Austin A70 Hampshire

[Hooli]

They don't look right immaculate, they need to appear old but cared for

[LynehamHerc]

It shows the car is being used and not a trailer queen.

[59Impala]

I had thought about going to Stickney but completely forgot about it. Instead I went to the village of Moulton Chapel where they were having their annual fete/carnival/parade etc. Not a huge event but nice and cheerful with a few classic cars, off the top of my head me in the Impala, '78 25th Anniversary Corvette, 1952 Singer Roadster, 1978 Vanden Plas 1500 (posh Allegro), 1954 Ford Pop, 1966 Herald convertible, Series 2 Jaaag XJ, Vanden Plas 3 litre, Mk2 Escort L four door. Didn't take any photos because couldn't be arsed. Did meet our MP, turns out we were born in the same hospital in Woolwich, lived in the same town of Eltham and he went to the same secondary school as my brother. It's a small world. Anyway it was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

[angrydicky]

Out and about today. Went to the boot sale this morning then another couple of small runs out including this one this evening. According to the trip meter, I’ve done 62 miles since putting it back on the road. Although, the speedo is very optimistic so I wouldn’t be surprised if the trip meter is too. The speedo is also exceptionally vague, especially at higher speeds, tending to wobble between 40 and 50 giving a vague approximation of forward velocity of 45 mph.
It drives very nicely indeed. The column change is smooth and relaxing to use (as long as you don’t rush it) the engine pulls well and the suspension and steering is good.
I’ve had to clean the float bowl out a few times. I suspect this is all down to rust from the inside of my Jerry can I inadvertently ripped into the tank before it was roadworthy. It’s not going to be coming from the inside of the tank as that’s all sealed with the POR-15 kit. Ideally it needs an inline filter but there’s no obvious place to put one without butchering the fuel line I took great care in recreating exactly as original.
Had lots more smiles, waves, and thumbs up today. Like SiCs P4 this does seem popular with the public.

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[angrydicky]

With grateful thanks to Fried Onions for his assistance, I’m very pleased to report that the Hampshire is finally charging properly.
Fitted an LED indicator conversion. It involved drilling out the rivets holding the bulb holders on and drilling new holes to mount the LED circuit boards. I also had to change the flasher unit for an LED compatible one and I was surprised to find the fronts still worked, so I’ve left them alone for now as they are reasonably obvious.
With the wheel nuts tightened and tyre pressures increased from 20 to the correct 26 psi the steering doesn’t feel too vague now. I tried a couple of radials from my Somerset and surprisingly enough it was impossible to keep in a straight line with them. Maybe one of them is buckled as the car is parked against a wall and I took one rear and one front to test them out. Popped the crossplies back on.
Also, sorted the oil leak from the steering box gland nut with a bit of PTFE tape. That’s made a big difference not having it pissing oil all over the floor. Topped up the ‘box.
Fitted a few new grommets in the bulkhead to fill some of the holes where wiring for the optional radio would have gone.
There’s a classic breakfast meet at Langrick station tomorrow, it’s not too far so if the weather looks decent I might pop down for an hour or so. I need to use the car as much as possible between now and the Counties rally as it’s less than a month now. If it’s going to break down I want it to happen close to home.

[angrydicky]

Hampshire and friends at Langrick! It ran like a dream, the charging system is working perfectly, and the steering feels much more precise. Got quite a lot of attention there, at least five “don’t paints” and only one “you are painting it aren’t you?”

[paulplom]

They don't look right immaculate, they need to appear old but cared for

If you had told me earlier I would've keyed a couple for you.

[paulplom]

I should've took a water pistol filled with brake fluid or something.
There were a few anal blokes there. Poloneck and cravat types. Aviator moustaches etc.

[mercrocker]

Thanks again Paul for reminding me why I don't go to car shows....Nearly caved in a week or so back but kept my resolve. I like looking at cars not garden furniture.....

[LynehamHerc]

Our village car show is in a month or so.

There's usually a few nice Healeys, original Fiat 500s and so forth there so I'll wander across, have a look around and then go back home. It's the province of the deckchair brigade, who seem to have them to collect compliments rather than drive them.