Rapier Posted October 29, 2022 Share Posted October 29, 2022 (edited) Todays photographs show little or no change. I should be ashamed that week after week ot sits there in the car port going nowhere. If I suggest that we should sell it I am met with howls of protest. I suppose that at least it is as good as having money in the bank. If I go out now and connect up the battery charger I can see then if it is willing to start. I do have to go out a little later today and I could go in the Rapier if only to prove to myself that I can still drive it. Edited October 30, 2022 by Rapier (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 I have just returned from a short drive to our local shopping centre. Today I decided to give our faithful Peugeot an outing. It is just a couple of miles each way but far enough to get the motor warm. It started "on the button" but is reluctant to idle. (A minor adjustment). But other than that still drives very well. It is a great shame that it does not get more use, or perhaps more attention. It stands out in the open day after day, week after week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Tate Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 Definitely get the Rapier charged up and out! I am sure Helen needs to get out of the house just for the change of scenery. Take her for ride to get a cup of coffee or ice cream or something!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted October 31, 2022 Share Posted October 31, 2022 Better than that we are going on the first day/night of the now cancelled "Wander". We had make the hotel booking some time ago and think that one night away will not hurt us. We will go in the VW where we can travel in "air-conditioned comfort". We have now cancelled the rest of the week's accomodation. so it will be just one night away from home. Bj. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 Now the weekend away is all over. In the end we were the only Club Members going. It was interesting to say the least. We ended up with the Hotel completely to our selves, even the Hotel staff did not bother turning up for work. We let ourselves in having been given the necessary "key-code". We never saw another person for the entire week end. Just think we could have raided the bar and bottle shop. Just as well we are honest. The next morning there was still no sign of Hotel staff, we went out and had breakfast "Up the street" at a local cafe, even then, that did not open until after 9.00 am. So no early morning start. Bj. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Tate Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 Sounds like a nice quiet weekend away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 Certainly if by quiet you mean pointless. At least it got us away from our day to day program of living. It probably added another 500 kms to Helen's VW's speedo total. It could be said to be a short break rather than a holiday. I did all the driving as Helen is in the early recovery stage of open heart surgery. This appears to be going well. Bj. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrData Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 Sounds like your outing was a nice change of pace for you and Helen. Too bad the Rapier stayed home. It needs to get out on the road to clear out the SUs Any progress on the Morris? We are away from home until December and already starting to feel MG withdrawal symptoms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger914 Posted November 5, 2022 Share Posted November 5, 2022 Quiet, pointless, short break, or holiday, after a couple years of being locked down on and off and even when you're not locked down hard everything closed, sometimes it's just nice to have a night away from home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted November 5, 2022 Share Posted November 5, 2022 (edited) The Morris is progressing, It is turning out to be a really interesting project. You need to look at Morris 1922 Raworth Specials. They are a pre MG example of Cecil Kimbers work. He was responsible for the team of six for the London to Landsend Trial that year. Bj. Edited November 5, 2022 by Rapier (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted November 21, 2022 Share Posted November 21, 2022 Here we are almost at the end of November and very little or no further progress has been made on the Morris but there is just one person responsible. That and the time of year when our social life makes all sorts of demands on my time. I did think of selling the car but then I am reminded of my promise, to myself, That as this could very well be my last project, I must follow it through to completion. Bj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrData Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 Fear not, every project goes at its own pace….sometimes we wait…sometimes we need to keep balance in our lives. The project will wait patiently for us. Of course, some progress on the engine could improve your outlook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 (edited) Progress on the Morris may slow evey further. the Lagonda Rapier has just told me in no uncertain manner that it would appreciate a little care and attention to the gearbox. That the "bands" for the intermediate gears really need a little adjusting. While these are self adjusting they appreciate a little human intervention from time to time. Bj. Edited November 23, 2022 by Rapier (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger914 Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 From self cleaning ovens to self adjusting brakes, self always means that yourself is eventually and always somehow involved. