Well, I've been away for a while and am just now catching up on over
400 messages from the british car list! Wow, you folks have been
talking up a storm! There's some LBC content in here so just skip the
long winded stuff if ya like! ;-)
The trip
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I had left December 15th and flew one way back to DC to enjoy the
holidays with the family and return to boulder, CO with my significant
other in the jeep.
The trip out was a little more eventful than I wished, but we made it
here in one piece. I had rented a u-haul trailer which made driving
in snow quite a thrill. Too much of a thrill actually... We crested
a hill and hit a large patch of ice. The uhaul objected to this and
swung around to the front of the jeep which means that we are now
traveling backwards on the I64 in kentucky. We slide into a snow bank
which slows us considerably and then just bump the jersey barrier.
Unfortunately we didn't get back out in time as I was trying to figure a
way to get the jeep back out onto the road, a car comes sliding out of
control at me! I run to hear the impact of the car hitting the jeep
behind my back. Talk about scary! While exchanging information, the
police show to make a report. While the police is making his report,
another car slides out of control and SMASHES the police car. Glass
everywhere... The ambulance shows up and take these people to the
hospital. I consider my wife and myself very lucky! We finish up
trading information and then get back out on the highway. Not 15
miles down the road, I feel a strong pull against the jeep and WHAM!
SCRAPE SCRAPE CRUNCH! A passing 18 wheeler side swiped our Jeep. It
seemed to take forever for the collision to stop, but he finally
passed and we drifted to the shoulder of the interstate with the side
of the jeep smooshed, two blown tires and a screwed rim. I should
also add that the first accident bent the front axle in the four wheel
drive. Shakes like crazy in four wheel. So, we get a tow, three
hours and two new tires later, we are back on the road, a bit shaken.
I keep thinking that a TR6 would be no match for a semi. But then
again, I wouldn't have been out there either! I was planning on
making a few calls in ST Louis, but the wreck(s) really put us behind
schedule. The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful.
TR6 woes (but not too bad)
--------
Once arriving in Boulder, the TR6 showed its displeasure of being left
by having a DEAD battery. I had disconnected it before I left, so I
was pretty sure it was just time for a new one. We jumped it, and
away we went. Next morning, dead. I mean STONE dead. Not even a
light on the dash. So I picked up a new one and an alternator while I
was at the store. Yes an alternator. The old alternator had bearings
that sounded like they were no longer round, so I figured this would
be a good time. Not a bad deal, I got it for $79 and a lifetime
warentee! Yay!
Anyway, it's good to be back. It looks like the bendix on the starter
is giving up now, as I get an occasional grinding sound when it won't
engage. So I'm hoping to make it till summer when I can get at it in
warmer weather. (yeah right...)
More stories to come I'm sure! Hope everyone had a safe and happy
holiday!
Cheers,
-Scotty
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