Well spring is nearly here, and the first Southern meet/show of Italian specific motors is upon us once more. We will hopefully be invited once again to participate in this pedidgious event including a police lead super car motorcade into the town centre. Those who have been before will vouch that this is a god day out, even if the weather is not so good. 1 out of 4 can't be all that bad a ratio from past experiences. Cars have to be clean and tidy condition and you have to be happy to interact with the general public as they will be interested in you pride and joy. So don't be shy, there is usually enough space for 10 cars, so be quick and add your names down now! The usual suspects may apply

1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) -
3) -
4) -
5) -

1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) -
4) -
5) -

1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42
4) -
5) -

Always a good day out!

Tim, which one this year? Ohh, decisions, decisions!?

For the 4th year running, I'm in...

1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42
4) - Hovedan
5) -

For the 4th year running, I'm in...

1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42
4) - Hovedan
5) - Rudidudi

Let us pray for rain-free weather!!!

1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42
4) - Hovedan
5) - Rudidudi
6) - Thunderbox

1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42
4) - Hovedan
5) - Rudidudi
6) - Thunderbox

Spectating

1) - Begbie

I suppose I should come and see what this day is all about since I'm not that far away

Spectating your presence, is beliving

1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42
4) - Hovedan
5) - Rudidudi
6) - Thunderbox
7) -
8) -
9) -
10) -

Loved to attend this one though I'm not sure my car will be back on the road for then

1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42
4) - Hovedan
5) - Rudidudi
6) - Thunderbox

Spectating

1) - Begbie
2) - MrT & MrsT

Along for the ride
1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42
4) - Hovedan
5) - Rudidudi
6) - Thunderbox
7) - Jon Jeffryes..... all things being equal and a good following wind..and a fixed car

Spectating
1) - Begbie
2) - MrT & MrsT

Recieved this from the Town management:

"Ross, we are hoping you are able to join us on the Monday (1st April). Our thought is that you meet at South Lodge and travel in with the Supercars . As we are in our seventh year, the theme is 7 and we were hoping you could look to bring in 7 quality coupes"

Can we confirm numbers please? I need to let the organisers know that we will have "7" of the kind.
Many thanks, Ross.

Just seen this thread.
If there's any spaces left, count me in.

We're IN Ross


Along for the ride
1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42
4) - Hovedan
5) - Rudidudi
6) - Thunderbox-confirmed
7) - Jon Jeffryes..... all things being equal and a good following wind..and a fixed car

Spectating
1) - Begbie
2) - MrT & MrsT

1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42 - confirmed
4) - Hovedan
5) - Rudidudi
6) - Thunderbox-confirmed
7) - Jon Jeffryes..... all things being equal and a good following wind..and a fixed car

1) - Begbie
2) - MrT & MrsT

Jon, hope you can make it....

Along for the ride
1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42 - confirmed
4) - Hovedan - confirmed
5) - Rudidudi
6) - Thunderbox - confirmed
7) - Jon Jeffryes - TBC
8) - Serg1 - confirmed

Spectating
1) - Begbie
2) - MrT & MrsT

I'm in - also adding Serg1 as confirmed as he asked...

Along for the ride

1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42 - confirmed
4) - Hovedan - confirmed
5) - Rudidudi
6) - Thunderbox - confirmed
7) - Jon Jeffryes - TBC
8) - Serg1 - confirmed

Spectating

1) - Begbie
2) - MrT & MrsT

Ross, can you ask the organisers to define "quality"

Anything with a Turbo = Quality

... provided it is SHINY...

Remind me of your oil pressure?

Hot or cold

Either

Good, then not so good

1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42 - confirmed
4) - Hovedan - confirmed
5) - Rudidudi - confirmed
6) - Thunderbox - confirmed
7) - Jon Jeffryes - TBC
8) - Serg1 - confirmed

Spectating

1) - Begbie
2) - MrT & MrsT

1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42 - confirmed
4) - Hovedan - confirmed
5) - Rudidudi - confirmed
6) - Thunderbox - confirmed
7) - Jon Jeffryes - TBC
8) - Serg1 - confirmed

Spectating

1) - Begbie
2) - MrT & MrsT
3) - Cyborg7 - possibly, TBC

I hope you are all ready and raring to go?
We have a meet point of South Lodge Hotel HERE
I'm awaiting final timings, but it will probably be about 11am I'd of thought as we have been included in the long convoy to the usual Hop Oast Park & Ride site, which should be fun Then into town the old way, not last year's way, what a cock-up that was!
I'll update with exact timings as soon as they have been confirmed.

Insured yesterday...

