Vantman Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 Slightly off topic @barrett i know you have an interest in kit cars and i found this article in a 1966 local pub guide i have and thought it might interest you-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted April 1, 2020 Author Share Posted April 1, 2020 Interesting! I think they mean 'Marwyn', not 'Marvin', as that was the marque acquired by Cyril Kieft before he founded his eponymous firm. I do have a vague recollection of Kieft being a publican in later life, so that must be him Vantman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethj Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 As we’re rambling around the topic here, I wonder if part of the reason for the Austin 7 being the standard for control positions is they were made under license in different countries. It wasn’t just popular in Britain but DKW made it in Germany and wasn’t it the first Datsun too? somewhatfoolish and LightBulbFun 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted May 27, 2020 Author Share Posted May 27, 2020 Hi Shite gang! There hasn't been a huge amount to report at Barrett Acres recently tbh, what with 'the situation' and all. Obviously lots of people have been using this time to tinker with their old motors, but being heavily reliant on more skilled people to do anything more than basic maintenance on my fleet, I haven't really been able to achieve much. After loads of faffing, the braking system of the Humber is now, seemingly, all fully functional. It's had a rebuilt master cylinder, new front calipers and pads, new rear wheel cylinders, new pipes etc so it's pretty much all brand spanking and ready for action. This mostly came together last weekend, after which I had my first proper drive in the car. Obviously it still needs loads of tinkering to get it running bob-on, but for a quick blast round the block it was pretty enjoyable. It's less refined than I was expecting, with a real exhaust boom and some proper fruity noises under acceleration, but it seems to move about fairly well (no idea how well as the speedo doesn't work). Sadly, the flipping thing boiled over after a couple of laps of the test circuit!! This evening Panhard Gary came over and fitted a new thermostat and we flushed the rad, but it boiled up pretty quickly so I think the rad has to come out first of all so 'a man' can have a proper go at flushing it out. the carb's all up the spout again, too, so that needs to come off for a going-over. Feels a bit one step forward, two steps back tbh, but I suppose we'll get there eventually. Anyway, with the brakes sorted I celebrated by putting the trim embellishers and hub caps on for the first time in my ownership. Looks a million times better! This is also the first time I have ever taken any photos of it. Sorry about the glamorous location. EDIT to add: It's got a new set of Michelin Xs on it too which are probably worth more than the car... Needs a proper clean at some point, but I'm still v into the way this old heap looks. I like that these pics disguise the fact the rear quarter panel/wheelarch has basically disintegrated completely, too. I would quite like to send this away to somebody who knows what they're doing to just sort everything out and not give it back until it's all fixed, rather than plugging away at little bits every now and then, but that requires more money than I'm likely to have any time soon (PLEASE BUY MY 404 SOMEBODY) I also gave the Xantia its first wash in my ownership, and took my first photgraphs of it. Wahsing off a year's worth of road muck was quite satisfying although it's a bit more obvious how shonky it is now. It won't be clean for long, though. Does look like a cool old bus in the evening light though I reckon Whilst I had the camera out, I took a couple of shots of the Pall, showing the sidelamps and spare wheel now fitted. Looking forward to driving this again soon, it feels like ages since I've been out in it Gave the 404 a quick wash to get the worst of the dust off, as it was depressing me every time I looked in the shed. Now everything's tucked up again, now doubt not to be touched for another six months or whatever. I did take a photo of the Panhard and Heron, but tbh that's too depressing to look at. That's it, my pointless shite update. Cheers! SiC, RoadworkUK, Joey spud and 21 others 24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadworkUK Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 Outrageous, the way Alfa Romeo ripped off the Sceptre's dashboard Three Speed, LightBulbFun and paulplom 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted July 1, 2020 Author Share Posted July 1, 2020 Hmmm. stopped at a junction and noticed a waft of steam escaping from the Xantia bonnet. Seems to have a small leak from somewhere - lots of muddy brown coolant on the floor (well, not lots, but enough to be noticeable) and it's running very hot. No mayo in the oil filler. I'll refill the coolant tomorrow and see what happens, but it's not likely to be good news, is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyG Posted July 1, 2020 Share Posted July 1, 2020 Sounds like an excuse to get the Sceptre on the road! Looks great, and that’s one of my all-time favourite dashboards, although someone at Rootes had obviously been in a 58-62 Corvette at some point, judging by the instrument binnacle /dash grab handle design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 I'm on a bus! This can only mean one thing... Poo count: 0 loserone, Lacquer Peel, egg and 7 others 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bell Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Gan canny brave collectioneer. Hope it's something ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC or COMPLETELY DREADFUL. LightBulbFun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 This is the first public transport I've taken since February. All very odd. Now I'm on a train! Is that destination board a clue? Who knows. Jim Bell, egg, LightBulbFun and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davehedgehog31 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Chodspeed intrepid traveller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramz7 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Obvs I know what this is, good luck getting it, not that anything should go wrong....