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Ron Higgins - Expert Tour Mechanic

September Spanish Tour, ‘Cantabria to Catalunya’

 

 

 

Saturday 23 September 

 

I picked up the hire car, returned to the workshop and set about trying to load tool boxes and spares.  Just as I thought I had managed to fit everything in a phone call from Philip Porter had me rushing off to Tenbury Wells to pick up boxes of E-type merchandise to take over to Spain.  When I arrived at Philip and Julie’s they pointed at a pile of boxes and we wondered how on earth they were going to fit in the car.  However with a bit of reorganisation and some pushing and shoving we managed the impossible even though Kath (my wife who I had taken for a ride!) nursed one big box back to Bridgnorth.

 

 

Sunday 24 September

 

Up bright and early I took two cases of personal items to the car and just about managed to squash one in the passenger foot well and one on top of a box on the seat.  So much for a people carrier for better visibility!

 

I started off for Plymouth but as I was just going out of Kidderminster I had a phone call to say I had forgotten some important equipment ie my overalls.  So with a hasty retreat I meet my daughter half way with the overalls. 

 

It was not until I got to Plymouth that I saw any E-types.  I introduced myself to a couple of owners and one immediately recognised me from the E-type seminar that was held at Classic Motor Cars.

 

After everyone was on the ferry we were then introduced and welcomed to the start of the tour.

 

 

Monday 25 September

 

After a good crossing we arrived in Santander and I followed the last car from the port to the first hotel.  On arrival I was informed that Graham and Ruth had an exhaust problem.  I went to the underground car park to start work and realised the seriousness of the problem.  Arrangements were made with the local Jaguar dealer to use a ramp so that we could diagnose the extent of the damage to the vehicle.  With the vehicle on the ramp the local mechanics were shaking their heads on seeing under the bonnet of a V12 “E”.  The manager was very obliging and offered the use of the workshop and ramp for as long as it took to repair.  As he said that they would stay open till 8 I set about stripping the car.  At 8 we headed back to the hotel and I had a well deserved shower and then joined the others for the evening meal.

 

 

Tuesday 26 September

 

Jordi and Ricardo started sourcing parts for the stricken car and I helped David refit his Kenlowe and radiator so that he could carry on with the day’s route.

 

We then returned to the Jaguar dealership to continue stripping the V12.  Unfortunately the Spanish stop work at 1pm till 3.30pm and lock up so we had lunch and then returned when they reopened to finish stripping and cleaning.

 

That evening I went to a kerbside restaurant with four couples and had a very nice meal.

 

 

Wednesday 27 September

 

The parts arrived at the hotel but on close inspection disappointment set in as we realised they had sent two rear manifolds instead of a front and a rear.

 

After checking all the other vehicles were OK I made tracks back to our favourite dealership and fitted the rear manifold while Graham and Ruth went off to hire a car.  We then followed the route book and met up with the others at Briviesca for lunch.  After lunch and returning to the cars I found one vehicle had a starter problem.  A small tap with a hammer sorted the problem and we all left for Haro.  On arrival at Haro I had a couple of small jobs to do, namely top up a diff and dismantle and temporary repair a dynamo.

 

 

Thursday 28 September

 

Up early and away with Ruth and Graham by 6.15am and on the motorway back to Santander as at last the correct parts had been delivered for the V12.  Fitted the parts and now with the car running quietly again I breathe a sigh of relief and we head back to Haro.

 

 

Friday 29 September

 

By all accounts a pretty uneventful day as far as repairs go.  On arrival at hotel we changed the dynamo on David’s car.

 

 

Saturday 30 September

 

A 175 mile run today.  After stopping for lunch by a beautiful lake I repaired a wiper blade and headlight switch on a V12 and also repaired an indicator on one of the Spanish cars that had joined us for the weekend.  On the way to the afternoon tea stop I was following the last car and got left at the traffic lights when they turned red.  The cars disappeared before the lights returned to green so after a tour of the town I arrived back at the same traffic lights and found they were only round the corner in a lovely setting with all the locals looking on.  Someone asked if a small boy could sit in Jim’s V12 and the smile on the boys face as he sat in the V12 said it all.

 

 

Sunday 1 October

 

This was a day for people to do their own thing.  The only job for me today was to fit a clutch master cylinder.

 

 

Monday 2 October

 

On route to the next hotel I had a phone call saying that the brakes had come on on a car and stayed on.  I found him between two sharp bends and a quick check and we were on our way again.

 

 

Tuesday 3 October

 

Just general repairs today.  Checked brakes on two cars, replaced brake light switch on another and checked oil levels on various other cars.

 

 

Wednesday 4 October

 

Free day.  As everybody OK decided to go for a ride around the area.

 

Gala Evening – extremely enjoyable.

 

 

Thursday 5 October

 

This was a very long trip – 370 miles and I don’t mind admitting that I was very worried about the distance for the E-types but I needn’t have as they all made it safely to the last hotel of the tour.

 

 

Friday 6 October

 

This was a short run to the Port.  I followed the last car and we all turned up with time to spare. Relief!

 

 

Saturday 7 October

 

Arrived at Portsmouth at about 8.30pm 3 hours later than scheduled after a rough crossing (so they tell me as I slept right through!) arriving at home at midnight.

 

 

 

 

I am extremely grateful to Classic Motor Cars and the E-type Club for giving me the opportunity to go on the Spanish Tour.  It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

I would also like to thank all the participants of the tour and all the organisers for making me very welcome.