Team Soap Me Down Mutha - CzechWrecks '06

Media Frenzy!

2006-09-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

So the day after we arrived in Prague, seeing as there had been some media interest, we went to the shops to buy a newspaper. Here's what we found (click on the image for a better look) :

From Dnes - Czech Republic's buggest daily paper:

And from Pravo....

Think this one's 'Aha!'.....

And 'Blesk':

2006-09-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

About time I put some pics on here, so here they are in order as you scroll down!

2006-09-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

2006-09-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

2006-09-21T10:30:00.000-07:00

2006-09-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

about time I posted pics

2006-09-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

Oi! Latimer, get ure ands off!!! Please note no Homosexuality is implied or warranted from this well dodgy picture!!!!

Day 04 - Monday, 4th September

2006-09-05T01:59:00.000-07:00

Day 4 - The final leg

This morning, our last leg starts in Salzburg, from where we will head directly towards The Czech Republic, and our final destination - Prague.

Once we found our way out of Salzburg, the driving through Austria was fairly straightforward, allowing us to build up a head of steam and overtake most of the other teams.

Approaching the border, the traffic began to back up, which as we were about to find out was a bad omen.

At the border, we handed our passports over, and were instructed to pull the car in to the side. There followed a very strict investigation of our documents, including the border guard wanting to see our vehicle's VIN plates - both the riveted on plate in the engine bay, and a stamped one, somewhere else on the vehicle. Having owned the car for only a matter of weeks, we were a bit stumped as to where to find the VIN. The plastic fascia covering the sills came up, but to no avail. Eventually, Southampton Saab came to the rescue again, as Graham helpfully pointed us in the right direction to find the stamped VIN.

Unfortunately, the border guard's initial reaction was to accuse us of faking the VIN. We were not the first team to have this problem - in fact several teams had already been turned away by this stage.

Eventually, after at least an hour stuck at the border, due to us having every single piece of documentation relating to the car since it's manufacture, the paperwork was approved and we were able to carry on with our Journey. After stopping for a running repair, we were finally on our way.

Finding somewhere to have lunch turned into a bit of a quest. Firstly, following the internationally recognised sign - a knife and fork - for 'dinner' we ended up in a village that time (and tarmac) seem to have forgotten. We're not sure who was more surprised - us or the people at the bus stop.

Once we'd decided this village had nothing to offer, it was back to the motorway - which we had to join via the shortest slip road in existence. This made for a 'problematic' joining of the motorway, including a nearer-than-normal miss with a BIG lorry. Rupert almost had to re-apply his witch hazel.

The rally finished in Wenceslas square, with lots of onlookers unsure what to make of the cars blocking up the streets. There was considerable media interest, with Radio, TV and Press journalists there.

The rest of our evening was spent celebrating with a few beers, stopping only to wave off one of the cars as it got towed from outside the restaurant.

Day 3 - Sunday 03rd September

2006-09-05T01:30:00.000-07:00

Day 3 - Up and over

Todays schedule begins with a meet in the square outside Bormio Townhall. All the cars loooked brilliant lined up, and there were plentyof locals observing with mild amusement, but the best was yet to come.
First, the mayor of Bormio came out and sounded the horn to begin the day. Then, there was a police escort as the entire rally paraded through town -Led proudly by the Muthaship! the route went straight through the old town and down the pedestrianised area.

It would be fair to say that the locals and tourists loved it - The sights, sounds and smells of 50 clapped-out motors, horns blasting and engines revving.

The parade wound up the hill out of town and then started to climb up into themountains. From here on in, we're driving up the Stelvio pass. The route winds up a series of increasingly tight hairpin bends, through some very tight tunnels, and up to the snowline.

The sight of a convoy of 50 Czech Wreckers crawling up the side of the mountain was truly something to behold.From the top, there were a further 48 hairpins to negotiate on the way down. It was a truly spectacular trip down into the valley. The next portion of the trip was spent crossing in and out of Italy and Austria as we headed into the Tyrol and beyond.

The challenge for the day was to take pictures of as many different numberplates from different countries as possible. Who'd have thunk there would be cars from as far away as the Dutch Antilles driving around?

Stopped for a top lunch with a team we bumped into on the way, and then continued to cruise up to Salzburg.

Day 2 - 2nd September

2006-09-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

Day 2 - Lakes and Mountains

Day 2 starts off with us headi.ng towards Geneva, then taking a route through the Swiss alps, over Simplon pass and down into Italy. There's simply some awesome views on the way.

