So glad you are really enjoying your car. Look forward to every post!

Molleur - Cheers Jack. :cool:

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Baby, it's cold outside.
Yesterday was my first engine start up in a while and it sounded like a flat battery. :icon_sad:
( Very slow turn over and no signs of life. )

But, thankfully, on my fourth and final attempt before getting the charger out, the car suddenly burst into life. :cool:

Unfortunately, it then ran like a complete bag of nails for the first 10 miles or so. :rolleyes:

This was definitely the first real taste of Winter 2018/19, as I quickly lost feeling in my face! :eek:

At least I remembered my goggles this time, which helps.

Plus hearing a small child say "That's an old racing car." as you are waiting at lights is always heart warming. :D

With limited time available, I could only rack up around 20 odd miles in total, but better than nothing.

This also included a visit to some friends who has spotted me driving around and sent a text.
( Which I only saw when I stopped to fill up with petrol. )

By the time I got to Sainsburys on the way home, it looked like I would be cold & wet!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XF...=w1151-h863-no

My MOT it due next month (due to the painting delay last year) so I really must fix the overdrive switch.

So until next time, take care, Paul. :)

PS
Here are a few photos from my trip to Poland last weekend for my mate's wedding.

Got to love being above the clouds.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BQ...=w1151-h863-no

The view from our hotel room in Warsaw.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/B-...=w1151-h863-no

Note:
What appears to be dark black railway sleepers in between the roads are in fact made of bronze!

As they lead up to this, the "Monument to the Fallen and Murdered in the East".

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_I...=w1151-h863-no

Which is a reminder of what the Soviet Union did to Poland from 1939 to 1989.

Happy Halloween!
Sorry, no car news to report, so here is this year's pumpkin instead…

My first problem was the design didn't fit the 'nice' face of the pumpkin. :icon_sad:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_P...=w1151-h863-no

But at least this year I got to use power tools for the first time. :icon_wink:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WA...Q=w647-h863-no

However, it was a mistake to try and drill out the centre of the eyes. :rolleyes:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/B0...Q=w647-h863-no

At least it looks better in the dark. :cool:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bL...=w1151-h863-no

Cheers, Paul. :)

Cool!

I thought the Fiat 500 was a small car until I saw your photo above ! Good to see you're still out enjoying it all year round. I've just SORN'd my Z3 donor today, that will be it until March / April depending on the weather !

Molleur - Cheers.

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Lucky - As long as there is no rain (or snow) I will do my best to keep driving.

I must try to get a photo of my car next to a Z3 for scale/reference.

After all, it is pretty low compared to an original Fiat 500. :icon_wink:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PA...=w1154-h865-no

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Friday
The car was still very sluggish when it came to starting, but fired up on the 3rd attempt.

Sneaked in around 17 miles and it was pretty cold out, so just one quick stop for photos.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mf...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zC...=w1151-h864-no

When I got back, I left the car on the road, so I could check the oil when the engine had cooled down.

I actually thought I took a photo of the bonnet open, but the camera seems to have different ideas. :rolleyes:

My MOT is due in a few weeks, but after that, I will try to book the car in to get the oil burning/leaking fixed once and for all.

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Saturday
After a hearing test in the morning, I made sure I had my ear plugs in for a longer drive than usual later on.

The good news was that the car fired up at the first attempt, but it was noticeably milder than yesterday.

A quick blast up the M1 reminded me that these ear plugs are a good idea with all the wind noise.

Unfortunately, by the time I passed the Luton Airport exit, it had got much colder and looked like rain.

So I decided to turn back at that point and take the scenic route home.

Stopped at Dunstable Downs, near Whipsnade Zoo, for these photos.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dO...Q=w647-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ev...=w1151-h863-no

Had a great chat about the car with a guy who hobbled over on crutches as his foot was in a cast.

Given the effort he made to ask what it was, it seemed only fair to talk him through it.

Note: I've never been able to find a parking space here on nice sunny days, just dull and grey ones.

This was the last time I found somewhere to park. :rolleyes:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Nf...=w1146-h860-no

In the end, I racked up almost 70 miles, with one stop for a coffee to warm up a bit.

Until next time, take care, Paul. :)

Always enjoy your posts Paul!

