Another quarterly update. Not too many things to report but one tale of woe, so here goes. At the end of August, I went to York Dragway and met up with a few other Hoodies. There was quite a selection of cars there, from standard hot hatches to quite heavily tuned cars. Some even turned up with cars on trailers, complete with spare sets of wheels! I got there pretty early and before any of the other Hoodies had turned up, I'd already had four runs. All circa 16 secs (I really wanted to know the 0 - 60mph time but that wasn't given). My main problem was getting used to changing gear at the most optimum time. Only more practice though would improve this. Anyway, I digress.... After my sixth run, I slowed down and turned off the strip to go along the narrow road back to the start area. As I did so, the NS wheel gave a strange wobble and then...... Crunch! The nut had come off the outer lower wishbone joint and car and I ground and slithered to a stop just onto the grass. All a bit embarrassing really. It was a lock nut, but as fas as I can recall, it'd probably been on and off more than once. I take this as a hard lesson learnt. Not too much damage apart from a nice cut on the inner wheel rim, just like it had been on a lathe. I found the nut further up the track, but the thread was really mangled and I couldn't get it back on. After much searching, asking just about everybody there and dithering about, I nearly gave up hope of finding a replacement nut. For the first time ever I was faced with the prospect of calling out the breakdown truck. I wasn't quite sure though (especially with it being a Bank Holiday) how the breakdown service would treat me, given that I was at an Off-Highway Event. Towards the end of the day though, one of the officials got really serious and started crawling about under some scrap cars for something suitable. Then at the last knockings, another official produced one out of his toolbox - Phew! I soon got this on but by this time the day was over so I toddled off home. I don't think I'm the first person to suffer from this mishap. The new nut is still on and hasn't budged. I'll be making some modifications over the winter though to ensure there's no possibility of a repeat occurrence. Thanks to everyone who gave their sympathy, lifts and help.

OK, so that's the bad new over with, the good news is fairly short in comparison. Basically, there's not a lot more to say. The car has been running really well, apart from the fact that it doesn't like the damp weather very much. A quick dose of WD40 now and then though, seems to keep it sweet. September & October continued to see the car in daily use for commuting etc. I've had yet another go a getting the hood to fit correctly. I've done away with securing the front of the hood with awning rail and fitted 'Lift-the-Dots' instead. I think it's now about as good as it will ever be. I can run at sustained motorway speeds in pretty cold & wet weather and stay surprisingly snug.

In October I had a run over to meet the North West Hoodies and we all then took a trip through the Blackpool Illuminations. The evening was traditionally finished off with good old Fish & Chips!

By November, I'd become completely fed up with the old Diff whining. After sourcing a good second-hand one, I managed to get this swapped over. It's much quieter now (although not silent) and was well worth doing.

So that's about it. Nearly 5000 miles on the clock and still running OK. Thoughts are now turning to a list of jobs that need to be done over the winter.


These include:
 •  Service.  •  New Shocks All Round.  •  Re-Wrap Exhaust Manifold.  • Front Mudflaps.
I'm sure there'll be more!