Classics road trip to the Highlands
Discussion
I decided to write up our recent April road trip in our 3 classics around the Highlands to share our memories. So here it is...
First up, the cars:
Mini 850, Teal Blue, 1975
1430cc, ported big valve, twin SU, fast road cam, light weight flywheel
Straight cut drop gears
Quaif diff 3.44 FD
Estimated bhp 110
The great:
Chuck-ability, grip and nibble mini-ness
The good:
Mid range grunt
And the less good:
Small fuel tank with leaky cap (100 miles range!). All of the gear whine
Things that went wrong:
Radiator support bracket split
FR damper knock (just needed a tighten)
Used a bit of oil
Alfa GTV, SA respray red (originally blue), 1973,
2000cc, ported, big valves, twin Delorto, fast road cam, light weight flywheel,
Factory 5spd synchro and LSD
Estimated bhp 150?
The great:
Intake noise, slick gear change and instant throttle response
The good:
Turn in (when anti roll bar was attached)
And the less good:
Long brakes and heavy steering
Things that went wrong:
Anti roll bar exited stage right mid hairpin
BMW 1502, paving stone grey, 1976,
1650cc, fast road cam,twin webber,
5spdbox and lsd upgrades
Estimated bhp 100bhp
The great:
Over run pops, bangs and flames
The good:
Very comfy seats
And the less good:
Initial turn in needs some help
Things that went wrong:
Fumes! Oil and fuel. Action's were taken with cardboard engine bay sealing and a fresh air scoop
Front left wheel bearing on its way out affecting braking stability
Day 1 - The long slog up to Scotland
Route - Bedfordshire to Hamilton. Approx 350miles, 6 hours. I met up with the Alfa a few hours in who had come from Norfolk. We didn't meet the Mini who started in Warwicksire for another few hours.
We arrived at the hotel, stretched our legs then sat in the restaurant with a large map (alongside our phones)
Hotel - Avonbridge.
Dinner - burger and chips
Day 2 - Hamilton to Kinlochleven, the real fun begins
After breakfast and the usual car faffing about fluid checks and windscreen cleaning we set off towards the first fun section. 1hr of boring Motorway went by quickly and suddenly the trip had really started. The Dukes pass is a wonderful very tight winding road that just felt built for our classic cars. Reving out in 3rd and dropping down to 2nd for each tight corner. Really nicely flowing and a chance for us to get dialed in to our cars. The tyres could get warm and offer their maximum grip and the power steering pumps known as our forearms got a good work out too.
By now we were already passing our 3rd loch, we stopped for coffee and cake at Loch Lubnaig before continuing A84, A85, then the very scenic A82 towards Glencoe. We followed the parade of traffic until we found an empty parking area for some pics, then decided to head down the unamed road towards the Skyfall passing place. Again the scenery was just epic and the weather was near perfect as it was for our entire trip. This was not a drivers road due to it being so narrow, many hikers and unable to gauge oncoming traffic in advance. But we did have some fun trying out a few go pro following angles.
Although we were staying at Kinlochleven, we weren't quite done with driving for the day, so we headed up towards Fort William to run down the C1162 Glen Nevis Road and back. Here we swapped cars for a few runs up and down. Great to experience the other classics but also great to see and hear our own projects doing dome drive bys.
Finally we headed in to Kinlochleven only to find maybe my favorite road of the trip, the B863 that runs up and around Lock Leven. Again it seemed built for our classics, smooth, flowing, ups and downs like a roller-coaster, 2nd and 3rd mainly but up to 4th for stretches.
Accommodation: West Highland Lodge
Dinner - Pub fish and chips
Day 3 - A short hop to Skye
Chris had the great idea to get the car ferry to Skye, but before that another ferry, a very short ferry trip across Loch Linnhe. But before that another chance to drive the brilliant B863 out in the early morning to warm up the cars and drivers. Loch Linnhe, although 60 ish km long, is just about 300 meters wide to hop across by ferry. Google even said it was quicker to drive around! But it had to be done.
From the first ferry we had the high speed flowing A830 with a quick glance over to see the magnificent Glenfinnan viaduct on route to Mallaig, to then catch the second ferry to Skye. We hadn't booked and went straight into the waiting queue slowly losing all hope of making it on as we watched the ferry getting loaded up. Then from nowhere our tickets were scanned and we were waved onboard. They squeezed us on with the little mini just fitting in at the back, but they then even proceeded to squeeze on another huge 80s Landrover.
Very pleasant (but cold) ferry ride over where we mostly chatted to some old boys heading around Skye in their family 1933 Lagonda.
