My least welcome job

[John Murch]

If there is one job on the car I don’t relish, it’s electrics behind the dashboard! In this case the Bezel Switch was playing up.

2hrs of being the wrong way up.

[Paul_Bridgestock]

First of all let me say that I am looking for a new Mrs Bridgestock as Val said upon seeing the colours of green and yellow, "Is it a Lotus 7". A stern cuffing made her realise the error of her ways but I fear that it is too little, too late. This morning my Marmite was spread a little too thin and confusing an excellent motor car with a fibreglass 'thing' is the last straw.

Secondly, may I say that your picture should have been censored. You have dammed sexy knees Sir. Grrrrrr!

[Philip Edginton]

Oh dear Paul ,your good lady Wife is obviously a Prisoner in her choice of cars maybe.

Reminded me of my younger days when I could laze around in the car looking busy.
Lovely looking car John.the condition does you proud.

[John Murch]

Thanks for the nice comments, although I suspect that the poor quality of the photo disguises the wrinkly nature of the knees!
The car is well used and far from concours - today we’re off for a semi distanced social vintage pic nic. Nice morning for an 80 mile run out😀
PS. I can forgive Val, at a quick glance the yellow of my lift does impart a certain Lotus 7 look!

[Nicholas Simons]

John
I find it easiest to remove the front seat or seats, depending where under the dash I need to get to. I had to overhaul the switch box and mixture control the other day so took out both seats. It takes only five minutes to remove the seats.

[DavidThompson]

The original Lotus 7 was clothed entirely in aluminium, the side panels riveting to the frame to aid stiffness. The Series 3 car had grp wings and nose cone to reduce cost. Its successor, the Caterham 7 follows this practice with their budget cars, others using carbon fibre.
Even the unfortunate mk 4 cannot be described a a “fibre glass thing!”
Clearly Mrs Bridgestock is a lady of some discernment

[Dan Suskin]

I recognize that pose all too well

[Philip Edginton]

Yes indeed, I think quite a few of us have at one time or another been in a very similar pose, some of us in many different types of car.Things we do to encourage the good lady to believe we are unable to assist, much as it offends us to not stop her from jumping to conclusions.

[Paul_Bridgestock]

[DavidThompson]

The comfort obsessed Mrs T never tied of complaining about the migraine inducing fumes emitted from the twin DCOE48's fitted to my VXHPC, so I bought one of the very first R400's, K Series with roller barrel throttle bodies. Probably the best 7 ever made.
Interestingly enough, I had a 2CV for more than 24 years. I wish I had kept it.
But Paul, what caused you to buy a mobile three piece suite?

[Robert Craven]

[Paul_Bridgestock]

[Philip Edginton]

Just to help it drift a little more, I sat at my desk listing all the cars that I could remember owning.so far reached 47.

[DavidThompson]

Paul, I do understand the sloth and laziness, now you explain your Caterham was fitted with a heater.
In all honesty, I have always admired the Arnage, I particularly like the fitted sideboard in the front and the dining room in the back. (unless I'm mixing it up with that ba***ard prodigy of Vickers and BMW, the Silver Seraph?)
One day I will have one.
Apologies to JM for hijacking his thread.

[John Murch]

Back in about 1980, I had a T2 (in addition to the WO) not exactly a ball of fire but it was completely different to the WO, and climate control was nice. Its now such a long time since I’ve had such luxuries I’ve rather forgotten what I’m missing.
These days I just use different gloves, jackets and hats depending on the weather.

[Paul_Bridgestock]

[Paul_Bridgestock]

Sorry, it was without thinking that I have shamelessly stolen his post.

John do you want me to delete this and start a fresh post? If so, how do I delete it please?

I did not mean to steal!

[John Murch]

Paul, I think it great fun, anything that stimulates a bit of interest, my original posting was frivolous!

[Paul_Bridgestock]

Hi John.
And your list of cars.................?

[John Murch]

Mini 850. (1967) First car in 1968
Mercedes 190SL (1962)
Mercedes 300SL dhc (c. 1956)
TR6 (1969)
Bentley Mk VI (1952) - owned circa 1972 -74
Mini Cooper S (1968)
Alvis TF21 dhc (1967)
Alvis Speed 20 SA special (1932)
Alvis 4.3 vdp tourer (1937)
Alvis Speed 20 SA tourer (1932)
Bentley 4 1/2 vdp tourer (1927) - owned circa 1974 - 1990
TR6 (1973)
Bentley 4 1/2 (1929)- owned circa 1979
Alvis TE 21 saloon (1964)
Bentley mk VI (1949) - owned circa 1981
AC Cobra mk 2 (4.7) (1964) - owned circa 1977 - 1994
AC 16/80 comp sports (1936)
TR7 (1976?)
Alfa Sud (1976?)
AC 12/40 sports (1921)
AC 16/66 special (1935)
RR 20/25 (1930)
Honda Civic
Mazda 323
Bentley T2 (1978) - owned circa 1980 - 82
VW Polo
Mercedes 190E
Volvo 760
Mercedes 260E
Lagonda LG45 Rapide (1937)
Bentley 3ltr (1924) - owned circa 2004 to date
VW Golf - last ‘modern’ car, sold c. 2010.

