Saturday 24 February 2007

A load of SKODA

I have in my work shop two Skoda Estells which have been in dry storage for approx eight years.One has wide track axels from a Rapide and has been highly modified with all the bits and bobs to strengthen.....The engine is a136 Rapide eight port head, Webber, Group a exhaust pipes  etc. The other is prepared for rally or race mode with steel rollcage and harness seats etc. Engine with {Piper285 cam Webber SK inlet manifold Ashley exhaust. 5 spd  straight cut close ratio gearbox. Loads of mini  light wheelss, slicks and intermediate tyres. From the history file that came with the cars Was built to do the Skoda Trophy. This car is road legal and I will get it Moted.  I am tempted to keep and set them up for trials but I have a very busy work shop and limited time for more toys,.......... any interest to others

MCC News of the Week

I have learned that I am the unknowing culprit that caused a message to be sent to the MCC site, purveying Hot Sex and Viagra. May I make it clear that I'm long past worring about Hot sex and the only interest I might have in Viagra if it was discovered that it would help ageing  motors perform better and afford me the pleasure of climing more sections.........Whilst it may be funny, I am now worried that other emails are involved. John Aley tells me that he has had others in the past, with other members email.......Its all a bit beyond me, I thought I had all the correct anti worm protection installed.  Any advice as to stopping things like that would be welcomed.  I dont mid a joke but I would not wish to offend folk. Regards

Triumph advice wanted??

A chum has revived a surplus LHD Spitfire.......bought some years ago, for a bit of soft-top motoring whilst his major project was a-gettin-on-with.
 
Following a worrying noise, the car was left in a relly's garage and 'forgotten', as these things can tend to be.
 
T'uther week, we hoicked it out...and he commenced re-commissioning....he IS a fitter/mechanic by trade.
 
His quandary is/was.....it is very much a 'surplus-to-requirements' car.......yet at the moment, simply of little financial value.
 
He would like it to justify its existence....and being a passenger of mine, he thought of prepping the thing for trials.
 
It is a left-hook, 1500 Spitfire..the type with the flat rear deck.
 
Does ANYBODY have any practical trialling experience with this model?
 
Are there any 'marque' experts out there, with 'positive' advice as to groundclearance, reliability of transmission, etc?
 
HE appreciates the Spit is long of wheelbase compared to a Spridget, so may prove less capable.......and I have proferred advice, albeit based on my own experience.....but I don't ''know-it-all''.....
 
After all, I have often read and heard, how the odd thing about trials competitors seems to be the tendency to 'go' for the vehicle 'least likely to.....???'

Thursday 22 February 2007

Northern DVD

2007 Northern Classic Trial
DVD containing footage from Black Hole, Little Cockup, Sheepfold and the ever popular Sandale. Also contains Class 4 in-car footage from Lord's Seat, Sheepfold, Darling Howe Restart, Forest Yump, Black Hole and Little Cockup.
If you liked last year's you'll like this one!
Great value at 짙10 including P & P.
PLease send cheque payable to
V. Bamkin,
131, Dacre Road,
Brampton,
Cumbria,
CA8 1BT.
Please allow 28 days for delivery.

Northern Photos

More Northern Classic Trial photos on
http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/share.html?c_album=5046213

Help Urgently Needed for Classic Trials Stand

The classic trials world has been offered a great opportunity to showcase its many attractions to the 20,000 historic motorsport fans who will be visiting Race Retro/International Historic Motorsport Show in about a month's time.  Whilst our sport is blessed with many excellent events, as this messageboard shows, it cannot have escaped people's notice that the number of people doing some of these events has reached such a low point that events may not be sustainable in the long term.  That would not be a good thing for any of us.  What we need is to attract some new people into our sport to help push the numbers up and this show provides us with an excellent opportunity to sell our sport to those most likely to be interested.
 
I know that several people have vounteered for the Friday and I have offered to help Saturday/Sunday but we still need more help, particularly for someone to take on a co-ordinating role setting the stand up on the Thursday.  There must be some people out there with experience of this sort of thing in their day job?  My understanding is that unless we have some more offers of help by this wekend we will have to tell the organisers that we can't take up the special deal we have been offered.   
 
Please contact either John Aley, Simon Woodall or myself if you feel that you can help.
 
Text below is copied from MCC News of the Week but is applicable to us all:
 
via some background wheeling and dealing we have secured a sizeable area in Hall 3, 12 metres x 3 metres, to be devoted to Classic Trialling.

However many of the stalwarts who have organised our joint MCC/ACTC stand at this show in the past are not available this year so help is urgently required if we are to take up this offer.  What we need now are several keen types to donate their time and/or machinery and to look after the stand generally.  Fortunately the stand area comes with a ready to go shell scheme and carpet but needs a couple of classic trials cars, an outfit and a solo bike to display and the aforesaid keen types to hang around during opening hours to explain to the visiting public all the joys to be gathered from classic trialling on any number of wheels.

Obviously these people will get free access to the show and provided there are enough of you, there should be time to have a look at the exhibits in general as well as doing your bit for the MCC.  What would be especially welcome would be to have a volunteer who could be present for most of the period and generally co-ordinate matters.

Tuesday 20 February 2007

1937 Trials Special (remains of) For Sale

 Whilst trawling the 'Net' I came across this 1937 trials chassis for sale.  It may be of interest to anybody into historic trials cars or masochists or nutters or all 3.
 
