The new news 24 thread

[wuvvum]

I'm slightly disappointed you didn't take the Ypsilon.  Actually that could almost be the first line of a joke - "How do you get five priests into an Ypsilon?"

[stuboy]

Yesterday myself, missus, the boy, the oldest stepdaughter and my niece popped up too the 'the stag pub' on the roundabout of charing Kent, these are the older motors there.. very nice too, there was some exotica like aston martin , mclaren etc if u like I can put them up too.

[dozeydustman]

1 hour ago, stuboy said:

Yesterday myself, missus, the boy, the oldest stepdaughter and my niece popped up too the 'the stag pub' on the roundabout of charing Kent, these are the older motors there.. very nice too, there was some exotica like aston martin , mclaren etc if u like I can put them up too.

That HA Viva is dribbleworthy

[lesapandre]

Travelling through France I came across a bunch of British touring with what I can only describe as Chit-Chitty-Bang-Bang cars. There were about 20 together - I did not manage to snap them all as only some stopped. I did not have chance to speak to anybody - maybe someone here knows who the are? The cars certainly weren't  simple restorations - more like variations on a vintage theme. Overall very impressive.

[Dyslexic Viking]

36 minutes ago, lesapandre said:

Travelling through France I came across a bunch of British touring with what I can only describe as Chit-Chitty-Bang-Bang cars. There were about 20 together - I did not manage to snap them all as only some stopped. I did not have chance to speak to anybody - maybe someone here knows who the are? The cars certainly weren't  simple restorations - more like variations on a vintage theme. Overall very impressive.

 

@barrett may be know these.

[Spottedlaurel]

1 hour ago, lesapandre said:

Travelling through France I came across a bunch of British touring with what I can only describe as Chit-Chitty-Bang-Bang cars. There were about 20 together - I did not manage to snap them all as only some stopped. I did not have chance to speak to anybody - maybe someone here knows who the are? The cars certainly weren't  simple restorations - more like variations on a vintage theme. Overall very impressive........

Maybe heading back from visiting the Historic GP at Monaco?

[brownnova]

1 hour ago, Dyslexic Viking said:

@barrett may be know these.

Came here to post the exact same! 

[hairnet]

4400ae is a straker whatever one of those is  1913

the silver car is a gn made between 1910 and 1925

although that one regd in 1989

 

[Ghosty]

Took the Civic to Retro Rides Weekender.

I'd just added CNC bushes to the gear linkage stabiliser, and a short shifter. One of these bushes fell out on the M3, so changing gears was fun*. Wipers had packed in too because of another failed bush, but this was an existing issue I was waiting for the parts to fix - ended up fixing all this in the campsite on the Saturday night, sticking some cable ties in the gear linkage and boring out a new wiper linkage bush with a penknife to fit it. I must have forgotten to tighten the nuts on the wiper arms as they got a bit confused on the M6 and ended up caught in each other...
then I stopped at a services and had lost PAS... one of the bolts had disappeared. Hung the pump off its hard line on the slam panel using a cable tie, and just about got home, but the formerly tight tensioner bolt on the bottom had almost escaped. Lucky.

Repaired all that today, so we now have working wipers again, the original bush is back in the linkage while I wait for the polybush replacement to arrive, and the pump is bolted back on. Even my limited camping gear (basic tools, 3 backpacks, a tent and a Brompton) was enough to make the Civic drag its arse - fun*. The clutch is absolutely on its last legs. The car's about 1400 miles off 100k, and I want to get it there before I swap the engine... but I want to start that next week so I somehow doubt it's going to happen...

[Rocket88]

7 hours ago, Ghosty said:

Took the Civic to Retro Rides Weekender.

I'd just added CNC bushes to the gear linkage stabiliser, and a short shifter. One of these bushes fell out on the M3, so changing gears was fun*. Wipers had packed in too because of another failed bush, but this was an existing issue I was waiting for the parts to fix - ended up fixing all this in the campsite on the Saturday night, sticking some cable ties in the gear linkage and boring out a new wiper linkage bush with a penknife to fit it. I must have forgotten to tighten the nuts on the wiper arms as they got a bit confused on the M6 and ended up caught in each other...
then I stopped at a services and had lost PAS... one of the bolts had disappeared. Hung the pump off its hard line on the slam panel using a cable tie, and just about got home, but the formerly tight tensioner bolt on the bottom had almost escaped. Lucky.