After lunch we head towards Milan, turning off towards Como, and then on twards Bormio. This part of the world, Italy north of Milan, with it's lakes and mountains makes for very pleasant cruising.

Todays climb up Simplon and down into Italy has been a gentle test before tomorrow's big event - crossing Stelvio pass into Austria.

Day 1 - 1st September

2006-09-02T00:50:00.000-07:00

Day 1 - Success!

Day one proper started early with a trip to a supermarket to use their facilities to freshen up.

Gradually. All the teams arrived at the start rendezvous. Eager to set off.

Just past 09.00 all teams headed off - direction Annecy. The rest of the day was spent eating up the miles on the autoroutes. The Muthaship performed excellently, behaving like a car half it's age.

Todays challenge - eye-spy involved picking a letter of the alphabet and take photos of things beginning with that letter all day, the winner being the team with the most photos.
After arguing for an hour about what letter to pick, we settled for D.

We got a few good spots:

Deer
Digger
Ditch
Dirtbike
Dirttrack
Drink
Driver
Dice
Etc.

In total, 27. A good haul, but no match for the team who got 190! - Taking it a bit more seriously than us perhaps.

Making good time on the Autoroutes, we came into Annecy around 5. The final drive of the day was up hairpin bends to a mountain top hotel, with a stunning view over the alps.

A great day, topped off with a couple of well earnt beers in the sunshine.

Day 0 - Thursday 31st August

2006-09-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

Day 0 - A faltering start

So the day has come, all the weeks of preparation are over, and it's time to go!

The mechanical brains and brawn of the operation met up at the car's current resting place
in order to fit the engine mounts and replace the clutch hose. 2 simple operations,
or so it would seem.....

5 hours later, and 3 o'clock (the time we were planning to leave) has come and gone. 4 o'clock
is fast approaching, and still no sign of clutch action.

So off we trot to Grove Park Autos, to beg for help. Colin from Grove Park Autos was, to be fair, brilliant.
We interrupted whatever it was he was doing, mentioned that we were taking part in a charity rally, and he was away...
like a rat up a drainpipe.. Out came the clutch master cylinder piston, seals (Aaarf Aaarf) were changed,
but to no avail.

Given that the clock was ticking, we started to weigh up the options:

- Persevere with the repairs
- Drive to Dover without clutch, organising repairs en-route
- Source a replacement car

Meanwhile, back at Grove Park Autos....

The entire clutch hydraulic system was bled at every join, and eventually it became apparent that
there was gunk in the hose leading to the slave cylinder (that's a technical term)

Colin, the miracle worker from Grove Park Autos went at the system with the air hose. all of a sudden, out pops a
lump of hose-rubber, flying out like a champagne cork. Couple of more rounds of 'playing the Up-Down game
- bleeding the system out, and voila! We have some pedal action!

By this time, it was too late to still catch the original ferry. We'll be there later than planned, but there at least. Tomorrow the real test begins....

At least nothing else can go wrong today.................. or so we thought. Upon arrival in Calais, we
successfully located our quality F1 Hotel, duly booked weeks in advance, only to be told that no, there were
no rooms available, and yes, reservations made over the internet were not worth the paper they're (not)
written on. (UPDATE: it turns out that in fact, one night previously, the Student Gumball Rally had stayed at the F1 in Calais, and trashed the place. Following that, all banger rally types were persona non grata. Those Pesky Students!)This caused a slight problem, but no matter, there are plenty of hotels in this area. 5 enquiries in 5 hotels
later, it's now 2.00 AM, and we're losing our patience. Everywhere is full up.

Given the choice of driving around for another hour on a potentially fruitless search for accomodation,
bearing in mind that we needed to be up and at 'em at 7.00 on the next day we decided to cut our losses.

That's how we ended up sleeping in the carpark of Carrefour.........

Sun 27th - under pressure

2006-08-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

So on to the next phase of the extensive proving out drive - the return leg from Milton Keynes to London.

The Journey started off fine, with a little bit of traffic around on the M1, but as we passed Toddington services, the bank holiday droves jammed up the highway, causing mile after mile of Stop-Start traffic.

Well, I say Stop-Start, for the Muthaship, it was more Stop-Stop, since in the middle of all this, the hydraulic hose from the clutch Master cylinder to the slave burst. You can just about see the split in the pipe here:

So that was me done for for the next while. Called out the RAC, and sat by the side of the M1 watching the traffic crawl past.