Always nice to see you out and about. But does it need an MOT? Or do you arrange that for your own piece of mind?

All the best. Marc

It will need an MOT as it has been significantly changed in the last 30 years.

Ah, was it SVA'd then? Or does the re-body count for MOT (I know it doesn't as far as SVA requirements). This change in the MOT position is all new to me - just when I had got my head around the SVA (or not) rules.

Thanks Marc

As I understand it, if it has to have an updated V5 due to changes then the changes have to be 30 years old.
Saying that the rules are as clear as mud.

Molleur – Thanks.

I got a lot of inspiration from following build threads and then seeing the cars on the roads. :cool:

So I hope that I am doing my bit to encourage other builders to keep chipping away until they are done.

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Marc & Jag – The following is just my interpretation of the VHI rules, so here goes….

With a 1980 donor car, I have to wait until April 2021 before I can apply for VHI status/MOT exemption.

But I can see no reason why my particular car would not qualify for VHI in 2021, as it is about:

“the technical characteristics of the main components”

These components are listed as chassis, axles, running gear and engine.

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...anges-criteria

I have a stock Spitfire 1500 underneath and none of these components have been substantially changed.

As changing the bonnet hinge brackets does not count as a modification to structural integrity of the chassis.
( As confirmed by the DVLA via ACE – Association of Car Enthusiasts. )

My car does not qualify as either a kit car, reconstructed classic vehicle or kit conversion.

The bodyshell has no value within either the DVLA 8 point rule, or the VHI rules.

Which is why I was able to retain the original donor car registration number and avoid IVA.

Note:
As it currently stands, my insurance company requires an MOT, even if the car was a VHI.
Even if it didn’t, I would still put the car in for an annual safety check with my regular garage.

The key thing for me about VHI is that I believe that it will allow the car to still be driven in the future.
As my guess is that low emission zones will expand to ban all “old” cars, with exceptions for VHI.

But, as always, what do I know? :icon_wink:

Cheers, Paul. :)

You tell 'em Paul :fencing:

Still enjoying your adventures :high5:

micky1mo - Cheers.

But it is not about :fencing:

More about a group :hug:

As we are all in this together.

:D

I'm with Paul on the MOT issue. I have an unmodified MG Midget that fully qualifies for the MOT exemption, but I'll still be putting it through when it's due.

I see it as a cheap (£29.99 round here) annual safety inspection from a qualified automotive engineer. If it fails I'd rather spend money fixing what's wrong than have it fall apart in the fast lane of a motorway.

The MOT exemption is fine if you never really drive your classic, but not for those who push them on the road.

Mr T - Weirdly, I also think people seem wiling to pay more for a car that has free tax.

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Armistice Day
Was able to stick this little poppy badge into my wooly hat for a very quick/short drive today.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Gi...Q=w647-h863-no

But the sun was in the wrong place when I tried to get a photo of my car near the local memorial.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2E...A=w647-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/52...w=w648-h863-no

Recently, I seem to keep finding parking spaces next to small cars.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LL...=w1151-h863-no

Finally, you can spot the number of times I have forgotten to put the oil drip tray back into place when I park. :rolleyes:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rW...A=w647-h863-no

As it was, it was only when I downloaded the photo that I remembered that I'd forgotten again today. :doh:
( As I need to move it out of the way to avoid running it over when reversing out of the drive. )

Take care, Paul. :)

MOT - Number Three
I was hoping to prep the car yesterday (Friday), but despite having some spare time available, it was drizzle all day. :icon_sad:

So I had to start work before 8am this morning and there was a list of jobs…

First up was reconnecting the over drive switch to the gear lever.
(The Haynes' manual's 'reassemble in reverse order' wasn't exactly helpful. )

Thankfully, I quickly worked out that to get some play in the wires here...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6Z...=w1151-h863-no

I needed to cut this cable tie at the bottom of the gear lever here.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rZ...=w1151-h863-no

That allowed enough slack to pull the wires through.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CG...=w1151-h863-no

And connect the switch.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SY...=w1151-h863-no

I could then pull the wires back through, 'click' the switch back into place and use a new cable tie.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3R...Q=w647-h863-no

Job done. :cool:

Although making a leather gaitor for the gear level is clearly still on the 'To Do' list. :rolleyes:

Next it was the checking/torquing the wheel nuts.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6l...=w1151-h863-no

All but two nuts 'clicked' first time and the two that didn't needed less that half a turn.

