11 Apr 2019, 8:08am
Thanks for all the photos chaps, lovely.:-)
Mick O'Malley's - Tribute A352 - "D Type"
14 Apr 2019, 12:08pm
Prescott Breakfast Club
Today's sortie in the A352 was to the above event. In contrast to last October's, which took place in warm sunshine, today's was very chilly. On the way there, feeling snug in my heated vest, my engine died at traffic lights in Cheltenham and refused to re-start, only cranking very slowly. It's done this before when hot, so I left it for five minutes and it then behaved. I'd replaced the diaphragms yesterday and it ran much more smoothly, but only picked up very slowly - more carb. investigation needed!
Turnout was initially poor until a convoy of Lotus Seven clones arrived, then quite a few miscellaneous others, including Lucky, who parked next to me.
This rather stole my thunder as a majority of punters gathered around his car, asking about mine as a bit of an afterthought, I shall have to also prepare a printed and laminated info. sheet!
The star of the show for me (apart from the two above
), was this gloriously patinated S4 Seven on Cosmics, whose owner had not only campaigned it in hill climbs, but extensively modified both the running gear and bodywork. Top bloke. It turned out that we both subscribed to that model's thread on PistonHeads. More small world stuff.
Fortunately, the A352 started OK and got me home, though still failing to pick up very well.
Regards, Mick
Today's sortie in the A352 was to the above event. In contrast to last October's, which took place in warm sunshine, today's was very chilly. On the way there, feeling snug in my heated vest, my engine died at traffic lights in Cheltenham and refused to re-start, only cranking very slowly. It's done this before when hot, so I left it for five minutes and it then behaved. I'd replaced the diaphragms yesterday and it ran much more smoothly, but only picked up very slowly - more carb. investigation needed!
Turnout was initially poor until a convoy of Lotus Seven clones arrived, then quite a few miscellaneous others, including Lucky, who parked next to me.
This rather stole my thunder as a majority of punters gathered around his car, asking about mine as a bit of an afterthought, I shall have to also prepare a printed and laminated info. sheet!
The star of the show for me (apart from the two above
), was this gloriously patinated S4 Seven on Cosmics, whose owner had not only campaigned it in hill climbs, but extensively modified both the running gear and bodywork. Top bloke. It turned out that we both subscribed to that model's thread on PistonHeads. More small world stuff.Fortunately, the A352 started OK and got me home, though still failing to pick up very well.
Regards, Mick
14 Apr 2019, 6:54pm
I love these updates, and look forward to the time Ocan drive the Z3gato to these sort of meets.
14 Apr 2019, 6:55pm
2027?
18 Apr 2019, 7:23am
Mick – Always good to see your car out and about. 
21 Apr 2019, 10:42am
Staverton Again
This morning, the third Sunday of the month, I again attended the A30/A35 meeting at the above. There's a small café there, The Aviator, which sells breakfast food as well as hot drinks. Turnout was poor, considering the scorching weather, with not many interesting, to my mind, cars in attendance. A few of the other punters wanted to chat about the A352, but I spent most of my time there watching the aircraft, both fixed and rotary winged, playing.
My carb. investigations had revealed that I'd replaced the dashpots 90° out and possibly overtightened. Rectifying these schoolboy errors has transformed the performance, but only over 2000rpm, beneath which the engine dies. More fiddling required
A couple of shots:
Regards, Mick
p.s. Thanks Paul
This morning, the third Sunday of the month, I again attended the A30/A35 meeting at the above. There's a small café there, The Aviator, which sells breakfast food as well as hot drinks. Turnout was poor, considering the scorching weather, with not many interesting, to my mind, cars in attendance. A few of the other punters wanted to chat about the A352, but I spent most of my time there watching the aircraft, both fixed and rotary winged, playing.
My carb. investigations had revealed that I'd replaced the dashpots 90° out and possibly overtightened. Rectifying these schoolboy errors has transformed the performance, but only over 2000rpm, beneath which the engine dies. More fiddling required
A couple of shots:
Regards, Mick
p.s. Thanks Paul
21 Apr 2019, 3:26pm
Hi Mick, are you going to Castle Combe racing tomorrow ? I will be in attendance and parking by the straight before camp corner
21 Apr 2019, 6:23pm
Hi Alex, originally I was, but I'm going to London early Tuesday and have a lot to do before then. It should be good at The Combe, I was looking forward to the historic FF .
