J -type Overdrive - to be sorted + NEC show

I have been driving with a overdrive that stops working as the car warms up. Have done the easy checks - the oil level is fine. Had resigned myself to spending quite a bit of money on a recon. Well on my way to the NEC show I dropped in at Canley Classics and Dave Pearson talked me into a money saving idea - just try fitting a new solenoid. Great idea if it works and even it does not the money will not have been wasted as a new solenoid would be a part of a recon job on the whole unit.

And so onto the NEC. Friday is more expensive that Saturday and Sunday plus it much easier to see the cars. As always my Vitesse was one of very few classics in the car park. I wonder how many of the crowds at the show actually ever drive their classics or do they even have a classic back home at all.

Here are some pictures.

4 door Vitesse at Stoneleigh 2007

Out Saturday night til late so was always going to be a quick visit any way. Got to the show for 1.00pm.

Was looking for a decent secondhand door or a door skin but found some treasure on Mark Field http://www.jigsawracingservices.co.uk/ stand. New old stock doors for little more than the skins a real bargain!

Now how the hell am I going to get them home? I had no tools in car having had a tidy up post MOT. So had to buy a cheap set of spanner for £1.00. Then had to take the passenger seat out and pack it upside down behind the drivers seat. Then I used the tow rope to tie the 2 doors against the roll cage and passenger door handle. Got some strange looks in the carpark.

A good show I got to talk to several people I have meet in cyber space. Meet a couple of french Triumph people and got to practice my school boy french - a common interest made communication easier.

Rear number plate light

Got a new rear light from Tim Hodgekiss http://www.vintagemotorspares.com/ last year at the NEC classic show. Unfortunately the studs were not straight. He replaced it I have just got round to trying to fit it. Thought that MOT man might want to see the reversing light working. All the other lights work.

This time I find that the studs are good and straight but too long. They are so long that the bracket that the lamp fits to will not fit back on the boot lid.

Will have to cut the studs shorter. Have got a UNF die to clean the tread up afterwards.

Newark Kit car show

What a bargain as the driver of a classic car I got in for free. How many more shows do you know where that is the case?

I will post some pictures later.

Meet a local chap who does one off alloy fabrication for kit and racing cars. Think I might talk to him about getting a custom petrol tank made up to add into the ongoing PI project. I was quoted £150.00 for a tank having seen used TR5/6 tanks for £75.00 I may be on to something!

Quoting from his compliments slip

"Alloy Racing Fabrications specialists in one off products in all aspects of welding & fabrication 13 Oak Avenue, New Ollerton, Newark, Notts NG22 9PT. Telephone 07968 329108 fax 01623 835805 email sales@alloyracingfabrications.com"