Delivery/Collection - CtP delivery service raffle special

[Craig the Princess]

Ah, yes the Vectra made it back perfectly. Full update to follow but was to tired to do it after driving back yesterday zzzzzz

[Craig the Princess]

So Friday night had been spent washing the Saab, a quick T-cut to the bootlid where some overpaint of the shed had been added and an all over polish. Up at the crack of 7am on Saturday to try and get ready. Eventually we were almost there getting Jack settled in first

 

I thought it looked quite good (bar the door damage), why is it the car always looks at its best as you sell it?

 

Beautiful sunshine so roof down, got about 5 miles and Jack wouldn't settle due to the wind so the roof went up, just in time as shortly after the rain came, and continued to come for about 2 hours. Some of which was spent sitting on the A14 after some chode in a Land Rover with an event food stall trailer managed to flip it over and dump their kitchen in the inside lane.

 

Still at least the mpg was decent

 

We stopped at Corley services on the M6 for a pit stop and saw this Alfa in the car park (I was a little excited)

 

Then on the M6 and actual MG3 out in the wild!

 

We met with Chaseracer who was giving a wheel/tyre to Eddy at a truck stop near Cannock (and was only half an hour late which is pretty good for us). Very nice to meet another AS'er and see his Mercedes 190 (and I can't believe I didn't get a picture of it next to the Saab). Chaseracer had a little spin up to the roundabout and back during which time it started to rain which curtailed a go in the Mercedes as Mrs the Princess was in the rain :-S

 

A fairly quite run up the M6 with improving weather then turned of towards Barrow. A slight error missing the turn cost 10 miles going towards Kendal in error but we soon got back in the right direction, the Saab behaving really well. On approach to Barrow we saw a sign saying coastal road to Barrow so took that which was a lovely winding road alongside the bay. We arrived at the B&B around 4pm, spotting this Granada on the approach

 

Jack was impressed by the room

 

Eddy came over in the Vectra and it was a pleasure to meet him, we had a good chat and Dave gave us some places to walk Jack and to eat that night. We decided to change cars the next morning as it worked for Eddy's insurance so agreed to meet after breakfast Sunday morning. The car park was a bit muddy so as soon as Jack got into the Saab his paw-prints were everywhere.

 

We followed Eddy to the beach and had a long game of Squeeky ball in the sand and then to get the sand off in the long grass near the beach. Then a dinner of Frankie and Benny's left us well fed.

[Craig the Princess]

Sunday morning breakfast at the B&B post walking Jack in the local park, a really nice cooked breakfast set up the day.

 

The room we were upgraded to had a 4 post bed!

 

Jack certainly didn't want to leave

 

Eddy arrived so paperwork was exchanged, a roof was dropped, sticker applied and the cars Wollarded

 

Eddy very kindly included two very tasty baked goods in the Vectra's boot which were very gladly accepted. Here is the Vectra in all it's glory

 

After saying goodbyes we decided to go to Piel Island off of the coast at Barrow accessed by a tiny ferry. A small island in the bay it has a ruined castle, a pub and 8 houses, what more do you need? Howabout the Landlord being the king of the island only being allowed to start after being carried to the pub and covered in alcohol. The only requirements are for a heavy smoker and drinker.

 

 

However the Vectra would have been a crap king as it doesn't smoke and was seemingly economical. When the car was picked up from Eddy the rear doors were unlocked but would not open from inside or out. When we got back from the island I set the alarm off opening the door with the key after closing it with the fob. I closed the driver's door again and locked andunlocked with the fob. I tried the rear door again to see if it could give any clues as it why it wouldn't open

 

The amazing self-fixing car!

 

We stopped at the The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway for lunch, no time for a train ride but a bacon sandwich was a good second prize.

 

A really nice drive on the way back, good radio/CD player, very quiet at speed and working air-con made for a very good first impression.

We went back Via the M61 and when past the famous farm

 

 

After picking up AS lurker Beige100 at Blyth services The Vectra continued to waft down the M62 and A1 keeping it's temperature just below the middle of the gauge with no untoward noises. Around 15 miles from home it ticked over 100,000 miles

and finally home for a well deserved rest

 

It hasn't used any oil or water so all in all very pleased and I hope it will give my Dad good service. It also reduces the fleet size by one which is good news really. It doesn't have the flashy folding roof but I'd had my fun with the Saab, after bashing the door I never felt happy as I felt I had ruined it a bit, hopefully Eddy can get it sorted.

