Car least likely to make the return trip
Discussion
So, we have plenty people going in quality motors that are likely to make it to LM and back with ease, suffering minimal mechanical failures (even the TVRs 
)
But, who is going in the motor most likely to overheat / throw a piston / lunch the gearbox or some other catastrophic failure. For these are the brave souls that fully embody the soul of LM and they should be recognised.
Plus, it's always better if you can shout out someones name when your pointing and laughing at them stranded on the side of a French road
) But, who is going in the motor most likely to overheat / throw a piston / lunch the gearbox or some other catastrophic failure. For these are the brave souls that fully embody the soul of LM and they should be recognised.
Plus, it's always better if you can shout out someones name when your pointing and laughing at them stranded on the side of a French road
Well seeing as I've done about 60 miles in my Chim so far this year (in early Feb) and its currently off the road, I'm in with a good chance. The plan is to have it re-trimmed, roll bar'd, and the steering rack replaced in time for the Le Mans jaunt, but that will be its first outing of the year so its just bound to go wrong 
Matt.
Matt.
Well given that attitude, I actually hope it's you.There is one of our group, a member of PH, whose car is notorious for breaking down.
In past years it has broken its clutch cable, broken fanbelt, drowned in the foot'n'mouth disinfectant bath at the Channel Tunnel, it also has a very vague fuel guage which leads to petrol turmoil once the filling stations start closing.
One year I had to sleep in it twice, once on the way to LM (on a petrol station forecourt) and again on the way back (after the fanbelt broke, and waiting for a trailer to arrive).
It is very amusing when it works though.
In past years it has broken its clutch cable, broken fanbelt, drowned in the foot'n'mouth disinfectant bath at the Channel Tunnel, it also has a very vague fuel guage which leads to petrol turmoil once the filling stations start closing.
One year I had to sleep in it twice, once on the way to LM (on a petrol station forecourt) and again on the way back (after the fanbelt broke, and waiting for a trailer to arrive).
It is very amusing when it works though.
If the De Tomaso is alive in June then my own groups have already started the betting on how far she gets. Presently Newmarket is favourite which about 10 miles away.
Last year we had a whip round on the tunnel for the name of the first marque we saw on the hard shoulder with the bonnet up in France.
Plenty of betting action and loot in the pot with the shrewd money on TVR, Ultima, Lotus and a few other British marques. As it transpired there was plenty of egg on faces as it was in fact a 911.
Normally when we see a stranded motorist we pull over to help rather than laugh, you never known when it might be you. I should know as I once had a TVR!
Last year we had a whip round on the tunnel for the name of the first marque we saw on the hard shoulder with the bonnet up in France.
Plenty of betting action and loot in the pot with the shrewd money on TVR, Ultima, Lotus and a few other British marques. As it transpired there was plenty of egg on faces as it was in fact a 911.
Normally when we see a stranded motorist we pull over to help rather than laugh, you never known when it might be you. I should know as I once had a TVR!
well my first trip in 96 was in my 1971 Range rover totaly packed with 4 big lads and luggage.
As we got to LM in heavy traffic we lost reverse. on the way back to the ferry one of the front damper bushes disintegrated, and as we came off the Ferry the clutch master cyl failed.... Still got home though...
The best bit on the way there was beating all the exotica frm the ferry to the Mac D's a few miles outside LM..
we went cross country on a mad dash at 70-80 non stop. the exotica were going much faster but on a longer route..
As we got to LM in heavy traffic we lost reverse. on the way back to the ferry one of the front damper bushes disintegrated, and as we came off the Ferry the clutch master cyl failed.... Still got home though...
The best bit on the way there was beating all the exotica frm the ferry to the Mac D's a few miles outside LM..
we went cross country on a mad dash at 70-80 non stop. the exotica were going much faster but on a longer route..
rj_vaughan said:
Rich Ralstons managed to fail to get back in his Honda S2000 and is taking a Tuscan this year, so I think he'll be fairly near to the top of the list
Yes this is a very good point, although how's your running shoe's chances looking big fella
And just because my S was in the garage over 20 times in the 2 and a half years of ownership, and that my Tus has been on the back of an AA trailer twice in three weeks, doesn't neccessarily mean I won't make it back.....
then again I'm always dreaming 
Taken my TVR since 2000, ended up doing part of the journey on a flatbed the last two years, hod to come home in a Megane in '04.
So this year we're taking two Reliant Scimitars, one currently has an engine in bits and hasn't been on the road for about eighteen months, the other is having it's gearbox rebuilt.....we haven't a hope!
So this year we're taking two Reliant Scimitars, one currently has an engine in bits and hasn't been on the road for about eighteen months, the other is having it's gearbox rebuilt.....we haven't a hope!
rralston said:
And just because my S was in the garage over 20 times in the 2 and a half years of ownership, and that my Tus has been on the back of an AA trailer twice in three weeks, doesn't neccessarily mean I won't make it back.....
No you're right Rich. You won't make it there in the first place.....
Have to say, it always brings a wee grim to my face every year. I pootle of the Ferry in my Camper at a nice easy pace with all sorts all over my bumper - we hit the dual carageways and they all fly past full throttle!! TVR's, Porkers, Ferraris, Lotus's the lot. But do you know every year its always the brightest coloured TVR's that we re-pass on the side of the road - i remember one bright yellow one with both driver and passenger in yellow wiggs thinking ther were very clever at the port - Not so about 100 miles south...
N17 TVR said:
But do you know every year its always the brightest coloured TVR's that we re-pass on the side of the road
Interesting because out of the 18 TVRS that we took last year none of them missed a beat, in fact the only break downs we saw were both VW Boxsters......
.. and all TVR's made the drivers parade, despite one of them being smacked by a Porker
mattsankey said:
Have to say, it always brings a wee grim to my face every year. I pootle of the Ferry in my Camper at a nice easy pace with all sorts all over my bumper - we hit the dual carageways and they all fly past full throttle!! TVR's, Porkers, Ferraris, Lotus's the lot. But do you know every year its always the brightest coloured TVR's that we re-pass on the side of the road - i remember one bright yellow one with both driver and passenger in yellow wiggs thinking ther were very clever at the port - Not so about 100 miles south...
but my excuse is that I was only the passenger! mellow_yellow said:
Taken my TVR since 2000, ended up doing part of the journey on a flatbed the last two years, hod to come home in a Megane in '04.
So this year we're taking two Reliant Scimitars, one currently has an engine in bits and hasn't been on the road for about eighteen months, the other is having it's gearbox rebuilt.....we haven't a hope!
Bu I shall be shepherding them with the ultra reliable, comfy and fairly quick Saab c900 Carlsson and I am taking a tow rope!
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