SundanceUK

I am just loving the MG club I am with, they never fail to deliver some fantastic days out.
Yesterday the venue was Tatton Park classic car show, deep in the money belt area of Cheshire, so some nice vehicles were to be guaranteed....Piccies for perusal!

This Triumph 1800 Roadster was incredible, looked like it was only made yesterday! A real beaut and it caught my eye immediately!


There were three Lotus Elites at the show and this was my fave, it was also in tip top condition..


I didn't get to find out what was under the bonnet of this Manta, but I don't think you could fit much else in there!


I remember seeing my first Morgan Aero 8 on the road a couple of years ago near to Boreham Wood studio when I stayed over for the Friends round London run back in 2017. It was an amazing car to see on the road and struggled to navigate the tight mini roundabouts and narrow roads of the London Suburb. Tatton Park had one in the Top Marque tent, and it was real eye candy!


Now down to MG's! The RV8 is a great MG car and one that kept the Sacred Octagon's sports car pedigree ticking over in the post Abingdon days until the F came into production.
You could say it was a car and a half! Well this one certainly was, having a trailer made from a rear end of a second RV8. The guy who owns this is quite local to me, but amazingly, this was the first time I have seen it! Enjoy!


The mighty Jaguar XJ220 next up. I used to know a guy who owned one these, apparently they had a bit of a twitchy rear end...and he ended up writing the car off on a roundabout in Stoke!


There was a lot of Ginetta's at the show, not something you see a lot of, pick of the bunch was for this G33 - or I think it is..they had a few different models with similar appearances. Maybe someone on here could confirm?


Now for some nostalgia, my Dad had one of these Morris 1800's when I was a kid, who could forget the ribbon speedometer and smell of faux leather trim!


How many of these do you see on the roads nowadays? Vauxhall Chevette anyone?


Audi Quattro's next and there were many! An 80's icon and a very fast appreciating classic....used to own the two wheel drive coupe version years ago, five cylinders, and dodgy electrics, but really well engineered mechanically.


We were also treated to a large Jensen display....here are a couple..


This MG TD was stunning, must have been a recent restoration because it was perfect in every way, and looks like a recent cover car for MG enthusiast.


The TVR Sagaris is onother car that is on my Lottery win wishlist...Saw my first one at the 2004 motor show and it was lust at first sight!
Gimme Gimme!


Now for what was the highlight of the show for me...this is one car that you do not see...especially on the road! First time I have seen one in thirty years and I want it! Lancia Stratos in fully rally livery......so good you get two pictures of it...check out those rear treads!




This TVR Cebera speed 12 was immaculate, loving the interior..


A nice shot of some Frogeye midgets...still cute little sports cars even after nearly 60 years.


The DeLorian is another car that has achieved immortality, and with the aluminium bodyshell, immortality may be the correct word...why has my TF not got any ally body? No tinworm here!


This Jowett Jupiter was really cute, bang tidy and really eye-catching. I loved it!


A Mk1 Ford Escort Mexico next, 2 Litre engine and in incredible condition. One of the best I have ever seen!


Ant car show needs a bit of Muscle, and you don't get better than the American type, this Corvette Stingray was circa 1972. a true american legend and a fantastic car.


Back to some older stuff now, and these two Alvis's were really striking! I saw them coming in past our club stand, and made a note to seek them out for a good check out later...


There were so many more cars there too, and at least 13 TF's and one F on various stands.

One final note to mention, and I see this as a perfect compliment to me, a guy came over to our stand, walked up to me and said, I like your car...I wanna buy it! Name your price!
Kind of put me on the spot a bit, tempting, but I think I may keep Shadow, I have him looking just how I want has been advisory free since I bought him and I just know I could never replace my faithful TF160. Everything has a price he told me.....naw, sorry Pal, my TF is priceless...

Sundance

Detailed Shadow ready for the Tatton Park classic car show tomorrow. Quite looking forward to this one.
A happy 5 hours polishing the TF listening to the cricket and pleased with the results.





Also gave me a chance to test out my cordless jetwash I treated myself to. Awesome bit of kit, no extension lead or hosepipe required!



Sundance

I fitted a new set of LE500 shock absorbers, sourced from MGFnTFbitz.
I also replaced the springs, but fitted a reconditioned set of original springs. The result is a more comfortable ride, but still maintains some of the sporty stiffness of the original handling. This was the setup that was recommended to me by Darren Hardy at Bitz.
The springs were an original set that were shot blasted and powder coated. They have sets in several colours available.
The springs are easy enough to swap over onto the shock absorbers, just get the order right for the spacers and bushes etc.
Suggest you buy or borrow an impact gun to undo the top nut if you replace them yourself, an easy job if the nuts undo ok. Also a good idea to replace all nuts and bolts with new OEM spec ones.

Sundance

Nice work Mr Sylas,
I love my softer shocks, top nuts were a bitch to undo, had to grind three of them off, borrowed my mates DeWalt impact gun to do last one by the petrol pipes, it came off after a bit of impacting!

Sundance

You may be able to raise the window by giving it a helping hand if your try to operate it...just to get the window up until you get the parts.
Just watch your fingers though!

Sundance

Hey up Hogweed,
What happens to the regulators is there is a plastic bevel gear driven by the motor. After time, the plastic gear wears and there are little or no teeth left on it to engage it.
The only solution is a replacement regulator (the mechanism to drop the window, including the motor).
Its a simple enough job. and takes about a hour to swap - its just a few bolts and the motor is on a plug.

The good news is that the switch and wiring are ok if the window tries to move, so a new window reg will sort you out.
I have had to change a few over the years, just remember to try to tape up the protective door film under the door card before you put the card back on.

There should be a how to on here to explain how its done, but if I recall its only three or four bolts and the mechanism comes out of the door.

Good luck mate.

Oh if you order a replacement from one of the part suppliers out there, suggest you order a couple of door card clips and a couple of the blue plastic clips that accept the self tapping screws on the door cards at the same time, as they can break when removing or sometimes refitting the card.

Sundance

I solved my battery draining issue, by replacing the battery and also re-wiring the USB socket I fitted to an ignition switched feed instead of being permanently on. My battery now holds it charge and I can confidently leave it for a couple of weeks and know it will start ok.
Incidentally, I measured up the battery tray, and found that I could not source a larger battery that would fit in the space available. 63Ah is the best I could get.
My DC clip on ammeter is brill, one of the best bits of kit I own, and has solved many problems over the years both on my car and on the job at work.

Sundance