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Post by andrewa on Jun 10, 2019 13:31:10 GMT
The best i achieved was one lane down from the top - if that makes sense - and it felt extremely odd - wasn't really going fast enough to counter the "slipping down" feeling. A local reckoned 120 mph upwards was the sweet spot which is a bit beyond me!
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Post by andrewa on Jul 17, 2019 10:04:22 GMT
Off to France tomorrow for this thing on Sunday - its basically a route around some famous and interesting bits of Paris that brings together 600 vintage vehicles (cars, motorcycles, bicycles), plus tractors, and military vehicles. The crews leave the National Conservatory of Old Vehicles in Antony (what a great idea - an institute whose main purpose is to keep old car making/fixing skills alive), to arrive on the Terrace of the Observatory of Meudon, to picnic and finish the day. We've tacked on a few days either side. I'm assuming it'll be basically a mammoth traffic jam but I gather some roads in Paris are going to be closed to all except us. Either way - it'll be a laugh. For once have packed the tool kit and plenty of water for me and the car + plus the plug in fridge in the boot. Was going to run 28 psi at the front and bump the back up to 26 psi as we're fully loaded with people and gear (for the drive down) - pretty immaterial for the event itself as I doubt we'll exceed 10 mph for most of it  Affiche_TdP_Estivale_Image by andrew atherton, on Flickr |
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Post by dave1800 on Jul 18, 2019 0:11:54 GMT
Have great time!
David
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Post by andrewa on Jul 18, 2019 6:20:27 GMT
Will do - in potentially 37 degree heat it looks like!
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Post by andrewa on Jul 24, 2019 9:22:57 GMT
Well we're back and it was fun but hard work in the heat. Car performed well and didn't boil despite the odd hour wait from time to time on the ring road, stationary in 38 degrees. I did pull over at one point to give both ends of the car a breather...we had the plug in fridge in the boot chucking out hot air as well...  DSC00252 by andrew atherton, on Flickr The event itself was basically zig zagging backwards and forwards across all the bridges in Paris. The police and locals were friendly and we could basically stop anywhere we liked but it was slow going... It all ended with a massive picnic which was very pleasant - particularly as there were trees to grab a shady spot under and a bit of a breeze. It does appear the Austin marque is quite revered in France - at least that's what I think this French chap was saying (!) and it certainly garnered a lot of interest. The children have more piccies on their phones of the car in front of various monuments which I'll put up later...  DSC00292 by andrew atherton, on Flickr  DSC00290 by andrew atherton, on Flickr  DSC00293 by andrew atherton, on Flickr  DSC00288 by andrew atherton, on Flickr DSC00286 by andrew atherton, on Flickr DSC00280 by andrew atherton, on Flickr DSC00255 by andrew atherton, on Flickr DSC00280 by andrew atherton, on Flickr DSC00270 by andrew atherton, on Flickr DSC00271 by andrew atherton, on Flickr DSC00271 by andrew atherton, on Flickr  DSC00271 by andrew atherton, on Flickr  DSC00270 by andrew atherton, on Flickr |
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Post by dave1800 on Jul 24, 2019 10:34:08 GMT
It looks as though you all had a great time. Nice to know that even a tuned crab can withstand 38 degrees in traffic without overheating, a tribute to the tuners! How did you all keep cool - wet towels on the head maybe?
David
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Post by Penguin45 on Jul 24, 2019 11:11:26 GMT
Sounds like great fun, and a terrifically English thing to do - reducing Paris to chaos!  Got both vents fully open and the rear quarter lights open on mine. Very effective, providing you're moving. Chris. |
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Post by andrewa on Jul 24, 2019 11:28:36 GMT
We just got warm to be honest, but it wasn't too bad. Once you get past a certain point you seem to get used to it!
We were/are all suffering with some nasty cold/flu virus type thing which added to the enjoyment!!
When I expressed surprise/delight about lack of overheating I was gently reminded that to all intents and purposes it's basically a new car so it should perform properly after all the time and money that's been spent on it.....
The only cars that seemed to have problems were a couple of air-cooled Porsches - which obviously drew sympathy but also the odd wry smile/shrug!!
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Post by andrewa on Jul 30, 2019 15:59:46 GMT
I like the minilite type alloys and the slightly fatter tyres for more competitive stuff but for just knocking about the standard steels and narrower tyres make the car extremely comfortable.
The steels I've got with the narrower tyres are great but I fancy jazzing it up a bit.What alternative wheels will fit in the 4.5/5 J width - besides the Rostyles?
Cheers
A
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Post by Penguin45 on Jul 30, 2019 17:29:41 GMT
Think P5/P6. Lots to choose from..... Although the 'Crab on SD1 pepperpots a few years back looked completely ridiculous.  Chris. |
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Post by andrewa on Aug 6, 2019 6:15:55 GMT
To each his own I guess! On reflection and as a result of some received wisdom have decided I will fool around with what I've got to see if I can recreate a different look, rather than doing my usual buy something etc. Have taken a leaf out of your book and had a garage clean up. In my case it was all the stuff I was too tight to take to the tip because they charge you for it. So off to tip in a mo looking like someone up to no good - 20 year old landcruiser filled with gas bottles, old tyres, assorted bit of scrap etc. will be surprised if I don't get stopped..... Photos later of my latest "improvements" to the wheels...and here they are. I'd had the steels powdercoated black and used them as my "winter wheels" - can't be bothered with the expense of repaint/colour change at the mo and the original hupcaps don't fit properly. Bought these hupcaps off the internet and think it looks quite cool in American Cop Car sought of way (ish!)  DSC00313 by andrew atherton, on Flickr Then decided to add beauty rims...  DSC00312 by andrew atherton, on Flickr Better IMHO....and here's the finished article  DSC00314 by andrew atherton, on Flickr Exposed part of wheel might look better in either body colour or pick up the red from the stripe but will leave that for another time. |
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Post by andrewa on Sept 16, 2019 15:36:25 GMT
Well it's not an 1800 but here's me and youngest daughter out and about in Speedster at Shere Hill Climb - she's taking the video on her phone...  SpeedsterB&W by andrew atherton, on Flickr  IMG_20190909_174326 by andrew atherton, on Flickr Exciting day...just a few things - this is the last time I'm accepting No13 as a race number...and always carry a fire extinguisher! I've got 'em in all other cars and now have one in this one - but didn't at the time which was a shame as she caught fire. Car been sitting in hot sun after hot runs up the hill, went to restart her, carb spat back, set fire to air filter but I didn't notice straight away so was driving around in flaming vehicle!! Fire marshalls nowhere to be seen, but borrowed an extinguisher from a nearby chap and all good. Some bubbling to the paint on the bonnet but nothing too grim. Have rebuilt the carb, will probably ditch an air filter element going forward, rerouted the fuel pipe and all seems good. Out in 1800 this weekend on a gentle rally so will report back on that. Cheers A |
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Post by Penguin45 on Sept 16, 2019 17:31:12 GMT
Looks like great fun.
Chris.
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Post by dave1800 on Sept 17, 2019 9:36:55 GMT
Nothing quite like open top motoring for enjoyment. Hope you avoid No13 for the crab rally!
David
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Post by 1800heap on Sept 22, 2019 7:21:31 GMT
Looks like its got some go.
Nick
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