Don't forget to tax before the budget tomorrow if it's required, road tax is bound to go up I'm going to try and tax mine for the first of next month, but I'm ot sure if it's going to be feasable from a SORN on a bank holiday weekend

UPDATE - you get 5 days grace period (free road tax) prior to the month of taxation you wish it to start. Worries over, being in a police traffic car convoy with electronic tax was not going to be fun. I can now relax and enjoy. We all know how reliable the "central ANPR database" is!

VOSA online makes me purchase from 01/03/2013...

when can i buy the April tax disc?

The 5 days leading up to the end of March. I called the premium rate number for DVLA this morning to confirm and discuss with a human! If the Welsh can be classed as part of the human race
I'm going to do it in the post office on the Saturday before. If you can do it electronically, make sure that your insurance has at least 2 days to register on the central computer. Obviously this doesn't apply to you, as you have sorted yours already

i spoke to a human too (saynoto0870).

apply 5 days before month end (from 27th March). If you apply before April the police give you 5 working day grace to display. This allowance does not apply if you but the disc at the beginning of the month.

I renewed my tax last week and have my nice new red disc displayed already. Am I breaking the law? I have the old tax disc hidden behind the new one....

My nice Moon Grey will not be ready in time, so I will have to bring the scruffy Scottie. I'll tart her up best I can - I will be able to make some noise though; Barbz has done a few bits and pieces

Guys,

I'm out of this unfortunately.

Family issues the main reason.

Other reason whilst not insurmountable but definitely contributing to my non attendance is that after selling Custard, I've got a list of to do's inc oil cooler and pipes, belts and big service due on the 20vt - which because of the main reason I haven't been able to address

So, for the first time in about 4 years, I'll have to miss this excellent event, have fun all!

Bad/Sad news Dan life comes first, we all understand

1) - Pondman - confirmed
2) - Petep - confirmed
3) - Tim42 - confirmed
4) - Rudidudi - confirmed
5) - Thunderbox - confirmed
6) - Serg1 - confirmed
7) -

We're a man/coop down, they wanted 7 cars! Can anybody step in to fill Dan's space? Come on don't be shy it's a great day out

Jon Jeffryes - TBC - unlikley

Spectating

1) - Begbie
2) - MrT & MrsT
3) - Cyborg7 - possibly, TBC

UPDATE - MEETING TIME AT SOUTH LODGE

10-10:15am - Monday please

Anybody else fancy joining us.........?
Go on don't be shy, come along and join in the fun. The weather on the long range weather looks like it's going to be OK

So Ross, just to recap-

Meet at South Lodge (car park?) for 10:00 am then in convoy to Park & Ride then more convoy into town?

Shame we are one short but these things happen. The weather doesn't look anything like two years ago!!!

I'll probably go directly to the Hop Oast Park and Ride as I will be coming from the north.

What time there Ross, 11:00 ish?

At best it is going to be VERY cold......

But dry

I will see if I can get a leave pass and pop along with my Sprinty. Can't promise BUT I have been desperate to do the Horsham show.

67 miles and 1 hours 28 mins from mine

Go on Charlie, make the effort if allowed I completely understand your predicament. It's a great day of coupe appreciation
Plus you get to see some amazing Italian metal close up and personal and get to hear it run too, not just static displays in this event. Everyone is really friendly too

WEATHER FORCAST
Looking good at the moment. 6 degrees C too, positively tropical!

Well I just flew a kite and got a "maybe" So will know more tomorrow, If I can, I will be there.

Good man Charlie. Hoping for a favourable wind for you

Ross,

I will be there on Monday but Fiat-less unfortunately......whilst the parts are appearing and being stashed ready in the garage, work + work + work, weather and a virus all conspired to steal all the free time....

I'll see you guys there and hopefully take some inspiration to get my arse in gear and get the wee beastie back on the road.

regards

Jon

Jon, it will be good to see you!!

Tim

Cheers Tim,

I'm looking forward to seeing all you guys again...it's been a long time!

Chris - yes, South Lodge Hotel car park for 10 -10:15 see location map for directions.
Pete - please can you come to South Lodge Hotel. It's only 10 mins further away It's not a done deal re. Hop Oast. We might just pass by. We have been requested as a club to join the convoy, it would be a shame not to have a full compliment
Jon - it'll be great to see you it's been too long

All shiny and ready to show? I've been hard at it today. All done. Just sit back and enjoy the weekend now, with kids jumping all over me hyped to the gills with chocolate!

No problem going to South Lodge Hotel Ross.

Where is best for me to meet you since I won't be allowed into the high street guys?

We'll be in the Carfax this year, close to the exit of Swan Walk (Boots end)

Linky for meeting place again:
South Lodge Hotel HERE

Fingers crossed it doesn't rain!

Supposedly dry, bright, breezy and cold BUT no rain! See you at South Lodge 10:00am.

