Aston haulage. How strange is your load? (picture heavy!)

[peterr96]

I'm starting this topic.
a. To see whether I can be any more daft in Mr Goulds eyes.
b. To ensure that Ed gets his piglets and hay bales out
c. Because some people won't believe it.

We ran a V8V as an only car for three and a half years (owing to a parking shortage). I was expecting to have to rent something to fill in the gaps particularly when taking a bike away.
However rather unbelievably you can get a bike and all the other sundry crap in a V8V.

Behold



Wheels off (the bike!) and into wheel bags



Secure chain with "Pedros" clip



Frame into "Avenir bag". Careful the oily bits only touch the inside!




bottles, shoes and stuff in



First wheel next


Frame in, all snuggled up in zipped padded bag. Make sure underside pedal sits into void behind gearbox cover and to outside of car



Detailed photo showing handle bars over strut. Bag unzipped


2nd wheel in on top. Rucksack to offside, helmet pod to nearside


Close boot lid


I usually put a fleece over the wheel bag to stop it shining red on the back window



Put bags on the ledge behind seats (seats remain in normal position)



View through rear view mirror




The misses and I have been away for a long weekend (including suit bag etc) and I took the bike with no issues, nothing rolling about in the foot well.
Admittedly I'm only 5'9". The bike frame size is a 50 sloping (54 trad). I guess if you're 6'6" this might not work!
The look on peoples faces when you pull a bike out of such a car is priceless.

Whatever, it just shows what a versatile package the V8V is.
On another occasion, my OH collected me from Gatwick when I've been on a "business trip" and had bags, set of golf clubs and shoes, a snowboard, bindings, boots, boarding gear etc etc.
Amazing car.


Anyone got any other loony load stories?

ED50. I can't wait to see the piglets! They're sooooo sweeeet (and taste good when they've grown up)

Edited by peterr96 on Thursday 14th July 20:50

[peterr96]

michael gould said:

The wheel centres on that vantage look a bit corroded .....get some new ones there only £40

Already ordered!
Once I've got em, I was going to see if anyone wanted to make me an offer for some "less than perfect ones" with holes gratuitously spiked in with a screwdriver! It raised a smile the thought of you battering the crap out of them with a mallet.
Still going to try laquering the back edge of em though. I'll have the last laugh damn you!

[peterr96]

millsjq said:

What size frame do you have. I have 59cm, do you think it would fit? I have not tried fitting my bike, but I will have to try now.

I was going to suggest meeting up, but I think we're geographically challenged!

I suspect a 59 will not fit without dropping the seat post. Mines a 50 sloping, equivalent to 54 traditional. The slopiness has no impact on it fitting in the car.
Yours will be about 7-8 cm longer (fork to rear dropout) and probably 7-8 taller (bb centre - top of seat) so I think without dropping the seat it will not go in. If I recall the length is not likely to make too much difference, however the bar to fork distance might have an impact too.
That said, it might fit!

Give it a whirl, clearly be careful where the oily bits touch and be very careful to ensure the low side pedal is into the void behind the gearbox and not on it. Otherwise the top side pedal might contact the rear glass... PLEASE DON'T DO THAT!!

I can pack mine in about 5 minutes and it must've been in there about 50 times or more with no detrimental impact on either bike or car.

If you want any more info. PM me so all these PHs don't have to endure too much bike speak!

[peterr96]

mybrainhurts said:

Is that a bicycle contraption thing..?

That's porn mate!
Car and contraption

[peterr96]

don4l said:

They taste much better before they've grown up.

I mention this because we currently have Jockman in Spain, and tonyarmitstead is going there next week.

"Cochinillo" (Gorrin in Navarra/Basque region??) is something that everyone should try at least once. It has the same taste as pork, but it is incredibly tender. It just melts in the mouth.



Don
--

Mmm must check that out. Man I'm hungry. Been flat out this morning and oink in bread was missed. Now where can I find Cochinillo round here.....

[peterr96]

Jockman said:

Great pics Pete - thanks for sharing.

