Classic Friendly Breakdown Service
Discussion
So after my P5B embarrassed itself (and me) the other week I was thinking which of the recovery and breakdown companies is the best?
After changing the points and condenser I couldn't get the car to start - cue a bit of head scratching and some rather ropey diagnostics and I came to the conclusion that the coil had given up the ghost.
A nice man in an orange van came and went through all that I had done and confirmed it was the coil - sadly he doesn't keep them on board, although he did say some of the older hands keep some "classic bits in a box" for the summer influx of stranded classic cars.
Any thoughts as to who's the best? Any stories about old school bodges or youngsters looking where the diagnostic port is on a 1935 Lanchester?
SD.
After changing the points and condenser I couldn't get the car to start - cue a bit of head scratching and some rather ropey diagnostics and I came to the conclusion that the coil had given up the ghost.
A nice man in an orange van came and went through all that I had done and confirmed it was the coil - sadly he doesn't keep them on board, although he did say some of the older hands keep some "classic bits in a box" for the summer influx of stranded classic cars.
Any thoughts as to who's the best? Any stories about old school bodges or youngsters looking where the diagnostic port is on a 1935 Lanchester?
SD.
Britannia Rescue look after our '63 Riley really well.
When it failed to proceed at Pendine en-route to Tenby a couple of years ago their local agent picked it up and took it to our destination then sent out a mechanic the next morning who found a cracked rotor arm (I couldn't see it) and replaced it with one from my spares box - he owned a Midget so was familiar with older cars and BMC in particular.
I may have been fortunate that time but they've also been good on previous recovery jobs: holed radiator, fuel leak (on previous RME).
We have personal cover so all four of our cars are included and (I think) any we're passengers in.
When it failed to proceed at Pendine en-route to Tenby a couple of years ago their local agent picked it up and took it to our destination then sent out a mechanic the next morning who found a cracked rotor arm (I couldn't see it) and replaced it with one from my spares box - he owned a Midget so was familiar with older cars and BMC in particular.
I may have been fortunate that time but they've also been good on previous recovery jobs: holed radiator, fuel leak (on previous RME).
We have personal cover so all four of our cars are included and (I think) any we're passengers in.
nvubu said:
+1 for the RAC.
Called out for both my Esprit & Excel. Esprit - fixed, Excel - low loader to my mechanic.
RAC breakdown was part of my classic car insurance. My classic gave up on the Manchester to Blackpool event. We were relayed by back to our base in Berkshire, very slick and efficient service. Called out for both my Esprit & Excel. Esprit - fixed, Excel - low loader to my mechanic.
A lot depends what you mean by "classic friendly".
I've been with the AA for years and had to be recovered a few times and always found the folks in the vans to actually enjoy being called out to a classic as it makes a change from another modern and they stand a chance of getting their hands dirty and at least diagnosing if not fixing it. I've never had one say "Yea, I don't know anything about these old cars, I'll just have to tow you." - but have had some say "At least it's not another modern where if it's not a flat tyre all I can do if plug in the computer and have it tell me to take it to the dealer.".
That said I don't think you'll find any of the national services who still have a coils/dizzy caps/rotor arms/etc for historic tax class cars.
I've been with the AA for years and had to be recovered a few times and always found the folks in the vans to actually enjoy being called out to a classic as it makes a change from another modern and they stand a chance of getting their hands dirty and at least diagnosing if not fixing it. I've never had one say "Yea, I don't know anything about these old cars, I'll just have to tow you." - but have had some say "At least it's not another modern where if it's not a flat tyre all I can do if plug in the computer and have it tell me to take it to the dealer.".
That said I don't think you'll find any of the national services who still have a coils/dizzy caps/rotor arms/etc for historic tax class cars.
I had the RAC out for my XK once. The clutch master cylinder died and I didn't quite make it back home avoiding coming to a complete stop.
The guy who turned up was very friendly and was able to get me going enough to get home.
He was delighted, he said he'd been on the vans for years and had carried a set of imperial spanners all that time and this was the first time he'd ever had to use them.
The guy who turned up was very friendly and was able to get me going enough to get home.
He was delighted, he said he'd been on the vans for years and had carried a set of imperial spanners all that time and this was the first time he'd ever had to use them.
Riley Blue said:
//j17 said:
I don't think you'll find any of the national services who still have a coils/dizzy caps/rotor arms/etc for historic tax class cars.
Most of the classic owners I know carry such things with them, I always do. He said that he enjoyed the challenge of diagnosis without the help of any electronic aids. Going back to first principles was a pleasant change. He'd never done a PtB but was vaguely familiar with the Rover (Buick) V8.
SD.
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