Repaired all that today, so we now have working wipers again, the original bush is back in the linkage while I wait for the polybush replacement to arrive, and the pump is bolted back on. Even my limited camping gear (basic tools, 3 backpacks, a tent and a Brompton) was enough to make the Civic drag its arse - fun*. The clutch is absolutely on its last legs. The car's about 1400 miles off 100k, and I want to get it there before I swap the engine... but I want to start that next week so I somehow doubt it's going to happen...

Legendary Honda reliability?😱😁

[Christine]

My Civic is just ..wonderful  

[vulgalour]

I find myself in a bit of a dilemma with this job I went to an interview for on Sunday.  The interviewer and I were a little concerned about the distance and cost and that's on me because I thought I'd applied for the position advertised in Brigg (about 7 miles from home) but had actually applied for a position in New Waltham (about 30 miles from home) and I've finally had time to sit down and do some number crunching.  Working on the basis I'm using the Princess, which is getting at best low 30s mpg and running on E5 it's going to cost me £15-20 a day for the commute.  I could maybe shave a bit of that cost off by taking the motorway but I'm not keen on that at the moment.  Then there's the concern of putting that much mileage that frequently on a car I both give a shit about and has been idle for a while so is likely to throw up problems impacting my ability to be reliable.

Getting another car isn't that much more viable either because then I've got the extra costs of tax, insurance, etc. which arguably is going to cost me more than just using the Princess, even if it's a more fuel economical option.  I even looked at rental options nearer to the potential new job location and there just isn't anything other than a couple of three bed places that are way out of budget.  That's definitely getting ahead of things too, I don't want to move house for a part time job, that's just silly.

I do have another interview on the 16th for a place much closer to home.  I also might be able to get a transfer to the Brigg store even though I interviewed at the New Waltham store if they do offer me the position.  I hate stuff like this.  The artwork is doing okay, I've actually had a better May than usual (even with the price rise to industry standard, weirdly that hasn't put people off so I definitely should have done that sooner!), but it's also been a very expensive month because of having to start over and having to buy stuff again.

I don't know that I'm looking for any particular solution here, just getting the thoughts out into the wild a bit.  I'm trying to find a part time role I can fit around the artwork that's close to home that I can ideally do on public transport since I hate commuting in my own car.  Something that's not going to leave me totally exhausted too so I don't burn out too quickly.  I'm absolutely certain going into full time regular employment isn't the answer for me at the moment and since June/July usually sees a better amount of work coming my way things should start getting a bit easier very soon.

All that said, I wouldn't be surprised if I do end up with a supplementary 'modern'.  I'm on a real push to get the Princess sorted this year and in an ideal world I'd happily run it as my only car all year round, I just need to do a lot of work to get it into a condition where I can trust it and that I can afford to keep on top of it all.  Right now it doesn't seem fair to push it into doing a 60 mile commute regularly and I feel like I might be pushing my luck a bit if I tried.  If I do get a second car it has to be stupid cheap to run, proper economy appliance machine stuff.

[lesapandre]

No public transport option? Or mixing the modes - driving to a public transport option - and leaving the Princess somewhere safe?

If there are public transport problems the other end - you could go for mixed-mode gold star - by putting a folding bike in the Princess and taking it on the public transport and using it the other end to get to your destination. Or variations on a theme.

Or tried any of the car share apps?

Running two cars will possibly not be cost effective? 

1200+ commuting miles P/M is going to test any old banger and you don't want to be spending all your free time on maintenance - or indeed two cars that are a bit needy?

[barrett]

14 hours ago, lesapandre said:

Travelling through France I came across a bunch of British touring with what I can only describe as Chit-Chitty-Bang-Bang cars. There were about 20 together - I did not manage to snap them all as only some stopped. I did not have chance to speak to anybody - maybe someone here knows who the are? The cars certainly weren't  simple restorations - more like variations on a vintage theme. Overall very impressive.

They were all coming back from the Vintage Revival event at Montlhéry (where I have also been) and funnily enough I do know all those cars and their owners. The first one is a French Derby, which was imported and sold in the UK by the well-known Amilcar racer Vernon Balls, and marketed as a Vernon-Derby. That's owned by my friend Gilly and I'm hoping to write a story on the car later this year. The GN has the super-duper OHC engine, but it's a built-up car. The Straker-Squire is a recently completed restoration using components found all over the world, and the body is a loose replica of the 1914 TT cars. It's owned by a very nice chap in London. Quite a heroic drive down to Montlhéry in that one, I imagine.

