Discussion
Well I made it to the stopover without major drama. The closest call was in the queue for ferry check-in when the guy in front decided he wanted to move to another queue and proceeded to reverse and almost hit me, luckily I found the horn button in time but he must've been millimetres away.
I am here:
Some scenery:
I didn't take many photos today and none of the car. It attracts a lot of attention at petrol stations etc and I feel like a cock taking a photo of it
A good drive down which would've been great were it not for a vibration problem. It feels like the wheels have gone square, but it's not the wheels because it comes and goes. I also get wobble under braking sometimes. It is almost certainly the drag link bush or whatever it's called (I don't know what it is but the symptoms match what others have had). Is it part of one of the wishbones? Or it could be a track rod end or other balljoint (hope not as I don't like the idea of one of those failing completely).
The Italians don't seem to bother at all with speed limits. Someone came past me at a good 140mph in a 110kmh stretch.
On to Rome in the morning..
I am here:
Some scenery:
I didn't take many photos today and none of the car. It attracts a lot of attention at petrol stations etc and I feel like a cock taking a photo of it
A good drive down which would've been great were it not for a vibration problem. It feels like the wheels have gone square, but it's not the wheels because it comes and goes. I also get wobble under braking sometimes. It is almost certainly the drag link bush or whatever it's called (I don't know what it is but the symptoms match what others have had
). Is it part of one of the wishbones? Or it could be a track rod end or other balljoint (hope not as I don't like the idea of one of those failing completely).The Italians don't seem to bother at all with speed limits. Someone came past me at a good 140mph in a 110kmh stretch.
On to Rome in the morning..
Edited by FarmyardPants on Friday 23 October 20:31
The Mont Blanc tunnel experience was interesting. Firstly a 20 minute queue to get in, it costs 45 euros (or 55 for a return within a week), you have to drive between 50 and 70kmh and stay 150m from the car in front. So all in all not exactly petrolhead nirvana. I knew all this as I'd done my homework and it was a convenient route. It's also warm in there which is not ideal seeing as you have to drive so slowly and after sitting in a traffic jam beforehand.
When you emerge at the other end you're in Italy (all the signs change language halfway along). The customs guys decided to search the car which took 15 mins but once in Italy there are immediately about ten, mile-long tunnels in a row, which are free and you can apparently go as fast as you like. Actually the tunnels might not be free, can't remember when the toll road started, but I paid 23 euros to get to Turin.
When you emerge at the other end you're in Italy (all the signs change language halfway along). The customs guys decided to search the car which took 15 mins but once in Italy there are immediately about ten, mile-long tunnels in a row, which are free and you can apparently go as fast as you like. Actually the tunnels might not be free, can't remember when the toll road started, but I paid 23 euros to get to Turin.
Sounds like a brill trip mate. 
I have had a vibe from the front since I've owned the car. It comes in and out at about 90mph but I can't link it to revs, speed or wheel rotation speeds.
Will be very interested to see if you find out your source.
Gutted that you didn't pop in.(Lux has just opened a new, three-tunnel system and you could be the second Cerb to do it !)
Best o'
I have had a vibe from the front since I've owned the car. It comes in and out at about 90mph but I can't link it to revs, speed or wheel rotation speeds.
Will be very interested to see if you find out your source.
Gutted that you didn't pop in.(Lux has just opened a new, three-tunnel system and you could be the second Cerb to do it !)
Best o'
Edited by Mr Cerbera on Saturday 24th October 08:56
What a great trip & a pleasure to read. I took the Griff to Lake Como in June via Lucern. On trips like yours, TVRs are very special. Hope you get a few mountain passes in.
I recommend on the return journey, turn right as you exit the Mnt Blanc tunnel and/or drive the mountains north of Geneva via Gex. Keep us updated please ? Maybe a beer when your back in Surrey
I recommend on the return journey, turn right as you exit the Mnt Blanc tunnel and/or drive the mountains north of Geneva via Gex. Keep us updated please ? Maybe a beer when your back in Surrey
Mr Cerbera said:
Sounds like a brill trip mate.
I have had a vibe from the front since I've owned the car. It comes in and out at about 90mph but I can't link it to revs, speed or wheel rotation speeds.
Will be very interested to see if you find out your source.
Gutted that you didn't pop in.(Lux has just opened a new, three-tunnel system and you could be the second Cerb to do it !)
Best o'
Thanks Paul, yes I did go quite close to your gaff (that's what I call Luxemburg I have had a vibe from the front since I've owned the car. It comes in and out at about 90mph but I can't link it to revs, speed or wheel rotation speeds.
Will be very interested to see if you find out your source.
Gutted that you didn't pop in.(Lux has just opened a new, three-tunnel system and you could be the second Cerb to do it !)
Best o'
Edited by Mr Cerbera on Saturday 24th October 08:56
). One of these days...ESDavey said:
What a great trip & a pleasure to read. I took the Griff to Lake Como in June via Lucern. On trips like yours, TVRs are very special. Hope you get a few mountain passes in.
