R.White

It's when they steal bronze War Memorial plaques that you know the bottom of the barrel has been well and truly scraped.? Ray.

Those of us who to hope to take something positive from Brexit are pushing for the reinstatement of hedgerows and sustainable farming methods. Many hedgerows have been grubbed out by farmers; heavily subsidised through E.U. "land improvement" schemes. Our Government, for all it's faults, has signalled that in future, subsidies will only be paid for environmental enhancement. I for one welcome that .

If you Google 34 The Street, Shalford, Guildford. you should find the Tudor cottage we used to own. The house was built in 1530 and is unbelievably original. The downside with many of these ancient places, however, is that they were built at the edge of what would have been just a dirt track but now have a lot of road traffic to contend with. When we sold up (for work ) we had over 100 viewings but in the end it was a nice American couple who fell in love with the old place. It's original name was "Brambledens" and began as an open "hall house" which would have been thatched. There would have been an open fire in the middle of the room and the smoke would have dissipated through the roof. Soot deposits are still visible on the rafters in the attic. In the early 17th century a first floor was added and a magnificent 'Inglenook' fire place with bread oven and smoking loft installed. I miss the old place with its massive beams and oak panelling etc. ...but not the noisy road! Ray.

Sadly, the number of historic vehicles seen on British roads is declining and has been for some time. I don't possess a trailer so I will happily drive on the roads hereabouts. I do have some nice country lanes to choose from - and some attractive watering holes to head for - but I steer clear of motorways. I fear if we don't use our old cars as they were intended we will give the powers that be the impression that we don't either need or want the right to do so. Ray.

DOHHH.!

I was born pure. ? Don't know what happened.?

These superchargers don't half make a racket.!!

Hi Bill. Are you going to fit it to your DB?

I know the (rather pedestrian) British sport scar, the MG TC, can be transformed by fitting a supercharger. The bottom end obviously needs to be in good condition but generally, this is a modification that can be done under the hood that keeps the running gear original and is eminently reversible - although no one who has done this would want to go back to the twin carb set up. I don't know if there is a blower that would bolt on to a 1930's Dodge in the same, no hassle, way but it might be a consideration worth investigating.

I have a suspicion the main reason for your posting here has more to do with fishing than fettling. I expect you think we will all start beating the drums and become terribly upset that you might even consider hotting up your original antique car. Once everyone is against you and telling you how wicked you are to make any changes to the running gear you will presumably feel justified in doing it anyway. I anticipate you will strip out the original drivetrain and replace it with something modern because that way you slap down the purists who you really can't stand. No doubt we will be treated to a series of posts that you imagine will have the desired effect and attract even more criticism; thus giving you even more self justification for your actions. I can imagine you saying something like: "How dare anyone tell me what to do with my car. It's my money and my time and no one gets to dictate to me" etc. etc. I can understand how frustrating it must be for you that cars built back in the 1930s were not designed to go more quickly than they do. Perhaps they should have known better...? Ray.

O.K. My mistake. I was confusing Stoke, Coventry with Stoke on Trent. Humber did once have a motor works at Beeston, Nottingham (quite close to me in Derby - but in the opposite direction)...but I think that closed quite early on. Ray. https://www.historiccoventry.co.uk/nowandthen/content.php?pg=humber-wks

Was your car built at the Stoke works? I live just over 30 miles from there.! Ray.

The guy sounds like a chancer.

If I know anything, I know there is ALWAYS another deal. Chin up!

At that money I would take a punt. So long as it drives O.K. and doesn't smoke or rattle if it only lasts a year you will have had your money's worth. Ray.

Good point. Steel will corrode because it is more anodic than brass.

I would not use brass screws in the body frame but for your doors I am sure it is O.K. Ray.

One of the problems that I have experienced with both my coach built cars is rusted screws. The problem is that the screw head can sheer off under load. What I do is apply heat by holding a soldering iron onto the screw head. After a while the heat will singe the wood enough to allow the screw to be removed easily. Ray.

I don't see how the emergency brake would wear? All it does is stop the car from rolling away. Ray.

You are not alone in fighting an up hill battle with your 'olders and betters'. I bought my first car when I was 16 and had plans on getting it running and ready for when I was old enough to take driving lessons. My father had other ideas. The car in question was a little Ford Popular 103E ("sit up and beg" style). Although it was a non runner it was completely rust free and held a good shine. I had known the car from my time in the 'Boy Scouts' when it had been reliable transport when we had been on a camping expedition in Wales. Touring the narrow mountain roads had been great fun and I had many happy memories so this was THE car for me and I had become fond of it. The Scoutmaster let me have the car for the peppercorn price of £2. I was probably only worth that as scrap but my Father refused to have such an old and dated car on his drive. It would not have fitted in with the new house and his new car. I had to hand back the keys and the £2 and see the car taken away for scrap. It broke my heart at the time but I got over it eventually. To his credit, my Father realised his snobbish attitude had caused me to harbour a teenage resentment and one day he bought me a lovely old 'Austin of England' which I have to say was a much better car than the Ford.?

I would like a "Harry Potter" garage. One that magically enlarges itself to accommodate every new demand!?

^^^Spot the odd one out on that sign.....^^^

The unique feature of the older DODGE BROTHERS font must surely be the capital letter 'E'. The middle bar extends beyond the upper and lower bars. I can't find this anywhere so perhaps it is a design unique to Dodge Brothers.? Ray.

What auburn seeker has just said about you being in the right country to achieve your dreams is right. All I will say is that if you were to aim that high in Britain you would probably be laughed at rather than encouraged. There is still a stifling class based attitude that holds many people back. The fact we still have an unelected second chamber - The House of Lords - gives you a clue.... Ray.

I have a particular liking for these ancient houses. In fact my wife and I used to own a very original 16th century "Hall" house built in 1530. This was a particularly pretty (grade 2 listed) house in the conservation area of Shalford, near Guildford in the County of Surrey. Originally it would have had no first floor and a hearth in the middle of the room with the smoke escaping through the thatched roof. Soot deposits were still evident in the loft. At some time in the 17th century a first floor and staircase were added to provide bedrooms. In the lounge we had a magnificent walk in inglenook fireplace in which I installed a replica American "Franklin" log stove with the date 1776 and a spread eagle on the front - the significance of which I fear would be lost on most English people!!