Have to say a big thank you to the AA man who arrived to take a look at my car and had it fixed within 45 mins.
I had just driven around 30 miles from the office, mostly motorway, and almost home when there was a sudden noise like a tyre suddenly deflating. This was accompanied by several lights illuminating on my dashboard.
The engine started to run rough and there was a distinct lack of power. So engine and tyres not normally related so I was puzzled.
The lights on the dashboard were related to the tyre pressure sensors and to the stability control system !!!
All of this was accompanied by sounds from under the bonnet similar to when an exhaust manifold gasket is blowing.
Since there didn’t seem to be any danger of damage to the engine, no warning lights indicating overheating or oil loss, I limped home.
At home, on the driveway, I turned the engine off then restarted it. Engine ran, noisy it’s true, but no lights illuminated on the dashboard.
So I contacted the lease company who arranged for the AA to visit.
They arrived within 15 minutes and I reckon the guy had identified that the turbo intercooler hose had come off within five minutes. He discovered that the pipe clip was still down on the tray under the engine cleaned and refitted the pipe. Had the engine running, quietly and smoothly, job done within 45 minutes.
He couldn’t explain why any of the warning lights came on since they are, seemingly, logically, unrelated.
Needless to say, I was and am relieved.
Since then I have trawled the interweb. It seems that intercooler pipes come of with some regularity. I couldn’t find any references to Mazda CX5’s specifically. But lots of references to other brands and there is a particularly humerous film on YouTube of a guy whose Mitsubishi suffers the same issue but he is between hills and without the turbo his car is unable to reach the summit in either direction.
I consider I was very lucky. So, a big thank you to the man from the AA.
Last Sunday morning, under beautiful sunny skies, the Mayor of Havant’s Charity Classic Vehicle Run took place. With around 200 vehicles gathering in the car parks adjacent to the Public Service Plaza. That’s Havant Borough Councils office buildings to you and me.
Many of the drivers were making sure they were well fueled before setting off.
The queue for the burger van was never much shorter than this while I was there. However, it was moving along quite swiftly and I was sorely tempted by the delicious smells wafting my way. But I wasn’t there to eat, I was there to view some classic automobiles.
First up is a Ford Consul Capri circa 1962. My metalwork teacher at Claverham had one of these. At the time I thought they were the best looking car on the road and I still rate them very highly in the looks department. This one is in superb condition.
Ford Consul Capri
From Wikipedia:
A Capri was tested by the British The Motor magazine in 1962 and had a top speed of 79.0 mph (127.1 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 22.6 seconds. A fuel consumption of 36.7 miles per imperial gallon (7.7 L/100 km; 30.6 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £915 including taxes of £288
Moving on, there were several very nice camper vans, the interiors were very chinzy but the exteriors were all to a very high standard.
The black and white van looks so slick and was my favourite of the campers but the others also looked beautiful and showing the love bestowed by the owners.
Also putting in an appearance was some “heavy iron” headed up by Terry Pipers 1954 Dennis Pax flatbed truck
Ably supported by this Bedford TJ
And this alien vehicle, a Chevrolet “Advance Design” Pickup truck, circa 1940’s.
I’ve no idea what it had under the bonnet, or should I say “hood”, but it certainly was loud and proud. Apparently the engines ran from 3.5L to 4.3L !!
Everytime I visit a classic car event the one thing that amazes me is how vulnerable we all were. Many of the “family” cars were much smaller than modern day vehicles and with none of the safety features which we tend to expect.
Take a look at this wonderful Isetta ….
This 1958 BMW Isetta is owned by James Blake, Year of Manufacture1958, Cylinder Capacity (cc)298cc
I guess this was the Smart car of it’s era.
The first car that my wife and I purchased was a two tone Ford Consul Mk II, Primrose Yellow body with a white roof. Similar to the oen in the picture below. 1703 cc engine, 3 speed column change and front bench seat it handled like a round bottom boat in a heavy swell.
But we learnt a lot about car mechanics and motoring with that car and had one or two adventures. Not the least of which was driving from Winchester to Portsmouth with no foot brakes and surviving the descent from the top of Portsdown Hill using a hand brake that barely functioned. And another, complete with “duck bill” visor …
Ford Consul
Another car with beautiful lines was the Bristol 403.