Regards, Mick
.Regards, Mick
21 Apr 2019, 7:55pm
Ok Mick no worries, hope you have a good time in London
5 May 2019, 6:55am
Aaaaaaaaaaaaargh
Yesterday I decided to fill up the A352 in anticipation of today's sortie to Stoneleigh. It was most unwilling to start and ran very poorly, refusing to idle without choke, even when up to temp. I got home, just about, let it all cool down and removed the carbs, as these were the likely culprits following the diaphragm replacement saga. On dismantling I found that the new diaphragms were already badly stretched and distorted. I suspect they're made from something incompatible with petrol - not a lot of use! I'll just have to buy two more, this time from Canley or similar, rather than Ebay cowboys. Buy cheap: Pay twice (and miss Stoneleigh)
Regards, Mick
Yesterday I decided to fill up the A352 in anticipation of today's sortie to Stoneleigh. It was most unwilling to start and ran very poorly, refusing to idle without choke, even when up to temp. I got home, just about, let it all cool down and removed the carbs, as these were the likely culprits following the diaphragm replacement saga. On dismantling I found that the new diaphragms were already badly stretched and distorted. I suspect they're made from something incompatible with petrol - not a lot of use! I'll just have to buy two more, this time from Canley or similar, rather than Ebay cowboys. Buy cheap: Pay twice (and miss Stoneleigh)
Regards, Mick
5 May 2019, 9:54am
Yesterday I decided to fill up the A352 in anticipation of today's sortie to Stoneleigh. It was most unwilling to start and ran very poorly, refusing to idle without choke, even when up to temp. I got home, just about, let it all cool down and removed the carbs, as these were the likely culprits following the diaphragm replacement saga. On dismantling I found that the new diaphragms were already badly stretched and distorted. I suspect they're made from something incompatible with petrol - not a lot of use! I'll just have to buy two more, this time from Canley or similar, rather than Ebay cowboys. Buy cheap: Pay twice (and miss Stoneleigh)
Regards, Mick
Regards, Mick
Blast, I was hoping to see your beastie. Lovely day here.
5 May 2019, 5:09pm
Made it, after all
After berating myself for capitulating so feebly, I decided to go to Stoneleigh in the S4 Seven, which was of course available as a kit in period. After a blissful trip up the almost deserted Fosseway, I joined the short queue into the NAC. Cruising up and down between the club stands I spied another S4 Seven, on the Dutton Owners' Club stand. I parked behind it and the owner, whom I'd conversed with on PistonHeads, came over for a chat. He'd had his (his second) since the turn of the millennium and had paid considerably less than I in those now far off days.
My 'phone then rang: it was Scottie of A352/XKSS fame. We met at the Tribute Owners' stand for a good chin wag where we also saw Lucky. The trade stands area was a little thinly populated, though the manufacturers' hall was heaving with the usual plethora of 'cheque book specials'.
The drive home down the much busier Fosseway was enjoyable, the Lotus behaving perfectly throughout the day's 108 mile round trip total.
Regards, Mick
After berating myself for capitulating so feebly, I decided to go to Stoneleigh in the S4 Seven, which was of course available as a kit in period. After a blissful trip up the almost deserted Fosseway, I joined the short queue into the NAC. Cruising up and down between the club stands I spied another S4 Seven, on the Dutton Owners' Club stand. I parked behind it and the owner, whom I'd conversed with on PistonHeads, came over for a chat. He'd had his (his second) since the turn of the millennium and had paid considerably less than I in those now far off days.
My 'phone then rang: it was Scottie of A352/XKSS fame. We met at the Tribute Owners' stand for a good chin wag where we also saw Lucky. The trade stands area was a little thinly populated, though the manufacturers' hall was heaving with the usual plethora of 'cheque book specials'.
The drive home down the much busier Fosseway was enjoyable, the Lotus behaving perfectly throughout the day's 108 mile round trip total.
Regards, Mick
26 May 2019, 7:45am
More Stromberg Woes
Following on from my May 5th post, I'd bought and fitted new diaphragms from Canley, which were clearly of much better quality than the ones I was discarding. Whilst giving everything a good clean, I'd noticed that I'd fitted one of the jet O rings in the wrong groove. I'd committed this schoolboy error at least three years ago and it was clearly at least partly responsible for my inability to ever get the beast to run to my satisfaction. I bought a replacement one as the guilty item was damaged, but only found time to fit it on Friday, in anticipation of this weekend's motor sport marathon.
Once everything was back together I started her and she ran beautifully, except that the throttle wouldn't return far enough for idle. Slackening the cable proved ineffective so I gave up in disgust, deciding to use the Lotus instead.
Anyway, yesterday's sortie was to 'La Vie En Bleu' at Prescott. The Lotus behaving perfectly: it's a joy to drive with oodles of power and great handling. Parking at this event is in an adjacent field rather than the usual orchard as it gets very busy. From there I took this shot as the Severn Valley Railway's steam locomotive passed in the valley with much tooting.