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted November 23, 2022 Share Posted November 23, 2022 (edited) The ENV75 Preselect transmission is a little different to both those. The "preselector transmission" relies on friction linings to "engage" each "gear" and are truly "self adjusting" Sadly this is all a little complex to attempt to explain here. The nearest comparision would be the "self" adjustment in some early "automatic" transmissions. Bj. Edited November 23, 2022 by Rapier (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted November 25, 2022 Share Posted November 25, 2022 (edited) This photograph shows the Rapier gearchange before the carpet is put back in place. You can see clearly the six (four short and two long) bolts that retain the lid on to the gearbox. you can also see the gear lever and that it travels back and forth through its quadrant. This motion is taken via a pair of bevel gears to rotate the shaft runing the length of the gear change housing to lift and or depress the arm at the front of the housing. This in turn transmits the motion via the pull rod to another similar arm at the front of the gearbox, this then rotates a camshaft running from front to back inside the gearbox. This camshaft acts on the levers to select each gear as required. It is only when the gearchange pedal is depressed that the PRE-selected gear is engaged. Edited November 28, 2022 by Rapier (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted December 2, 2022 Share Posted December 2, 2022 (edited) Right now I am waiting to take the Rapier to a near-by Specialist, Helen has decreed that I am not to do anything but to leave it all to them. I am not entirely happy with this arrangement but will have to "go along" with it. They do have the necessary equipment to make the new bronze bush required to (hopefully) cure the "sticking in top gear" problem. Meanwhile the Morris Cowley seems to have stalled, mainly due to a lack of enthusiasm on my part! Edited December 2, 2022 by Rapier (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 For now the Morris will have to go on the "back-burner" in old school cooking terms. First and foremost, as always, the Rapier takes priority. I will go over and have a talk with my friends at Historic and Vintage before sending the Rapier over to them. I believe that they have a good "working" knowledge of "Pre-select" gearboxes, BUT I need to be sure before entrusting them with the Rapier. I can remove the passenger side seat, the carpet and the floor before sending the car to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrData Posted December 6, 2022 Share Posted December 6, 2022 I hope your specialist can cure the Rapier’s issues. I know how frustrating it can be, sometimes, to get something working the way it should. We went through the process with new furnace; it took multiple repairmen to figure out and make the correct adjustments needed for optimum efficiency. We had a break in our winter rains so I took my old MG out for a 25 mile drive through the country. It was more than a few weeks and it was a bit cranky until it warmed up. However, it did start on the first pull. Reminded me of my old Healey 100-6 which started first time, e dry time, no matter what the weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 There is a set pattern of "things to do" and the Rapier will "Start on the button". do the wrong thing and it will behave like a naughty little girl and dig it's heels in and refuse to start. Bj, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 Meanwhile, while the Lagonda's transmission is away having one of our local experts giving it a rebuild to end all rebuilds I just have the Morris to think about. Having had the gearbox rebuilt by our local "Vintage Gearbox expert I am now hunting some clutch parts before I can re-install the gearbox. Hopefully these are "In the mail". Being our (Australian) Summer Holidays absolutely nothing moves at more than at a "snail's pace".......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted January 7, 2023 Share Posted January 7, 2023 I must be suffering from "withdrawal" symptoms. To walk out my front door and not be greeted by the Rapier for some weeks now creates an empty feeling, hopefully with the "holiday season" coming to a close my friends at Historic & Vintage will soon be back at work and the Rapier will be ready for use again. It is not that we are planing another trip just yet, it is good to know that after all the work on the "Transmission" it should be once more "Ready to go". Meanwhile, if I am to be honest with myself, hopefully, the Morris will really be my "last project"............. Bj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 There is still no movement with the Rapier, hopefully there will not be too many more weeks with it minus the gearbox. Meanwhile the Morris is not going anywhere. Hopefully I will get the clutch parts that I am waiting for this Friday. Then it has to be put together. Bj. