HMC Quattroporte assaulted

42,868 · February 15

2 hours ago, HMC said:

We seemed to get appreciation for not taking a typical trials car, and for how incongruous it looks when it was being eased up avery rocky and muddy hillsides in Exmoor

Re: surprising capability- we got further up the following hill than the orange bob hatted team one car ahead (in a little austin 7 with minimal bodywork)

60,930 · February 15

Did you meet Cressida?

14,320 · February 15

1 hour ago, HMC said:

Re: surprising capability- we got further up the following hill than the orange bob hatted team one car ahead (in a little austin 7 with minimal bodywork)

Maybe down to better driving skillz? Did you win a prize for having the most passengers?

42,868 · February 15

53 minutes ago, wuvvum said:

Did you meet Cressida?

No, didnt even see the Delage.

42,868 · February 15

24 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

Maybe down to better driving skillz? Did you win a prize for having the most passengers?

Not sure. My Russian co driver needed a visit to the local coop for some alcohol after our initial 4 hills at Ringcombe where my technique needed people to be sedated 😂

60,930 · February 15

That was just an excuse to pick up some more of that rather nice Cornish vodka...

12,561 · February 16

19 hours ago, HMC said:

SUCCESS!*

* We got muddy, got lost, made friends and most importantly had fun.

Brilliant. Absolutely bloody brilliant. The kids will remember that forever. Well done. Awesome. 😎

3,946 · February 16

Just went for a little drive up the M5 around Gloucester and spotted what must have been some of your competitors headed home on trailers.

You did it properly!

42,868 · February 17

42,868 · February 17

1,700 · February 17

Great to see. Looks a brilliant time. When I did the clee hill trial there was a group of guys in this which looked right laugh as well. You going to do the lands end Trial now then?

10,930 · February 18

I admire your attitude to old cars and that you were not concerned about getting your very old car totally covered in mud. I cry if any of my toys as much as drive through a puddle of clean water.

Love your work, keep it up.

42,868 · February 18

Boom.

I decided that @Steve79 ‘s xk8 bargain grand tourer was worth owning again. Was great to meet you steve. Handover woolard captured.

6,776 · February 19

Brilliant, just brilliant.

I shall now set a reminder to read in another 2 weeks where no doubt you will have ‘overlanded’ the farina to Uzbekistan.

4,004 · February 19

Pleasure to meet you. Thoroughly enjoying Rover75 ownership again. Whether it's enough to make me want to sell the Mondeo remains to be seen

42,868 · February 19

The worlds slowest competition car…

from about 24 mins.

Low power but quite good traction (maybe it was the weight over the rear axle and thin tyres?)

60,930 · February 19

I assume most of the cars were mechanically modified in some way? That red fabric-bodied Austin 7 was doing about 5,000rpm at one point - there's no way a standard A7 engine would do that without bits of conrod flying around the moor.

24,546 · February 19

Will you do it again?

42,868 · February 19

1 hour ago, wuvvum said:

I assume most of the cars were mechanically modified in some way? That red fabric-bodied Austin 7 was doing about 5,000rpm at one point - there's no way a standard A7 engine would do that without bits of conrod flying around the moor.

I think some had been breathed on. There is a series of classes, in theory to reflect this.

class 1 /2 (based on wheelbase) then subdivisions a b c, based on level of standardness (or lack of) the 12/4 was in 2a (long wheelbase, standard) I had to submit various photos to be given the “standard” classification - but I would imagine its not hard to sidestep things if you were being naughty.

As i was without a “support” vehicle, and was driven to and from, i was mindful of not going 11/10ths and blowing the engine up. Although apparently the flathead 5 bearing 4 is renowned for being indestructible. It sort of chugged itself up hills with the low rpm torque it has. Felt a bit like a n/a diesel so I drove it to suit its characteristics.

42,868 · February 19

1 hour ago, junkyarddog said:

Will you do it again?

Definitely. I dont think ill do anything outside the southwest as i liked driving to and from the event (past lots of trailers!) as it feels to be in the spirit of it to my eyes. Plus I have to therefore keep it for a year 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

but in theory, yes.

Next trip is to france at easter.

42,868 · February 19

After my co driver started on wine during a lengthly lunch break (brought on by my driving) , we i think Did about 7 of the 11 hills in between getting lost 4 times and damaging the exhaust, and then went to our hotel for further refreshments. Hence we failed to return to post any results back at the start/ finish location….

Whoops! Botton of class! But it has whetted my appetite to make more of an effort next year.

The plucky, lumbering Austin may never trump the 3.3L Model A’s with basically a thumping twice the displacment but recon we could have been lower mid field, if we hadnt been so disorganised. But to be honest I just loved the experience. It felt very British and very pointless (literally in our case) 😂

42,868 · February 19

Also thanks again to @grogee who kindly sent me a Jag XK8 book last autumn, now the car is back again at HMC motors l’m re- reading it.

17,704 · February 19

3 minutes ago, HMC said:

Also thanks again to @grogee who kindly sent me a Jag XK8 book last autumn, now the car is back again at HMC motors l’m re- reading it.

@Cluffy is also partially to blame/thank, but you're welcome.

I imagine you might have to breathe in a bit while attempting to pass in the lanes in an XK8

19,857 · February 19

6 hours ago, HMC said:

The worlds slowest competition car…

from about 24 mins.

Low power but quite good traction (maybe it was the weight over the rear axle and thin tyres?)

Quite charmingly insane - fantastic...bravo.

1,254 · February 20

Don't know if it's of any use to you as a spare, but just seen this pop up on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/940932126873613/permalink/1412251963074958/

42,868 · February 21

Fleet news- the A60 cambridge’s perished and 50p shaped elderly tyres are being replaced tomorrow. As much as id like to spend £160 a corner plus inner tubes (£30)on period correct michelin xwx covers (in 165hr14) didn't want to spend that much. Those are about 80 profile- instead ive got a set of 4 kumho ecowings 165/70 r14. Slightly lower profile, but about 28% of the price as a set. I can live with that; Its no concours queen.

Also I found a photo of a 1928 12/4 on the 1930 inter varsity trial, which compares well with the 1929 example on a 2025 event…

60,930 · February 21

On 19/02/2025 at 17:31, HMC said:

Although apparently the flathead 5 bearing 4 is renowned for being indestructible.

Not sure about that - Mr Oldcastle managed to blow his up.

9,013 · February 21

30 minutes ago, wuvvum said:

Not sure about that - Mr Oldcastle managed to blow his up.

He found a replacement in a ferry on Loch Ness, though, so all was well.

60,930 · February 21

Technically it was Horace who found it, if memory serves.

8,392 · February 22

6 hours ago, HMC said:

Also I found a photo of a 1928 12/4 on the 1930 inter varsity trial, which compares well with the 1929 example on a 2025 event…

Aye, but you do seem to be lacking in the pre-radiator mounted, enamelled badges? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304473576385

Top motor sport there btw 11/10

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