Greta

Hi Ellis I'm off on The Monte Classique with Alek at the end of January and was trying to re-find all the useful info you had posted about do's & don't's of euro driving... regulations, documentation, autoroute cards etc ... but it no longer appears available here on the website... if possible can you put the link back up - or alternatively send me the pdf. Thanks

Hmm - not now sure whether we should change the wheel bearings or not! Great to hear that Libby has a clean bill of health.

This arrangement is perhaps what I hope to achieve.

Tis is perhaps the arrangement I'm looking for but I'm currently lacking the experience and means to fabricate the necessary brackets.

  Ok - so this GT6 appears to have spot light brackets fixed to the return lip of the bonnet nose ... I'd assumed that fixing there would be too flimsy - so perhaps they've fitted  strengthening plates to spread the load... ... any engineers care to recommend gauge & grade of an appropriate material that should be used for both the reinforcement plates and the brackets themselves - whereby the finished units might reduce flex and fatigue as much as possible. Any fabricators out there please make suggestions?

I know that with modern H4 bulbs, the need for auxiliary lighting isn't as crucial as it once was  - but as I hope to be going off to Monte Carlo in deepest winter, I wondered if those that have successfully fitted spots to their early Spitfires might share their designs and mounting points for the brackets they used. I've a set already fitted ( see pic ) but I am possibly going to utilise these existing brackets ( mounted to the triangular box section of the bonnet below the side lights) ... for a pair of FT14 Fogs -  and mount them up side down. My problem is trying to identify somewhere robust enough to anchor the inboard end of the bracket that won't then foul the bonnet when it tilts forward to the open position, I've considered using the front bumper but would prefer to have a fixture that can be removed when all four aux lights are not required.

Some time in the production of Spitfire's Triumph changed from 7 lbs to 13 lbs radiator caps. My MK II has a newer style full width radiator and relatively new hoses - should I retain a 7 lbs cap - as running at higher pressure may blow the heater matrix and perhaps shorten the life of the water pump - or can I safely switch and thereby through higher pressure reduce my boiling point ??

TT fast road '83 on my 1500 has a nice compromise between a bit more oomph without loosing all tractability ... wouldn't want to change it on the 1500 ... but very interested to read what others suggest for 1300cc 

TT fast road '83 on my 1500 has a nice compromise between a bit more oomph without loosing all tractability ... wouldn't want to change it on the 1500 ... but very interested to read what others suggest for 1300cc 

Looking forward to the full list  ..but thanks to you & everyone so far for their lists - I also want to hear your tales and fixes

My entry - because these guys were in  ones of the oldest cars and both car & co driver are showing the brilliant 10CR logo... Black & White seems age appropriate for the TR3

With the high rate of attrition on 2018 RBRR and a few stories from 10CR - I wondered if it were possible to create a list somewhere of known part failures that could inform drivers on future events of the spares they may consider carrying ... or that could be carried by the self electing Broom Wagon on behalf of everyone. While I concede that if a car is not maintained - just about anything of a certain vintage could give up the ghost .. several stories emerge concerning poor reliability of repro parts - while this may be the only option it's good to know if something you've recently fitted is already proven by some to be a little dodgy. While we can share our anecdotes here ideally it would be good to create a easy view list on a separate page that can be added to as experience informs. My own story from 10CR 2019 was a failed mechanical fuel pump on a MKIV/1500 Spitfire ( straight actuating arm type without spacer ) - this was relatively easily fixed by the loan of a facet electrical fuel pump and the necessary unions, hoses and wires etc to jerry rig a stand in that saw me through another 1500 miles. Even having stripped it, cleaned it refitted it in working condition it has since failed again! ... I've bought an identical replacement, !!! er... , from ANG but on events I'll be carrying a spare or an electrical facet pump ( low psi ) - I'll let you know if it fails.

That's good to know - although I wasn't aware you'd had a problem.

http://users.telenet.be/themartins/10cr/RUNNERS2003.htm Found this link to pictures of the original crews ... real pioneers  

Road Book P9 under points to note.. says: 3. In the instructions you will notice suggested lunch stops. These are NOT compulsory, so please take these into consideration when working out if you are running late or not. Please can someone list them as I don't seem to be able to find these in the route descriptions. Thanks

David & I are on the 12:00 Dover to Dunkirk - looking forward to meeting up...  has Howard got any GPX Sat Nav files for a quick route that reduces the time spent on the motorway??

 

Oooh ... you weren't meant to take my comments about the size of your tools - so seriously ! But good to know you're now packing a bigger punch.. ;-)  ... but the flask was useful too.

Thanks to Chris, Mick &  Mike and all teams for another great tour. Nuala & JJ ( the little green Spitfíre) made it safely home through spectacular thunderstorms ... And looking forward to some spannering. I can't remember who offered me a spare diff but please if you read this - get in touch. see you all next year?

Yipee - this is why I so love forums - what an easy job.. Thanks - just wish all my jobs were so easy ... not sure why I didn't twigg to this sooner but many thanks ..I don't think it would have worked with longer studs - but fortunately I had a good short one from when I upgraded the GT6 - matches the others that are there.

hi I've a broken wheel stud on my MKIII - does anyone have a hub puller they would be willing to lend me? I live near the start of Coast to Coast - and if I can find a co- driver will be doing it and going to Bicester Alao have friends going to annual dinner. Nuala

Hello Alek - Really glad you both enjoyed your stay - but sorry not to have had a chance to chat some more. I thought I'd be reporting the return of my GT6 but things haven't quite gone as planned - again! Too long and too sad a tale to tell here but so pleased you enjoyed your trip over our mountain passes. And your Gentry looks the perfect complement to our forecourt. Hope we can catch up again soon. Nuala

Map References technically are defined by a point in the SW (bottom left hand) corner of a square of nominal size. For 6 fig GR this is an area of 100m square - all points in that square 100m have the same GR. This is drastically different to locating a given point to the nearest whole GR! That some of the GR are referenced as xxx½ suggests that the convenction being used b y the organisers is to "the nearest" ½ . Please can you clarify.... I'll take the penalty point - "taking one for the team!"

Thanks Colin - As the seat is to be completely new - the concern is to ensure that the seat frame is shaped to ensure securing points with the runners etc all match up. Trying to recreate a copy of The Restall seats used in the rally cars. N

Does anyone have a spare seat and runners available? They don't need to be tidy - I need them as templates to lend to a seat maker who needs to ensure that the frame and fixing points for the seat he's making for me all align. I'm happy to buy a fairly rough seat and runners, and would even discuss the exchange of my good existing seat for your tatty one at a favourable price if you were able to let me have yours for an interim period. Feel free to pm me