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Stranded for the first time ever

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M

MDCanaday

Jedi Knight
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I guess if you drive a 40 year old car often enough you can expect a run in with the prince of darkness.In this case my Lucas sport coil used up it's last spark suddenly 2 weeks ago.I had never given any thought to how many sparks the factory might have loaded into each one when it was made.It must be a finite number because when they ran out boy did they run out!!
Naturally I had cleaned out that pesky spare I had cared from coast to coast this spring(who will ever need this I said) So I was done since there was no auto parts store for 30 miles.
I am just counting my blessings, cause I am usually much further from home (and or civilization) in the old TR4 since she has gone coast to coast and performed so perfectly for the last 45k.
 
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Naturally I had cleaned out that pesky spare I had cared from coast to coast this spring(who will ever need this I said)

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Murphy's Law.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
Never fails...keep something for years, finally throw it away...a month later, "I didn't throw that away, did I?"

Back in 1975 or 76 I met a tow truck driver at a bar in the Bay Area. I ask him what car he was dragging off the street must often. I just knew it was going to be british. To my delight hands down it was VW rabbit. He said he rarely towed British because folks that drove them could always get them running.

My first six years of 4a ownership I carried no spares and never broke. After that, that thick belt, distributor cap, points, condenser, and a set of plugs. And, of course, a full set of tools.
Another nice thing about the TRs...everytime I'm on the side of the road...TR enthusiast are stopping to lend a hand.
 
I spotted a young couple broke down at the side of a very busy intersection in an early MG in a few years ago. The car had no top and the rain was coming down by the bucketfull. He had just acquired the unrestored car and was driving it home with his girlfriend to the next city when the weather caught them off guard and the engine quit. Of course we always carry British spares in our tow cars, don't we. I pulled over, with an umbrella and a coil. After half hour of rigging, I got them merrily on their way, he wiping the windscreen with his free hand and she holding a bent Loyola University umbrella over their now-soaked heads. I know he is shaking his head to this day wondering if I was an angel or an apparition. I still smile when I think of this.


Bill
 
Mad dog,
Wondered where you been hiding.
Same thing here , put in a new clutch, and the starter solenoid gave up the ghost.
I always keep a piece of battery cable in the glovebox for just this occasion.
 
Winston my boy!
The ol mad dog has been busy, busy. I have gone into business for myself after working for 30 + for the other guy... sort of a crazy thing to do at 55 but now I be da boss!!I have a smallish shop and do what ever comes in the door with money!!
Currently I am finishing up a 56 f100 custom PU , a 72 450 sl conv, and a 60 mga coupe. I thopught I might have time to do my 59 tr3 but have been too busy with customer work so far. The worst thing is not getting to go to the nats this summer, I had hopes but nose to the grindstone ect.
MD(mad dog)
 
MD,
Good to hear from you!
I think you'll enjoy working for yourself. I am on the 50 yr old threshold and made some carrer changes 5 years ago and it probably added 20 years to my lifespan.
If folks find out you can syncronize Strombergs they'll be stacked up outside your door!
Hope the shop has a little air conditioning, we're too old for 100 degree midwest heat.
I figured out that Vicky Brit is actually Long Motor company, they provide parts for just about anything on wheels and is just around the bend from you. Hope that helps with any parts search in the future.
Don't forget the small (Ford 8N) tractor business around the area, that's a real sleeper hobby IMHO.
 
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