I recommend on the return journey, turn right as you exit the Mnt Blanc tunnel and/or drive the mountains north of Geneva via Gex. Keep us updated please ? Maybe a beer when your back in Surrey
I recommend on the return journey, turn right as you exit the Mnt Blanc tunnel and/or drive the mountains north of Geneva via Gex. Keep us updated please ? Maybe a beer when your back in Surrey
I haven't decided on the route back yet, I've been through Switzerland a few times and agree the roads and scenery are second to none. I will see what google maps has to say about Genoa to Dunkirk and what time I have to get up/leave. Ultimately it depends what time they start serving breakfast! A serious point actually as I don't eat well once on the move.
But I arrived in Rome today about 3pm after a great drive from Turin. I left at 8am, a bit later than planned as I decided to give the car a bit of a clean - mostly bugs and brake dust. The "wobble" was more variable today and for much of the time it was entirely absent and the ride was smooth as silk. Quite uneventful and enjoyable journey with lots of interest from the locals. The hardest part was the last 10 miles: the Rome traffic and road system, with complex junctions and cars and Vespas weaving all around you. A passenger would have been a handy accessory - you need several pairs of eyes.
Hats off to the cerb for eating those miles so effortlessly. For a sports car it's an amazing GT
Might have a pic or two to post later.
FarmyardPants said:
The Mont Blanc tunnel experience was interesting. Firstly a 20 minute queue to get in, it costs 45 euros (or 55 for a return within a week), you have to drive between 50 and 70kmh and stay 150m from the car in front. So all in all not exactly petrolhead nirvana.....
I did the St. Bernard/Barnard tunnel going south and The Pass on the return journey. Very little traffic, no over-officious Gendarmerie and managed to get the front calipers to 475° by the end of the pass 
First leg of the return trip complete. I am now in Genoa.
This journey was hampered by the headlights failing on an unlit section of autostrada. There were some skids but only in my boxers. They would fail for 2-10s every now and then - really keeps you on your toes! Fuse looked ok but dim/dip control box wires showing signs of overheating. I don't use relays and have a 35w HID kit. Anyway the boot was full which didn't help cooling of said control box, so put some stuff in the cabin and removed the Velcro covering to give it a bit more airflow. Only happened briefly twice more after that, but to be on the safe side I had to follow a truck at 50mph for the last 80 miles 
. Loads of tunnels between Pisa and Genoa, too.
It didn't help that it was lashing with rain and pitch bloody black!
On the plus side, the wipers kept working. Don't think I could've coped without lights or wipers lol
This journey was hampered by the headlights failing on an unlit section of autostrada. There were some skids but only in my boxers
. They would fail for 2-10s every now and then - really keeps you on your toes! Fuse looked ok but dim/dip control box wires showing signs of overheating. I don't use relays and have a 35w HID kit. Anyway the boot was full which didn't help cooling of said control box, so put some stuff in the cabin and removed the Velcro covering to give it a bit more airflow. Only happened briefly twice more after that, but to be on the safe side I had to follow a truck at 50mph for the last 80 miles . Loads of tunnels between Pisa and Genoa, too.It didn't help that it was lashing with rain and pitch bloody black!
On the plus side, the wipers kept working. Don't think I could've coped without lights or wipers lol
FarmyardPants said:
First leg of the return trip complete. I am now in Genoa.
This journey was hampered by the headlights failing on an unlit section of autostrada. There were some skids but only in my boxers. They would fail for 2-10s every now and then - really keeps you on your toes! Fuse looked ok but dim/dip control box wires showing signs of overheating. I don't use relays and have a 35w HID kit. Anyway the boot was full which didn't help cooling of said control box, so put some stuff in the cabin and removed the Velcro covering to give it a bit more airflow. Only happened briefly twice more after that, but to be on the safe side I had to follow a truck at 50mph for the last 80 miles . Loads of tunnels between Pisa and Genoa, too.
It didn't help that it was lashing with rain and pitch bloody black!
On the plus side, the wipers kept working. Don't think I could've coped without lights or wipers lol
Do the dash lights stay at the same brightness all the time or do they pulse a little?This journey was hampered by the headlights failing on an unlit section of autostrada. There were some skids but only in my boxers
. They would fail for 2-10s every now and then - really keeps you on your toes! Fuse looked ok but dim/dip control box wires showing signs of overheating. I don't use relays and have a 35w HID kit. Anyway the boot was full which didn't help cooling of said control box, so put some stuff in the cabin and removed the Velcro covering to give it a bit more airflow. Only happened briefly twice more after that, but to be on the safe side I had to follow a truck at 50mph for the last 80 miles . Loads of tunnels between Pisa and Genoa, too.It didn't help that it was lashing with rain and pitch bloody black!
On the plus side, the wipers kept working. Don't think I could've coped without lights or wipers lol
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