Every cloud though, as they say, does have a silver lining. Where I stopped happened to be right outside a yard for a recovery firm called Saunders Recovery, of Hitchin (they're providing the free recovery service during the roadworks by the junction for Luton Airport) So after I've been there for a while, 2 of the staff from Saunders come out, and start asking about the car. They seem genuinely impressed and amused by the prospect. And then, after having chewed the cud for a while, they strolled back to their site offices. Next thing I know, a few minutes later, they've come back with their kids to have a look at the car, and one of them is carrying along their spare change jar. These 2 chaps from Saunders Recovery very kindly donated the entire contents of their change jar - which turned out to contain over £50. Thanks Guys!

So after a little while longer waiting by the side of the M1, and pondering complete strangers' generosity when told about our mission, along comes the RAC.

The very nice man - or was that the other lot? - told me what was wrong (I could have sworn the clutch was cable operated) and decides that he's going to bodge it by surgivally removing the split section and then re-positioning the hose with a couple of Jubilee clips. Fair enough, I thought, that's in the spirit of what this event will be about anyway.

In the battle of Jubilee clips vs. Clutch fluid under normal operating pressure, although the Jubilee clips put up a good fight, eventually the hose split again. Here's the sad old jubilee clips on the end of the hose:

And so it was, I was back to matching the revs and teasing the gearlever into gear. This is a technique that it would be fair to say, I've yet to master fully. As such, I can't say I really enjoyed the rest of the Journey back to London.

Looking on the brightside, we've sourced a replacement part now, which can be picked up on Wednesday, for fitting Wed PM, and then bleeding Thursday.

What do you mean, "we're leaving it a bit late aren't we"?

Sat 26th - scrapheap challenge

2006-08-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

The guys at Soton Saab had put us in touch with a firm called Just Saab in Farnborough (Tel 01252 549500) - top guys, check them out if you're in the area. Their core business is selling quality pre-owned Saabs, but they also had a 9000 CS due to go to the breakers, which they very generously let team soap me down mutha rob of any parts which might aid our cause.

So out came the spanners, the screwdrivers, and a selection of choice Anglo-Saxon swearwords, and off came the drivers side rear front and back engine mounts. Whilst those were being pillaged, the good folk at Just Saab also picked out a pair of spare steels and tyres (actually, the tyres they donated look better than most of the ones we're currently running.

Next was the first part of what is to become a valuable pre-rally proving out run - a blast up to Milton Keynes with a boot full of cheese.

Friday 25th August - what's been going on this week?

2006-08-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

Quite an eventful week all in all - firstly, the beast made an appearance at TCC, creating quite a stir. In between the looks of pure envy, and the comments about the driver's ability to park (It was left at a deliberately 'jaunty' angle to create interest) The folk at TCC dipped into their collective pockets, and were very generous with the old sponsorship monies. Has really set us on our way to reaching our target. Thanks to everyone who has contributed :)

The only thing putting a damper on the week was learning that the brakelights seem to have taken it upon themselves to come on as and when they saw fit, regardless of driver input. Thankfully, the cause was soon narrowed down to a faulty brakelight switch, which at 7 quid was cheap and relatively straightforward to fit.

What does "Soap Me Down Mutha!" actually mean?

2006-08-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

Is there some mysterious significance to the name Soap Me Down Mutha? What does it all mean? Here's what our foreign correspondent has to say on the matter:

History of Soap Me Down Mutha

By David Sargent, somewhere in Germany

It’s a cold wintry evening somewhere in west London, outside a dog barks; an old man coughs into the dense smoke-filled lounge of a local pub. In the corner of the bar, next to the fireplace and the giant portrait of some old Victorian sits a group of twentysomethings deep in conversation.

“No, it’s definitely Pamela Anderson, you can tell by her massive…. sunglasses”

“Nonsense, it’s clearly Paris Hilton, check out the nose”

And so the conversation continued until the next question on flags of the world came round and attention was directed elsewhere. The pub quiz team were a well established foursome but lacked that certain something – a unique, humorous and slightly discomforting team name.

Suggestions came thick & fast with all the usual suspects popping up, but sadly the team couldn’t decide between the relative merits of “Norfolk n Chance” versus “My Granny Can’t Fight But You Should See Her Box”. At this moment, the tall lad in the corner who was there to identify celebrities and contribute random answers to questions on The Beatles or Card Games, stomped his fist on the table and bellowed “SOAP ME DOWN MUTHA” for no obvious good reason.

