The simple pleasures of progress

Sun.08.05.11. The new ‘Minilite’ wheels have been fitted to the Burlington. This is not just another cosmetic addition but the new Avon tyres should improve the handling drastically. The rain has arrived so maybe the test will take place tomorrow. Down at Oak I have informed the Doc about my intention to take the car over in July. I have left the question of if he wants to make a ‘deal’ out of it quite open? The momentum has faded but resurrecting interest could be possible, if there was a ‘will’. 

I also mentioned that I was getting very mixed signals from Chris who often appears indifferent to the entire project. “I don’t know how to include him; sometimes he is enthusiastic, other times almost angry.” 

Mon.09.05.11. During a pleasant morning I was able to run the Burlington with the new wheels and tyres. It was cautious, a few country lanes balanced against a windy motorway: nevertheless the ride does appear to be a ‘tad’ softer, slightly spongy but plenty of grip. 

The motorway miles reinforced the necessity for greater protection, certainly for longer journeys. The full folding screen must be returned to the car along with some research regarding deflectors.

A trip to Life’s Motors revealed that John has actually retired nine months ago, but, Graham still remains. I had thought that John was a founder member of the garage but he had only worked there for eleven years whereas it was in fact Graham who began as a schoolboy 50 plus years ago. 

At first he was reluctant to lead me to the inner sanctum, the ‘used spares room’. But after a little persuasion we were quickly trawling through the shelf containing ‘Perspex Wind Deflectors’. Not only did he offer two but four along with six brackets, a variety of nuts and bolts plus instructions how they could be modified to fit my screen. I also noticed a box of wing mirrors, probably again ‘used’, but looking brand new. He selected two particular fine examples to add to my cache. “How much?” I begged, “Let’s call it £20.00” returned Graham: yet another incredible deal from Life’s.

After gathering the screen from Marylebone I returned home to make the relevant adjustments to the wind deflectors: which only meant drilling a pair of holes to accommodate the retaining screws. Fortunately it was not necessary to cut a larger ‘semi-circular hole’, previously suggested by Graham, to avoid the knurled fixing bolt. Today has been refreshing, productive, stress free!

Tues.10.05.11. The larger folding screen has been fitted along with the Perspex wind deflectors. The wing mirrors have proved a little more difficult to locate. Normally fixed on the doors this has proved difficult due to the natural curve of the ‘door less’ body tub. The alternative, close to the screen mechanism, seems over fussy, cluttering the entire area. As a result they remain in the box until such time a solution can be found.

A short test drive proved that the addition of the screen plus the deflectors is a definite improvement; significantly cutting out road noise as well as much less buffeting from the swirling winds. The prospect of being able to drive ‘bigger’ miles is a definite advantage, particularly for the journey through France.