Driving a 70's Supercar in France
Discussion
So,....boys trip to France. Head down to Angoueleme, watch the fantastic racing at the Circuit des Ramparts.
Everyone jumped on board, Mr GT4x2, Mr 993, Mr GT3x2, Mr FTypeR, MrT350.
So with the aim of making sure it is not a complete modern Porsche Party, a friend in their EType, and myself in my De Tomaso thought we would go retro.
Obviously Euro breakdown cover is necessary, I have RAC cover through Hagerty. It's a Thursday to Sunday trip, so I guess I want to scope out if something does go wrong, you can get fixed quick, or have it trailered back to the UK and jump in with someone else.
EType is fresh out of resto so that could either be great, or she gets knobbled by an electrical fault. My car has new engine and ancillaries, cooling system refurbed, but again it is probably electrics or a wheel bearing that gets me. Any advice on preparing for a trip like this?
It seems ridiculous really, of course I have done several two hours blasts along UK motorways in summer, eyes on my gauges, why should this be any difference:
- Two hours: Ferry.
- Sleep
- Two hours: Breakfast
- Two hours: Lunch.
- Two hours:Hotel. Repeat.
I think, but don't know, that my car prefers the variation of being driven on A-roads, over sitting on motorways, and I think that is the plan.
Must. Not. Get. Tempted. Into. Razzing. Too much.
Fuel. Oil. Water. Gauges
Excessively high temperatures will be a shocker with my greenhouse of a cabin. Solution = String vest, underpants.
Excessive rain deluge can surely spell total disaster, especially with such an open engine bay like mine.
Did I mention the electrics.......?!
Any help, tips, assurance, advice very much appreciated.
Everyone jumped on board, Mr GT4x2, Mr 993, Mr GT3x2, Mr FTypeR, MrT350.
So with the aim of making sure it is not a complete modern Porsche Party, a friend in their EType, and myself in my De Tomaso thought we would go retro.
Obviously Euro breakdown cover is necessary, I have RAC cover through Hagerty. It's a Thursday to Sunday trip, so I guess I want to scope out if something does go wrong, you can get fixed quick, or have it trailered back to the UK and jump in with someone else.
EType is fresh out of resto so that could either be great, or she gets knobbled by an electrical fault. My car has new engine and ancillaries, cooling system refurbed, but again it is probably electrics or a wheel bearing that gets me. Any advice on preparing for a trip like this?
It seems ridiculous really, of course I have done several two hours blasts along UK motorways in summer, eyes on my gauges, why should this be any difference:
- Two hours: Ferry.
- Sleep
- Two hours: Breakfast
- Two hours: Lunch.
- Two hours:Hotel. Repeat.
I think, but don't know, that my car prefers the variation of being driven on A-roads, over sitting on motorways, and I think that is the plan.
Must. Not. Get. Tempted. Into. Razzing. Too much.
Fuel. Oil. Water. Gauges
Excessively high temperatures will be a shocker with my greenhouse of a cabin. Solution = String vest, underpants.
Excessive rain deluge can surely spell total disaster, especially with such an open engine bay like mine.
Did I mention the electrics.......?!
Any help, tips, assurance, advice very much appreciated.
I know it's hardly in the same league but for my TR6 I have a 'touring kit' of those spare parts which are more likely to let me down – fuses, a couple of injectors, various gaskets, a fuel pump and filter, a wheel bearing, fan belt, complete set of cooling hoses, lamp, (bulbs), various fasteners, and tools to suit. Basically anything more prone to sudden failure smaller than a differential. Surprisingly this all fits into a pack not much bigger than a shoe box. I'm now putting together a similar box of relief for the Quattro, which will probably cost about the same as a Quattro. 
Riley Blue said:
I used to carry loads of spares for my Riley, then I realised that the car doesn't know it's abroad so why would it be more likely to break down 200 miles away in France rather than 200 miles away in the UK.
It's more to do with the likelihood of anywhere nearby having the appropriate spares to get things moving again, and/or your own ability to do a roadside fix in preference to a flat-bed journey home. Applies 200 miles away in France or two miles away in the UK.I did quite a few european road trips in my Pantera GT5S and it was great fun - however, watch carefully for French drivers taking video of you on their phones whilst weaving all over the road..... Also the drivers that sit right in your rear quarter blind spot whilst admiring the car for literally minutes at a time.