Wandering over the bridge to the paddock I came across this old friend.
I'm not really a Ferrari fan but this engine certainly caught my eye.....
Despite the plethora of drool worthy high performance machinery, for me the cars of the event were this Panhard and a distinctly 'Moss Monaco' Austin Seven special.
Regards, Mick
Following on from my May 5th post, I'd bought and fitted new diaphragms from Canley, which were clearly of much better quality than the ones I was discarding. Whilst giving everything a good clean, I'd noticed that I'd fitted one of the jet O rings in the wrong groove. I'd committed this schoolboy error at least three years ago and it was clearly at least partly responsible for my inability to ever get the beast to run to my satisfaction. I bought a replacement one as the guilty item was damaged, but only found time to fit it on Friday, in anticipation of this weekend's motor sport marathon.
Once everything was back together I started her and she ran beautifully, except that the throttle wouldn't return far enough for idle. Slackening the cable proved ineffective so I gave up in disgust, deciding to use the Lotus instead.
Anyway, yesterday's sortie was to 'La Vie En Bleu' at Prescott. The Lotus behaving perfectly: it's a joy to drive with oodles of power and great handling. Parking at this event is in an adjacent field rather than the usual orchard as it gets very busy. From there I took this shot as the Severn Valley Railway's steam locomotive passed in the valley with much tooting.
Wandering over the bridge to the paddock I came across this old friend.
I'm not really a Ferrari fan but this engine certainly caught my eye.....
Despite the plethora of drool worthy high performance machinery, for me the cars of the event were this Panhard and a distinctly 'Moss Monaco' Austin Seven special.
Regards, Mick
26 May 2019, 9:09am
More photos from this event, some fantastic cars to see.
Early 50's Ferrari 166 Tipo Milla Miglia was owned by an elderly gent who had the car for 59 years ! He was happy to let the kids sit in it and for people to get up close. Probably the most valuable car there too, the last one similar sold for £8,000,000 ! The car also boasted the 2 litre Columbo V12 engine, an early version of what would have been in my 250 TR !
The "Beast of Turin" was in fine form and yes, the 4 pot, 23 litre engine does go all the way up to the top of the bonnet !
Several old and unrestored cars including this ex John Surtees Ferrari and a Bugatti Type 35 fresh from a 24 hour race by the looks of it.
The railway in the photo by Mick is in fact the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway, they also host classic car shows, the first being on the 9th June at the station in Toddington, just down the road from Prescott.
Early 50's Ferrari 166 Tipo Milla Miglia was owned by an elderly gent who had the car for 59 years ! He was happy to let the kids sit in it and for people to get up close. Probably the most valuable car there too, the last one similar sold for £8,000,000 ! The car also boasted the 2 litre Columbo V12 engine, an early version of what would have been in my 250 TR !
The "Beast of Turin" was in fine form and yes, the 4 pot, 23 litre engine does go all the way up to the top of the bonnet !
Several old and unrestored cars including this ex John Surtees Ferrari and a Bugatti Type 35 fresh from a 24 hour race by the looks of it.
The railway in the photo by Mick is in fact the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway, they also host classic car shows, the first being on the 9th June at the station in Toddington, just down the road from Prescott.
26 May 2019, 3:48pm
The railway in the photo by Mick is in fact the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway
I stand corrected!
I believe my engine picture above is that of the Ferrari 166 Tipo Mille Miglia you mentioned. Whilst on engines, here's my picture of that of 'The Beast'.
More on this 28,353cc monster here.
Regards, Mick
30 May 2019, 7:56am
This Sunday
This Sunday is the Berkeley Castle Classic Car Show, which I attended last year, as above. I was alerted to this on the events page of Classic Car Weekly, an excellent source of info.
If I can sort out the throttle problem I'll go in the A352, otherwise the S4 Seven.
Regards, Mick
Yesterday's sortie in the A352 was to the Berkeley Castle Classic Car day. I had originally planned on going to Castle Combe but when I looked at the card the runners and riders didn't exactly blow my skirt up. I'd not been to either this event or its venue previously, despite its being more or less on my doorstep.
On arrival mid morning I parked with the punters and was immediately buttonholed by fellow enthusiasts. I asked a steward in the show area if I could move my car there and he kindly agreed. There was a really good variety of machinery on display with a scattering of kit cars, amongst which were two of my least favourites: a VW Beetle floorpan based 'Type 35 Bugatti' and a Robin Hood. However, I had a long chat with the owner of a glorious Moss Roadster regarding both his machine and Monacos. Interesting stuff!
The car of the show, for me, was this Turner in Team Elite livery, beautiful!
