Oz & James Drink to Britain

Oz & James Drink to Britain

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atomicpunk

Original Poster:

340 posts

208 months

Wednesday 7th January 2009
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Did anyone catch the first episode of the new Oz Clarke & James May series on BBC last night? This year they're travelling around Britain in a Corniche convertible. And towing a caravan!


cardigankid

8,849 posts

219 months

Thursday 8th January 2009
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Can I say that while it is an enjoyable programme I have a real problem with people hitching a caravan up to a Corniche Convertible. It's not May's own one which is a '72 FHC in Garnet (as featured on Top gear before) but that is an act of vandalism imho.

Can the BBC really not afford a B&B?

Balmoral Green

41,762 posts

255 months

Thursday 8th January 2009
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Don't be daft, it's no worse than the Queen wearing a party hat at Christmas, it's only a temporary loss of dignity, and she's no less thought of when she takes it off again.

There are quite a few people who tow with their RR/Bentley, usually a race car on a trailer, but there are some lovely caravan outfits out there. One that springs to mind is a very nice Bentley S2 James Young 2 dr Coupe in two tone green, with a Carlight (a high quality hand built marque) caravan painted in matching colours.

We went camping in France last year with the Turbo R, we might get a caravan sometime, if I could find a 1985 Swift Challenger 390/2 Twin axle, but they are very rare. Might have to settle for a mid eighties Swift Corniche 14/2, as long as it has the Syspal chassis.

2woody

919 posts

217 months

Saturday 10th January 2009
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caravans ? hmmmmm

Mind you, I've just started drawing up a tow-bar for mine. Have plenty of track-day cars to tow about. There were plenty of tow-bar equipped cars used by the factory for towing other cars, although I'm pretty sure they never tried a caravan.

cardigankid

8,849 posts

219 months

Monday 12th January 2009
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Anyone who has a little sensitivity to cars and who has towed one of these infernal things knows that you are pulling the guts out of your chassis and overstressing your engine and brakes, and I am truly horrified that someone has seen fit to do this to a coachbuilt S2.

The Corniche is a monocoque, so what is the towbar fixed to? Was it designed for this? I doubt it. Have Rolls Royce commented? I believe that you used to lose your warranty for taking the car through a car wash, never mind bolting a glorified horsebox to the back end.

I imagine it also totally spoils the pleasure in driving the car.

Added to which this is a convertible, so the monocoque has already been weakened. How many people come on here whining about scuttle shake and loss of torsional rigidity. How much worse will that be made by towing a ton of rubbish from the rear frame?


Edited by cardigankid on Wednesday 14th January 07:40

Bluebottle911

811 posts

202 months

Wednesday 14th January 2009
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Caravans are an excellent idea. Indeed, they should be encouraged in order to enable the great unwashed (and Margaret Beckett) to enjoy an economical holiday in these troubled times. This would save us all from the embarrassment of having to meet the lower orders (or Margaret Beckett) in an hotel in which we happened to be staying.

However, there should be strict rules about when they may be moved on the public highway: only between the hours of midnight and 6.00 a.m. At all other times, they should be parked off the road, screened from view, so as not to give offence to those of a sensitive disposition.
wink

Balmoral Green

41,762 posts

255 months

Wednesday 14th January 2009
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Margaret and Leo are lovely.

Bluebottle911

811 posts

202 months

Wednesday 14th January 2009
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Evening BG - Happy New Year.

I am taking my TR for its annual pilgrimage to Crondall on Monday. Not taking he caravan laugh

Balmoral Green

41,762 posts

255 months

Wednesday 14th January 2009
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Let's hope it doesn't need much. Give my regards to Simon & Stuart.