Weird Car’s weird cars! ‘TRAVELLING S CLASS’

[danthecapriman]

😁 love it!

I absolutely loved watching Herbie when I was a kid. Not seen it for years though. That looks a fantastic car, really nicely done.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Yup, I know it's been done a thousand times, but still love your Beetle. The trick engine mods sound like fun, too.

Same as Dan, I really enjoyed the Herbie films back in the day to the point that I owned my own '67 years back. It was a rotter though. Here it is prior to my ownership. 

Just need to get your steelies banded now to fill those arches a bit

 

[SiC]

I know many poo poo the Bug but I do fancy one sometime. Definitely a cool car imo.

TBF many deride the MGB but I think they're fantastic and why I owned mine for 7yrs while still missing it. 

Is the roller staying?

[Weird Car]

22 minutes ago, SiC said:

know many poo poo the Bug but I do fancy one sometime. Definitely a cool car imo.

I’ve driven it a few times before buying it and they’re definitely an acquired taste for sure

 

24 minutes ago, SiC said:

Is the roller staying?

In the fold but not in the fleet, I’ll let the new owner announce themselves if they wish to.

[Weird Car]

So I figured it was time for a big update as a lot has happened in the last month or so

 

so the Audi has continued to be a pretty trusty ole work horse, averaging 50+ MPG on my daily commute so for the time being it’s a keeper, I honestly can’t get over how well it just wafts along, the tax is a crippling £68 a month though 😕

 

in VW news, last week Herbie and I took a trip to Perth in the middle of Scotland, starting at Portsmouth on the first day we stayed at our first hotel in Manchester 

not a bad hotel really for a £30 bookingdotcom jobby

had HubNut on the telly, someone was obviously not impressed by the lack of complimentary breakfast and had had a nibble on the remote battery’s though 

 

 

but we didn’t let that deter us, Herbie made the trip from Portsmouth flawlessly 

 

I did end up moving him to round the back so I could see him from my room window though 

 

 

Day 2 we were Scotland bound 

and after a small breakfast at the Lake District 

 

we crossed the border 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😎

 

 

and after a few more hours on the road we found ourselves at our next hotel in Perth Airport 

again another pleasant room, wasn’t a fan of the non carpeted floors, especially when I had to walk to the loo at 2am with no socks on!

still can’t complain for £46

 

soon it was morning but before hitting the road again I made the most of this hotels free breakfast. They had a good variety but time was limited so I grabbed a coffee and marmalade toast

 

grabbed a few pics before heading off again

 

 

 For today’s journey I decided to really take in the views so turned motorways off on the satnav and I must say it was 100% worth it. I was almost lost for words, to be driving my childhood dream car down some of the most beautiful roads I’ve seen was nothing short of amazing 

 

After another 7 hours of farting our way through the Scottish hills we made it to our 3rd hotel in Sunny Scarborough 

only a little single room with separate shared bathroom but for only £28 on air b n b it was actually really pleasant 

The next morning we hit the road again this time for Birmingham, but not before stopping off at Coventry Motor Museum 

they had some amazing vehicles but here’s a few highlights 

here’s one for @LightBulbFun

and finally our last hotel 

This time situated in a pub, a lovely quiet hotel with a good Chinese takeaway outside

Before I drove home I decided to pop over to Oxford to catch up with an old friend, we had a good play in his workshop garage messing about with his Trabi and Honda Moped

and after 1100 miles of galavanting round the UK Herbie and I were finally home, it was honestly such an amazing trip and I’m so immensely proud of that little Bug, to have handled a trip like that without even a single issue after being sat close to 4 years was honestly amazing In my opinion.

so the day after a friend and I treaded him to some snow foam and gave him a bloody good scrub 

 

So another update, something a little more personal now, I recently left my Job at First Bus and just last week started my new job at Xelabus/Xelacoach, they’re more of a private hire firm so suits my pace a little better, here’s the view from the staff room window 

 they also have a rather lovely preservation fleet that I’ve not yet had a chance to get full access too but I promise I’ll get pictures of it soon 

 

I should also mention the MG got picked up today 

truly the end of an era, luckily it’s going to a friend and because I’m far too nice I’ve offered to help fix it with him, 

we started today by me removing the clutch Master cylinder, and as any 75/ZT owner knows it’s a pig of a job, got a new one on order so I should be fitting it next Saturday 

I think they call this the MG/Rover service position 😂

[High Jetter]

Epic trip, well done! That single-decker would be ex-Southdown? Hope it works out for you there.

[Weird Car]

11 hours ago, High Jetter said:

Epic trip, well done! That single-decker would be ex-Southdown? Hope it works out for you there.

