Wales / S West meet..

The last meet I attended was great, Plenty of Coops & great scenery (Cheddar Gorge)

Any ideas on a decent location / route for a Spring meet, With the low number of Welsh Coupes that end up coming, Linking up with the S West should see a few cars in attendance surely!

Suggestions on a Postcard please.

Dates & Location... - I recently did Snowdonia, Although too far for a meet, The route through the Brecon Beacons was stonking!

Chrissy

I would be up for this. Don't care where either. Just be good to meet up

Hi Chrissy,

Sounds like a plan

Brecon Beacons sounds great!

We could meet up at the Lamb and Flag for some lunch:

http://www.lambflag.com/

Huge car park so ideal for lots of coups to meet up.

Sounds good to me.

Will be getting my Coupe back at Easter, so anytime after then would suit me !

Me too - date depending. I like to go out early in the day when there's less traffic - but I suppose a meet and drive is about sticking together so traffic doesn't matter.

How about meeting somewhere near Merthyr Tydfil (don't know the area meself but there must be supermarkets with big car parks), driving North over the Beacons to Brecon (A470), then Piston Heads mentioned road to Builth Wells (B4520) (good car park by the river there), South along the Wye (B4567), join the A470 at Erwood, then South via Talgarth and Cwmdu to the A40 then onto the Lamb and Flag.

AA says it's 73 miles, and 1 hr 50 mins. We could start off at 10am and get to the pub by 1pm allowing for petrol and other stops.

There are other fab roads, the A4059 from Hirwaun that meets the A470 etc etc.
Not to mention the Elan Valley, the road to Aberystwyth via LLangurig, (H Huw wanders off into fantasy roads at this point in the post....).

Count me in, mine could do with a good run.

Any route in South/Mid Wales sounds great with a decent pub for lunch.

As I'm 2 hours from the bridge would meeting at Magor services or similar be possible? Enjoyed myself last time driving in convoy to the Pub.

11th/12th April?

Anyone that is interested, put the dates you are free, Work on the routes after, The above ideas are spot on for me.
Magor services would at least be ok for me, It's only 5 mins away..

Chrissy

Weekends are best for me. Have arranged a pass - would love to bring the family but the kids throw up as soon as we leave town and the missus is always shouting at me to slow down
These are the dates I can do:-
Sun 12th April
Sat 18 or Sun 19th
Sun 3rd May
Sat 23 Sun 24th May

I can do:

Sun 12th
Sun 19th

Same here.

Magor services on 12th or 19th good for me too.

I can do pretty much any weekend. Would prefer a Sat, but I can also make a Sunday.
Should have my Coupe back with me too!!
All nice and shiny

What if we said plan for 12th April and if the weather looks shocking 19th can be the alternative?

HiraethHuw's suggestion for a route sounds good? Would we need numbers to book a table for the pub?

I'm happy to go with that, As mentioned the BBeacon roads are beautiful, Plenty of pubs to stop in & eat too..

We just need a good few more people,

Do any of you have friends that can make some numbers up?

That's going to be some miles for you to travel if your coming up from Dorset, DC. Happy to look at other suggestions closer to Magor and Abergavenny.

The route I was going on about goes up from 70 miles to 125 if we start at Magor servs.

The dual carriageway from Newport to Abergavenny via Raglan is good, straight and generally not busy.

There's a good mountain road from Rassau to Llangynidr which we could use on the way to the pub.
I'll PM a couple of peeps to drum up some more company

Some nice roads in and around the Forest of Dean/Wye Valley?
Also some good pubs with food...

Can invite my neighbour with his EVO FQ340 to make up numbers.

I can also rally some other troops.

On

Only if he can keep up!

Alex usually comes out with us in his Sabre tuned Mk1 Focus RS so I'll ask him.

Wow! 20 VT's, an Evo and an RS Focus? I can't wait.
Bit worried that not only my NA can't keep up, but won't stop when the others do! I'll be sailing past the convoy with both feet on the middle pedal surrounded in a cloud of brake dust .
Wonder if my mate will lend me his GTV V6?????

Don't worry. The NA's natural habitat are the A and B roads of the beacons!!

