05-01-2022, 03:49 PM
In reply to Rob Regan, hi Rob
We actually managed to do it on our first attempt with only breaking 2 crankshafts. we took the specially organised overnight train from Crewe to Inverness-the cars all fitted inside the goods carriages. Around 10am, driving along the picturesque road alongside Loch Ness to the start we were going well -a change up from 3rd to 4th as I recall proved terminal for the crankshaft.
We were recovered to Brora where some very helpful vintage/classic car enthusiasts provide us with a ramp and space in the local garage. 'Well thats it for you guys?' Was the question.
Well no actually we're going to rebuild it. With the spare crank and rods from behind the seat we set about the task. With a patch from a beer can araldited over the crankcase fracture and the replacement crank and rods -the repair going well. Except we had also bent the camshaft and didnt have a spare.
No matter, one was borrowed from a Scottish A7 enthusiast and delivered to us by the Police in their patrol car. After fish and chips and around midnight the engine and gearbox were sat back in the A frame and ready for the connections the next morning.
The issue now become getting to John O Goats before midday when the start window closed.
We made it and decided to have lunch before we left-there would be no fast run for us this time. That's where the Practical Classics Editor and his co-driver were also having lunch and were working out what to do as their dynamo wasn't charging.
Electrics wizzard Harry offered to help. A few hours later we were back at the Garage in Brora with Harry repairing their dynamo. The article and photos appeared in a later edition of Practical Classics.
The rest of the run was pretty uneventful except for the enormous amount of oil that we lost through leaks and the puncture on the M8 in the middle of the night with a completely flat battery.
We made it to Lands End on that crankshaft, but returning to South Wales whilst crossing Bodmin Moor the second crankshaft broke. We were recovered to Exeter Services where we were met by my late father Ray Pugsley and the late Idris Lewis both stalwarts of the SWA7C who trailered us back home.
I think we were both asleep in the back of my dads Cortina within 5 mins.
Now the 18hrs 54mins run-well thats another story!
Regards
Roger Pugsley
We actually managed to do it on our first attempt with only breaking 2 crankshafts. we took the specially organised overnight train from Crewe to Inverness-the cars all fitted inside the goods carriages. Around 10am, driving along the picturesque road alongside Loch Ness to the start we were going well -a change up from 3rd to 4th as I recall proved terminal for the crankshaft.
We were recovered to Brora where some very helpful vintage/classic car enthusiasts provide us with a ramp and space in the local garage. 'Well thats it for you guys?' Was the question.
Well no actually we're going to rebuild it. With the spare crank and rods from behind the seat we set about the task. With a patch from a beer can araldited over the crankcase fracture and the replacement crank and rods -the repair going well. Except we had also bent the camshaft and didnt have a spare.
No matter, one was borrowed from a Scottish A7 enthusiast and delivered to us by the Police in their patrol car. After fish and chips and around midnight the engine and gearbox were sat back in the A frame and ready for the connections the next morning.
The issue now become getting to John O Goats before midday when the start window closed.
We made it and decided to have lunch before we left-there would be no fast run for us this time. That's where the Practical Classics Editor and his co-driver were also having lunch and were working out what to do as their dynamo wasn't charging.
Electrics wizzard Harry offered to help. A few hours later we were back at the Garage in Brora with Harry repairing their dynamo. The article and photos appeared in a later edition of Practical Classics.
The rest of the run was pretty uneventful except for the enormous amount of oil that we lost through leaks and the puncture on the M8 in the middle of the night with a completely flat battery.
We made it to Lands End on that crankshaft, but returning to South Wales whilst crossing Bodmin Moor the second crankshaft broke. We were recovered to Exeter Services where we were met by my late father Ray Pugsley and the late Idris Lewis both stalwarts of the SWA7C who trailered us back home.
I think we were both asleep in the back of my dads Cortina within 5 mins.
Now the 18hrs 54mins run-well thats another story!
Regards
Roger Pugsley