Tim Hunt

Sounds like your fan is rotating the wrong way Craig. Just reverse the leads. I have a "pushing" Kenlowe in front of the rad on the 4A. If you look at the fan from the front (through the radiator grille) it rotates anti-clockwise but of course the blade design on yours might be different. Tim

Actually Mike although my suggestion is a slight detour off the recommended route there is nothing in it as regards mileage and it is slightly quicker since it includes an extra 3 miles of motorway on the way to control #8, Morrisons Garage, Stirling. Tim

One of my favourites is the magnificent statue/memorial to David Stirling, founder of the SAS. Instead of following the A84 to J10 of the M9 take the slight detour via the A820/B824 from Doune and join the M9 at J11. The statue will be to your left, just off the B824. If you are on schedule it should still be daylight!! Tim

Looks like you have a lot if faith in the removability of the stickers Roy, to apply them at least 6 days before you need to! Car looks like it's had some polish though so hopefully they will come off OK! Tim

If you love the Club that much spittymk3 why not join and support us? Tim

That's really great Jim. Look forward to seeing you at Gaydon. Tim

Quite right Roger, 3 or more drivers is for wimps! Tim

To be fair Chris, you are more of a challenge to a seat than most :) Look forward to seeing you at the RBR (as we must now call it apparently) drivers' meeting where you can sort me out for that comment! Tim

To be fair Chris, you are more of a challenge to a seat than most :) Look forward to seeing you at the RBR (as we must now call it apparently) drivers' meeting where you can sort me out for that comment! Tim

From my experience on the 4A headlight relays for dip and main beams are a very worthwhile mod. The column lighting switch failed twice through burnt out contacts, Both times on an RBRR, in 1986 and 2006 if memory serves, necessitating some jury rigging to get round. Both times when home I stripped the switch and built up the contacts with solder being too tight to shell out for a new switch. I finally got around to fitting relays and wish I had done it years ago, I am getting around 1.5V more to the lights and the low switching current should never again burn out the column switch. As for bulbs I have had excellent results with both Philips Xtreme Vision and Ring Xenon Ultima H4 bulbs. As for light units for many years I used Wipac Quadoptics but when these started to tail off I fitted Cibie Iode H4 headlight units, these are now made under the  Valeo brand, in my case part number 082441 (RHD, 7" with no side light provision). These give a more controlled beam than the Quadoptics with an excellent spread and illumination of the nearside verge/kerb on dip. The main beam also gives excellent reach and I have never felt the need for supplementary spots. Tim

From my experience with the 4A I agree M1144 every time versus Greenstuff in terms of bite from cold and pedal feel. However, I have Rossini cross drilled and grooved discs and with the 1144s I could never cure a squealing during light check braking whatever I tried. I switched to Ferodo DS Performance pads and they completely cured the problem, being as quiet as the proverbial church mice. I don't know about the smaller chassis cars but the 4A pad deign is exactly the same as that used on many 70s Fords, Ferodo reference 167. best price was from Burton Power, (www.burtonpower.com).  I just had to enlarge the guide pin holes slightly to cater fir the larger Imperial pins on my callipers. If anything the bite is better than with the 1144s and performance from cold is excellent. Retardation is more like that of a modern car. Tim Tim

Michelin XAS tyres were fitted to LHP 288F, one of the early road test cars as mentioned in the Motor test report in their edition of week ending 4th May 1968. LDU 158F was tested by John Bolster for the Autosport edition of 31st May 1968 and in August of the same year Motor Sport magazine used the same car over 2,000 miles in a hectic four days covering the Gulf London Rally. they were very taken with the car and particularly complimentary about the performance of the Michelin XAS tyres tyres in severe wet conditions. Whilst XAS tyres were certainly a factory fit on the TR5 I don't know if they were the only tyre fitted to this car from new or an optional extra. The XAS was re-introduced for the classic market a few years ago but the price is absolutely eye watering! Tim

IMHO Jason has got it spot on - his priorities are exactly mine. Provided there is no rust visible and the block is clean enough to spot any nascent fluid leaks I don't really mind about under bonnet appearance. After all, if you have a reliable car you don't need to open the bonnet in public very often anyway! Tim

I was about to post similar -- signing on/start be at the Village Hall, Burnham Rd., CM3 6EU as for the 2012 event? Tim

