View Full Version : Car (or bike) Chat!
walpurgis
05-10-2023, 07:36
traditionally MG cars had problems starting, not stopping, if my brother's old Midget is anything to go by. It was part of my morning routine: get up, have shit, eat breakfast, push MG down hill to get it started, get bus to work.
Strange, BMC A Series engined cars were about the easiest to start. The only time I ever got stranded was when I ran out of petrol in my Morris Minor when I was a skint teenager.
Pigmy Pony
05-10-2023, 07:57
Yeah, thinking back, it was probably just a knackered battery which he was too tight to replace. I wouldn't know, I had zero interest in cars. All my money went on records and beer.
Customer of mine has one that looks like this. Never fails to start when he goes out for a run on sunny days or to enthusiasts' meets. Might be different if it had to get him to work every day.
https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.b0b2d09ab0756b2a914d87fadfc308f2?rik=31wFq7rzWSK %2bRQ&riu=http%3a%2f%2fmomentcar.com%2fimages%2fmg-tf-1954-4.jpg&ehk=eINtudklw3rvCMkjIbWk0U5ZrI62IcwaEQe0zHKb3ZA%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0
horror story cleaning spoked wheels:eek:
Pigmy Pony
05-10-2023, 08:10
You know, it would be easy for me to get quite jealous. Another customer has an Audi A8 (his daily commuter), in addition to a five-car garage which houses two vintage Bentleys (old enough to have running boards), a Rover P5, an "Inspector Morse" Jag, and my favourite, one of these:
https://assets.rebelmouse.io/media-library/image.jpg?id=31018174&width=1200&height=800&quality=90&coordinates=0%2C1%2C0%2C1
You know, it would be easy for me to get quite jealous. Another customer has an Audi A8 (his daily commuter), in addition to a five-car garage which houses two vintage Bentleys (old enough to have running boards), a Rover P5, an "Inspector Morse" Jag, and my favourite, one of these:
https://assets.rebelmouse.io/media-library/image.jpg?id=31018174&width=1200&height=800&quality=90&coordinates=0%2C1%2C0%2C1
you wont be so jealous if you had to pay to fill the bugger up
dads last car was a jag xj6... had 2 fuel tanks plus an emergency... gas gobbler it was.
looked like this and same colour
https://collectingcars.imgix.net/009972/cc-tutte-jaguar-xjc-02254.jpg?w=1263&fit=fillmax&crop=edges&auto=format,compress&cs=srgb&q=85
You know, it would be easy for me to get quite jealous. Another customer has an Audi A8 (his daily commuter), in addition to a five-car garage which houses two vintage Bentleys (old enough to have running boards), a Rover P5, an "Inspector Morse" Jag, and my favourite, one of these:
https://assets.rebelmouse.io/media-library/image.jpg?id=31018174&width=1200&height=800&quality=90&coordinates=0%2C1%2C0%2C1
My father used to drive Jaguars and Daimlers. They all had large engines and all had automatic transmission, so not very fuel economic. Fortunately he was able to write off the running costs as expenses.
His last car was a Daimler 'Double Six' with 5.3 litre V12 engine. There was a display device which indicated fuel consumption in real time. Most of the time, on level ground, it read about 10 - 15mpg; downhill maybe 20mpg, but uphill it was down to single figures!
horror story cleaning spoked wheels:eek:
Yes - my father had a Daimler (similar looking to the Inspector Morse car), dark blue in colour and with wire wheels. Looked lovely - it certainly turned heads. :)
walpurgis
05-10-2023, 08:50
You know, it would be easy for me to get quite jealous. Another customer has an Audi A8 (his daily commuter), in addition to a five-car garage which houses two vintage Bentleys (old enough to have running boards), a Rover P5, an "Inspector Morse" Jag, and my favourite, one of these:
https://assets.rebelmouse.io/media-library/image.jpg?id=31018174&width=1200&height=800&quality=90&coordinates=0%2C1%2C0%2C1
Mk.IX was a bit of a lump, the later 420G was a bit better but not much (420G had the chrome strip down the sides), things got rather good when the XJ6 arrived.
walpurgis
05-10-2023, 08:52
Yeah, thinking back, it was probably just a knackered battery which he was too tight to replace. I wouldn't know, I had zero interest in cars. All my money went on records and beer.
Customer of mine has one that looks like this. Never fails to start when he goes out for a run on sunny days or to enthusiasts' meets. Might be different if it had to get him to work every day.
https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.b0b2d09ab0756b2a914d87fadfc308f2?rik=31wFq7rzWSK %2bRQ&riu=http%3a%2f%2fmomentcar.com%2fimages%2fmg-tf-1954-4.jpg&ehk=eINtudklw3rvCMkjIbWk0U5ZrI62IcwaEQe0zHKb3ZA%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0
MG TF was pretty. Last of the T series before the MGA came along, both nice cars.
Pigmy Pony
05-10-2023, 13:28
My father used to drive Jaguars and Daimlers. They all had large engines and all had automatic transmission, so not very fuel economic. Fortunately he was able to write off the running costs as expenses.
His last car was a Daimler 'Double Six' with 5.3 litre V12 engine. There was a display device which indicated fuel consumption in real time. Most of the time, on level ground, it read about 10 - 15mpg; downhill maybe 20mpg, but uphill it was down to single figures!
Definitely thirsty motors, but I reckon a return trip from anywhere to London would still work out cheaper than getting the train (assuming one's running when you need it). Get someone to go with you and chip in for the petrol, and you're quids in :)
Pigmy Pony
05-10-2023, 13:36
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=6ab8ac417b815647JmltdHM9MTY5NjQ2NDAwMCZpZ3VpZD0z YzkxYjc5My1mYzk3LTY1NTEtMTY5Mi1hNWYxZmQ3NzY0YjImaW 5zaWQ9NTUxNA&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3c91b793-fc97-6551-1692-a5f1fd7764b2&psq=exploding+e+bike+battery+news+today&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGFpbHltYWlsLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYX J0aWNsZS0xMjU5MTY4My9CYWNrcGFja2Vycy1leHBsb2Rpbmct ZS1iaWtlLWhvc3RlbC5odG1s&ntb=1
Anyone see this on the news? Apparently a faulty e bike battery.
dads last car was a jag xj6... had 2 fuel tanks plus an emergency... gas gobbler it was.
looked like this and same colour
https://collectingcars.imgix.net/009972/cc-tutte-jaguar-xjc-02254.jpg?w=1263&fit=fillmax&crop=edges&auto=format,compress&cs=srgb&q=85
I'm pretty certain Dad had one at some time.
Jags and Daimlers (IRC, the same company) always were good looking cars.
Since being bought out, they have IMO, lost some of their distinctive styling.
Funny but it was me who drove it mostly. He initially hated it but once had had to drive himself somewhere a bit further than the office and after that I couldn't get him out of it [emoji23]
MG TF was pretty. Last of the T series before the MGA came along, both nice cars.
At the risk of ridicule, the only MG sports car I lusted after was the MGB GT (before they replaced the chrome bumpers with over riders, with the awful 'dodgem car' rubber bumpers for the US market).
Yes, I know they were considered to be the poor man's sports car, and not a patch on the likes of Austin Healey or Sunbeam, but I just liked the look of them.
At the risk of ridicule, the only MG sports car I lusted after was the MGB GT (before they replaced the chrome bumpers with over riders, with the awful 'dodgem car' rubber bumpers for the US market).
Yes, I know they were considered to be the poor man's sports car, and not a patch on the likes of Austin Healey or Sunbeam, but I just liked the look of them.
liked this model... a '69 i think
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/MG_MGB_open_roadster_1969.jpg/560px-MG_MGB_open_roadster_1969.jpg
walpurgis
05-10-2023, 14:45
At the risk of ridicule, the only MG sports car I lusted after was the MGB GT (before they replaced the chrome bumpers with over riders, with the awful 'dodgem car' rubber bumpers for the US market).
Yes, I know they were considered to be the poor man's sports car, and not a patch on the likes of Austin Healey or Sunbeam, but I just liked the look of them.
That's my favourite version too. I'd sooner have one than any Austin Healey or Sunbeam. Very easy to maintain and can be made reliably quicker and better handling easily enough. I like the later Triumph TR sports cars as well, a TR6 with carbs instead of Lucas fuel injection could be good.
walpurgis
05-10-2023, 14:52
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=6ab8ac417b815647JmltdHM9MTY5NjQ2NDAwMCZpZ3VpZD0z YzkxYjc5My1mYzk3LTY1NTEtMTY5Mi1hNWYxZmQ3NzY0YjImaW 5zaWQ9NTUxNA&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3c91b793-fc97-6551-1692-a5f1fd7764b2&psq=exploding+e+bike+battery+news+today&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGFpbHltYWlsLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYX J0aWNsZS0xMjU5MTY4My9CYWNrcGFja2Vycy1leHBsb2Rpbmct ZS1iaWtlLWhvc3RlbC5odG1s&ntb=1
Anyone see this on the news? Apparently a faulty e bike battery.
Could be any cause. Wrong charger, poorly wired, battery etc. got wet, you name it. I don't charge mine indoors.
Could be any cause. Wrong charger, poorly wired, battery etc. got wet, you name it. I don't charge mine indoors.
yeah, a lot are folk using after market chargers from china that are not right for the battery. but cheap batteries too i bet. its one hell of a fire when they go
Pigmy Pony
05-10-2023, 16:57
Could be any cause. Wrong charger, poorly wired, battery etc. got wet, you name it. I don't charge mine indoors.
Yes, it wouldn't put me off getting one, but I too would be charging it outside. And I would avoid buying anything with uncertain provenance. I hesitate to say anything Chinese-made because probably no such thing exists.
I'm pretty certain Dad had one at some time.
Jags and Daimlers (IRC, the same company) always were good looking cars.
Since being bought out, they have IMO, lost some of their distinctive styling.
You mean all of their distinctive styling. Can't tell them from a Mondeo now.
walpurgis
12-11-2023, 19:51
Well this is different. Vintage Raleigh Chopper bicycle becomes eBike.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmguyNB33lE&ab_channel=SwytchBike
walpurgis
12-12-2023, 16:10
Just finished off my second eBike. Did most yesterday and tidied the wiring today. Looks neat now.
It's a cheap small frame Carrera Subway with a Yose front drive kit fitted. I'll take it out for a spin tomorrow.
https://i.ibb.co/RGK4CdJ/IMG-1342.jpg (https://ibb.co/tw6PbF1)
walpurgis
12-12-2023, 16:34
It stands me in approx £250 excluding the battery. My other one is same spec (36v 250w) and will cruise along at a bit below 20 mph, which feels perfectly adequate and you don't want more. 20 miles on one charge (10.8Ah battery) or about double on full pedal assist. Charge is about 20p I'm told, so 1p a mile. Legally, I should eliminate the thumb throttle though, but it is handy, I may find a way around that.
It stands me in approx £250 excluding the battery. My other one is same spec (36v 250w) and will cruise along at a bit below 20 mph, which feels perfectly adequate and you don't want more. 20 miles on one charge (10.8Ah battery) or about double on full pedal assist. Charge is about 20p I'm told, so 1p a mile. Legally, I should eliminate the thumb throttle though, but it is handy, I may find a way around that.
might be able to fit a sneaky button somewhere or disguise it, and disconnect that one
walpurgis
12-12-2023, 16:40
might be able to fit a sneaky button somewhere or disguise it, and disconnect that one
I'm pondering options :).
Last ride of the year.
When I got home I gave it a good wash and tomorrow will oil the chain and put it away until spring.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/a373/gninnamag/20231216_104115.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/a373/gninnamag/20231216_104136.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/a373/gninnamag/20231216_104105.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds
Pigmy Pony
16-12-2023, 23:57
Andy, that Arrow can looks pretty cool. What's it sound like? I wouldn't mind one of them for me 'Blade, which is still on it's original.
