Bob Horner

The issue of 165 80 and rear arch clearance is one of the reasons I'm slightly nervous of that size. It currently has 175 70 13 on slot alloys (which I'm not a fan of) and there seems to be too much space in the arches for my liking at the moment. The problem is that the car is a non runner so its hard to judge until its on the road and the suspension has settled (which I hope will be within the month). The car has been off the road for more than 10 years so the rubber that's on it is knackered and don't have the option of driving it for a while on the old tyres. Bob

I've just got some 13" repro Dunlop D1 type wheels they are 5.5 rims for my Mk2 GT6. Seems that recommended tyre size is 175 70 R13s but personally prefer something a bit narrower. I know 155 80 would have been original fitment but these would be a bit thin for 5.5" rims? Would there be any issues with fitting 165 80 tyres (apart from choice). I know there may be issues with the speedo but then I believe the car had a 3.27 diff but has now got an overdrive and a 3.89 diff. Any thoughts on the above gratefully received. Bob

I think we are being preached at by a younger generation that consumes far more than we did but doesn't see anything wrong in their behaviour. I sometimes wonder how much carbon is consumed when anyone from the age of 7 years upwards charges their phone each night - in reality just an electric toy. Or now that people shower daily how much "one use" plastic is consumed in shower gel bottles rather than using soap - never mind the energy used to heat the water... How much energy and chemicals are used in washing machines, when a shirt only lasts a day.... Our supermarkets are full of non seasonal food flown in from around the world packed so busy millennials can spin it in the microwave after a long day protesting.. With all that, we then look on the car as a source of evil. If I was a climate change activist living in central London who had no need of a car, only left London to fly to Tuscany, perhaps I too wouldn't give a toss about all those Northern people trying to get to work on non existent public transport.... Bob

I am vaguely aware of the Sale of Goods Act (its previous incarnation but a lot of it still stems from well worn principles 19th century commercial law) after spending a few wasted but enjoyable years in the late 80s getting a law degree...but there is a world of difference between being right in law and the actual practicalities of enforcing your rights. Where more significant sums were at stake, I've been to hearings in the Small Claims (positive result generally where you are dealing with a simple debt) and also acted as an expert witness in the High Court where even more significant sums were in play. One thing that the latter teaches you is that legal action is rarely worth the candle - generally its the depth of your pockets not the soundness of your case. I could have returned the fan at my expense and requested postage costs back and got a full refund (mind you, the Sale of Goods Act has a lot to say about remedial action - there is not often an unassailable right to return as many new car customers have found when wishing to reject a bit of a lemon - though distance selling is, I admit, a recognition that you don't always know what you are getting) had a load of hassle etc but I would not have a fan kit for my car so the path of least resistance is to fettle it yourself and get on with things. I was fitting it myself so just my time really. I've had loads of issues in the past where I was paying for the time of others to fit a non fitting part but then you're stuck the middle - "their part didn't fit" vs "yes it does, your mechanic's an idiot". I think the motor trade is pretty good (bad) at ensuring whatever happens the customer pays... I agree we should all complain but I'm not 100% sure, for a lot of minor issues, that it ever results in any improvement... Bob

I agree with Griffpaul - you lose the will to complain with these sort of parts - and you get them from all major suspects. If you,work full time and have limited time at weekends life's too short to return and complain. Even if you do, they just shrug and and send you the same shit again. I try and buy second hand these days. I recently bought a revotec fan kit for a gt6 - you know the laser cut brackets etc - only problem was the laser cut them in the wrong places. Response- loads in stock all wrong. Revotec said not worth re doing them. "Make your own holes in the right place - we wont". Similar examples on TR4, sptfire and more recently GT6. Bob

Thanks, chaps. Bob

Hi Colin/ Dick I'm thinking about mirrors on my Mk2 GT6 as well - hadn't really thought about clip on mirrors -don't think I've ever seen one on a GT6 but sounds an excellent idea. Which make/supplier do you recommend? I note Rimmers stock them. Anyone got a picture of one on a car? Bob

Hello from Ripon! (work in Harrogate). Ive got a soft spot for Italian motors as well - fulvia is on my list at some point but need more garage space. Ive got a mk3 spit, Mk2 GT6 (putting it back together at the moment) and a TR4. Bob

Could be lots of things as stated but I had similar symptoms on a swing spring spitfire and turned out to be loose mountings on radius arm. A very simple fix! Bob