[artdjones]

14 hours ago, lesapandre said:

Travelling through France I came across a bunch of British touring with what I can only describe as Chit-Chitty-Bang-Bang cars. There were about 20 together - I did not manage to snap them all as only some stopped. I did not have chance to speak to anybody - maybe someone here knows who the are? The cars certainly weren't  simple restorations - more like variations on a vintage theme. Overall very impressive.

They are all completely real. The Vernon Derby was a small French sports car imported into England by a gent in the motor trade by the name of Vernon Balls. 

The GN was one of the last and best of the cyclecars, and very fast for the time. The N in GN was Archie Frazer-Nash, who carried on to build Frazer-Nash cars with a similar final drive using chains and no differential.

Straker-Squire built all kinds of stuff, including buses at one time, but went out of production when Mr.Straker got killed on the hunting field. They had been Bristol-based, but moved to London after WW1, and built large 4 litre cars and lighter stuff as well.

[SiC]

1 hour ago, vulgalour said:

All that said, I wouldn't be surprised if I do end up with a supplementary 'modern'. 

Sounds like a CityBug (C1/107/Aygo) would be perfect for you. 50+ mpg easily, super cheap or no tax, cheap parts, easy to work on and reliable. 

[320touring]

@vulgalour have you been offered the job yet?

If so, it's worth accepting it currently, and seeing how it goes on the 16th with the other interview.

It's a bit of a quandary, but one where regardless you come out with a potential job and can then consider options like transfers/applying for other posts etc.

Just getting the job and getting into the routine should hopefully make the process a little less stressful and give you a bit of security to set your base up on.

Glad to hear that the art is picking up well!

[vulgalour]

The other thing I forgot to mention about this job is it's evenings and weekends.  Store opens 6am to 11pm, and while the interviewer suggested they'd want me more for weekends and evenings, I might be needed mornings.  That makes the public transport option even more difficult even in an area that has good options.  This is Lincolnshire, public transport isn't great at all out here, especially outside of office hours.

I've not been offered the job yet, I'll find out at the end of the week, but the interview had that feel that it was likely I'd get the position.  Honestly, it'll be a relief if it turns out I was unsuccessful.  I'll go to the interview on the 16th anyway and see what happens with that, though I'm much less confident of my chances there.  I'm probably overthinking things again, it's been so long since I've been part of the job hunt circus and I've never really been in a position where I don't immediately need the work while looking that there's a lot of possibilities rattling around in my head.

Getting a two wheeled conveyance could be an option too of course, that just comes with its own plethora of expenses since I've never had a motorbike of any variety and I doubt very much that I'd want to do a long commute in the winter in Lincolnshire on two wheels, that just feels like a fast route to becoming an organ donor tbqh.

[artdjones]

1 hour ago, vulgalour said:

(even with the price rise to industry standard, weirdly that hasn't put people off so I definitely should have done that sooner!),

People are always willing to pay for quality, so there was no point underselling yourself.

Also, as an experienced window cleaner once told me "better 3 customers at £4 than 4 at £3. 

[lesapandre]

2 hours ago, barrett said:

They were all coming back from the Vintage Revival event at Montlhéry (where I have also been) and funnily enough I do know all those cars and their owners. The first one is a French Derby, which was imported and sold in the UK by the well-known Amilcar racer Vernon Balls, and marketed as a Vernon-Derby. That's owned by my friend Gilly and I'm hoping to write a story on the car later this year. The GN has the super-duper OHC engine, but it's a built-up car. The Straker-Squire is a recently completed restoration using components found all over the world, and the body is a loose replica of the 1914 TT cars. It's owned by a very nice chap in London. Quite a heroic drive down to Montlhéry in that one, I imagine.

They looked fantastic - they really bought the town I was in to an astonished standstill.

The cars all looked properly well used and the owners  throughly enjoying themselves. Crossing France in a car with little wind and weather protection required dedication!

[Mally]

Just back from my Speed Awareness Course. Two guys, seen one of them before a few years back.

Told him "I'm deaf, don't ask me any questions".

Did that  because last time he asked me a question and I couldn't answer. Because (1)  I hadn't a clue what he had been on about, and (2) didn't hear the question.

He said I should have made him aware at the start

So made him aware.  He said I could sit at the front.  I said I'll sit anywhere you like, but it won't make me less deaf,     So stayed in my seat.

His mate came over, "err be a bit difficult with you being deaf, can you lip read?"  He had a bushy beard and 'tash.