Its sounds nice and meaty - I have left the baffle in. When the baffle is out it is just a tad too much.
It is supposed to have a carbon fibre end on the can but it fell off many months ago :(
looks pricy
The bike or the exhaust?
walpurgis
17-12-2023, 18:28
This is what a bike silencer should look like and this is what a bike should sound like :).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i41i9rsqWKU&ab_channel=ADDICTCLOTHESJAPAN
(the vintage bike I'd most like to own)
The bike or the exhaust?
exhaust
One of my Honda's '71... The most fun at 30 mph...
https://i.postimg.cc/dVnYRhH2/IMG-3688.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/cJHNFd2V/IMG-3689.jpg
exhaust
Hen's teeth as they don't make them anymore!
This is what a bike silencer should look like and this is what a bike should sound like :).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i41i9rsqWKU&ab_channel=ADDICTCLOTHESJAPAN
(the vintage bike I'd most like to own)
Very cool
Just had a ride in brand new MG 4 - just delivered today https://www.mg.co.uk/new-cars/mg4-ev
Very tidy motor - and the new car smell was outstanding.
Just had a ride in brand new MG 4 - just delivered today https://www.mg.co.uk/new-cars/mg4-ev
Very tidy motor - and the new car smell was outstanding.
gets a decent rep. think it might just be too low for me tho. ive still a year to go on my lease.
gets a decent rep. think it might just be too low for me tho. ive still a year to go on my lease.
Higher that a normal car, but not sure how high you need it.
Higher that a normal car, but not sure how high you need it.
one ive got is about lowest i can handle..a kona, although the new one coming out might be different... but i would like another inch if possible. alas they are back making low cars again so dunno; it might have to be a van
Pigmy Pony
22-12-2023, 15:52
one ive got is about lowest i can handle..a kona, although the new one coming out might be different... but i would like another inch if possible. alas they are back making low cars again so dunno; it might have to be a van
Yeah but vans are shit. I suspect they are made from parts that didn't pass quality control in the car factory. Get one of these, you can tweak the height to suit :)
https://photos.classiccars.com/cc-temp/listing/163/3798/33875868-1963-chevrolet-impala-thumb.jpg
This van's not shit - and it's bullet-proof - even though it isn't.
https://i.ibb.co/bvpL5BN/mt-t.jpg (https://ibb.co/rpnM265)
summat like this maybe. its a piece of shit and not worth money but....
https://www.alliedmobility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/peugeot-rifter-horizon-slide-5.jpg
Pigmy Pony
22-12-2023, 16:17
This van's not shit - and it's bullet-proof - even though it isn't.
https://i.ibb.co/bvpL5BN/mt-t.jpg (https://ibb.co/rpnM265)
No that's not shit, I'd have one of those. But that's because it was built in USA, at a time when no one gave a toss about Euro 6, Adblu, EGR filters, and anything else that makes them go into limp mode every other Thursday.
Pigmy Pony
22-12-2023, 16:22
summat like this maybe. its a piece of shit and not worth money but....
https://www.alliedmobility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/peugeot-rifter-horizon-slide-5.jpg
Looks like a newer version of my mate's Citroen Berlingo, which he got cheap as chips. And it just keeps on going, despite being French. Loads of space in it too.
No that's not shit, I'd have one of those. But that's because it was built in USA, at a time when no one gave a toss about Euro 6, Adblu, EGR filters, and anything else that makes them go into limp mode every other Thursday.
And you could fix anything on it with just a hammer and a philips head screwdriver.
Looks like a newer version of my mate's Citroen Berlingo, which he got cheap as chips. And it just keeps on going, despite being French. Loads of space in it too.
thats the peugeot version. they are all pretty similar.
This van's not shit - and it's bullet-proof - even though it isn't.
https://i.ibb.co/bvpL5BN/mt-t.jpg (https://ibb.co/rpnM265)
Looks like something BA Baracus of the A Team would ride! (;))
walpurgis
22-12-2023, 18:06
thats the peugeot version. they are all pretty similar.
I had the previous Peugeot version, Partner 2.0 HDi and loved it.
Gave it to my daughter and her bloke, it lasted about six months until they blew it up. The fourth car off me he wrecked by revving the guts out of it!
I had the previous Peugeot version, Partner 2.0 HDi and loved it.
Gave it to my daughter and her bloke, it lasted about six months until they blew it up. The fourth car off me he wrecked by revving the guts out of it!
sounds like a dick.:D
walpurgis
22-12-2023, 18:15
sounds like a dick.:D
Yup!
Pigmy Pony
22-12-2023, 22:58
That's exactly what it is.
Had this beast delivered today - demo model - all-electric:
https://i.ibb.co/NpC096m/maxus.jpg (https://ibb.co/xGLn1Sf)
Is it for you?
No, It's at work. To loan out to customers, see if they want to lease some.
Pigmy Pony
06-03-2024, 22:51
Had this beast delivered today - demo model - all-electric:
https://i.ibb.co/NpC096m/maxus.jpg (https://ibb.co/xGLn1Sf)
Those sorry-looking wheels and tyres don't suit the vehicle and need to be changed for something proper.
A set of these should fit, might reduce the battery range though.
https://f7432d8eadcf865aa9d9-9c672a3a4ecaaacdf2fee3b3e6fd2716.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.c om/C2829/U233/IMG_1366-large.jpg
dave2010
07-03-2024, 07:05
Just had a ride in brand new MG 4 - just delivered today https://www.mg.co.uk/new-cars/mg4-ev
Very tidy motor - and the new car smell was outstanding.I test drove one of those - one of the nicest new EV models.
dave2010
07-03-2024, 07:12
Had this beast delivered today - demo model - all-electric:
https://i.ibb.co/NpC096m/maxus.jpg (https://ibb.co/xGLn1Sf)I guess electric is good - if it works, and fits the purpose.
It's not the EV I don't like, but the size, and often also the style.
Othewise I wish they'd keep these things off the road. Fine for workmen who have to carry tools or other large kit I guess. Just really dislike it when one of these pulls up by me as I'm about to turn, obscuring my vision so I can't do the manoeuvre.
UK roads are too narrow to have many of these newer vehicles on the road, and parking in many car parks is becoming almost impossible.
Car parks have too many spaces for the number of cars, so small spaces, then put a whole bunch of things like that in, and everything becomes much harder.
Pigmy Pony
07-03-2024, 07:54
I guess electric is good - if it works, and fits the purpose.
It's not the EV I don't like, but the size, and often also the style.
Othewise I wish they'd keep these things off the road. Fine for workmen who have to carry tools or other large kit I guess. Just really dislike it when one of these pulls up by me as I'm about to turn, obscuring my vision so I can't do the manoeuvre.
UK roads are too narrow to have many of these newer vehicles on the road, and parking in many car parks is becoming almost impossible.
Car parks have too many spaces for the number of cars, so small spaces, then put a whole bunch of things like that in, and everything becomes much harder.
Yes but for that purpose vans are much more practical, more load space and also a roof big enough for ladders etc.
I've never seen the point of these trucks. You do see a lot of these things in the building trade, usually owned by the bloke in charge. I call them boss-vans.The company I worked for till last year, he drove a Nissan Navara, his three sons each had a Mitsubishi L200, and none of them would be carrying anything more work-related than a clipboard, hard hat, hi-vis coat and a pair of wellies. All that could have fitted into one of these:
https://assets.heycar.co.uk/image/upload/e_blur:10000,c_fill,ar_3:2,f_webp,q_40,w_1920/l_application_assets:vehicles:pictures:d36b9325ba4 1cb93d969f205a8650411:ccb86da452ae6a68169002c050a2 34cc.jpg,c_fit,ar_3:2,q_40,w_1920/application_assets/vehicles/pictures/d36b9325ba41cb93d969f205a8650411/ccb86da452ae6a68169002c050a234cc.jpg
But I guess it's an ego thing.
dave2010
07-03-2024, 09:22
Yes and some of them look designed to look aggressive - with huge grills and bumper bars etc. Even the names are aggressive - one I see round here sometimes is a Barbarian.
I think some people use them for carrying logs - and they might be more convenient for that purpose than vans.
Pigmy Pony
07-03-2024, 09:45
Yes and some of them look designed to look aggressive - with huge grills and bumper bars etc. Even the names are aggressive - one I see round here sometimes is a Barbarian.
I think some people use them for carrying logs - and they might be more convenient for that purpose than vans.
Yes, particularly as they can have decent off-road ability, provided they have suitable tyres. The one Macca's firm has bought would be worse than useless in that regard - those wheels are barely better than castors.
A mate of mine has a 70s Chevvy Silverado, now that thing is proper - single cab with room for three on the bench seat, and a bed at the back big enough to carry a spare truck :) But the V8 engine (which sounds great btw) isn't the last word in fuel economy, so its days are probably numbered. Shame really.
Yes, particularly as they can have decent off-road ability, provided they have suitable tyres. The one Macca's firm has bought would be worse than useless in that regard - those wheels are barely better than castors.
A mate of mine has a 70s Chevvy Silverado, now that thing is proper - single cab with room for three on the bench seat, and a bed at the back big enough to carry a spare truck :) But the V8 engine (which sounds great btw) isn't the last word in fuel economy, so its days are probably numbered. Shame really.
they are useful for working in off road sites etc. land rover is more able but a good one of these with the open backs are good too. economically and enviornmentally they a disasterous tho.
Yes but for that purpose vans are much more practical, more load space and also a roof big enough for ladders etc.
I've never seen the point of these trucks. You do see a lot of these things in the building trade, usually owned by the bloke in charge. I call them boss-vans.The company I worked for till last year, he drove a Nissan Navara, his three sons each had a Mitsubishi L200, and none of them would be carrying anything more work-related than a clipboard, hard hat, hi-vis coat and a pair of wellies. All that could have fitted into one of these:
https://assets.heycar.co.uk/image/upload/e_blur:10000,c_fill,ar_3:2,f_webp,q_40,w_1920/l_application_assets:vehicles:pictures:d36b9325ba4 1cb93d969f205a8650411:ccb86da452ae6a68169002c050a2 34cc.jpg,c_fit,ar_3:2,q_40,w_1920/application_assets/vehicles/pictures/d36b9325ba41cb93d969f205a8650411/ccb86da452ae6a68169002c050a234cc.jpg
But I guess it's an ego thing.
Even that looks mean, or at the very least "grumpy"! ;)
Pigmy Pony
07-03-2024, 15:34
Even that looks mean, or at the very least "grumpy"! ;)
Yeah well, it's electric, with a range of 40-ish miles and a top speed of 28mph, so it's entitled to feel a bit grumpy. I suppose if you lived and worked in a city, where average driving speed might be less than 10mph it could make sense.
This one I posted a pic is for sale with 14, yes 14 miles on the clock, so clearly the novelty wore off pretty quick. At £6,750, you could get a mobility scooter for a lot less. Ok that wouldn't be quite as quick, but at least you can then drive on the pavements.
Yes, particularly as they can have decent off-road ability, provided they have suitable tyres. The one Macca's firm has bought would be worse than useless in that regard - those wheels are barely better than castors.
No we haven't bought it. It's a demo from Maxus. We'll have it a month or so then they'll collect it and drop off some other electric truck or van.
same company as mg i think...
same company as mg i think...
Same parent company.
Pigmy Pony
07-03-2024, 19:47
No we haven't bought it. It's a demo from Maxus. We'll have it a month or so then they'll collect it and drop off some other electric truck or van.
Yes, try-before-you-buy, that's the way to go. My vote would be for those funky-looking little VW vans. A decent bit of load space, probably only 2 seats though.
Yes, try-before-you-buy, that's the way to go. My vote would be for those funky-looking little VW vans. A decent bit of load space, probably only 2 seats though.