I met Alex on a track day last year strangely. He was in his tuned Ibiza diesel. It wiped the floor with my remapped NA. Helluva fun though.

Might invite my other mate in his remapped Fabia vRS. He is in Hereford.... Convoy ???

Will ask Joe too.

Alex sold his Ibiza couple months back

Blew the gearbox apart!

Happy to do it. It's not often I get the chance to take the Coupe out for the day so it'll be fun.

As for the NA not being able to keep up, don't worry at all, speed limits and traffic will be the hinderance rather than horsepower

Hi all, won't be able to make the 19th........ Forgot it's my wedding anniversary
Good news is my Coupe should be ready in 2 weeks time

Looks like the 12th is the plan then.

I'll be at Magor Services at 10am on 12th:

Then maybe:

1. Travel East or West on the M4 in search of some nice driving roads then,
2. Stop off at a couple of beauty spots to enjoy the views then,
3. Pub lunch somewhere then,
4. Cruise home.

As another suggestion, clumping the ideas together,

Meet at Magor servs, M4 to Cardiff, A470 north to meet A465 H of Valleys road, left to Hirwaun, turn off R to cross the hills on A4059 to the A470 in the Beacons, left and down into Brecon.
A40 to Lamb and Flag at Abergavenny. 90 miles, 2hrs on AA route planner.

Don't know where to stop en route. Any locals know anywhere good?
Is this too far? Do I spend too much time with my head in a road atlas? Should I shut the #### up....?

Always worth a stop at the Storey Arms in the Beacons for photos. There is a crescent shaped layby on the left about 300 m after you pass the Storey Arms. Plenty of room for Coupes as the other car parks are usually busy.

Have a look at the pics on Page 3 of this thread

http://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1504119#Post1504119

Smashing pic, remember seeing it last year now.

The road from Hirwaun to the A470 is just that bit wilder and quieter than the A470 itself. It joins the 470 just south of Storey Arms, IIRC.

Will probably be covered in snow on the 12th

RS Alex has confirmed he's free on 12th

All sounds good to me. Local knowledge is priceless. 10AM at Magor services and on from there.

Good to hear Alex is coming along too.

I loved that drive back in 2005, If you look to the far left, My rare beast came out to party that day Nissan Pulsar GTIR, Very thin on the ground these days, But the roads were perfect for its 4 wheel drive,

Can't wait for this one, Big-up to you all for sorting a decent route in such quick time!

Chrissy

Jonscoupe. Do you think we need to book at the Lamb and flag or is it big enough to cope if we just turn up, it being a Sunday lunchtime and all that?

As an ex chef, Anywhere would need pre bookings for 10+ people, and there will be more than 10 of us.

Yeah think we should book just in case.

Do you wanna make the call to em Chrissy, or I'm happy to call if you're busy

What time shall we book for?

Chrissy/all,

Just called the Lamb & Flag.

They said we needed to book now as they are already filling up so I've booked a table for 15 on Sunday 12th for 12.30

Hope ok for everyone.

Good work!

Triffic. Thanks for doing that .
Got the day off today to change a front spring and service the]car ready for the new season.
Cars been up on blocks for 5 weeks.......

Good effort mate !

Is 15 the total number or is there any slack for the Mrs?

T

I guessed at 15 but they said there was room for couple more but to let them know before if possible......

my missus has just said she would like to join me!!!

So if there is room for one more that would be great

Great stuff

Not long to go now.
I've printed off a route plan - done 15 copies. Is that enough?
Magor M4 -> jnct 32, N on A470 to Merthyr, West on A465 to Hirwaun, Hirw to A470 Storey Arms.
Down to Brecon, A40 to Abergavenny, but, if time, detour from Bwlch, to Llangynidr, mountain road towards Beaufort, turn off down to LLangattock, A40 on to pub
90 miles - 2hrs 10 according to AA route planner.

Is this ok with everyone??!!

My Coupe is roadworthy, and is ticking over already from now til then to make sure it will start on the Sunday

Good effort H

That should get us all to the pub with 20 mins to spare.............or if we are running early we could stop off for some photo's.