Delighted with this outburst, as it diverted attention away from a question on which country is the largest producer of shoes ( China ), the team took on this unusual & mildly comical appellation. The rest is history…

2006-08-23T07:18:00.000-07:00

Check us out at the photoshoot!

Stickers done & Photo shoot

2006-08-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

So the big weekend of the photo shoot at Southampton Saab has gone, and what a great event!

It all started Friday night when I pick up Latimer at the station, Bringing a big smile to his face....(!) as he saw the Saab in the flesh for the first time, armed with the Czech wrecks team stickers and the Saab sponsorship ones. Phil joining us later, with even more stickers - in fact hundreds of them, and PINK seat covers!!!!!

It took about 3 hours to get the team and Saab stickers on, but care and a bit of luck saw the mutha ship transformed - with the laser cut team stickers on both from doors and bonnet, and all our surnames on the rear pillars (with a slight mishap on the W of my name soon fixed, sort of!), going on brilliantly and looking the business - also the Southampton Saab sticker on the drivers side, and Red Ten recruitments stickers on, the whole car suddenly had MEANING. No longer a weird chavy attempt to make her a boy racers dream, that was a bit embarrassing to drive, but a proper rally event car - If we say so ourselves it looks brilliant. We didn't get the Saab sticker on the other side, a few attempts were not going well with creases, and it was 11.30 pm and cold so we called it a day for some pizza and beer!

Saturday 19/8
Up early for the photo shoot a quick stop for shower caps at Superdrug, and down the the dealers .Ian John and Grahams initial shock turned to laughter, especially as they got to the drivers side and saw their stickers proudly on the rear door, and with the whole car looking so perfect for it's purpose. The Photographer Saab UK hired set to work after a bit of car shuffling and we donned bath robes and shower caps! It was a great laugh especially me in the drivers seat playing 'shaky hands man' (if you know the TV show Banzai) with Graham, and Lat and Phil both squeezed out the rear door window on that side (clearly they are BIG windows!!). Dave couldn't make it, sadly, and the rest of us got a little pressie each for our efforts from the dealer - proper china southampton Saab mugs, pretty smart actually.

The rest of the day saw more stickers, lots of them, including the arm and babies face bursting through the paintwork ones, the other Saab sponsor sticker on the passenger side, the pink fluffy seat covers on the front (really genuinely very comfortable - a real ooooh effect when you first sit on them...honestly!) ,and the Air horn connected and working, wired into a proper switch inside! It's so loud, and brilliant, and even (nearly) plays the tune perfectly!!!!! The car certainly attracted attention on the way to drop Lat at the station, especially as each overtake or pass by a pedestrian saw the horn in action!!!!!

Top day, great result

And Now this week, the car is coming in with me to work! So Far everyone thinks it looks great

Yikes x2 Stelvio

2006-08-14T07:35:00.000-07:00

Yikes - Simplon

2006-08-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

spoil me

2006-08-07T01:45:00.000-07:00

Phil and dave came down Saturday evening, and set to with the drill, putting holes in the boot lid, and with a bit of jigsaw action the fantastic wood and alloy spoiler was soon attached. fears over it ripping off at 70mph I think are unfounded as it is solid as a rock. Phils mastery of sticker application was awe inspiring to watch, his credit card got a severe bashing - carefully applying the bubble stickers to the bonnet using it so there were no bubbles in our bubble stickers....err maybe there shoudl have been?

Anyway they look brilliant! The chrome air vents sit nicely on the wings and look reall good, and the cherry on the cake was putting the flame stickers behind the vents. Top quality.

The bullit hole stickers are also great, blending so well with the colour of the car.

Sadley the airhorn was going to be to much to do, plus we need to gte a wswitch and some wires, but hopefully it will be soon on, though it does look like a huge amount of work, but we shall persevere - this mutha ship whizzing down the Stelvio playing airhorn Dixie is to great an oppotunity to miss!

latest pics of the work last w/e

2006-07-26T06:59:00.000-07:00

I have updated some posts with some of the relevant pics. but really struggled on the others so here are the pics for the post below, including the new badging!!

we are mobile

2006-07-25T03:08:00.000-07:00

well a busy weekend of greasey spannering was had by....well me! - maybe the others, but that is a different kinds of forum altogether!

