East Anglia Region - Newsletter May 2003

[route66]

Hi all,

We enjoyed a grand turn out for April’s meet at the Pykkerell, Ixworth. Many thanks to David Horsnell for his suggestion of the venue. The photo was kindly provided by Andy Soar, complete with his right arm in a sling (and driving a Nissan Micra!!!!!!!)
Whilst some of us adjourned to the table for lunch, others propped up the bar, or fielded questions from other pub visitors in the car park. The (un-forecast) good weather brought out ten shiny cobras, plus those in their regular cars. Welcome new faces this month included Rod and Celia Brand, who had managed to rack up 1600 miles within two weeks of completing their Dax and Mike Spivey with his rare BRA 289. We also had a surprise visit from our very own Lord Lucan – Rob Sidgwick.
Fresh from an engine swap were Ian and Debbie Dainton with their Sumo. I’d previously asked Ian for an update of the engine swap so here’s his story:
“I found an old Ford scrap yard just outside Colchester and he has a multitude of old Ford Granada’s and Capri’s. Most of the Granada’s get used for Banger racing at Arena Essex as this is his passion. I had a long chat with him as to the best option. Basically a 2.8, 2.9, 3.0 or 3.1 V6. The result was a 2.8i Capri that had had a very close shave with tree or lamppost. The best part of this was it was easy to convert to a carburettor and it had a 5 speed box. The engine and gearbox were swapped about Christmas but we could not use the car until the February or March. Then I found it kept dumping all the water after a very short time. So I took it back to the scrap yard for them to have another look at it and it turned out to be a blown head gasket as it was pressurising the water and pumping it out. This was fixed and the car’s now running ok.”
Thanks Ian and Debbie. Steve had a look under the bonnet and a fine job it looks too.

I’ve recently received some e-mails from local member Jon Billings. Jon has received a kind invitation from Mr George W Bush to take part in a local fracas in the Middle East, as Jon is in the army. Apparently, the engines in the M1 tanks probably won’t fit under the bonnet of a cobra. There are, however, plenty of V8 diesels lying around! Any takers?

You may be aware that May 4th and 5th is the National Kit Car Motor Show at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. In previous years we’ve convoyed to the show on the Sunday and this year is no exception. As before, we will rendezvous at 08:30 (leaving at 09:00) at the Tesco petrol station next to the A14 in Bury St. Edmunds at the sugar beet factory roundabout. Anyone from the north or west of the region can then tag along as we head west on the A14. Our route will continue to St. Neots and then along the old A45 (the B645), an excellent ‘drivers’ road. Don’t forget to bring you shopping list for all those bargains at the show. If you are going to join the wagon train, please let me know beforehand so that we don’t roar off without you.
You may have noticed on the future events calendar we have now confirmed the annual CRC East Anglian Summer Barbeque. Many thanks to Simon and Sarah Finlay for offering to host the day. It falls on the day of our August meet so you won’t have to reschedule that visit to see Auntie Doris for tea. I’ll give more details closer to the day.

This month’s meet is on Sunday 18th May at 12:00 (or earlier if you fancy) at the seaside. The venue is the car park by the beach at Dunwich, east Suffolk. Dunwich (what’s left of the mediaeval town) is accessible from the A12 south of Southwold, turning east at Yoxford on the B1122 and then the B1125 and following the signs right down to the beach.
I’ve not booked the pub but The Ship is just next door and if we meet in the main car park, we may decide to decamp to the pub. Alternatively, there is a fine café at the car park or you may decide to take advantage of the wonderful weather I’ve booked and bring a picnic. Just make sure you don’t get sand in your cucumber sandwiches. No doubt Steve will bring his stunt kite (big kid) and the bag of beach games so stand by to enjoy yourselves.
We last visited this venue back in 1999 (I think) so it’s high time we returned.

Here’s the list of East Anglian meets for 2003.
June 15th – East Suffolk – The Maybush, Waldringfield by the River Deben (and northern France)
July 20th – West Norfolk – The Chequers, Thompson (again by popular request)
August 17th – CRC East Anglian annual Summer Barbeque and fun afternoon
September 21st – East Norfolk – Coltishall – CRC East Anglian annual road run & treasure hunt
October 19th – East Suffolk – Ramsholt Arms, Ramsholt - and a visit to Sutton Hoo?
November 16th – West Norfolk – Red Lion, Caston
November 29th – Cobra Club annual Christmas meal
December 21st – West Suffolk – White Hart, Boxford
Plus local (and no so local) car events (dates to be confirmed)
May 4th to 5th - National Kit Car Motor Show, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire
May 24th to 25th – CRC National Weekender, Elvington, Yorkshire
June 7th to 8th - British Sportscar Festival, Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey
June 14th to 15th – Le Mans 24 Hours (East Anglian mega convoy)
June 21st to 22nd - The Alternative & Kit Car Show, Newark-on-Trent, Notts.
June 29th – Old Buckenham, Attleborough show – open invitation to bring along our cobras.
August 25th – Lavenham Rare Breeds Car Show and Carnival, Lavenham, Suffolk
Sept 13th to 14th - The National Kit & Performance Car Show, Castle Donington, Derbys.

These are not written in stone. If there’s a special pub you know of, e-mail / phone me and I’ll add it to the list.
Thanks to all you cobrateers, keep calling, and mailing.
Bye for now,
Eileen
Call me on 01206 863804, or mail me at route66@pgen.net

[robert]

Eileen

Nice to see you here!!

[route66]

You'd think that, as I work in IT all day long, the last thing I'd want to do is play with PC's in the evening. But what the hell!!

Eileen

[robert]

Yep, know what you mean. Thats why I do most of my surfing from work. {-} {-}

[simon finlay]

Hi Eileen, Steve and the rest of us Eat Anglians. I am in the process of getting a good convoy in the making for Elvinton weekend so look for post in general discussion.
A bit more info re Old Buckenham show on june 29th. This is a chairty airshow at Old Buckenham airfield near Attleborough in Norfolk and we ahve an open invitation to turn up(free entry) and show as many of our steeds as we wish. The money from the day goes to East Anglian Childrens Hospices and in the past years they have raised thousands. There is alway a good turn out of classic cars and some great flying displays with nearly always at least a P51 Mustang fighter in attendance as well as vintage and classic planes. Turn up in the morning, try and let me know before so I can commander enough space and it should be a nice day out, Simon Finlay(sfinlay427@msn.com):tu :tu :tu :tu