The 55mph Club...
Discussion
This seems like a very informative and inclusive club of people who don't ever meet or actually want to associate with each other.
As the owner of an oldish Volvo estate (it's only 25 years old) I never drive above 55 mph (and also to remain in the middle lane with my full beam on and left indicator flashing away permanently whilst I search for radio 3 on the wireless and try to readjust the tartan rug on my rear seat thus resulting in a curious gimballing and weaving motion around the lane), would I be permitted to join?
As the owner of an oldish Volvo estate (it's only 25 years old) I never drive above 55 mph (and also to remain in the middle lane with my full beam on and left indicator flashing away permanently whilst I search for radio 3 on the wireless and try to readjust the tartan rug on my rear seat thus resulting in a curious gimballing and weaving motion around the lane), would I be permitted to join?
whirlybird said:
On the trip to Romania, can we each put 2-4 Romanian Benefits Cheats in the boot of our cars, no food or water and return them 'whence they came' !!!!!!!
There has to be a maximum of 2 people in each boot as there is the strict 55mph rule. Effect of intermittent weight bearing on soleus fiber force-velocity-power and force-pCa relationships dictate more than 2 poeple will have a detrimental effect on this stipulation.For those who believe in the efficacy of balance-of-power, 'going mexican kidnapping' may be of preference. If you have a left hand drive car, it is recommended you have a Romanian (Roma) and a City banker to take with you on your travels.
If you have a Right hand drive car, it is recommended you have a Romanian (Roma) and a benefits cheat. Of course they are only allowed in the boot and boot must be fitted with a luggage rack and case containing 40kgs of concrete.
Of course this is all speculation
V8250 [6]
Breadvan72
LordBretSinclair [4]
nta16
Lowdrag
Benjj [4]
Hooli [6]
Nigel Worc's [2]
CAPPO
Dbest92 [1]
VetteG
72twink
PoshTwit
niagra
mgtony
woodytype S
sunbeam alpine [6]
dartissimus
OscarIndia
Riley Blue [4]
Hrimfaxi
lockheart flawse [3]
Sideways Tim [3]
Tyre Tread [2]
angry jock [6]
Stiggolas [2]
task
vixen1700 [2]
Dave Newcastle [2]
whirlybird
GadgeS3C
Roy C
Zelda Pinwheel [4]
williredale
The member formally known as Humble Jim
fourfoldroot [2]
Keep it Stiff [3]
MarshPhantom
johnfm
Bebee [4]
Deltashad (added as per request)
Pacoryan
Church of Noise [2]
SprintSpeciale [4]
Red Firecracker [4]
Huntsman [172]
Healeyfan (2)
Breadvan72
LordBretSinclair [4]
nta16
Lowdrag
Benjj [4]
Hooli [6]
Nigel Worc's [2]
CAPPO
Dbest92 [1]
VetteG
72twink
PoshTwit
niagra
mgtony
woodytype S
sunbeam alpine [6]
dartissimus
OscarIndia
Riley Blue [4]
Hrimfaxi
lockheart flawse [3]
Sideways Tim [3]
Tyre Tread [2]
angry jock [6]
Stiggolas [2]
task
vixen1700 [2]
Dave Newcastle [2]
whirlybird
GadgeS3C
Roy C
Zelda Pinwheel [4]
williredale
The member formally known as Humble Jim
fourfoldroot [2]
Keep it Stiff [3]
MarshPhantom
johnfm
Bebee [4]
Deltashad (added as per request)
Pacoryan
Church of Noise [2]
SprintSpeciale [4]
Red Firecracker [4]
Huntsman [172]
Healeyfan (2)
55 Club Entry ?
Suddenly realized that I cannot even qualify for entry to this exclusive domain, My car was designed way before the advent of MOT inspections, construction & use regulations or even Ministers of Transport. According to EU reg’s the year of manufacture defines everything , so my little Austin Seven emanating from approx 1927 will not be able to associate with it’s older cousins on the highways and byways of the European Union because I do not have a valid birth certificate (photo copies verboten) to justify its existence outside of the computer at DVLA Swansea
Plus the cable operated brakes only function in reverse meaning one has to pass the object before braking and returning to the scene of the none-accident.