I also checked/adjusted the tyre pressures and again they were all close.

Not a great photos, but all the 'dead bugs' needed to cleaned off the aero screens.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Mh...w=w647-h863-no

I also swept and hoovered all the leaves, etc. from inside the front footwells.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3y...=w1151-h863-no

Which reminds me, at some point I need to prune the 'garage' wall.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rw...A=w647-h863-no

Then the car was jacked up, and left on blocks, on the driver's side.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/M8...=w1151-h863-no

So I could crawl underneath.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aV...=w1151-h863-no

End of Part 1…

MOT - Part 2:
I'm afraid this is another poor photo, but I checked/tightened all the clamps on the exhaust.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/q5...=w1151-h863-no

You can see how black one section is from the oil leak being 'cooked' as I drive along. :icon_sad:

By chance, the car was jacked up pretty level, so I was able to check the oil on the driveway.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Lg...=w1151-h863-no

The bad news is that I had to go to Halfords to get my second can of oil.
( Which has only been used for topping up. )

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pB...A=w647-h863-no

I also added some anti-freeze to the overflow bottle while I was at it.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/y4...Q=w647-h863-no

I then got the bucket and sponge out, so the car would look a bit cleaner for the tester.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/j6...A=w647-h863-no

Before my wife helped me check all the lights were working.

Then it was a 'splash and dash' at the petrol station.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3u...=w1151-h863-no

Before I took the scenic route to the MOT station.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wF...=w1151-h863-no

Last year, the MOT had expired during the painting process, so I had to take the direct route there.

Which meant the car hadn't warmed up and only barely passed the emissions test. :eek:

This time, I figured it would be running better, especially as I've had the carbs serviced since last year.

Unfortunately, it was still a major pain in the ar$e to get the car to eventually scrape another pass on emissions. :icon_evil:

The MOT tester's top tip was to switch to fuel injection if I wanted to achieve a first time pass every time.

Anyway, here it is on the ramp.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ER...Q=w647-h863-no

Not a great photo of the view underneath, but the dented tail pipes are easy to see. :rolleyes:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BU...=w1151-h863-no

My oil leak made the advisories along with a couple of small points, but it was still a PASS. :cool:

Looking at the mileage, I've done just over 1,500 miles in the last 12 months and just over 2,700 miles in total.

Unfortunately, I only had time to celebrate with a quick spin to ASDA today.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8D...=w1151-h863-no

But, with a bit of luck, I might be able to take it for a longer drive tomorrow.

So until next time, take care, Paul. :)

PS
I will also try to catch up with my replies to other threads tomorrow too.

Cool ....another reasonably trouble free years ticket ....keep driving and enjoying her Paul ...

Hi Paul
Just out of curiosity which emissions limits are the garage using for you car?

I would expect that the vehicle "First used between 1 August 1975 and 31 July 1986" limits of CO<= 4.5% and HC<=1200ppm would be applied.

I would have thought that it should pass those limits fairly easily unless it's running rich.


I have an MR2 turbo based replica and the garage I used to take it to always applied the Cat Test limits when it should have been the non cat limits. (An exact model and engine match was not present in the MOT In Service Emissions book because MR2 turbos were never officially imported into this country.)

Gary - Cheers. :cool:

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NeilF355 - Sorry, I should have been clearer…

Yes, the car was running rich, which meant fail > adjust > fail > adjust > repeat > Pass. :rolleyes:

Technically, the garage could have stopped at the first fail and said book the car in for a service another day.

But I've been using them for years for our 'normal' cars, so they are happy (ish) to work on it during the test.

However, I feel very guilty that what should only take a few minutes ends up taking a LOT longer. :icon_sad:

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It is a LOT colder outside than it looks!
Headed out around 10.30am and was out for around 3 hours (with stops), racking up over 75 miles. :D

I found a great place for some Autumn photos in Luton Hoo. :cool:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3h...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qZ...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nq...w=w647-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ez...g=w647-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/o1...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mE...=w1151-h863-no

But it felt seriously cold and I had to stop after around 2 hours for a coffee and a cheese toastie to warm up.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/h6...=w1151-h863-no

Until next time, take care, Paul. :)

Paul L I'v had great successes tuning carbs using a pair of COLOUR TUNE kits and a balance gauge.

