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Author Archives: Pin
Signs of the Times
“Tell me where all past years are” requested the poet John Donne, although the prefacing line which urges the reader to “Go and catch a falling star” suggests that no expectations beyond the rhetorical should be made. I have managed … Continue reading
Posted in General, Out Playing with Cars
Tagged Austin, Austin Ruby, Austin Seven, Touring
1 Comment
Subtle Modifications
An ongoing project has been the (hopefully) discrete and (definitely) reversible conversion of an 80 inch Land Rover to take the steering box from a later model. There are plenty of arguments for and against this sort of conversion but … Continue reading
Posted in Still working on it...., Technical
Tagged Conversions, Landrover, Steering & Suspension, Welding
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Counsel to Maidens
Oh damsel fair, beware the car Where sitting space is wider far Than any man of reason needs Except to further his misdeeds; The steering column change eschew, No good can come of it for you, And likewise any motor … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
2 Comments
Getting older….
I hope that readers will celebrate with me as I disclose that Cher and I are managing at last to get rid of a habit which has not been helpful to our lives: We are giving up modern cars. The … Continue reading
Further Escapes Curtailed….
Riley Gamecock has its wings clipped:
Attempted Escape
“Tiny old Chummy tries to escape from Thetford Motors by launching into space, but is restrained by the proprietor’s finger and thumb” Caption courtesy of Anthony Peake!
Posted in Uncategorized
2 Comments
Ergonomics
I have lost count of how many conversations I have had with car enthusiasts about just how hard their cars are to drive. The owner of a Riley was recently making light of how awkward the pedals are in his … Continue reading
Field Service 1940s style
I am feeling a little like an imposter already when I choose the title for today’s post: Mr. Thetford senior did indeed get involved with things mechanical in the 1940’s and in those days of true austerity he did so … Continue reading
Posted in Our Cars, Out Playing with Cars, Uncategorized
Tagged Alvis, Singer, Where They Served
3 Comments
Testing Times
I have recently been working on a vacuum feed fuel system which belongs to a 1929 Delage. These were the first popular type of fuel pump which enabled the fuel tank to be located at the rear of the vehicle … Continue reading
Posted in Job finished, Technical
Tagged Autovac, Delage, Ethanol, Weymann Exhausteur
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A Very Thoroughbred Drive
The Singer Le Mans is all ready to be displayed at Brightwells Leominster next week where I shall be joining her lucky owner Elizabeth Halls on the 3rd March at their viewing day. The most important aspect of the work … Continue reading
Unlikely Stories Mostly
“Chattie”, the Singer Le Mans is due be displayed at Brightwells at the beginning of next month so today’s post features a photo of a pair of her kingpin bushes being line reamed. It also features a rather Scottish reference … Continue reading
More Land Rover Repairs
Various work to a 1952 80 inch Land Rover is slowly making progress as the owner tackles much of the restoration to the vehicle and specialist items pass through the workshop. One of the most interesting jobs is the restoration … Continue reading
A Small Sacrifice
One of the jobs which has been progressing nicely in the workshop is a small single cylinder engine manufactured by The Motor Manufacturing Company of Coventry in 1898 and which comes from a motor tricycle of that date. This is … Continue reading
Posted in Still working on it...., Technical
Tagged De Dion Bouton, MMC, South Bend Lathe
5 Comments
Strange Measurements
One of today’s jobs has involved attending to the king pin bushes of the Singer. I have some new king pins and bushes in my possession with which to complete the job, and thankfully the new hardened and ground kingpins … Continue reading
Another year… another blog post
Another year has passed and I find that I rather miss writing on the blog – a feeling which coincides with a few recent words of encouragement from readers and which occasions another belated post. Although the past year has … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
1 Comment
Why do so many cars have uneven front tyre wear?
I have been to look at a rather nice Mercedes Benz which was offered for sale today and I subsequently pronounced it to be in very nice condition too. One of the comments I had made about the vehicle was … Continue reading
The Land Rover TDi finally leaves
The fitting of the 200 TDi engine to the Series 1 Land Rover has finally been completed and the owner has now taken delivery after much engineering (on my part) and much patience (on his part)! The original objective was … Continue reading
The Prince Of Darkness Strikes Again
The latest return to blogging is precipitated by a recent annoying mishap: A rather ironic breakdown. The Bristol 403 has been a recent visitor to the workshop for a thorough check over and service. Since this car is in regular … Continue reading