Stondon closing down

[holbeck]

Bah! It's so inconvenient working on Saturday's.

[flat4alfa]

Depending on the success of today, tomorrow and Monday could be pt.2 and 3 respectively, complete with portable BBQs and camp attire sneaked indoors for a homage-to-chod event.  WCPGW?

 

 

I'll be there Midday today though

[tooSavvy]

Im not going.....

 

Re: Saturday working - I am/not

 

I'm doing 7 from today & my call list (last night) showed 1 @ Hull.

6pm and they ring to confirm 'no part avail'=Sat off

 

YaY

 

 

TS

[Skizzer]

I'd have been up for this except brother-in-law and brood are coming to visit so there's a three line whip on staying at home.  

 

Take pictures, people - we expect a full and detailed report (including a view on whether their Ro80 is worth a cheeky bid when it comes up at auction).

[greengartside]

If I had the funds then I'd come down as well - I only heard about this place by accident whilst looking through Trigger's Flickr account.

 

Yes plenty of pictures should be taken as this will be the last time the cars are all together :-(

 

I'd like the Mk1 Fezzy or the TR7 if I had the money or a garage.

[Semi-C]

Truly rated the Stondon visit, much want for the FSO 125 estate and the Chrysler Sunbeam.

Drooled my way down in convoy behind trigger's lush Mk3. Following that safely is like talking to somebody hot who has erect nipples, you try to pay attention to what is going on but you just can't help staring.

Apologies for not sticking around for too long, would've liked to have met and put some faces to names but I had to attend to a non starting Cortina of my own.

Social etiquette gr-32,

Must try harder,

See me.

[scruff]

I am tempted to run down on Monday, anyone else?

[Lord Sterling]

Had a great day today, big, BIG thanks to FPB7 for picking me up, running me down, getting me into the Museum and running me back up from Stondon. What a bloke. Had a great day, loved the Mk1 827Si which was a surprise to see there, naturally took loads of pics. Was great to finally meet some more of the Autoshite KREW, particularly Trigger in his lush Cortina, which lets face it, is basically the car version of Trigger, also great to meet with Partridge in his lush Sterling. Thanks for letting me drive around the car park Sam! It felt like being in 2013 when I last had my KV6 Sterling on the road, all so familar!

 

Many of the cars, although look nice are pretty rough if truth be told.

 

Best bit was when went to quickly mess with the rather forlorn looking White CX

 

Will sort my pics out so watch this space....

[trigger]

What a fantastic meet up! 200 miles in the Cortina to road test the new gearbox which has made the world of difference to driving it.

 

I forgot to say Semi-C, did you see that old boy nearly take me out in Henlow town centre on the cross roads?! How much wider did he want to take that corner?!

 

It was good to meet up you all, much fun and bargains were had in the shop/cafe area, I'm still jealous of the Dodge Spacevan poster that my mate bought!.

 

Most, if not all of the cars are very ropey so if anyone is thinking about buying something then be warned, they might not have a floor in them!

[Inspector Morose]

Report:

 

Picked up Lord Sterling.

Drove to Stonton in the BX.

Amazingly reached museum without drama.

Spent all day perving over various shite cars in various states of decay.

Met many other like minded people.

Had a cup of coffe with a number of those people.

Took many pictures.

Got chucked out of museum so they could close gates.

Drove home back to birmingham uneventfully.

Dropped Lord Sterling home.

Went home.

[flat4alfa]

That went well 

 

Met up a whole bunch of you fellas, Mytocon and biker crew from Popular Classics, and also bumped into Mike Humble of ARonline fame.

 

For once, and obviously belated, the car park was rammed full and spread out onto the roadside.

 

 

Cars?  Some right special* condition museum pieces parked shoulder-to-shoulder with very occasional gems.  Where else can you find a Rover 827i take the shine off the Silver Wraith II parked next to it?  Sploshed over the Applejack green Allegro VP, momentry angst over the Cherry N10, yet saw myself in the mauve Morris 2200 Landcrap along with the silver Viceroy with faded red interior. Decision was made on a no to red Ambastadors.  

 

The library* was flogging brochures and magazines for 20p a time. I spent under a tenner and have hidden the heavyish bag from Wife.

 

Later on, when turfed out way past closing time; the remainder of the Autoshiters took photos

 

 

A selected set of phone cam hit and hope photos to come.

 

Or should be do a proper photo thread?  

[Skizzer]

Proper photos please, lots of, ya buggers.