When I test drove a V8V approx 18 months ago, just before I bought the DB9, one of the ticks in favour of the Vantage was its more "efficient" use of interior space. Despite being 12 inches or so shorter, it actually felt bigger inside. Bit of a tardis effect. Yes, I have 2 seats in the back but I´ve only ever used them once and that was uncomfortable. The DB9 did tick many other boxes, though.

4 more ticks by any chance?!

Jockman said:

Probably explains why the next car is erring towards V12V rather than DBS, finances permitting.

I have not remotely dared drive a V12V. It's something I can't do on the grounds that
The V8V is a keeper and was always sold to the OH on that basis.
I'm quite sure the V8V is nver going to seem the same after a V12V drive.
I can't afford one!
Doesn't stop me looking at the Pommehogster and think there might be something I can do there though!

[peterr96]

williamp said:

Yes very good but...erm... there is some dirt on your Aston: in this image, under the hinge...

Tsssk. My bad! I'll rectify that when I change the wheel caps!

williamp said:

The most I got in my Aston (no photos, sorry) was the trip down to Le Mans. Tent, sleeping bags, clothes, tools, spares, air compressor. 20m cable, euro plug conversion, bowl with knife, fork etc, BBQ in boot.

One the back seat was the 240v fridge for the campsite. Fitted beautifully

Shame you didn't snap that.....
I've also head some bits of wood for a new gate in the back.
No tip runs though.

[peterr96]

Ed50]eterr96 said:

"The V8V is a keeper and was always sold to the OH on that basis".



Ya right,I've played that old card a few times Pete but I think she may have twigged it now I've started whining for
a DBS Volante TT.
Shame my sneaky plan was going so well until she read a recent E-Mail from a dealer,Oh well back to the grovelling I
suppose. I just don't get the meaning of no you can't......,what a strange woman she just doesn't understand.

She never said "as well" was not acceptable though!
I can't justify a V8V as well as a V12V. A V8V and a V12R though.......

Even if they did. I still can't afford it though

[peterr96]

WantanewV12V said:

My wife has been seriously ill for the past two years (just been told that she is on the road to recovery) and we took a relaxing trip to Polperro in cornwall last year. I put a full size, collapsible wheelchair in to the back of the V12V, the outdoor protective cover in its original bag (they are pretty big), a reasonable amount of food goodies including lots of wine, a decent amount of clothing, lots of books etc etc and was completely surprised at just how versatile the V12V is, I could even see out of the back. Great cars.

Jolly impressive too.
Forgot to mention that with the bike, there is still room for wine & beer

[peterr96]

George H said:

Does carrying a big black labrador count for this thread?

Haven't got a pic, but I'll get one next time my dog comes in the car with me.

Don't see why not! I'd imagine he/she is quite comfy amongst the sheepskin rugs and slippers with the gentle aroma of pipe tobacco lingering in the air

[peterr96]

mybrainhurts said:

I'd be impressed if you managed a donkey...

In a Rapide maybe? We'll have to wait a couple of weeks for Watchrabbit to try that though.

[peterr96]

Shmee said:

That definately qualifies!

[peterr96]

Shmee said:

I might have done that, surprising amounts of room!

Was that top on or top off?

[peterr96]

George H said:

Ah she doesn't mind, except for the noise, not a fan of that.

I wouldn't even attempt to lift my dog into the back seat

It's a lab. Just chuck a pork pie in the back.
If the door wasn't open and the seat canted forward I bet fido would take the window out. No lifting required (although some leather cleaner may be needed)

[peterr96]

nofuse22 said:

Nice bike... Is that an extreme power??

I was v jealous at a recent sportive when a chap in a 997 turbo managed to get his bike in above the back seat.... If I could get my bike into the v8 it would certainly make the trips to/from sportives much more fun....

Yes. It would be an Extreme Power if it had a decent rider on it! (thinking about it, it doesn't say which extreme!)
Feel free to PM me if you want more details of the likelihood of getting your bike in.

Pete