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That’s Spokes’ garage isn’t it, I remember him building it. Autumn over there and Spring over here in U.K., wish it would dry up here though!!!! Rained for months it has!!!!!!!!
That’s Spokes’ garage isn’t it, I remember him building it. Autumn over there and Spring over here in U.K., wish it would dry up here though!!!! Rained for months it has!!!!!!!!
It sure is. I’m honoured to be garaged in there. Luckily I don’t need the lift.
Today, I went on a drive further South with Spokes. 391km in total.
We swapped cars for part of it, which allowed for a comparison of controls and NVH.
The conclusion was that they were very similar is most ways.
The suspension and engines felt the same, which is logical as we have the same setup.
My car had more cabin noise, possibly because I took out my seats and the reverb is more pronounced.
Clutches were similar.
I think Spokes gear linkage is slightly smoother.
One of the big differences was the brakes where mine have next to no pedal play but lack progression whereas Spokes brake pedal has more travel but the brakes are more progressive when working.
The other big difference was a the front end. Without swapping the tyres over, it’s hard to know what is in place. Spokes thought my car drove flatter than his. Maybe it’s because I have the bigger RUF sway bars. Swapping cars. Clutha Dam. Much of New Zealand’s electricity generation is hydro.
Today is the start of the drive home, about 1,500km, which I will do in three tranches. A great trip so far. I rode shotgun in Spokes Jeep in a high mountain valley, the Nevis, close to his home. 4,300 ft above sea level at the saddle.
First of three days driving completed, to get home. 2,552km on the trip meter.
The roads were relatively quiet for the most part. Lots of tourists who pulled over to let me past, not that I was driving at warp speed.
I’m overnighting with friends in Christchurch, a city subject to major earthquakes in 2011.
Heading North out of Cromwell About to cross the Lindis Pass. Settled in Christchurch. My friends appreciate that my car won’t drip oil on their new concrete. My rebuild was six years and 17,000km ago. All praise Dow 111. Still a relatively low distance traveled for a 34 year old car.
Second to last driving day. Just shy of 3,000km travelled. Gas mileage to date is 8.2km / litre. That’s equivalent to 19 mpg (US) or 23 mpg (UK). The car is running just above 3,000 rpm at open road cruise. I’m guessing if it had a 6th gear it might be more economical but that’s really not the point in driving it.
Good driving conditions It’s a small car by modern standards Gulf colours. Around the coast. Lining up for the interislander ferry.