Roadtrip - parts collecting UK

[trondvo]

Back in Norway since Saturday evening, not much energy for a few days though.

The trip was nice, the area below Coventry and Birmingham is beautiful, the small roads are made for E-types (and motorbikes). Vegetation instead of armco barriers!

The only setback was the 3.8 Head I was bringing to Chesman Engineering, there was pitting in the exhaust ports, upon some scraping they grew to craters. They pressure tested the ports and they failed, one 3.8 SP head less around.

Visited CMC, they gave me a guided tour of the facilities, impressing what they are doing on their premises. Took some very good photos of 3.8 Jags in restoration to assist me getting my own right. An XKS in front of the building was as impressive, I think it was a GBP 4k mill tag on it.. :)

Chesman Engineering was very helpful and great people, they have all sort of engines in for machining and some early Ferrari in the works that tell me what kind of capacities they have. Very nice folks I would recommend them to anyone.

Picking up the used parts I bought from a fellow forum member at Alex's "Body Beautiful (cars)" was perhaps the visit that I enjoyed the most. They are doing some impressive work on E-types. Alex is the kind of body/paint guy I wish I had in my neighborhood!

SNG had most of my parts, they supply and that is what they are about. Friendly and most parts in stock.

Martin Robey was as disappointing as last time I visited them, helpful sales clerk but when it came to VAT questions the guy in the back office made it all black... ok, they may only be doing their job but I had problems last time I bought parts there in person as well. Maybe I was unlucky, they have done much for the E-type spare parts scene.

Got my wire wheel balancing kit from Fosseway (Simon) and showed me one of the Early Radiators, was impressed with the quality of his work. Simon received me at home to supply the balancing kit, great service. Am going for one of his radiators for the 61 OTS, perhaps also for the 62 FHC when I get done with some of the large bills coming up on body and paint.

The West Midlands countryside showed itself in sunny weather and it does not stand back from places I have on the map for a summer cottage or winter retrieval.