Heartbreak on the M1, or, 3 go mad in Peterboro'

[barrett]

(Cross-posting from the other place, more or less - sorry for yet another P-boro thread)

 

Garycox came and picked me up in the primer-grey Allegro at 8.30am, which is way too early for an unemployed man to be leaving the house. We then went and picked up his mate James and left Brighton behind at about 9, with an ineffective GPS system and a boot full of hope... On the way we spotted:

 

Kia Pride by barrogance, on Flickr

'Iotus' Esprit by barrogance, on Flickr

 

This guy wasn't invited....

VDP, RIP by barrogance, on Flickr

 

The chap in this Rover seemed so nonplussed about being tailed by the Allegro we decided he wasn't heading to the show at all, and chose not to follow him despite not really having any clue were we were. This photo actually marks the exact moment we decided to go the wrong way...

Rover P5 by barrogance, on Flickr

 

This Spitfire fooled us into thinking we were on the right track but it turned out to be a local out for a Sunday drive

Spitfire by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Finally, after a load of faffing about we managed to find our way there and parked up in the 'special field' for rubbish cars no one wanted to look at.

Arrival! by barrogance, on Flickr

 

....and parked next to this beauty!

Saab 99 by barrogance, on Flickr

 

more coming when Flickr stops being an ARSE

[Alexg]

 

SNAP! 2 threads about a car show in Peterborough feature a photo of the same car nearly 100 miles away!

[barrett]

Ah yeah I imagine there will be a fair bit of crossover with our threads, but I'm way too lazy to do it properly!

 

First thing that really caught my eye when we got there was this pair of 3-litres. As I was taking this we bumped into Angry Dickie and BMC_Dan

Free Litres by barrogance, on Flickr

 

The late Pogweasel's wet dream SINGLE SIDE HINGED DOOR FTW. This was unbelievable, if only he were alive to see it.

Sherpa! by barrogance, on Flickr

Sherpa! by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Typical scene. pretty much every BMC/BL car was represented, with a huge selection of the more popular stuff like Marinas and Allegros

Marina coupe rears by barrogance, on Flickr

 

The first, but certainly not the last, example of ridiculous stick-on tat we saw..

GT? by barrogance, on Flickr

 

There was a refreshing amount of tatty and unrestored cars in attendance, happily mixing it with the shiny stuff

Quality British workmanship by barrogance, on Flickr

 

....Like this, which was a circa 1990s Mini!

The Italian Wob by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Ultra low mileage and incredibly clean Montego in lovely chocolate brown, as featured on Ebay Tat

Montego by barrogance, on Flickr

 

...more soon

[barrett]

Nice 'Stro van seemed an honest old thing

Maestro van by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Amazing spot, the one and only roadworthy Riley Riviera. I've known about these things for years and years but never expected to see one. I think most people walked passed this without paying it much attention but it was without a doubt the rarest car there and the star of the show for me

Riley Riviera by barrogance, on Flickr

Riley Riviera by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Mean looking hopped-up Magnette was parked across the way

MG Magnette Farina by barrogance, on Flickr

 

There was a huge turn-out of Suntor campers, mostly A55s with a couple of Marinas, but this seems to be the only shot I took of them, a particularly GRIM example with sleeping canine

C.A.F.C/ tired dog by barrogance, on Flickr

 

More Sherpa love

Sherpa Autosleeper by barrogance, on Flickr

Sherpa Autosleeper by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Bedford CA by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Only Japanese vehicle in attendance...

Toyota Hiace by barrogance, on Flickr

[barrett]

Austin version of the Marina van was delightfully crusty, and filled to the brim with random shit. I'm guessing this one is still working for a living.

Austin 7cwt by barrogance, on Flickr

 

SHIT THE BED! Not only can this Volvo talk, it can type and use a printer! It's the new 'sausages' dog!

Ovlov speaks by barrogance, on Flickr

 

This chap had a huge handbuilt model of his 1100 and the carava he tows with it, plus a couple of other cars he's owned in the past. I'm guessing he is retired.

Wooden 1100 by barrogance, on Flickr

 

This was attracting a lot of favourable attention from the autoshite regulars

Chrysler Avenger by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Mega clean, ultra low miles 'tina

Cortina Mk4 by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Mr_Bo110x?

