HMC- Return of the Cheeky 500

[Datsuncog]

On 3/22/2023 at 8:31 PM, Marm Toastsmith said:

Not seen it. Sounds great. 

It is. Bleak, but great. 

Awesome soundtrack, for the most part.

CAUTION: does contain Sting.

[ETCHY]

On 3/22/2023 at 5:35 PM, HMC said:

I did the school run this am in the p4.  I got to it a bit earlier than necessary as I was unsure if the car would turn over and start. It did perfectly.  I have low expectation, at least at first when it’s called upon to be AN CAR rather than an exhibit.
 

It had rained quite heavily overnight and a the front mats were quite wet, looked like the door seals were to blame.  My eldest (aged 9) was much taken with the radio that needed to be tuned manually. Totally alien to him, and a source of amusement. I did test it out but although it had power, it just made cracking noises. He suggested we look for an antenna (which we found mounted on the roof) and when we extended it the radio worked! Think it was bbc world service that we picked up on LW?

That looks brilliant. It's how I remember those motors looking in the 1980's when I was a young.
I'd have that over a mint one in a heartbeat - just looks like a daily user not some show queen.

[Noel Tidybeard]

On 21/03/2023 at 17:54, HMC said:

There must be a collective term for them.

An armada?

A pillage?

a siegfried?

[PhilA]

21 hours ago, somewhatfoolish said:

C&SC reviewed a 60 and reckoned the lighter IOE 4 was a better steer than the 80; both run rings around the 6s.

Sir, you misunderstand the premise.

Extra cylinders are not for extra ... "Go", as your vernacular so crudely claims.

Extra cylinders are to balance the engine and provide additional torque. Silence and flexibility are the hallmark of a quality motor car.

[HMC]

Did a quick fleet shot yesterday….

And had a bit more of a look around the p4…

 

 

[High Jetter]

[leafsprung]

So much envy for this fleet. Winning at life there Mr HMC. 

[BorniteIdentity]

On 3/22/2023 at 5:35 PM, HMC said:

 Think it was bbc world service that we picked up on LW?

 

Most likely Radio 4 LW on 198KHz from Droitwich.

Being where you are in a car of such vintage, you ought to get RTE Radio 1 from Ireland on 252 too. Scroll to the right a bit and listen out for the death notices.

Lovely car this. Well done. 

[somewhatfoolish]

Shame the tool tray insert has turned to chewing gum; does anyone remanufacture them?

[tooSavvy]

12 hours ago, somewhatfoolish said:

Shame the tool tray insert has turned to chewing gum; does anyone remanufacture them?

6 tubs of play-doh, patience, create a resin 'negative'.... Cast a repro >> Mebbies 🤔

Ace trolley, that 👍

[vulgalour]

There's plenty of kits out there for casting parts like that, resin, silicone, rubber, etc.  To make a new one, you need to smooth out the existing insert which you can do with anything from plasticine to bodyfiller, depening on the kit and finish and materials. Once you've got the original smoothed out, then take a mould from it, then cast a new part from that.  If you want to get super fancy, you get a 3D scanner and 3D print a new one, or get a new insert CNC'd.  There's loads of options now for this sort of job.  I assume originally it was a slab of moulded rubber in there.

[barrett]

On 3/23/2023 at 11:16 PM, Datsuncog said:

CAUTION: does contain Sting.

Radio On is the only acceptable use of Sting

15 hours ago, somewhatfoolish said:

Shame the tool tray insert has turned to chewing gum; does anyone remanufacture them?

Lots of used ones on ebay for not very many £££

[Datsuncog]

4 minutes ago, barrett said:

Radio On is the only acceptable use of Sting

I agree, but I think you're required by law to inform the unsuspecting public of any instance where Sting puts in an appearance - a bit like on food packaging whenever nuts and other allergens are present as ingredients...

Anyway... Rovers...

[Sunny Jim]

O Sting, where is thy death?

[HMC]

 

Got a little pic of the p4 at lunch today. It’s been on the button and reliable. Those little things that crop up when you press stuff  regular use, have been so far so good.

[AnthonyG]

On 3/25/2023 at 2:39 PM, HMC said:

And had a bit more of a look around the p4…

 

Interesting that those touch up paints, which I assume have plastic tops, date as far back as the early 1960s. I had always assumed that type were introduced around 1980. 

[HMC]

53 minutes ago, AnthonyG said:

Interesting that those touch up paints, which I assume have plastic tops, date as far back as the early 1960s. I had always assumed that type were introduced around 1980. 

I had a look inside and there’s some sludge inside similar to the sludge that Richard Attenborough used to create the T Rex in Jurassic park 

[HMC]

Currently watching said film. Grim but interesting.

 

[Datsuncog]

One of the few contributions Weston-Super-Mare has made to modern cinema.

Road trip?

[HMC]

Fleet news: 

Rover p4 chugging on- although when I went to pick the kids up it was only running on 3 cylinders untill warm- need to investigate.

 

I’d been feeling a bit guilty about leaving the Austin 7 out in all weathers, and sold it on to a local Austin 7 enthusiast for what I paid for it.

And I’ve replaced it with a cheaper, younger British people’s car- which is arriving at the weekend from Essex…

[HMC]

I Keep coming back to Morris minors. They are a bit “obvious” but I think they drive nicely. I’m a sucker for a 4 door clap hands wiper 1000 especially if it’s still got it’s original number plate.

[HMC]

Apologies for crummy screenshot but could any people with local Essex/ Clacton knowledge shed light on this plaque? Maybe a local dealer? @Angrydicky @trigger

 

[Angrydicky]

Can’t decipher it I’m afraid! But it’s an Ipswich reg. 👍

 

[mk2_craig]

MD Thorp? 
 

[High Jetter]

1 hour ago, HMC said:

Apologies for crummy screenshot but could any people with local Essex/ Clacton knowledge shed light on this plaque? Maybe a local dealer? @Angrydicky @trigger

 

Epic - could you get a clearer shot of that when it arrives? Would it have had a split screen originally? Not sure when they changed to single.

[HMC]

19 minutes ago, mk2_craig said:

MD Thorp? 
 

Think you’ve got it there

[Angrydicky]

I do like an original dealer badge. None of my current fleet have any, mores the pity. I have owned three or four cars so equipped in the past though.

[Joey spud]

My Minor has this tired Stewart and Ardern dealership badge under its bonnet.

[HMC]

UPDATES:

Been collected from Jaywick, home of The Abandoned Jaywick Chevy

[HMC]

14 hours ago, HMC said:

Fleet news: 

Rover p4 chugging on- although when I went to pick the kids up it was only running on 3 cylinders untill warm- need to investigate.

 

I’d been feeling a bit guilty about leaving the Austin 7 out in all weathers, and sold it on to a local Austin 7 enthusiast for what I paid for it.

And I’ve replaced it with a cheaper, younger British people’s car- which is arriving at the weekend from Essex…

Update- i spent first thing hiding from the rain and gales under the ally bonnet of the p4. Disconnected each plug in turn and tan the engine, with the pot nearest the bulkhead having the least impact on running- so i thought this must be the dosgy one. I replaced the plug (which was wet) and re tightened the odd little screw in lead connectors these have. Annoyingly i didn't donit methodically so i wont know what actually fixed it. BUT - its now running on all 4 and happily chugged its way along the school run this am