Yeah. There's the layby just past Storey Arms, and one on the mountain road above Llangattock.

All we need is the weather now.....

BBC weather for next week looking promising so lets hope it continues into the w/end

Yeeee haaaa !

I collect my coupe from its winter residence on sat. Then direct to MOT... Wish me luck!

Christ! Leaving it til the last minute. Eh?

Good luck with the Mot.

Have a spirited drive beforehand ....

What do you mean. I have a whole week to do a ground up restoration. Plenty of time !!

Quality chaps, Good work Huw on the route planning, Certainly better than I would do!

I have a few jobs to do also, Brake discs, Do I / Don't I fit the decat?? A bit of paint @ the Paint shop...

Hmm. Do what you can as long as you can get to Magor in time.

De -cat will sound fab so do that 1st before paint

My back box fell off mid re-map so I replaced with a straight pipe as a temporary fix but it actually sounds really good!

Might leave it like it.

Will looks like I may be in the Last Minute club too.

My Coupe is still up with JBT!!

Hoping I can collect next week!!

Mine started first time today since last year !

MOT tomorrow ....

That's a good start. Ahem.
Good luck.
Expecting any probs?
My ball joint dust covers are shot - smothered in copper grease at mo til I replace the (original) arms.

Darn it. Broken front coil spring. Won't be driving it home this weekend after all.

Repair booked for thurs.... But not sure how I will get it home before next weekend..... Going to be a last minute for me.

Come on Toby you can do it. I have to drive to Loughborough to pick mine up!!

Will be good to see you again and everyone else.

Can't wait

Yes - Get that MOT tester getting it legal ASAP!

I have changed Coil springs a few times, With the right tools its not hard,

Did you have the car MOT'd & then they discover the broken spring?

Is it ONLY the spring failing the cars MOT?

Do you have a plan B? another car, or shotgun with one of us perhaps?

I have had the Paint corrected, Fitting the decat monday - Which I know will sound epic with the Scorpian system,.

I cant wait too

Spring was the main fail. The other was the windscreen washer has stopped working. I've jiggled the connections but no joy. It's not long had a new pump too, so very odd. Fingers crossed it will be fixed by thurs..... Then I'll have to pull some favours to get it back home.


As they say $h*t happens.

Took mine for a spin on Friday. Quick test run before the bigger spin on 12th.

Glad to report she's running well but after stopping off for a bite to eat, got back in the car and prepared for e 30 mile trip home. She started fine but The red injector light problem has returned

This meant she was running on 4 cylinders for a while but the 5th one came back to life after a few miles and the injector light went out.

Think I might need to look at that before next weekend.

Hope it's a cheap fix.

Whip the coil cover off, & when it does in next - with the engine running, pop one of the plugs off each coil, one at a time. If the cars revs remain on 4 cylinders once a plugs off a particular coil, that renders it the fault, Hovedan on here is selling Coilpacks on eBay for £14 as I bought one recently..

Chrissy

Or if its an injector, Flea has them & a garage will charge peanuts for swapping a new one, I did one & it cured my injector light, but Christ it was fiddly with poor tool selection!

What a bugger! Doesn't it sound boring on 4 cylinders?

With your probs, Bruce having to collect his car if it's ready, and gripped having mot probs, do you want to postpone this coming Sunday for another?

It would give folks a bit more time to get sorted.
What do you think?

I am easy either way.

I just can't make the 19th due to it being my wedding anniversary.

Me neither, Christening that day

Guys I'd like to come, but coop is still with Joe at the moment. I'll be another last minute one I'm afraid.

Its true though, Coupe's are off the road more than on!

I should have a definite answer on wether mine will be ready Tuesday.

I really hope it is. I have even insured mine for business use so I can drive it with work. Really intend to use it more than I have in the past.

Jonscoupe. I changed the plugs to cure my intermittent misfire.

So with yourself, Bruce, Morrison and Gripped all up against it to meet this weekend that's half of us ( is it)?

I can make May 24th or 31st if it would be better to postpone?

I don't want to, but then I want the majority to be out on the road.

Answers on a post card please.....

Thanks for the tips.

