Overnighting in the car in Sainsbury’s car park could have been a lot worse ie it could have rained, or been cold. (Channeling my inner Bear Grylls however, the hood cover plus several detailing clothes provided a makeshift duvet). Of course, it could have been a lot better ie I could have got some sleep.
After a liquid breakfast from the supermarket market garage (not that sort!), another call to The AA & about 0830 a very nice chap who was actually from The AA turned up with a low loader.
Having had a ponder as to whether to go on to Redline or go back to Chariots, I decided on the latter as a few WhatsApp messages with Jay suggested he knew how to fix the problem. About 90 minutes later we were back where I had started from 13 hours previously & ‘the fix’ had commenced. I had to chuckle when Jay proceeded to drill out the rivets securing the fuse box in order to access the other end of the throttle cable where it connected to the electronic throttle. Not my idea of roadside repairable at any rate!
A mere 20 minutes later, & up cycling the throttle cable from an old Jag, I was good to go. It was too late to make the CMI rally morning meet at Redline, & I doubted I would achieve Bradford-upon-Avon in time for lunch at the Five Zeros cafe, so I headed straight for the day’s third event… Meet up at the old Marcos factory on Westbury Trading Estate, Trowbridge. Three hours later I got there at exactly the same time as the main group of owners, & it wasn’t long before we were all listening attentively as Dave Chivers, the ex-Marcos Production Manager, as he talked us through the factory set up. Always something interesting to learn on these occasions, & of course although I had visited a few times while Marcos were operating, it was nice to be back where the car had been put together 27 years ago.
Next stop, the hotel for the CMI Rally dinner. It was nice to grab a beer & start catching up with a few people, & even meet some new owners. As usual, some of the Luxembourg owners had come over – a bloody good effort & I love their passion for the marque. Dinner was great & conversation was sparkling (for a car club) with the exception of my own, as the wine was rather soporific. I even spoke to a few people who read this blog, which was very gratifying. (You know who you are!)
The after dinner entertainment consisted of a birthday surprise for the inimitable Richard Partridge (not one but two birthday cakes, no less) and some more Marcos tales from Dave Chivers. The highlight for me was the inside story of the various shenanigans at Le Mans when Marcos competed there in the 24 Hours race. Every time I hear more about it, there is more chaos, derring do & skullduggery to be had. Great fun! Alas, the lack of sleep was catching up on me & I am afraid Dave closed his session with a (well deserved) quip about needing to finish as I was dropping off. Mea Culpa. I made my apologies & went to bed. It had been an eventful day.