I-Spy Classic Cars/Bikes-What have you spotted?

[CitroJim]

I was quite surprised to find he had sixteen 2' x 2' concrete paving slabs in the back

They were plucky little things... Their rated load was a quarter of a ton (5 cwt - hundredweight) if I recall correctly or about 250Kg in new money...

Or, 5 sacks of flour (or even coal)...

[myglaren]

I have barely touched Minis but the 'doughnut' joints on Imps were a challenge the first few times.

Oh yes! I never had the 'pleasure' of those but I can imagine...

Did new ones not come wrapped in a metal band to make fitting easier?

I can't recall ever buying a new one Jim, only disconnecting and reconnecting to swap engines - they were terrible for blowing head gaskets. I had three engines on rotation - one in, one waiting to go in and one on the bench being fixed.

Easy enough job. Remove bumper, disconnect the twiddly bits and drop engine/transaxle onto a skateboard and drag it out

Worse were the perennially buggered king pins. Spent hours getting them out until someone showed me the easy way - cut the old bush out with a hacksaw instead of trying to drive it out, OIL the new bush and pin (not grease as I had been doing) fit them then the lower cap then drown it in oil and fit the top cap - they lasted so much longer and were much easier to swap when needed.

[van ordinaire]

Right, 1st let's get our '50's car derived vans sorted out: The Thames "100E vans" were 300E's, standard & de luxe (prefect grille - I think, passenger seat &, probably, heater). There were two estate versions, Ford Escort was the standard version, Whereas the de luxe spec one was the Squire, immediately identifiable by the wood trim on the sides. Now, to my amazement the Minivan had the same - 5 cwt - payload as the standard 300E (&, for that matter, Minor, A35, Standard Pennant, Triumph Herald & VX Viva derived vans). What I can't explain, because I never understood, is why the de luxe 300E's has a 7 cwt payload.

[Gibbo2286]

Right, 1st let's get our '50's car derived vans sorted out: The Thames "100E vans" were 300E's, standard & de luxe (prefect grille - I think, passenger seat &, probably, heater). There were two estate versions, Ford Escort was the standard version, Whereas the de luxe spec one was the Squire, immediately identifiable by the wood trim on the sides. Now, to my amazement the Minivan had the same - 5 cwt - payload as the standard 300E (&, for that matter, Minor, A35, Standard Pennant, Triumph Herald & VX Viva derived vans). What I can't explain, because I never understood, is why the de luxe 300E's has a 7 cwt payload.

My memory had slipped about the Ford van designations, but the answer to you question is an extra leaf in the back springs.

[Hell Razor5543]

Well, it is not a car, but how a sixty year old Norton motorcycle? Spotted this morning in Berkhamstead;

[CitroJim]

Nice

[NewcastleFalcon]

Well, it is not a car, but how a sixty year old Norton motorcycle? Spotted this morning in Berkhamstead;

Looks very much like one of these James described as a "Norton ES2 1960 Wideline Featherbed"

http://www.gpclassicmotorcycles.co.uk/g ... 030617.jpg

regards Neil

[van ordinaire]

. . . but the answer to you question is an extra leaf in the back springs.

That makes sense - & also explains why I could never spot the difference! BUT, one leaf, 2 cwt?

30 years later, Citroen applied precisely the same logic to produce the higher (as opposed to larger) capacity C15.

[Zelandeth]

Sadly no photos, but my eye was drawn in the direction of one of the construction trucks trundling up and down the road outside our resort.

Sure enough, immaculate 70s era Kenworth with probably a couple of tonnes of chrome attached. Reason I spotted it? I heard it way before I saw it...still running a Detroit 8V71 two stroke diesel, and obviously straight through pipes. A rare noise these days on either side of the pond...but it's just as addictive no matter where you are...

If I spot it again I'll try to get a photo.

[CitroJim]

If I spot it again I'll try to get a photo.

And a recording of that gorgeous-sounding engine too please Zel!

[NewcastleFalcon]

Useful for waking up the Neighbours



Regards Neil

[Zelandeth]

If I spot it again I'll try to get a photo.

And a recording of that gorgeous-sounding engine too please Zel!

Oh of course, it would be rude not to!

Caused much confusion driving around Aberdeen in a Peterbilt which had been fitted with a 12V71 and twin 6" straight through pipes. It was basically a gigantic engine which happened to have a couple of seats and some wheels attached.

The noise was like nothing else.

6V71 is probably the one for the most downright angry sounding of the bunch I've had experience with though...

[NewcastleFalcon]

Saw one of Norfolk's finest today, probably a coupe as all Lotus Elan Plus 2, left the factory as coupes although some did get the aftermarket convertible treatment, and accorfing to Simon Cars there were some Estate conversions.

It was this sort of colour though

http://www.simoncars.co.uk/lotus/slides ... rtible.jpg

Also I hope to spot a mark 1 Cortina soon which I hear has joined the local classic car stock!

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

And while our Northumberland Lotus Elan Plus 2 has its day in the drizzle, we might as well have a look at an "estate" conversion courtesy of this, which also includes a little section on the "Lotumph"

http://lotuselan-plus2.be/trevorsparrow ... d_cars.htm

I always like to find out a bit more about our random spots.

Regards Neil

[van ordinaire]

& so to the other extreme, 2 Mile Oak Garage (on the Newton Abbot-Totnes road - which seems to have a remarkable attraction for classic owners/drivers) have got a Daf for sale: it's been there about a month but the weather's nor been condusive to stopping for a closer look. A bit later, on Saturday, near Hangman's Cross (which, I think, according to Royal Mail, is in Paignton) an there was an XJS coming towards me. Now in Paignton town centre - or Torquay see front - I might not have paid much attention but in a lane not wide enough for a Jag & a Cherokee, I didn't have a lot of choice.