Stack of goodies

Yesterday I got some bits for the saloon - goodies include:

• Koni strut inserts and rear shocks
• Magnecor KV85 HT leads (to a special specification length and boot configuration)
• Clutch (uprated)
• MGC clutch master cylinder with appropriate slave incl. all pipes and special push rods
• Alloy water pump housing and standard pump
• Alternator conversion parts incl. alloy mounting bracket and new 65A alternator
• Various poly bushes incl. spring insulator, trailing arm and diff mount bushes
• “Police” spec uprated Ferrodo brake pads
• ARB drop links

Earlier in the week I also got an anti roll bar, pedal box and flywheel off of Doug, so the manual conversion parts are coming along nicely.

I want to get some old front struts and rear trailing arms to make putting on the suspension in to more of a swapping procedure rather than messing about whilst the car is up in the air.

Today I picked up a super low mileage 3.45 diff - a spare for later when the inevitable 2.5 lump goes in. Otherwise I’m sure Daws will have it to replace his 4.11 when he has the money.

10CR Preparation Considerations

With a “mere” 110 days left, preparation for the Club Triumph Ten Countries Run is something to be taken reasonably seriously. Being stuck in Britain is one thing, being stuck in Europe is another. At the moment preparation is more concerned with getting the car up to “standard” rather than what spares to take. In actual fact my spares philosophy has always been to just stick with service items like points and rotor arms rather than the spare engine approach some take. Of course - this will bite me one day.

• Manual gearbox - so we can enjoy the harder driving parts
• New steering wheel
• Cibie headlights with big bulbs, alternator and relay conversion - so we can see at night and reduce eye fatigue
• Koni dampers, lower springs, Superflex bushes and anti roll bar - for the Passo dello Stelvio
• Tacho, oil pressure gauge and map light - keep an eye on the essentials

That is in some sort of order, though obviously some of it is more useful on the 10CR than others. In actual fact I’d be happy to take the car on the 10CR in its current state as it really is a joy to drive apart from the front wheel balance.

Before all of above it needs a routine service - change all the fluids and visually check over everything. The extent of my dabbling consists of reattaching one of the vent hoses behind the dash - I’ve not even taken a wheel off yet.

2007: Finally a big saloon odyssey

For a long time I have wanted a big saloon, and I mean a long time. The first saloon I went to see was way back in 2002 with the idea of using it as a winter car. A mint condition 2000 which was sadly both brown AND without overdrive. My interest faded until I got involved in Club Triumph when I was actually able to witness the wonders of these big cars. I could not help but be impressed by them on the Round Britain Reliability Run in 2004 and throughout events during 2005 - especially the 10 Countries Run. My first drive of a big saloon was also that year in the notorious Big Red Bus which at the time was under the possession of Reeksy. I’ll not forget that drive, especially after Graham went off to sleep and I was able to throw it around a couple of roundabouts. Further proof of their incredible flexibility came last year when I spent most of it co-driving for Tim in his Mk1 PI - 2 Dutch night rallies, La Carrera Caledonia up in Scotland and a couple of trackdays.

I had been to see more saloons than Spitfires - a particularly nice example in early 2006 really convinced me - but funds would have been stretched a little too much if I had bought it.

After my brief flirtation with a blue Spitfire4 MkII earlier this year, I was again without transportation of my own. My bank balance was healthy after selling it, so I was properly on the look out for a big saloon. Telling everyone I knew that I was on the lookout was rather helpful, as certain people always seem to come up trumps with finding cars. Late one Sunday I phoned Tim to tell him about a car someone had contacted me about - a butchered Mk1 with Mk2 interior. Tim phoned back a little later to tell me about an ad he’d found in Classic Car Weekly, and a phone call was made. Turned out that the car had gone, or rather a deposit left with the intention of buying it later. I left my number with the seller in hope that the buyer would change their mind.

Incredibly I got a call early the following morning to say that the buyer had changed his mind - so after a bit of arranging Tim went to see it that lunch time - e-mails were exchanged and I bought it that afternoon. A bit of a bold move buying a car blind, but I saw the photos and trusted Tim’s glowing report.

On Friday evening I went over to Staines and Tim drove me to pick up the car. I have to say I was rather nervous - but as soon as I saw it I was grinning from ear to ear. Opening the doors, checking the interior, closer inspection of the paint, under the bonnet - only extended my grin further. Finally I was a big saloon owner!

It drove home perfectly and without a hitch apart from a couple of slight wobbly unbalanced front wheels at 50mph. I was so relaxed, and so excited.

The next day I fitted some pressed aluminium number plates that I had already ordered to replace the horrid white and yellow ones, checked the oil and coolant, and drove it 120 miles up to Canley Classics for the Historic Counties Run. That night I bonded further with my new car by sleeping on the back seat - leather never smelt so good - and I was still grinning from ear to ear.

Arrived at Canley, glowing mobile phone reports to the Mrs.

Mintylamb goes blogcentric

Mintylamb has had a facelift, and gone all “blogcentric.”

Hopefully this means that I will actually update it once in a while. Regulars will be pleased to know that nothing has gone missing in the beautification, it’s just all been moved about a bit.