[Six-cylinder]

A great day out.

 

 

This is the one that is going to cause all the trouble at home!

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Not taxed since 99, wonder if it runs ? I suppose mechanicals are easy enough to fix , the bumpers might be a different matter. Although if you wanted it to look even more like a Jag, it seems XJ6 ones fit.

[RobT]

^^You're a brave man if you buy that De Tomaso, looks like it needs loads of work!

 

Browsing the Brightwells catalogue neither the Cherry nor the 827Si appear, which is a shame as those are probably two of the best in there as lots of the cars look ropey close up. I'm really taken with the Metro Scout which is in the sale, looks in good nick plus the conversion is a quality job to start with. Must not entertain such thoughts, as the engine and other components are all probably fucked through lack of use.

[trigger]

I think bumpers are the least of your worries if you saw the pile of rust on the floor under the nearside rear wheel arch!

[Six-cylinder]

I think bumpers are the least of your worries if you saw the pile of rust on the floor under the nearside rear wheel arch!

 

Bodywork is Bodywork and how hard is it to fix a Ford V8?

 

Mrs Cylinder is on side, so how much is is worth?

[scruff]

I got the hots for the Austin 10 Lichfield. The Seven chummy will go mental methinks.

[trigger]

Due to my recent unfortunate camera/coke incident I haven't got any decent photos, only mobile ones but here's a few highlights.

 

Semi-C's Samara.

 

 

 

I'm not sure who's this is but it rocks a fat one.

 

 

 

 

 

More holey sills.

 

[trigger]

This 41k 827 was fit.

 

 

Another odd ball.

 

 

This 25k Cherry was about one of the best cars there.

 

 

 

This was hanging

 

 

Although these BMW's are stunning this one was another example of needing major restoration.

 

 

 

This 101k Alpine was minging, I think a cat had died in it.

 

 

[trigger]

 

The Autoshite massive

 

 

 

It looks like they have been trying to get some of the vehicles to run again.

 

 

The Massive also got every excited over the manky CX!

 

 

 

 

The collection got a bit too much for the AA patrol man.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Inspector Morose]

AAARGGGHH! You've photographed me! I will now disappear into a pile of ash. You have taken my soul.

[quicksilver]

Shame I went last weekend, if I'd known you guys were planning a big get together I could have postponed my trip and met some more shiters Looks like a good time was had by all and the place was unusually busy. It's certainly a fascinating place but looked very untidy and neglected and the pouring rain and howling wind when I was there really didn't help. So many excellent exhibits I really can't choose a favourite but many of them have been off the road in those leaky sheds for a loooong time so recommissioning them could be fun*. The place will be missed and I now know how I would spend my lottery winnings - I'd build a new Stondon but rather more weatherproof!

 

My photos are at https://www.flickr.com/photos/quicksilver_coaches/sets/72157651216035929/

 

Why is that poor old CX outside? At one time it seems to have been inside and it looks so sad all alone out there.

[skattrd]

How bad was that Deauville?

[Inspector Morose]

The sad part is that it was one mans collection, his mind played out in mechanical form and it will soon be disbanded never to be seen again.

 

On the other hand it will be good to see some being put out of their misery. If that place was to continue, the bill to make some of the exhibits structurally sound would bankrupt them for sure.

 

I was torn after leaving there. I'm genuinely sad it's closing but I did despair at the way some of the cars have been kept and maintained. I know they only have to look nice, I've done motor museum curation, but some were just badly kept and it showed.

[Inspector Morose]

How bad was that Deauville?

It's stood a long time but saveable. Apart from the obvious lack of bumpers body was fair to scabby, the interior was all there but reasonably tidy. Mechanically it looked okay but would need a fair bit to put back on the road. A worthwhile project but for someone with deeper pockets than I.

[flat4alfa]

Bodywork is Bodywork and how hard is it to fix a Ford V8?

 

Mrs Cylinder is on side, so how much is is worth?

It has to be done

[Inspector Morose]

Seconded. Six cylinder, you are it's only hope!

[Sloth in a bowl]

AAARGGGHH! You've photographed me! I will now disappear into a pile of ash. You have taken my soul.

 

 

Andy, you left your soul on the back seat of a knackered bus, many years ago. There is only the faint wiff of high sulfur diesel and and hot LHM left.

[chaseracer]

There is only the faint wiff of high sulfur diesel and and hot LHM left.

 

I'd wondered what that was, but never liked to mention it...