Myrtle is still misbehaving! She starts first time and is quite happy to plod along for a good few hours, then will mysteriously start coughing and spluttering, lose all power and eventually cut out. If I then leave her for say 30 seconds, she will restart and drive along as if nothing was the matter for a few more miles, then do it all over again.
I thought my dear old dad "The Ern" may have sorted her out the other day, but apparently not. Ern bought a laser rpm gadget and he re-timed Myrtle and adjusted her carb, thinking this may be what was causing her issue.
Myrtle 65 St Mary's
Well, when John and I decided to head out for an adventure as we were both off work today. We drove towards Gateshead/Newcastle, planning to head to Whitley Bay. I am now expecting a ticket for driving into and through a bus lane. I mean, what the F#@K which muppet decided to change the whole road layout on the approach to the Swing and Tyne Bridge. You are right on top of the bloody thing before you know it, and there are so many sign posts, traffic lights and road markings. Now that I am home and thinking about it, I still don't have a clue how the hell you are supposed to get onto the Tyne Bridge. I think it is just a ploy to get as much revenue in as possible, as when I panicked and checked my rearview mirror, there were about another five cars behind me doing the same thing. I mean was I even in a bus lane, it definitely said so and there were these big camera warning signs, but that wasn't until I was actually in the lane and by that time already potentially nabbed.
Anyhoo...
Myrtle was super well-behaved right up to Whitley Bay. We parked up at St Mary's Lighthouse to go for a little stroll and whilst there, had a chat with a few people, including a very friendly couple who had a Morris Minor 1000.
Moggy 1000
Checking out the Old Morris Minor
St Marys
It was a lot hotter than it looked in the picture
As we came to leave, Myrtle just did not want to start and was making some weird noises from her engine. At first, I thought the new fangled Cooler Box I had just bought the day before from Halford's had maybe flattened her battery. My dad had wired the cigarette socket in with a separate switch and I had made sure I turned the Cooler off as I left the car just in case it did drain her battery. Anyhoo Myrtle eventually decided to start and again drove perfectly, with no issues.
Handy Cooler box fits in behind the back seat
John and I didn't really have a plan of where we were going, heading up towards Blyth. I then suggested we go to Amble and John whipped out his phone to see how far away it was. For some reason we totally missed Amble I think we drove through it. Our aim was to find a nice bit of beach, so we continued up to Alnmouth.
We had a few tunes in the car today as we drove with the windows down as it was so warm. Ooh and I actually got to try out Myrtle's windscreen wipers today as it started to spit on to rain, they work and actually park, man it's the little things that make you smile.
A few tunes from my wee case
At Alnmouth I was able to park for free, the benefits of having a leg off. It was chocka block, so we had to wait awhile to nab a prime spot. I wanted somewhere I could get a few pics of Myrtle.
John happy, we found a canny spot
A lovely day, good company a few tunes and a bit bait
Beach Combing for an appropriate pebble
Me
Myrtle 65
Myrtle 65
It was red-hot sitting on the bankside right next to the beach. We took my vintage boom box out of Myrtle and sat and listened to some music whilst we ate our sandwiches and snacks, the Cooler box has been a good buy the pop was lovely and chilled, as were my yoghurts I had brought along.
I had a bit of a beach comb looking for a pebble for John and presented him with a small one just big enough to keep in his pocket. I told him all about the gratitude stone I keep in my pocket and how it helps me to be grateful and put things in to perspective.
a wee gratitude pebble
After a while we packed up and drove out of the car park, Myrtle didn't half catch the speed humps on the way out, weird as she was okay coming in.
Warkworth Castle on the way there
Driving past the castle on the way back
After a little bit more Googling, John being my navigator, we found the A1 South. Myrtle was cruising along nicely at between 40 and 50 mph. Then, as we went to climb up an incline, she decided to try and do her dying swan act. "Oh no, not here Myrtle, come on just a little bit further please". Fortunately, we had just passed a sign for Parking and a lay-by, so I pulled in. Myrtle proceeded to cut out. I waited about a minute and turned her key, where she proceeded to burst into life and was fine. We managed to get all the way along the A1 turning off for Consett and Myrtle was fine until we hit Rowlands Gill bank where I had to pull in again. Actually we had stopped in Rowlands Gill just before that as my memory serves as the bloody speed hump had attacked Myrtle's front number plate. John had to get out and pull the remaining hanger off as it was dragging along the road.
The main thing is Myrtle eventually got us home. Once home, I was telling Ern about our trip, and he immediately went and had a look at Myrtle. There was a little bit of oil lying in her engine bay, we think it has come from the oil switch, so I am going to order a new one. My dad has also pulled out her back seats and unbolted the inspection cover to look at Myrtle's electric fuel pump. I personally think this maybe the culprit, because I just feels as if Myrtle is loosing fuel when pulling hard, like on the motorway or when going up a hill. So we are investigating getting a new fuel pump, regulator and bracket to try and reposition the fuel pump and also put hardlines in, as Ern doesn't like the idea of a rubber line being so close to the engine where it gets hot.