The BMW style radiator grill is hiding a BMW derived straight 6 and this car was capable of just over 100 mph.
Technology has made considerable advances over the years. Todays cars make a lot out of small packages. Small engines, 1500 cc, are to be found powering huge cars by comparison to the past. Here is an example of quite the opposite.
Triumph 1800 Roadster
This car was introduced with an 1800cc engine in 1946.
From Wikipedia:
On test by Autocar magazine in 1947 top speed was found to be 75 mph (121 km/h) and 0–60 mph (0–96 km/h) took 34.4 seconds.
In 1948 the Roadster was updated and fitted with a 2000 cc engine. Again, from Wikipedia:
On test the changes resulted in the top speed increasing marginally to 77 mph (124 km/h) but the 0-60 mph time was much better at 27.9 seconds
Still, the lack of speed ensured one had plenty of time to admire the fabulous lines of this car.
Another classic from my youth was the Ford Consul Corsair although I never understood why so many British car names had “Consul” included…. Here is a very smart example.
Ford Consul Corsair
Reminds me of the joke that was going around at the time.
Question: How many cars can you get under a police womans skirt ?
Answer: About 50,000 Corsairs
I’m sorry !!
Another car sporting a rather snazzy visor is this very clean Volvo PV544 with the B18 engine from circa 1962.
The Renault Megane was not the first car to be showing a classy rear. There were quite a few fancy behinds on display, so here are a few prime examples.
Sorry to hear that Sue Townsend has passed away. I came to her works late, introduced via the television series but I was able to empathise and the books always brought a smile . She has left an amazing legacy. My thoughts go to her family and friends.
I have been watching the news unfold in the Crimea, with a distinct feeling of unease, as Putins pirate army invokes a “soft annexation” of the Crimea. I would call it theft.
Meanwhile we in the west, in total impotence, watch on .
Does Putin seem bothered by threats of sanctions ?
I don’t think so, after all what can we do. We are powerless to intervene, and all that Obama, Cameron and the other politicians can do, is spout toothless rhetoric.
Who said piracy was restricted to the South China Sea ?
This is the standard of journalism that is deemed acceptable in our local paper ……. ???
Man faces magistrate accused of damage to cars in Portsmouth
I saw this and immediately thought it was an article about a magistrate that had gone on a rampage and about the man that stood up to him.
Even the most basic word processor software has contextual and grammar checking alongside the standard spelling checkers. However, it seems that The News can’t afford to employ staff who can use it.
The following, pulled from the same article, is another example of the awkward phrasing that regularly appears in News articles.
Gavin Knight, 31, of Parade Court, Hilsea, denied to a magistrate damaging the vehicles in Wingfield Street, Turner Road and Watts Road, Portsmouth, on Saturday.
We regularly hear complaints, from employers, that our schools are not supplying new hire candidates with adequate standards of education. Isn’t it about time that our media mouth pieces set a decent example.
Alexander Bell is behind bars after being found guilty of robbing and sexually assaulting a woman in her teens in August last year, also for twice raping a woman on the same night in October 2012.
During sentencing Judge Price described Bell as one of the most dangerous men he had seen at Portsmouth Crown Court in 18 years.
At least the sentence reflects the nature of the crime, three concurrent life sentences for a predator who has ruined the lives of the women that he attacked.
Physical wounds may be repaired but the effects of such an assault, on the minds of Bells victims, are immeasurable. One thing is certain these women will carry the memories for the rest of their lives.
The question that springs to mind is “What does “Life” actually mean ?”. Will Alexander Bell be considered for parole at any time ?
Anything less than whole life would be sacrilege, and an insult to those that Bell assaulted.
Debbi Garrod, 50, of Langstone High Street, said her uPVC door was able to keep most of the water at bay. The sea crept 10 inches up her door.
‘When I opened the door the water came rushing in,’ she said.
‘I closed the door quickly and then it was just a little trickle.’
If she knew that it was 10 inches up her door, why did she open it ?
WrAnTz 