With a Pantera, the most important tools to take are those that allow you to remove the firewall engine cover. I'll assume you had that treat before so are well practiced at it.... If not, do so before you go and take everything you need for that. Changing a belt or any other front engine component is really rather fun without being able to take the cover off (ask me how I know!). Other things are mostly common sense, except be prepared for higher running temperatures than in the UK - the engine bay gets like a furnace if you see 30+C days, so you find all your boarderline electrical/ignition items very quickly. Ideally have spares available for the duraspark box, coil etc and thoroughly reliability test anything you have recently "upgraded". Spares for such cars are very hard to come by in France. If you are a member of the Pantera forums, then some fellow local Pantera phone numbers are a good thing.
Enjoy!!
Andy
With a Pantera, the most important tools to take are those that allow you to remove the firewall engine cover. I'll assume you had that treat before so are well practiced at it.... If not, do so before you go and take everything you need for that. Changing a belt or any other front engine component is really rather fun without being able to take the cover off (ask me how I know!). Other things are mostly common sense, except be prepared for higher running temperatures than in the UK - the engine bay gets like a furnace if you see 30+C days, so you find all your boarderline electrical/ignition items very quickly. Ideally have spares available for the duraspark box, coil etc and thoroughly reliability test anything you have recently "upgraded". Spares for such cars are very hard to come by in France. If you are a member of the Pantera forums, then some fellow local Pantera phone numbers are a good thing.
Enjoy!!
Andy
Like everywhere in Europe and UK, be sure to choose an hotel with a private car park, locked at night.
In case of breakdown, you'll find some good mechanics all around your trip, especially if you decide to go A roads.
I may advise you to contact the french club of your car, they may give you a precious assistance in case of anything unexpected.
In case of breakdown, you'll find some good mechanics all around your trip, especially if you decide to go A roads.
I may advise you to contact the french club of your car, they may give you a precious assistance in case of anything unexpected.
Have done Angouleme numerous times as it is only three hours for me. It is fabulous, you will love it. As above, make sure you have secure parking because the place will be rammed with all sorts of people. Take a selection of clothes, it can be hot, cold, sunny or sheeting, and good waterproof shoes as you will do a lot of walking and the town is very hilly! I always carried a roll of a few meters of single core insulated copper wire which can do for electrical repairs or is strong enough to tie together all the things that may fall off - don't forget pliers with wire cutters. Last thing, keep to the speed limits, the flics are going mad at the moment with concealed radar, mobile radar, every other sort of radar, cost me €382 last November. Enjoy!!
Edited by Mike-tf3n0 on Thursday 3rd August 21:30
Ha ha @WILLIAMP yellow lights, you seemingly know me well, and you definitely know where it's at!
Right, so when I am done ordering tarty new headlights, I should probably start thinking about the odd spare part. @GRUMPY52 @YERTIS @ MIKE-TF3NOThis is a great start, will start putting together a pack. The front boot in a Pantera is enough for a daysack, just! Sadly my rear luggage compartment was binned to allow for the ludicrous 8 into 2 race exhaust manifolds. Which look great BTW!
@ANDY-IM Great to hear that you have taken a DTP over the channel, have seen some great photos of the club heading to Le Mans and much much further.
@RILEYBLUE You have totally hit the nail on the head. Why should this be any different to any other journey. Except perhaps the not hammering it too hard for too long.
Security wise, the car will be parked down at a friend's house in the middle of nowhere, or with me, so not too worried about that. Once I am down there, I will jump in someone's car with aircon. I do have a couple of cunning immobilisers though.
@SWIVELEYEGIT Amazing pub banter, thank you for that gem.
Am not too worried about speeding, she's an old girl, prefers not to be flung along at great velocity. Will let the Stuttgart fan boys pick up les flics.
Cannot promise not to put on some sensational departures from any Peage though....or does that get you in trouble?!
Right, so when I am done ordering tarty new headlights, I should probably start thinking about the odd spare part. @GRUMPY52 @YERTIS @ MIKE-TF3NOThis is a great start, will start putting together a pack. The front boot in a Pantera is enough for a daysack, just! Sadly my rear luggage compartment was binned to allow for the ludicrous 8 into 2 race exhaust manifolds. Which look great BTW!
@ANDY-IM Great to hear that you have taken a DTP over the channel, have seen some great photos of the club heading to Le Mans and much much further.
@RILEYBLUE You have totally hit the nail on the head. Why should this be any different to any other journey. Except perhaps the not hammering it too hard for too long.