With an RAC rating of only 7HP the car could not even/ever meet the critical speed of 55mph ( only down hill in the rain with a rearward fierce gale and alcohol additive .
And finally this car is disqualified on grounds of “ Elf & safety “.Back in the day , starter motors were considered an accessorily (purchased after-market ). Why would you need a starter when there is a handle at front to wind it up ( like you were trained to do with “Meccano” toys ) There-in is the rub !
“Handling” is considered a dangerous operation requiring specialist training and certification by an approved institution (obviously requiring a huge fee ) for which there is a humongous waiting list.
So ! Please can I be an Honorary Elder ( grandfathered in ) with a none payable entry fee (refundable) ?
Suddenly realized that I cannot even qualify for entry to this exclusive domain, My car was designed way before the advent of MOT inspections, construction & use regulations or even Ministers of Transport. According to EU reg’s the year of manufacture defines everything , so my little Austin Seven emanating from approx 1927 will not be able to associate with it’s older cousins on the highways and byways of the European Union because I do not have a valid birth certificate (photo copies verboten) to justify its existence outside of the computer at DVLA Swansea
Plus the cable operated brakes only function in reverse meaning one has to pass the object before braking and returning to the scene of the none-accident.
With an RAC rating of only 7HP the car could not even/ever meet the critical speed of 55mph ( only down hill in the rain with a rearward fierce gale and alcohol additive .
And finally this car is disqualified on grounds of “ Elf & safety “.Back in the day , starter motors were considered an accessorily (purchased after-market ). Why would you need a starter when there is a handle at front to wind it up ( like you were trained to do with “Meccano” toys ) There-in is the rub !
“Handling” is considered a dangerous operation requiring specialist training and certification by an approved institution (obviously requiring a huge fee ) for which there is a humongous waiting list.
So ! Please can I be an Honorary Elder ( grandfathered in ) with a none payable entry fee (refundable) ?
Church of Noise]V8250 [6 said:
Breadvan72
LordBretSinclair [4]
nta16
Lowdrag
Benjj [4]
Hooli [6]
Nigel Worc's [2]
CAPPO
Dbest92 [1]
VetteG
72twink
PoshTwit
niagra
mgtony
woodytype S
sunbeam alpine [6]
dartissimus
OscarIndia
Riley Blue [4]
Hrimfaxi
lockheart flawse [3]
Sideways Tim [3]
Tyre Tread [2]
angry jock [6]
Stiggolas [2]
task
vixen1700 [2]
Dave Newcastle [2]
whirlybird
GadgeS3C
Roy C
Zelda Pinwheel [4]
williredale
The member formally known as Humble Jim
fourfoldroot [2]
Keep it Stiff [3]
MarshPhantom
johnfm
Bebee [4]
Deltashad (added as per request)
Pacoryan
Church of Noise [2]
SprintSpeciale [4]
Red Firecracker [4]
Huntsman [172]
Healeyfan (2)
TurboBlue [3]
LordBretSinclair [4]
nta16
Lowdrag
Benjj [4]
Hooli [6]
Nigel Worc's [2]
CAPPO
Dbest92 [1]
VetteG
72twink
PoshTwit
niagra
mgtony
woodytype S
sunbeam alpine [6]
dartissimus
OscarIndia
Riley Blue [4]
Hrimfaxi
lockheart flawse [3]
Sideways Tim [3]
Tyre Tread [2]
angry jock [6]
Stiggolas [2]
task
vixen1700 [2]
Dave Newcastle [2]
whirlybird
GadgeS3C
Roy C
Zelda Pinwheel [4]
williredale
The member formally known as Humble Jim
fourfoldroot [2]
Keep it Stiff [3]
MarshPhantom
johnfm
Bebee [4]
Deltashad (added as per request)
Pacoryan
Church of Noise [2]
SprintSpeciale [4]
Red Firecracker [4]
Huntsman [172]
Healeyfan (2)
TurboBlue [3]
To tie in with this recovery truck theme; here's my '55' - it is especially happy at that speed.
