BOND NATIONAL RALLY at Nottingham

[richard]

National Rally this weekend - hopefully will meet up again with forum members Jim, Rusty Chrome, Nimrod cabin and Dave Miller . Can't get there until Sunday but looking forward to it very much and the much silliness and HUGE competitiveness at driving events

[Rob Dobie]

Which one of your cars are you going in? 

[richard]

Well bob its a problem I wrestle with I must say . Last year jim and malcolm were also carless but working on restorations . Mainly due to pressure of work , and a very active social life , I still haven't got a car ready - wait till I retire eh ? Still much better to be there than not . Always spend a goodly portion of the sunday afternoon helping the driving tests . What's your excuse then Rob ? Helping a neighbour with a wardrobe again YAWN ?   

[Rob Dobie]

Got rid of that fat bitch. Well and truly got stitched up by the old dog. Story of my life really.
The excuse this time: Too far for my electric bike to travel and I might get lost in the forest. Also trying to bash up my 12' x 8' x 4' pond. The heron and seagulls had a picnic last week!    Who want a ton of rubble?

[Big Al]

Knotts and Bonds, Na ha! It all makes sense when you know about it.

[richard]

A lovely day was had at Nottingham on Sunday , met up with several forum members , wives and partners, and watchers too . Fantastic weather but much talk was of the appalling wind and rain on the on the Friday and Saturday and adventures on the run . I had left home 05.30 in order to drive all the way to Byards Leap area, 3 1/2 hours  away in order to purchase a couple of micro related engines . The urgency being to get them before Bob and Planty were in the area next weekend and got a sniff of them !   

[Bob Purton]

But you are quite happy to pick my brains as to what the engine even is before hand!
Are you another engine hoarder like Mr Plant? How is this helping get more microcars on the road?

I guess it could save some from being scrapped.

[richard]

Bob I did not mean to wind you up . The engines were not on the micro scene at all so there is more chance now than before ! As I had told you before they were not cheap but I think they are good ? Thanks for the help in identifying the one I was unsure of , it has to turned out to be a Villiers 9E 4/ SF as used on some Scooters and Scootacars . I love finding stuff that's all .

[Bob Purton]

Not wound up Richard, just banter.
The point I make about hoarders I think is valid though. I know people who don't restore cars or drive them, just buy up all the parts and tuck them away like trophies. Then when genuine enthusiasts need say an engine for there car to get it or keep it on the road it makes things much much harder to find. Mind you still others who have bought up the stock are very willing to sell the bits to someone in genuine need. I have received such help from more than one hoarder!

[richard]

Take your point bob but the biggest "hoarders" , not that they mean to be ! ,of all are the autojumblers trying to clear boxes of tat that they have had for 30 plus years - it takes an eye and a bad back to find it for what it is and put it in the micro field . New to the market items bob - you will know that phrase !

[Bob Purton]

I do indeed as the first 28 years in my trade I was a dealer but now turned restorer. Seen both sides.

[Big Al]

Take your point bob but the biggest "hoarders" , not that they mean to be ! ,of all are the autojumblers trying to clear boxes of tat that they have had for 30 plus years - it takes an eye and a bad back to find it for what it is and put it in the micro field . New to the market items bob - you will know that phrase !

What I was mainly doing for 20 years, and I enjoyed finding the stuff, but they way people carry on you would not think I was doing a service in bring new stuff into the accessible market. Only difference was I admitted making money out of it and paid my tax as a good citizen. Probably a bad decision looking back on it. Should have kept my tax and morphed the availability into Robin Hood and his dodgy geezers. Hey ho.

[Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)]

A lovely day in Nottingham. Here are a few pics.

[Garybond]

I must go next year looks a good turnout

[richard]

It was , but a great shame too wet in the grass for driving games which are usually a highlight . They really (ab)use those cars !

i can count 17 minicars in those pics - but there are bound to be more . i can also make out L - R   terry day, trevor bateman , mike hele, nick mander, myself talking to ace cartoonist dennis jump . it was the first time many of us had ever seen a Bond MK A , on the right , next to a MK B  , both white . much talk was of the different dimensions - very nerdish but fun .