My New WiFeY

[comfortablynumb]

I was told some time ago that a well-known car scene owner had refused to lend any more vehicles to the late 'Top Gear' because of the way they were treated, and the condition they were in when they were returned.

I don't even leave my cars alone for an MOT, after a friend had a modified MK1 cortina rammed into a wall, after the mechanics found out how quick it was, and were spinning it round the yard, when one ran out of talent🥺

[warren t claim]

On 27/09/2025 at 13:39, comfortablynumb said:

I was told some time ago that a well-known car scene owner had refused to lend any more vehicles to the late 'Top Gear' because of the way they were treated, and the condition they were in when they were returned.

I don't even leave my cars alone for an MOT, after a friend had a modified MK1 cortina rammed into a wall, after the mechanics found out how quick it was, and were spinning it round the yard, when one ran out of talent🥺

https://www.thetimes.com/travel/advice/top-gear-trashed-historic-jaguar-dgr3gpnhw8w

[bezzabsa]

44 minutes ago, warren t claim said:

https://www.thetimes.com/travel/advice/top-gear-trashed-historic-jaguar-dgr3gpnhw8w

Driven Hard.............. surely anyone with an ounce of sense would reel it in a bit when they know its history?? 

didn't Hammond have some grief when he crashed that one in Yorkshire? Owner complained they were 'too hard' on the vehicle

[eddyramrod]

Random wandering down a nearby alley yesterday...

I know, I know, we've seen it before.  But I think it's so pretty, if a bit worn.  And it never moves.  It deserves the occasional visit from WiFeY.  I shot these at the same time...

Hopefully I can get the new windscreen rubber fitted soon!  I'm banking on that seeing off the water ingress so that I can put some carpet down at last.

[eddyramrod]

On 25/09/2025 at 10:12, eddyramrod said:

There's a website for the purpose called American Dreams, which deals with more than just American cars.  I'll be registering WiFeY there.

I've done that now.  Nothing's come in yet (lol).

[eddyramrod]

You know all these Compulsory Elements we are supposed to put in a Collection Fred?  Well the other day I managed to remember one...

Tesco petrol, in Barrow.

In use, I'm finding the suspension a bit on the firm side.  Might have to see what I can do about that.  Could be it needs new shocks; but I think it could just be that there's too much air in the tyres.  Investigations continue...  Also, they continue with the gearbox.  I know these were not the most durable automatics so it's no surprise that it feels like it's seen better days.  For the moment though, top priority goes to the new windscreen rubber.  Once that's fitted and proven not to be leaking, I'll move on to the next thing.

But oh boy, I feel so at home driving it!  I've done a couple of hundred miles so far, almost entirely round-town, which is a couple of hundred more than I ever managed in the Velox 48 years ago, so I'm happy.

[captain_70s]

1 hour ago, eddyramrod said:

In use, I'm finding the suspension a bit on the firm side.  Might have to see what I can do about that.  Could be it needs new shocks; but I think it could just be that there's too much air in the tyres. 

Has it perhaps been lowered a bit? It seems to have a bit of a nose down stance.

Tyres should be around 30psi I should think, some tyre fitters are quite generous when filling them...

What size wheels/tyres are you running? I know stock they should be 165/80R14 if not on crossplys!

[danthecapriman]

Glad you’re enjoying it Eddy. I bet it’s done more mileage in the time you’ve had it than it’s done in a very long time before!

It looks fantastic in that photo, although I do agree with @captain_70s, it does look maybe lowered at the front. I know that ‘raked’ look was popular in this cars day so maybe someone’s had a mess with the suspension at some stage?

[eddyramrod]

Yes, I've been thinking the same.  I do wonder if the front should be riding a little higher.

@captain_70s I'm running 185/75/14s all round.  I seem to remember the crossplies on my Velox were supposed to run at about 26psi; it's quite possible the fitters were indeed a bit generous with these.  Let's see what the weather does tomorrow.  I still have the Omega at the moment so I'm in a very luxurious position of not needing to do stuff in the rain and dark!

[Angrydicky]

I don’t know what fluid/oil the autobox on that is designed to use but I would start by changing it. The sump is probably filthy inside as well. 
Lovely looking car!

[eddyramrod]

3 hours ago, Angrydicky said:

I don’t know what fluid/oil the autobox on that is designed to use but I would start by changing it. The sump is probably filthy inside as well. 
Lovely looking car!

Thanks Dicky; in fact that was one of the first jobs!  I had ALL the fluids changed; the Hydramatic uses Dexron II.  One thing I haven't done yet - and which might be a factor - is take it for enough of a run to get a proper reading on the dipstick.  I do have one planned a couple of weeks away so obviously I'll report back after that.  Meanwhile I've just booked it in for Monday, to get the noisy exhaust seen to.

[comfortablynumb]

Such a great looking car Eddie, how long did you take to get out of the petrol station with all the 'Nice car mister' comments? 😁

When MK2 son took his 105e Anglia to fill at the Wisbech Tesco a while ago, he was stopped by a passer by who enthusiastically shouted 'That's a lovely car............What is it??' 🤣

[eddyramrod]

Surprisingly: not long at all! I picked my time carefully so it wasn't too busy, and I didn't go in the shop, I paid at the pump.  That said, she does attract random admiring waves and smiles.

[captain_70s]

21 hours ago, eddyramrod said:

 

@captain_70s I'm running 185/75/14s all round

That should be fine for ride. I wondered if they were something lower profile to fit the aftermarket wheels but those will actually be a bit taller than stock I think!

[eddyramrod]

And just as Desmond wants an exhaust... so does WiFeY!  

