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Post by markaren76 on Jan 16, 2017 1:58:41 GMT 1
OK here goes folks.
I'm going to do the John O'Groats to Lands End run this year. I'm not sure at this stage if I will do it in Bertie ('56, Standard Super Ten). In all it is around 1800 miles round trip. I live in Stourbridge West Mids so the route actually goes past my house (lucky me!)
As Bertie is pretty original its likely that he will need at least one service half way down. And I'll certainly need to carry a grease gun.
Anyway My questions.
1. Who fancies doing this too? I already have members of my local car club with a mixture of '50s & '60s cars. However, I'm sure some will change their minds because of the time needed. I estimate 6 days minimum from home North and back. Then another 3-4 days south and back.
I know there has been talk of going in a few years to celebrate one of the Standard anniversaries, however, I don't want to wait for that as the last intended trip never got going for various reasons. I recon if you want to do it then just do it or you never will. So I'm going later in the year.
2. Any thoughts you might have on practicalities for the trip would be welcomed. I have electronic ignition. but will carry points. I will carry water, oil and fuel, Fan belt, hoses, spare tyre, Pump, some cable and connectors, tools etc. what else might you think should be considered?
Smilalot Mark
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Post by scott on Jan 16, 2017 11:29:37 GMT 1
It may also be prudent to find a list of members en route who have garage accommodation for repairs. Im in Fife and can accommodate emergencies with a reasonably well stocked toyshop😂
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Post by markaren76 on Jan 16, 2017 12:30:54 GMT 1
Didn't think of that Scott.
Fair idea. Mind you much as it would be lovely to meet I hope I don't need to
;-)
Mark
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Post by magnet on Jan 20, 2017 11:19:50 GMT 1
Hello Mark, Well done you, and I think Scott's grand idea and offer is the most essential part of the what-do-I-take. It would be great if you could establish contact details of members along the route, since you will know you will at least not be on your own.
What to take list in addition to what you said :- portable jack, Radweld, cable ties, insulating tape, piece of carpet or whatever to lay on, jump leads, some binding wire, instant tyre seal repair, small shovel, Mars bars, Red Bull, and anything else you can't think of at the moment!
Good luck with the trip, but hoping you don't need any of the good luck! Kind regards, Gareth.
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Post by markaren76 on Jan 20, 2017 14:14:42 GMT 1
Hi Gareth
Ive had a think and decided not to use Bertie on this run. I'll do it in another more modern classic. Primary reason is it could be up to 2000miles and I didn't really want to do major servicing on the roadside!
And to be fair I'm not totally sure he's up to it.
the team I'll be running with have somewhat quicker cars though none of us will be using motorways to do the actual route. we will to get to the start points. So looks like July is the target
Mark
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Post by Phil Hetherington on Jan 23, 2017 11:27:29 GMT 1
Hi Mark,
We'll keep you and Bertie in mind if we dust off the idea for the 70th anniversary in 2024; maybe you'll be more confident in his abilities by then. ;-)
When I was looking at doing it it in mine my idea was to service it at the start and end points. Realistically this would only mean greasing the front suspension as everything else would last the distance. I've done 700-and-something miles in mine over a week (although it was over 10 years ago now) so I'm sure it can be done. I didn't take most of the above listed 'essentials' either. Maybe the bottle jack, cable ties, insulating tape, odd bit of wire, a spare coil, points, tool box and a supply of various fluids which is about all I ever carry to be honest. I suppose if I was feeling especially keen I might lob in a gasket set and torque wrench. But I've never needed most of these in over 10,000 miles of Standard motoring.
Phil
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Post by markaren76 on Jan 23, 2017 20:27:08 GMT 1
All good points Phil. Must admit to never leaving home with much of the bits you mention. Having said that never needed them so far. I pretty sure Bertie could do it. However I still think over 2000 miles it would be most effective to at least change the oil during the trip. Also I'm estimating it would take a total of maybe 10'days unless I put the car and me under significant pressure. I regularly do upto 150 mile day trips.
The biggest issue is he is pretty original. Others I've spoken to have mostly had upgraded cars (steering, brakes etc)
When would be the 70 anniversary? 2024! That's a while away isn't it.
Mark
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Post by Phil Hetherington on Jan 25, 2017 8:33:26 GMT 1
Mine's pretty original too. That was kind of the point of the idea, to show what these cars are capable of.
Oil change interval is what, 3000 miles? I think not necessary to reduce that. I do normally do it every 1000 or so but that's more time-based; actually haven't bothered the last 2 years but the car has hardly been out. (Will do it this year though.)