We have also had Myrtles passenger side rear wheel and brake drum off to check her brake shoes. We were just about to do the drivers side when it started raining, maybe we will get it checked out tomorrow or Saturday. When I reverse in Myrtle, there is a sound coming from somewhere. I thought she may have been picking up a brake shoe, but the passenger side looks ok.
Ahh! the joys of owning an old quirky car, huh? My pulling on Myrtle's rear wing to no avail has now resulted in a crack in her paint work, so I guess that is an excuse to have her re-painted sometime in the future...
It has been well over 2 months since I last had a ride out with my friend John. He has had a few days off work, so suggested we have a little look out. Both of us aren't exactly as fit as we used to be. I mean I have ridden every day for 579 days now, and I am on Day 161 of this year, however that has mostly been on my turbo trainer, and although I get quite the sweat on it is totally different to being out in the real world and climbing hills and going over rougher terrain. Not only that I decided to take my Fat Bike and although it is so much fun it can be a bit harder work.
Out with John Day 161 x
Did I mention I am riding every day this year for Arctic One, a charity who have supported myself and many other people? Arctic ONE is not one of these big, well known charities, however the work they do is nothing short of amazing. If you can spare anything great or if you just would like to see what Arctic ONE is about and what they do, either search for them on Facebook or checkout www.arctic1.co.uk
This morning I had to re-attach my tendons to my Bartlett Tendon. I got the first bolt in, tightening it up with my mini torque wrench and went to put the second bolt in for the cam and the bloody bolt snapped. Fortunately I had a spare and the broken piece came out fairly easily by using a screwdriver.
Broken stud in my knee
By the time I had fannied on with my leg, John had arrived, so as usual he had to wait a little while till I got my gear sorted.
We were soon off just making a route up as we went and deciding as we were not exactly fit just to stay local and not go too far. It was more just about being out than how far.
Basically, we headed over to Chapman Wells Nature reserve and just had a tootle around whilst chatting.
Out on the BTK and my Fat Bike
John patiently waiting for me to position camera
My Silverback Synergy Fat developed a horrible clicking sound, which progressed to a screech at times, so I think my bottom bracket is on its way out. Ern is going to inspect it for me, never mind the bike got me home and nothing dropped off or seized up.
John and Glenn
John
Not a very exciting tale I am afraid the heat has zapped my energy over the last few days, not complaining mind you. I just feel so fortunate and grateful to be able to do all the things I am able to do.
Riding back up the trail
Fuel
Next week I am away to see the Cancer Specialist Nurse for a review, so far the treatment has kept my Non Hodgkin's at bay and I haven't felt any lumps or bumps. I am still having a few minor issues with socket fit, however again feel fortunate as it has been probably 3 or maybe even 4 years since Pace Rehabilitation designed my current socket and in that time I have only been back to the Disability Service Centre maybe two or three times.
I awoke proper early again this morning, firstly around about 5:30 am and then again at bang on 6:39 am, the exact time I have my alarm set, for getting up for work, however today I had taken Annual Leave so why Oh why can't my brain understand "TODAY IS A LIE IN DAY". I browsed my phone to see if there was anything interesting, hoping desperately that I may have won the lottery and I could then put my dream of buying a house in Scotland and buggering off to live a pretty isolated existence. "Pah" nowt again...
Love this Wee car
Out for a tootle with John
The Joker
I then decided to get up, get ready and go out and wash Myrtle and give her a quick polish, knowing I was going to meet up with my mate John around 9:30 am'ish. I had suggested to John we could have a ride through to South Shields and in passing pop in to the VW Workshop. I just wanted to have a chat with the lad who runs the garage about a few things on Myrtle and kind of get a second opinion as it were, mainly about her rear wings and why one appears to be wider than the other and what I could possibly do to sort the issue.
Myrtle 65 @ Souter Aired Up
Myrtle 65 @ Souter Aired Out
It was very nice talking to Darren who provided me with some bits of advice and of course it is always nice when someone who knows a little about these cars passes on a nice comment about your ride.
Following popping in to the garage, John and I took Myrtle down to South Shields and the sea front and rode along as far as Souter Lighthouse, getting a few pictures and thoroughly enjoying our catch-up. It has been a few months since I last saw John, life just gets in the way I guess at times.
Aired Up
Aired Out
Me and the Wee Bug
Got to love my custom mini surf board
We drove from Souter down to Seaburn and then headed for Sunderland, heading down to Penshaw Monument and turning in at Herrington Park where we parked up, and I grabbed us a couple of delicious double ice creams from the ice cream van.
