How Ramrod Got His Groove Back

[eddyramrod]

I've been alluding to this for a few weeks now, with veiled references to having agreed to buy a car.   I felt it couldn't be long before I was allowed to drive again, and look, that day has dawned, because this week I got a letter from DVLA.  They haven't actually sent my licence yet but it seems I can now drive pending processing.  Woohoo!

 

So money was drawn and arrangements made, and today I was on the 0746 out of Barrow, heading for the first of my three changes (Preston). 

I've been a bit sparing with the photos because I knew my camera batteries were low, but hell, we all know what breakfast looks like, and I've shown you most of the stations before on earlier trips.  Poo count: 1 (upon getting up, before brekky, before taking dog out, before going to train).

 

My final change of train was to be at Sheffield, and my train was due to arrive just after the one I wanted had left, which would have given me almost a half-hour wait.  However, the train I should have missed hadn't left yet; instead it had been boarded by British Transport Police, who were busy ejecting some drunken Midlanders.  Apparently Coventry was playing away to Barnsley at something called football.  Anyone know what that is?  Anyone care?

 

Text messages were exchanged and Mein Host greeted me at my destination for the short drive to his abode, which was accomplished in the car in question.  But what car could this possibly be?

 

Some weeks ago Busman'sholiday made an almost throwaway comment in the News24 thread, to the effect of "anyone want a C3?"  So I asked him about it and a PM conversation ensued, during which he sent me photos and described the jobs that had been done on it. I decided it looked like a good deal, but would he hold it for me?  There was a brief hitch when Saabnut seemed interested, but he decided it was too far away and gracefully bowed out.  Thank you kindly sir.

 

So after coffee, butties and a bit of a play with the guard dog, this is what I've bought.

(Mandatory Element No.1: Woolard)

What I've got is a 2005 Citroen C3 Desire 1.4 with 97,000 miles up.  Er, why?  Ed in a smoll car?  Does Not Compute!  Well no, it doesn't really, but I can on occasion appreciate them for their rollerskateness and how much fun they can be to drive.  The 1.4 has a useful bit of power on tap, and being a Desire it has stuff like electric windows (front only).  Crucially, with a recent blot on my insurance history, it'll help me build up my NCB again.

 

So I set off home, with a quick pitstop...

(Mandatory Element No. 2: Pumps)

And soon after the car had been fed, it was time for me to make room for some me-fuel so I pulled in at Wooley Edge Services, somewhere I'm fairly sure I've never been before.  Poo count unchanged, no solids passed.  But I did use the opportunity to snap a couple more pics of the car.

And back on the road.  The trip was 131 miles, a mix of motorway, urban and rural A-roads.  A real test, I think you'll agree, for someone who hadn't driven for nine months and had in the last couple of days done a couple of local trips in a lovely new automatic, but here I am in an unknown car with a DIY gearbox, taking on a long trip on my own.  I was, justifiably, nervous about it.  Thankfully it all came back to me and I was able to relax and enjoy the ride.  I deliberately didn't force the pace anywhere. 

Made it home in one piece!  Three hours twenty minutes, 131 miles, at an average mpg of 36.1, which was nice.  Considering that was up hill and down dale, in traffic and free-running, I think I did ok there.  It's a very nice little car, so to BMH I must say a heartfelt Thank You.  I can see myself enjoying this for a while.  Mind, it's been a long hard day, I'm shattered now.  Doesn't help that I was on the A590, almost home, steaming out of Ulverston.... and spotted a sea of blue lights.  Road closed by a crash, great.  So like so many others I had to turn round and dive through the back lanes and little villages to get home.  But it's ok, I got here.  Poo count still 1.

 

 

 

Oh and especially for DW, look what pulled in next to my train at Preston...

[Jim Bell]

Desire!

 

Strong word well spoken. I don't think there has been a more inappropriate moniker since the Elation Ax.

[loserone]

Hey Eddy, I think this is the best piece of driving I've read about all year.

