alanh65

Ladies and gentlemen, it has been a very long time since I posted anything on the Club website, and there a number of reasons for that. One being the email address I had on the system was changed a number of years ago and I overlooked changing it here! Twit! Another reason is – my wife has never taken to the car and as we go most places together, the car has been dramatically underused for years, so I have ‘fallen off the radar’, so to speak. I now have a tale to tell. I bought D397 FMS about 13 years ago with the intention of insuring it for my three adult children and their partners as well as myself. It took a bit of persuasion to get an insurance company to agree to so many drivers, but we got there in the end. The reason for that was because this type of sports car was something I would love to have had access to as a young man, but it was not possible back in the day. As I could afford to purchase and insure the vehicle as a retired fella, I wanted to allow my ‘kids’ the thrill of driving it around – which they have appreciated. When I bought it, I made it my challenge to track down all previous owners right back to the original builder and gain as much insight into any modifications that may have taken place over the years. I discovered that the vehicle was built back in 1997/98 by a guy in Scotland who after a while sold it on. Strangely, it was bought by a guy who lived only about a mile and a half away from me … and during his ownership I never saw it at all. He sold it to a fella who lived about five miles away in the opposite direction, and again I never knew about it. How weird is that that it had been within a stone’s throw for many years before I purchased it? Contact was then made with the original builder and a year or so later he popped by to see the car on his way to a classic car meet/show in the midlands. He asked then if he could have the car back, but I politely refused as I was having great fun with it. We vaguely kept in touch via messaging in Facebook, maybe once a year. For the last three years I have been questioning myself as to why I was keeping the car as it very rarely left the drive (next door’s drive) and living continuously under a nylon cover was playing havoc with the overall condition of the vehicle and electrics! I spotted an MG TF on a friend’s drive, and the car obviously hadn’t been used/moved for a good long time so I asked later if I could buy it, and he agreed. Now what the heck to do with hoodie? MOT due September, and this year I believe work will have to be carried out in order to sell it. The original builder, from Scotland messaged me to ask if the car was still running well, to which I replied honestly .. Yes it is, with jobs that need attending to. I asked if he wanted to buy the car back, and he agreed without hesitation! The car is now back in Scotland, safely with the original builder, who will now strip it down and take it back to the great condition that it deserves to be in, after approx. thirty years of use. So often, on car group pages, do people ask for their old car back as it has such sentimental value, but rarely do they succeed in tracking their old vehicle down … this story, in my book, is a success story, and both he, and I, are delighted that they have been reunited. With regret, I am now leaving RHOCaR, but have enjoyed many different aspects of the club over the years, and wish you all every success in the future. Thank you.

Autosol every time ..... 😀

Wow .... thanks Rich .... not seen that before .... soooo useful! 😀

David ... many thanks. Will look for that and check its length.

A very good afternoon. I am in need of advice. The top hose on my Robin Hood Series III (2 litre pinto) has now reached the end!! It is very tired and split and will, I imagine, burst before too long. I have asked Burton Engineering about a replacement but they are unable to recognise from which original vehicle it may be from, by looking at the photographs I sent them. Before I possibly spend an eternity looking through online catalogues ...does anyone have any knowledge as to where I might best start looking for a suitable replacement? Thank you ... and would a silicon replacement be any advantage - providing I can track down the correct part?

I was there with Sporting Bears. Is one of these your car? Obviously the red vehicle is mine.

Having just completed all the paperwork for joining Sporting Bears, this event would have been a great opportunity to start my 'membership' with them. Family .... don't you just love them .... One of our grandchildren is performing in London that weekend and we are all going down to watch the show - so a no-no to Kimbolton this year. 🙄. Anyone else in Sporting Bears?

What a cracking turnout and a beautiful driving day!

Would have done but had to come up to Newark in the motorhome and having to return home Saturday morning!!!!

A very good day to everyone. I have recently obtained a Ford Focus Estate for one of my grandsons to learn to drive in, once DVLA catch up on log book and provisional licence ... 🤨 Does anyone have a Haynes Manual gathering dust that they would be willing to part with so that I can encourage him to begin tackling maintenance jobs himself. I can start him off with routine jobs but he lives about 30 miles away and I need him to have some reference material to assist him when I am not available. Many thanks Alan Roberts

I have just viewed the sales brochure ...... Oh dear, really?!