I felt like saying "Yes if I could see your lips". But stuck with Yes.

All went swimmingly  after that, my new table mates filled all my answers in, and the result is Nil points.

Tbf some of the videos do have subtitles.

[wesacosa]

On 13/05/2024 at 15:25, stuboy said:

Yesterday myself, missus, the boy, the oldest stepdaughter and my niece popped up too the 'the stag pub' on the roundabout of charing Kent, these are the older motors there.. very nice too, there was some exotica like aston martin , mclaren etc if u like I can put them up too.

 

 

 

 

Now that's really funny  timing. I only googled TAG59R a few days ago to see if it was around. When I was about 15 or 16 I used to help out the service crew for my friends dad who rallied a mk2 Escort up in Yorkshire region and I googled the two reg numbers I could remember which were his and TAG59R which used to win the 1300 class pretty much every rally.  How bizarre it should pop up on AS a few days later 

[Christine]

On 12/05/2024 at 13:09, Lankytim said:

The 2cv was in desperate need of a battery and my pile of used batteries were all knackered (which is why they were in the pile, but it doesn’t stop you trying a couple). The Citroen branded battery that came with the 2cv was absolutely cream crackered and dated 1997. I did try to charge it, but of course it’s karked it.

Batteries are quite expensive aren’t they? A chance browse around Halfords while the wife was in Morrisons led me to then battery isle. The absolute cheapest batteries in their range are a sort of “Asda smart price” of batteries. With my trade card in hand an appropriate battery was scanned out at £38 odd. 3 year warranty so I took the chance.
 

Nothing says  cheapskate owner like a Halfords Essentials battery but there we are. I might peel off the shite Halfords sticker but then that might affect the warranty. Just a couple more things and it’s MOT time! 

That strap is mighty close to the posi  terminal ....

[wuvvum]

5 hours ago, barrett said:

They were all coming back from the Vintage Revival event at Montlhéry (where I have also been) and funnily enough I do know all those cars and their owners. The first one is a French Derby, which was imported and sold in the UK by the well-known Amilcar racer Vernon Balls, and marketed as a Vernon-Derby. That's owned by my friend Gilly and I'm hoping to write a story on the car later this year. The GN has the super-duper OHC engine, but it's a built-up car. The Straker-Squire is a recently completed restoration using components found all over the world, and the body is a loose replica of the 1914 TT cars. It's owned by a very nice chap in London. Quite a heroic drive down to Montlhéry in that one, I imagine.

What's the copper flexi pipe coming out the back of the cylinder head on the GN?  Some kind of primitive VTEC YO?

[Lankytim]

2 hours ago, Christine said:

That strap is mighty close to the posi  terminal ....

Yes it is, I’ve noted it but it seems that’s how they’re designed. I’ll just have to make sure I’m careful, although if the clamp rattles loose somehow and drops down on one side it might create a short. Perhaps a rubber “collar” under the terminal would help.

[Mally]

7 minutes ago, Lankytim said:

Yes it is, I’ve noted it but it seems that’s how they’re designed. I’ll just have to make sure I’m careful, although if the clamp rattles loose somehow and drops down on one side it might create a short. Perhaps a rubber “collar” under the terminal would help.

I'd chop the  top diagonally left to right.

[Momentary Lapse Of Reason]

1 hour ago, wuvvum said:

What's the copper flexi pipe coming out the back of the cylinder head on the GN?  Some kind of primitive VTEC YO?

That will be the rev counter drive at a guess, comes off the back of the drive to the cam.

[richardmorris]

1 hour ago, Lankytim said:

Yes it is, I’ve noted it but it seems that’s how they’re designed. I’ll just have to make sure I’m careful, although if the clamp rattles loose somehow and drops down on one side it might create a short. Perhaps a rubber “collar” under the terminal would help.

On mine the nut and bolt are on the inside of the battery terminal so no chance of connecting with a spanner to the bracket. See if you can flip it upside down. May need to free off the starter end to help.

[Snake Charmer]

On 12/05/2024 at 13:09, Lankytim said:

Nothing says  cheapskate owner like a Halfords Essentials battery but there we are

Can you cover it with a blue and white striped Tesco Value sticker?

[Snake Charmer]

3 hours ago, wuvvum said:

What's the copper flexi pipe coming out the back of the cylinder head on the GN?  Some kind of primitive VTEC YO?

Direct line from the captains seat to the engine room?