VW Buzz Cargo? - we had one of those last year
https://i.ibb.co/KmFxRKX/buzz.jpg (https://ibb.co/SJRwWfP)
Pigmy Pony
08-03-2024, 15:08
I do like that.
dave2010
08-03-2024, 19:24
I quite like some of the two colour VW electric Buzz models - but they look hellishly expensive.
https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/en/electric-vans/electric-and-hybrid/id-buzz.html?campaign=00027776%7CNationalCommercialVe hicle&language=EN&adchan=seah&publisher=GADW&country=GB&adplt=pseac&cpid=71700000085383262%7C58700007255429659&adver=id+buzz&format=NU&adpay=pd&adcta=NU&adaud=NU&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAi6uvBhADEiwAWiyRdvB9wmC3ys3zhvtDuQZv wWpDxaRUviN83BXTF7UzGcDHor06QNKPqBoCUbcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Search for the Style models - the ones on the first few "pages" are boring. I could re-edit this to go straight to those - but life is too short.
Pigmy Pony
08-03-2024, 19:42
I quite like some of the two colour VW electric Buzz models - but they look hellishly expensive.
That's because they are. If I were to add up the total cost of every car, bike and van I've bought during my time on earth, it wouldn't match the cost of this thing. Maybe they'll become more affordable eventually, but by then it'll be way past my bedtime.
dave2010
08-03-2024, 20:04
We used to have something like this 1970s VW Transporter -
https://www.carscoops.com/2019/11/vw-electrifies-classic-1972-type-2-bus-with-the-help-of-ev-west/
petrol - not electrified. I think it cost around £3500 - kitted out as a camper van. Got us round Spain, and later I used it to go to work and also sometimes as a temporary office. Was useful for moving furniture, and on occasions car gearboxes or other heavy and difficult car parts.Of course that £3500 was old money and we sold it on around 1983 or 1984 IIRC.
dave2010
08-03-2024, 20:14
they are useful for working in off road sites etc. land rover is more able but a good one of these with the open backs are good too. economically and enviornmentally they a disasterous tho.Probably a bit more useful up here - there are farmers and loggers who might find them useful. Better than yummy mummies using them in Surrey to take kids to school, though mostly those use huge SUVs. I didn't like pickups in the US, and often they'd come up behind and hang there for miles on mountain roads - either going up or going down. I took delight in the day when I finally floored it on the way down a mountain, and drove a pickup off into a turnout. Took half a year or more of practice to do that.
At least some of the roads in the US are wide enough to handle large vehicles. In the UK they are generally a disaster on ordinary roads.
Pieoftheday
13-03-2024, 18:08
Hello, have any motorcyclists on here had any experience of Black Widow exhausts? Good quality? Road legal? Cheers James
Pigmy Pony
13-03-2024, 21:12
Hello, have any motorcyclists on here had any experience of Black Widow exhausts? Good quality? Road legal? Cheers James
Yeah, I've seen those being sold via Ebay, good price. I too would be interested in folk's opinions.
Pieoftheday
14-03-2024, 10:08
Had a reply from Black Widow Exhausts, apparently they would pass an MOT but they arnt yet road legal, waiting for approval
Pigmy Pony
14-03-2024, 16:39
Yeah so if you were stopped by a copper who was determined to get you for something, that would do the trick. In reality it would probably be fine as long as you weren't revving the knackers off it. My concern would be more to do with the quality and longevity of the can's finish.
On an unrelated note I got my insurance renewal notice for my bike (FireBlade RR3) today, from Bennetts. £149 (up from £141 last year). I can live with that. The real cost this spring will be replacing some of my motorcycle clothing, which has mysteriously shrunk since I last wore them 3 years ago :(
Pieoftheday
14-03-2024, 17:25
Yeah so if you were stopped by a copper who was determined to get you for something, that would do the trick. In reality it would probably be fine as long as you weren't revving the knackers off it. My concern would be more to do with the quality and longevity of the can's finish.
On an unrelated note I got my insurance renewal notice for my bike (FireBlade RR3) today, from Bennetts. £149 (up from £141 last year). I can live with that. The real cost this spring will be replacing some of my motorcycle clothing, which has mysteriously shrunk since I last wore them 3 years ago :(
Bennett s seem quite good on price, I used them this time on a Honda cb650r. As I'd had my yamaha nicked, I was getting quotes over £400 and they came in at £239 fully comp. As for your bike gear shrinking, it's a hard one to fathom :scratch:
of course you might have just put on weight:eyebrows:
Firebottle
14-03-2024, 21:12
Oh don't spoil it Grant, I'd rather have magical motorcycling gear.
Pigmy Pony
14-03-2024, 22:56
Well I may have put on a bit at Christmas. On the plus side, most of the wrinkles have gone from my face :)
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdidimseyahat.com.tr%2Feid.asp%3F iid%3D73282252%26cid%3D14&psig=AOvVaw3k5fspFbo60u8tnU7QebGw&ust=1710543196689000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBMQjRxqFwoTCNCOy5Ts9IQDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAc
AJSki2fly
15-03-2024, 12:45
Thought some of you might find the funny side of this posted on Tesla club site.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/teslauk/permalink/3769949813252453/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
"We are considering switching from an electric car to petrol or diesel. I have some questions to see if it really suits me and my family and hope someone knowledgeable can help?
1. I have heard that a petrol car cannot be refueled at home but I have to go to a special place for this? How often do I have to fill up, is it several times a year? Will there be options for refueling at home? We are used to the car being filled up every morning, as sort of by itself.
2. Are there many parts that need to be replaced? The seller said something about oil and filter change, gearbox, timing belt and other service. Do you see how many percent degradation you have on the wearing parts or will they break suddenly?
3. Do I often have to brake with the brake pedal, or can I accelerate and brake with the same pedal as in my current car? Do I get gas back into the tank when I brake or go downhill?
4. Do all petrol and diesel cars have much slower acceleration? I test drove one yesterday and it felt like it took a very long time from when I stepped on the gas pedal until it reacted. Maybe there was something wrong with that particular car?
5. We now pay $0.02/mile but with the petrol it will be about $0.13, even if the new car is cheaper to buy it will very soon cost more. We drive 15,000 miles per year. We hope that more people will use petrol so that the prices will go down... is there such a trend?
6. I have understood that petrol and diesel consist largely of oil. Is it true that the extraction of oil is associated with global environmental problems and widespread wars with absolutely terrible consequences for people around the world, including several world wars and trouble in the last 100 years in which tens of millions of people have died? Is there any solution to that in sight, we don't want to contribute to such crap, do we?
7. My son also heard that petrol cars emit fumes and toxic gases. I’ve read about air pollution and its impact on respiratory health. Are we contributing to that by switching to a petrol or diesel car?
Will these pose risks to our health and the environment?
... have more questions but these are the ones I came up with now. Thanks for all the help!
"
apparently there are very few private retail buyers of ev's currently. its mostly leasing.
He makes some good points I suppose.
Pigmy Pony
15-03-2024, 18:45
That he does, and I agree with much of it, though I do see issues with items 1, 3, 4,5,and 6.
Pigmy Pony
03-04-2024, 18:29
A few weeks ago I spent a pleasant rainy day on the hard shoulder of the M6, which it turned out to be a ruptured fuel line. AA bloke suspected the pipe might have been chafing on something else over a period of time. Repair cost me about £70. Then last month the van refused to start on the drive, and this was found to be another fuel line. This time it cost £250 to fix as the pipe was part of something else (probably a sensor, nearly everything these days seems to have an associated bloody sensor :(
This morning Anita went to start the other van which hasn't run for a couple of weeks, and it refused to start. We got our usual mechanic out to have a look, and the cause of the problem was immediately obvious - fuel lines again! On this particular van (Vauxhall Vivaro) the fuel lines are right there above the airbox with nothing to rub against, where you could see that two pipes were damaged in several places.
Apparently the cause is rats/mice! Honestly that bloody cat, she has just one job but oh no, she'd rather spend her days and nights eating sleeping and shitting... well I see rather more outdoor living in her future.
You need more cats. Better ones.
Pigmy Pony
03-04-2024, 19:09
You need more cats. Better ones.
Hmm, you sound just like the RSPCA.
It's like they say, "Cat's always greener on the other side". Well maybe they don't say that, but they might say "better the cat you know". She does come home sometimes with a whole or part mouse, but obviously it's not enough. We have plenty of neighbour cats call by, but they never stick around for long. Shame really, a couple of them look pretty handy.
Pigmy Pony
03-04-2024, 19:14
Get your cagoules out tomorrow, I'm riding the Fireblade into Preston in the morning for MOT and service, so it will piss down, sure as eggs is eggs.
Hmm, you sound just like the RSPCA.
It's like they say, "Cat's always greener on the other side". Well maybe they don't say that, but they might say "better the cat you know". She does come home sometimes with a whole or part mouse, but obviously it's not enough. We have plenty of neighbour cats call by, but they never stick around for long. Shame really, a couple of them look pretty handy.
You need cats with frickin lasers attached to their heads.
I saw a thing on TV about a farm where they were over-run with rats. Tried traps, shooting, poison with no joy. They got about 20 semi-feral cats in and that sorted the problem out quick time.
Obviously following that course of action you might end up being known as the crazy cat people down the road. But on the plus side, no more buying expensive fuel leads.
Pigmy Pony
03-04-2024, 21:48
Being a proper crazy cat person is an expensive do. I have a customer in Preston who had me completely encase her back yard in chicken wire so the cats could play out without escaping.
But then I did some work at her daughter's house, replacing a couple of double glazed units that had failed due to the cats pissing against them. That was a smelly job. She'd also had a cat flap built into her conservatory wall - but instead of leading outside, it exited into a chicken wire tunnel that ran the perimeter of her garden and into her garage which housed a comfy sofa and a big flat screen telly.
You certainly get to meet some 'interesting' customers in your line of work! :eek:
Pigmy Pony
04-04-2024, 06:58
It does seem that way, but the majority of them are quite normal :) No idea what they have to say about me though! Still, they keep coming back, so... Of course my most interesting customer has to be Anita, it's how I met her.
She was a divorced mother of three, and a couple of weeks before Christmas burglars broke in and stole all the kiddies' presents. So I went round to secure and repair the doors. She made me a bacon butty, and still does 20 years later :)
Pigmy Pony
06-04-2024, 07:56
The cat has clearly been stung into action after being threatened with the sack - yesterday I watched through the window as Alice repeatedly chucked a dead mouse in the air before eventually eating it, starting at the arse end and leaving just its head. When I went out to retrieve the head i saw there was another dead mouse a couple of feet away. Then this morning I saw a third dead mouse on the front doorstep.
Her job's safe for now.
The cat has clearly been stung into action after being threatened with the sack - yesterday I watched through the window as Alice repeatedly chucked a dead mouse in the air before eventually eating it, starting at the arse end and leaving just its head. When I went out to retrieve the head i saw there was another dead mouse a couple of feet away. Then this morning I saw a third dead mouse on the front doorstep.
Her job's safe for now.
More evidence that they understand every word you say.
Pigmy Pony
06-04-2024, 13:55
More evidence that they understand every word you say.
I had wondered if she may have been looking over my shoulder as I was typing that post about her being bloody useless, but your explanation seems more plausible. AFAIK she's never learned to read and write.
Pigmy Pony
06-04-2024, 14:09
Bought another bike! Well it's for Anita actually, as her current one is a pile of crap.
Choice was either a Yamaha XV1600 cuiser (bigger engine than some cars), and a much newer XVS950 (which is what she eventually chose). I didn't test ride either of them, I was put off by the thought of riding unfamiliar machines in strong winds and Saturday traffic. So I settled for a short bimble round the car park. I'll give it a proper go next weekend when we take delivery.
This is the fella:
https://images.clickdealer.co.uk/vehicles/5125/5125603/large1/121361530.jpg
I don't know a thing about bikes but that looks pretty serious.
Is the gear change on the handlebars?
Pigmy Pony
06-04-2024, 15:30
No, as with most bikes bigger than a moped the gearchange is operated by the left foot, with left handlebar lever being for clutch and right one for front brake. Accelerator is right hand twistgrip. So pretty much the complete opposite to a car's controls.