I'm happy to rearrange for another day but I need to let the Lamb & Flag know asap so I can cancel and re-book the table with them for another day

Doing my best to make this. I really want to. But won't know til later this week.

Will check diary about other dates though.

You happy to take your car as it is, Jon or does it need sorting?

Perhaps we need to have a back up car follow our shaky coupes a la Top Gear?

How about an x plate Hyundai coupe with the surprised headlights? Looks like it's had a grenade shoved up it's exhaust

Yeah happy to proceed as she is H.

The light only comes on start up when hot and goes out after a few minutes so it's not a huge problem.

Hi all. Just had confirmation my Coupe will not be ready for the weekend. Big disappointment.

No way Bruce!

Mate I am gutted. Just trying to get an accurate date now.

I know it will be worth the wait, but I really want the car back.

I would suggest doing this at a later date, When all of us are in the cars we love,

Hi Jon, just to let you know me and missus will not be there. Sorry pal.

Hi H. If the date gets changed, 24th or 31st would be fine for me.

Anything towards the end of April going into May

Shame, but understandable with Bruce out and Gripped and Morrison still in the lurch.

I can't do any more dates in April but I can do those dates in May the 24th n 31st.

Bummer. I might yet still be ok but if you want to postpone that is fine. I can't make the end of may though.

Anyone coming to Brooklsnds ? Looks great !

Shall we leave it until Friday evening and see how things are looking for everyone? Or is that a little late?

If Gripped and Morrison are able to come along, Bruce, did I read you have a GTV Cup as well? Could you bring that? Equally as cool as a 20VT!

How many cars do we have at the moment?

Im still in, I'll do two if need be :):)

Dont worry about me, I wasnt included in the original pub booking anyway. Doesn't look like mine will be ready in time, maybe I could tag along in the wifes 500, but it is the 1.2 that can't do hills very well. Not ideal up the beacons!! Will need to check with her about using it too.

3) I'm still in

And yes, bring the 500.

The more the merrier and it looks good

As the numbers have dropped off a bit we could always just meet up somewhere more central to us all on Sunday.... Somewhere where we don't need to book such as a Harvester!

Still a maybe here. I could use the wife's Abarth 500

I'm on hols near St Donats at the mo and the sea air and good beer are working their magic.
Back home late Saturday.
I'm happy to meet up anywhere on the Sunday with or without a drive.
I'm sunburned. In Wales. In April. Magic!

Please do! I love those things!

Mine should be fixed tomorrow fingers crossed.....

Collecting on Saturday, so I should be ok to meet up for a drive (even a local one) on Sunday.

Ok then so which option shall we go for:

Option 1.

Meet up at Magor services as planned @ 10 then travel along original route to the BBs then lunch at Lamb & Flag or,

Option 2.

Meet up somewhere central for us all on Sunday for a chin wag, a bite to eat and plan a longer meet and drive in May/June etc

Option 3.

Postpone our meeting on Sunday and plan another meet in May/June

Option 1 for me cos that's the only one I know.
Happy for anything else if you can arrange it

Yep happy for option 1. We can have more meets over the year.

Op 1

Agreed guys. Go for option 1 and have another meet later in the year as well.

I would rather attend with my coupe so I will skip this Sunday.

Hope you all enjoy.

Awww Bruce. You can come along in my Coupe if you like as I'll be on my own !

Cheers Toby. I may still come along in the wife's car, but it will be a last minute thing.

Can you pm me your mobile number mate?

If anyones after a 20vt Decat, or Part worn 205 50 16 Nankang NS2 tyres, 5mm even tread, (are both surplus) I can bring them along...

You still up for this, Brilly?

Is your mate with the Fabia coming down from Hereford, Gripped?

Thanks for the offer of the bits, Chrissy, but both too big for my n/a

Don't think the Fabia will be coming but the Evo FQ340 might..

Great,

See you at 10

Fiat is back home. Just a quick clean and she's ready to go!!

See you all tomorrow, Magor services @ 10am, Confirmed??

Yup. Just finished washing mine and she's ready to go!
Is there just the one car park at the servs - meet at the far/quietest bit?
Can't wait.....

