h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Just so you don't all think I've completely cracked up...

The title is due to the fact that yesterday I finally got my hands on my MG Migit (after long negotiations with my ex-wife). (Long story - we bought it before we separated and both of us wanted it )

It hadn't been moved or started since August 1999 So I went to pick it up with a car transporter to get it back to my place...

I arrive, drag the car out of its garage and have a quick look at the engine...

Oil levels fine - oil looked as good as the day I'd put it in
Water levels fine - well, I had to put a teacup full into it to bring it back up to max level.

Everything else looked fine so I decided to see if - by any miracle, it would run...

Plugged in a new battery, turned the key and she fired first time

How many other 25 year old cars do you know that would do that after spending four years sat in a garage with the temperature varying between +40°C and -20°C.


I'm going out to play with my new toy this weekend

Cancel the last...

Took it out only to find out there's a problem with the clutch...

I'm hoping it's either airlocks in the hydraulic system or worn seals on the cylinders... otherwise I need a new clutch

Well I wish mine would start like that. A couple of hours in the fresh air and it sounds like the Bismarck starting up. Of course, the dodgy exhaust doesn't help either.

A friend and I completely re-built the car about 7 years ago, so it should be in fairly good condition... (it's taken me nearly 4 years to get it back from my ex-wife). Mind you, I've a horrible suspicion it's going to start to be a black hole as far as money goes... just getting parts for it out here is going to cost me a small fortune.

Well if you will live in such a bloody silly place *and* want to run a classic car, what do you expect?

"Bloody silly place"?

The wine, the sunshine, the food, the culture...



The french

You could be right

The wine (the vinegar) the sunshine (the heat that kills 1000s of people) the food (the over garlicky meat from animals most peoples wouldn't consider calling food) the culture (the bad driving and no pubs) the French (say no more)

Bah! Heretic...

Just coz you've got absolutely no taste...


Don't tell Bruce I said that!

I've got plenty of taste. It just leans more towards German wine and temperatures suitable for skiing in, that's all.

Andd what's it worth?

German antifreeze you mean?

And as for the skiing quip... I always thought you were a little bit of an 'ice maiden'

Better than being an iron maiden

Hmm, now I think about it, you do bear a passing resemblance to Eddie...




**hides just in case KA's old enough to get that joke**

You better run, you git- Kerr has at least five Iron Maiden albums, thank you very much. And I have more hair than Eddie.

If I can help with passing on of parts, just let me have a cup of tea and a free holiday in France, and I'm the answer to all your wishes.

I'm fairly sure the MG Owners Club deliver most places. You could try and convince them to divert one of their runs past your door to drop stuff off.

I can get parts already, there's a company called Moss that I used to use that'll deliver anywhere in the world (for a price )

Oh and Mina... with the size of my flat you'd either be sleeping on the balcony or in the bath!

Well, you've just been raving about the weather over there- I'm sure al fresco sleeping arrangements would suit Mina just fine

Yup, but I suppose I should warn her she'd be sharing sleeping accomodation with the 4 million ants that just set up shop in my flower pots

Company. Nothing wrong with that. Something to occupy the lonely nights.