The journey home

Considering it’s done about 30 miles in the last 6 years, a longer-distance journey of 80+ miles unaccompanied was always going to be fun / slightly mental! Weather-wise, the 6th Nov 2011 couldn’t have been better – one of the reasons why this weekend was a winner – warm, blue sky, no rain, no salt etc! I even had to open the windscreen this morning as it was a touch on the warm side!

A quick wash at the previous owner’s place and a wipe of the windows which are now see-through and a couple of cups of coffee consumed, there was then the flurry of messages – where’s the brake reservoir? New battery fitted – fine, but not charging? Once the hatch in the floor had been opened, reservoir was brim full. Likewise, the radiator only needed a litre or so of antifreeze. Good job I’d been across on Wednesday and cleaned the plugs – which were filthy, dirtier than any I’ve seen! It started first time, after less than a couple of seconds.

With all that done, it was time to go. A short run into Stone to the Shell garage saw it filled (£125) and the tyres pumped up to the right pressure. Then, off on the slog across the A50 (Britain’s most boring road?), round Nottingham and onto the A52. I have to say, 326 ran amazingly sweetly all the way- though I was hardly thrashing it at 40. It behaved very well, bar the battery not charging, so no lunch stops just in case it ran out of juice or wouldn’t start again…. Having driven a fair few Bedford MKs through my years of TA service, I would say that it’s a much better drive – although I guess it’s slightly heavier so doesn’t bounce as much and has only done just over 5,400 miles! Certainly double de-clutching is the way forward, thank heavens I was taught to drive Bedfords in my UOTC days by our barman who’d done National Service with the RAF and learned to drive on RLs!

I arrived at Grantham mis-afternoon, took a few pics, before de-kitting it. Getting it into the parking space was amusing, least of all because unlike Bedford MKs, it doesn’t ride the clutch well and tends to bounce with the usual accompaniment of noise and vibrating drive train. Once the clutch has bitten, progress was smooth. What was a winner though – the new Spafax mirrors – which unlike the previous mirrors, offer a clear rearward view.

Needless to say, most of the kit appears to be present even down to the lightweight pump tool kit in its canvas bag (please let me know if anything obvious is missing!). All the stuff and the battery has been removed and will be in a friend’s garage later this week (amazing what you can fit into an MG ZT estate!) - just in case the light fingered lift a few bits!

Now - on with the long list of jobs!!