Zel's Fleet Blog - BX, Jag XJ-S, Sinclair C5, Mercedes 208D & 230TE, AC Model 70.

[Zelandeth]

That's my childish moment of the week done. Just had a bunch of... I'll be polite and call them "youths" pull up next to me an a baby poo brown Seat Arosa. This poor innocent car had not only had the misfortune to be painted that colour, but it also appeared to have literally driven through the chavvy accessories aisle at Halfords at speed, been lowered to within an inch of the ground and be fitted with some absurd wheels that were about three inches too wide for the tyres that had been stretched to fit.

They decided to point and laugh at the Lada, and did the whole revving the engine thing.

I did the math in my head, ascertained the road around me was otherwise empty, feigned dissinterest...then utterly destroyed them away from the lights. Let them catch up, did it again at the next roundabout. Driver was not best pleased, but his passengers thought it was hilarious.

A lot to be said for low gearing and decent torque.

Going to go and behave myself again now. Just couldn't resist that one occasion.

[CitroJim]

Zel, that's priceless I love it!

[Zelandeth]

Well that was an entertaining evening. MK Lightning (our local ice hockey team) are newcomers to the Elite League - and only just went and beat last year's champions 5-2 at home. Could have been more as well, felt like we really were the stronger team overall.

Curious to see how this unfolds over the season - even though besides snooker and enjoying a game of pool I've generally little interest in sport.

Really do need to play some more pool though...someone C'mon over here and give me a game already.

[CitroJim]

I'm rubbish at pool so I won't be...

MK sports are on the way up Zel MK Lightning and MK Dons on a winning streak is excellent

I'm only interested, generally, in sports I can participate in. I'm not a spectator. Hence zero interest in F1 and motor sports in general.

Having said that, one day I want to go and watch the MK Dons in action at the stadium, just to experience the atmosphere.

The only time I've been in the stadium so far is during the MK Marathon weekend... The atmosphere there then was pretty special...

[Zelandeth]

If you'd like to come along with us to one of the matches one day give us a shout Jim.

It's loud and rowdy obviously, but that way you'd be in company of someone who'd be well versed in the potential need for a retreat to a quiet spot if sensory overload started to become an issue.

Chris gets a fiver off tickets through work too.

As for pool, practice makes perfect! I was crap too once...then we moved into a house 500 yards from a pub and I was mate's with the kids of the owner of the place.

[CitroJim]

If you'd like to come along with us to one of the matches one day give us a shout Jim.

I'd love to Zel We must discuss further!

[Zelandeth]

Parked up next to an early Cherokee in a car park today. Mint save for a bit of very Xantiaesque laquer peel on the bonnet.

Has somewhat renewed the "I really want one..." reaction. Would have waited around to see if that one might have been for sale, but sadly was only the 2.5 rather than the correct 4 litre version...

Also been having that oh so dangerous hankering after an SD1 again. That swings round at least once a year...in spite of the fact I know it would probably fall apart the moment I parked it on the drive...

[CitroJim]

Also been having that oh so dangerous hankering after an SD1 again. That swings round at least once a year...in spite of the fact I know it would probably fall apart the moment I parked it on the drive...

Whilst they look lovely Zel, I'd go for a late P6 Much less likely to fall to bits and a really special car...

[daviemck2006]

I bought a 1983 rover sd1 in 1986. It fell apart in 1987! If they fell apart at 4 years old I have no idea how there are still some around. Lovely car to be in though, mine was a facelift one, I still have a hankering for another, but an original one which must be a v8 manual. Then I will never have enough money to drive it so it will sit on the drive and rust in peace lol

[Zelandeth]

Problem with the P6 is simply the prices they fetch. Would prefer a V8 obviously, but not a deal-breaker if it's a decent car...both the straight six and V8 make a lovely noise.

Reckon either of those cars are a few years down the line though!

Think the SD1 build quality issues are somewhat like those challenging the Stag...most of them which are going to fall to.bits have either done so or been fixed by these days. So long as you can find one that's been well sorted!

At least when an MGB falls to bits there are far less to put back together...

[Zelandeth]

Ah...that point where you realise that it's not the day you thought it was, and that you were meant to be at a birthday event 70 miles away 15 minutes ago. Cue mad dash to throw everything in the car and let it over there.

...arrive to find everyone else is in their hotel rooms having a nap. Got an hour to kill before dinner...so I could actually have finished my lunch and had a leisurely run over here rather than the mad dash. Figures.

[Gibbo2286]

I sold a beautiful blue SD1 2600 to one of my regular customers, had to take it back, not because there was anything wrong with it but because his wife got violently sick every time she travelled in it so I took pity on her.

They came back and bought a Renault Trafic camper van instead.

[Hell Razor5543]

I sold a beautiful blue SD1 2600 to one of my regular customers, had to take it back, not because there was anything wrong with it but because his wife got violently sick every time she travelled in it so I took pity on her.

So the rust bug got it wrong, and instead of infecting the Rover it infected the Lover (OK, the Wife really!). BL did find unusual ways to fail!

[Zelandeth]

Well, the Skoda is officially now actually for sale.

Plan is to get the clutch sorted and slap a full year's test on it before the sale...though at this point I'm definitely not beyond considering serious offers in its current state either.

Otherwise not been much going on this last week or so...I went and got this horrible cold that's been doing the rounds and it's knocked me for six to be honest.

On the plus side, at least this year I'm getting it out of the way now, rather than being in the process of getting I'll on the way up to Scotiacon at the start of November - 2015 I spent the whole blasted weekend essentially having to communicate with hand signals because my throat was that shot that I literally had no voice whatsoever. Last year I just felt like death...this year I'm going in four days after we get back from the USA...what can possibly go wrong?...Oh...wait...never mind.

What I *am* hoping is that I get rid of this cough before we fly out on Thursday...a trans-Atlantic flight with your lungs feeling like they've been put through a cheese grater doesn't sound like my idea of fun.

Given everything going on over there just now I'm really not looking forward to going anyway...I am honestly nervous about what to expect at the border, and just generally feels like I'm going into an unsafe place...

[CitroJim]

All the best with the Skoda sale Zel and may the remnants of that cold be completely gone before you fly...

And have a great time in the USA