 

Plans for the Vectra? A wash and polish before my Dad picks it up on Saturday, will try and look at the passenger side window switch which wasn't working and the cruise control which lit the light on the dash for a brief second but didn;t come on. If they are all that is wrong with it I am very very happy. Would use Autoshite swapping services in future. Big thanks for Eddy for sorting out the Vectra and recommending dinner.

[eddyramrod]

Glad to help!  That Vectra's a good car on the whole, it just wasn't really my thing.  The Saab is much closer!  I think sometimes you just need to move something on, and that something needs a fresh hand on it.  There's been a lot of that this weekend.  Hope Dad is going to be happy with it.

[Pillock]

Cruise control - check the clutch pedal switch, I've found the ones of Vauxhalls of that era to be very sensitive, if you even just wave your foot near the clutch it cuts the cruise out. Took me ages to work out why the CC wouldn't work on a brand new hired Vectra - I drive with my foot resting on the pedal.

 

My Astra though doesn't cut the CC when you press the clutch, you can go up through the gears whilst "restoring" cruising speed - press RES in second at 20mph, it'll take you to 70 as you change gears. Weird.

[Craig the Princess]

Thanks for the hint Pillock, will have a look tomorrow. It could well have been my foot on the clutch.

[Craig the Princess]

Vectra washed but looks dirtier than it did before, will try again tomorrow with the two bucket method.

 

Tried to stick the little Vauxhall badge back onto the keyfob.

 

[Craig the Princess]

Front passenger window switch wasn't working, now works but needs a bit more use to be perfect after being taken apart and cleaned with electrical cleaner.

 

Also filled it with fuel, 36.2 mpg on that tank of mainly motorway and decent A-road driving. Only hiccup was leaving my wallet at home and having to go back to get it

[Craig the Princess]

Only just refound this thread, gladly the Vectra is still providing my dad's transport and passed its mot recently.

 

Tomorrow will see another ctp delivery service outing tomorrow.

 

Alarm set

 

Jack the dog and I get the train at 7.44 tomorrow.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Oooosh windows phone, WINNER

[Jim Bell]

Interesting. Will definitely watch.

Two minute lie ins are for masochists.

[vulgalour]

I recognise those numbers but they appear to not have a PM after them.  What new madness is this?

[Craig the Princess]

Now on train after being stuck behind a total nuisance (not what I called him in the car) in a tractor not helped by the 5 drivers behind too scared to overtake.

This meant parking in the station car park so £5.10 for nothing, and breathe after a run through the car park.

 

Jack is relaxing on the train however

 

[Craig the Princess]

Quick change at Peterborough (not even going to day how much they tried to charge me for an orange juice!).

 

Quick ride on a class 153, known as a dog box and Jack liked what he sees

http://

www.imageshack.com/a/img905/3264/ecjbbd.jpg

[holbeck]

Quick change at Peterborough (not even going to day how much they tried to charge me for an orange juice!).

 

Quick ride on a class 153, known as a dog box and Jack liked what he sees

http://

www.imageshack.com/a/img905/3264/ecjbbd.jpg

Embarrassingly, I've actually driven that PoS.

[sporty-shite]

Went to check the levels this morning before Craig collected, and found a water leak from the bottom of the radiator. Not to worry, I've got one off the breaker, I thought. 20 minutes later, radiator changed, no leaks. So I celebrated by giving it a wash and vac, seeing as it was pretty mucky.

 

Here it is, ready to go.

 

[Craig the Princess]

Now arrived at home, will update in a bit but the car was faultless.

 

Unlike the driving standards of Lincolnshire's LGV drivers.

[Craig the Princess]

So the train delivered me to a Lincoln where I just about caught a bus (Jack made it easily). No time for a picture but the bus was modern and purple.

 

Jack had a rest, I kept a look out as I didn't know where the village was.

 

Anyway, arrived and met. ruffgeezer had kindly had the ZX ready having been checked over on Friday.