Cloudy start, getting brighter during the day, do wrap up warm, the Carfax can be windy only a 5 degree high on the day
See you all at 10ish tomorrow. I've PM'ed Charlie, anybody else had news of his situation

Bugger

Just serviced it, went to move it and clutch pedal is stuck to the floor.

I'll have a mooch in the morning to see if it is seized (ive only done 150 miles in 2 years), else i'll have to get a new slave or master and do some spannering.

So... may or may not be there tomorrow, maybe or maybe not in the coup....

Bugger is the polite way to put it
Leave us a message as to your progress in the morning, GOOD LUCK!

I fancy this in my sprinty, can I tag along? Car is clean and even has the magic number 7 on my reg plate.

It looks like there is a vacant slot Submariner.

Not for me to say, but I think we are a man down.... if it is not too far to come why not just rock up? Even if you can't join the convoy it is a good day out with some great cars to ogle!! See you later??

Tim

Yes, no probs Submariner, come along. There's room for you in the convoy from South Lodge

Oh dear... I can't find my thermals

Bad news Tim, we're not next to the bar today either
Better bring a thermos instead

Already loaded.... only coffee though

We're out side Subway so no need for sarnies!

Bloody radio switched itself on since Saturday so I have a flat battery. Now on charge but will probably have to bump start it.

Perhaps the slowest drive from the hotel chaperoned by HMs finest average of 20mph! Great spot parked up in Town. The Coupes look really good. Now supping Italian coffee!

Club flags look cool...the Zonda is getting a lot of attention on the other side of the square.

A trifle chilly but a good day out. All the Coupes looked great (apart from mine) and attracted a lot of attention. Thanks to Begbie and jonjeffryes for their support and entertainment. Nice to meet Steve as well... good luck with your Scottie! Best bit of the day was Submariner and Thunderbox comparing panel gaps, screen washer bottles, and missing fuse boxes.... just think of Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon arguing over Ann Margret - classic .

Car of the day? Sans doubt c'est le DeLorean. Someone will post pictures later and you will get the idea. Brilliant. Many thanks to Ross for organising everyone, and to Pete for providing the eye-catching flags again, attracting the general public to my dents and scratches!

Guys great to meet up with you all again, if a little chilly! Hopefully all the bits should arrive to bolt my beastie back together in time for the next meeting.

A meeting like this really spurs you on to get stuck in on your own car.....which I did as soon as I got home......well I looked at the car briefly and then made myself a nice hot cup of coffee indoors.....well it's bloody cold out there! enthusiasm only stretches so far :-)

Thanks all for making the effort to get to the event. Yes it was bloody freezing, but the warmth of the crowd soon made that feeling go away. Althought the location was not as picturesque as last year, it had a better level of foot fall and interest from the passing public. A special thanks for Submariner for him and his sleep deprived partner for making the impulsive trip up to Horsham. It was great to catch up with you all after a dull winter. The sun finally came out for us in the end. Anyway enough of the waffle. Here are the pics from the day, enjoy see if you can play "Where's Wally" AKA JonJeffryes

oi Ross no.......a little less of the myrth and a bit more focus on cleaning your car and you too might end up with a decent coupe.....carry on like this and I'll send my grandchildren around armed with their scooters and bikes..... ;-)

So Jon, have you seen yourself yet

nope

Love the black Lamborghini and its Ford Focus Side repeaters

Thoroughly enjoyed the day- bright and bitterly cold was actually better than last years *issing with rain! Great to see everyone, especially to Submariner- hope to see you again soon. Thanks to Tim and Serg1 for winding me up about panel gaps etc. etc.! I thought great pitch for us this year as although out of the main throng we certainly had lots of people passing by and chatting. Missed Mr. and Mrs. T but I'm sure they had other things to do and we'll see them soon.

My car of the Day was the Lancia Superleggera with Touring coachwork and good to see all that expensive exotica, especially at South Lodge where everyone was open and friendly. I couldn't quite work out the reason behind meeting there and Hop Oast but a Sussex Constabulary funeral procession was quite an event!

See most of you on Sunday at the Grasshopper. Hoping the weather at least as good!

TB, just picked my Moon 20VT6 from JBT. I thought I would check the oil and water this morning, and I am missing the black box flight recorder from the top of my washer bottle as well. I won't sleep well tonight..... mind you, my panel gaps look good!

See you at Brooklands

Tim, mind the trams, as they say up North!
See you at Brooklands!
Chris

You all inspired me to get my coupe back on the road again and - it now is!
Happy happy happy :-)
See you all next year. Back to france now.
Steve.

Hi Steve,
Good to meet you in Horsham, glad to hear the old girls back on the road where she belongs
We'll need 8 coupes next year so your welcome along
Thanks again all, for the efforts put in to make this another excellent inaugural Coupe event of 2013.