SOUTH CAOST (etc) TRIP – 10th – 16th NOVEMBER 2025…
Monday 10th – Southampton
Our first call of the trip was for the minor service on Mark’s 2001 MGF 120 mpi in Copperleaf (CDX). Nice to see Mark as always for a quick chat before heading off to our digs, for an overnight stay, on Hayling Island.
Tuesday 11th – Hayling Island
A very short commute along the road where it was good to meet John and his 2002 TF 160, in Trophy Yellow (FAR), for replacement of the head gasket. The radiator bleed-screw was snapped off in the hole, but we have a knack of getting them out and carry replacement ones anyway. He’d not long owned the car when the head gasket went, so we’re pleased to have it back up and running again for him to enjoy, it’s a good example having recently had a full respray. Big thanks to John for all the cuppas, sandwiches and cakes, much appreciated.
From there we headed on to our digs for the next three nights in Goring-by-Sea.
Wednesday 12th – Patching
Another short commute, for work on Paul’s LE 500 (number 69) in Vibrant Orange. A couple of things had come up on the recent MOT. We replaced the nearside rear wheel-bearing. We’d taken a new high-level brake light with us, but it was the wiring that was at fault, so this was repaired.
One of the upper suspension arm pin-bushes was badly worn, while we going to be in there anyway Paul asked if we’d replace both sides. The faulty ones came out no problem and new one fitted. The offside one decided it was going to be a pain on one of them, it took about 2 hours to remove the old bush from the arm. We’d taken along a pair of the newly modified top arm pivot kits that Mike Satur produces, they don’t actually have the needle bearings in them, they have Oilite bearings in, see MS website for further interesting information.
Both rear brake calipers freed off, and the car is now good to go again and we got finished before the sun set! Paul does use the car as his daily so is pleased to have it back on the road.
Great to meet Paul, big thanks to him for the endless supply of tea and offers of lunch.
Thursday 13th – Pulburough
The first job of the day was to replace the head gasket on Paul’s fairly new acquisition of a ZR 160, cambelt service also carried out.
Next up was Paul’s wife Juliet’s LE 500 in Intense Blue, which was due for the cambelt service, service items and alternator belt replaced too. We also discovered that the 3-way connector on the coolant hoses was split, a common issue in the LE, we had a new one stock, so replaced this. Finally reverse-light switch replaced and car good to go.
Thanks to their mate Steve for making us a brew.
Friday 14th – West Worthing & Bordon
Another short commute and an early start for the first job of the day to work on Bob’s new acquisition of a MGF 75th Anniversary in Mulberry – CNF. Full cambelt service carried out without any issues. The gazebo had to be deployed as it absolutely tipped it down! Lovely to meet Bob and many thanks to him for the welcomes cuppas, biscuits and offers of breakfast. I forgot to get a photo of the car, as was slightly preoccupied with taking down the gazebo.
After a chat with Bob we headed off to the next call in Bordon.
It was great to meet Roger and his wife, owners of another LE 500 (number 267), this one in Scorched Red. Full cambelt service carried out and replacement of the underfloor coolant-pipes with stainless. Good to have a chat with them both before we headed off.
Saturday 15th – Basingstoke
We left our fab digs and headed over to Basingstoke, where it was good to meet Nick and his 2000 MGF VVC in Wedgewood – JBH. He’d bought the car after it had undergone a fairly major restoration to save it, having owned MGs in the past he wasn’t going to buy another one, but was tempted by this lovely example. He’d found a replacement hood and some seals, and had got in touch a couple of months ago to see if we’d be in the area anytime soon to come and fit them for him, so I added in an extra day on this trip.
An overnight stay in Teignmouth on Saturday night. What a really lovely spot, a new one for us, and the digs were fantastic too.
Sunday 16th – Newton Abbot
That brings us to today, and another day added on the trip to get over to see Alan and his LE 500 (number 353) in Intense Blue.
Engine-oil change, investigate coolant loss, and find the cause for the key fob not working. This will require the services of the genius Mark Brown aka Technozen.
After a chat and a cuppa with Alan we headed off on bit of a long schlep home, but with it being a Sunday the roads have been quiet.
So that’s our last big away trip of the year, and a successful one it’s been. Great to see old faces and meet some new ones too. We’ve been lucky with our digs too on this one. Apart from one dreadful day some decent weather thrown in, unlike many other parts of the country, we’ve been very sad to see on the news, our thoughts are with those affected by storm Claudia.
863 miles, (feels like more), 9 cars and 4 lots of various lodgings. Not long now before we get back to see the cat, and we can look forward to a few days off. – https://ift.tt/n8HyNZW
