Loud Log in the Isle of Wight

Just had a great few days away at the Isle of Wight Triumph Weekend. This event is a bit of an annual pilgrimage for me. This year was the 25th event and I went to the 2nd one so have been going along for 24 years now and only missed a couple so I must enjoy it! It's a great event for the family with lots of stuff for kids to do as well as grown ups and plenty of drives out with large convoys of Triumph's to various attractions around the Island.

This year I had the kids so used the "Flying Log" Dolomite complete with baked bean can bodged exhaust. I only got as far as Southampton, about 45 miles before the exhaust blew big time making the flying log extremely LOUD but having got a ferry booking to catch I didn't stop and just pressed on for the last couple of miles. Once at the ferry terminal and in the queue for the ferry I checked out the damage and it was surprising to see that the baked bean can repairs were fine, all that had happened is that the joint between the downpipe and centre box had disconnected. Not having time to fix it before the ferry went I bodged it up with a guy rope from my tent tieing the exhaust up to keep it off the road and limped it to the campsite ready to fix properly in the morning. A reasonably easy fix but the exhaust was left hanging pretty low and was frequently grounding out. Still it survived the perils of the Island Roads and the journey home so all was well in the end.

Bodged up exhaust tied with a tent guy rope

The Log queueing for the Ferry

After a drinking session in the bar on Friday evening and up early to fix the exhaust it was time for the first drive out to Robin Hill Adventure park. The Isle of Wight Triumph Club had negotiated free entry to anyone in a classic Triumph as we parked our cars inside the theme park as a visitor attraction. This was a bit of a challenge as the grass area was a bit waterlogged and on a hill. I managed to get the Flying log stuck and bogged down and splattered with mud as I tried to wheel spin out!

Jason's TR6 on the campsite before the run to Robin Hill

My Daughter Alice wrapped up warm in Anne-Marie's Spitfire.

Nice Fiat Twin Cam engined Vitesse that is owned by Martin from the Island.

The log before departure

Darren in his Mk2 2500 Saloon

Cute Herald Pick up

Cars lining up before the convoy to Robin Hill

Jason and Poppy in the TR6 en Route

Triumphs in the mirror en route

All parked up at Robin Hill

Nice Courier Van

I love the NOB number plate!. This car also featured in the TV drama ashes to ashes

Me in the Sunshine

After the run we had the obligatory camping barbecue accompanied by lots of beer. Then it was off to the bar for the live band. They weren't great performers but had an interesting set list including a couple of Ian Drury tracks and lots of 70s and 80s stuff that wasn't mainstream. Anyway after more beer they started to sound a bit better. Then it was off to Ashley's caravan for Port and cheese into the small hours where our American friend Bill was in full flight with his amusing stories as usual!

The following day after a barbecue breakfast there was a convoy to Appuldurcombe House which is only a few hundred yards from the campsite. However we went the long way round on the convoy and did a trip of about 10 miles to get there including Ventnor Seafront and the infamous Zig Zag Hill which we do every year.
We all parked on the lawn at the front of  Appuldurcombe house which was an impressive photo opportunity. The house looks great at the front but is in ruins behind the facade as it was hit by a bomb during the war which a German bomber dispatched before he crashed a few miles further on. There was an excellent Falconry display in the grounds as well.

Triumphs outside Appuldurcombe House

Bald Eagle at the Falconry Display

Buzzard at the Falconry Display

Very Fast Gyr Falcon at the display

Triumph' through the window

The ruins behind the facade of Appuldurcmbe House

More Ruins

Lightnin' McQueen styled GT6 convertible from Essex

Then on Sunday afternoon was a hog roast and live soulful Reggae music from the very excellent Derek Sandy. This was a bit special as Derek had been paid for by Carol who sadly passed away from Cancer earlier this year, she knew she may not make it to this years event and wanted to make it special. There was also an auction of Carol's teddy bear collection later in the evening in aid of cancer research that raised over £300.

Also on Sunday evening was the quiz which our team always do well at, this year we came 2nd.

On Monday there was a convoy out for lunch at the White Mouse pub. After this and putting the tents away I called in with the kids to Carol's grave on the way to the ferry to pay our respects.

Triumphs at the White Mouse

More Triumphs at the Mouse

The Mouse again

Chris and Maria arrive at the Wight Mouse in Chris' excellent concours winning Mk3 Spitfire. This is one Concours Car that actually gets driven, certainly no trailer queen which is more impressive than those Concours car owners who polish but don't drive their cars properly. Triumph are there to be driven, the harder the better!

That was the end of another great Isle of Wight weekend. Looking forward to next year already!

Many thanks to Angela, Graham and the Isle of Wight Triumph team for impeccable organisation of another excellent event.

Ok so I did fix it and sods law, look whats just arrived!

I wasn't going to fix the downpipe gasket on the Dolly, but I decided as I have a few gaskets I would replace it before the Isle of Wight weekender. So I spent some time yesterday dropping the front pipe down and replacing the gasket in the hope that the baked bean tins on the downpipe will hold out for the weekend.

Then today the new stainless exhaust arrived, doesn't look I'll have a chance to fit it before Friday when we leave for the Island. If I knew the old system would come apart easily I may give it a go but I reckon it will be rusted together and need cutting to get off the car.  To be honest, if it had come one working day earlier, ie, last Friday rather than Monday all would have been well. Never mind, back to plan A, go with the bodged exhaust repair and replace the system after I return.