Old Skool-master Fords by barrogance, on Flickr

[barrett]

Garycox looks on in bemusement at the frankly ludicrous Magenta

Magenta by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Mental Old Man Alert!

Volvo 740 GL by barrogance, on Flickr

 

This guy has won a bunch of prizes for 'best array of folding chairs' and 'best selection of 'best array of folding chairs' rosettes'

1300 by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Standard Ensign Estate by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Bargain? by barrogance, on Flickr

 

these guys were having a competition with the group sitting in front of the Sherpa Coupe to see who could be more relaxed. Not sure who won.

Relaxed Men by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Must be mega-rare, Shirely?

Morris Oxford Estate by barrogance, on Flickr

 

 

I think this is a pukka ex-works Monte Carlo jobbie

Mini Cooper by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Not sure who invited my mum?

Sleeping Beauty by barrogance, on Flickr

[autofive]

Amazing spot, the one and only roadworthy Riley Riviera. I've known about these things for years and years but never expected to see one. I think most people walked passed this without paying it much attention but it was without a doubt the rarest car there and the star of the show for me

Riley Riviera by barrogance, on Flickr

Riley Riviera by barrogance, on Flickr

 

 

the owner seems to have gone for the midrange 'stage B Conversion'; wirewheels but no rear demister

[barrett]

Actually, it was a full-on Stage A job. the demister was present but impossible to see from that angle (looked like the 'mouth' of an old vacuum cleaner resting on the parcel shelf). The car had every option that was offered with the highest rate of tune for the engine. The bloke showed me round it properly and it's a real quality conversion.

[autofive]

stage C then, if the tuning was included

 

dont suppose it had its original HMV radio?

[barrett]

Pedant I think it did have its radio but I'm not sure, maybe someone else can confirm?

 

Anyway, Maxis; Hard to tell from this pic but this was the spitting image of Mr. H_Sceptre's example

Austin Maxi by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Early Maxis by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Crabz:

Rallycrabz by barrogance, on Flickr

 

BEST CAR EVER

Morris Marina hatchback by barrogance, on Flickr

 

...Really, just so good

Morris Marina hatchback by barrogance, on Flickr

Morris Marina hatchback by barrogance, on Flickr

Morris Marina hatchback by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Metro van by barrogance, on Flickr

 

There were about 5 of us standing round soundly ripping the piss out of this absurd handmade wooden table that matches the Metro when the owner came over and got something out of the glovebox. OOPS! But really, it just looks fuggin' insane!

Austin MiniMetro by barrogance, on Flickr

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

I'd have said it was great had it not been ruined by the inaccurate space after the 'A'.

 

Nice writeup, almost as good as being there. Would read again A+.

[barrett]

Ah that must be it, I knew there was something 'off' about it

 

Wuuvum's amazing Solara

Talbot Solara by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Car park spot GS....

Citroen GS by barrogance, on Flickr

Citroen GS by barrogance, on Flickr

 

....And LDV

LDV van by barrogance, on Flickr

 

This is so nearly perfect...

BMC J4 by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Ital van by barrogance, on Flickr

 

And that was more or less it, so we hopped in the 'Aggro and headed to Poggleswade to drop of an engine stand...

Final farewell by barrogance, on Flickr

[barrett]

....Which was a task we completed easily. After a quick brew and a vow to have a vasectomy as soon as possible, we hit the road and headed home. seeing as the fuel gauge doesn't work we thought it prudent to stop for a quick pez/ piss stop at the glorious* South Mimms services, where we saw this:

Stock car... by barrogance, on Flickr

 

and then this happened....

HELP! by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Oh yeah, did we mention the header tank was pissing water everywhere by the time we got to the show, and whole front end of the car was about 400f....? hmm... still, wasn't expecting it to expire completely. Being a bunch of total FUDS we weren't sure what the fug was happening but Gary realised the fanbelt was about three times as big as it should be.... still no chance of us doing anything but fortunately there was a helpful man in a Marina nearby...

Helpful Marina by barrogance, on Flickr

 

He managed to crank the engine by hand so we knew it wasn't seized (there was virtually no oil in it and we were all imagining the worst at this point). A call to the AA and 30 minutes later a very friendly and helpful chap arrived and managed to squeeze on a new belt (which he didn't charge for) and charge up the battery, and we were on our way again! We thought it prudent to fill up with oil, over at the petrol station we slinked past this beauty; Primer grey (just like the Allegro!), broken-down British family car (just like the Allegro...)