On the last 10CR I stopped at the Swiss customs post at Piaggio di Valmara on Lake Maggiore. An officer asked me what I wanted and I told him I wished to purchase a Vignette. He said that since my car appeared to be historic it was exempt from the requirement to display a Vignette on Swiss motorways. I showed him my V5C confirming the historic taxation class for my 4A and he waved me on my way without a Vignette. I was not convinced but also not about to argue with the officer and happy to have saved 40CHF. I did have somewhat mixed feelings however since I now lacked a 2013 Vignette to complete my set from 2003, which is proudly displayed on my windscreen. Having waited for the 2013 Vignette expiry on 31st January this year I contacted Swiss customs to ask if they could let me have one for my collection, explaining the circumstances. Imagine my surprise when the customs specialist told me that the officer had been quite wrong and that historic cars ARE NOT exempt from the Vignette. I am sure he is right since I  subsequently found many exemptions listed on the Swiss Customs website but historic vehicles were not included in these. I was very happy not to have been stopped by the police on a Swiss motorway since I reckon there is little chance they would have believed my story.   My friend in the Customs office in Bern very kindly sent me three 2013 Vignettes so I have a couple of spares. If anyone would like one for their screen please PM me. I would prefer to supply to a candidate who genuinely, if erroneously, thought or (like me) was told by customs that their car was exempt rather than someone who thought they needed a Vignette but failed to purchase one! Tim

Great news Ted, I trust the recovery is progressing well and you are indeed on the way home today or tomorrow as hoped. Sue's new knee made a big difference as you know. It's really nice that she can now get in and out of the TR even when the top is on and we can again enjoy the car together. We have two tours organised for next month and I reckon she  will need little persuasion to do this year's Autoecosse in June. Keep up the exercises as recommended by your specialist/physio. Looking forward to seeing you and the car at the Plough come October 3rd. or maybe at Gaydon on Sunday 21st September at the Drivers' Meeting if you feel like giving the car a decent run. I am sure you will not lack for volunteers to give a hand on preparation under your expert eye and guidance. Kind regards, Tim

Great news Ted, I trust the recovery is progressing well and you are indeed on the way home today or tomorrow as hoped. Sue's new knee made a big difference as you know. It's really nice that she can now get in and out of the TR even when the top is on and we can again enjoy the car together. We have two tours organised for next month and I reckon she  will need little persuasion to do this year's Autoecosse in June. Keep up the exercises as recommended by your specialist/physio. Looking forward to seeing you and the car at the Plough come October 3rd. or maybe at Gaydon on Sunday 21st September at the Drivers' Meeting if you feel like giving the car a decent run. I am sure you will not lack for volunteers to give a hand on preparation under your expert eye and guidance. Kind regards, Tim

Just put an entry in the post. Doing it in my 4A with Howard Pryor co-driving. Tim

Ever since my first RBRR in 1974 I have been happy with just two drivers, however in a 4A I don't have much option! A safe, responsible and mechanically sympathetic co-driver beside whom one can happily sleep when necessary and a well looked after, reliable car make for a stress free and relaxing event. Tim

Tim Hunt/Howard Pryor entry 17. same team as shown at the finish of the 2009 10CR. You would think we would look a bit happier having just returned to The Plough after 2,450 miles without even opening the tool kit.  The car needs no work, could head for J o' G right now. this RBRR will be my 20th start on the event in this car but unfortunately it cannot be more than my 18th finish. However, I have completed every one  since and including 1984. Tim

Hear hear Alan  :) Tim

I agree with Steve, any more than two in a car is for softies -- but then I would say that driving a TR wouldn't I. Tim

I don't think it's paranoia at all Nick. Each oil and filter change (every 3,000 miles without fail) I remove plugs and turn engine over on the starter until good oil pressure registered ( ~50psi), check for leaks then replace plugs, fire up and check again for leaks. (I know there are always leaks from a TR, I mean I look for leaks from the filter!) Tim

I don't think it's paranoia at all Nick. Each oil and filter change (every 3,000 miles without fail) I remove plugs and turn engine over on the starter until good oil pressure registered ( ~50psi), check for leaks then replace plugs, fire up and check again for leaks. (I know there are always leaks from a TR, I mean I look for leaks from the filter!) Tim

Received my mag a short while ago and entry from with cheque in post before 12.00, co-driver Howard Pryor this time. I expect mine will soon be in huge pile awaiting Jason's return! Tim