RichardAllen

Er, 25/22/89 should of course be 25/11/89, in case anyone was wondering what date system I was using.

Graham, I've just spotted this. I think I was the second owner of CTW 7X SCC082910CHD11244. I bought it from the late Charles Taylor of CT Cars in West Horsely (still there opposite bell and Colville) on 25/22/89. I ran it around Surrey for 10 years. It was great to drive, but terribly unreliable. About the only thing which did not go was the gearbox. I recall the cambelt going 1,700 miles before replacement, which cost me £2k in just bits in 1992. I recall I spent my summer holiday rebuilding the engine at CT Cars and making the tea. But I loved it when it went. My ex-wife made me sell it to some chap, in I think 2001 who called me a few days later that the turbo had gone on it. I was mortified for both of us. I think he paid £6k, which was a steal. It did track days at Brands, Castle Combe (in the wet, I have the picture from Quarry somewhere), and Hethel. It was featured in Performance Car Magazine July 1995 - poor pics and text not much better. I think I kept it pretty much original, though the rear chassis was painted in zinc galvanising paint, and I had terrible trouble with paint chips, especially, as I recall driver's side rear wing. I did once have 157 on the dial, but never got it to 160. I would love to own it again, but am not at all sure I could manage the unreliability, appallingly difficult maintenance and horrendous parts costs. But it really did look gorgeous, especially as copper is now back in fashion. It never had a ski rack while I had it, though the James Bond copper one did. Apparently it is SORN now. I would love to know how the old girl is getting on. When I had it it had 5 stud silver and gold BBS wheels, and still the only car I have heard of where front, rear and spare tyres were all full size and all different. Regards Richard