The slightly sad story of Helena

[twosmoke300]

Even just taking it around the yard was enough to remember how lovely and agile it felt . 
Really looking forward to using this a bit . 

Next job is to take all the coolant hoses off and clean up the stubs where they fit as they are getting furry and give the system a good flush . Dad always kept good anti freeze in it so hopefully not too many horrors . I know there is at least one coolant pipe that has been “ dadded “ which needs to be replaced . Unfortunately it’s a pre moulded shape and different sizes at each end . I’ve been stock piling random coolant hoses for a while so hopefully I can sort something out . 
 

It’s starting on the button lovely now so that’s a moral boost in any project . 

All the electrics inc radio still work fine too . 
 

This MOT will be its last one too as it turns 40 next year. 
That will be my second “ free” vehicle on the fleet after the KE175 . ( family has owned it almost as long )

 

[N Dentressangle]

Lightweight, minimalist and clean-lined in a way today's small cars just aren't - lovely.

[Six-cylinder]

Our LNA was out and about last year and in spite of its poor appearance went to the autumn Citroen Rally.

[dozeydustman]

19 hours ago, twosmoke300 said:

Some progress ! Got a new old stock carb from Italy . They are different from 104s and sambas which is a pain in the ass . 
Just given the engine a good jet wash off and ran it back up to dry it out .

Ive booked a few days on it in March to undo dad’s bodges and hopefully get it mot ready . 

 

I would like to nominate this as Feb 2025 calendar shot

[Six-cylinder]

15 minutes ago, dozeydustman said:

I would like to nominate this as Feb 2025 calendar shot

I have added it.

[twosmoke300]

Long overdue update . 
Life and work gets in the way I guess . That and trying to organise my career suicide 😂

Anyhoo - last week she was shipped off to my local tame welder for some attention to the os sill . I can do welding but I feel this old girl deserves more than a quick patch up job . 
Just as well as it grew a bit ! And the drip rail was an added complication . The welder was very surprised at its overall condition tho . But the metal used in it was “ as thin as a political promise apparently. 
 

Brakes were all stripped and overhauled but I couldn’t get any fluid to the rear brakes so I suspected the brake pressure limiting valve . I expect this could be rebuild but good luck finding seals . So a chap on the fb group sold me a NOS one and a good os mirror . 
The engine / engine bay stuff is all done hopefully and it starts and runs lovely now . 
 

Hopefully I’ll have more time and enthusiasm when I’m not working on cars all day . It’s very hard to get excited about staying on at work or working an evening on a car when it’s what you do 8-5 every day . And if I’m honest I’m just not that into cars . Motorcycles are my hobby focus . 
 

Anyhoo - couple of pics of the grot - he has made the sections up in house which is cool . 

[twosmoke300]

Those of you that went to Shitefest will know that this lil honey is back on the road .

Sorry for the lack of updates on this thread but it was all kept a bit quiet to keep it a surprise for @fatharris. He has long given up hope of me getting it done for SF and assumed I was going to let my side of the deal down and take my boring van . 
After coming back from the welders I realised that there wasn’t actually much left to do on it . 
New brake valve on the back , sort a stripped front caliper bleeder thread and a few bits n bobs and she was presented for test .

It only went and bloody passed !

So with the SF deadline looming in a week it was pressed into daily action to get a couple of hundred miles on it to iron out some kinks . 
A few low voltages due to some corroded fuse holders and a drive shaft oil leak that due to the engine design meant  it leaked engine oil , was all that popped up . 
Fuse holders cleaned and some snake oil put in to try and soften the seals ( didn’t work ) and it was good to go .

I took dad out for a short drive and he was very happy to see it !

Then it got pointed north to SF . Did 610 miles with no problem even with two big guys shoulder to shoulder in it 😂 . Brothers Terrano didn’t make 23 miles before it boiled up ! 
There are a few bits to do but for now I’m going to keep it wiped over with an oily rag and just use it . It did 54mpg to SF and back too . 
Thanks to @fatharris for providing me the kick up the arse I needed to get it done ( the chance of humiliating him if his bx broke down and the lna didn’t was too good to miss 😂) 

[fatharris]

It really was such a lovely surprise, and it really pootled along lovely for the entire duration!

What a motor 😍

[egg]

I'm a bit obsessed about LNAs. So this bloody good news as they are probably still in single figures even with yours.

[HMC]

Was great to have a quick catch up, p6 was perfect - nice cruiser and the pizza box (ahem) floorpan repair held up as well. Go me. 

I think it did about 30 mpg, which was unexpected. that and many DB with its blowing manifold.

[dozeydustman]

Really good to see this on the road.

[twosmoke300]

I’ve just realised that I didn’t put a single spanner on this car or top up any fluids on the SF trip . What a great little car. 

[wuvvum]

It was a nice surprise for me too to see it at SF.  They are an amazingly capable little car for their age, apart from the seats being a bit rubbish.

[twosmoke300]

Took the lil honey to its first show yesterday .

Took dad but he seemed very meh about it all which was slightly upsetting but all part of the dementia thing I guess .

LNA got some admiring looks and plenty of “ what the fuck is that “ looks too .

Thanks to @fatharris for the exhibitors tickets .
 

[Back_For_More]

Was great to see you guys at SF and Byron was asking about the BX as he remembers u had one when he was a nipper. 

Aside - how's the cub coming along? 

[twosmoke300]

40 minutes ago, Back_For_More said:

Was great to see you guys at SF and Byron was asking about the BX as he remembers u had one when he was a nipper. 

Aside - how's the cub coming along? 

The bike is in the naughty corner at the moment . 
Currently rebuilding my TS50X I had when I was 16 that I managed to get back from the other end of the country . 

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Only about 40 years late, but I’ve just noticed the Dyane headlamp surrounds.

[twosmoke300]

6 minutes ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

Only about 40 years late, but I’ve just noticed the Dyane headlamp surrounds.

Yeh they are a bit of a parts bin special .

[Dick Cheeseburger]

3 hours ago, twosmoke300 said:

Took the lil honey to its first show yesterday .

Took dad but he seemed very meh about it all which was slightly upsetting but all part of the dementia thing I guess .

LNA got some admiring looks and plenty of “ what the fuck is that “ looks too .

Thanks to @fatharris for the exhibitors tickets .
 

At least you've given your dad the chance to see it back on the road and to spend some time with you and the car. Take a load of photos and treasure the memories. 

Which show was that  - a local one? 

[twosmoke300]

28 minutes ago, Dick Longbridge said:

At least you've given your dad the chance to see it back on the road and to spend some time with you and the car. Take a load of photos and treasure the memories. 

Which show was that  - a local one? 

Carnhell Green Rally . About 5 miles from home for me

[Dick Cheeseburger]

3 minutes ago, twosmoke300 said:

Carnhell Green Rally . About 5 miles from home for me

Not heard of that one. Still disappointed to have missed WW and Sticker rally this year. Will look out for it next year.

[twosmoke300]

Pic from someone I know that was also there . Rallye LNA

[chaseracer]

On 11/08/2024 at 10:38, NorfolkNWeigh said:

Only about 40 years late, but I’ve just noticed the Dyane headlamp surrounds.

 

On 11/08/2024 at 10:45, twosmoke300 said:

Yeh they are a bit of a parts bin special .

Also use the indicators off the Renault 5 Gordini Rallye*...

😉