Once on Skye, we grabbed some lunch at Armadale Bay and, well, we basically proceed to leave Skye. We took the pleasant but narrow and so slowish A851 north with views back over tothe main land and what must have been a snow caped Ben Nevis. Then over the magnificent Skye Bridge to continue on the A890 including a chance to hear the twin carbs sing through the Stratcarron Tunnel, then A896 to the start of the Applecross pass. Our short speedy start up Applecross was short lived by meeting some oncoming traffic and we then joined a small queue that very very slowly climbed to the top. But we always knew that was happen. This wasn't a driving road, but a road to enjoy the immense views as you slice a winding route up the mountain to the peak. Again the weather was perfect for us as we proceed into formation parking for the photos.
On the way down we did some drive by filming, more photos, then coffee in Applecross with some local beers purchased and securely wedged in the boot (they did make it home in one piece)
Finally, we were exhausted and rolled into Torridon for the evening
Accommodation: Torridon Youth Hostel
Dinner: A lovely fish night dinner up the road at the community centre
Day 4 - The split up
I can only write from my own accounts, so... The little BMW had me suffering on Day 3 from intense cabin Fumes (both oil and fuel). I had suffered this in the past from bad valve stem seals, since fixed but it brought back bad memories of carbon monoxide poisoning. So, back to the evening of day 3, we spent some time taping up holes, adding cardboard and tape to seal the engine bay and even adding a direct fresh air duct through the front 1/4 window. Day 4 was the one day we could significantly cut the route shorter, so I took the opportunity. Something didn't sit right with me going further North with a potential problem. To skip to the end... The overnight fixes had worked perfectly and all fumes were gone. However not knowing this we headed out together to the supercar road, the A832 from Kinlochewe to Achnasheen and Beyond. A fantastic road but for our wee classics a bit too long and straight. Top speeds could (in theory) be reached in no time at all.
More formation photos were taken in the parking area...
The Mini and Alfa then headed West to complete a 4hr loop (Gairloch to Ullapool crossing to the West Coast to Inverness) including an eventful 2nd gear corner where the enthusiastic Alfa ripped its anti roll bar clean off its mounts on one side. It was fully removed and the Alfa continued fine all be it with a less predictable front end.
Meanwhile, in the BMW, I took a slower pace on a direct route (1hr,30 ish) to Grantown-On-Spey. Stopped on the way for a walk around Loch a'Chroisg and had time to pop into a local art Gallery to commission some Squirrel prints of our cars!
Accommodation - The Craiglynne Hotel
Dinner - Chicken Kebab as Hotel was fully booked and other places unfortunately closed
Day 5: The last of the fun roads
With the reality sinking in that the fun roads were coming to an end today we pushed the route out where we could to make the most of it.
Starting with the fast paced A939 Old Military road took us over the Cairngorms and past the Balmoral Castle Estate. This road was so different again and epic but we were a little cautious not to push the brakes too much on the classics down some of the steep descents.
The route then took us down the A827 to the beautiful Loch Tay where we stopped for the now well practiced formation photo parking and we stumbled upon a perfect Loch side coffee spot.
Then we headed back on the A821 to Trossachs as we were very keen to run the first fun road of the trip in the other direction. Although we could clearly see traffic had picked up a lot we managed a fairly clear run back South down the pass with big smiles on our faces as although still bloody miles from home, that was the real experience completed. The cars had done us so well, we cruised back in for the evening for beers, food and more car chat.
Accommodation: Avonbridge Hotel (again)
Dinner: Steak Tagliatelle
Day 6 - The long slog home
We skipped breakfast and headed off early. Soon split up and went our separate ways home, in the heavy rain but we didn't mind as it had been faultless weather when it mattered.
What a trip!!!
Shutouts:
The little BMW was in bits 1 month before this trip. Big shout out to Rob who helped get it welded up and the 5 speed box fitted just in time! Thanks!
Another shout out to the other Chris who was planning to join us on the trip but last minute had to drop out. Sorry you couldn't join us this time.
And finally a few more pics...
First up, the cars:
Mini 850, Teal Blue, 1975
1430cc, ported big valve, twin SU, fast road cam, light weight flywheel
Straight cut drop gears
Quaif diff 3.44 FD
Estimated bhp 110
The great:
Chuck-ability, grip and nibble mini-ness
The good:
Mid range grunt
And the less good:
Small fuel tank with leaky cap (100 miles range!). All of the gear whine
Things that went wrong:
Radiator support bracket split
FR damper knock (just needed a tighten)
Used a bit of oil
Alfa GTV, SA respray red (originally blue), 1973,
2000cc, ported, big valves, twin Delorto, fast road cam, light weight flywheel,
Factory 5spd synchro and LSD
Estimated bhp 150?