It's supposed to be very easy to ride, but being longer, lower, and 100kg heavier than my Fireblade, as well as having weaker brakes and piss poor ground clearance, it might take a bit of getting used to. But riding something that'll slow me down might be just what the doctor ordered :)
dave2010
06-05-2024, 09:15
Chargeplace Scotland "strikes" again.
Yet another SNAFU from Chargeplace Scotland. Now they have changed their payment provider, but seemingly as usual, trying to make sense of this or get any kind of information from phone help lines fails.
I generated a new password, thinking I could put in the new payment details - as indicated, but almost needless to say it doesn't seem to work. I spent 45 minutes yesterday hanging on a phone wondering if I would ever get to speak to a sentient being.
Gave up and had dinner instead.
I noticed recently that a [hopefully] well respected German scientist, who has in the past recommended electric cars is now recommending hybrid cars, as she says that the electricity networks aren't going to be capable enough in the relatively short term.
Further, she admits that she has recently replaced her old car with a petrol car! Reason - wherever she lives in Germany only has one acccessible public charging point - and presumably she does need to travel more than a few km down the road most weeks for shopping etc.
We mostly manage with home charging - which works fine for local trips - but the occasional longer trip requires more planning.
Not only is the EV charging network fragmented into different niches, and chargers are often too slow, or occupied, or out of order, but the overall administration is still pretty bad.
Pigmy Pony
14-05-2024, 06:52
When driving down the M61 past Rivington services on Sunday, I saw a sign there giving not just fuel prices, but also charging cost for evs. It said 65p per kWh. Is that expensive? How far would your average battery car go with 1 kWh? Just curious.
I think it depends on the car and its battery.
Adrian (AJSki2fly) is probably the best person to answer your question.
1 hp = 746W, so 1kW = 1000/746 = 1.34 hp.
I don't think you would get very far on 65p worth of "fuel".
Pigmy Pony
14-05-2024, 14:12
A rough calculation tells me I get about 4.5 miles for 65p worth of diesel with my Volvo S60.
Tesla 'Y' is quoted as 100 Km on 17.3 Kwh.
They reckon it's the equivalent of 153 miles per gallon.
Those are probably best case figures ofc.
AJSki2fly
14-05-2024, 17:58
I think it depends on the car and its battery.
Adrian (AJSki2fly) is probably the best person to answer your question.
Tesla’s generally average over a year, 4 uk miles/kWh, so 65p is £0.1625 per mile or if thinking in 40mile terms £6.50 which is roughly the cost of 1 gallon of petrol at present.
As I have said many times before we average £0.03/mile as 75% of our charging is overnight at £0.075/kWh
New EVs are coming out that are achieving +5miles/kWh and Ceely has just released an EV with a range of 600 miles real world
AJSki2fly
14-05-2024, 20:20
Just driven up to Alan(Bigbottle) and back today, just worked out miles per kWh and it is 4.65, pretty good considering I was cruising slight over limits and had heating on am and air con pm. Total kWh used 65, 43kwh cost £19.14 and 22 cost £1.65, total £20.79, which is £0.07/mile or if comparing with 40mpg ICE vehicle equivalent to £2.80 a gallon
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Pigmy Pony
14-05-2024, 21:11
Thanks everyone, lots of info here about how much cheaper running an ev can be than ice when home charging, but I knew that already. My original question was about the 65p per kW/h cost at my local motorway services, as I was wondering how much of a rip-off it was.
Until everyone is able to get their shit together regarding home-charging, and evs' range becomes more practical, away-from-home charging costs will remain a concern to me, and no doubt most folk.
Pigmy Pony
14-05-2024, 21:31
[QUOTE=AJSki2fly;1374245]Just driven up to Alan(Bigbottle) and back today, just worked out miles per kWh and it is 4.65, pretty good considering I was cruising slight over limits and had heating on am and air con pm. Total kWh used 65, 43kwh cost £19.14 and 22 cost £1.65, total £20.79, which is £0.07/mile or if comparing with 40mpg ICE vehicle equivalent to £2.80 a gallon
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[QUOTE]
Those are some pretty impressive figures Adrian, and you did well to get to Firebottle's and back on your home charge. I assume you was driving to Tipton, a distance of 152 miles each way.
I estimate the Volvo (doing an average 50mpg) would use approx. 6 gallons, at a cost of about £42. So double the consumption of the Tesla. But if using that M61 services charger that 65kW/h multiplied by the 65p unit cost comes to also £42. So I've answered my own question, M-way services are even more of a con than with fuel.
While I was getting my dinner on Thursday I snapped this very tidy vintage SL:
https://i.ibb.co/tPZQsss/sl.jpg (https://ibb.co/Fqsmwww)
I always liked those, I suspect they will only go up in value - just look how much the 60’s “Pagoda Roof” SLs are now - I remember when you could pick them up for around 15 grand!
I always liked those, I suspect they will only go up in value - just look how much the 60’s “Pagoda Roof” SLs are now - I remember when you could pick them up for around 15 grand!
I know! They have all been going up for years now. The 1950s ones are getting over the million mark.
The SL the only Merc worth having IMO. Classy and not too flash. But must have the hardtop.
Pigmy Pony
18-05-2024, 13:55
While I was getting my dinner on Thursday I snapped this very tidy vintage SL:
https://i.ibb.co/tPZQsss/sl.jpg (https://ibb.co/Fqsmwww)
Is that your dinner in front of the car? My daughter and her mates used to do that when they were students.
Pigmy Pony
18-05-2024, 14:07
Quite a bit later (1991), but nice and tidy. £21,750, and the value can only go one way. Unless of course you bin it.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/EbIAAOSw6e1mFTyc/s-l1600.webp
Is that your dinner in front of the car? My daughter and her mates used to do that when they were students.
Discarded pizza boxes can be an abundant source of cheese.
Amazing story, but just listen to how it sounds!
https://youtu.be/uISiSKKwcV8
You'd need balls of steel to corner that at any serious speed.
No-one had thought of roll cages in those days I suppose. 'Look at this lads - now if I flip this thing I won't die!'
I think you just hope you get flung out clear of the car...
VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED (but not a bad tune, actually!)
https://youtu.be/ny-NUeFl8Nc
https://youtu.be/ny-NUeFl8Nc
https://youtu.be/ny-NUeFl8Nc
dave2010
27-05-2024, 07:46
Thanks everyone, lots of info here about how much cheaper running an ev can be than ice when home charging, but I knew that already. My original question was about the 65p per kW/h cost at my local motorway services, as I was wondering how much of a rip-off it was.
Until everyone is able to get their shit together regarding home-charging, and evs' range becomes more practical, away-from-home charging costs will remain a concern to me, and no doubt most folk.Just spotted this conversation re costs of EV charging. Even home charging can be variable, depending on electricity tariffs. We have in the past had a different tariff - with some very low costs per kWh. Typically they were between 5-7p IIRC, with a couple of different providers. Now we moved on to Octopus and currently I think there is a tariff with Octopus which is around 7p per kWh. However we are not currently on that tariff, but rather on one which varies from day to day. In the last few months that has been as low as 12p per kWh, but currently is around 20p per kWh. You might ask why we have moved to what seems like a more expensive tariff. The reason is because EV charging isn't the major factor, but rather domestic heating. We replaced our oil boiler last year with an air source heat pump [ASHP]. In the winter this figures significantly in our consumption. The ASHP hasn't been a perfect replacement for the oil based heating, though that wasn't without its own sometimes considerable problems either. What has changed though is that we haven't had to spend over £4-6k this year on heating oil. We also burned hardly any wood. So now that we are more familiar with the intricacies of running the ASHP, overall our costs are lower. Also sometimes companies like Octopus effectively "give away" free electricity - but you can't rely on that always happening.
We might be able to get the effective cost per kWh lower if we install a battery pack at home - and I know others have done this and arguably push the costs back down. However the cost of the battery pack, and the installation also has to be taken into consideration. I know it works for some people, but with battery and installation costs of perhaps £10k, maybe more depending on configuration [some do provide resilience against power cuts, but are more expensive and require approval from the electricity grid DNOs], our current situation makes it questionable whether it is worth the bother.
Returning back to EVs - we have two - a Tesla M3 and a Renault Zoe. The Zoe does between 4 to 4.5 miles per kWh. The M3 does maybe 3.5 to 4 miles per kWh - perhaps slightly less. Certainly can do 3 miles per kWh. So a couple of years ago with the low electricity tariffs we were often getting an effective rate of around 1-2p per mile. Compared with running a petrol car - the last one we used a lot did about 50 mpg, but petrol is now running about £6-£7 per gallon, so that's at least 10p per mile.
With the current tariff, the M3 may be working out at 7p per mile - the Zoe at 5p per mile.
Public charging rates for EVs have also changed over the years. For a while they were very low, and we even had free public charging. Slow charging has sometimes been quite cheap - maybe 16p per kWh, but fast charging is typically more - currerntly probably between 35p and 70p per kWh, depending on the supplier. Also some hotels have had chargers, and didn't charge any extra for using them. Some hotels don't have chargers, but allow users to plug in their own very slow "granny" charger. Usually you have to ask nicely in advance, in order to get a parking spot close to a 13 amp socket. Overnight charging at a hotel with a 13 amp socket can barely keep one's car charged up [i.e. back to the original full or nearly full level] - but that works if days aren't spent driving a lot of extra miles.
The fastest charging we have had has undoubtedly been with the Tesla superchargers - though these aren't always in convenient locations. Some of the Tesla superchargers are now available for other EV users to use, though it may not be so easy to connect the cables, Some careful manoeuvring may be needed to get a non Tesla car into a position where the cable will attach to the car. We have only recently found out how to do that with Zoe.
We have thought of trying to go further with Zoe, a round trip of between 600-800 miles to the Newcastle area, but the logistics of doing that are doing my head in. Getting to Perth [we are north of Inverness] where there are fast chargers for Tesla and other cars is easy. The Charge Place Scotland chargers work sometimes - but we haven't always had good results with those.
The problem with going further south is that although there are Tesla chargers en route [for example at Abington], the chargers there will not service Zoe. I recently met someone with a Zoe who had driven up from Newcastle, so clearly it is feasible, but having to search around for suitable chargers and download, install, register for different suppliers is just too much faff. Some charges just work with regular credit cards - though we had one experience recently where the charger may have been working, but the credit card reader wasn't! Fortunately there was another similar charger at the same location and someone was able to come and get things working - that was a Drax charger at the power station at Ben Cruachan.
So I'm still trying to decide whether I can really face driving to Newcastle with Zoe with the almost complete unkown territory of public chargers in that area, plus unfamiliar apps and other factors.
dave2010
28-05-2024, 19:50
A quick update on EV charging. I have had a Charge Place Scotland card for years. Over the years CPS has changed its method of charging and payment several times - the most recent being a month or so back.
This never seems to work out well. However this time I did update my payment method, and today I went into the local town and put some charge in to my Tesla M3. The good news is that it worked, and was not too bad regarding speed, though nothing like as fast as a Tesla supercharger I think.
The payment/charging now seems to work too, as when I got back I looked at my email to find an invoice - for over £9! I checked the details and it seems correct, but the charge was 70p per kWh. Even the Tesla superchargers don't normally charge that much, in my experience.
I shall keep the card as a backup - better than getting caught out without any means of charging - but that really does seem too high a price to pay.
AJSki2fly
12-06-2024, 10:34
As we all now there are a lot of myths, misinformation and actually blatant lies about EVs out there in the press and on social media. This MISINFO is not only unhelpful to the general public it is confusing and probably leading people to make bad decisions which will impact them in the short and long term.*
Whatever your current views and thoughts are on the EVs I would urge you to read the 'The Little Book of EV Myths', supported and published by the RAC, which tackles 21 examples of electric vehicle misinformation."*https://media.rac.co.uk/documents/faircharge-little-book-of-ev-myths-439716
It tackles the MISINFO clearly, concisely and adjectively and information was to produce it was obtained from those listed below. If you are nearing a car change and are not sure what to do whether buying new or used I would recommend you read this first before deciding one way or the other.