 

Had to chuckle at the Laguna 2 for sale with sold as seen in the window. Also saw the Citroen home of remembrance, quite a sight.

 

Entered the keypad code thing (what a pain in the arse) and chug chug chug. Ruffgeezer got a jump start from his daily and very kindly put £10 of diesel in it.

 

 

Jack settled in

 

and off we went. ZX set to demist and it settled in nicely. The drivers door seemed to rattle at idle but was fine on the move. For 163,500 miles it was very solid, 3rd gear slightly notchy the only fault I could find. Eventually got too the A1 and across to the M62. Stopped at Harthead Moor services and checked the battery low phone, message from sporty-shite saying he needed the v5 number to tax it, oops.

 

Shiny in the sun. I wimped out and put another £10 of diesel in, due to the ZX gauge being so small I don't think it needed it.

 

Anyway, after a big argument with the sat nav which wanted to take an extra two hours to get there and I stupidly tried the sunroof which stuck a quarter inch open. I arrived and sporty-shite met me with a week needed soft drink. Lucky he didn't seem to phased by this. ZX did 150 minutes without missing a beat.

 

So roffle ZX met roffle Celica

 

And I was on my way, slightly lower and faster.

 

Got very lost leaving Bolton despite clear instructions but stopped to get some petrol

 

Heard on the radio of problems on the M6 so came back via the M62, Celica powering back as darkness fell. Very different feel the Celica to my Rover coupé with ask the poet coming from 3,000 rpm up.

Cruised along the M62, A1 and A17 where the traffic built.

Celica seats are quite firm but not too bad for a four hour, 190 mile drive home. Used less than half the tank too.

 

Celica off to crusty sills tomorrow.

 

Tl:Dr two 163,000 miles cars did almost 350 miles faultlessly (apart from that sunroof, sorry). 90s cars are the best.

[Craig the Princess]

Thanks to ruffgeezer and sporty-shite for making the journeys so easy and being yet more top blokes on Autoshite.

[sporty-shite]

Thanks to Craig the Princess for taking a day to deliver shite for us all. Was a pleasure to meet you and Jack. 

 

*cap doffed*

 

Footnote: hope it doesn't rain tonight, because I haven't even looked at that sunroof!!

[purplebargeken]

I can also verify that CtP is a most excellent AS delivering resource. 

 

Doggie is ace too. 

[vulgalour]

Either Savvy did some of the write up or there's some autocorrect happening, some things didn't make much sense.  That said, looks like a great day shuffling rafflecars around, I imagine £20 diesel in the ZX will see it sorted for fuel until next year.

[Craig the Princess]

Either Savvy did some of the write up or there's some autocorrect happening, some things didn't make much sense.

The cars did 350 miles much better than I did

 

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[beko1987]

Easily 250 miles worth of derv in the zx now! I brimmed mine with £45 and will see 480 if I don't hoon it everywhere...

[ruffgeezer]

Sorry I didn't have more time to chat Craig, and sorrier still to Sporty whose driveway once home to a fine but of jap engineering only to be replaced by a filtt Gallic sshed.

[the judge]

WTF is going on? Autocorrect flu?

[Crusty Sills]

Craig has just dropped of my Roffle Celica.

Top bloke who I will thoroughly recommend for his delivery prowess.

ZX Lincs to Bolton Celica from Bolton to Norfolk and doing it to drive some nice* cars and meet fellow shiters.

Thank you Sporty Shite for the car and thanks again to Craig the Princess.

Now living the 1995 dream with 2 N reg cars! If only I was back at college!!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

How does this work, is CTP the offical AS roadside trade-plate waver then? I know he was employed to shift my old 25GTi up to Dave_Shitpeas a while back although i never met him. If someone can do a Crimewatch Videofit of him I'll keep an eye open on sliproads etc when i'm out and about

[Crusty Sills]

I believe he is Autoshite Delivery Incorporated.

 

From what I can recall of him he looks like this:

 

[Craig the Princess]

Wish I had that much hair left!

 

No trade plates (sadly) but rail staff discounted train travel and drive any vehicle with owner's permission insurance mean it is a pretty cheap way of moving the car around. That said only really any good if the car is in or going to the East Midlands/East Anglia/London.