Too many balls...

Oh I know, I have been bad at this blogging business. Actually, that isn't true - it's not that I am bad keeping the blog updated, but that there is no update to post. My poor 411 is still on the drive, still without coolant and, ergo, still off the road.

Sadly, since this all started my MoT has expired and now the job is bigger. The good news is that my father is due down two weeks after Easter for us to perform the two tasks of getting it roadworthy and enjoying father/son bonding. Ah...

Have I lost interest in the old girl? Not a bit of it. I have, as usual, taken on just a little more than I can chew with a Victorian house, 35 year old car and two businesses. For those that are interested in where most of my time goes, take a look at WeCanDo.BIZ - an offer will be posted to all blog readers of how to subscribe to the top membership level for nowt in due course. Keep this page bookmarked!

Off-road Bristol!

No, not a new SUV, but news (belatedly!) that my 411 has been off the road for some weeks over the last of the summer due to a perished hose emptying the system of coolant! Fortunately I managed to stop before too much harm was done, in spite of it happening on a stretch of motorway. However, some weeks have passed since the occasion as I have searched for time and the parts to fix the problem.

In short, the mount of the lower pipe from the radiator to the engine block, where it meets the block, had started to give in. There had been some signs of impending doom as on a few occasions I had found the car releasing steam in spite of the fact that the temperature guage, which I consider reliable, had not found its way into the danger zone. I kept topping the car up though and the problem remained intermittent.

Until, that is, one morning whilst returning to Windsor from Marlow when slowing down in heavy traffic gave the steam opportunity to engulf the front of the car! I stopped soon after.

My thanks go to those on the Bristol Enthusiasts Email Forum who offered advice on locating replacement hoses. After spotting that the upper hose had different diameter ends, I decided to visit some motor factors for a match rather than risk a bad fit from something ordered over the net. Problem is, most factors hold many pieces of hose and seemed unable to produce an obvious match easily (this may be different if you found one that stocked original Mopar parts, but they are few and far between in Blighty). So I gave Mr Morelli at Bristol Car Services a call and he supplied a silicone Blenheim hose for a reasonable £45. It is a different length - the Blenheim looks to have the radiator mounted closer to the engine, as the piece is shorter - but this doesn't matter as I'll just hack it and use either end on the metal tube that bridges the two rubber hoses on the 411. Job done! Or at least it will be if the rain stops for Sunday.

I know I have been remiss with updates, but as soon as the car gets back on the road I'll post more details, including all costs to date which I have to say are pretty unsignificant (hose, oil and a new radio aerial!).

Facebook group

Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/) seems to be mainly a hang out for teenagers, but if you can avoid that aspect it's also a way to get back in touch and stay in touch with old friends. Newly addicted, I have added a group called "We love Bristol Cars" for those of us who'd like a fix when on Facebook. Owners and fans welcomed. Check it out!

New pictures of my car

I have been meaning for some time to post some new pictures of my Bristol, but never seem to find the time to get my camera out due to one thing or another. Well would you believe it? Some nice chaps from NCP, employed under contract to Reading City Council, have done a splendid job for me for the reasonable sum of £30 - and they let me park in Reading all evening for free to boot. I would recommend their services, especially if you have business in the area and can't find a car park.

New Bristol badge!

While looking around the web for some Bristol information, I discovered this picture (left) on the Autocar website, which seems to show a revised Bristol Cars badge - I am guessing from the steering wheel boss of a Fighter.

Anyone wish to identify the difference?

Crushed by the council: the classic car that was parked legally

Sad news from today's Daily Mail: Sam Frost tells us of an article revealing that London's Lambeth council towed away a legally parked, registered and taxed Bristol 411, crushing it soon after. The owner believed it had been stolen before discovering its true fate. This was in 2004. Since then he has been pursuing the council for compensation, which is still not forthcoming. Let's hope the sum, when it appears, is covered by pursuing through the criminal justice system the inidividuals concerned - or insurance, rather than Lambeth's unfortunate council tax payers. You can read the full article, including comments from readers, by clicking here.

UPDATE: Mr Stewart's predicament is also getting some discussion, and support, on the PistonHeads enthusiasts website - click here to read the forum topic.

The Bristol 411 at the Earl's Court Motor Show 1969

An amusing link sent on to me from a fellow Bristol Owners Club member of footage from Pathe of the Earl's Court motor show of 1969 and a brief look at the Bristol 411 (click the image to the left).

Some other interesting cars in the clip too - though not many of the others can still be seen on the roads today!