"Auto Trader, The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Zap Map, Tesla, Transport & Environment, Carbon Brief, International Council on Clean Transportation, Statista, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, AA, Association of British Insurers, Auto Express, National Grid, House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee, RAC, Dr Euan McTurk, Energy Transition Commission, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Norwegian Automobile Association, Consumer Reports, Recurrent Motors, Forbes Magazine, AutoinsuranceEZ, Sustainability by Numbers, Gartner Research, Tusker Direct, Bookmygarage.com, Edmund King OBE, Prohire, Gridserve, CAP hpi, Thatcham Research, National Transportation and Safety Board."
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/electric-vehicles-news/faircharge-release-little-book-of-ev-myths/
Pigmy Pony
12-06-2024, 12:48
Quite an interesting read, and going some way towards dispelling a fair few myths. Although I feel one or two such "myths" were skirted around or simply not addressed, for example one that may not actually be a myth, but rather a view held by me, ie. that if you live in a terraced house or an apartment block you're screwed.
One other thing that concerned me: Much was made of the affordability of choosing an ev over an ice car, that ev prices (in my book that means values) are falling, like that's a good thing. What I take from that is that the ev you buy today will be worth significantly less in a year or so, devaluing at a much faster rate than an equivalent ice car.
But then I had a look on Ebay and was surprised, nay shocked at the prices of decent late model Teslas and Polestar 2s :eek: That is really tempting, shame that I'd have to persuade Mrs. P who wouldn't have an ev given to her even if it came with free garden furniture. Still, never say never...
AJSki2fly
13-06-2024, 05:58
Quite an interesting read, and going some way towards dispelling a fair few myths. Although I feel one or two such "myths" were skirted around or simply not addressed, for example one that may not actually be a myth, but rather a view held by me, ie. that if you live in a terraced house or an apartment block you're screwed.
One other thing that concerned me: Much was made of the affordability of choosing an ev over an ice car, that ev prices (in my book that means values) are falling, like that's a good thing. What I take from that is that the ev you buy today will be worth significantly less in a year or so, devaluing at a much faster rate than an equivalent ice car.
But then I had a look on Ebay and was surprised, nay shocked at the prices of decent late model Teslas and Polestar 2s :eek: That is really tempting, shame that I'd have to persuade Mrs. P who wouldn't have an ev given to her even if it came with free garden furniture. Still, never say never...
EVs are not for everyone, certainly for 10 to 20 years until they are accepted by more. If you can charge at home overnight then it really is pretty simple, and acetals makes longer distance when needing chargers plan easy. Sue has a Nissan EV and even that is not hard on longer journeys, last weekend we did a 400 mile round trip and just topped up a couple of times. One took 15 minutes and the other we left it on a 7kwh charger while we spent 3.5 hours at RHS Wisley, we still had 109 miles range when we got home.
The terraced house issue is starting to be addressed here allowing owners to to have cable gutters installed in pavements or dedicated secure pop up pillar chargers. Some councils are installing lamp post chargers offering cheap charging. There are lots of solutions. In Norway a lot of apartments had chargers installed by parking bays.
Public charging rates need to be controlled through legislation, it’s too variable, with profiteering. Also at present there is VAT on VAT being charged. 5% on electricity, and the 20% when sold to EV owner, this wrong and a disparity with other Fuels within the tax legislation. Charger site owners/suppliers should have to offer rates based on the time of charging reflecting the actual electricity rates they purchase at with a profit on top. Eg if they pay £0.10/kwh then they should be able to recover a fixed amount for site costs and then a fixed amount per kWh for profit. Tesla already do this, charging can be as low as £0.30/kwh at cheap rates and in my experience peaks at around £0.55/kwh.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ali Tait
25-09-2024, 14:30
Picking this up on Saturday, one of the few rear wheel drive saloons around if you're not going German. Bit of a left field choice but I fancied something different, and you see very few of these around. 3.3 V6 with 365bhp and 510nm of torque. 0-60 of 4.7 secs, so should be brisk enough. :-)
Specced up to the eyeballs, everything comes as standard, if you were ordering a new one there was only one option to tick- paint colour. The only thing I can think of that it doesn't have is soft close doors, and it was never offered with those.
https://i.imgur.com/YabmllZ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/JJFdVoz.jpg
Pigmy Pony
25-09-2024, 15:00
Kia Stinger. Now that looks proper :) Don't see too many on the road, and I think that's a good thing. Look forward to your impressions Ali.
Ali Tait
25-09-2024, 16:19
Cheers mate, yeah one of the reasons for getting it is having something different, they're pretty rare as you say. Lot of car for the money too, you'd be adding 15k at least, speccing a new German car to the level of this, plus these were much cheaper new than their German equivalents.
Daft they didn't sell more, but people are often badge snobs in this country (says me driving a BMW lol)
Supposed to be good cars. Looks pretty good for a modern car too.
20 years ago Kia sent me half a dozen vehicles, Santa Fes and Sorrentos, because they were trying to break into the rental market.
Punters were resistant at first as it was seen as a cheapo brand. Once they had them, that all changed, they thought they were wonderful. I got them all out on long-term leases.
Ali Tait
25-09-2024, 17:17
Yeah, certainly more reliable generally than the usual German marques.
dave2010
01-10-2024, 09:10
Found this on EVs - though definitely has a US slant.
https://qz.com/ev-electric-car-myths-debunked-truth-carbon-price-range-1851590326
Got our remaining petrol car MOTd recently, and drove it back from the garage yesterday. The Engine Management System seems to be reporting errors - and power seems way down.
I think it'll reset if driven a few miles, but not sure. It's a Peugeot 207cc with a fold down roof. Used to be nice.
Also used to be quite good on acceleration, IIRC, but compared with my EV it's now totally pathetic.
Trying to decide whether to tax it and run it for a while - then maybe sell it - or just keep it SORNed. If taxed and run etc., then the EMS might sort itself out, otherwise it'll rot in our drive until it's sold.
The idea of keeping it was that if the summer had been nice it might have been good to go out with the roof down - but most of the year hasn't been nice. Pity.
I also thought it would be useful for driving to the airport, and leaving it in the car park there for shortish trips, but now it seems it's usually cheaper to take a taxi - even though that's quite expensive.
Owning a convertible in Scotland doesn't seem like the best idea.
Bloke near me has an SLK early nineties one. As soon as he took the hard top off for the summer we had two weeks continual rain.
dave2010
06-10-2024, 10:56
Hiring an EV - absolute nightmare. virtually no help from car hire company - Herz - and getting charging to work is likely to be a complete pain.
Many public chargers in the SW of England and Wales are now a complete rip-off, and trying to get apps etc. in order to make things work, or get a sensible price is a bigger can of worms or sh*te than I’ve seen in a long time.
The total cost of a moderate amount of use is now likely to be more than most of the high end, expensive, gas guzzlers.
Probably have to use credit cards to pay, at least to keep the car going long enough to get it back to the starting point.
I hate smartphones and apps with an absolute vengeance!
dave2010
06-10-2024, 12:51
Owning a convertible in Scotland doesn't seem like the best idea.
Bloke near me has an SLK early nineties one. As soon as he took the hard top off for the summer we had two weeks continual rain.
A couple of years ago it was fine. Rainfall is mostly not much - somewhat surprisingly, though can get fine rain or “mist”. The last year and this one have been dire.
At least car now has a valid MOT, and still seems to go, though the EMS seems upset. Nothing like as fast as the Tesla M3, but doesn’t even seem as fast as it used to be before I changed the battery. Maybe it’ll settle down. Be a shame to let it go to rot altogether.
The MOTs seem to have changed too. I think it should have failed, but the certificate has some “minor” things which need attention “soon”, such as one tyre which I noticed is really in poor condition. I’m pretty sure that would have been a fail a few years ago, but I guess it’s buck passing. Getting a new tyre is not impossible, but lets the MOT assessor off the hook if it’s recorded. A few other items are similar, so will cost a few pounds to put right.
Presumably if I drive the car a lot without getting that tyre replaced it will invalidate the insurance - more buck passing.
Modern rip off world - do as little as possible - for as much as possible [in some cases] and make sure it’s someone else’s problem.
Pigmy Pony
06-10-2024, 13:07
A couple of years ago it was fine. Rainfall is mostly not much - somewhat surprisingly, though can get fine rain or “mist”. The last year and this one have been dire.
At least car now has a valid MOT, and still seems to go, though the EMS seems upset. Nothing like as fast as the Tesla M3, but doesn’t even seem as fast as it used to be before I changed the battery. Maybe it’ll settle down. Be a shame to let it go to rot altogether.
The MOTs seem to have changed too. I think it should have failed, but the certificate has some “minor” things which need attention “soon”, such as one tyre which I noticed is really in poor condition. I’m pretty sure that would have been a fail a few years ago, but I guess it’s buck passing. Getting a new tyre is not impossible, but lets the MOT assessor off the hook if it’s recorded. A few other items are similar, so will cost a few pounds to put right.
Presumably if I drive the car a lot without getting that tyre replaced it will invalidate the insurance - more buck passing.
Modern rip off world - do as little as possible - for as much as possible [in some cases] and make sure it’s someone else’s problem.
In a race from Inverness to London, my money would be on the SLK :D If you keep it you're ready for anything, including long distance emergencies.
dave2010
06-10-2024, 17:46
Finally got the Polestar 2 hire car charged up a bit. Real faff - totally …****. First tried a Tesla supercharger, which might have worked, but cable too short. Not able to get safely into a position which would work. The Tesla chargers don’t have long cables, so only really work for a few models which aren’t Teslas. In the interests of not driving round for ever, found a nearby 75kW charger which took the car from 59% to 90% charge, and took the range [estimated] from 159 to 220 - 61 miles for £17.90. A petrol car doing 30 miles per gallon would need a fraction over 2 gallons for that, and would probably cost less than £8 per gallon. On top of that I doubt that the car will work as efficiently as it claims, though might be better with the regenerative braking switched on. The default seems to have been with it turned off - and horrid to drive as no smooth braking. Much better with regen.
Very frustrating. I don’t think people should stick with petrol, but given the aggro of trying to get EVs charged up, I can’t blame others for sticking with petrol vehicles. There really does need to be much more support for EVs to get people to switch. Public charging and a fragmented market with different apps etc, and variable pricing are just going to p*** most people off trying.
Sure, some companies are putting in a lot of costly infrastructure, which should be paid for, but right now many will think it’s all a rip off.
The way it is going the commercial world will switch over to electric way before the private motorists.
There's tractor units now will do 250 miles on a charge with a load. Won't cover every purpose but they reckon about 70% of runs.
Renault have a factory turning one out every 4 hours, all individually customised.
Plus legislation coming in to push the reluctant firms to start moving that way.
dave2010
06-10-2024, 21:23
The way it is going the commercial world will switch over to electric way before the private motorists.
There's tractor units now will do 250 miles on a charge with a load. Won't cover every purpose but they reckon about 70% of runs.
Renault have a factory turning one out every 4 hours, all individually customised.
Plus legislation coming in to push the reluctant firms to start moving that way.Do you mean lorry tractors for pulling trailers? Wouldn’t turnaround time be difficult, unless there’s some form of battery swapping. Maybe that’s the way commercial driving will go.
Could indeed be sensible and a significant proportion of trade and energy consumption to optimise, and a welcome reduction in pollution may result.
Do you mean lorry tractors for pulling trailers? Wouldn’t turnaround time be difficult, unless there’s some form of battery swapping. Maybe that’s the way commercial driving will go.
Could indeed be sensible and a significant proportion of trade and energy consumption to optimise, and a welcome reduction in pollution may result.
Yes, trailer pulling tractors not the farm ones.
