Museumsløpet 2012

Museumsløpet 2012

We participated in Museumsløpet for the first time in June 2012. It was the first race/event for the season, and we were excited about both the race and car.  This was our first event with the newest family member, a Jaguar MK2 3.8 M/O.

Museumsløpet is arranged by Horten & Omegn Veteranvognklubb (http://www.hovk.no/), and the route this year was about 55km. At start the weather was a bit cloudy, some light showers, but the weather inside the car was perfect.  Start was at Horten Bilmuseum (car museum), with a rather difficult quiz, however very interesting. One of the practical tasks (I believe post 2) was to whistle a song with two dry biscuits in your mouth. Much fun, some nice photos for the family album taken, and also very nice people hosting the post.

The route took us around the area, down to Åsgårdsstrand and Karljohansvern fortress. Beautiful place! Even though we don’t live that far away, we haven’t been there before, but now we know that we will have a picnic there a sunny day.
As we are not that familiar with the roads in the area, combined with the fact that you had to finish within a certain time, made the last half of the race quite stressful for us. This may not have been a general problem, rather us being slow. But as we had our son and dog with us, we needed frequent stops and extra time on 

each post. Both the “find-information-in-the-museum” posts were interesting, but again, we should have had more time to enjoy it. In general the post and activities were good fun - like the one on the golf range.

At the finish line, we meet up with the rest, and were served barbeque.  Lots of nice people at Borre station (finish) and interesting talks (about cars naturally).  In generally a nice race for local people, and maybe best without children. For us from “the outside”, a bit stressful. This experience was shared with two other cars participating.

Needless to say – lots of great cars running. The two Auburn cars caught a lot of attention, mint condition cars, and nice people driving them as well :)


Morten

Vinterbroløpet 2012

Vinterbroløpet 2012

August 25^th we took part in Vinterbroløpet 2012, a classic car event/race starting in Vinterbro, about 25 km south of Oslo. This was the first time we took part in this event, and were excited about testing it out. The event is arranged by Follo Veteran- og gammalbilforening (http://www.folloveteran.no/).

 
Approximately 65-70 cars took part, with a good variety of the category of classic cars. Some quite old cars, at least one from 1922, up to some that were just above 30 years old. Good variety also in the production countries – German, Italian, English and US produced cars – all well represented.

Two TR6’s took part, one red and the other black, both very nice and tidy – actually much better than average. Both with carburetor feed. The black ’70 CC chassis TR6, had beautiful paintjob – 

complements to the work, and accompanied by chrome wires wheels with 205 rubber, it was just great to look at! There were obviously lots of other interesting cars – a Jensen Coupé, quite rare, a Fiat Topolino that looked extremely nice and a Mercedes and Mustang both with paint sharper than diamonds.

The race itself was about 66km long, starting from Vinterbro, passing south side of Årungen, then taking smaller gravel roads to Korsegården. Then driving through Ås, towards Kråkstad and Ski. Stopping at Magasinleieren i Ski, then towards Langhus, and Svartskog. Taking Roald Amundsens road and then returning to Vinterbro.

Very nice trip – 3 posts with practical tasks to solve, and 2 with quite hard quiz questions.  Could be easier, I must admit. We came out good (actually we won), but on the question side, it was just as much about luck as knowledge for us.  The practical challenges were very nice, and on two of them children could take part as well (the last one including driving).

For us it was a great day; the weather was good, and lots of nice people to talk with and great cars to look at.  We were four in the car, my son and me and his grandparents.  We all had a relaxing and positive experience, and hope to return for next year’s Vinterbroløp.
 
We drove our 1962 Jaguar MK2 3.8 MOD (O-308) this time, and showed worked without any problems at all.

Morten

Grevlingløpet 2012

Grevlingløpet August 2012

Grevlingløpet is a classic car run arranged by LSVK (est. 1987).  This year about 170 cars participated ( I believe that was a record), with classics all the way back to the 1920's to early 80's. The weather was perfect, a bit cloudy at early morning then the sun broke through and it could not have been better.

