but I really liked this one. First car I'd been able to pick and spec to how I wanted it. Did 28k in the six months I ran it. Deceased now though.
 

 
Amazingly, R11 Electronic #2 is still about too. Recently seen on eBay looking sorry for itself.
 

 
The one I most regret selling is this one. Seemingly dead now but if it wasn't I'd have it back in an instant.
 

 
As for a few others. Nothing but memories and the odd photo now
 

The majority of mine are now dead. There's a handful that might have survived the great weighbridge in the sky or that I'd even like back...
 

 
Sold to the James Hull collection and subsequently to JLR so still around albeit seemingly never used since I sold it. Hoping it might turn up at a Brightwells Auction when JLR dispose of a few more of the collection.
 

 
Proper R11 Electronic with everything working. Sold it when they were worth buttons and I'd lost my old car mojo. Still around though. Unlike this, which sort of replaced it...
 

 
Alfa seemingly died in scrappage in around 2009. Body was mint and mechanically it was pretty good after I'd spent way too much on it. Electrical bits were exactly as you'd expect though.
 
Technically not mine but I really liked this one. First car I'd been able to pick and spec to how I wanted it. Did 28k in the six months I ran it. Deceased now though.
 

 
Amazingly, R11 Electronic #2 is still about too. Recently seen on eBay looking sorry for itself.
 

 
The one I most regret selling is this one. Seemingly dead now but if it wasn't I'd have it back in an instant.
 

 
As for a few others. Nothing but memories and the odd photo now
 

Theres one or two. But tbh honest I'm chuffed to bits with them regardless - 
 
Monday night challenged oldest Lobster_child to a game of Top Trumps. He was somewhat blown away when he discovered that our van was included in the cards

Theres one or two. But tbh honest I'm chuffed to bits with them regardless - 
 
Monday night challenged oldest Lobster_child to a game of Top Trumps. He was somewhat blown away when he discovered that our van was included in the cards

That was flippin' ace.  Superb day out, R4 behaved itself. Nice to see a few familiar faces and to meet a few more
 
Would have been nice to have gone to FoD afterwards but maybe thats something for next year.
 
Also, Hagerty Jazz Mag Souvenir Book and Top Trumps are fantastic.

Theres one or two. But tbh honest I'm chuffed to bits with them regardless - 
 
Monday night challenged oldest Lobster_child to a game of Top Trumps. He was somewhat blown away when he discovered that our van was included in the cards

Theres one or two. But tbh honest I'm chuffed to bits with them regardless - 
 
Monday night challenged oldest Lobster_child to a game of Top Trumps. He was somewhat blown away when he discovered that our van was included in the cards

Combined my visit with a collection.
Train down to that there London at 8, then out to the west to Basingstoke.
Meet at the station by the nice man selling, drove to his garage.
Jumped in and set off for Stowe. Parked in the NT next door and walked over to the ultimate field of dreams.
Saw lots of shitters cars and meet up with a few familiar faces.
Can I just say, the Seat hearse...OMG.
Then home, no drama, cars perfect, which is a first.

Flew back to Nottingham - roads were dead because of the England game I think.
 
Saw a lot of Shiters' cars but not their owners, sadly. Ghosty took me under his wing and we had a lovely meander through the field admiring some superchod.
 
Good to see Mr Lobster's concours Renner 4 - we hung around for moral support during the prizegiving, but no rosettes sadly.
 
Nodded at Dollywobbler who was being mobbed by Invalickers - at least I got to touch the chariot of blue.
 
Did grab the book and Top Trumps, not bad for a fiver.
 
Super weather, lovely vibe around the place, decent live music. Posh gaff, very posh.
 
Even though the Streetshite was parked up in the spectators' field it did get papped by someone !

Did I like the Festival of the Unexceptional - Yes
 
Did I like my choice of car to take - Yes
 
 

I can only doft my cap to Simcat of this parish who in the space of 2years has transformed his early Alpine from this...
to this...
An amazing achievement!!

Now for the concourse photos, starting with this Mazda 929 estate.
 

 
Wartburg 353
 

 
Poverty spec 340
 

 
With the theme of base trim being continued with this Mk3 Escort
 

 
Delightful Sierra L 4 SPEED
 


 
VW 412 and Renault 16
 


 
Additional Fiat 131
 


 
Cortina GL
 

 
Mk2 Astra 1.3 Estate
 

 
Metro VP, look at all that chrome, leather and wood. That is what luxury* is all about.
 


 
100 Estate
 

 
Autoshite member's CX up there 
 

 
First time seeing a 104 in the flesh
 

 
Volvo 360 and 213 together
 


 
This Renault 11 was possibly my favourite car of the show. Everything about it was just perfect.
 


 
Stunning Cavalier coupe
 

 
Fiat 125
 

 
Non-turbo 900 saloon
 

 
Very late Avenger
 

 
Ex-Flat4Alfa Trevi
 


 
1st place winning Chrysler Alpine
 

 
Bluebird with a very entertaining display alongside it.
 



 
Harvest Gold Allegro
 

 
People's choice winning Strada
 

 
 
Manufacturers also brought along some of their previous vehicles too
 




 
And previous winners also came along too
 






 
Invacar and Dacia shot
 

 
Which was followed by an Autoshite group shot
 


 
Overall, a great day out (aside from the bloody sunburn). Really enjoyable time at the Festival and at the Field of Dreams chatting to others, and scaring myself shitless on the moped. I would like to thank Mr and Mrs Six-Cylinder for hosting us at the FoD, Flat4Alfa for the headlights (and the spin in the 5 Series), Ghosty for picking me up on the way in (after leaving the 75 in a lay-by about 2 miles away from the Festival), Catsinthewelder for giving me a lift back out to the car and everyone for being such great company for the day. It was a pleasure to meet all of you, and I just wish that there was time to stick around for more. Hopefully I shall bump into you all again in the not to distant future.