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 I have just returned from a short drive to our local shopping centre. Today I decided to give our faithful Peugeot an outing. It is just a couple of miles each way but far enough to get the motor warm. It started "on the button" It is a great shame that it does not get more use, or perhaps more attention. As always my first and lasting impression is, what a really pleasant car it is to drive. Despite the lack of use, it behaves impeccably. Again it started "on the button" and drives without fuss. The sad part is that once the Lagonda returns home, the Peugeot will be again relegated to being parked outside and without any cover. While the Morris is in the garage awaiting final assembly nothing will change. Bernie J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrData Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 Bernie, Most modern cars, with a decent battery are incredibly reliable. Just be sure that when you take the Peugeot for a drive, that you travel more than seven miles…that is usually what is needed to top up the charge on the battery. I know exactly how you feel with the waiting…can be very frustrating. Good red wine helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 (edited) Thank you Dr Data, One thing I have learnt is that here in Australia you must restrict that "Good Red Wine" to no more than a glass or at most two over an evening. I am still "paying off" the fine that I incurred exactly 12 months ago, when pulled up for a breath test, while driving home from the same VSCC BBQ. I was taken to the local police station where I was kept sitting around for two or three hours waiting to see if my "Blood Content" could be increased. Either way I was just within the limit but as I had some alcohol in my veins I was given the maximum available fine. Just to teach me a lesson! At age 86 I apparently still have things to learn. Here "Down Under" in Australia it seems, that if you want to enjoy a drink or two with friends, you must do it at home. "Big Brother" is alive and well! In the same way we are told we must not to drive our "Vintage Sports Cars" at more than 30 mph. (60 kph) Such is life. I am glad that I have already had most of mine! Bernie J. I just hope that the "Internet Police" are not reading this! Edited January 21, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 Now for something I should have done some time ago. I need to work out the way to combime both my threads without losing any of the content. Bernie J. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 Do I really need a new project? 12346 By Rapier, January 18, 2022 230 replies 5.5k views Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 My real task is to get the Rapier, complete with rebuilt gearbox back from Historic and Vintage. I do not want it becoming too comfortable there, and I do not want them to start thinking that it is part of their "fixtures and fittings". It has been there too long already. I am in danger of thinking that it is "normal" for there to be no Rapier waiting to greet me as I go out our front door. Having the part dismantled Morris in the Garage is bad enough. Much to Helen's chagrin I have advertised the Morris for sale as an unfinished project. I will be very surprised if anyone shows any real interest in Buying it. Bj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 Having spoken with my friends at H & V, they in turn are waiting for one shaft to come back from the "Platers" where it is recieving a coat of "Hard Chrome". Bj. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 (edited) And now another week has quietly slipped by. Still no word from H&V regarding the progress or lack of with the Rapiers gearbox. Now purely out of frustration I have "given" the Morris project to our second son Steven, Just what he does with it remains to be seen. After the "buckets" of money I have splashed on it I just hope that he 1. Comes and takes it away and 2. That he actually does something with it. First thing is to persuade him to come and collect it. Then at least, WHEN the Rapier finally comes home I will have somewhere to put it. Perhaps then I should, park it in the garage, jack it up so the tyres are not touching the ground. disconnect the battery, pull a dust cover over it. Finally lock the garage door(s) and throw the key away. Changing the subject ever so slightly. Above is the Austin 12-6 that I rescued some years ago. It went to an enthusiastic new owner in England. I have not heard anything of its activities for some years now. It was potentially a very good car ............................................ For the benefit of all those people who cannot work it out, it was a 12hp, six cylinder, it had twin SU Carburettors. Bj Edited January 28, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahebron Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 Hi Bernie Can I ask you some technical questions regarding the Lagonda Rapier engine. More than happy to do it on the forum so more will learn from my troubles. There is also a Rapier for sale here in NZ, the link might disappear if the car sells https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/other/other/listing/3985966210 Thanks Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 (edited) Hello Adrian I do know of this cars existence, it is actually a post 1935 "Rapier" built by the company formed to take over the un-assembled Rapier parts after the parent Lagonda Company briefly went into receiver ship. There was an arrangement where two or three of the then redundant executives agreed to take over the stock of unassembled parts with a view to continue trading as the Rapier Car Co. They continued to assemble cars until 1938/9. It as are the majority of "Rapier Cars" fitted with a body built by the Ranalah Coachbuilding Co. The Rapier Register has a listing of virtually all the known existing Lagonda Rapiers as well as the "Rapiers". I have previously owned several Lagonda Rapiers & Rapier cars over a very long period of time. I have owned my present Lagonda Rapier since 1968/9. I am happy to discuss any aspects of the cars and their mechanical components (engines etc). The two cars in the photograph are my Lagonda Rapier with a "Rapier' in the background. You can