2024, my son will be 10, maybe he can navigate by then! :-)
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Post by markaren76 on Jan 25, 2017 9:05:23 GMT 1
Navigate? You need to navigate. I thought you just pointed up and drove till there was no land. Haha!
You're probably right and to be fair Bertie runs continually for miles and hours with no real concerns. So I'm probably worrying about nothing. Well except comfort and speed I suppose. Haha!
By 2024 the car will have aged some as I don't keep him indoors more than I have to. It's almost a daily. Mind you my grandson might fancy coming align. He'll be 13 b then
Mark
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Post by magnet on Jan 25, 2017 12:46:54 GMT 1
I really appreciate your and Phil's views on this, and if I were in your position Mark, I too would be thinking twice about it - but I'm getting old! I think age is an important factor here, but not so much that of the car, but the person responsible for the trip. I'm not saying you are old mined Mark! As far as the cars are concerned, as Phil says, an oil change before will see you comfortably there and back and a few thousand miles for next year! Greasing? Well yes, every 3000 miles, but our family Audi is now approaching 140k and despite mostly main dealer servicing to schedule, has never seen a bit of grease in its lifetime. There is no doubt that the cars are capable (more so now then they were new probably) of such a trip, and when Standard built them, that was the sort of journey they had to cope with. Having said all that, would I undertake this trip? Good question? Perhaps yes, if I was supported by a good hands on passenger who would be able to give moral as well as practical support. Armed with this and a breakdown get-you-home card, perhaps yes, but it's easy to say that when you know you are not considering the choice! Good luck and every enjoyment in the sort of modern classic. Kind regards, Gareth.
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Post by markaren76 on Jan 25, 2017 12:52:42 GMT 1
You know that feeling when your getting pulled in? Even if you are to a degree a willing participant.
I have a fair number interested in doing the 'lands end' section, yet most of them want a deferment to 2018 for the Northern run. I'll probably be doing it all again next yr
Mark
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Post by Phil Hetherington on Jan 26, 2017 15:03:38 GMT 1
Front suspension greasing on the 50s 8/10 is every 1000 miles, Gareth. So that much at least would need to be done en-route.
Mark, part of the plan was that the participants would each plan a day of the route, perhaps to include particular stop-off points or scenic bits and certainly to stick as far as possible to 'old roads'. Having done a number of longish journeys solo on 'old roads' where you have to turn left, right, right, left and then right just to get through every village, and got lost a few times doing so, a navigator would be a great help in some of these places!
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Post by markaren76 on Jan 26, 2017 15:49:24 GMT 1
I plan these type of back roads routes most months for a local classic group. We go out on Mondays heading to places to visit and have a chat.
I use a web program called VIEW RANGER. Might be of interest to you. You can select the type of route you want to plan (Driving, Walking, Cycling...). and as you click on the major points of the route it finds the roads you need. Once you've completed the route you can either print off a load of turn by turn instructions, which to be honest is just too much. or you can download the route to your smart phone and use it as a sat nav once your purchased the maps. It does not need to be expensive because you only buy the maps you use. For £20 worth of credits you can cover most of the country in lo scale maps. If you want higher scale you buy it square by square to fit your route. Your buy with the remaining credits so while it sounds a lot it really is a cheap way of mapping. I used to have digital mapping systems on computer and phone and have ditched them for this one. it is soooooo easy.
If you fancy trying VIEW RANGER, just down load the free program (it is safe) and select 'Find a Route', then type in WCBCCT in to the search by text box. It will come up with my routes. I think around ten of them. Oh yes. Remember to click the hobby land rover to get car routes in the route "Type" box
I ran a short 1hr session on how to use it last week for my driving team. it went down well with coffee in my living room.
Mark
Let me know what you think.
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Post by markaren76 on Jan 26, 2017 15:55:56 GMT 1
I should have said. Zoom in to see the route locations start points. once you get close enough you will see bertie as a marker to click on to view the route
When driving it can also be used to see where your 'team' are by linking to their smart phone software. simple really
Mark
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Post by wolfie on Jan 27, 2017 22:21:10 GMT 1
Mark
At least one Standard 10 has completed the Club Triumph Round Britain Reliability Run. Thats London to JOG to LE and back to London in approx 48 hours, approx 2100 miles.
With careful planning there is no reason why you and your car should not be able to do it in the 6 days or so you plan.
A team from Belgium came over for the event last year and completed it in a Triumph Renown, they have actually done it twice now.
My intention is to use my 1957 S 10 to do the event when it is next held in 2018
Sean
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