The great:
Intake noise, slick gear change and instant throttle response
The good:
Turn in (when anti roll bar was attached)
And the less good:
Long brakes and heavy steering
Things that went wrong:
Anti roll bar exited stage right mid hairpin
BMW 1502, paving stone grey, 1976,
1650cc, fast road cam,twin webber,
5spdbox and lsd upgrades
Estimated bhp 100bhp
The great:
Over run pops, bangs and flames
The good:
Very comfy seats
And the less good:
Initial turn in needs some help
Things that went wrong:
Fumes! Oil and fuel. Action's were taken with cardboard engine bay sealing and a fresh air scoop
Front left wheel bearing on its way out affecting braking stability
Day 1 - The long slog up to Scotland
Route - Bedfordshire to Hamilton. Approx 350miles, 6 hours. I met up with the Alfa a few hours in who had come from Norfolk. We didn't meet the Mini who started in Warwicksire for another few hours.
We arrived at the hotel, stretched our legs then sat in the restaurant with a large map (alongside our phones)
Hotel - Avonbridge.
Dinner - burger and chips
Day 2 - Hamilton to Kinlochleven, the real fun begins
After breakfast and the usual car faffing about fluid checks and windscreen cleaning we set off towards the first fun section. 1hr of boring Motorway went by quickly and suddenly the trip had really started. The Dukes pass is a wonderful very tight winding road that just felt built for our classic cars. Reving out in 3rd and dropping down to 2nd for each tight corner. Really nicely flowing and a chance for us to get dialed in to our cars. The tyres could get warm and offer their maximum grip and the power steering pumps known as our forearms got a good work out too.
By now we were already passing our 3rd loch, we stopped for coffee and cake at Loch Lubnaig before continuing A84, A85, then the very scenic A82 towards Glencoe. We followed the parade of traffic until we found an empty parking area for some pics, then decided to head down the unamed road towards the Skyfall passing place. Again the scenery was just epic and the weather was near perfect as it was for our entire trip. This was not a drivers road due to it being so narrow, many hikers and unable to gauge oncoming traffic in advance. But we did have some fun trying out a few go pro following angles.
Although we were staying at Kinlochleven, we weren't quite done with driving for the day, so we headed up towards Fort William to run down the C1162 Glen Nevis Road and back. Here we swapped cars for a few runs up and down. Great to experience the other classics but also great to see and hear our own projects doing dome drive bys.
Finally we headed in to Kinlochleven only to find maybe my favorite road of the trip, the B863 that runs up and around Lock Leven. Again it seemed built for our classics, smooth, flowing, ups and downs like a roller-coaster, 2nd and 3rd mainly but up to 4th for stretches.
Accommodation: West Highland Lodge
Dinner - Pub fish and chips
Day 3 - A short hop to Skye
Chris had the great idea to get the car ferry to Skye, but before that another ferry, a very short ferry trip across Loch Linnhe. But before that another chance to drive the brilliant B863 out in the early morning to warm up the cars and drivers. Loch Linnhe, although 60 ish km long, is just about 300 meters wide to hop across by ferry. Google even said it was quicker to drive around! But it had to be done.
From the first ferry we had the high speed flowing A830 with a quick glance over to see the magnificent Glenfinnan viaduct on route to Mallaig, to then catch the second ferry to Skye. We hadn't booked and went straight into the waiting queue slowly losing all hope of making it on as we watched the ferry getting loaded up. Then from nowhere our tickets were scanned and we were waved onboard. They squeezed us on with the little mini just fitting in at the back, but they then even proceeded to squeeze on another huge 80s Landrover.
Very pleasant (but cold) ferry ride over where we mostly chatted to some old boys heading around Skye in their family 1933 Lagonda.
Once on Skye, we grabbed some lunch at Armadale Bay and, well, we basically proceed to leave Skye. We took the pleasant but narrow and so slowish A851 north with views back over tothe main land and what must have been a snow caped Ben Nevis. Then over the magnificent Skye Bridge to continue on the A890 including a chance to hear the twin carbs sing through the Stratcarron Tunnel, then A896 to the start of the Applecross pass. Our short speedy start up Applecross was short lived by meeting some oncoming traffic and we then joined a small queue that very very slowly climbed to the top. But we always knew that was happen. This wasn't a driving road, but a road to enjoy the immense views as you slice a winding route up the mountain to the peak. Again the weather was perfect for us as we proceed into formation parking for the photos.