A quick Meguairs quick detailer and she's nice and shiny....

Is Alex still coming?

I'm hoping Bruce might still come.... in the 500 Abarth...

Not 100% sure about RS Alex atm.

I'll be there with Andy

Is anyone bringing a camera to take some vids?

Mine won't charge up for some reason.

I'll see if I can get my brother to be camera man from my passenger seat.

Convince Alex to come it'd be great to see his car again (and everyone elses of course).

I am taking 2, but not used them in years, hence taking 2! 1 Should be ok at least, very reliable with immaculate video quality

Not a huge car park H,

I usually park at the far end by the grass bank.

Usually plenty of space there.

I'll ask Andrew to text Alex again DC.

Guys, my eta is about 10:15, please wait lol!

Ok

Sorry tied up today.
Lovely sunny (if windy) day, so hope it goes well and you have an enjoyable time.

What a cracking day out,

Thanks for organising this Chrissy and thanks to Huw for organising the route and the food at the Lamb wasn't too shabby either.

Looking forward to the next one

I have some photo's and vids so will post up shortly either here or You Tube.

Hope everyone got home n one piece.

We had a great day too, Some beautiful roads here in Wales I must admit,

Yes - Another to be planned asap I think,

Jonscoupe your Coupe is very quick on the road, dead even we were, I think the remap has served your car well!

Decat & Remap next for me, Should see some good gains then.

Looking forward to any pictures / Videos, I will post some pictures shortly.

Chrissy

Yeah, was great to meet you all on my first Coupe meet. Cheers Chrissy, and to Jon for organising the pub.
I'm still buzzing - the view of your different coloured Coupes snaking round the bends in my rearview mirrors will stay with me forever.
Passed a sleepy Cerbera driver, and stussled with some bikes (until the straights)on the way home.
160 miles in total for me.
Loved every one of 'em too

Nice too see you guys too, Very nice you all are

What a great site they make

Nice one all. A good day out and good grub too.

Cheers for organising. Will see if I have some good photos.

Any pics or videos chaps?

I've got three car park pics, but that's it.

Wish I had some in-car of you and the others flying past me on the M4.

Fantastic noise too!

Throughly enjoyed yesterday. Good to see everyone.

I have a few videos onboard mine, but I need to see about stitching them together to try and make something.

I think Andrew took a vids onboard with Jon.

I've got about 10 short vids [not HD though unfortunately but watchable] which I am taking over to Alex so he can put them together.

I'll add them onto YouTube and attach a link in next few days.



Chrissy, didn't your passenger take any pics/vids?

Yes but they were pretty damn rubbish, He filmed on his phone also - He too is in the process of putting a few together

I've uploaded a very short and very quickly edited video here: https://vimeo.com/125079506

Sweet. When can we do it again? The sound..... Ahh...

Nice bit of filming there by your cameraman DC

You'll have to bring him out with you again next time.....

Yeah he did a good job. Expect next time he'll try and bring his own car whatever that ends up being.

Damn!!! Gutted I missed this!

More vids to come shortly from me

All of my short videos are pants!

Anyone else??

I've got some good ones but take ages to edit. Hope to get on to it soon.

Sorry for the delay chaps;

Try this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dg6ez16ublep12l/Movie.mp4?dl=0

Epic! Such great looking cars.

I need to get an in-car camera, but a decent exhaust and strut brace come first

Thanks

Looks like you had a great time

Great video, thanks for sharing.

Hi All.
I'm on a high tonight after finishing my dry January which rolled into February with messrs Wye valley brewery, Purple Moose brewery, Mordue brewery and Hobsons brewery. Plus the bloody bottle of Baileys taking up space in the fridge which I handily emptied
How about a meet up? I'm still hanging on to my 156, but it'll have to be sold this year for financial reasons, so one last meet is a must.
Brilly, you have a Spider now which I have to see. Gripped, haven't seen you since Joe's FCSS meet. Morrison, Jonscoupe , dc20vt plus others we need to meet up for a tyre kicking session.
I can make Sunday 15th n 22nd April as the calendar stands tonight.
Jim - you could bring the Jaaaag out for an airing.
Joe - well. Be good to see you out from under a Coupe. I'll bring Wagon wheels.
What do you reckon?
Right, where's the Drambuie?