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loserone Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 He's bought a toyota corolla. I suppose #28 must be some kind of mid life crisis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 It's not a Corolla. Just reached Gatwick after a slow start. I've finished my book already. Fortunately I brought another one along. Can't see anyone else on the train at all but the mask is staying on. And no, I haven't had a haircut for a while. BorniteIdentity, MorrisItalSLX, LightBulbFun and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVee8 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 A shirt and a jacket for a collection,ummm must be a Rolls, presumably a Wraith.. LightBulbFun and paulplom 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 Not a Rolls. Isn't a shirt and jacket minimum standard for leaving the house? Currently enjoying an unscheduled stop at Finsbury park with a wait for another train, but I think I've broken the back of it now Jim Bell, DVee8, UltraWomble and 3 others 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 I've arrived. Short walk through this shithole now... Jim Bell 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 I can see it! Coprolalia, privatewire, Jim Bell and 8 others 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartacus Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Suspense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 Poo count: 0 Golf ball count: 1 Jim Bell, Asimo, egg and 2 others 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asimo Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 What is parked between the Ami and the sign? (I am assuming that it doesn't have a golf-knob) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 The 'thing' is that Andy Saunders Citroen CX. That's not what I bought. But this is: Fabergé Greggs, Lacquer Peel, RobT and 13 others 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bell Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Nice! Like the golf knob. Hope it came with two in case you get a hole in one. BorniteIdentity, stripped fred, wuvvum and 8 others 5 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulplom Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Back in the early 90's when I was on community service, our 'team leader' had white one of these new. He used to ferry us around prime litter picking areas in it. I was in awe of it's newness and supreme ride comfort. I dreamt of the day I would own one. Very jealous. DVee8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 Right, well had a bit of a nightmare journey back (due to traffic and poor sense of direction, not car) but I'm home now. So, what is it? It's a 1996 SX with XUD POWAH. It's really nice to drive a car that has some torque again. It's a two owner car, the last has had it from 1999. He was a Citroen mechanic and latterly a mechanic at Chevronics so it's been well looked after. Have a look at the MoT history if you can be arsed - never had a single advisory! It's done just over 100k and drives beautifully. I've already replaced the gold ball with my WOODEN NOB from the VSX. I thought the stereo didn't work, but it seemed to have burst into life now so I've actually got sounds!! No aux cable and one duff speaker, but at least I have R4 or CDs. I found a quid in the ashtray, but despite that it's still the most expensive of my five Xantias buy a factor of 2.5. It does seem, possibly, like it might be the nicest one though. No doubt I'll be eating those words soon. Verdict: goodxant. Would drive again. Edit: a totally its had five owners, I think I just made that up from wishful thinking. phil_lihp, Cookiesouwest, Jim Bell and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bell Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 GBH. Great reg for fans of the Brummie punk band. All three of them. Looks like a cracker man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cord Fourteener Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 Nice buy! Well done sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tetleysmooth Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 Love that Sceptre, I'd even break my 'no manuals' rule for that. A car I've wanted all my driving life, but never owned. Alas, well out of my price range now I fear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tetleysmooth Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 Love that Sceptre, I'd even break my 'no manuals' rule for that. A car I've wanted all my driving life, but never owned. Alas, well out of my price range now I fear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 I've done 300 miles in this heap already and I'm pretty pleased with it. The brakes feel a bit graunchy but otherwise it seems to drive spot-on. Everything works including electric mirrors and sun roof (I took a risk as it was such a nice day today) but the rev counter only works sporadically. Also it occasionally pings up this warning light, which I have never seen in any of my four previous Xants. Anyone know? Looks like a sphere or an lhm reservoir, perhaps? LightBulbFun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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