Delicious
Bloody Lovely on a hot Day
Herrington Park with John
Travelling back home and up the Chester Road, Myrtle started coughing and spluttering a little bit, just felt like a lack of fuel. We pulled in at Grange Villa and just stood for a minute or so and surprisingly Myrtle then drove off and was fine again.
We then just did a local loop heading over to Craghead, and up Wagtail Lane, then headed down and through Burhope, going down the back road where the Wind Turbines are. Again a few snaps, then down to Sacriston coming out by the scrapyards and from there back home to Stanley.
Myrtle at Burnhope
Driving this wee car is a lot of fun I am having to watch out for the numerous potholes, as with having the low profile tyres on her, it feels horrible if I hit a hole. It just felt so good to have the windows down on such a warm day and potter around.
Me and Myrtle
Oh and my dad fitted my new Garmin 56W dash cam. It is really small and quite unobtrusive. At a later date I may get a rear camera too, as this is where I figure I will get most of my problems from irate drivers who don't understand Myrtle is an old car and has to take her time. So beep right back at ya!
Garmin 56W is tiny
Another very kind comment from a lady in Sunderland as we were waiting at the traffic lights, saying "I Love your car". It's awesome the positive reactions and when the wee car makes people smile...
It has been what has felt like a never ending road to get Myrtle to where she is now. It just popped up the other day on Facebook that I have owned her for 2 years. In that time I had never driven her due to me being a professional cripple, and having my leg off, it's ok for free parking, but that is about it.
This was Myrtle when I went to see and buy her.
I instantly fell in love with Myrtle upon seeing her advertised on eBay and arranged a viewing asap, she was up at Lockerbie. As soon as I saw her in the flesh my mind was made up to buy her, I didn't even haggle over the price.
It wasn't until a few days after we got Myrtle that my dad and I started discovering what we thought were small, easy fixes. It all started with her horn not working from the steering wheel push. Instead, she had a small toggle switch under the dash...weird we thought.
My dad downloaded a wiring diagram and discovered that the wire may have not been earthing correctly on the steering column, so we set about removing her fuel tank to get to the column. This is when we saw that Myrtle had no shock towers on her 6-inch beam and at some point someone had bolted shockers directly to her body. Obviously I couldn't leave the old girl like that and this is where what I thought would be a car that just required a few small bits here and there started eating away at my money.
Myrtle as she is now
Due to Covid Myrtle was away for a long period of time last year having her semi-auto clutch fitted. She then required taking back so that the mechanic down at Bewick Mobility could have a tinker with the operation to get her driving better. Apparently because Myrtle has had LED tail lights retro fitted, and they flash quickly 3 times before the brake lights light, it was confusing the ECU of the semi-auto clutch, and it was acting up. It now appears to be a lot better, and just takes a bit of time to get used to. Pulling away and hill starts need more practice, me thinks.
Myrtle was booked in for an M.O.T today at 2pm, so my dad and I changed her wheels this morning as the tyres on my smoothie rims on the front have cracks in them. This came about when her tracking was all over the place following tinkering with her front beam and air shocks. Once we had Myrtle laser aligned at The General Garage, her steering and handling drastically improved.
My dad has done the majority of the work on Myrtle, thanks dad
The new John Browns SMA's from R&R Alloys look pretty darn good, even if I do say so myself. I have 17x7's on the rear and 17x5's on the front. I had to have the fronts specially narrowed as they were catching terribly on the beam and pan. I'm not sure if putting a 6-inch beam on would have cured the problem, but I didn't want to go back to a 6 inch, preferring a 4 inch instead. This still has limited her turning circle and I have to watch if I encounter any really tight turns.
Oh and running 17's requires low profile tyres, so I am an ardent pothole watcher, and as you know there are loads about waiting to destroy your car and kill you.
Myrtle now has working suspension, she goes up and down on her Limebug equipped beams and Air-Lift 3p set up. She has Limebug's Gold Top MOA front air shocks and these have really helped her lift at the front. I am also running Cage66fabrication extended arms, which make the front wheels sit centred and stop my wheels hitting the buckets of my headlights.
Myrtle 65 SMA Wheels
We installed a full custom Aircooled Auto Elec loom and blade fuse box from Iain Burns, who was awesome in his support and service, so now among other things I have a working interior light. I know some people won't get it, but that little light brings me so much joy as I open the door to Myrtle. It's just the little things. Myrtle is also equipped with brighter LED headlight bulbs, and instrument cluster bulbs.
Me and Myrtle
I sent the wiper motor away to have a terminal fitted and also to have the motor serviced, apparently it is off a 1968 model, so we now have working wipers which park and my dad fitted an electric washer, using a micro switch in the original button and plunger. I also have stealth USB ports in my ashtray just in case I need to connect anything.
