The Norwegian Bluebird

Hello, everybody.

Following a hectic year on all fronts, I finally found the time to take the Bluebird out on Saturday. It had been sitting in a barn for the last 7 months.. [V] The barn is clearly dry and nice, though, so the hibernation has not affected the Bluebird badly in any way :)

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Started on the second attempt! I was really impressed.

The tail pipe has been really rotten since when I bought the Bluebird almost 3 years ago (how time flies!), and a new one was well overdue. I didn't think they were obtainable new in standard bore any longer, but a phone call to Speedy Spares a couple of weeks back sorted me out with a complete new exhaust system ! (Well, they didn't have a new silencer, so sent me an old "well used" one for free. But tail pipe and front pipe were brand new.)

As the silencer on the vehicle still seemed relatively ok, I ended up changing just the tailpipe. Fitted straight into the old silencer, and in both brackets. Thumbs up for Speedy's ! :D


Seeing the rotten old one, you can see that a new one really was overdue..

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New, shiny tailpipe about to be fitted :p :

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And off came the flat halogen headlamps for left hand traffic, and on went proper Lucas European 700 with proper curved glass for right hand traffic - with real old-fashioned bulbs :D

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And I finally got the front bumper straightened up too. It has been on a slant since in storage in Lancashire a couple of winters ago, so it felt nice getting it to look straight again [^]

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And - not to forget - the "mobile mechanics unit" for the day.. :D:D:D

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Just a couple of minor things left to sort out now before taking it to the Norwegian authorities for approval :D
I hope it passes through :I as it is about time it gets Norwegian plates now and is put into use - a couple of months later than planned.. :I :)


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Still as clean as the day the girls washed it[8D]

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Summer's here.....
Told you
 
quote:
Originally posted by Fontaine

Great photos Jostein! How tough is the test to get approval? Is it an MOT of sorts?

Jon&Cara-Gramarye Fontaine



Thanks :)
The test isn't that bad, I think, and not dissimilar to your MOT tests. But it has to be done at the DVLA (equivilent) themselves, and the test personnel (they are renowned to be strict) can be really picky and difficult. As they are the governing body, they can dictate in a different way than a independent garage could, if you know what I mean.

My main concern is the documentation, though. I spoke to Martin earlier this evening as I need to get as much official Rootes paperwork as possible on weights, payload and these sorts of things. If not, they can probably just shake their heads and just say that documentation is insufficient to allow for registration. But I hope to lay my hands on enough documentation for this not becoming an issue :)

I'm kind of looking forward to see their faces when this barge turns up at the testing station, though :D:D They won't know what on earth it is, and will probably not know how to approach it all. Haha ;)
 
quote:
Originally posted by Panky

Still as clean as the day the girls washed it[8D]

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Summer's here.....
Told you



Yes, that won't be forgotten. Ever ! :)
 
Looking wonderful, nice to see her/him in the fresh air :D:D

Which side does your exhaust come out under? drivers or passengers, I need to do Brian's exhaust and never thought Speedy's might be an option.[?][?]

Moley and Brian the Snail :)

1965 Series IIA Bluebird Highwayman
 
Thanks, Deb :)

The exhaust exits on the driver's side, just as the original layout for these vans. Just in front of the rear right wheel. The original exhaust system comes in three sections, I believe: front pipe, silencer and rear pipe.

It was dead easy in my case, partially because Speedy's rear pipe was 100% match on dimensions and went straight into the old silencer with no gaps, and partially because the rear exhaust pipe fittings (the clamp at the rear of the silencer and the bracket near the tailpipe exit) weren't too rusty.

Give them a ring. They were really helpful. Keep the chassis number at hand, and tell them it's a series IIa.

:)
 
Many thanks, Scott [^]

If only I had a garage space nearer to home, I would have got cracking on all the other things which ought to be started on too. But finding a space to fit a 2,6 metre tall van - and being allowed to do minor repairs, that ain't easy. Been on the case for well over a year now, and really tried everything. Nothing has come up ! So in the meantime, a nice and dry barn an hour north will have to do.
The price to pay (one of them..) for capital living, I suppose.. [V]
 
Sounds like you need to move home to somewhere with a big garage.;)

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Spare a Commer Guv?
If I told you I was a pathological liar, would you believe me?
 
You're right, Baz. That would make much more sense.

Trouble is, I like living within easy walking distance to the central train station, coach terminal, opera house, concert halls, all the clubs, bars, restaurants, cinemas, parks, the botanical gardens, galleries .. So that's just how it is. Which means that it all gets a bit challenging when it comes to running classics.

:I
 
Sounds like you need to get your priorities in order!:D

BazRockscropped.jpg
Spare a Commer Guv?
If I told you I was a pathological liar, would you believe me?
 
Went to see the Bluebird in storage this afternoon, just to pick up the battery and a few other bits and bobs. But I was surprised to see that it had got itself a load of new German friends ! A load of old Audis were sitting there, and I cannot remember last time I saw that old Audi models. Some in good nick, others in need of work. There was even an early 1970s Audi 60 Variant ! Don't think I've seen one of these for 20 - 25 years or so.

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The Bluebird started almost instantly! Hadn't had it running since last summer, so I was mighty impressed. The battery was low too, so it was even more impressive that it started so quickly !

Hope to - finally - get it on the road on Norwegian plates by end of May. That is some 2 years later than planned, but now is the time ! :p
 
Some interesting motors around you. The bluebird is looking good. Roll on summer so we can all get back out.

Moley and Brian the Snail :)

1965 Series IIA Bluebird Highwayman
 
The poor Bluebird's completely hemmed in[:0] Get all that German junk and the little dingy out of the way;)

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Summer's Coming
 
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