If I could have any of the above back, in good order, and had the space, the Alvis Sp 20, Bentley mk VI(saloon with 4 seats), AC Cobra, AC 12/40, and of course my current 3ltr which is the best car I have ever had!

[Paul_Bridgestock]

As we say over here Sir. Felicitations!

What a fabulous list of cars John. Lacking the tat that was on my list and being almost all desirable.

I did actually miss a TR6 from my list but it was an absolute dog and I sold it after about two weeks. I did always fancy another but never got around to it. I was too much of an MG lover although the MGB, while being an absolutely beautiful car could not hold a candle to the TR6.

I would take your list over mine although I note that you have missed out on Jenson Interceptors and I did love mine. Other than that you have a superb list. I always wanted a T2 as my father had one. I have almost bought one several times but never actually taken the plunge (I think his was a T1 but I always liked the shape).

What about other Forum members? It is great fun talking past cars.

[John Murch]

As you say Paul, past cars are great fun to talk about, the 300SL I only owned a week! I did a px with the 190SL, but it was an absolute knackered dog, I took it back to the garage and had my 190SL back. (At the time my friend thought the 190SL a hairdressers car, but it handled better, was more comfortable and quicker than his MGB, apologies!)
The Cobra was fantastic, I did 70k miles with it at outrageous speeds, including a trip to the US, New York to Laguna Seca (nr. san Francisco) for the race meeting and back. Shipping to NY was little more than a cross channel ferry charge. The trans US drive included being stopped by the police in the mid west, at the time the limit was 55mph and I was doing 130. My uk plates and licence caused such confusion that I was let off and told not to speed again!
Bristols and Jensen were on the list, but never made it to reality.

[Philip Edginton]

I maybe a little older than some of you, so I was not able to. get a Bristol, were they any good.

Austin A70 Hampshire
Morris Minor split scr.
Triumph Herald
Wolseley 6/80
Jaguar Mk11 3.4
Wolseley 1500
Ford Zephyr 4 Mk3
Ford Zephyr ZodiacMk3
Vauxhall VX 4/90 FE
NSU RO80 x 3
MGB GT
CITROEN Ami 8
Renault 18
Renault 20
Peugeot 504 est.
Hillman Minx mk111
Hillman Avenger
Vauxhall Cavalier
Mercedes 280SE 1968
Rover PB5
Austin Allegro est.
Ford consul Classic
Toyota Carina
NSU Quickly
BMW 520e X2
BMW318
BMW 635 csi
Austin Montego
TOYOTA rav4 X2
Toyota Crown
Nissan Prairie
Mitsubishi space wagon
Austin 1300GT
Fiat 124
Vauxhall Victor FE
Wolseley Hornet
LTi Black cab x2
VW Golf
VW POLO
Rover 200
BENTLEY Brooklands
Vauxhall Signum
Audi 100
Ford Focus
VW Sirocco
Ford ZephyrMk2

[Paul_Bridgestock]

A great list.

The one that stands out is the NSU RO80. Surely one of the most beautiful cars ever made and it was such a shame that for the sake of a few simple modifications and improvements it could have been a world beater.

I always wanted one but never took the plunge. The BMW 635 was also a lovely car although I fear that most have rusted away now.

The Bristols that I had were all good. Cast iron mechanicals and lovely long distance tourers. I can't remember the price now but I needed a new front left wing on one and the price was absolutely ludicrous. Having said that I always dealt with (I think, a gentleman called Tony) at the dealership in London. They only one showroom. He was a lovely guy but did not suffer timewasters. Because I was a young chap at the time I don't think he took me seriously but when I returned in a Bristol that came from of all places, The Isle of Skye, he was extremely helpful.

It is a great shame that they went out of business.

If you are reading this post, do please leave your list as it is great fun looking and drooling at other peoples cars.