With one COLOUR TUNE tube in cylinder No1 and one in cylinder No 4, I find I am able to match the ignition colour at low rev's.
I then balance the carbs with the vacuum gauge.
Then repeat both the steps again.

So fare this method sorted out any fuelling problem I'v had.
It's helped to identified different size needle jets in a pair of SU's, which until then were giving me loads of grief .:eusa_clap:

Great pics Paul. Good to see you enjoying the car :)

Dave

Mike – Thanks for the tip. :cool:

But don’t forget I have a high level of mechanical incompetence. :rolleyes:

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Dave – Cheers. :cool:

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My Latest YouTube Video
Triumph Swordfish – London Landmarks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDM9jKbN_xI

A fast- forwarded sightseeing trip around London to the Benny Hill theme tune.

Notes:
No speed limits were broken, or red lights run, during the making of this film.
I seemed to have messed up the timing of the music/video fade at the end.
(Which I am sure was perfect when I saved the video for uploading. :rolleyes: )
As always, you need the viewing setting at their highest levels.

Cheers,

Paul. :)

Fantastic vid. Thanks!

It's not as I remember Benny Hill .:lol::lol::lol:

But still enjoyable.!!!

Are old cars exempt from ulez chsrges?

Earlier reference to freezing weather and goggles: Look up SCARFIX.de. For a padded bandit type face mask /scarf Very efective. Lovely motor !

Molleur & Mike – Cheers. :cool:

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Andrew – The central London ULEZ starts in April 2019 and will be 24/7 all year round.
So I did my filming on a Sunday, when the current Congestion Charge doesn’t apply.
Cars in the Historic Tax class will be exempt from the ULEZ, but my car will still be too young in 2019.
The expansion of the ULEZ from central London to within the North/South circular is due in 2021.
My own pet theory is that at some point the exemption rules will switch from Historic to VHI.
In addition, it will be VHI with a charge, rather than an exemption, otherwise what is the point?

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Dpaz – Thanks for the tip. :cool:

I already have a similar white neck scarf as part of my old racing driver ‘fancy dress’ outfit.
But I keep forgetting about it until I feel the cold wind on my face. :rolleyes:

Sick Note:
My apologies, I seem to have come down with every bug going around these last few weeks. :icon_sad:

The closest I've come to the car in that time was to peel back the covers just enough to start her up.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/i7...=w1151-h863-no

In a show of solidarity, the car coughed for quite a while before it finally burst into life. :rolleyes:

I will try to reply to other threads another day.

Cheers, Paul. :)

Paul, speedy recovery. It may be coincidence, but my wife who does not qualify for free flu jabs has had 2 bugs so far, whilst I, the old git who has had the jab have had none. Long may it last.

Barber - Thanks. :cool:

My wife works in the NHS and also gets the flu jab each year.

But just when my cough was almost gone, I picked up a cold from her! :icon_evil:

Thankfully, I actually felt well enough for a drive today…

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Merry Christmas!
I made a mess in the kitchen when I tried to top up the salt cellar…

As the main body of the cellar itself came away and emptied all the salt in it onto the floor.

At which point, I then discovered that the refill container was almost empty too. :rolleyes:

So, in order to cheer myself up, I decided to take a chance and go for my first drive in ages.

I needed to stop for petrol on the way to Sainsburys & here is my shopping.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pW...Q=w647-h863-no

I then took the slightly longer route on the way home when my luck almost ran out completely…

I was making a left turn at some lights, in no rush, so I was taking it easy.

Then the whole back end spun out on me and I was going sideways in a big way! :eek:

At least, I was paying attention, but my attempt to correct the slide had me fishtailing the other way.

At which point I was 'drifting' towards a line of parked cars and I really thought I was going to side swipe them.

Thankfully, at the very last moment traction was restored and I could straightened up and carry one.

It felt pretty hairy from my end, but the faces of other drivers watching confirmed it looked hairy too.

At least the guy who had been tailgating me in his Mercedes two seater backed right off after that. :D

Once I'd calmed down a bit I did stop to check the rear tyres.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v...=w1151-h863-no

They were both fully inflated, with no obvious signs of damage, so I assume there was something on the road.

