I’ve done it again ...

[Mykel]

Well, I went for a quick trip to London yesterday … clearly an extremely daft idea on a Friday during rush hour, I returned home 4am this morning

Some of you already knew I was after a Wedgewood SE, the test drive performed locally (thanks again very much for your help, Rob!!!) and the negotiations were successful, so I have acquired this one here:

One of the (UK-only) SE models (never sold on the Continent afaik), off the line on 2/10/2000 (first reg 3/11/2000). And she’s a Stepspeed, have wanted to try that for ages and wow! it’s gorgeous. Especially when you use the car as a daily driver for work appointments, doing some 18-20,000 miles a year. Also I think that this one will be easier to drive for Susanne, as all my MGs are RHD.

She’s in reasonable condition, has had a front end respray at some point which is not 100 percent matching. Well, I’m not bothered now, especially as the car is HPI clear and has no signs of a previous write-off. She runs brilliantly, very smooth when in D, the engine revs about 10% less at the same speeds compared to a manual. No real sports car then, but when you push the lever to the left („Sports“ ), this changes a lot. Apparently not even slightly a match to the VVC, but it’s sufficient.

There’s some small niggles, she needs a pump up, the clock doesn’t work, the driver’s door central locking is also AWOL. The mudguard in the o/s/r wheel arch is missing – gave lots of squeals on my way home through the rain. The driver’s seat is slightly worn as you would expect after 61,000 miles.

Will have her tested next week, let’s see what else the German TÜV finds out

[colintf]

Well done Mykel

[Neil Rushton]

Quite a collection you've started Mykel

[Barred]

Well done... looks great.

[terreneuve]

Great looking car, Mykel!

How did you get from Germany to UK and back again so fast?

Is there a new autobahn runnig direct,lol!!

John

[Charless]

My fleet is being overhauled!

[Mykel]

Thanks a lot for the flowers! Next thing to do is a pump-up, I will be seeing a friend with the proper device tonight.

@John: Europe is actually quite a small continent compared to the distances you are used to. In fact, from my place to London is a shorter distance than to Berlin, about 300 miles plus ferry. That is less than seven hours one way, if there are no jams on the road or delays at the ports. I have often picked up cars in England returning home the same day … or rather early the next morning.

@Charles: Unfortunately I won’t be catching up to you permanently, because this time Lilibet is definitely for sale. Can’t afford to keep all three of them, but it’s very sad to see her go.

[Neil Rushton]

I've never understood the need for more than one F/TF its like having more than 1 wife not a bad idea in principle but more trouble than its worth in practice

[Mykel]

There are just so many nice special editions of them, the blondes, the redheads, the chestnuts and lets not forget about the pearl black ones

In our case it's just that there are four people in the family and the F/TF can only host two. So it's simple maths ...

[colintf]

There are just so many nice special editions of them, the blondes, the redheads, the chestnuts and lets not forget about the pearl black ones

In our case it's just that there are four people in the family and the F/TF can only host two. So it's simple maths ...

Sounds like a good reason to me Mykel

[Pete & Lin]

Well done on your purchase Mykel, really nice looking car

[daz]

Great looking car, I find it a struggle to be bothered to drive 45 minutes lo look at a car

[Mykel]

So it's simple maths ...

Sounds like a good reason to me Mykel

Not too much of a "reason", Colin, more like an excuse or so

Daz, if I were at the "heart of the action" in Brum, I doubt I would drive any further. But over here, almost all MGFs on offer are bog standard ones in BRG or silver, although nearly all of them came with aircon. Very few special or limided editions around apart from the 75th models, and those are also all in silver on the Continent.

Apparently the average German car buyer has a verly limited colour range. Last week I stopped at a Burger King next to a BMW dealer. All cars on display were in a dramatic spectrum reaching from bright silver via grey metallic and a kind of anthracite to deep black. Seems a dull country I'm living in BRG is the exotic colour reserved for British sports cars.

Mind you, when I got the Monogram Spectre TF, one of the reactions often heard was "der ist so zwischen cool und schwul" -- that car's halfway between cool and gay. Let's see what they say about the Wedgie

[daz]

Daz, if I were at the "heart of the action" in Brum,

Mind you, when I got the Monogram Spectre TF, one of the reactions often heard was "der ist so zwischen cool und schwul" -- that car's halfway between cool and gay. Let's see what they say about the Wedgie

That's the nicest description of Brum I've ever heard, lol

I once painted an old escort cabriolet amaranth & at a show whilst being interviewed about it over the tannoy my sexuality was questioned due to the colour, the chap didn't know what to say when I answered "yes I am gay, what's your point?" saying that though, my wife & kids didn't know what to say either

[Rob Bell]

I was wondering where your negotiations had lead you Mykel!

It was a lovely driver - I haven't had much experience with the two-pedal MGF, and this one was a revelation. Really smooth and the sports mode was punchy too. It is more refined on the motorways due to a higher top gear ratio than the PG1 - so on a long cruise I wonder whether it might actually work out more economical?

You should have popped by on the way home - I could have pumped it up for you Mind you, Saturday was my daughter's birthday party and the place was full of 9-year old girls - so that might have proven tricky

Sorry I missed the missing mud guard in my report - but curiously the central locking was working when I tried it...

I think this car is basically good - but with lots of little projects to get it back to perfect. You'll probably need a professional body shop to sort out the paint match (which is barely noticeable until you know it's there). Not an urgent one anyway

[Rich in Vancouver]

Mykel, You have it easy buying MGFs. The nearest ones for sale here are either in Japan or the UK. Certainly not within driving distance,
although rumour has it there are some available in Newfoundland...Only a large continent away!
I have the same problem, having a two seater in a 3 person family. I am looking forward to the day when we can import the Z-Cars.

That is a nice looking steppie you got! Not very gay at all!

[Rob Bell]

May be gay, in the olde worlde sense of looking happy and carefree?

[adrianclifford]

There are just so many nice special editions of them, the blondes, the redheads, the chestnuts and lets not forget about the pearl black ones

In our case it's just that there are four people in the family and the F/TF can only host two. So it's simple maths ...

I'm glad you mentioned the pearl black ones, my Pearl would have been upset. Very pleased you have it, I read the report thoroughly with you while in Blankenberg and Rob seemed to have been very thorough, well done Rob.

I know why you want rhd cars, it's so you get a footrest isn't it ?, at least you won't see any of them outside the UK so Wedgie is unique

[Mykel]

CDL issue solved! The driver's side lock motor was shot, which later seems to have blown the fuse for the CDL/alarm control unit. Swapped the lock unit for a 20 quid used spare, replaced the fuse (was a 10 amps instead of 15 amps anyway), everything's fine now.

Next on the list is an extended service (cam belt, tensioner & water pump, new coolant, oil and filter change). So far I'm quite happy with the purchase.

[Rob Bell]

Nice one Mykle!

Any thing else planned for the wedgie?