A three monthly update this time. After passing the SVA, I took a bit of time out to reflect upon what I’d achieved to date. I wasn’t on the road straight after the SVA as I still had the formality of the DVLA inspection to undergo. I didn’t want to do too much on the car as I felt it’d be best to leave it pretty much ‘as is’ until afterwards. So, off I went to the Stoneleigh Kit Car Show and bought a few bits. It was quite strange really. Normally, I’d be rushing about trying to get everything on my list and not have very much time to chat with fellow Hoodies. This time though, the list was fairly short and I had much more time for socialising! - Aye up, looks like rain again!

The week after the show, I'd got the car booked in at my local garage for a Four Wheel Alignment Check. I wasn’t sure if this was really necessary, but I did want to be sure that the car was running straight and was properly tracked. It’s probably a good job that I did. The tracking was out, despite my best efforts with long pieces of string. The front wheel camber was out too, so this got sorted as well.

The day came. DVLA Day! (21st May) and I had to take the car to Leeds - on a trailer! At the DVLA Station after a cursory glance to check the engine & chassis numbers were all in order and some paperwork was provided to prove ownership etc, I was on my way back home. I’d been told there’d be quite a wait but lo and behold on 25th May, my Tax Disc arrived and I was on the road officially!

My first run out was absolutely fantastic. It was a nice day and it seemed like everyone was staring as I went by. Such a great feeling of accomplishment and pride, which will live with me for a long time.
I did have one issue though. The plough ground out on a bumpy bend. I wound up the springs about as far as they'd go. This provided more ground clearance, but I was fairly sure that the shocks were going to be pretty short lived.

Thoughts then turned to getting the weather gear fitted. Despite the supplied instructions, I really struggled with this. I chose to fit the front of the hood with awning rail. The hood is now fitted but not 100% effective. I think I now know what needs to be done but to be honest; I'm leaving it for now whilst I just enjoy driving.

In June, I went to the Newark Kit Car Show. This time though with my car! The trip down was trouble-free and I had a really good weekend. I camped overnight with the gang and was On Parade! I'm thoroughly looking forward to the next one.

After a few hundred miles, the car started to run rather rough. I tracked this down to the points, which were burning out. I wasn't sure why this was, so I got a new set (and a new condensor). After another few hundred miles though, these went the same way. A new coil burned out another set of points in about two minutes. It was clear that something was amiss, but I couldn’t track it down. To cut a long story short, I ended up fitting electronic ignition and since then, there have been no further problems. Towards the end of June, it suddenly dawned on me that I'd never checked the cam belt! I soon got hold of one (and a tensioner) and got them fitted. At the same time I fitted a thermostat, as there wasn't one in! Around the same time, I also got a Carb Service Kit as the accelerator pump diaphragm was leaking.

So, only a few issues really and at the end of July, I took the car for a tune-up to Bogg Bros near Malton, who are highly recommended: The results of their findings were as follows:
 • Car running too lean
     Primary Main Jet: Was 140 (Now 150) could go to 160. Secondary Main Jet: Was 140 (Now 145) could go to 150.
 • Too much Advance - Dizzy probably worn resulting in 42 degrees of Advance.
     Cured by disconnecting and blocking off Vac Advance. Bob Weights alone now giving 32 degrees - Declared OK.
 • Timing checked and declared OK at 11 degrees. (I'd set it to 10 degrees. Not bad for my ancient strobe light).
 • Rolling Road @ 5000RPM indicated 100BHP at the wheels (approximately 120BHP at the flywheel).
The car now seems to run more freely and pulls stronger. I'd thoroughly recommend these guys - Well worth a visit.

The next day, I took a run up to Hawes and met up with a couple of Hoodies. We took a run along Buttertubs Pass from the Tan Hill Inn. This was my first run out with other Robin Hoods and it was great fun. Thanks Guys!

So, the car is really starting to settle in nicely. Not bad for an amateur and a 17 year old Sierra. Still grinning, this long afterwards. There's plenty of odd jobs still to do, but three months on and 1,900 miles later, we're getting along famously.