On the way down we did some drive by filming, more photos, then coffee in Applecross with some local beers purchased and securely wedged in the boot (they did make it home in one piece)
Finally, we were exhausted and rolled into Torridon for the evening
Accommodation: Torridon Youth Hostel
Dinner: A lovely fish night dinner up the road at the community centre
Day 4 - The split up
I can only write from my own accounts, so... The little BMW had me suffering on Day 3 from intense cabin Fumes (both oil and fuel). I had suffered this in the past from bad valve stem seals, since fixed but it brought back bad memories of carbon monoxide poisoning. So, back to the evening of day 3, we spent some time taping up holes, adding cardboard and tape to seal the engine bay and even adding a direct fresh air duct through the front 1/4 window. Day 4 was the one day we could significantly cut the route shorter, so I took the opportunity. Something didn't sit right with me going further North with a potential problem. To skip to the end... The overnight fixes had worked perfectly and all fumes were gone. However not knowing this we headed out together to the supercar road, the A832 from Kinlochewe to Achnasheen and Beyond. A fantastic road but for our wee classics a bit too long and straight. Top speeds could (in theory) be reached in no time at all.
More formation photos were taken in the parking area...
The Mini and Alfa then headed West to complete a 4hr loop (Gairloch to Ullapool crossing to the West Coast to Inverness) including an eventful 2nd gear corner where the enthusiastic Alfa ripped its anti roll bar clean off its mounts on one side. It was fully removed and the Alfa continued fine all be it with a less predictable front end.
Meanwhile, in the BMW, I took a slower pace on a direct route (1hr,30 ish) to Grantown-On-Spey. Stopped on the way for a walk around Loch a'Chroisg and had time to pop into a local art Gallery to commission some Squirrel prints of our cars!
Accommodation - The Craiglynne Hotel
Dinner - Chicken Kebab as Hotel was fully booked and other places unfortunately closed
Day 5: The last of the fun roads
With the reality sinking in that the fun roads were coming to an end today we pushed the route out where we could to make the most of it.
Starting with the fast paced A939 Old Military road took us over the Cairngorms and past the Balmoral Castle Estate. This road was so different again and epic but we were a little cautious not to push the brakes too much on the classics down some of the steep descents.
The route then took us down the A827 to the beautiful Loch Tay where we stopped for the now well practiced formation photo parking and we stumbled upon a perfect Loch side coffee spot.
Then we headed back on the A821 to Trossachs as we were very keen to run the first fun road of the trip in the other direction. Although we could clearly see traffic had picked up a lot we managed a fairly clear run back South down the pass with big smiles on our faces as although still bloody miles from home, that was the real experience completed. The cars had done us so well, we cruised back in for the evening for beers, food and more car chat.
Accommodation: Avonbridge Hotel (again)
Dinner: Steak Tagliatelle
Day 6 - The long slog home
We skipped breakfast and headed off early. Soon split up and went our separate ways home, in the heavy rain but we didn't mind as it had been faultless weather when it mattered.
What a trip!!!
Shutouts:
The little BMW was in bits 1 month before this trip. Big shout out to Rob who helped get it welded up and the 5 speed box fitted just in time! Thanks!
Another shout out to the other Chris who was planning to join us on the trip but last minute had to drop out. Sorry you couldn't join us this time.
And finally a few more pics...
That looks fantastic, roads, scenery and the cars.
I'll be heading to Fort William/Inverness area at the end of the month.
So will have another read through and see what roads we can fit in.
E46 M3 and K11 Micra in our convoy. Will be there for about 6 days.
I'll be taking a few pictures along the way, but not sure I'll be able to match the quality of this report though.
I'll be heading to Fort William/Inverness area at the end of the month.
So will have another read through and see what roads we can fit in.
E46 M3 and K11 Micra in our convoy. Will be there for about 6 days.
I'll be taking a few pictures along the way, but not sure I'll be able to match the quality of this report though.
Incredible, i've got you on instagram. I got back from doing the NC500 last Saturday and would've loved to have happened across you 3 whilst doing it!
I never got up to the highlands in my 2002, sadly. It was the next plan for it before it sold out of the blue, so its good to live that one through your write up!
I never got up to the highlands in my 2002, sadly. It was the next plan for it before it sold out of the blue, so its good to live that one through your write up!
Thanks for the great comments!
I mainly just wanted to document the roads for my own future reference and this seemed the best way to do it. I appreciate some enjoyed reading it.
I was just about getting fed up with my old '02 after the jobs list was getting out of control but when the time came it was (just) enough ready to do all the fun driving. The things like no speedo or fuel gauge were just easily manageable. Now I'm in love with it again but safe to say the jobs list has got longer as I want to improve the handling, stopping and going all further.
I mainly just wanted to document the roads for my own future reference and this seemed the best way to do it. I appreciate some enjoyed reading it.
I was just about getting fed up with my old '02 after the jobs list was getting out of control but when the time came it was (just) enough ready to do all the fun driving. The things like no speedo or fuel gauge were just easily manageable. Now I'm in love with it again but safe to say the jobs list has got longer as I want to improve the handling, stopping and going all further.
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