:: Tuesday, July 1, 2003 ::
Following the advice of the TVR shop in Kirkcaldy, I bought a magnetic catch for the glove box. Much fiddling etc to get the old bracket off and fit the catch to the same screw holes, then found that the metal plate couldn't line up because of the taper on the lid. Fitted a different metal bit, but it's too big and heavy and now the weight pulls the catch open. Sigh... didn't work.
:: Thursday, July 3, 2003 ::
Took the car into Edinburgh to a coachtrimmer to get a quote for replacement carpets. He will fix the mats and put inserts into the worn bits in the inner sills, for £200, which isn't too bad... Can't do it till August though...
Enormously fun journey though! I had to take the car despite the fact that it's bucketing down rain, and as a result I have taken a solemn vow never ever to drive it in the rain again! Two main reasons:
1. Driving in rain on wet roads means that the amount of power exceeds the amount of grip available by a factor of "Aaaaargh!!!" corners and junctions take on a life of their own.
2. Frantic twirling of the steering wheel is somewhat complicated by the fact that you have to do it with one hand. Why? Because you have to hold a sponge in the other hand. Why? Because you have to constantly mop up the torrents of water pouring in around the front side windows, and also through (yes, through!) the windscreen seal. I also discovered that the roof fabric is porous which defeats the purpose of having a roof, ever so slightly. In addition, of course, the windows steam up instantly because the demister is, well, bleeding useless in peeing rain.
After a while I decided that the best course of action was to put my waterproof coat on and open the windows and treat the car like a motor bike. After that we got along fine.
:: Friday, July 4, 2003 ::
Weather much better today again. Opened the car up and it's honking - very damp and musty smell, rear carpets are soaked... so I left the roof off while I touched up the selection of paint scratches on the front panel. Nothing elaborate, just enough to make them less visible from 20 feet away.
Put the car away carefully because I am off on holiday for a week.
:: Sunday, July 27, 2003 ::
(I've been on holiday so my poor car has been all neglected!)
Weather reasonable and withdrawal symptoms overwhelming. Decide to go for a run.
First I wash the hood and roof panels, and polish the bonnet and boot. The intention is to waterproof the hood as well but the open road beckons!
Car going really well, but still confused about the wavering speedo needle - it's not getting any better at all... That plus the new trick, where the speedo needle flicks up to about 120 when I first touch the brakes, is somewhat disconcerting...
Then while I am passing through the busiest junction in Stirling, the car just stops. No misfires, no surges of power, nothing. Just no engine noises and no go! I manage to get the car off the roundabout using the starter and clutch, and then the services of a passing yoof, who pushes the car into a petrol station. After a few attempts at starting I decide to settle down and be a bit more diagnostic...
I notice there are no ignition warning lights when I switch on. No power. But the starter motor works... ok... try other stuff. Lights work. Interior light works. Horn works. Electric windows work. No ignition. No wipers. No radio. OK... so everything controlled by the ignition doesn't work, everything that works all the time, is still working... The power is reaching the ignition switch (else the starter wouldn't turn)
I need to get at the ignition switch. To do that I need a screwdriver. The screwdriver is in the boot. The boot is controlled by an electrical switch. This only works when the ignition is switched on (for security reasons). But I can't switch the ignition on so I can't open the boot to get the screwdrive I need to fix the ignition so I can get the boot open...
Does the petrol station sell screwdrivers? Do they hell - their motoring shelf is a pitiful array of wee bottles of oil, some hose clips, a million different types of car polish and a pair of loudspeakers. Unless I can turn the screws with a bread roll, or a pair of tights or a crappy novel, I'm stuffed...
It starts to rain. The roof panels are in the boot. Heehaw!
I decide to walk to the motor accessory shop up the road and buy a screwdriver. With the aid of this brand new implement, I get the steering column shroud off and hotwire the ignition switch. Nothing.
So it's a break in the circuit leading FROM the switch... ah well... I pull apart the connector and notice immediately that the terminal is burnt and not making contact. First lucky break!
Back to the shop for a packet of polo mints (they are wrapped in real silver paper, you know!) Tear off a tiny bit, fold it up, pack it in the burnt connecter and push the connector together - and varoom! Everything ok again.
On the way home I notice that the speedo needle is absolutely steady... fixed!
Permanent repair required though - need to replace the connector terminals.
:: Sunday, July 27, 2003 ::
(Supplementary Entry!)
Later I decide to have another short drive before waterproofing the roof. While I am out I meet another S and end up chatting to the owner - he has just restored his from the bare chassis. Discussion of various finer points before travelling home in convoy. I hear his exhaust note from behind, it sounds wonderful - far better than it sounds inside the car.
A right-lane hogger in a BMW gets a sharp awakening as two TVRs roar past...
Return home 3 hours after I set out. It's getting dark. No waterproofing tonight then...
:: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 ::
Phone up the car upholstery man. Car booked in for August 12th to get the carpets replaced.
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