I've been terrible in updating this blog and even more terrible in that I haven't actually done anything significant with the Bentley for a while. However, after an annual service and a few things that have happened, I have decided an update is in order.
Since the last update where I covered replacing the bonnet furniture I have been mainly driving the car and essentially not doing anything of note. Saying that I did get a quote to tidy up the bodywork and also noticed some consequences of taking your pride and joy to a hand car wash - for hand car wash read, fast and furious with no regard for your pride and joy. Read on.
A few weeks ago, I went to my local body shop (JSM in Preston) to see about how much it would cost to get the bodywork done. There is a mark on the bonnet where the lacquer and paint have slightly gone, due to birds crapping on it. It was like that when I bought it and it's not the end of the world. However, as a getting for 23 year old girl, she has some dings and marks a scratch or two and a very slight amount of corrosion starting on the wheel arch. Anyway, all the bits come in at around £2.5k to sort, so she will be off to the beauty salon at the end of summer. I have used JSM several times before and they are a good outfit so the price might change over the next several months before she goes in, but at least I know it will be a quality job.
The other thing I am looking at, is to get the interior wood refurbished which is a little tired in places. After those two things, it will be the leather but I suspect that's going to be a major and expensive job. As I have mentioned in previous posts the leather has had some "paint" applied to refurbish it in the past. It's been sprayed on by, I think, Ray Charles supported by Stevie Wonder and whomever did it should be ashamed of their efforts. There's no documentation in the history that gives me any contact details so that I can ring them up and shout questionable things about their mother down the phone at them. It will be interesting to see how that much really costs (I'm guessing more than the body and woodwork combined).
Another point of note is not to take your pride and joy to a hand car wash. Actually, to be totally honest, don't let anyone with a pressure washer anywhere near your car. The hand car washes often use an acid based cleaner and if you're driving in and getting washed immediately then you will probably be OK, but if you're in a queue and it takes ten minutes to get washed after having this stuff applied, well, it's not nice stuff and things (especially alloy wheels) can start to deteriorate over time. Actually, I only took mine through a couple of time because of being in a hurry and needing a clean car. However, the jet wash has been really good at taking the plate off the plastic centre hubs on the wheels. Not an expensive thing to fix, but really, who needs to use that much pressure to wash a vehicle properly? Back to the trusty hosepipe for me (my pressure washer is kept only for cleaning the patio).
What else? Ah, yes, after a service a week or so ago, (shout out to Bowling-Ryan), she's running well, although the squeaky brake at the back which has been an ongoing issue for two years is still there on occasion and we're now thinking of a new hub. If this could be sorted, it would make me SO HAPPY!
Other issues? The usual aging Arnage problems, the rev counter is all over the place, and then reads inaccurately, a known issue and one to get sorted eventually when time (and now, very much money) allows. Occasional knock sensor and during the service and MOT it was noted that the front ball joints had some play, so they will need sorting in the not too distant future.
Finally, for anyone in the NW of England looking for an outing or two, to see interesting cars or to show theirs or just for a morning/day out - the following are coming up... Sat. 22nd April - Lakeland Motor Museum, Bentley Driver's Club, from 10am until 12noon
Sun 23rd April - Lancashire Automobile Club, St. George's Day Run (members only)
1st Sat of the month (next- 6th May) - Lakeland Motor Museum, Lakeland Historic Car Club, 10am
8th/9th July - MASSIVE Motor show - Car Events | Wheels up North Weekender | Westmoreland County Show Ground, Cumbria - Over 550 vehicles.