Drivers have to take breaks so they can charge then. One very big firm, I won't say who, but a household name, did an analysis and worked out that 97% of their runs could be done with electric.
Pigmy Pony
07-10-2024, 07:39
HGV driver hours are strictly regulated and monitored, so I'm sure charging times could be easily incorporated, provided the charging infrastructure is there. And with their loads worth many thousands of pounds one or two additional hours going into the drivers' pay packets shouldn't make much difference to how much we pay for goods. Though of course it will. :(
If you were doing a run say Manchester to Birmingham you can go there and back and then take your break and charge up while the wagon is loaded again.
That's not all journeys but it is a lot of them. Maybe there will be some cost in driver down-time but that's offset by fuel savings and lower maintenance spend.
Ali Tait
07-10-2024, 13:56
There is quite some way to go before we can electrify all road haulage-
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/electrifying-us-long-haul-trucks-will-require-504-twh-a-year-but-that-won/636684/
I was trying to find a youtube video where a company applied for an install to charge their intended fleet of electric artics- it was worked out that that one single installation would require more power than the entire town in which it was located..
Ali Tait
07-10-2024, 13:58
As it states, it's far more likely that haulage will have go down the hydrogen route.
Pigmy Pony
07-10-2024, 22:23
As it states, it's far more likely that haulage will have go down the hydrogen route.
Begs the question - if hydrogen will work for commercial vehicles, why not all vehicles? Is there anywhere able to give us facts uncoloured by vested interests?
Ali Tait
08-10-2024, 13:53
Well I don't have a vested interest as such- I'm currently involved with the construction of three 400MW battery energy storage sites in Scotland, so I can appreciate the power supply problems as I work in the power industry. From what I can see, it's the production, storage and transport of hydrogen that are the major hurdles. It makes sense to me for the fact that ICE engines can be used with hydrogen, just needs a redesigned head- blocks can be used as they are. Plus refuelling times would be similar to ICE.
Pigmy Pony
08-10-2024, 15:33
Well I don't have a vested interest as such- I'm currently involved with the construction of three 400MW battery energy storage sites in Scotland, so I can appreciate the power supply problems as I work in the power industry. From what I can see, it's the production, storage and transport of hydrogen that are the major hurdles. It makes sense to me for the fact that ICE engines can be used with hydrogen, just needs a redesigned head- blocks can be used as they are. Plus refuelling times would be similar to ICE.
Sorry Ali, I wasn't suggesting you did - my wording might have been a bit misleading :doh:
But I have reached the point where I struggle to trust in anything that we are being told in any topics, whether it be Brexit, immigration, Covid, Middle East conflict, Ukraine/Russia, climate change, and yes, evs. Maybe I should just stop watching the news!
Still waiting to hear about the Stinger mate - still got your licence? :D
Ali Tait
08-10-2024, 19:54
LOL no didn't think that. :-)
The Stinger is great and does what I was looking for- something that drives a bit smoother than the 535d M Sport, which could be a bit harsh at times over rough tarmac. On smooth tarmac it's great, but how much of that do we have in the UK..
The Stinger gives the best of both worlds, having active suspension I can have the smooth ride and also the firmer suspension in sport mode for the twisties. It's a fair bit faster too, and being back in a V6 petrol is nice, good as the beemer is, you can't beat a decent big petrol lump. Has tech up to the eyeballs too- loving the HUD.
New Ford Escort Mk1 RS!
Looks the business - but £300K
https://i.ibb.co/7trvqLC/escort.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
Pigmy Pony
14-12-2024, 09:06
New Ford Escort Mk1 RS!
Looks the business - but £300K
https://i.ibb.co/7trvqLC/escort.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
:eek: £300k? I know nostalgia is big business, but that's just taking the piss. For that money you could get this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205149618238?_skw=mk1+ford+escort&itmmeta=01JF26CPK61FJX2S25HXTVF9XZ&hash=item2fc3dec03e:g:4IEAAOSwEq5nUyiY&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKl%2Fr 1CsNH1Q%2FmP3XZ7FWYsYFaBR9%2FxX2HHoz70SgW17CLk6HOn UoghzeevewuTBbB9GThoTu7ZFao%2BhYg9k94l2gUe3tO%2Fmf xbwFmyrc5CSsMWvwT9ajp%2BnajrIINoJvxs5rLxo%2BA%2F%2 B6zM%2FDmCc624kEXHZQV5J%2FTUOi3XtICp9FusjzFkQnDLyl Lz8dxkuTbwcu0CM58YyDyYhZYA3cV8o%2B%2Fzt5qHDXBvM0dY prvYt5885isyK4ZH2bBq2A8brbJtoKM5q7Y6RacQzYUIMvCED% 2BAl2nBwpaVNr4e7B2JTUOA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9jpssb4 ZA
And have enough left over for a nice 2-bed detached house with a drive and a garage to stick it in. Provided you were happy to move oop North.
True, although I never liked that green colour. My cousin had an RS2000 in the '80s. Anytime I mention it he pulls a face because he knows he should never have sold it.
Price is multi-millionaire territory but maybe it will herald a more general return to cars that actually look like cars?
Pigmy Pony
14-12-2024, 12:22
True, although I never liked that green colour. My cousin had an RS2000 in the '80s. Anytime I mention it he pulls a face because he knows he should never have sold it.
Price is multi-millionaire territory but maybe it will herald a more general return to cars that actually look like cars?
No, me neither. But a spray job wouldn't put much of a dent in your £300k budget.
I suppose if your pockets are deep enough you can have your car look any way you want, while for yer average Joe Bloggs this is the kind of thing we can look forward to:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LwRf1FO2L._AC_SX679_.jpg
No, me neither. But a spray job wouldn't put much of a dent in your £300k budget.
I suppose if your pockets are deep enough you can have your car look any way you want, while for yer average Joe Bloggs this is the kind of thing we can look forward to:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LwRf1FO2L._AC_SX679_.jpg
I saw one of the new KIAs the other day and that's not far off that '1970s Lego kit' look:
https://i.ibb.co/GcS7Qz0/kia.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
Not really sure why after years of rounding off every surface for fuel efficiency we seem to be moving back to slab fronts? I suppose it's what your modern punter likes.
'Not wanting an armoured personnel carrier mate, but if it can look a bit like one then I'm good with that.'
Pigmy Pony
14-12-2024, 13:24
And if it can have more lights on the outside than a council house at Christmas that would be nice :)
rmcin626
16-01-2025, 16:56
After detailing, back to looking its best
https://i.ibb.co/rZCpQMM/IMG-3174.jpg (https://ibb.co/Vv7CLDD)
Pigmy Pony
03-03-2025, 23:38
I thought that the MOT for the bike had expired, but I've googled "Regit" which tells you stuff about your vehicle. And it turns out it's still road legal until April :yay: So it's coming out to play this week. Seems like months since I was last on the road, because it is. Where to go, where to go...
I saw one of the new KIAs the other day and that's not far off that '1970s Lego kit' look:
https://i.ibb.co/GcS7Qz0/kia.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
Not really sure why after years of rounding off every surface for fuel efficiency we seem to be moving back to slab fronts? I suppose it's what your modern punter likes.
'Not wanting an armoured personnel carrier mate, but if it can look a bit like one then I'm good with that.'
I have a Kia and saw one of the first EV9s at the local Kia garage. Hideous in the extreme, however the price on the one there sweetened the pill a little...it was only £75,000!!!!! There was one parked up in a local road in Beige colour and it looked identidal to the E-Freak built buy Clarkson &Co :lol:
This is the first Kia I have had in 52 years of driving (bought 2nd hand 2 years ago) and I am really happy with the built quality and performance. The first 3 cylinder I have ever driven, direct injection petrol with Turbo. It goes like stink and I think it surprises a lot of tailgaters trying to outdrive grandad in front.
I have a Kia and saw one of the first EV9s at the local Kia garage. Hideous in the extreme, however the price on the one there sweetened the pill a little...it was only £75,000!!!!! There was one parked up in a local road in Beige colour and it looked identidal to the E-Freak built buy Clarkson &Co :lol:
This is the first Kia I have had in 52 years of driving (bought 2nd hand 2 years ago) and I am really happy with the built quality and performance. The first 3 cylinder I have ever driven, direct injection petrol with Turbo. It goes like stink and I think it surprises a lot of tailgaters trying to outdrive grandad in front.
You want to see the Kia that Ali Tate has got
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/kia/stinger
They were always good vehicles, I was renting them out 20 years ago and you'd get resistance - but once they had them for a while, they didn't want to change.
Yes the Stinger is a real beast! I did my mid-life crisis crisis car in my late 40s when I was earning a packet, Clio Cup 172, my son had a VW Golf GTI (new shape) which I drove occassionally and he got the use of a Seat Leon CupraR Whilst he was working on Boys Toys mag which I drove which beat the others hands down, a fantastic drive.
Pigmy Pony
04-03-2025, 09:58
You want to see the Kia that Ali Tate has got
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/kia/stinger
They were always good vehicles, I was renting them out 20 years ago and you'd get resistance - but once they had them for a while, they didn't want to change.
Ali's Stinger is more like this one, the range-topping 365 bhp jobbie. Specc'd to the eyeballs too :) Probably gets a Christmas card from all the local petrol stations though.
https://i.imgur.com/JJFdVoz.jpg
Ali Tait
05-03-2025, 19:27
It does lol. Not great round town- in the teens, but I can get 30 on a run which isn't too terrible. You don't buy a car like this for it's MPG though, it's more about smiles per gallon. :-)
That pic was the ad for my car.
Lawrence001
05-03-2025, 21:57
Personally I think the car of the post-Trump MAGA future will look like this.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250305/e6a9449d6a53453bf0a63ca194a221f9.jpg
Had this a year or so put a thimble of petrol in every six months, zero road tax and minimal insurance. I can fit in it, honest.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250305/e93a7c99b8d5a5fc7e3ada3e9be9de42.jpg
Personally I think the car of the post-Trump MAGA future will look like this.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250305/e6a9449d6a53453bf0a63ca194a221f9.jpg
This monstrosity isn't far off from 'The Homer'
https://i.ibb.co/4ZBpXvJr/tesla-cybertruck.jpg (https://ibb.co/MDq7tw90)
And the horn doesn't even play 'La Cockaracha'.
Had this a year or so put a thimble of petrol in every six months, zero road tax and minimal insurance. I can fit in it, honest.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250305/e93a7c99b8d5a5fc7e3ada3e9be9de42.jpg
What is it?
Lawrence001
08-03-2025, 18:47
Peugeot 108I thought the smallest Peugeot started with a 2.
I thought the smallest Peugeot started with a 2.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250308/aee2e5906425db515b6b0873eb78f0a8.jpg
Toyota $10K pickup truck:
https://www.motor1.com/reviews/696031/toyota-cheap-pickup-concept-review/
Based on Hilux platform, no frills (so a lot less to go wrong).
https://i.ibb.co/qMdbPhL7/2024-toyota-imv-0-first-drive.webp (https://ibb.co/6Rm6fGcr)
Ali Tait
29-04-2025, 10:53
Bargain!
https://scontent-man2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/495828561_122231952632206904_3862581264425391983_n .jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg_p526x296_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=9XEF3am-5H0Q7kNvwGed1HD&_nc_oc=AdnrYdwR-80pvD99j6g7W0kCfw1Q7BzzzCaxwJ0VwejXjSfS37vqQRQ8R8W 0EeVN11MeJ8wiVbOtobbQCpJ5-Nx7&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-man2-1.xx&_nc_gid=eseDdpL3_JJdONiH4Se6zQ&oh=00_AfImJISjHfkG1t8Dv9XthI_0mlExWXccW4qOKm7c50JE KQ&oe=68242009
Made me laugh!
My Landy is in the garage being recommissioned - left her off the road for 18 months (silly!) and now needs a few bits sorting as well as MOT, but looking forward to getting her back on the road - essential as daughter wants me to take her to her leavers Prom (yes, there is such a think in the UK...) next month in "Maggie".
