The new news 24 thread

[dollywobbler]

It's a shit defence, but I did confirm that this particular car has a very accurate speedometer, whereas most of the cars I own do not, so I'd happily do an indicated 70mph in the 2CV in a 60 knowing it's really 63.

[dollywobbler]

Just now, lesapandre said:

Have you been stopped and spoken to or you awaiting something through the post?

Something through the post. Not my car, so it's taking a while. (initial contact well within their legal requirements)

[lesapandre]

Ah. They've made enquires as to who was the driver etc. Have they indicated what they are doing next?

[St.Jude]

3 minutes ago, dollywobbler said:

Something through the post. Not my car, so it's taking a while. (initial contact well within their legal requirements)

Would be an idea to request a photograph of you in the car actually.

Not to say "It wasn't me", more for just framing with a date saying "RIP Clean Driving, 25 years old. We hardly knew ye"

[vulgalour]

Got the starter off the Lanchester without removing the exhaust.  A second pair of hands and disconnecting a brake rod was the way to go.  Should just be a case of cleaning up contacts to get it working properly again.  It doesnt' look particularly worn on the outside, just a bit scruffy from being sat under the car for years, exposed to the elements.  This has been one of the bigger obstacles to getting the Lanchester reliable so it'll be good to have it sorted.

[clayts450]

1 hour ago, dollywobbler said:

It's a shit defence, but I did confirm that this particular car has a very accurate speedometer, whereas most of the cars I own do not, so I'd happily do an indicated 70mph in the 2CV in a 60 knowing it's really 63.

Once you've done the SAC you can pretend it never happened - you don't get points or a fine (well, you have to pay for the course, I s'pose) and the bad old days of insurance companies whacking up your premium because you'd been on a course are long gone (I always wondered shouldn't they put the cost down, seeing as how you were re-trained and a re-born good driver ?).

I blemished my record by going thru a red light four years ago. All forgotten about now, and as 3 years have lapsed if I do err again, I'll get another course.

TBF, I'm pretty sure I've squeaked through a few speed limits by milli-miles per hr since starting this couriering malarkey.

[clayts450]

Anyroad, let's talk about the Streetwise for a moment.

It had been becoming a bit problematic with starting properly, or making a dreadful racket when it did start, suggesting starter motor issues. Still, as long as it starts okay, all's good. Until it didn't. Battery was fine, so deffo a starter motor issue. A quick research on MG-R forums suggested two connectors in particular corrode for fun. Battery off, airbox disconnected from battery tray and nudged out of the way. Yup, two badly corroded connectors - emery and WD40 contact cleaner put to work, all hooked back up. Now starts first time every time without any complaint. Win.

Every time I braked I'd get a knocking noise from the front, suggesting when I put the new discs and pads on I probably hadn't tightened things down to maximum torque power. Best to check. However, came to undo the last wheel nut on the nearside - hanging on for grim life by one twist. FFS, you cretin. Until I realised I shouldn't be chastising myself, rather the place that did the MoT and replaced the outer CV boots. In for a penny, in for a pound, best to check the torques anyway. All absolutely bob on. Took it for a spirited sprint around, generously applying the brakes whenever I could. Knocking gone. Win.

 

[clayts450]

2 hours ago, Fat_Pirate said:

This went to cartakeback today for £300.  It's been stored some 180 miles from my house and the lacquer peel had got much worse since this photo was taken (and it had lost all it's coolant), seeing as ~£1000 will still buy a decent example it wasn't worth faffing with.

Lovely wee things - I still have the want for one of these. 

[dozeydustman]

On 18/06/2021 at 19:41, Jerzy Woking said:

Scattering ashes was very nice gesture and very meaningful.

I'm down near Alicante and its rare to see anything more than about 15 to 20 years old, except for Berlingo's (and similar). The scrap yards I pass all seem to have what I deem as new cars in them. Mechanical failures rather than rust related I think.

Only place I see old stuff is on the N332 between Benidorm and Alicante. There is a garage yard full of half scrapped Citroen's (mostly aircooled), and next door an Alfa specialist who has some fantastic 60's rally cars in. He showed us around a couple of year ago-his office was full of trophies he had won racing.

I like Alicante. Our last few trips to Spain were Almeria, Mojacar and Turre but I will always enjoy Nerja

[Jerzy Woking]

Alicante is a lovely city, the esplanade trees are something to behold. Often pop over there and always find somewhere nice for lunch. It is quite busy at the moment (but quiter than usual) as many Spaniards are "holidaying at home" too.

My mate has a place in Turre, I stayed there for a few days in 2019 at the time a local festival was on. They had covered a street with sand for the horses to run along it. Good day out spotting the fillies....

[SiC]

19 hours ago, Talbot said:

With the value of scrap, both steel and catalysts, as high as it is at the moment, anything less than a £500 car is scrap.  Seems a shame, but that's been true before, and it'll be true again.

