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Today was the first Cumbria Classic for two years. Held at Dalemain House, near Penrith Cumbria. UK. Eldest grandson, his wife and great grandson are over from Cyprus for a couple of weeks. Liam persuaded me to go, as I'd not been for a number of years. So the four off us had an afternoon there. There were 419 entries plus club displays totalling a further 206 entries. There was cars, motorcycles, 4x4s, vans, military plus campers and caravans along with trade stands etc. To much to photograph, but below is a selection. Land Rover based Tomcat. 3.9 V8. Morris 1000 Traveler. I had a 1966 model that I dropped a 1500 Wolseley engine in. Morris 1000 convertible. SWMBOs ream car. And she can keep on dreaming. This would do me if I could afford the fuel. Just the steering wheel is on the wrong side. I haven't seen one of these for years. Austin Champ with Rolls Royce engine as standard. Will go backwards as fast as it will go forwards. This Standard Vanguard pickup is the only one I have ever seen. Me want! Ford Anglia. Had one with a Cortina GT 1600 stage 2 tuned engine. Shocked quite a few at the traffic light GP. Another I once owned. Triumph Vitesse with 1600 straight 6. That's all folks.

Earlier in the year I bought a job lot of Colwood Motor Hoes manufactured by Dashwood Engineering supposed to be non-runners one is of particular interest, powered by a J.A.P. 2A engine dating from 1943 what is strange is it does not have a gearbox just a leather belt from small pulley on engine to larger pulley and then chain drive to the steel wheel after a bit of fettling and fresh petrol it runs took it for a stroll at a brisk walk

We finally managed to arrange a ploughing match for last Sunday. We had a good turn out of 34 tractors. A bit down on the usual entry list of around the 50 mark. But a good day was had by all. I didn't take the Black Horse, as the Brinly plough would have barely scratched the surface of the hard ground. Watching the drag ploughs was quite interesting. The setting up of them was educational. A real art form. Smokey little Fergie, but could do the business. Neat homemade cab. Tidy Wheel Horse on show.

Great photo Norm

Dealt with Meetens since the late seventies when they were in Coombe Lane , Wimbledon; for parts and re-bores etc. Always good service and advice. In those days the phone was often answered by the redoubtable Miss Childs who was the proverbial encyclopaedia of all things Villiers . Let on that you thought that you should be talking to a chap and your card was very politely marked. A sad sign of the passing years. Best wishes to Paul. PS. Should add that I’ve heard that L&S Engineers are taking over Meeten’s stock.

New piston rings arrived today.

After losing my two Border Collies due to old age. (The dogs not me.) 3 and 2 years ago. I said they would be the last. How wrong was I. Meet Nell.

My mate Dunc had an old buck rake of unknown origin lying about. For fitting on the rear of a tractor. We'd got it into the workshop last week to see what we could do with it. First thing was a new hydraulic hose which Dunc had got made earlier this week. With that fitted we set too to make it into a forklift, for mainly moving crates of firewood. First we cut off the two outside prongs and the centre one. Then some scrap angle iron was welded to the now outside prongs. This was to extend them to reach fully under a pallet. Pleased to say things worked well. And cheap as well.

I was using my Wheel Horse C-81, fitted with the finger bar, a couple of weeks ago. After selecting hi ratio to return to where I'd started, to make a second pass, I had difficulty engaging low ratio. It did engage and I completed the cut. Back in the yard and after cleaning things down, I couldn't get the hi - low lever to move into low. So last weekend removed the finger bar and got the tractor onto the lift table. (Ex hospital bed) Wheels off then the trans' after removing the hubs. Nice surprise when the hubs came of without any trouble. Split the box using some Stanley blades to break the seal. Tapped in four, then four more. Then a couple of screwdrivers to open it up a bit more then two large chisels. Nice and clean inside, but here's what I found. Broken selector fork. Only welded on one side and the weld hadn't taken hold. Only on were you can see the missing piece. Went to the Toro dealer in Carlisle and of course they didn't stock them. The lad serving me went and phoned Toro. Three days delivery and £90 for the complete unit. Which of course I don't need the bolt, detent ball and spring. A friend of mine is going to see if he can successfully weld it. If not I've had offers of one to be sent over from the U.S.

New replacement smallend arrived for the blackburne engine soon be running again

Picked this mower up yesterday Has anybody any Information on this engine

Yes I would love to have whatever parts you want to part with. 8182057758

I spoke to John Cruse recently and he seemed ok, I know he is scaling down the repair side of the business and concentrating on parts sales through ebay...

Hi All, After spending the day playing around with the points bucket, I got every thing tightened up, running on an electronic ign Cheers Andrew

Hi All, I have one that I will be fixing the points on to get consistent runs out of, I got a reply about fuel ect from another site, I have listed the reply below. The whole points housing is very loose on the crank case and floats around while running. Cheers Andrew

As suspected the Blackburne Engine needs new piston rings. And the wee end is showing sign of wear. new valve guides fitted new piston ring have been sourced.

I'll have the Bentley - always fancied one. I too had a Vitesse 6 1600 and always thought it was a much sweeter and better revving engine than the later 2000 or 2500.

Do you have pics of your generator ? I have a diaphragm if this is what you need ? message me with your address and I will send you one . I would like to see them all running again

Hi everyone long time no see! just thought I’d post regarding my latest find completely original and unmolested😀 unusually it has solid front tyres ??