FOZ and I plan to visit Caffeine & Machine at Ettington, Stratford-upon-Avon, Tuesday 7th for about 1pm. Many of you will only just have returned from the End of Season Bash ... sorry was unable to make that ... so may not be available for another run out - plus, I realise, you are not all retired!! If available and fancy a run out on probably the last beautiful sunny, hot day for a while, this is the venue: co-ordinates 52.150105 -1.630045 post code CV37 7NS As I have stated, I was unavailable for this last weekend's 'Do' but I would still like to offer my appreciation for all the organisation, time and effort put in by all who organised and ran the event - the club is run by truly amazing people ... thank you all.

The weather forecasts implies that summer is ending this coming Thursday morning ... ugh! Before my kit hides from the 🌧️ under it's plastic ill-fitting 'pac a mac' (remember those?) I am considering a run out to the Caffeine & Machine at Ettington on Tuesday next. To my surprise, my dear beloved, who dislikes hoodie, has offered to join me on what promises to be a late summer's day!! Sensible driving then ... Oh well, you can't have everything! Any one fancy a ☕ over there if I succeed with this plan?

A message for Andi ..... check your personal messages .....

Many thanks to all who set up the Club area at Stoneleigh - Saturday was quite well attended by club members considering. Covid really messed up planning for all this year and the Show was therefore so much 'smaller' and less well attended generally. Even so, great food and company ... thanks. A couple of shots of our area.

Very helpful information there Derek ... thanks.

Oops .. deleted quote. I would like to purchase an excellent burger during the day please, as I unfortunately need to return home late afternoon/early evening. No over-nighting this year I am afraid.

Excellent news ..... family social event cancelled at the last minute .... I am free to attend Stoneleigh on the Saturday .... Yipee!! Danielle - what time of day are we talking burgers, daytime or evening?

Pair of used stainless louvred vents fit 90x300 hole. £20 the pair A very good morning to you Robert. Unless anyone has already requested purchasing the vents from you, I would be delighted to offer you £20. Although I had intended attending Stoneleigh next week, another social commitment has interfered with my plan! If the vents are still available, I am in Wylde Green and can arrange to collect from you anytime .. no rush from my end. cheers Alan

I was ..... until a clash of social calendar was discovered ..... very 😞 disappointed to be missing the event.

👍

Thanks Dan. I’ll check their website again nearer the time I make plans to take a trip out there. Having never visited the venue I would prefer to drive over to experience the place and try (an expensive?) coffee and see what they have to offer, rather than pay for a possible interesting experience as my first trip there. I am taking a gamble, as undoubtedly on the occasion I do drive out there there will be very limited vehicles attending as people will be at work! But once familiar with its location and set up and programme for the paid evening and weekends diary, I can then consider whether to pay to share the experience with other interesting vehicle owners. It is really useful though reading your view on the location ... thank you. Just discovered my wife has already booked an event that clashes with the Stoneleigh weekend!!!!! Not feeling happy at the moment.

Hi Steve ... Once the better, glorious weather 🌡️ returns I'll give you a shout and we'll try to arrange a day to take a trip out there and meet up.

A very good day everyone. All being well I intend to spend the Saturday at Stoneleigh ... I hope there will be room form us all in the area allocated, looks much smaller than the space we have taken up in the past. In the meantime I have a question about Caffeine & Machine at Ettington. I have never been there and have only recently seen adverts for the venue. Is it somewhere worth a visit and if so, when is the best or worst time to take a trip out there? It is the unticketed times that currently appeal most! Therefore a Monday to Friday am/pm not evening.

Robert ... on this occasion I am very disappointed that I already own a hoodie. If I didn’t, then I would pay your asking price without hesitation. You have put together an outstanding example of a hoodie and I sincerely hope that it’s next owner will cherish it, love it ... and drive it. Congratulations Sir ... a superb example of quality engineering.