Rosbif

All overtaking is risky. I agree that driving a RHD car in Europe does add an extra element, I know as my 13/60 is a RHD version. I don't know about other countries but here with traffic being less dense than the UK I really don't have any real difficulty. You have to adopt a different technique, hang back a bit more, look up the inside of the road past the vehicle ahead, read the road ahead. In fact just be an intelligent driver. The task is made easier if there is a passenger as they can act as the driver's eyes and check it out. This little extra bit of care needed isn't really a strong enough reason for not coming over. On the other hand the point about 250 miles per day could be a little high depending on how much sight seeing you want to do, how long a lunch break you have, what time in the morning you set off and at what time you want to be in the hotel bar for an appero. When I do my annual little trips, last year was down to the Loire & year before a Normandy cheese run, I do less than that per day, in a confortable day at a reasonable cruising speed on open rural main roads. My advice would be to reduce the 250 per day a little to allow a margin for sightseeing and 'scenic detours' (getting lost) Go for it, you will enjoy it.

It isn't gloom a doom everywhere, thankfully. The situation here in France is much brighter and is a good example of how the future could turn out. A car that is 30 years or more old can be registered as 'collection rather than 'normal' as long as it meets certain conditions, principle one being not to have had the engine replaced by a more powerful one. Up until some years ago a vehicle 'collection' was limited to where it could be driven. It could only be used in the department of its registration and those 'limitrophe' that is to say neighbouring. This has been abolished and we are free to roam. Once a car is registered as such it is no longer considered a mere vehicle but part of the 'patrimoine' (national heritage) just like a chateau etc. This means that a car cannot be written off by an insurance company as being beyond economic repair. The CT, Contrôle Technique (MOT) is every 5 years not every 2, and of course is less demanding than for a 'normal' registered vehicle. The current position regarding the various low pollution zones here, which are pretty much like those in the UK for the purposes of this piece is moving in our favour. Up until now the FFVE, Fédération Française des Véhicules de l'Epoque, have negotiated with each region/city/town/urban group individually and every single zone acted or currently planned has accepted to exclude vehicles registered as 'collection' from the restrictions. Good news and gets better. The latest meetings between the government and the FFVE have resulted in the government accepting to make this exemption a standard feature in these zones where ever they are introduced. Aware of the need to be able to show that a vehicle meets this classification there have been discussions on how it could be done. One proposal was that registration numbers would be different to the standard layout and maybe include a 'H' for historique. This isn't happening. I assume do to the cost of implementing it and how they get the computer system to cope. More sensibly they have opted for a 'vignette' a sticker like the old tax disc. There is currently a system where cars are classed according to their pollution levels and get a 'Crit Air' rating. 5 being the worst and 1 the best plus a specific all electric one. The idea of a 'vignette' is also to help with the question of the reaction of people to our old polluting cars, to show we are part of the 'patrimoine' of France. So, things in the future can be good - as long as their is petrol to put in the tank of course. Sorry for being a bit/lot long winded but I hope the above helps. I an certain that in the UK the organisations working on your behalf will find a way forward. Behind the grey cloud there is some sunshine . . .when it appears I'm off for a blast in my chateau on wheels!

Good to hear you got it sorted. Did you buy a new one? I gather Bosch are good ones 😱

Both? 😁 The number plates are real it's the cars that aren't 😵 Well spotted eagle eyes! Own up boys!

Err... That doesn't work. 1 inch is approx 25 mm. Maybe 1 mm per day?

People here do, it is quite common to buy land & plant trees as a 'pension fund'. When we moved here we were surprised by how many people we met who owned '1/2 a forest', they were amazed we didn't.

It's the hurdle you have to deal with so you can buy a pen 😵

I'm positive there is light at the end of the tunnel, but then there is the usual question of what the light is . . .😁 I do believe that by the summer travel etc will be much easier, there is even talk here that the pass sanitaire could be done with by July 🤞

I know how you feel. I try and do my bit but when I see the lack of effort at gouvernement/country level I sometimes lose heart. The winter Olympics are a good example, 100% artificial snow on sites that have been specifically landscaped for them. I agree that every little helps BUT . . .

That is the very best of motives 👏

Yes the Brits are already here! The news last night spoke to some who immediately booked flights and skiing holidays. Let's hope it is a good sign for spring 🤞

I have quite a lot of French wine in me 🍷

They may have left the area around the circuit but they hang about in the Orne to catch a few, always a few cases on the N12 around Mortagne au Perche on the dual carriageway section. Don't forget that the penalties very according to how much over the limit the car is clocked at, the 'top' level is immediate immobilisation of the car. Once when I was still working I had to go to a town some 45 minutes away to collect a Brit who was coming to see the company on business, he had been pinched in a hire car and had to follow the Gendarmes to the station. They gave the car keys to me on the clear understanding that he couldn't drive. He was worried how he was going to explain the fine to his boss and hire company plus recover the car

As I said damned foreigners but at least they help the Gendarmes boost their quota of speeding fines. 😃 Seriously though, not really my thing other than maybe a day visit to wonder round the car park. Fingers crossed for you all that it does go ahead with the public there. Yesterday's annual Traverse de Paris was cancelled at a week's notice by the Préfet and February's RetroMobile show has been rescheduled for mid March.

Good grief no! All those damned foreigners 😁

Lucky devil! Mind you I live less than an hour from Les Alpes mancelle 🙄

Going to a good home? I'll it will be treated with the love and affection it deserves 🤞

I think all the designers at that time were smoking the same stuff . . .

+1, I mean 1 vote for R8 not R8+1 = R9😵

no, but like you when I got mine both heater hoses were the clear reinforced type of hoses, as per photo. Now replaced by lovely green garden hose - just kidding.

Sorry, you won't get the prize for least mileage - there are bound to be others out there with far less. This year you will, I'm sure, establish a new personal best much higher than last year.

Not enough. Must try harder this year. 1200 To be fair my year for the Triumph runs from 1st March to end Feb. So I've 2 months to go yet 🤞 To put it into perspective my annual mileage with the modern is around 4600, so as a ratio not bad. (Trying to make it sound better)

A heritage certificate can also be interesting as it will/should confirm the original engine and chassis number as well as interior trim. Can also list any factory fitted equipment, build date . .

I've had Accuspark fitted to my 13/60 since 2015 and still going strong. That's probably jinxed it now 😵

Welcome to the forum. I also learnt to drive in a Herald, a 13/60, back when I was 17. People here will want to see photos of your car, that I can promise you. I can also promise you, well maybe I had better not promise you anything - you'll soon get the idea. 😁