Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[RED-DOG]

The engine from an Austin Cambridge was virtually identical to the one in the A60 van, and what's more they were readily available at that time, every scrap yard had a dozen or so. Cars with the bodywork shot, but engine still going strong.

[RED-DOG]

Tracy bought a Cambridge engine, complete with gearbox, and resolved to fit it 'As a lump' i.e. both engine and box together.

Click to see full-size image.

[RED-DOG]

When you fit a gearbox, there is a hole in the prop-shaft tunnel where the gear-stick pokes through.

Click to see full-size image.

[RED-DOG]

When Tracy fitted his gear-box, the hole in the prop-shaft tunnel wasn't quite far enough back for the gear-stick to come through. No, bother, he got the cutting tackle and elongated the hole by about 6 inches, setting fire to the interior of the van several times in the process.

[RED-DOG]

While the Austin Cambridge engine was exactly the same as the one in the van, the gear-box turned out to be about 18 inches longer than the old one.

He kept making the hole bigger and bigger, until eventually, the gear-stick came through. The problem was, it came through in the back of the van. What's more, there was a huge gaping hole about a yard long long that extended all the way from the floor pan, on between the seats and beyond.

[RED-DOG]

Tracy took his 'New' van for a test drive. The engine was a purler and the car gear ratio meant that it went like shit off a shovel.


Please as punch, he covered the hole in the floor with an old overcoat, threading the gear-stick through one of the sleeves as a makeshift gator.

When he drove it, he had to reach behind himself to change gear, which was quite alarming if you were a passenger because he used to have to lean over and face the wrong way to see what he was doing.

Eventually, he became expert at it and could change gear without taking his eyes off the road. No one else could drive it. It really was a one man van.

Throughout the whole process, I had been an incredulous bystander, alternately shaking my head and rolling about with laughter. I laughed when he found out the gearbox was too long, I laughed when he cut the hole in the floor, I laughed when he set the van alight, and I laughed most of all when I saw him drive it.

We reminisced about it on Sunday, and I laughed all over again. It is still one of the funniest things I've ever seen, but I guess you had to be there.

[TightEnd]

Was this pre MOT's Tom, or wasn't that a concern for your brother?

[technolog]

Great story-telling Red.

[RED-DOG]

Was this pre MOT's Tom, or wasn't that a concern for your brother?

MOT's were compulsory back then, but nothing like as strict as they are now. Requirements were that your vehicle had lights, a horn, at least the min tire tread depth, working brakes and steering.

You could probably pass an MOT if your car had no engine at all.

Failing that, bent mechanics were thick on the ground, or you could buy black market certificates for about six or seven quid a pop. 

[david3103]

The story of Tracey's vanb just had me laughing out loud - thanks for that, it's not been a good week chez pokerpops

[millidonk]

Was this pre MOT's Tom, or wasn't that a concern for your brother?

MOT's were compulsory back then, but nothing like as strict as they are now. Requirements were that your vehicle had lights, a horn, at least the min tire tread depth, working brakes and steering.

You could probably pass an MOT if your car had no engine at all.

Failing that, bent mechanics were thick on the ground, or you could buy black market certificates for about six or seven quid a pop. 

Also I once heard you could put tax disks in brake fluid, then put them in milk all the writing goes away and you could just fill them in yourselves back in the days of hand written tax discs. Is this true or is it another lie i was told growing up.

[RED-DOG]

Was this pre MOT's Tom, or wasn't that a concern for your brother?

MOT's were compulsory back then, but nothing like as strict as they are now. Requirements were that your vehicle had lights, a horn, at least the min tire tread depth, working brakes and steering.

You could probably pass an MOT if your car had no engine at all.

Failing that, bent mechanics were thick on the ground, or you could buy black market certificates for about six or seven quid a pop. 

Also I once heard you could put tax disks in brake fluid, then put them in milk all the writing goes away and you could just fill them in yourselves back in the days of hand written tax discs. Is this true or is it another lie i was told growing up.

In the days before everything was computerised at Swansea the police had to rely on looking at the tax disc to see if it was authentic. There were of course frequent (And often successful) attempts at alteration / forgery.

Brake fluid was one method, but very messy and a bit hit & miss.

A Guinness label has got many a man out of, (or into) trouble too. 

[Machka]

So on Sunday I rode my bike over to my brother Tracy's place. It's about 25m each way so that's a 50 mile training run under my belt.

Having said that, it wasn't like a proper 50 miles,  I took the roads less travelled and dawdled and gorped may way through some lovely old 'Time forgot' Leicestershire villages.

I can't begin to describe how beautiful it was. I've posted a few pictures, but you will just have to imagine the smell of the blossom, the hum of the bees, the birdsong, and the sun on your back.

What bike do you have, to cover that sort of distance it must be a proper racing bike I'd imagine?

[Machka]

A surprisingly impressive wikki


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Costner

Which made me look at another persons wiki. 

I shall protect the innocent by not mentioning names but you might be able to guess this from the subtle clues.

He was approached by BSkyB, for a role on the Sky Poker channel in October and was offered the role of Poker Consultant, which he accepted. He later screen-tested for an analysts role on the same show, were he was given the job as the Grandad of Sky Poker.

Lol. It really says that?

Yes!  Sadly this quote from an earlier revision has been edited out.

Another secret he keeps is that he fancies his co-worker Richard Orford which he has kept a secret for over 2 years. He also thinks Ed Giddens is quiffalicious. He also just loves nothing better than a night in with Richard Orford and a box of wine.

[RED-DOG]

So on Sunday I rode my bike over to my brother Tracy's place. It's about 25m each way so that's a 50 mile training run under my belt.

Having said that, it wasn't like a proper 50 miles,  I took the roads less travelled and dawdled and gorped may way through some lovely old 'Time forgot' Leicestershire villages.

I can't begin to describe how beautiful it was. I've posted a few pictures, but you will just have to imagine the smell of the blossom, the hum of the bees, the birdsong, and the sun on your back.

What bike do you have, to cover that sort of distance it must be a proper racing bike I'd imagine?

No, it's a pretty bog standard push-bike affair. Average speed 10mph. (I have added a few bits and bobs though).


The first pic shows it in 'travelling light' mode (The one in the middle)

Second pic with the dog on board, and 3rd pic with full camping gear.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.