Going out out
Dave celebrates the birthday of his Series I in style
I’ve neglected SXF733 in recent years, especially during the past 12 months, with its last outing being to the Patina National last September.
With restrictions eased and news that the annual Series One Club meet at the Bolton Abbey railway station was on however, this was an opportunity to put some miles under SXF’S belt, especially as it was on the day of its birthday. It’s the longest I’ve ever owned a vehicle (over half of its lifetime, having been registered in May 1958) and I’m only its fourth owner (the first being the Civil Defence as all SXF models were) and it deserved a treat.
First however it would need a good check over. It was washed down, fluids, nuts, bolts and bearings all checked, and a splash of fresh oil in the dash-pots. But would it start after eight months stood? Of course, it would. After two turns the V8 fired into life and after a couple of minutes on choke it was nicely ticking over. All that needed to be done next was to fill it up with fuel. The recent news and warnings about extra ethanol being added to petrol (he current 5 per cent ethanol being increased to 10) has been causing concern in classic car and Land Rover circles. Cars pre-2002 are being warned not to use it – the reason I’m told is, it will rot some rubber, plastic or even metal parts. The Government’s own E10 Fuel Check website does say it is cleared for use in all petrol Land Rovers from 1996 model year, so that rules out my ex-range Rover V8. The extra ethanol is not being added to super unleaded, so it will be okay for older engines to use in the future. Talking with the manager at my local filling station he thinks E10 isn’t going to be at the pumps until September but they will be marked when it changes. Its certainly something classic car owners need to be looking at for the future.
The Informal meet at the Bolton Abbey Station, organised by Mark Strangways, has been an annual event since 2013, but goes back long before that and was originally held at Embsay Station, one stop down the line. The event is normally held on National Drive it Day in April but this year moved to May as restrictions were lifted. It always attracts a good selection of Series Is and other Land Rovers, as well as a few classic cars and trucks, with steam trains as an extra bonus.
For me it was about the drive to Bolton Abbey, even if it was just under 20 miles each way.
While I’d forgotten just how uncomfortable my SI is to drive with its high clutch pedal, and the fact it’s bouncy and noisy, I still enjoyed driving it. I even got a few waves from other Land Rover drivers, including the owner of a new Defender 90. The drive there was without incident, the V8 ran faultlessly with the temperature gauge never moving from the 85 degrees mark.
The meet is just that – everyone arrives, parks up and walks around chatting to fellow owners. There are a couple of people that have Land Rover parts laid out for sale but it’s all very laid back and relaxed. It was a smaller turnout than past years, but there must have been 35 Series Is, and a few of later models.
I had to leave early, which was just as well as a torrential rain storm arrived, but I can report that my canvas tilt does not leak. I’d reproofed it a few years back and don’t think until now its ever had a good soaking. Being constantly dripped on when driving isn’t enjoyable. Despite the weather the V8 didn’t miss a beat again (maybe the super unleaded did make it run better?). Whatever it was, it was a real pleasure to drive the SI again and SXF must have enjoyed its birthday treat as on its return home it marked its territory on the driveway, with a fresh patch of clean oil from the gearbox area!