[Paul Spencer]

Ex-GPO Morris 1000 van
GT6 Mk3
Alfasud Ti
Mk 1 Golf GTi
BMW 323i
MG Montego (company car)
Audi 80 (company car)
BMW 320i (company car)
Mercedes 350SL
Porsche 928S4
Mercedes 320SLK
Porsche Boxster S
Bentley 3 litre *
AC Sociable *
Maserati Gransport
Lotus Elise S2 111S
Lafitte Voiturette *
Porsche Boxster 718S *

I still have those with asterisks.

[AskerBrowne]

Thanks to Paul the Chef for mentioning me in dispatches.
After much thought, I recall owning this lot.

Ford Anglia 105E - Family hand me down - KTP 74
Red Mini 850 with red hide interior - 433 BOJ
Austin Maxi
Hilman Hunter
Ford Cortina Estate
Saab 99 in fluorescent orange
Saab 99 EMS - Black (Fantastic at the time - wish I still had it)
Plastic 5 litre Cobra - EPH 904B
Saab 99 Turbo with Aztec wheels
Saab 900 Carlsson
Saab 900 Aero
3 x Saab 9000 2.3 Aero
Bentley Mulsanne Mk II S
Continental GT - W12 WEG
Arnage T Mulliner II in Tungsten - BL06 DAB

My memory of Saab ownership is a bit hazy. I had so many of them that things get blurred.
Best wishes to all,
David.

[Paul Spencer]

I forgot one in my list.

Suzuki X90

The most stupid car ever made. 2 seats and 4 wheel drive, but neither a sports car nor an off-roader. I won it in a prize draw. At the time, they cost £11000 new and I was offered a cash alternative of £7000. So I advertised it for £9000 as soon as I was given a collection date. Just as I arrived home from collecting it, the new owner turned up. So I owned it for about half an hour and drove about ten miles in it.

[John Robins]

Crikey!

Reading through this little lot has made me realise what exalted company I find myself within. This list is the result of 55 years of concentrated disasters, wrecks and poor choices in comparison.

Lambretta Li125 Mother forbade its use so it was scrapped. I had to cut the fox's brush off my parka.

1954 Ford Popular which taught me a lot about fettling, including how to hand scrape cast in white metal big end bearings.
1960 Minivan which taught me not to buy 1960 Minivans
1958 Vauxhall Victor.
1960 VW1200 which met its end being t-boned by an old gent in a new Corsair 2000E in a Wolverhampton back street. The gent then drove across the footpath into the car park of the W'ton BMC agent and t-boned several other cars belonging to the garage or its employees. The police were called, he subsequently lost his licence. He lied about everything, saying I had hit him, and that the throttle had stuck open on his car. The police vehicle examiner’s report told it like it was, but the Zurich insurance Co wouldn’t pay out until after his court appearance.
1954 Austin A50 Cambridge £15! 'nuff said, but I had to have some transport pending my possible court case against the old gent’s insurer.
1963 Ford Anglia
1966 Lancia Fulvia Berlina. I wrapped it round one of Lord Lichfield's trees.
1969 Ford Capri 1600. Looked like 100mph, did about 80.
Various Hillman Hunters from the firm.
1961 Triumph Herald 1200 fixed head coupe, prod car trials tool. I won the cup that year.
Another Lancia Fulvia to play with.
Changed jobs, had to buy reliable car.
1976 Austin Maxi 1750 Auto, reliable but boring.
1976 Renault 20 TL bought to get away from the Maxi.
1976 Ford Granada Estate bought to get away from the Renault. A man offered me good money for it, so
1974 Ford Capri 1600 Daytona Yellow + rust £70!
1979 Ford Cortina estate. 2 litre, and an excellent car for a family man with a mortgage.

Various company hacks ending with a 2000 Golf GL Estate with every possible bell and whistle except Auto and 4wd, in which I did 103k miles in about 4 years. Great car on a £ for £ basis.

55 Reg. Audi A4 Avant diesel preparatory to retirement.
2012 C Class Mercedes Estate diesel
2018 C Class Estate diesel but AMG trim.

And the Bentley, since 1984.

Plus Madam's MGB and Vauxhall Corsa. For health reasons she did not start driving until in her 50s, and had to relinquish her licence after about ten years.

And the others I have forgotten!

Cheers
John

[John Boothman]

By the way, do you remember those sad sods in the 80's who had stickers in the back of their Ford XR3's with 'my other car is a Porsche'? Well my 'other car is a 1988 Citroen 2CV called Henri and I love him even more than the Arnage. Well almost anyway.

Guilty as charged. The sticker saying 'My other car is a Bentley' is on the windscreen of our 1938 Fiat Topolino. The Bentley is a 1927 4 1/2. Does that make it OK?

[Nicholas Simons]

If you want to impress the cognoscenti it should say 'My other car is a W.O'.

[John Boothman]