North Coast 500

[daviemck2006]

This might help

[NewcastleFalcon]

This might helpIMG_0018.JPG

It should be obvious now but still not got it! The petrol cap is very 2CV and the cranked long gearstick should give it away but hasn't..... I'll keep going though theres more than enough clues there!

Regards Neil

[daviemck2006]

I was going to give you another photo Neil, but its on my phone, its not getting internet, the tablet is. Chris has some others but he wont be able to post them until he gets home to spain and connects the camera to his computer.

Two new michelins fitted to the front of his XM today. Its a transformed car. The tyre we changed had a bit of delamination, the other one had a bit of perishing and a bulge on the inside edge that only became apparent with the wheel off. The new tyres are not balanced, but only a very slight vibration, hardly worth mentioning. I would say the tread was only 1/2 worn, the date code was early 2011, done approx 26000 miles in that time. Personally I dont like michelins, because every one I have ever had has perished and been slidy long before the tread is worn. But Chris is delighted because the two new here, ordered and paid via tyre-shopper.com cost approx the same as the two he bought last in spain in 2011! So All is well.

Off on a hunt for Nessie tomorrow as we head back to Fort William to reunite me with lilpug. I see another AA box up for capture on the A82. Do I get brownie points for two in two days?

[NewcastleFalcon]

I was going to give you another photo Neil, but its on my phone, its not getting internet, the tablet is.

Davie I just cant frame a query on the internet to produce the answer to what that car is!!

The white steering wheel cars are the likes of Fiat 500's, and VW Beetles, and the only "long cranked gearstick" that instantly springs to mind is in the Mini 850. None of my white steering wheel, or long cranked gear lever/stick come up with anything which fits the bill.

Then you have the round speedo, the white thing with the lever next to it, and the rather femer looking indicator on a stalk.

Think I need a bit more of a clue to help, maybe British or not British, or decade?

Looks small, late 50's early 60's

Regards Neil

[myglaren]

'Femer' is a word I haven't heard for a log time - used to be common here but I hadn't a clue what it meant at first (1978)

[NewcastleFalcon]

'Femer' is a word I haven't heard for a log time - used to be common here but I hadn't a clue what it meant at first (1978)

Spelt it incorrectly Steve should have been femmer! Northern England term for fragile/weak/easily broken!

Regards Neil

[myglaren]

I did wonder if it was restricted to Macams/Geordies but may be wider spread than that.
I'm from Yorkshire and it was unknown to me before alighting in Washington.

[daviemck2006]

It could be worth 10 points for you Neil. Theres a bit of a sad story about this car, a crying shame when you hear it sand see the full photos. t is sitting in the back yard of the ford dealers in Thurso. Just as Chris and I spotted it an elderly gentleman was heading for it. Turns out he was a previous owner of it. He sold it to a mate a few years ago, and the car has lain unused inside for 3 years, its absolutely perfect inside, there is some surface corrosion on both wings and the bootlid has some tinworm on the bottom corners. According to the ex owner she runs perfectly, and is solid as a rock underneath. The car was traded in a few days ago under a Ford approved scrappage scheme, the allowance for it was £2000 only if it gets crushed. I was very tempted to go into the dealer and see if I could rescue it, but the old man seemed to think that had been tried and the poor old thing has its fate sealed. It is a mid 50's car quite a standard looking 4 door saloon.

Heres a pic of Chris's XM saying hello to lilpug when we found her again. Lilpug started as usual first kick after being abandoned for a week in a car park, and transported me back to Inverness up the east side of Lochness faultlessly. I put in some superplus unleaded to see if that helps its cutting out, but I think there is an electrical fault somewhere. I put in a bottle of wynns fuel system cleaner into it and filled it to the neck so see if that will help. I am staying in Inverness tonight as Shaun is having some chums round tonight so Im keeping clear lol. So I am theoretically still on the NC500 tonight being in view of Inverness Castle which is the official start and finish point. Chris by now would be a bit on his journey south. I really enjoyed the week, Its a pity there werent a few more of us, but it was still fun. I did a good few miles driving the XM - it's a lovely driving car and comfortable, but I couldn't live with one unless it was an auto. The foot operated parking brake, for me, is too frustrating. I expect Chris will upload some photos once he gets home, including some more whats this kind of things

[daviemck2006]

Got the phone online

[NewcastleFalcon]

Davie, I'm not saying this is it but the petrol cap is in the right place , its roughly the right colour, Its 1954, its a saloon and its from Thurso!

Mind you your pics look like a vehicle in much better condition than this!

expired sale ad

The interior is completely different though bench front seats being the obvious, so not the car in question I think!

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

It is a mid 50's car quite a standard looking 4 door saloon.

Thanks Davie, yes the clue is there if you look. I was getting nowhere fast! but.....could be close with this!

This is the interior of a Standard 8 from 1954

edit...link taken out my firefox didn't like it

Very,very similar!

Regards Neil

[daviemck2006]

Very close. The clue is in the 10 points! It's a standard 10.

[CitroJim]

What a terrible shame that car is to be lost

[daviemck2006]

It's far too nice to be crushed Jim. Slight bubbling on front arches fixed and a couple of small patches needed on the corners of the boot lid would be all it needs to be perfect

[myglaren]

Attach the number plates to a Corsa and send that in in it's place.