Security wise, the car will be parked down at a friend's house in the middle of nowhere, or with me, so not too worried about that. Once I am down there, I will jump in someone's car with aircon. I do have a couple of cunning immobilisers though.
@SWIVELEYEGIT Amazing pub banter, thank you for that gem.
Am not too worried about speeding, she's an old girl, prefers not to be flung along at great velocity. Will let the Stuttgart fan boys pick up les flics.
Cannot promise not to put on some sensational departures from any Peage though....or does that get you in trouble?!
As others have said take the usual spares, have good European recovery etc.
A Disklock is good simple security.
Other than that don't get too concerned about taking the car abroad - just enjoy it.
Over the years I have taken my Maserati Bora all over France, to Italy and back (twice), through Spain and Portugal and as far afield as Budapest in Hungary. Yes there have been break downs and it has returned home on a low loader more than once but so long as you go prepared European touring in a 70's supercar is amazing fun!
A Disklock is good simple security.
Other than that don't get too concerned about taking the car abroad - just enjoy it.
Over the years I have taken my Maserati Bora all over France, to Italy and back (twice), through Spain and Portugal and as far afield as Budapest in Hungary. Yes there have been break downs and it has returned home on a low loader more than once but so long as you go prepared European touring in a 70's supercar is amazing fun!
"The E-type is fresh out of resto" gives me instant shivers. It will take the proposed trip to do the shake-down and get the problems sorted. After 30 years I had mine restored in 2013, and there have been a few niggles since, all of which could not be foreseen by the restorer. Driving at night and finding that one fuse had failed, leaving me with no lights at the rear, no side lights at the front and the only way I knew was that the panel lights had failed. Servo problems, fuel pump failure, and other niggles that have taken 4,000 miles so far to put to bed. If I was driving that car I would carry the following:-
Fuel pump, spare fuses, fan belt, decent torch, carburettor gasket set (buy from Burlen direct) points if not electronic, oil filler cap (the number of people I have seen forget the darned thing when topping up), oil pressure sender, (I have gone through loads over the years) and a reasonable AF tool kit. It'll all fit into the spare wheel well so no problems, but it might just save your bacon.
That being said, I have only been immobilised once, and that was the dynamo bush giving out in Briancon. A new dynamo overnighted and on our way 24 hours later.
Fuel pump, spare fuses, fan belt, decent torch, carburettor gasket set (buy from Burlen direct) points if not electronic, oil filler cap (the number of people I have seen forget the darned thing when topping up), oil pressure sender, (I have gone through loads over the years) and a reasonable AF tool kit. It'll all fit into the spare wheel well so no problems, but it might just save your bacon.
That being said, I have only been immobilised once, and that was the dynamo bush giving out in Briancon. A new dynamo overnighted and on our way 24 hours later.
Been many times not going this year as we are going to Cortina d'Ampezzo for the 55th year of the Cortina get your car well serviced and checked over unless you pull a trailer full of spares there is always something you could miss I always take service items plus oil, water, fan belts, tow rope, jump leads, battery box, and basic tools . I travel twice a year and find you can always get help at a local garage and if all fails Hagerty will bring you home. Good luck and have a great time. 
Having had a slipped disc, the E-type has had very little use this year. So today, since we are going away Thursday to a wedding, I gave it a run. Rear lights and dashboards lights US - again. Fan not cutting in - bad connection. Clutch pedal nearly to the floor - needed adjustment. And this car is well maintained. It's just old technology and you expected problems from time to time. Well, Thursday she crosses the Channel and comes back the Thursday after. About 1,000 miles in prospect. Oh, and one thing I have bought myself is a half car cover. Just covers the cockpit for the night keeping the rain out. Been promising myself one for 20 years and finally got around to it.
I was reminded of this thread on Friday when, after running sweetly for three hours to get me 30 miles up the not-M5 on Friday, the Quattro simply died half a mile from home. Without spares or tools I would have been stranded and looking at three-hour sit in the middle of nowhere waiting for the RAC, had I not identified the at-fault fuse (fuel pump) and been able to swap in one from an unused circuit (fog lights) to get the thing fired up again. I've deduced that because the car has had such limited use over the last twenty years the long run-time pulled all the crap in the system into the filter, which then overloaded the pump.
Of course at the time I was all "right, that's it, had it with old cars, let me down once too often, etc" but this morning was on the phone ordering up all the spares I need
Of course at the time I was all "right, that's it, had it with old cars, let me down once too often, etc" but this morning was on the phone ordering up all the spares I need
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