 

And that car is as good as the 997 C2s I've spent my week considering bank loans for. It looks ace. Hope you keep enjoying it!

[MarvinsMom]

ah good news there Ed.

 

glad you are back on the road, and that you are enjoying the "new" toy.

[bramz7]

Great to see you driving again eddy.

 

My mum had a 2003 C3 Desire brand new. Not bad are they? Good engines in them, they take a ton of punishment.

[eddyramrod]

I did pretty much know what to expect from the car.  12 years ago or thereabouts I used to drive one sometimes at work, which IIRC was even the same colour!  But I think that one might have been a 1.1; didn't matter, it was perfectly adequate for what it had to do.  This one, being a 1.4, is a bit better suited to the odd motorway jaunt and I suspect might be fun at an autotest.  I might have to test that theory!

[shoddybanger]

Nice one, congrats for getting back up on the saddle!

 

A neighbour has a very similar C3, and in the same colour too. They seem to age well.

[purplebargeken]

Wel done on both counts mate. These are a nice looking smallish car. There was a battered one in our road for a while and it did look neat despite its lumps and bumps. 

[The Moog]

Well done that man ... DIY box though? Surely that doesnt befit a man of your calibre.

[eddyramrod]

Fair point, Mr Puss.  I don't think I've actually seen one of these with a correct pedal count though.  All that's happened here is I've jumped at a decent buy, and for what it has to do it'll be fine.  It's probably already done the longest trip it will make with me!

[mrbenn]

Great stuff, Eddy. Glad to see you back out on the road and chuffed that you've wasted no time in buying another car!

 

Maximum points for your shoes damn near matching the paintwork on the Woolard shot!!

[LightBulbFun]

congratulations on getting back on the road

 

looking forward to hearing more of your on road adventures

[Floatylight]

We've had one of these for over 10 years 1.4SX in the same colour, been brilliant, was Mrs FL's first car (if you exclude the Austin1300 she was given when she was 17!) and is now eldest Son's who just learning now, he love's it, they are so easy to drive and manouver but are perfectly capable on long distances, he's announced today that he's going to try and get it to 200k, currently on 101k..

 

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

[eddyramrod]

Good lad!  Get him on here, he will know he's got support!

[Matty]

Now that youre back driving, DO NOT SELL THE CADILLAC!

[Felly Magic]

Glad you are back behind the helm Ed

[Amishtat]

Welcome back to the roads!

[Jim Bell]

You really should get an extra bonus Woolard point for having colour coded footwear too. Top effort!

[bigstraight6]

Nice one Eddy, great news you are back on the road..

[busmansholiday]

Glad she got you safely home. Mrs BMH is sad to see her go but at least we've a spare space in the drive now.

[brownnova]

Great to see you behind the wheel again and in full collection mode!

 

Twelvety/10 would read again!

[cms206]

Glad to see you're back on the road Eddy, hopefully for a long time to come!

 

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Split_Pin]

Results!

[Mrs6C]

Huzzah!!!

[DoctorRetro]

Nice buy, always fancied trying one of these.

 

And not sure anyone has mentioned the shoes matching the car?

[hairnet]

Fair point, Mr Puss.  I don't think I've actually seen one of these with a correct pedal count though.  All that's happened here is I've jumped at a decent buy, and for what it has to do it'll be fine.  It's probably already done the longest trip it will make with me!

think the autos in these are the robotised made of choclate ones i think?

 

bit like the picasso ones

 

ps youre turning into that chaseracer

 

nicely done ps frisbee the wheeltrims stat

[hairnet]

Glad to see you're back on the road Eddy, hopefully for a long time to come!

 

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

hes bought one of those - id question his eyesight

[Momentary Lapse Of Reason]

Excellent!

[Skizzer]

Brilliant, great to see you back in the driving seat!

[wuvvum]

Having had a C2 with the Sensodrive auto I can confirm that they are fecking shoite.  You're much better off with an Andrew Sachs in one of these.