I've seen mentioned that precious metals have plummeted quite a bit recently (thankfully). E.g. a Clio 172 cat was worth £850 scrap but now is back to the £500 or so point. 

Makes sense as I'm sure if you owned a precious metal mine, you'd be working like crazy to cash in on the high prices while they can. 

[wuvvum]

37 minutes ago, Jerzy Woking said:

Good day out spotting the fillies....

Aye, that's not a bad looking filly right there.  ATHNBE.

[Cord Fourteener]

3 hours ago, dollywobbler said:

I suspect so. Won't find out for a bit.

They do, I can confirm there is one in St Asaph. Not that you'll be going there i'm sure, but there will be ones down South, probably Carmarthen or Swansea I guess. 

It was a laugh actually, though that was in the days when you could go places and see people, long ago. 

I learned some interesting stuff i didn't know, too. 

[somewhatfoolish]

On 6/22/2021 at 9:23 PM, 17-Coffees said:

There's a rather complete  Rover 200 BRM at my local scrappy just now. Whole but scabby, rusted, smashed windows, hiab crane damage and a few plants growing in the passenger footwell sadly...

Also doesn't have front seats anymore either.

They were in great nick for condition of the car, I have plans for them involving the Minor. 🙃

Savaged by rodents with a taste for RED! leather?

[trigger]

A couple of shitters entering our East Coast Retros meet last night, nice to see you both! @RobT @wuvvum

[stuboy]

Nothing exciting , power pack jump started the galaxy, drove to sunny Dover,  tried to get missus sister to chuck out stuff and fill up galaxy cavernous load capacity with belongings and drop back in ashford.

[Cord Fourteener]

36 minutes ago, trigger said:

A couple of shitters entering our East Coast Retros meet last night, nice to see you both! @RobT @wuvvum

I like that the Skoda has the AMG number plate. 

Incidentally I saw a red Felica N reg just like this today. Didn't get a pic.

[Split_Pin]

Got the oil change done on the Audi. I found that the nack is to hold the filter strap fixing with a spanner and crank the ratchet to tighten it without letting it recoil.

After the heavy rain I thought I'd check the passenger footwell on the Cavalier to see if it had the same issue as the green one. It appears so as I saw droplets of water on the carpet near the centre console. The floor bung is also damp underneath. I will seal up the heater box surround as before, no rush though as next week is to be warm and sunny. Definitely  a case of TADT.

[Split_Pin]

Someone 'lowered' it for me too. 

If it didn't ride so nice as it is I'd be tempted.

 

[loserone]

The idea of a car that low getting out of that layby and actually getting along that road is hilarious.  There'd be nothing left underneath.

[New POD]

14 hours ago, somewhatfoolish said:

Savaged by rodents with a taste for RED! leather?

Optica illusion. Seat belt mount I think. 

[Split_Pin]

I'd never go that low though, I have large speed tables in my street.  

As I said, it rides lovely as is and I have no intention of changing that 🙂

[loserone]

7 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

it rides lovely as is

It does, I was mega impressed with how well it handled a run up the dale at* the NSL

[Tadhg Tiogar]

1 hour ago, loserone said:

The idea of a car that low getting out of that layby and actually getting along that road is hilarious.  There'd be nothing left underneath.

The turning circle would be interesting....

[dean36014]

I have to say I do love my refresh on the van. Ok, the paint job is pretty rubbish and the stripes aren't great, but from ten yards it looks just perfect to me.

[Split_Pin]

New GLS badge arrived in the post today to replace the missing nearside one.

New old stock, still sticks after about 30 odd years though!

(It was the right way up on my phone!)

[Split_Pin]

Also fitted my Brink detachable towbar that came with the car.

It was pretty corroded inside the slot on the frame under the bumper, all good now though.

Can't wait to get my new cycle carrier tomorrow, get the number plate on and the lamps flashing!

Haven't got our bikes yet though 🤣

 

[egg]

Someone else had a little nibble out of the i10, left a note? Of course not! That car is a bit cursed.

[vulgalour]

Randomly encountering Furious Driving, though briefly, in the local supermarket was a bit of a surprise today.  Also learned that the new tyres are good enough on the Maestro to induce bodyroll when pressing on in a way the old tyres never gave the confidence to allow.  I'd been getting some weird occasional sensations through the controls on the old tyres, a bit like a worn ball joint or wheel bearing, occasional twitchiness, and couldn't pin it down to anything until fitting the new tyres highlighted it was the old ones being the cause.

Still can't find a new downpipe though, and it's annoying because I haven't been able to fully cure the blow at the flexi on the existing downpipe yet.  It's better than it was when @worldofceri delivered it and might even get through an MoT, it's just annoying when you put your foot down because it sounds as bad as the rear arches look.

[beko1987]