The new guide pin was sourced from a very helpful chap at SS motors in southampton, a Saab Specialist, who had one for us FOC! I also got the necessary torque wrench setting to stop any futher overtightening mishaps from the dealer, and Saturday set to work, getting the brakes finished, with the new guide pin, draining down the old sludgey coolant, and fixing the small hole in the CV gaiter.

Finally had to spend some dosh on an emergency glue round CV boot, just in case the repair does nto last on the trip, but £12 between us is not going to break the bank. All the nuts were torqued up, and the wheels back on.

Sunday the cooing system was flushed out and all the nasty brown water got out and topped up again with the top notch antifreeze from Saab Southampton, in a nice pink colour! Long life stuff apparently - much longer life than the rest of the beast no doubt!

the rear brakes were then all checked and serviced, and then the brake fluid changed. But where was my one man bleed kit? No where to be found. Well a trip back down to talk to the deputy manager and Halfords West Quay secured a couple more bits from their sponsorship kitty, in the form of a bleed tube, and some fuel injector cleaner I had forgotten to ask for last time - Brilliant!

There was just enough new fluid for the brakes and clutch fluid replacement - the stuff in there was ancient!

The I hit the road for a test drive, and to bed the brakes in - they will take a couple of hundred miles to bed in fully, but they are getting better all the time.

My only concern now is some knocking when pulling away quickly - I think the front and rear engine mounts are a bit shot, but I will see if a Southampton Saab technician could have a look for me, and we will try to get some from a scrappy. Shouldn't be to hard to replace (famous last words!).

I have a load of pics to update various posts, including one with the new name on the beast, I will post as soon as I can get them developed and onto CD!

Laters folks

RD

More sponsorship and bits fitted

2006-07-21T01:05:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 20/7 I had not heard back from dropping my letter into Halfords on West Quay Southampton, so I called up there manager, Beth Lunt, and spoke to her about our little trip. Though the store budgets for such were limited, Beth was fantastic and said that they could let us have a few sundries and emergency repair items, and they would even get some stickers done up themselves for the car! Brilliant!!! So I popped down and collected the below items we were looking for, some essential, some I hope we don't need.

GB sticker
Spare bulbs Kit
Tyre weld foam - emergency tyre repair
Air freshener
Radweld
oil 1L

Also checked while I was in there in a book, what we needed for each country, and overall it was

warning triangle
first aid kit
spare bulbs
GB sticker

All of which we have! Though a fire extinguisher would be good to take if we have one already?

So then last night onto fitting some of the parts those lovely guys at Southampton Saab gave us. So the front disks and pads are on...well almost. Unfortunately in refitting one of the calipers to the mounting bracket guide pin, one of the guide pins threads stripped! But not a major issue, a trip to Saab i am sure they will have or get us a new one - should only be a few £'s, and all will be well. Not a big issue.

Also fitted the new spark plugs, the GB sticker, and debadged it ready for the renaming.

What can you make from the below? Tonight the anagram gets stuck on! It like countdown conundrum!

'Saab Saab Saab CD' were the badges available

we have bits

2006-07-19T07:51:00.000-07:00

I have collected the box of parts today from Southampton Saab, our generous sponsors - all the bits listed, and I did get the brake fluid chucked in as well, so will crack on this week in fitting everything - though the sunny weather is going to make it hot work! Should not take long and we can get it on the road again. Will keep you posted, and try to get some pics as well

Car parts sponsorship

2006-07-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

well my visit to southampton saab to talk to Ian John the dealer principal (MD) paid off. I had a call Saturday 15 July from him to say that he had read our letter, and was happy to sponsor us for the parts we need - BLOODY Brilliant!!!! And I have just spoken to the parts manager there, and they will have them all ready to collect, boxed up, on Wed PM. Love it

So we are getting

· Front discs and pads – will try to get brake fluid as well
· 2 coolant hoses – the only ones that go apparently as spares
· Antifreeze
· Fuel filter
· Plugs
· Air filter
· Oil x 2 (one for service, one spare)
· Oil filter
· Distributor cap
· rotor arm

So really just need some fuel system cleaner, maybe wiper blades, Feu Orange type stuff (to cover over the smell of any gaseous escapes) hand wipes etc, and the 2 wheels and tyres, engine mount if possible, and hopefully that's about it.

Will check out the rear brakes when the front is all done

Then will have the conversation with Ian about what they need the car stickers to say - clearly need to be good prominent ones after turning up trumps like that for us, but I expect it will be name, phone and website - any budding desktop publishers out there with ideas to go armed with?