I'm up for this. For a number of reasons, I've never managed to get to a meet, time for this to change.

I'd be game for a spin !

I may be up for this, I've not been to a meet for ages.
Coop is hibernating for now, but I could do with some coop chat and a run out.
As Bobbyboy lives on the next street to me it would be rude not to

I'm free both of those weekends

Hi guys, I'm a long time member but have been off the scene for a LONG time!

Anyway I've just spent a lot of hours and money on my '98 Coup having chassis works and a front end re-spray. In order to get this done it was a full interior removal, plus removal of mirrors, b pillars, front bumper etc etc.

So now she's back together and looking sweet no naturally I'm keen to show her off and a get together would be good.

Where are we thinking? South Wales somewhere?? The road up by Abergaveny are nice.

My Coupe's away having major surgery at the moment, so depending on progress I might need to use the Spider.
Either way, hopefully I can make it.
Cheers

I Love Alfa Spiders! So we need to decide on a date and venue then??

Sunday's the 15th or 22nd are still free for me.
Last time we met at Magor services, M4, then had a 'sedate' drive to a pub near Abergavenny via the A470 and over the Beacons.
Driving dual carriage ways and motorways was a laugh.
How about meeting at Magor but driving to Porthcawl.
Anywhere you can think of, local lads, where there's a bit of space to park up in.
Any good roads that you like to drive?

Im up for this if theres enough interest.

I'm easy, happy to come over the bridge to south Wales but only really know the road that goes up to abergavenny that turns right at the Celtic Manor off the M4, long dual carriage way. Then after abegavanny there are lots of pubs on the road up to brecon that I've seen. That why I suggested this as its all I really know but yeah whatever.

Thread resurrection. I'm up for a meet up. 15 and 22 April are good for me too.

Also a show in June we could go to, I'll make a new post for it.

Actually, thinking more about it, a point to meet at and have a chat, look at the cars, and get a bite to eat is probably better (read safer) than having a run. I did drive a bit too quick on the last one, even in my na.
Are there any airfields with a cafe and parking near Newport/ Cardiff?
Llandough race track to park at?
Or just meet at a pub with a good car park?
Just touting for thoughts....

I fancy the 10th June event that Morrison mentioned. Could combine with a drive after the 3pm ....

As for something in between, the Llandow race track is not a bad idea. Bikers use it as a meeting point. There is a cafe and reasonable parking if it's not too busy.

Some good roads nearby, although quite speed restricted.

Well a year has passed and we didn't get together. How about we do something? We've got the event at Cardiff bay coming up in June, or we could meet up at llandough.

I quite like the idea of a meet at llandough for one of the bring your own track days, watch the cars, chat rubbish about our coops, have a coffee and a bacon roll, and be on our merry ways by lunchtime. No chance of speeding tickets or blown engines.

I'd be up for that. A Llandow track day (I assume you mean Llandow rather than Llandough)... Or just a meet.

I'll look at dates.

Have a look and see what you think

http://www.llandow.com/trackdays/

Yes Llandow sorry! Seems they have a track day the first Saturday each month. Think I can do any of them, will double check with the boss.

It could be a laugh. A track session, followed by a drive to a local pub or something to share tales of "hitting the apex," "getting the back end out", "brake fade" and "god I need a new engine" and the like.

June onwards is better for me.

Hi Toby - Hope all is well with you.
I'd be happy to tag along if the date is free in my diary.
Please pm me with any definitive updates.

Cheers Brilly

June's fine for me. Will pencil it in.

Shall we link this with the Italian car event in Cardiff Bay then ? 9th June.

A plan is hatched!

Any welsh meets then? Or S west? I’ve no coupe but I’d love an outing, that cheddar day out was lovely.

Yes I'm up for a get together, anywhere within reason is fine by me

Me too. Maybe a "top gear" route drive through the beacons followed by pub grub?

I would be happy to explore the Brecons if we can get something off the ground?

Yes me too.

How about something at the end of Sept?

Sounds good to me...