vidal
29th July 2007, 03:38
And that's a noose, not a moose!
Short story from Vidal's world of pain.
As some of you may know I've got two restoration projects on the go, one a 1978 Dolomite Sprint, hoping to go concours and the second an ex mil 101 Landrover ambulance to be kitted out as a camper. Both in dry storage in my uncle's barn awaiting time to complete them, 450 mile round trips are not FTW.
Spool forward to Wednesday night...
Ring, ring.
"Vidal's residence, Vidal speaking" (for it was I on Mr Bell's remote telephonic communication apparatus)
Uncle with the barn - "There's a problem with the barn"
V. - "What kind of problem?"
UwtB - "There's a tree on it"
V. - "What about the cars?"
UwtB - "Hmm, that's the problem."
The rain has washed the soil from the hill side and a tree has decided to fall on the barn, collapsing a wall. Bits of brick, breezeblock, corrugated tin etc on the cars, and a river of muddy water through the centre of the barn.
220 frantic miles later, V gets to see the extent of the damage first hand... Interior of the dolly removed to facilitate some welding has been sat in muddy water for 24 hours, complete scrap. Section of barn wall on the roof has buckled the roof and both A and B pillars. In conjunction with the non-running engine and rampant tin worm I was hoping to get ahead of, Dolly wins an all expenses paid trip to become bean cans.
Landy was up on stands, note that I say was. Off the stands, chassis looks twisted and large hole in the side of the vehicle. Beyond both skills and pocket to repair, been offered £800, so will take that, although I know the 2.6 straight 6, winch and four good tyres will probably reach more if I held out.
Now comes the really good part.
No insurance. Nothing, not a bean. Barn structure is covered, agricultural plant is covered, third party vehicles are expressley NOT covered.
Bit gutted at the moment really. Time to take stock and save up. I need something to restore, something interesting, something that will make peoples heads turn, something for me to be proud of, with soul and individuality - answers on a post card or stuck down envelope please!
I had thought of an Alfasud, Lancia Beta Montecarlo or maybe a Citroen DS.
Anyway, got to go, I've found 50p for the meter and I hear the oven calling!
V.
Short story from Vidal's world of pain.
As some of you may know I've got two restoration projects on the go, one a 1978 Dolomite Sprint, hoping to go concours and the second an ex mil 101 Landrover ambulance to be kitted out as a camper. Both in dry storage in my uncle's barn awaiting time to complete them, 450 mile round trips are not FTW.
Spool forward to Wednesday night...
Ring, ring.
"Vidal's residence, Vidal speaking" (for it was I on Mr Bell's remote telephonic communication apparatus)
Uncle with the barn - "There's a problem with the barn"
V. - "What kind of problem?"
UwtB - "There's a tree on it"
V. - "What about the cars?"
UwtB - "Hmm, that's the problem."
The rain has washed the soil from the hill side and a tree has decided to fall on the barn, collapsing a wall. Bits of brick, breezeblock, corrugated tin etc on the cars, and a river of muddy water through the centre of the barn.
220 frantic miles later, V gets to see the extent of the damage first hand... Interior of the dolly removed to facilitate some welding has been sat in muddy water for 24 hours, complete scrap. Section of barn wall on the roof has buckled the roof and both A and B pillars. In conjunction with the non-running engine and rampant tin worm I was hoping to get ahead of, Dolly wins an all expenses paid trip to become bean cans.
Landy was up on stands, note that I say was. Off the stands, chassis looks twisted and large hole in the side of the vehicle. Beyond both skills and pocket to repair, been offered £800, so will take that, although I know the 2.6 straight 6, winch and four good tyres will probably reach more if I held out.
Now comes the really good part.
No insurance. Nothing, not a bean. Barn structure is covered, agricultural plant is covered, third party vehicles are expressley NOT covered.
Bit gutted at the moment really. Time to take stock and save up. I need something to restore, something interesting, something that will make peoples heads turn, something for me to be proud of, with soul and individuality - answers on a post card or stuck down envelope please!
I had thought of an Alfasud, Lancia Beta Montecarlo or maybe a Citroen DS.
Anyway, got to go, I've found 50p for the meter and I hear the oven calling!
V.