Valve Bounce

A Traffic Update from Regent Street - 1910

So you think traffic in London is bad today just look what it was like in 1910.

This picture is from a fabulous new book from English Heritage and Philip Davies called Lost London 1870 - 1945.It doesn't feature much four wheeled action but if you love London it's a must. With 500 spectacular photographs from the London County Council archive featuring lost buildings and streets.

The taxis were very well turned out in those days; some even featured white wall tyres.

Stirling Moss in serious fall after lift shaft accident

Good luck to Sir Stirling Moss after a serious fall at his home at the weekend. He fell down three storeys after a lift malfunction and broke both ankles, let's hope he makes a speedy recovery and is back in a car soon.

According to this report about his gadget filled house the lift was made from carbon fibre by the Williams F1 team.

Triumph TR3A stars in pop video

Anyone remember Fantastic Something? They were two Greek born brothers that were based in the UK (no Wham! references please). In the early 80s they had a hit with If She Doesn't Smile (It'll Rain) on Cherry Red and then disappeared after a couple of other releases. 

Here's the long forgotten video for their hit. It stars a TR3A plus some walk-on parts for a Mini, Triumph Herald, Ford Zodiac MK1 and a Ford Zodiac Lowline all very twee...The world has moved on a bit in the meantime. Thanks to @tracey_thorn for the reminder.

The first Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet of spring

The sun is shining and spring has almost sprung in London. So a few more oldies have been tempted out of their garages. This spotted in Primrose Hill yesterday...

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Themed Garages

Ever wondered who puts together the wonderful garage sets at the Goodwood revival meeting, and where they get all those period accessories?

This Gulf petrol station was particularly striking last year.

Well here's the answer... a company call Themed Garages, and they've just started selling their services. So if you would like the look of 1950s Le Mans  to compliment your D Type or maybe a 1960s cafe to match your Lambretta look no further.

Roger Edwards Open Day

As it says in the Mercedes Club Magazine this month in an article about the company;

If you need help with a chrome bumpered Mercedes, whether it's a restoration, a repair, advice, parts or rally preparation - take the Metropolitan line to Amersham to Roger Edwards Motors.

My car had been there for a month or so while an annoying misfire was tracked down (more of that some other time) but last week they had an open day that luckily coincided with me picking the car up. The photos below show there was a great turn out together with a rare sight of the sun.

The business moved from Wembley to Amersham in 2009 and the workshop is now fully bedded in and full of old Mercedes of all sorts. A very nicely restored white 3.5 cabriolet caught my eye, this had just been sold as the previous owner Richard Ashcroft, the bodywork by Nigel Cooper was fabulous.

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Triumph TR6 - A real old barge

Also on the streets on Notting Hill was this Triumph TR6 with an interesting and quite unique accessory.

Is it hiding some aquatic capability??

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Mercedes-Benz 220SE Cabriolet - hanging on in there

The back streets of Notting Hill have featured this 220SE Cabriolet for a long time. It's parked in the street and always looks just slightly dilapidated. There's a rich honest patina but it looks basically sound and complete.

It seems quite at home in its boho surroundings. It must have seen some sights over the years...

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3D Copiers and Printers - They Will Save Your Old Car Forever

I'm not kidding... 3D coping and printing has got to be the most significant bit of technology produced in the classic car world in the last 50 years.

The possibilities are endless, only limited by your imagination. As Jay Leno says...

If you had a one-off Ferrari engine, you could scan each part and then re-create the entire motor. Right now, we’re scanning a Duesenberg body. It’s a classic example of high tech melding with old tech. There are cars sitting in garages around the country, and they haven’t moved in years for lack of some unobtainable part. Now they can hit the road once more, thanks to this technology.

My 1907 White engine would never have run again because its slide valve (or D-valve) was shot. We built that part, and now the car is back on the street.

Astonishing.

Merry Christmas