This is not a race where you drive fast; so not a track day event. LSVK makes a new route every year, often in beautiful scenery showing hidden treasures in the Vestfold area (Norway).

The length varies, it's normally between 60-90 km long, and have 6 posts. The start is normally at 11:00 and announcements of winners is at about 16:00 at the goal.

The start is in Badeparken in Sandefjord. We started quite early in the race, special thing this year was that all cars were professionally photographed at a separate post in the route.

Great picture - it was given to participants at the end. After driving over Mokollen in Sandefjord, the route took us to Larvik, via 3 posts along the way.

We had a nice stop at post 4 at Bølgen in Larvik, with a little lunch break by the sea.

From Larvik we followed the map handed out at the start, taking us east side of river Lågen, up to Kvelde, where the finish was.

There were lots of people there, both people driving in the race, and others just looking at the cars. Music, food and lots of happy people.

The posts (6 of them) were a mixture of questions (i.e. guess what kind of car is on the picture) and practical tasks. At one post you were to drive upon a plank with your right wheels (points were given), then later you were asked for the length of the plank.

Nice practical task indeed! At another post you were to stick your hands in a cardboard box, without seeing. The task was to guess what you had in your hands.

From my point of view, Grevlingløpet is one of the best classic car get-togethers in Norway.  Still, there are lots the author has not attended yet – more to explore.

What I like is that the route changes from year to year; it's never a routine drive. And it's well planned with directions all the way.  It is good for families with kids as well, and the start and end are different locations - both very beautiful.

We drove our 1962 Jaguar MK2 3.8 MOD (O-308) this time, and showed itself from a good side.

Except from a little starting problems, that is. The battery ran empty right before starting, so (with good help - thanks to everybody helping) we needed a push-start.

See you at Grevlingløpet in 2013.

Morten

Kongsbergknekken 2012

Kongsbergknekken August 2012

Our 2nd classic car race in 2012. Kongsbergknekken is a classic car race, or more like an event as it is not a drive-fastes track race,  going on normal roads, in normal traffic.  The point is not to pass the goal line first, but answer most questions correctly and doing well on the practical tasks you get along the route.

Kongsbergknekken is arranged by Kongsberg Automobilselskap, and the route is put in the beautiful scenery around Kongsberg (Norway). The start was on Kirketorget in the center of Kongsberg, and the weather was sunny and warm. 114 cars took part in the run. When driving to Kongsberg, we saw areas of damaged road due to the recent floods. I was curious how the smaller roads on the route were affected by the floods. But they were all good.

This was our first time driving Kongsbergknekken, and I must say - It was great!

The route was very nice indeed, about 58,7 km, with lots of things to look along the way. Small beautiful roads and a little drive lake-side. For children, this must have been close to the ultimate run. Separate questions for the youngsters, and an extremely popular ceremony giving prices to the younger, at the end of the race.I was impressed by this race; we will come back for sure!

If one thing to mention that didn't go 100% perfect, was the waiting at one of the posts. It was long, and the cars had to cue up on the road. It could have been better.

We drove our 1962 Jaguar MK2 3.8 MOD (O-308) this time, and showed worked without any problems at all.

Morten

APOLOGY to EPW DOWNUNDER owners

About 1996, I was told that the Lucas bulb handle screwdriver is correct for 1946-56 Royce and Bentley. I relied on the word of an "expert", here in Southern California. I acquired a few of these from the "expert". Subsequently I sold a FEW to fine chaps in Australia. A discussion ensued. I was strident, as I was relying on the "expert". He was wrong. I was wrong. My sincere apologies to the 2 chaps in Australia. IF you will kindly return the improper drivers to me, I will immediately send RESTORED and PROPER screwdrivers, and pay postage both ways. Recently I have tried to correct and educate some sellers, on ebay and elsewhere. For the most part those sellers resent me. Most sellers, of these tools, do not care about being accurate. Apparently they just want the $$$. So there are some folks that will mis-represent, intentionally. Buying junk or incorrect items is no bargain.
SO-I did the SAME THING. Only I did not do it intentionally. My selling these was out of my ignorance. Now I am trying to rectify MY ERROR!!! You, the reader, might ask yourself  "why so long?" I have searched my onerous and copious paperwork to find the 2 chaps (that I recall), addresses. I was unable locate the names. After more than 12 years, this STILL bugs me! SO now I go public. SO if you go to an RR/B meet,  PLEASE ask if anybody got an incorrect screwdriver from a well-meaning, but mis-informed character in California. I will make it right. I really hate making mistakes. I dislike it more when others suffer. I dislike it EVEN more when they are on another continent.