Broken Jag by barrogance, on Flickr

 

This glorious old barge rolled in behind it

Bentley, South Mimms by barrogance, on Flickr

 

And its younger, brasher cousin was next to us!

Style Vs. Money by barrogance, on Flickr

Style Vs. Money by barrogance, on Flickr

 

So, all set, we headed home (again). This time we got to within spitting distance of Brighton before the wipers decided to pack up. In the middle of a massive storm. zero visibility, I was navigating by sticking my head out the passenger window and shouting "CURB! CURB! RIGHT! RIGHT! LEFT!" etc. This photo actually makes it look better than it was...

Hmmm... by barrogance, on Flickr

 

Managed to limp to my house, where everything decided it was just going to start working again! Excellent! As far as I know Garycox didn't MASSIVELY DIE on the way home so I guess it's all ok. I can't wait till I get my own rubbish old car and I can start living this kind of adventure every day!

 

Cheers to Gary for the lift up! Nice to meet you ReallyLoud, BMC-Dan and Rootes_Arrow (very briefly) and see Angry Dicky and Wuuvum again. Sorry we missed a load of you (I was waving like a twat at Mash's Trumpet when he was on his way out) but I'm sure we'll see you at the next one!

[Rocket88]

Brilliant write up. That Riveira is lovely. I remember one of those being totalled at Matcham's banger track many years ago. What was the full spec on those, I wonder if you could build a replica from MGB bits.

[boobydoo]

Hah!

I was wondering if the saddo with the 'matching' picnic table and Metro would turn up.

 

I'm sure some people (like him) go to EVERY possible show EVERY weekend...how the hell to they get the time?

[Mike D]

Excellent pics

 

Was the crazy dude with the Marina hatch wearing his usual massive cowboy hat?! I'm suprised that old crate made it to Peterborough, the front wheels always look to have MEGACAMBER

[michiel]

Thankfully I am alone in the office, for I have LOLled my pants off.

[wuvvum]

 

I love this pic.

[BMC Dan]

AGREED WITH EVERY1 ELSE, GOOD DAY OUT

[chaseracer]

I think this is a pukka ex-works Monte Carlo jobbie

 

 

Yup. 1965 Monte, apparently...

 

http://www.theitalianjob.com/worksminis ... tmonte.htm

[garycox]

There was a huge turn-out of Suntor campers, mostly A55s with a couple of Marinas, but this seems to be the only shot I took of them

 

Didn't you take a pic of the rusty one with the random front bumper?

[Spottedlaurel]

Excellent pic's and write-up!

 

I encountered the insane rain between Newhaven and just north of Brighton last night. Even in the Accord it was a little unnerving.

[Mash]

Brilliant write-up, I'm really sorry I missed you. Luckily it was fairly dry on the way home for me and Fatha_Mash.

 

First time out with a revcounter now fitted to the Triumph shows 4000rpm in top at 60mph still with another 25mph in hand

[pompei]

I see that blue Marina hatch a couple of times a week - it seems to be getting more decrepid by the day

[dollywobbler]

What a jolly read! Good fun all-round. Love the Bentley filling shot.

 

Brilliant write-up, I'm really sorry I missed you. Luckily it was fairly dry on the way home for me and Fatha_Mash.

 

First time out with a revcounter now fitted to the Triumph shows 4000rpm in top at 60mph still with another 25mph in hand

 

Yeah, I love the Triumph 1300, but they really are horrifically undergeared! Ruins an otherwise superb car. Or perhaps makes it ideal for Wales...

[CIH]

I love those ranom encounters you get just prior and after a show. First time I went to billng with the VBOA in a Manta I was sure I was lost untill I encountered a purple Opel Commodore GSE!

[stuboy]

surprising how many survived

[Station]

This guy has won a bunch of prizes for 'best array of folding chairs' and 'best selection of 'best array of folding chairs' rosettes'

1300 by barrogance, on Flickr

 

The last show I went to I was going to bring my dad's old darts trophies (he's got loads, mostly 'runner up') to display around my car, but forgot!