CharlieCroker

Good day gentlemen, it's been a while but don't fret, just taken the panther out for its first run of spring/summer. Just done a basic oil and filter service and other base checks, all good. She spluttered into life this morning but as always performs way above expectations, finding all gears, pulling like a train and stopping on a dime. She really does go as well as she looks. Here's a couple of photos, just had the whitewalls redone and added (just for this season) go faster stripes, see what you think. Happy summer, Charlie ;-)

Very original looking car, great base for a full resto, get stuck in son, it's the way to go. All the best, Charlie :-)

For all you photo junkies a few photos of the panther at Ultimate Stance and a prize winning top 20, how cool is that! Always a great show and a pleasure to meet up with old and new friends, enjoy the photos, happy Sunday, Charlie ;-)

If I could be bothered I could hook up a line from my air tank direct to the horns to literally blast out sound like a big rig, but they are loud enough as standard and compared to original electric horns they are such.an improvement I'd recommend anyone making the modification. I'd love a V8 but no engine swaps gunna happen now, a brake upgrade and new rad will see the panther ready for next years shows.

Tiny update - bought a cheap airhorn and installed it this morning, awesome upgrade and for under a tenner, win. Last show next weekend then a few upgrades pending if funds permit, vented discs and new wilwood calipers and a new radiator will go in over the winter months, all the best Charlie :-)

Crazy looking things but I quite like some. This is the car I was up next to, the car is called epic specials. Give the lad credit for buliding what he wanted, good luck to him. https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s640x640/sh0.08/e35/13702944_129530210813228_2082190918_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTI5MzcwNzQ4NDgyMTYxMzEyNA%3D%3D.2

Very well known car on the custom circiut and social media they are known as Bosozoku cars, big following in Japan not so much in the UK but they have a following. Have a search, some crazy builds out there, think they derive from 'manga' comics, all good fun and makes for good variety at any show.

No image manipulation as far as I know, professional photographer for fastcar took that, probably got some filter on the lens but I haven't buffed the car since when you saw me cut the paint back well over a year ago. However I do wax the car before every show, been using a cheap bottle of simonez carnuba wax, 7 quid for 500ml and it's lasted the show season, bottle is just running out now. I suppose each layer has added to the lustre you see there, in all honesty the paint looks great in the photos but in reality it has its faults, as long as it looks good when driving along that's good enough for me.

Original Vogues, I've got a few and worth few bob now, I have original mint condition front cover, Jerry Hall 1975, Liza Minelli 1973 and wait for this, Twiggy 1972 amongst others. Anyway here's one last photo from the show.

Bare in mind I have the fan switch on my dash so as soon as I see things creeping above 90 the fans go on and control things. As soon as I start rolling again I switch the fans off. Anything over 40mph on a free stretch (no traffic temp is around 80-85) sitting in traffic it will get hotter but as I say, fans on and everything falls back into line.

Not sure if the camera works, didn't have time to check. Did come with the case, kodak film and instruction booklet thpugh and all for the princely sum of £6.50. I must say again, the car has been performing above eexpectations recently, took me 2 hour 45 minutes to get back, got stuck in traffic on the m42, but she never missed a beat, not one missfire, not one problem, even the ttemperature didn't get to toasty when in traffic, really was a joy and the air ride is great on a long run. Blasted past lorries, trucks and flew along at 70 at times, she sits happily at 65, 2500-3000, feels as if she could sit all day at that. End of shows for me this year, didn't do as many as I should have but all in all a good season, more of the same next year please!

Never missed a beat, she treating me well lately! Heres a few photos She does seem to attract attention, for sure. Charlie being Charlie ain't never gonna turn down a great photo opportunity, ha! All tge best lads, happy sunday ;-)

I'm off to trax tomorrow, here's a video and interview they did of me and the car last year, the car has changed a fair bit since then, will post some photos tomorrow, all the best, Charlie :-) https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10154656382514558&id=9869864557

My car was a 'good' car to start with, decent chassis (no rust anywhere), straight as an arrow body (albeit tired paint - now shiny) diamond of an engine (got lucky on that), shite interior changed that for 200 knicker, wheels and tyres, few custom mods, oh and just a matter of around 1000 hours in the garage. If I out sourced my time spent on the car you wouldn't see much change out of about 25-30k, care to make me an offer, ha!

There's a product called 'tardis' that might work, couldn't guarantee it though. I had some strong mastic on some trim recently, got it of in minutes using a razor blade in a special hand holder, give that a try?

So the dial is sitting just on the high side of the 90, nothing to worry about. If it was way into the 95 and up I'd be concerned, fans should pull the incoming road air through the radiator up and over the engine and out of the bonnet vents, put a piece of paper behind the fans, if it sucks the paper into the radiator, you'll need to change the polarity, fan spinning direction.

Cool, nice photo, just as I was packing up to leave. Next show will be at the retro rides gathering in Shelsley Walsh, I'll be fully loaded for that show too!

I've spent ages and been very particular about the items I've been able to get hold of. I should have taken loads of detailed shots of all the bits and pieces, I'm sure you retro likers will love them, I was to busy riding around on my bike, of which I hasten to add seemed to attract loads of attention alone, I spoke to one chap for a good half hour about the wonderful engineering of the 3 speed sturmey archer hub! As soon as I get time I'll post them. Here's a nice panoramic shot of the show, great show by the way, I was a little shy to introduce myself the the official lotus stand but I saw a few 'lotus' guys pointing and smiling as they walked past my car.

Roof rack was an five quid ebay pur chase, I modified it slightly to fit. Bike folds and goes in the rear. I need to take some detailed photos of all the accessories so you can seem better, other than that it was a time warp display.

Been a while since I posted, not had much to report to be honest everything has been hunky dory, just been enjoying the car. I did get myself over to the Fast Car Festival at Donington today and showed the panther in all its retro glory, did a whole 'time warp' display with, period accessories I've been collecting over the last few months, luggage, 70s fixed fin surfboard, shopper bike, 8mm film camera and vintage 70s magazines spread about in the interior. As usual went down very well with the public they loved all the little details. Urmm not much else to say other check out the photo, I'll post more when I get time. All the best, Charlie ;-)

Couldn't tell you without looking at it. If it's taking you that long then something seems off beat, shouldn't take more than 5-10 minutes to locate properly, any photos?

Jack under the hub carrier, raise it slowly until the bolt lines up, tap in with hammer, 5 minutes max.

I bought one of those of ebay and it was faulty straight out of the box, the guy did take it back though. If you remember I managed to get a 45amp ford fiesta used unit from a local garage, £20, working perfectly to this day.

How does the upright thread look?