Make like Tommy and Rock on!!!!!

car parts update

2006-07-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

The Saab dealer has been approached and both Lats and My local ones seem interested at first conversation listening to our pitches, and Southampton Saab dealer principle - the top boss- said he would get back to me.

So fingers crossed they spot this as a way to get some cheap free advertising, though the mention of the rumour about Topgear covering this, prompted him to tell me how much he disliked the big JC - I kept quiet on my views on the big curly haired motor geezer, but let hope the topgear thing won't put him off!

so now off to halford to drop in a letter for the manager there, Beth Lunt, to see if they can help. The more the merrier, there lots of car to cover in stickers!

And a recent job role move for me means I can drop a line to my old suppliers, see if they will help by donating to thr charity, as now there is not conflict of interest or undue pressure!

rock on

Stelvio Pass

2006-07-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

Has anyone seen any pictures of the Stelvio Pass? Take a little look-see at this then my hearty adventurers - I believe this is the way down so we might need those front brakes working!!

More Pics again...

2006-07-13T05:28:00.000-07:00

As Rupe Dogg couldn't post these pics, I thought I would add them for him:

some more car pics for you

2006-07-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

cars n stuff

2006-07-11T10:11:00.000-07:00

So there we have it - the car pic on the previous post is on albeit a poor one - the front of the car is there! Will try to gte a better pic later if I can, but we will see. Anyway the decision is made, Saab it is, and if more team members join we will get the Audi as well, but on with the gaining sponsorship now so we can get some parts and get it on the road! - oh insurance needed as well! Failing that we might have to fork out for them ourselves at some point, but we are hopefull that some lovely company will sponsor us and provide a few bits and bobs!

And until there are better car pics, here is one of me to be going on with! NICE!

some car pics

2006-07-11T09:56:00.000-07:00

we have transport

2006-07-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Thought I would update on the car situ.

8 July off I trapsed to some car dealer to ask if they had any old trade ins they would have to scrap or otherwise get rid off, with I say some, but not much hope!!!
The Merc dealers were friendly but not really interested - the Daihatsu guys were never gonna help - thats stock to them!

So off to volvo. They took my details and seemed to suggest they do get the kinda old trade in we were looking for. but nothing at the time.

I was just leaving when I say a sign for a Saab dealer, so popped in there, explained the story of our trip, it was for Charidy, and asked if they got anything he would call me. But blow me - not not really - he said they had something that might suit, and led me over to this olf F reg Saab 9000 CDI - it seemed ideal, started immedtaely, had MOT and Tax. The front braker were knackered, but it was exactly what the whole thing is about.

A bit of to an throw on the dog and bone with Laffng boy curtis, and the deal was done, all signed over to my name, £50 paid on my credit card, and I was jubillant. Top motor, later picked up, and despite the well dodgy front brakes, safely back at my flat!

So the car:

Well 140000 miles, couple of owners, and loads and loads of paperwork. They spent an absolute fortune on this car from new! From 2000 to mid 2002 appx £3400 outside normal serviceing and MOT - so it's virtually new by my reconing! MOT and Tax, loads of space inside and comfy seats, but windy windows no aircon base model - less to go wrong! Its have new brake calipers, lots of head work, new exhaust sections, new CV gaiters, new clutch master and slave cylinders, new clutch, new rear pads and lots more in the last 30K miles. Hence why I am so convinced it is a winner - plus huge boot and rear leg room galore. Things like clutsch on old cars go without much warning, but at leass than 30 K on it this will hopefully be fine. all tyres legal, though the front not much left. Overall very good shape it seems. The cassette player works, and even a nive selection of tunes on the cassette in it! Needs a new aerial for the raidio, but other than that all electrics seems to work ok.

Sunday 9 July

Got the front up on the Axel stands and set to work.

stripped the front brakes down totally, had to use a bit if brute to get one wheel off the hub, and likewise the disc that side. Later took out the plugs, cleaned out the throttle body, removed the air filter and cleaned all that out, and lubed the wiper mechanism.

So the state of play.
The front brakes are knackered, the pads down to the metal and obviously lots of driving like that, so new discs as well. The calipers see very good. But any all the front brakes stripped, and they are very similar to my Alfa so all very familiar, and all the right tools! no leaks from the front or the clucth that I could see. The rear are I think ok, but to be inspected once the front is done!