 
Steve Nikel

Aquaplane Inlet Manifold Wanted

Please see the discussion on this subject on the 'General' section.
 
I am looking for an inlet manifold suitable for twin HS2 SU carbs. (E93A)
 
I have an inlet manifold which is apparently for twin 1 1/8 SU's so I am looking to sell / trade my inlet manifold for one that I can use!!

Sunday 18 February 2007

Aquaplane Inlet Manifold - what have I got?

I purchased the inlet manifold in this photo second hand some while ago - I have just tried to fit a set of HS2 SU carbs to them and they do not fit. The centres of the fixing holes on the SU carbs are 64.22 mm apart whereas on my inlet manifold they are 54.15 mm apart. So what inlet manifold have I got and what carbs will fit? Thanks.  Tony
Attachment: DSCF0001.JPG

The Northern Trial 2007 How was it for you?

The Northern Trial for me and my wife was fantastic.
We could not have wished for better weather and there was a good mix of sections for us to attempt.
If you have not done the Northern you have missed spectacular views and some long sections.
 
I don't think we would ever be in the awards but we had a good days sport!
 Our thanks to Fell side club for making us welcome and putting on such a great event! Also to all the marshalls and other officials and clubs who put in so much effort.
 
Thank you to Chris  who was clerk of the course for his encouragement at the sections and for laying out a superb trial as well.
 
Cheers and thank you all
Stephen & Caroline  No 49
 

Thursday 15 February 2007

Can anyone help with MGJ2 Information?

I came upon your website whilst looking for something else;
However I wondered if you could put a message on it for me ?
(I really don't understand all this logging in and registering etc !)

I am researching an MG J2 which ran in the 1934 Lands End Trial;
The entrant was A J A CAIRNS  and his competition number was  380.
I am trying to find a photo of this car. Beaulieu have one of him with
his later PA but '34 Lands End
photos are a bit thin on the ground. I need to know the registration
number of this car.

I have tried most of the photo archives and usual sources Cowbourne etc
etc. It is not listed under any MG source either.
Cairns only had this car from February to May 1934. I don't know if he
did any other trials with it that might have been
photographed. Registration numbers were not included in the programmes
due to 'excessive Police interest' !
Not much changes does it ?

Any suggestions gratefully received.

T C S Sargeant
Vehicle Research
Permanden
Gore Lane
Goudhurst
Kent TN17 1JP
01580 211 303 / 376
E-Mail: Tim@permanden.co.uk

Wednesday 14 February 2007

Electric Water Pump

Has anyone any experience of using these? I have looked at the Davies Craig product and also the one from Mike Scott-Coomber but all seem a little expensive. Are there any other alternatives? I aim to replace the somewhat huge cast iron pump that is on my E93A special.
 
 

Tuesday 13 February 2007

Gearbox & Distributor Question

Hopefully the first question is easy - what is the gearbox oil capacity for an E93A - my 'new' gearbox does not have a level filler.
 
Secondly having purchased an Aquaplane head, do I need to have a different distributor? The increased height of the head doesn't seem to allow me to mesh the gears - or am I missing something?
 
Thanks

Sunday 11 February 2007

Tyres for sale

I am having a clear out of that will be useful for something stuff in my lockup. I have 4 as new 165x13 michelin mx pattern tyres ( escort Boys? ) lookin for @ 짙20 pair. I also have some very rare pirelli Cinturato tyres brand new with nobbles on 185x16 ( dellows, vintage? ) give mw a call if you are interseted
 
my phone no is 0797 192 8113 or 0117 9083890
 
Andy Wood
 
 

Saturday 10 February 2007

Buckler for Sale on Ebay

A 1959 Buckler  has appeared for sale on Ebay.  Whether, or not, it is suitable for trialling is anybody's guess but it's 1172 sidevalve engine has twin SU's and an alloy manifold hanging from it, these alone must be worth a proportion of the £1250 buy it now price.
View item 120085509332
 
 
Steve N

Friday 9 February 2007

13" Tyres for Sale

I have been having a bit of a clear out and found in my loft a pair of 175x80x13" Kumho Tyres. They are Power Star 758 and similar in pattern to the MXT. They look as if they have never seen the road let alone a section. If anyone wants them they can have them for 짙20 the pair.
Call me on 07977 436825 or e-mail me at greenslade@european-presence.com

Wednesday 7 February 2007

15" Wheels

I have spoken to Weller wheels about the possibility of manufacturing some suitable 4 x 15" wheels for trials use. They do not as yet have suitable tooling for any rims narrow enough for us, but they would be prepared to set up for these, if a reasonable quantity were ordered. They could also make the rims with a military type rim lock that would allow the tyres to stay on the rims come what may!.......
I need wheels with a 4x4" PCD to fit a BMC type axle, but they could be made with a dual PCD centre to also fit Ford 4.25" centres, or indeed other fitments.
No prices as yet,
Anybody interested?
Mark

Monday 5 February 2007

Saturday 3 February 2007

Passenger wanted

Hello everybody

Unfortunately my passenger for tomorrows Cotswold Clouds Trial just informed me that he can't make it. Anybody out there interested in getting cold and muddy in the passenger seat of a totally uncompetetive Austin 7 based special piloted by an absolutely useless driver? Give me a ring on 07913 344550

My start time is just after 09.00 hrs, so it would be usefull to be there at about 08.00 hrs.

Cheers,
Thomas