Rolls Royce & Bentley BOOT Contents

ROLLS ROYCE and BENTLEY 1956 thru 1965 BOOT CONTENTS

This is not another Earth changing subject, however there has been some confusion, even by long time owners.

1956-1959 6 Cylinder:
There is no cover on the spare tyre
The chrome kinsman pump is clipped just under the spare tyre
The jack is clamped with a leather strap; that is clipped to the boot floor. There is a leather piece that snaps, to secure the handle.
The 2 piece Britool, wheelbrace (lug wrench), is clipped to the boot floor in front of the jack.
The rubber bezel torch (flashlight) is clipped to the left side of the spare cover.
The tool tray is the same for lhd and rhd chassis..
Next to the tool tray is a brass tecalemit grease gun, on LHD CARS ONLY!!
I do not have a clue what RRMC was thinking, regarding RHD cars!!!
The front band tool, was a dealer provided item, and not included.
Some early chassis have spin on hubcaps which require the hex hubcap tool.

1960-1962 8 Cylinder, single headlight (S/C II, and S2):
There is no cover on the spare tyre, for early chassis. Later models had a cover attached with 2 spring pins.
The chrome kinsman pump is clipped just under the spare.
The jack is clamped with a leather strap; that is clipped to the boot floor. There is a leather piece that snaps, to secure the handle.
The 2 piece Britool, wheelbrace (lug wrench), polished steel, is clipped to the boot floor in front of the jack.
The rubber bezel torch (flashlight) is clipped to the left side of the spare cover.
The tool tray is different for lhd and rhd chassis. (refer to my tool blogs)
Next to the tool tray is a Front Band Transmission tool, on LHD CARS ONLY!!
I do not have a clue what RRMC was thinking, regarding RHD cars!!!
I am unsure if one was provided.
ALSO: some chassis have single tail lenses, as the 6 cylinder; some have the later 2 piece type. I can find no pattern, by date or other method.

1963-1965 8 Cylinder, double headlight (S/C III, and S3):
There is a cover on the spare tyre,
The chrome kinsman pump is clipped just under the spare.
The jack is clamped with a leather strap; that is clipped to the boot floor. There is a leather piece that snaps, to secure the handle.
The 2 piece Britool, wheelbrace (lug wrench), is clipped to the boot floor in front of the jack.
The rubber bezel torch (flashlight) is clipped to the left side of the spare cover.
The tool tray for lhd has a rubber plug for the unnecessary pre-focus bulb.
Next to the tool tray is a Front Band Transmission tool, on LHD CARS ONLY!!
I do not have a clue what RRMC was thinking, regarding RHD cars!!!
I am unsure if one was provided.

NOTE some coachbuilt cars have different tool trays, and different jack clamps.
Especially the wonderful Radford, and the elegant James Young.

If you have any questions on the restoration of the jack, other tools or the always fun Kinsman pump; contact me. I always enjoy sharing the fun and excitement, that usually includes a few surprises.

While I am on the boot subject—
Please read other blogs about my accessory kits:
A detail bag, emergency repair, the First Aid kit,
And the all important matching picnic basket,
Just waiting for the tasty tempenades, pestos, infused olive oils, Balsamic vinegars, Dip-N-Toss, and the exotic flavoured sea salts and peppers supplied by The Posh Gourmet.
THE PERFECT detail to make every touring event special!!!