Thank you, and yes ex Southdowns, so chances are I rode on it as a child, also ex First-Provincial 

[Tommyboy12]

Scotland has some amazing roads. It's why I do the nc500 annually 😅

I took a Mini a couple of years ago and taking my favourite car round such a beautiful part of the world was just the best

[Weird Car]

so after a mission of finding a tax free car for winter daily driver duty’s I have just acquired this absolutely fantastic if not a little bit sheddy Triumph Acclaim from HMC and after the drive home from Tavistock I’ve fallen in love with it madly! It’s just such a hoon to drive and the shedy’ness only adds to its charm. 
 

I’ve rather fittingly named her Tragedy the Triumph. Expect very few updates as it really will just be used for donkey work and driven into the ground as the rot is unfortunately very terminal, I’ll do my best to keep it legal for as long as I can though 

 

In other news, the Audi has been swapped for something that has been on my fleet before 

 

 

yes that’s right, the Silver Shadow has made a return, this time for good, well until Silver Seraphs come down in price a bit 

when @calebaaront offered the Rolls for my Audi I jumped at the chance to get it back as I missed it quite a bit more than I thought I would, unfortunately now it’s got a big ole hole in the radiator so first port of call for that is a new rad

 

[Zelandeth]

On 22/09/2024 at 09:29, Weird Car said:

Thank you, and yes ex Southdowns, so chances are I rode on it as a child, also ex First-Provincial 

First Provincial you say...

First (and so far only) National I've been lucky enough to have a shot of was formerly one of theirs.  Quite like that livery to be honest, simplicity of it suits the National.

[Weird Car]

28 minutes ago, Zelandeth said:

First Provincial you say...

First (and so far only) National I've been lucky enough to have a shot of was formerly one of theirs.  Quite like that livery to be honest, simplicity of it suits the National.

What are the odds? I’ve actually driven that very same national, back when I used to be “very close friends” with someone in the provincial society, not on the road mind, just round the storage compound 

[Zelandeth]

1 minute ago, Weird Car said:

What are the odds, I’ve actually driven that very same national, back when I used to be “very close friends” with someone in the provincial society, not on the road mind, just round the storage compound 

I do enjoy the small world aspect of the bus world sometimes!

I still don't know how it ended up in a collection in Aberdeenshire, mind you...

[Weird Car]

2 minutes ago, Zelandeth said:

still don't know how it ended up in a collection in Aberdeenshire, mind you...

Next time I bump into my former “very close friend” I’ll have to mention if he knows much about it’s Scottish history, I’m glad it’s back down south now, last I heard it was receiving some treatment to the back end, I really hope they manage to save the old DVLA Advertisement in the process 

[danthecapriman]

I remember these very very well! Used to see and use them all the time, and the VR’s from their Provincial green days right through to that final First Provincial cream & red. Usually getting on at Horndean and off at Waterlooville town centre. Great old buses they were.

Im 99% sure some of the ones Provincial and First used down here actually came from Scotland.

[High Jetter]

@danthecapriman off topic, but if you know the area, any recollections of Longlife Accessories shops?

[danthecapriman]

3 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

@danthecapriman off topic, but if you know the area, any recollections of Longlife Accessories shops?

I don’t think so… refresh my memory though, something might come to me! The name kind of rings a bell.

[High Jetter]

11 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

I don’t think so… refresh my memory though, something might come to me! The name kind of rings a bell.

It was like Motorist Discount Centres, had branches around the South & South East including Soton, Waterlooville, Southsea, Guildford, Eastbourne, Brighton. Ended up part of Smiths Industries.

[danthecapriman]

26 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

It was like Motorist Discount Centres, had branches around the South & South East including Soton, Waterlooville, Southsea, Guildford, Eastbourne, Brighton. Ended up part of Smiths Industries.

I can’t place it to be honest. It’s most likely it was there but I just didn’t take any notice! I’ve got an idea it might possibly have been on one of the side streets off the main shopping strip, near the library but can’t be sure.

Waterlooville town centre is a ghost town now! Almost every shop is boarded up and in disrepair since Covid. Some of the side roads of shops are completely deserted. It’s a pity as it was a nice busy place when I was a kid!

[High Jetter]

1 hour ago, danthecapriman said:

I can’t place it to be honest.

OK, thanks for trying. Many of their shops had yards attached, where we fitted tyres. Kelly Springfield was their brand of choice.

[Weird Car]

So I know I said I wouldn’t do any updates on the Triumph, well I lied, sorry 😆

she’s been named Tragedy the Triumph and has been soaking up daily driver duties admirably, I’ve completely re wired the front end as most of the wiring was eaten by rodents and got all the lights now working, also added a radio mainly for my own sanity as her new roof rack whistles something fierce on the motorway, I’ve also replaced almost the entire ignition system and still can’t find the misfire, I’ve made it better but it’s still there, the only thing to change is the distributor which appears to be seized in the block so I’m leaving it for now, got around to rebuilding the front brakes yesterday so she’s stopping better now but decided to thank me by blowing a rear slave cylinder so rear brakes are next on the agenda. Overall I absolutely love it though! 

