Out on the road again

I was in a great rush as usual when I checked out the Allard P1 late one evening, only to find that the lights wouldn’t come on main beam.

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Colin Anton kindly came over so I had another set of hands to operate things – by now it was 11.30pm! With a live feed added, it was deduced that the VW square relay had packed up.

I had a replacement and a reserve delivered the following afternoon, and late on the Friday night I fitted the £7 relay and was ready to leave early next morning on the 44 mile journey to the Woodchurch Steam and Vehicle Rally near Ashford, in Kent. This is the largest event of its type in Kent these days; it encompasses all types of transport and is a very enjoyable do. It is supported by members of the Weald of Kent Traction Engine Society – I attended the Society’s 1957 rally at Paddock Wood at the age of five, and my late father was very much part of those early events.

The Saturday turned out dry and bright early on. The P1 started at the first time of asking, with its Mallory electronic ignition helping the flathead V8 along its way. I had my Waze navigator app setup on my phone, which I find very good indeed – it is very useful for speed cameras, accurate mph and more!