When I returned to the car to leave I was besieged by punters for 15 or 20 minutes, one of whom said he'd built a Jaguar based D-Type lookalike in Ecurie Ecosse colours which he'd mistaken mine for. The twin apparently now lives in Bristle: it would be good to track this down!
Regards, Mick
On arrival mid morning I parked with the punters and was immediately buttonholed by fellow enthusiasts. I asked a steward in the show area if I could move my car there and he kindly agreed
. There was a really good variety of machinery on display with a scattering of kit cars, amongst which were two of my least favourites: a VW Beetle floorpan based 'Type 35 Bugatti' and a Robin Hood. However, I had a long chat with the owner of a glorious Moss Roadster regarding both his machine and Monacos. Interesting stuff!The car of the show, for me, was this Turner in Team Elite livery, beautiful!
When I returned to the car to leave I was besieged by punters for 15 or 20 minutes, one of whom said he'd built a Jaguar based D-Type lookalike in Ecurie Ecosse colours which he'd mistaken mine for. The twin apparently now lives in Bristle: it would be good to track this down!
Regards, Mick
This Sunday is the Berkeley Castle Classic Car Show, which I attended last year, as above
. I was alerted to this on the events page of Classic Car Weekly, an excellent source of info.If I can sort out the throttle problem I'll go in the A352, otherwise the S4 Seven.
Regards, Mick
1 Jun 2019, 4:56pm
Shelsley Walsh 1.6.19
Today's sortie, again not in the A352, was to the above. Once again the Seven behaved perfectly, singing up the almost deserted A38 in glorious early morning sunshine. Parking on the front row of the grid, as usual, I found myself next to a very 60s looking Midget in Bahama Yellow. Very period.
Once the action began, this array of old-skool metal queued for the hill
and a little later, this beast: the Chapman Mercury III.
Climbing to the top of the hill, I went through the small wood which no-one else ever seems to enter. Rook chicks are ill advised to leap unfledged from the nest over the badgers' sett.......
Car of the day, for me, was this Jensen CV8.
The Seven behaved perfectly again on the way back. It draws lots of positive shouted comments from children, nice to hear. I always give them the thumbs up in appreciation.
Regards, Mick
Today's sortie, again not in the A352, was to the above. Once again the Seven behaved perfectly, singing up the almost deserted A38 in glorious early morning sunshine. Parking on the front row of the grid, as usual, I found myself next to a very 60s looking Midget in Bahama Yellow. Very period.
Once the action began, this array of old-skool metal queued for the hill
and a little later, this beast: the Chapman Mercury III.
Climbing to the top of the hill, I went through the small wood which no-one else ever seems to enter. Rook chicks are ill advised to leap unfledged from the nest over the badgers' sett.......
Car of the day, for me, was this Jensen CV8.
The Seven behaved perfectly again on the way back. It draws lots of positive shouted comments from children, nice to hear. I always give them the thumbs up in appreciation.
Regards, Mick
8 Jun 2019, 11:41pm
More on this 28,353cc monster here.
Wow, that is a monster. The Beast of Turin indeed. 132mph in 106 years ago. Amazing.
I wonder what the mpg was like?
9 Jun 2019, 5:57am
9 Jun 2019, 12:09pm
Gallons per mile, more like.....
Yes- of water to put out the resulting fires...
See it here driving through London-
#BeastofTurin
#FiatS76 https://t.co/DysPJtBZHx
(https://twitter.com/LondonConcours/status/1137000243189469184?s=09)
9 Jun 2019, 9:56pm
9 Jun 2019, 10:31pm
The Napier Bentley featured here is impressive too. W12 aero engine that will wake the dead a do a burn out better than any Top Fuel dragster. I've seen this race on a number of occasions and it is quick despite its size and weight !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua-0wSn0azs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua-0wSn0azs
10 Jun 2019, 1:37pm
The Napier Bentley featured here is impressive too. W12 aero engine that will wake the dead a do a burn out better than any Top Fuel dragster. I've seen this race on a number of occasions and it is quick despite its size and weight !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua-0wSn0azs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua-0wSn0azs
Both a conversation killer and a head turner.
20 Jun 2019, 6:51am
20 Jun 2019, 7:35am
Builder has a thread on the forum, I recognise the garage but can't think of the name.
Chassis, engine and interior all look to have been done to a very high standard. Still the hardest bit to do, the body. I think it would have to be dismantled to get a decent paint job, big job as it would seem to involve drilling out a lot of pop rivets.
Chassis, engine and interior all look to have been done to a very high standard. Still the hardest bit to do, the body. I think it would have to be dismantled to get a decent paint job, big job as it would seem to involve drilling out a lot of pop rivets.