She's a bit easier to fix though, with a few blobs of weld.  Yeah I know it's a bodge.  I don't mind.  Period correct, innit?

[comfortablynumb]

Not sure if you've seen this Eddie, but it's a bit (!) rougher than yours....🥺

Which fucking idiot picked it up with a chain?🤬

All credit to the lads though, hope they get somewhere with it.

https://youtu.be/Ycd50DGs41A?si=IdO-5rOQzhw-zeya

[eddyramrod]

I hadn't seen that, no!  Thank you!  There's a bit of work to do on that one but anything that saves another of these beauties is worth doing.  That one actually looks at least as bad as my first one, when it finally went to scrap in 1983.

As for picking it up with a chain: I think being the earlier three-window model has actually helped it, as the ribs run all the way along the roof, so the damaged area will be quite small each side.  Slightly upsetting to see it's lost its original number plate but the replacement doesn't look out of place.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Looking at the comments, it's already been sold to someone with a couple of them and lots of parts have been salvaged. The shell has gone to be a 'race car'. At least it helped keep another pair of them going. 

[eddyramrod]

Couple of pics from the other day...

I genuinely don't remember which day this was!  There can't be many contenders, I've been dodging rain for the last week or more.  Anyway... what's happening here is I'm clearing out the boot of each car.  WiFeY was carrying a lot of brightwork that isn't actually needed at the moment, but belongs to her, so I didn't want any of it getting damaged when I unloaded Desmond into her!  She's now carrying most of the stuff that's been living in his boot most of the year.  But what to do with the brightwork?

Fortunately, I had a surplus length of plastic drainpipe!  I cut it to length, blocked one end with the end of a 500ml Pepsi bottle, and slid the strips in.  Perfect!  These can now live in my tiny shed, where they take up very little space.

[UltraWomble]

Youve been out and about it seems

[eddyramrod]

Yes, and look at the weather... taking out a car like that on a day like that should be an actual crime.  However, I don't feel as bad as I might, because the 100 year old Bentley was there too!

[bezzabsa]

I'll have to keep an eye out the end of April as i'm up not too far from BARROW on me holidays ..In Lakeland.. will be asking for places to visit closer to the date

[lesapandre]

8 hours ago, UltraWomble said:

Youve been out and about it seems

Clap-hands wipers for added style too...

[captain_70s]

Leafing through the latest Cresta Club magazine that arrived today, I see you've got a write-up!

[hairnet]

On 07/12/2025 at 20:10, bezzabsa said:

I'll have to keep an eye out the end of April as i'm up not too far from BARROW on me holidays ..In Lakeland.. will be asking for places to visit closer to the date

workington

[eddyramrod]

On 07/12/2025 at 20:10, bezzabsa said:

I'll have to keep an eye out the end of April as i'm up not too far from BARROW on me holidays ..In Lakeland.. will be asking for places to visit closer to the date

Lakeland Motor Museum, just off the A590 (can be combined with the Lakeside & Haverthwaite steam railway and a Windermere Cruise).  Arrive on the morning of the first Saturday of the month, all year round, and be ready for a free open-air show as well as the museum.

Barrow has a lovely park (well I would say that...) close to the town centre; and it's free.  Also several very reasonable coffee shops.  Visit on the right day and you can see a nuclear sub in the water.  There's also the Dock Museum (open Wed-Sun) which is fascinating, especially in terms of local history.

Ulverston has a street market Thursday and Saturday, and a world-famous Laurel & Hardy Museum.  On the right day you can climb the inside of the Hoad; the Sir John Barrow monument.  Ulverston Canal is a nice walk too, only a mile or so.

There are several castles and historic houses dotted around.  How much driving do you want to do?  We've got museums dedicated to Beatrix Potter, John Ruskin, William Wordsworth; there's a terrific Theatre By The Lake at Keswick.  If you're up that way there are some gorgeous rural walks (that aren't too taxing) and can include a stone circle, like Stonehenge but smaller.

And those are just a few highlights!

[flat4alfa]

You might want to give the previous owner family a ring as they've been flogging off Cresta parts

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?sid=lindalinda2012

[bezzabsa]

On 09/12/2025 at 00:49, eddyramrod said:

Lakeland Motor Museum, just off the A590 (can be combined with the Lakeside & Haverthwaite steam railway and a Windermere Cruise).  Arrive on the morning of the first Saturday of the month, all year round, and be ready for a free open-air show as well as the museum.

Barrow has a lovely park (well I would say that...) close to the town centre; and it's free.  Also several very reasonable coffee shops.  Visit on the right day and you can see a nuclear sub in the water.  There's also the Dock Museum (open Wed-Sun) which is fascinating, especially in terms of local history.

Ulverston has a street market Thursday and Saturday, and a world-famous Laurel & Hardy Museum.  On the right day you can climb the inside of the Hoad; the Sir John Barrow monument.  Ulverston Canal is a nice walk too, only a mile or so.

There are several castles and historic houses dotted around.  How much driving do you want to do?  We've got museums dedicated to Beatrix Potter, John Ruskin, William Wordsworth; there's a terrific Theatre By The Lake at Keswick.  If you're up that way there are some gorgeous rural walks (that aren't too taxing) and can include a stone circle, like Stonehenge but smaller.

And those are just a few highlights!

only there from Monday to Friday fancied a change from Wales LOL....already seen - and delivered - to the Nuke subs several times..

If the Motor Museum is open in April deffo will do that..

Would love to visit the place where an old friends ashes are scattered, but its on top of a bloody big hill and legs N back won't allow me unfortunately ..

[Weird Car]

Spotted on that there Facebook 

[High Jetter]

Shawcross? Lordy.