My Landy is in the garage being recommissioned - left her off the road for 18 months (silly!) and now needs a few bits sorting as well as MOT, but looking forward to getting her back on the road - essential as daughter wants me to take her to her leavers Prom (yes, there is such a think in the UK...) next month in "Maggie".
Maggie MOT’d, taxed and insured and back on the road, spent the day washing her and Sue cleaned inside, getting ready for the prom….
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250517/a38edb553e7801cd0fbd325fe60121a0.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250517/9ec37efdf1c781b171db4c15bcb5b819.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250517/22b0223be96175138b4df0a1a986ace4.jpg
Pigmy Pony
18-05-2025, 10:48
Rugged looking and Safari-ready - perfect for a leavers' Prom, which is basically the same thing :)
Deceptively roomy too - in the 70s nine of us went for a two week holiday round Scotland in an identical size and shape Landy. Probably wouldn't get away with it these days, especially with the clouds of weed smoke in its wake.
Pieoftheday
19-05-2025, 20:31
Rugged looking and Safari-ready - perfect for a leavers' Prom, which is basically the same thing :)
Deceptively roomy too - in the 70s nine of us went for a two week holiday round Scotland in an identical size and shape Landy. Probably wouldn't get away with it these days, especially with the clouds of weed smoke in its wake.
Neighbours were smoking some shit yesterday, dear god fxxking stunk
Neighbours were smoking some shit yesterday, dear god fxxking stunk
Probably 'skunk'! :lol:
Alex
Camel decal tells a story!
:thumbsup:
This was at the rail thing yesterday, an SS1 Fixed Head Coupe, absolutely gorgeous in my view. SS cars (Swallow Sidecar Company) became Jaguar in 1945, not least that the name had seriously bad connotations I suspect.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250526/630f159f426265e2ef060769623e61de.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250526/05b78b2ea844a72895a05638f54bad1e.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250526/5b4dac104a4286d92852130bdc9479ba.jpg
This is their emblem at the time - you can see why perhaps in 1945 changing the name to Jaguar seemed a good idea!
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b1/SScarsbadge.png
The SS Jaguar 100 is a seriously good looking car, too. They don't make them like they used to! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Cars
Rare care, would look better in black rather than that maroon though.
My father's first 'car' was a Land Rover. Not sure of the exact model: it was an early version with big square front wings. Then later, after having driven an Austin A35 (?) and a Mk.1 Cortina, he settled down to drive Jaguar and Daimler cars.
The first was a blue Daimler V8 with wire wheels. It looked great and certainly turned heads. Then there were a series of Jaguars, with his final car a Daimler 'Double Six' with a very thirsty 5.3 litre V12 engine.
If I was collecting cars a Double Six would be in my top five.
If I was collecting cars a Double Six would be in my top five.
I love the 2 door coupe version.
https://classiccars.brightwells.com/images/lots/originals/IMG_8560.jpg
I have also always lusted after the original XJS - 5.3 V12 again in that one. White would be fine, with the plate ST 1 :)
I love the 2 door coupe version.
https://classiccars.brightwells.com/images/lots/originals/IMG_8560.jpg
I have also always lusted after the original XJS - 5.3 V12 again in that one. White would be fine, with the plate ST 1 :)
lol, I also like the XJS in white from watching that show at an impressionable age.
lol, I also like the XJS in white from watching that show at an impressionable age.
If you're talking about the car Simon Templar (aka "The Saint") drove with registration ST 1, it was a white Volvo P1800.
If you're talking about the car Simon Templar (aka "The Saint") drove with registration ST 1, it was a white Volvo P1800.
Correct, but in "the Return of The Saint" it was a white Jaguar XJS. :) https://www.practicalclassics.co.uk/articles/road-trips/cars-of-the-saint/
(And I'd love a P1800, too!) I nearly bought one in about 1987, but my dad talked me out of it. He was right, it needed far too much work, but I still wish I had!
Correct, but in "the Return of The Saint" it was a white Jaguar XJS. :) https://www.practicalclassics.co.uk/articles/road-trips/cars-of-the-saint/
Fair enough! I didn’t know there was a second series called 'Return of the Saint', the only one I saw (a few episodes of) was with Roger Moore as the 'Saint'.
The website you cite is certainly well researched. It's amazing the amount of time and effort some people can take over things that interest them - that website is a tour de force!
I could never decide if I liked the styling of the Jaguar XJS or not; it was certainly 'of its time'.
Coincidentally, my father designed a sports saloon which had flying buttress arches at the rear. A working prototype was built and exhibited at the Motor Show in London's Earls Court, where it attracted some interest. Autocar magazine did a write up of it and featured the car on the front cover. My father's had intended to put the car into small-scale production, but ironically 'Type Approval' legislation was introduced, which meant much expense would have to be spent on getting the design passed.
Coincidentally, my father designed a sports saloon which had flying buttress arches at the rear. A working prototype was built and exhibited at the Motor Show in London's Earls Court, where it attracted some interest. Autocar magazine did a write up of it and featured the car on the front cover. My father's had intended to put the car into small-scale production, but ironically 'Type Approval' legislation was introduced, which meant much expense would have to be spent on getting the design passed.
Wow, that’s amazing, I don’t suppose you have any pictures? Shame it didn’t make it.
Correct, but in "the Return of The Saint" it was a white Jaguar XJS. :) https://www.practicalclassics.co.uk/articles/road-trips/cars-of-the-saint/
I never knew the P1800 was made by Jensen for Volvo.
An Interceptor would also be in my top 5 along with a Lotus Esprit - of course - and an early 1980s era Mercedes SL
I never knew the P1800 was made by Jensen for Volvo.
I didn’t know that either, every day is a school day!
Wow, that’s amazing, I don’t suppose you have any pictures? Shame it didn’t make it.
Try:
https://www.aronline.co.uk
https://www.autocar.co.uk
or
https://www.tumblr.com.
Also just type in "Glenfrome Delta" into your search engine to see a range of photos.
The chassis (engine, and suspension) was designed by my father's business partner. When that had been done my father then designed and made the body of the car.
Both my father and his business partner, Ken Evans had worked at Bristol Cars: Ken Evans was a mechanic, my father was a sheet-metal worker in the body shop. Both of them decided to resign from Bristol Cars and start their own business.
Try:
https://www.aronline.co.uk
https://www.autocar.co.uk
or
https://www.tumblr.com.
Also just type in "Glenfrome Delta" into your search engine to see a range of photos.
The chassis (engine, and suspension) was designed by my father's business partner. When that had been done my father then designed and made the body of the car.
Both my father and his business partner, Ken Evans had worked at Bristol Cars: Ken Evans was a mechanic, my father was a sheet-metal worker in the body shop. Both of them decided to resign from Bristol Cars and start their own business.
https://i.ibb.co/fYgjzJfC/Delta-03-768x512.jpg (https://ibb.co/VW1fc6Rv)
Cool car. Very Gerry Anderson.
Pigmy Pony
27-05-2025, 16:25
Even got grab handles for rack mounting.
The front end has more than a hint of 80’s Ferrari about it. Very cool.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/anything-goes/throwback-thursday-secrets-lost-british-supercar-17-april-1985
Pigmy Pony
27-05-2025, 20:34
Thought it deserved another pic:
https://www.aronline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Delta-04.jpg
So Vivian Hunt was your dad Barry? That's something to feel proud about :)
Yes, was my father, and yes I am proud with what he did.
The only regret I have is I never got to ride in the car. I don't even know where it is.
So Thursday was “prom night” and this is how Maggie ended up looking for the night: (Tamzin scrubbed up pretty well, too!)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250623/f063e07f515da62abf69a769e2490c97.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250623/618d4917e6a987e8fd9f7ac10a9cd83b.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250623/38bc91ccc8d6cf0efd1dd5072c755401.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250623/0159b8b1a20577dc411173db8c058dc4.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250623/3ffe03d67a74720c1068f101aeb379c1.jpg
Everything went to plan and the girls had a great evening. [emoji846]
Their only that age once - Land Rovers, I mean.
How good does this look?
https://i.imgur.com/aclLqef.jpeg
Okay the white interior will have people approaching while you're stopped at the lights, trying to score coke off you. But still worth it.
More here:
https://revologycars.com/
How good does this look?
]
Not a patch on this beast
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250701/39e305b3059aff311a1a216083847999.jpg
Not a patch on this beast
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250701/39e305b3059aff311a1a216083847999.jpg
Do you give your car(s) a nickname? I would call yours "The Plum". ;)
Yep, that's a beauty, the Mustang's not bad, either! :)
It's what they call a "restomod" (the Mustang, not you, Roy!) where they are restored, but mildly modified too - I can see the suspension is lower, the wheels (classic American Racing alloys - they do suit a muscle car) and tyres are bigger/lower profile, and of course, the "Pimp My Ride" interior. (I used to love that show, 20 odd years ago, on MTV, must see if there are any re-runs. I remember they put a fish tank in a car, once!) It's also had some of it's chrome trim removed to smooth out the lines. They've done a great job.
Do you give your car(s) a nickname? I would call yours "The Plum". ;)
My Land Rover is called "Maggie" - I bought her when Sue was pregnant with Tamzin (17 years ago in April) and as all Land Rovers have to have a name (my Series 1 was called "Lucy") we wanted to do the same, but struggled to find one that fitted. Sue had become a bit obsessed about magpies when she was pregnant, the whole superstitious thing, (Morning Mr, Magpie, and all that, if you only see one) and when we were going to collect it we saw some magpies on the A14/A12 Copdock roundabout - we both looked at each other and said "Maggie!" and that was that, especially as she is white and black, and I added the small bit of blue in the shape of the Land Rover decals.
My Volkswagen CC I call "Penny" - Not sure if anyone remembers "Ce Ce" Peniston, singer from the 90's? Well, after her... My first car (a 1980 Renault 5) was nicknamed "The Bitch" or, most often when something went wrong with it, "F'in Bitch!".
I've had a lot of other cars over the years, but don't think I have given them all names.
My car is also white with a black roof. I have yet to giver her a name, but it would definitely not be "Maggie" - my political leaning would not allow that.
So until such time as we can come up with a name, my car will remain anonymous. :doh:
Pigmy Pony
03-07-2025, 05:32
My Volkswagen CC I call "Penny" - Not sure if anyone remembers "Ce Ce" Peniston, singer from the 90's? Well, after her... My first car (a 1980 Renault 5) was nicknamed "The Bitch" or, most often when something went wrong with it, "F'in Bitch!".
After much procrastination you settled on that name, and your missus said "Finally!" :) I know, that's terrible, but what do you expect at 6.30am?
In 1982 my mate bought a new bike with his redundancy money, and it was a right beast. He never got to give it a name before it was nicked, but we always referred to it as the General Belgrano. Don't know why, it was a completely different shape.
Haha, at least someone knows who CeCe Peniston is!
What was your mate’s bike? My ZX6-R I called Cerys after Cerys Matthews (then known for being the lead singer of Welsh band Catalonia) because it looked attractive from some angles and had a throaty roar…
Pigmy Pony
03-07-2025, 18:16
Haha, at least someone knows who CeCe Peniston is!
What was your mate’s bike? My ZX6-R I called Cerys after Cerys Matthews (then known for being the lead singer of Welsh band Catalonia) because it looked attractive from some angles and had a throaty roar…
One of these, Suzuki GSX1100 EX. Even the same colour and graphics.
https://www.oldbikemag.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/OBA60-Suzuki-GSX1100-1.jpg
I never gave my Honda FireBlade a name, even though I've owned it 19 years now. I could never decide if it's a bloke or a bird. On these pages I refer to it as the Pony Express, though that would mean nothing outside of this forum.
This is the model and colour (one on the left):
https://www.fireblades.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=192 0,fit=scale-down/https://www.fireblades.org/attachments/190515-1-jpg.107558/
Maybe I could call it Beryl (the yellow peril) :)
Pigmy Pony
03-07-2025, 18:29
Haha, at least someone knows who CeCe Peniston is!