Don't tell me Japanese is against the pale or I'd have to suggest something worse - French.
I am unable to say exactly how fast or perhaps how slow I am driving due to the catastrophic failure of my speedo. However I have noticed that other road users are often going much slower than I would like them to be. In light of this would I be eligible to join the FFC?
PS I can't grow a beard but I do own driving gloves...
PS I can't grow a beard but I do own driving gloves...
whirlybird said:
On the trip to Romania, can we each put 2-4 Romanian Benefits Cheats in the boot of our cars, no food or water and return them 'whence they came' !!!!!!!
* or even a 'kipper.
Alfachick said:
PS I can't grow a beard
We can solve that... http://www.ironhorsehelmets.com/brown-beard-face-m...
bob1179 said:
This seems like a very informative and inclusive club of people who don't ever meet or actually want to associate with each other.
As the owner of an oldish Volvo estate (it's only 25 years old) I never drive above 55 mph (and also to remain in the middle lane with my full beam on and left indicator flashing away permanently whilst I search for radio 3 on the wireless and try to readjust the tartan rug on my rear seat thus resulting in a curious gimballing and weaving motion around the lane), would I be permitted to join?
I second this application. Bobski is someone no-one wants in their club...As the owner of an oldish Volvo estate (it's only 25 years old) I never drive above 55 mph (and also to remain in the middle lane with my full beam on and left indicator flashing away permanently whilst I search for radio 3 on the wireless and try to readjust the tartan rug on my rear seat thus resulting in a curious gimballing and weaving motion around the lane), would I be permitted to join?
I tried to get the disreputable Morris traveller to do 55mph, at 37 it developed an un-nerving speed wobble, at 42 the I was becoming concerned, at 47 the it started to resonate like the Tacoma Bridge and my man boobs became quiverring hairy raspberry blancmanges, at 49 my vision became blurred, at 51 it became apparent that we'd reached maximum velocity. Lifting off the gas created a tremendous farty noise and maximum amusement, by this point I was on the over run in 3rd at 13mph heading down the village high street, a couple of seconds with the ignition off created an impressive backfire, the lady drinking a capuccino skinny mocha long latte with a gap, sprinkles and caramel sauce was shocked by the backfire to the extent that she chipped her not insignificant front teeth with the edge of the mug. Apparently her no win no fee solicitor is going to sue my sorry ass this may lead to loss of the family pile and all 27 of living in the gate house.
Huntsman said:
I tried to get the disreputable Morris traveller to do 55mph, at 37 it developed an un-nerving speed wobble, at 42 the I was becoming concerned, at 47 the it started to resonate like the Tacoma Bridge and my man boobs became quiverring hairy raspberry blancmanges, at 49 my vision became blurred, at 51 it became apparent that we'd reached maximum velocity. Lifting off the gas created a tremendous farty noise and maximum amusement, by this point I was on the over run in 3rd at 13mph heading down the village high street, a couple of seconds with the ignition off created an impressive backfire, the lady drinking a capuccino skinny mocha long latte with a gap, sprinkles and caramel sauce was shocked by the backfire to the extent that she chipped her not insignificant front teeth with the edge of the mug. Apparently her no win no fee solicitor is going to sue my sorry ass this may lead to loss of the family pile and all 27 of living in the gate house.
LordBretSinclair said:
Looking forward to meeting some FFC members tomorrow in Arras 
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Excellent meeting of the FFC didn't officially take place in Arras this weekend:http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Evening meeting in Arras:
Break for lunch during the Rally des Jonquilles: Aperitif, followed by an excellent wine with each course:
I love classic car rallies French style!
