We first thought we would do this just for a bit of fun, then as my father-in-law was diagnosed with The Big C on New Year's Eve we decided we would do it for charity and we chose to do it for the McMillan Nurses as they are a great support.
Next job was to find a banger capable of making the trip. It proved inpossible to find something that wouldn't cost a fortune to make road worthy and get through an M.O.T.
We eventually struck lucky and found a fun bright yellow 1997 Convertable Escort (up North) so we took a chance and drove 235 miles to see it, and it was better than we had bargained for or so we thought. We explained what we wanted it for and knocked him down on the price, handed over the wonga and proceeded to drive it back down South.
On the long journey back driving down the motorway in the pouring rain (no leaks from the hood!) it was wandering all over the place and I was thinking we can't seriously drive this across Europe. (It made it back home.)
Next day, up on axle stands, wheels off, found it had no anti rollbar droplinks (explains the wandering), the rear breaks were shot, CV joint had gone, needed lower wishbone, catalitic coverter, heater matrix, fan belt, and the list goes on. So my out of date mechanical experience was going to be put to the test having not touched a car for over 15 years.
Most of the work is now done with Sam's help passing tools. He is in charge of valeting.
As I am use to driving a Brabus Mercedes S Class I decided we needed some better seats (EBAY) got some Recaros & a Momo steering wheel along with some air horns (I may be 40 somthing but still a teenage boy racer at heart). Sam's decided it needs a bigger exhaust (he can pay for that).
Watch this space for the latest update!!!
Texas Tarts