My ZX6-R I called Cerys after Cerys Matthews (then known for being the lead singer of Welsh band Catalonia) because it looked attractive from some angles and had a throaty roar…
The Kawasaki Ninjas were proper. I don't think there's been a motorbike with a better sound...
I had one for a year, but I was a bit unlucky with it (dropping it at low speed, paying to get it fixed, then soon after some tosspot reversed into it and Anita's bike then did one) :steam: Looked like this before I ruined it:
https://www.devittinsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Tom-Kawasaki-ZX9R-2.jpg
So I p/ex'd what was left against my first 'Blade.
Finally managed to get the photos off my camera from the “Snetterton Classic” last Sunday. Here’s a few from around the pits of the racers.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/0083400624804bb53c79f01123545dcd.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/6367d896a4d01bdd8d4ae21201961458.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/8b9ea659f26de66a8f5ff3d00c9d583c.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/7bfa9c7fdb22856d1fb6c71c1c24521e.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/2e013fac22b5cbf7d1d6a29e1125a506.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/03a5d841d8b0c9c1f2c73ca727cfd1fd.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/dba23cddf7608197a58f81aa91bba686.jpg
A few “action shots”
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/03ef353b37c7d5d36d033909ddc9418c.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/5488542a9cad71996795467980120e08.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/3e0a092158aa372a77d8728bcf4afb3e.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/c42edf59defade7af47e2b38070c3f18.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/57c66902f2dc397ad1b68656379e7177.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/5c2fac851e6f80a48d76a8c76029c6de.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/46f3c2977ea7c8bc4903c0cc677635ab.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/3df212b9f03cee3af2260f0dfbb472f2.jpg
And a few of the classics that were on display.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/6573d5466e1fb70275d04779e496f02d.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/a07874ca8b23996260e1e63acd7b6bab.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/2f6f926ca8c7a894faed7253ecffc704.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/547bbcc5d816596ab54a293662aa8d3d.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/cfeb82f3f3608d107e756dc79b633dde.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/ea4011d4c0c11922090f0717d56e0169.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/3cf11b50063f07324ab9dcc416ec2858.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/28f533854d63bddd3454f04027a3f29a.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/644715d8b8fa09c93ac2b9068f6a688c.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/8e041f6fc7d3ce3251ad00545e3a4352.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/03a3917887eb9a48cbd4c62d1c5703a8.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/d53417e63c79f003462a105fc4ccc93e.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/7f06d3558f185a171e9570e5c2a766ec.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/308e520598b5f25306c23f2d1b2276a2.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250707/7c582aab2f4df02dc28e1402ad7a557e.jpg
Some classic old Fords - I love that Reliant Scimitar too. Don't see many of those anymore.
Funny how good that Sierra looks too, and no-one liked them when they came out.
Is that a Fiesta Super Sport in the second pic?
Some classic old Fords - I love that Reliant Scimitar too. Don't see many of those anymore.
Funny how good that Sierra looks too, and no-one liked them when they came out.
Is that a Fiesta Super Sport in the second pic?
Yes, the Scimitar was lovely, ex girlfriend’s dad back in the 80’s had an estate like that one and. Convertible GTC.
I think the Fiesta was an XR2 (XR2 pepper pot alloys) but it was just marked as a Fiesta on the listings.
My father once had a Mk.1 Cortina with the trefoil rear light cluster. Think it had a 1.5 litre engine, but it might have been 1.2 litre.
I had forgotten how ugly the Austin Healey "Frogeye" Sprite was. Much preferred the looks of the MG A and MG B, despite their inferior performance.
Ali Tait
09-07-2025, 08:02
Lovely stuff! My mate's dad had a couple of Scimitars back in the day, always liked them.
Drooling over the Alfas, I'm a bit of a fanboi.
Pigmy Pony
09-07-2025, 14:57
Lovely stuff! My mate's dad had a couple of Scimitars back in the day, always liked them.
Drooling over the Alfas, I'm a bit of a fanboi.
Did a job for the father of an Alfa "fanboy" in Preston once - he had five or six Alfas on his drive, and across the road he had another five or six on his dad's drive, most of which look like basket cases. Then there were a few better looking ones parked on the street and on the neighbouring side road. Surprised the council haven't been on his case, I can only assume he can afford to keep them all taxed etc.
Must be at least 20 Alfas in total, I think that takes him beyond fanboy and into wealthy hoarder.
This was about five years ago, and they're still there. Obviously I had to rename that part of Preston "Alfaville" :)
Ali Tait
09-07-2025, 16:04
Take up a bit more room than collecting vinyl lol.
Watching 'Bangers & Cash' which I know is pretty desperate but they have a Ford Capri JPS Special up for sale. I mean who would not want one of those?
https://i.ibb.co/QvPCCB0j/R.jpg (https://ibb.co/VYgQQy6p)
Pigmy Pony
08-11-2025, 08:05
My mate had a 2.0 S Capri, didn't have the JPS stripes though. It was the first car I ever drove - he let me have a shot on a quiet country lane. I went for about half a mile before deciding that I didn't like my view of the road being blocked by a sea of bonnet. Put me off driving for a bit and I stuck with 2 wheels for another 3 years.
Have you seen what the new 'Capri' looks like? In what universe is that a Ford Capri? :doh:
https://deals.carwow.co.uk/image?filter%5Bangle%5D=front&filter%5Bcolour%5D=Exclusive+paint+-+Vivid+yellow&filter%5Bsize%5D=medium&filter%5Bvehicle_id%5D=654d11c58b0ac830873ee0c136e f65248faa0df0&filter%5Bzoom_level%5D=0&filter%5Bzoom_type%5D=fullscreen
It's not the ugliest car on the road, but they really should have given it another name. Not as bad as that electric 'Mustang' though. That thing is an abomination.
It looks a lot like the electric Mustang, which looks nothing like a Mustang. Not sure why cars have to be so ugly these days, there's very few exceptions now. A choice of ugly or bland, same as modern hi-fi.
Pigmy Pony
08-11-2025, 09:36
Dodge have done better with their electric Charger, but it's still a battery car.
https://api.dodgegarage.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/EVFutureBright_Feature.jpg
Pigmy Pony
08-11-2025, 09:41
And still can't compete with a proper Dodge. I saw one of these on the road recently, or rather I heard it before I saw it - and that's how it should be.
https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/rkm/1/8519/584086/1920x1440/2018-dodge-challenger-srt-hellcat-widebody.webp
Shame you can't get a Dukes Of Hazzard version. But at least it's electric so won't cost £2 a mile to run. I think the original Charger got about 12 miles to the gallon. The modern petrol version only manages 18.
Yeah, that Charger is crying out for “01” on the doors, and a Confederate flag on the roof!
Yeah, that Charger is crying out for “01” on the doors, and a Confederate flag on the roof!
Plus you have to weld the doors shut and climb in through the window. I remember us doing that with my dad's Cortina (okay we didn't weld the doors) and him going nuts.
'But dad it's what the Dukes do!'. He didn't even know who they were.
Watching 'Bangers & Cash' which I know is pretty desperate but they have a Ford Capri JPS Special up for sale. I mean who would not want one of those?
https://i.ibb.co/QvPCCB0j/R.jpg (https://ibb.co/VYgQQy6p)
A Ford Crapi JPS? No thanks. Much rather have a Lotus JPS of some flavour.
Did Lotus do a JPS road car?
Of course there's better cars than the Capri but that's missing the point.
Not actually badged "JPS" but they did do a commemorative 100 run of the Esprit in JPS colours.
https://bonhamscarsonline.twic.pics/48d2201c-f00f-4ee0-a557-9daae7fbbce9/media-e2a78d79-e1b8-44d4-960d-bbd27166d8c2.jpg
Only trouble with that is no-one can drive round in a car that says 'World Champion' on the side.
Pigmy Pony
08-11-2025, 20:02
I seem to remember one of the Top Gear blokes driving in America's Deep South with 'Man Love' painted on the side. That would be worse.
I saw on tinternet this afternoon a JPS Esprit for sale at 80,000 euros. I'm sure the buyer could negotiate a grand off the price, enough to change the graphics to say 'More money than sense'.
Lawrence001
08-11-2025, 22:03
Only trouble with that is no-one can drive round in a car that says 'World Champion' on the side.Well one person could. In fact if racing is like darts or boxing about 10 people could.
Well one person could. In fact if racing is like darts or boxing about 10 people could.
If you actually were a world champion that would make it even worse.
Pigmy Pony
09-11-2025, 09:34
There should also be an arrow above the wording, pointing up at the driver's window, so there could be no doubt.
Did Lotus do a JPS road car?
Of course there's better cars than the Capri but that's missing the point.
Yes. Esprit S2.
They also produces some nice black and gold cars, without the JPS stickers.
Such as this - https://www.goodwood.com/grr/road/news/lotus-reveals-jps-liveried-evija-fittipaldi/
Yes. Esprit S2.
They also produces some nice black and gold cars, without the JPS stickers.
Such as this - https://www.goodwood.com/grr/road/news/lotus-reveals-jps-liveried-evija-fittipaldi/
The trouble with that is if you drive round in it people will assume you're a drug dealer or a nightclub owner - or both. It's too flash. I'd still take the JPS Capri over it.
Does this also count:
https://autoextragti.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Radford-reveals-ultra-exclusive-Type-62-2-John-Player-Special-3.jpeg
Story here https://www.thespeedjournal.com/radford-type-62-2-john-player-special-revealed/
That splitter's a bit extreme.
I am still a bit lost as to why Ford produced the JPS Crapi.
Was it just marketing to benefit from the F1 success?
That splitter's a bit extreme.
Check this version out https://www.thespeedjournal.com/radford-type-62-2-2023-pikes-peak-international-hill-climb/
:eek:
I am still a bit lost as to why Ford produced the JPS Crapi.
Was it just marketing to benefit from the F1 success?
From what I can gather - yes, exactly that.
The first one was the Europa in 1972 - much classier graphics, in my opinion, and although the Europa is a little odd looking, I've always liked them.
https://www.berlinetta-auctions.co.uk/weekly/img/online_car/gallery/upload/1504349095083-1972-Lotus-Europa-Twin-Cam-Special-JPS_2%20copy.jpg
More info and pics here, if you're interested. https://www.berlinetta-auctions.co.uk/weekly/car-detail/lot-33-1972-lotus-europa-twin-cam-special-jps
The first one was the Europa in 1972 - much classier graphics, in my opinion, and although the Europa is a little odd looking, I've always liked them.
https://www.berlinetta-auctions.co.uk/weekly/img/online_car/gallery/upload/1504349095083-1972-Lotus-Europa-Twin-Cam-Special-JPS_2%20copy.jpg
Looks like a car of two halves, each having a different design team!
Pigmy Pony
09-11-2025, 19:00
The first one was the Europa in 1972 - much classier graphics, in my opinion, and although the Europa is a little odd looking, I've always liked them.
https://www.berlinetta-auctions.co.uk/weekly/img/online_car/gallery/upload/1504349095083-1972-Lotus-Europa-Twin-Cam-Special-JPS_2%20copy.jpg
Agree about the odd looks, but I always liked them too. Plus the back end is perfect for bringing a washing machine back from the Currys :)
i actually think it would look really cool with a couple of surf boards on the roof, sloping down to the "bread van" bit. Not that I would know what to do with a surf board, of course. Maybe a couple of ironing boards?
You could tie some planks of wood to the back and drive about pretending to be a builder.
Pigmy Pony
09-11-2025, 22:34
i actually think it would look really cool with a couple of surf boards on the roof, sloping down to the "bread van" bit. Not that I would know what to do with a surf board, of course. Maybe a couple of ironing boards?
That's the kind of thing Mollie Maid Ironing Services or a surf dude with no understanding of aerodynamics might try, and it wouldn't end well:doh:
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