Anyway, I have a load of stuff still left to do before Christmas Day, so I'll end now.

Merry Christmas!

Take care, Paul. :)

Be careful out there!
Happy Christmas Paul!

Happy Christmas Paul I am enjoying following your all seasons driving reports

Happy Christmas to all men of strange cars. Paul, do not underestimate the nakid brutal power of the Triumph engine.

Well done for avoiding the crunch yesterday, that would've been a real pita!

Nice to see you using your car in winter, keep up the posts and Merry Christmas!

Thanks Gentlemen :cool:

No more car news from me, but I thought you might like this time lapsed video of a different kit car build…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_0ZHyXjvFo

If I ever had the time/money/garage, I would love to build a Factory Five '33 Hot Rod.

Cheers, Paul. :)

Happy New Year!
Only had time for a quick hour in the car today, which was around 20 miles with stops.

Unfortunately, a little while after I started the dark clouds started to quickly gather.

With my spider senses tingling I decided to point the car towards the lighter sky…

But it was too late, I got drizzled on. :icon_sad:

Thankfully, it was still quite light at this stage, but the aero screens looked like this.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6h...=w1151-h863-no

This was the view looking back when I took the photo above.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/K3...A=w647-h863-no

But I think the headlights make the sky look lighter than it was.

As this was taken from the driver's seat looking forward. :eek:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eb...A=w647-h863-no

I seemed to be driving right on the edge of the weather, wet one minute, dry the next.

But eventually I was in the dry for the rest of the journey home, so I stopped for more photos.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OG...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WR...=w1151-h863-no

Until next time, take care, Paul. :)

Saturday - Part 1
I will be dropping my car in to Enginuity on the 19th January to get my oil leak fixed. :pray:

Which will finally allow me to make longer trips without fear of terminal engine failure.

In the mean time, I thought this would be a good excuse to do a few other jobs on my "To Do" list.

Last year I bought this cheap leather sewing kit from Ebay.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vm...=w1151-h863-no

I also bought some plastic 'Fir Tree' fixings, which I now can't find to photograph. :rolleyes:

So spurred on my DaveCymru making his own Miglia headrest...

https://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f...psonhzyd9s.jpg

I will have a go at making my own.

It was a miserable morning earlier, so I just gave myself enough room to work in between the drizzle.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9i...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ix...=w1151-h863-no

Most people make the head rest to match the hump contours like so.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_r...=w1151-h863-no

But that seems to highlight the different sizes of the body shell lip on either side of the hump.

So I tried a more oval shape instead, which seems to works a bit better.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4Q...=w1151-h863-no

Note: See 'Part 2' for another style of headrest.

Previously, I had also gone back to take another look at Mister Towed's head rest…

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...ion/002-62.jpg

Which is made up of two pieces of leather joined together, the face and the sides.

So that is what I will attempt to do.

Thankfully, I have a selection of left overs to play with.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/E6...=w1151-h863-no

I am currently toying with the idea of a using both foams, with the insulation foam at the back, but not as thick as it is now.

But before I do any of that I need something simple to practise my leather sewing on.

So that will either be a leather gaiter for my gear lever.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ye...g=w647-h863-no

Or some leather covers for my headlight grills.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2L...g=w647-h863-no

Excuse the poor photos as it was very dull out, but you get the idea.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nX...w=w647-h863-no

Note: This would only be for parking, to avoid the sharp edge ripping the car cover.

End of Part 1...

Saturday - Part 2
As I was typing up the post from this morning, I looked up how the original Spitfire planes did it.
( Again, I wouldn't want the headrest to be as deep as this. )

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/59...Q=w640-h480-no

So I made two more templates and went back out in the afternoon to see what they would look like.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PB...=w1151-h863-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/er...=w1151-h863-no

I think maybe the bigger of the two circles might the way to go.

Any thoughts?

Answers on a postcard to the usual address.

I then went to fill up with petrol and I got caught in another shower. :icon_sad:

So I was a little damp by the time I got back home and quickly threw the covers on.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Np...=w1151-h863-no

I have got a trip planned for tomorrow, but more about that next time.

Take care, Paul. :)