Anyway here is my nice new shiny pipe ready to go on, I have also bought new clamps and jointing compound, I have a gasket ready, I'll also pick up some new rubber hangers from Halfrauds before I fit it as I know they stock them.

Dolly Exhaust blowing again and I cant be arsed to fix it!

The Dolly exhaust started blowing again today. So I got under there with more baked bean tin repairs to the downpipe as it was leaking from the same place. Then I found that the downpipe flange gasket is also leaking now.

What is a real pain is that despite ordering a stainless exhaust system from the Dolly club 5 weeks ago on a quoted 3-4 weeks delivery it hadn't turned up and having chased it this week I found that there is a delay at the manufacturer, firstly they didn't acknowledge the order and it had to be resent a couple of weeks later and secondly their leadtimes have increased. That's a real pain as I wanted to get the new system fitted before the Isle of Wight camping weekend over May bank holiday which now looks unlikely.

As fitting a downpipe gasket is a pain in the arse of a job and as I'll only have to replace it again in 2-3weeks time when installing the stainless system I think I'll just put up with a blowing downpipe gasket for my trip to the Island. Not ideal but I just can't be arsed to do the job twice within a couple of weeks.

So if you are over on the Island and you here a sound like a tank, that'll be me in the "Flying Log"...

Triple filtered

I've been getting a bit tired of constantly cleaning sediment out of my float chambers recently. I did read that this can be an issue caused by the ethanol that the petrol companies are allowed to put in fuel (5% currently). Apparently because ethanol is a stronger solvent than normal petrol it can loosen deposits that have built up in the fuel system over time, deposits that were stable with plain petrol in the system can be loosened by the ethanol and cause sediment. Things will get worse soon as the government are relaxing the rules in line with an EU directive and allowing up to 10% ethanol in fuels in the near future. Another issue is that the old rubber fuel lines in our classic cars are not ethanol resistant and tend to break down, crack and leak much more quickly than they used to with "proper" fuel.

I've always had a fuel filter fitted befor the fuel pump and the pump itself has a built in filter, however bits of sediment have still been arriving in the carburettor float bowls which can block jets, or cause leaks as the float needle valve can fail to seal if it gets a bit of sediment in it. I've got copper fuel pipes fitted so it's not internally rusty fuel lines between the pump filter and the carbs which can be a problem and I'd hope the two existing filters would be able to catch any internal rust above the fuel level that has formed inside the tank that makes its way into the system.

Anyway in an attempt to reduce the issue I've fitted yet another fuel filter just before the carbs along with some new rubber pipes that are supposed to be suitable for the latest unleaded fuel.

Dunsfold Wheels day

Got up early yesterday and took the GT6 for a run down to Dunsfold (Home of Top Gear) for the Surrey Street Rodders Wheels Day. I'm glad I did leave early as I queud up for best part of an hour to get in even though I arrive a good hour before the show was die to start. To be honst, Dunsfold is a pretty poor venue for a large event in terms of access, only two entrances both accessed via narrow raods and later in the day people were queuing for mailes and many didn't get in.

Anyway once there is was a nice evnt with a really good mix of Hot Rods, Customs, British and American Classics, modified cars, Old and modern Bikes etc. The Bloodhound SSC land speed attmpt car was there (or a mock up of it anyway) and I managed to get a poster of it signed by Richard Noble for my son James.Lots of stalls selling tools, automemoribilia, parts, clothing etc etc. Some good live music too, I particularly liked the band catballou who played a mixture of Rock N Roll, Blues and Rockabilly.

I glad I took lots of food and drink as the queues at the catering stalls were pretty bad, as was the queue for the loos. I think the event just hadn't catered for the number of people who turned up. Not sure how many cars were there but it was certainly into the thousands. There were a few Triumph's around but I think mine was the only GT6. One car that was of particular interest was a heavily modified TR5 with a big V8 and fibreglass flip front. With the amount of money TR5s are making nowadays I hope the builder did this a few years ago before the prices rocketted otherwise he has rather devalued an expensive car!

V8 Engine in a TR5

A rather devalued expensive car if this was build recently....

My GT6 was the only one there

 A few More Triumphs:-

Olie's "It not Pink it's Purple" Dolomite was there!

I enjoyed this band "Catbalou who played Rock n Roll, Blues and Rockabilly stuff.

The Bloodhound SS1 Landspeed Record Car was there along with Project Dirctor and ex Landspeed record holder Richard Noble.

 

 

Cool Icre Cream Van

Mega Scalextric Track...

A Few other Classics and Sportscars, British, American and European...

Nappy Cack Yellow Crapi!

Corvettes as far as the eye can see, loads of em

Peugeot 205 Rally car

Very Cute Fiat Taxi

"Fire up the Quattro", this one was for sale for £12K

Blue and white Stripped Shelby Cobras in triplicate!

Not badged, I think this may be a Wartburg or possibly an NSU, looks German for somereason anyway...

This Imp had a GSR 1100 bike Engine in it...

70s mania, Mk3 Cortina, Chopper, Space Hopper, like going back to my teenage years!

A few Rods, Customs and Bikes....

Norton Navigator, my Brother had one of these in the 80s

Stock Car Racer c/o Aldershot Raceway