 

in other fleet news, I finally have a garage! Herbie is currently in there for the winter but it’s going to be really lovely having a HQ so to speak where I can work on cars and make a mess and have no grief from neighbours

nothings happened with the Rolls yet, in fact it’s still bunking at @calebaaront’s because the starter motor has packed up which is annoying as it’s relatively new, it needs moving to his yard ASAP though so I can work on it, I’m struggling to find anyone to move it though as it’s too heavy for most cars to tow legally

 

And as if 3 Classics wasn’t enough this little cutie will be joining my fleet in January, I’ve wanted an A30/A35 for a long time and my boss was selling this 1955 example, It’s had most of the welding done as well as brakes, exhaust, and engine so it’s mostly just a game of “put it back together”

can’t wait to crack on with it!

 

[Weird Car]

Busy day today getting the Rolls to the yard after being broken at @calebaaront‘s house forever, now I can finally get that starter solenoid sorted 

of course the battery was dead so the Triumph supplied the life juice so I could put the transmission into neutral as it has a stupid lockout that keeps the gearbox in park if the battery dies 

 

anyway, updates to follow soon I promise, I’m itching to drive it again 

[Weird Car]

Ah the joys of classic cars, last Thursday the Triumph decided to snap its rear axle whist I was driving to work at 70mph on the M27, I had noted it looked very crispy when I changed the brakes the other week and was planning to get it looked at but thought I’d have more time before it let go, anyway it snapped, locked the off side rear wheel and spun me 4 times, I must say it was definitely a scary experience and an eye opener to not just “ignore rot” as I was previously doing, I’ve been wallowing in it the past week and I’m only just posting about it now as the realisation that I could have very easily killed somebody or myself is finally wearing off, the Triumph has now gone for scrap and I’m on the hunt for a new daily 

[ETCHY]

Bloody hell that was lucky. Glad you escaped unscathed.

Yeah  I used to look at the rusty back beam on our old K11 Micra & worry ( but did nowt !)

Bit of a warning  to us all really.

[High Jetter]

Jeez, you had a lucky escape there, and did very well if you didn't hit anything.

[2flags]

You were very lucky there. Does make you wonder about the reasoning of making 40yr old cars MoT exempt. Rust doesn't care how old a car is. 

[danthecapriman]

Glad you’re alright and nobody was injured. Sounds like you did well recovering and keeping your head when it happened as it must have been brown trouser moment!

Would be on the M27 where it broke too! Bloody awful road.

[horriblemercedes]

3 hours ago, 2flags said:

You were very lucky there. Does make you wonder about the reasoning of making 40yr old cars MoT exempt. Rust doesn't care how old a car is. 

Then again, I had a car that passed an MOT (I didn't ask for a dodgy one and never even met the tester). It was failed for front pads. The garage changed the pads and it was sent out to run for another year. About 4-5 weeks later, I went under the back end to do a job and found holes in the rear subframe and it was just falling apart, with one section cracked through but still held together by other bracing.

I had instant nightmares of something like @Weird Car's experience so I sent it for scrap and replaced the car.

 

Glad you weren't hurt! That is a good way to learn the lesson, I suppose.

[SilverMachine]

glad yourself and no one else was injured! when i purchased my fusion a few years ago that was awaiting a replacement rear axle as that had snapped in a similar fashion although not sure where or at what speed! but said fusion was just below 60k when that happened, is at about 72k now four ish years later!

i know you have probably lost all confidence in the triumph, but is it unrepairable? would an axle from another honda fit maybe a crx or similar? just wondering as your triumph dose look rather tidy, but i cant see what damage is done underneath!

again glad yourself and no one else was injured, and you also helped a recovery person bring home there bread!

[captain_70s]

3 hours ago, 2flags said:

You were very lucky there. Does make you wonder about the reasoning of making 40yr old cars MoT exempt. Rust doesn't care how old a car is. 

MOT exemption is irrelevant in this case. It's the owner's job to ensure it's in safe condition and, by their own admission, they knew it was boned already and wasn't worth welding repairs!

The rear suspension components are probably the thickest bit of metal used in an Acclaim's construction! I'd be much more worried about the mounts rotting out as they're usually coated in mud kicked up from the rear wheels.

[Weird Car]

14 minutes ago, SilverMachine said:

i know you have probably lost all confidence in the triumph, but is it unrepairable? would an axle from another honda fit maybe a crx or similar? just wondering as your triumph dose look rather tidy, but i cant see what damage is done underneath

It’s gone to the motorway in the sky now unfortunately, highway agency charged me £320 to have it recovered to their salvage yard and to recover some of the money back I signed it over to them to be scrapped, it really wasn’t in as good a condition as it looks in photos, and as the owner I should have been more vigilant about driving it but unfortunately I wasn’t , I won’t make that mistake again though I assure you