see the (slight) difference in the radiator badges. My Car is an "Eagle" two seater, the car behind it is 1936 & has a "Bertelli" two seater body. Rapiers only rarely come up "for sale". All "Rapiers" have coach built bodies, neither Lagonda or the Rapier Car Co supplied cars with factory built bodies. It could be said that no two are exactly the same! You can email:-twooldlags@gmail.com Edited February 13, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 (edited) "Right now I am waiting to take the Rapier to a near-by Specialist, Helen has decreed that I am not to do anything but to leave it all to them. I am not entirely happy with this arrangement but will have to "go along" with it. They do have the necessary equipment to make the new bronze bush required to (hopefully) cure the "sticking in top gear" problem." Believe it or not the above is a copy of my entry for December 3rd 2022, that is last year. Even allowing for the extravagant Christmas Holidays given to Australian "Workers" it is actually now well into 2023. Apart from a string of dubious excuses. It is difficult for me to see that any progress has been made on the gearbox. It is now out of the car and dismantled but not very much evidence of any further work. Oh well. I am now into my 87th year, I can only wonder how much more time sitting behind the steering wheel of the Rapier I will be granted. Do we dare to even dream about another "Touring Holiday in France" ...... Bj. Edited February 17, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted February 24, 2023 Share Posted February 24, 2023 (edited) "Right now I am waiting to take the Rapier to a near-by Specialist" Oh dear' what a mistake, The latest in a gaggle of crooks and robbers these "Specialist Pre-selector" repairers now have had my gearbox sitting dismantled on their "work" bench for over THREE MONTHS. The current excuse is that the Chrome Platers had made a mistake and are having to do the job again. I just hope that does not mean yet another three months of delays and feeble excuses!!!!!!!!!! I know who made the mistake! All this is my own fault, for giving them the job instead of doing it my self. Oh well I guess that it is saving me all that "Heavy lifting". Meanwhile the Lagonda Rapier is gathering dust. Looking on the bright side, I have been able to do some work on the Morris. I am getting on with the interior trim. I am still thinking about who should put the gearbox back into it. I have asked my son if he would like to do this job if I pay him the same as H&V would charge. Oh well, Once they have finished with the Lagonda they should have a space for the Morris. It really does not matter how long it sits in their "work-shop". This is of course provided that they do not charge for "waiting time". Edited February 28, 2023 by Rapier Spelling mistake. (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 (edited) Surprise, Surprise! The Lagonda is STILL at H&V waiting on its gearbox rebuild, meanwhile I have decided to "give" the Morris to my son Steve so that he together with his son Otto can do the necessary work on putting it back together. Just how long they take is not important. While still in his 'teens" Otto has put a number of motorcycles back together that he had acquired in bits. Bj. Edited March 1, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 AND here is a copy of my "post on December 3rd Last Year. Right now I am waiting to take the Rapier to a near-by Specialist, Helen has decreed that I am not to do anything but to leave it all to them. I am not entirely happy with this arrangement but will have to "go along" with it. They do have the necessary equipment to make the new bronze bush required to (hopefully) cure the "sticking in top gear" problem. How quickly the time has passed? Today is Thursday March 9th! And I still have no idea when I will get the Lagonda back, OR IF the sticking in top gear problem will be cured? Just a quick "post script" I am told that the Lagonda should be ready for "Road Testing" tomorrow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 Just one other problem or perhaps two. I still do not know what has been done to/with my car over the past month AND I have no idea what all this is going to cost me. I simply cannot believe that they have been working on the car every day for the past month. Bj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 (edited) Now at last I am told that tomorrow, Friday March 10th The Rapier will be ready for its final "Test Drive". In theory this is to sign off on the finished job. I have no idea what has been done on the gearbox. Hopefully the "sticking in top gear has been cured and "Hopefully" I can enjoy driving the car again. That and that the final "Bill" will not be so large that I have to sell the car to pay for it. Bj Edited March 9, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapier Posted March 22, 2023 Share Posted March 22, 2023 Finally The Rapier is at home having driven here under its own power. It is parked under the carport, just what I do with it now is open to discussion. I would love to drive it more but at 85 or 6 I am almost afraid to sit in it let alone drive it. Having just paid what it has cost me today, I am afraid to drive it even to the end of the street. Up to now I have had all sorts of dreams as to where we can go and what we will see but suddenly It all comes home. Will I ever really want to drive it past the end of the street is something that I cannot answer! It is a "lovely" car but WHAT FOR? Oh Hell! It is a bugger to grow old! Bj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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