Wretched old cars!
Discussion
I once sold a 1967 Daimler V8 250 to a chap that came over from Belgium to collect it.
The drive from Suffolk to the Channel Tunnel would be about 2 hrs in a modern, so I advised he allow at least 3 as he wouldn't have been familiar with the sound and feel of a classic, and that he should watch the gauges like a hawk. I'd been using it weekly up until then and had diligently checked all levels prior to his arrival. I suggested a maximum of 60mph until he was familiar with the car's behaviour, but confidently expected there to be no problems as I'd frequently run it that sort of distance in a day.
It transpires he shot down the A12 at 70mph, made it as far as the Dartford Bridge whereupon it blew up and caused a major tailback until it was recovered. He eventually made it home the next day, on the back of a flatbed, having blown a head gasket.
The drive from Suffolk to the Channel Tunnel would be about 2 hrs in a modern, so I advised he allow at least 3 as he wouldn't have been familiar with the sound and feel of a classic, and that he should watch the gauges like a hawk. I'd been using it weekly up until then and had diligently checked all levels prior to his arrival. I suggested a maximum of 60mph until he was familiar with the car's behaviour, but confidently expected there to be no problems as I'd frequently run it that sort of distance in a day.
It transpires he shot down the A12 at 70mph, made it as far as the Dartford Bridge whereupon it blew up and caused a major tailback until it was recovered. He eventually made it home the next day, on the back of a flatbed, having blown a head gasket.
I’m not sure I buy into this. I’ve owned a couple of 105 Alfa’s a 1968 and 1972, for 16 years now, I’ve always driven them hard. I’d think nothing of driving at 70 for it an hour or so. I’ve never had any real problems.
I’d have expected a big lazy V8 to be perfectly happy at those speeds.
Perhaps Italian engineering is better after all?
I’d have expected a big lazy V8 to be perfectly happy at those speeds.
Perhaps Italian engineering is better after all?
I’ve often used the intended performance of the TR6 for extended stretches on the motorway, I feel safer out in lane 3 than trundling along with the lorries and MGs in lane 1. Provided they’re kept serviced, and hoses and electrics etc are kept in good shape our old cars should continue to work as advertised.
velocemitch said:
I’m not sure I buy into this. I’ve owned a couple of 105 Alfa’s a 1968 and 1972, for 16 years now, I’ve always driven them hard. I’d think nothing of driving at 70 for it an hour or so. I’ve never had any real problems.
I’d have expected a big lazy V8 to be perfectly happy at those speeds.
Perhaps Italian engineering is better after all?
Italian cars dare you to try to kill them with hard driving!I’d have expected a big lazy V8 to be perfectly happy at those speeds.
Perhaps Italian engineering is better after all?
No matter what the Italian car, they say: "I'm not doing anything under 4,000rpm! .......What's the point? ......Give me some revs so I can breathe!...... Put me on the red light line -It's where I come alive!"
Italian cars are mechanical masochists!
4rephill said:
Italian cars dare you to try to kill them with hard driving!
No matter what the Italian car, they say: "I'm not doing anything under 4,000rpm! .......What's the point? ......Give me some revs so I can breathe!...... Put me on the red light line -It's where I come alive!"
Italian cars are mechanical masochists!
Maybe, but what fun you have until it all goes wrong!No matter what the Italian car, they say: "I'm not doing anything under 4,000rpm! .......What's the point? ......Give me some revs so I can breathe!...... Put me on the red light line -It's where I come alive!"
Italian cars are mechanical masochists!
Yertis said:
At least you’ve been using it 
I cant remember the last time I saw another Triumph being used on the motorway. 
I went paddleboarding on Saturday, which was my Saab's 30th birthday. Due to having no kids or wife for the weekend I took it for the 35-mile round trip. I dropped the roof and I "extended it throughout its operating range". Marvellous! I cant remember the last time I saw another Triumph being used on the motorway. 
Further to my post immediately above, yesterday the weather was good so I took the Saab to work, via dropping off my youngest to Kids' Play for the day.
As I left work to pick him up, some numpty in a Honda Civic exited a row in the car park without looking to the right, from where I was approaching. Not a big deal: hit the brakes, give him a Paddington Bear hard stare and move on with life.
Alas, I got that sinking feeling. As in the brake pedal sinking. To the floor. Yikes!
As ever I was running a bit late so had to get to pick up the little 'un. I pulled in to a vacant space, had a look under the car and under the bonnet, expecting find a growing pool of brake fluid - nothing untoward was found. The reservoir was up to level and I could see no obvious dislodged / damaged vacuum pipes.
Nervously I drove to Kids' Play and picked up the boy. I explained the problem and told him it would be a slow drive home. He acted as my rear view mirror, advising if anybody was getting close, so I could focus purely on looking and planning ahead*. By the time we got home the pedal would initially feel OK, but rapidly sink to the floor, providing limited stopping power. The handbrake was pressed into service, but we made it safely. I'm away for a few days now so it'll have to wait til September to get fixed.
Wretched old cars!
*I kept an eye on the mirror too, but it was sweet of him to offer to help. He's only 9, and as we live in Milton Keynes there were a few roundabouts to negotiate.
As I left work to pick him up, some numpty in a Honda Civic exited a row in the car park without looking to the right, from where I was approaching. Not a big deal: hit the brakes, give him a Paddington Bear hard stare and move on with life.
Alas, I got that sinking feeling. As in the brake pedal sinking. To the floor. Yikes!
As ever I was running a bit late so had to get to pick up the little 'un. I pulled in to a vacant space, had a look under the car and under the bonnet, expecting find a growing pool of brake fluid - nothing untoward was found. The reservoir was up to level and I could see no obvious dislodged / damaged vacuum pipes.
Nervously I drove to Kids' Play and picked up the boy. I explained the problem and told him it would be a slow drive home. He acted as my rear view mirror, advising if anybody was getting close, so I could focus purely on looking and planning ahead*. By the time we got home the pedal would initially feel OK, but rapidly sink to the floor, providing limited stopping power. The handbrake was pressed into service, but we made it safely. I'm away for a few days now so it'll have to wait til September to get fixed.
Wretched old cars!
*I kept an eye on the mirror too, but it was sweet of him to offer to help. He's only 9, and as we live in Milton Keynes there were a few roundabouts to negotiate.
I replaced the heater pipe.
Its developed a fault whereby after about 30mins it stops. Cools down and is fine.
I did a load of work on rerouting fuel lines as I thought the petrol was boiling (which is certainly the case when stationary). But yoday after a 30 min run, 17 miles, it stopped, underbonnet not really at all hot. Carbs and fuel pump and filter all cool.
I suspect the electronic ignition from Powerspark is getting hot. One clue being that they come with a sachet of conductive paste.
New owner very understanding!
Its developed a fault whereby after about 30mins it stops. Cools down and is fine.
I did a load of work on rerouting fuel lines as I thought the petrol was boiling (which is certainly the case when stationary). But yoday after a 30 min run, 17 miles, it stopped, underbonnet not really at all hot. Carbs and fuel pump and filter all cool.
I suspect the electronic ignition from Powerspark is getting hot. One clue being that they come with a sachet of conductive paste.
New owner very understanding!
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