Noticed a small hole in 1 outer CV joint, and the inner one the clip had some off, so it had lost most its grease, but no looseness from it, and no noise, so I repacked with grease and resecured the cable tie round - will get a jubilee clip later

The plugs were sooty, probably due to dirty air filter and dirty injectors, so will need some really good fuel cleaner through it, but the plugs were also under 30K miles, so good for 30K more with a clean and re gap, or new if we get free parts!

The coolant need a good top up with proper stuff, but the hoses all look serviceable not perished at all, but if we can get new then worth doing just in case.

So bascially get the new front discs and pads, and new fluid, give it a good service (oil, oil filter, air filter, flush and replace coolant, and maybe as a precaution distributor cap and rotor arm, plugs, and cabin filter, hoses). Thats it

Monday 10 July

Some debate over the cars we are taking - which we will iron out soonish, as the plan is to try to get sponsorship for parts, and we would be in a pickle to get said sponsorship for the Saab and use parts, to then not enter the car, and hence no publicity for the sponsor, but I am hoping both Halfords and/or the Saab dealer where I got it would sponsor us, in return for some publicity in local rags both up the big smoke, and down here in the big stink.

More to follow, hopefull some pics tonight if possible!!!

RD

2006-07-04T07:09:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd start my first ever blog with a picture of Laughing boy in mountain mode.

Nick name news

2006-07-04T01:15:00.000-07:00

Rupert has come to grips with some techo wizardry and got an account set up to post his nick name....

Rupe Doggy Dog AKA Rupe Doggy to his mates!

Didn't clarkson buy a volvo for £1 on top gear - as a car idea. But still loving the Capri option, so Long as I am not in the back 'seats'!

RD

This is why dangerous dave's on the team:

2006-07-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

Look - he drives so fast, you can't catch him on film.

An exciting day - part 2 - The Team

2006-07-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

In addition to settling on a charity, Team Soap Me Down Mutha's ranks have swollen today to encompass 4 team members. The intrepid travellers are:

David 'Dangerous Dave' Stanley
Latimer 'Laughing boy' Curtis
plus new boys:
Rupert Wenn and Phil George - suitable nickname pending

Hope we'll find a nice big 100 quid car. Those volvo estates are looking more and more tempting.

An exciting day - part 1 - Charity

2006-07-03T11:48:00.000-07:00

Big Day today - sorted out a Charitable cause, and firmed up the team details. Since most of the team are based in glorious west London, we've chosen a local cause: West Middlesex University Hospital. Here's a bit more about what they are up to:

West Middlesex University Hospital children’s service welcomes an average of 5000 patients per year.

Hospital care for children at West Middlesex is based in a dedicated children’s centre split between the 20-bed Starlight inpatient unit for patients staying in hospital and the 8-bed Sunshine day unit for children having more minor treatment or assessment. In addition to these, there is a Home Nursing Service for children, dedicated children’s outpatient clinics and a new designated children’s area in A&E. Linked to the department is a Special Care Baby Unit with 12 cots, including two for short term intensive care.

All of these combine to bring the best in healthcare for children both in hospital and at home one they are fit enough to return there. The shorter they have to stay in hospital the better, but good continuity of high quality care is our priority - from when they first arrive to the follow up care they need after they leave.

The Starlight and Sunshine units have been recently refurbished in East Wing of the new hospital. As well as clinical facilities, there is a sitting room for parents, a classroom, interviewing and counseling room, a spacious teaching room and a new adolescent lounge. This is an essential resource for teenagers and we are always looking for new equipment and resources such as DVD’s, computer games, educational equipment etc for this room to occupy our patients during their stay.

Looking after the children are children’s nurses, nursery nurses, play specialists and hospital teachers. Medical care is provided by a team of five Consultant Paediatricians plus other less senior doctors.

Children’s care at West Middlesex is closely linked to local community services through the work of the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership group, at which services are jointly planned with health, social care and other external agencies.

The department also has strong connections with specialist children’s units such as Great Ormond Street and St Mary’s, through consultants at these centres who visit West Middlesex, and the nursing links forged by the Home Nursing Service for Children.

Child protection is given a high profile in our department and we work closely with liaison health visitors and the hospital social work team.

First post Woo!

2006-06-30T12:26:00.000-07:00

This is the first post in a series of some, intended to describe the preparation, execution and aftermath of Team Soap Me Down Mutha's participation in CzechWrecks '06