Wee Myrtle
Still lots more work to possibly carry out, however at least I can now enjoy cruising about in Myrtle whilst we plan the next stage in her evolution.
Things I am looking at are all mega bucks, stuff like paint, interior and possibly engine & gearbox.
Me and Myrtle
And so to today's little adventure, a rip down to the Arnison and calling into Halford's to pick up an extendable wheel brace, to keep in Myrtle just in case.
I also need to pick up a scissor jack. I took a few pics in the car park, and then we headed back towards home stopping off at Waldridge Fell for a few more snaps.
Looking good
It seems as if I have seen more speed humps in the last three days than any other time in my life. Myrtle still tends to catch now and again, and I hate the scarping noise. I am going to set one of my air ride presets to speed hump mode LoL
Myrtle 65
As for her M.O.T, passed with no problems at all...
Myrtle is kind of drivable now, by that I mean the semi auto-clutch is taking some getting used to, it is a little bit fickle. At times, I think it is either engaged or not engaged depending on how you look at it, by that I mean if I did have a proper right leg I would press my foot down to engage the clutch and release it to disengage and therefore be able to drive off. Oh! and her brakes have given me a few scares as she keeps loosing her pedal. Ern (my dad) thinks they may require bleeding again, after we fitted a new brake master cylinder.
I have come to realise that owning an old car and having somewhat of my own quirks, as in a spot of OCD that it can be quite stressful. Not everything is going to be perfect, and I am going to have to learn to live with Myrtles little idiosyncrasies.
I love wee Myrtle, so I am trying really hard to reign in my anxiety and compulsion to get every little thing working and every single measurement, blemish, rattle or squeak sorted. Mind you that rattle on the passenger side door is bugging the hell out of me so I will have to have a look behind her makeshift door card.
So this morning's idea was to get up and give Myrtle a wash and a polish, then take her out for a little spin. I just wanted to practice getting used to her clutch and the gear change and kept my fingers crossed that her brakes would work somewhat when I needed them.
We didn't go far, just along to Craghead, turning up towards Wagtail Lane, or the lonely road as we used to call it when we were kids.
It
was another beautiful morning, so I wound Myrtle's window down, yes
wound it down, there's a novelty no leccy windows in the old girl. I
tried adjusting her little wing mirrors I can just about see out of the
drivers if I bob me heed about, but the passenger side is a lot more
difficult to see out of.
I made a short video today and got some pictures, then decided to drive up to Stanley, parked up at Asda, drew some money from the speed bank and went and got my hair cut over at the barbers. Upon coming back I was sure Myrtle was leaning over again... I had to reign in my OCD and drove home to publish me stuff and write this blog.
Myrtle 1965 VW Beetle
It takes some getting used to driving an old car I mean Myrtle is only a 1200cc, she will probably do 60 mph at a push, but she is quite content to amble around at about 40 to 50 mph, much to the annoyance of a lot of drivers. There really are some pretty unhappy and not very nice people out there. Not today as there wasn't much traffic locally, but whilst I have been going backwards and forwards in Myrtle I have received angry beeps, people undertaking me, and people overtaking me, which is a given, I just wish they wouldn't do it in dangerous places. There are some all together raggie drivers. One wifey was about 6 feet off my bumper the other week and not a happy bunny at all. She beeped at me and got a beep back, as Myrtle's horn now works Lol
Of course, it hasn't been all bad I have had a bus driver in his double-decker bus wave at me with a huge smile on his face, a couple of classic Mini drivers wave and a few people rubber neck as I go by with smiles on their faces.
I guess you either love or hate these Wee cars, for me Myrtle just makes me smile. She is heavy on the steering with a huge yet thin steering wheel, her brakes like I say are nowhere near a modern cars, she is noisy and rattly, to be fair no proper carpets or sound deadening down, and her door cards are not trimmed so rattling. She doesn't have a heater, or a radio and I definitely need her seats sorting as I can feel the old springs and something sticking in my back, but like I say I love her.
I'm also used to driving an automatic, my little Smart car Tango, which although is an auto, has a notorious horrible gearbox and, my new 12Up Beetle GSR which has a lovely Dsg box. So getting used to a manual 4 speed, yet relying on a sensor to dip the clutch is a bit daunting.
Myrtle 65
Cars have come such a long way, my cousin came to see me the other week with his brand-new Volvo, a lovely looking motor, however when he got on about all the safety features and the bells and whistles I just though Wow! I am surprised you now don't have to take a separate functional part to your driving test. I know it is not in the too far future of self drive cars, but hey where is the fun in that. Also looking at electric cars, yes the future, but Omg! There soundtrack is so boring as they whirrr! Along. I guess I am still old school.