P.S. French MG's also seem to stick to 55mph as well. Maybe it's a factory setting?
Comatose MGB Roadster.
I rescued this very low mileage blue MGB Roaster from a lock-up garage after a long siesta in the everglades in Florida after the owner had secumed to injuries sustained in a failed ski -diving incident back in the 1980’s. tracing, litigation and legal wrangling had combined to delay the release to the inheritors resulting in considerable mechanical degradation by the time it arrived in my workshop.
The big problem at that time generally turned out to be either the ignition or fuel systems. This model was fitted with the “prince of darkness -Lucas “ electronic Mk 1 ignition unit , notoriously unreliable, intermittent and totally unfit for purpose. As a general rule one could drive off with no indication of any problem ,then after 20minutes a misfire would occur finally resulting in a involuntary stop on the side of the road with no ignition spark at the plugs. After a pause of approx 20 mins ( cooling time for ignition unit) One could usually drive away for a further 20 mins,
The answer to this dilemma was pack a picnic basket to enjoy the stops or invest in new state of the art ignition system from an alternative source.
The second problem area was fuel, filters , fuel pump, contamination and corrosion brought on by the recent introduction of ethanol additive to gasoline recently by government regulation.
This caused all sorts of consternation with British manufactured products such as Triumph TR7/8, Jaguar E types and all of MG models with constant breakdowns due to fuel related maladies.
At that time we had to contend with the addition of 5% Ethanol to regular fuel which started to show up inadequacies in the fuel system quite quickly which developed into serious defects with regard to long time storage.
If it became necessary to store a vehicle static for over a month, then one had to purchase “Stabilizer /inhibitor” even for stuff like lawn-mowers, off-road vehicles or show-cars to prevent aggravation.
After some TLC on this car it was possible to achieve the required NSL of 55mph for a short period of time in a straight line.
I rescued this very low mileage blue MGB Roaster from a lock-up garage after a long siesta in the everglades in Florida after the owner had secumed to injuries sustained in a failed ski -diving incident back in the 1980’s. tracing, litigation and legal wrangling had combined to delay the release to the inheritors resulting in considerable mechanical degradation by the time it arrived in my workshop.
The big problem at that time generally turned out to be either the ignition or fuel systems. This model was fitted with the “prince of darkness -Lucas “ electronic Mk 1 ignition unit , notoriously unreliable, intermittent and totally unfit for purpose. As a general rule one could drive off with no indication of any problem ,then after 20minutes a misfire would occur finally resulting in a involuntary stop on the side of the road with no ignition spark at the plugs. After a pause of approx 20 mins ( cooling time for ignition unit) One could usually drive away for a further 20 mins,
The answer to this dilemma was pack a picnic basket to enjoy the stops or invest in new state of the art ignition system from an alternative source.
The second problem area was fuel, filters , fuel pump, contamination and corrosion brought on by the recent introduction of ethanol additive to gasoline recently by government regulation.
This caused all sorts of consternation with British manufactured products such as Triumph TR7/8, Jaguar E types and all of MG models with constant breakdowns due to fuel related maladies.
At that time we had to contend with the addition of 5% Ethanol to regular fuel which started to show up inadequacies in the fuel system quite quickly which developed into serious defects with regard to long time storage.
If it became necessary to store a vehicle static for over a month, then one had to purchase “Stabilizer /inhibitor” even for stuff like lawn-mowers, off-road vehicles or show-cars to prevent aggravation.
After some TLC on this car it was possible to achieve the required NSL of 55mph for a short period of time in a straight line.
t MGBs are is over there)Fantastic bit of global publicity yesterday. Whose idea was it to sponsor Mo's pacemaker? Genius. 55 rules. In view of the original post and because people of a certain age do not like to see swear words in print how about something ( in the format of the post office stamp) along the lines of:" Licenced to travel in the nearside lane only" or Licenced to carry people of a nervous disposition".
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