Happy New Year 2024!

I hope everyone reading this had a good start into the New Year – I certainly did. The pleasant weather last week allowed taking Miffi and Maggie out for a short drive. A friend- Simon & his son – came for a visit from northern Germany. As they like the MGB GT as well – I offered them to take it for a ride. During my lunch break I joined them in Miffi and showed them some nice backroads in our area.

All was well – but of course there are always minor things that need improvement on a classic car. After the trip in the Mini Cooper to Hamburg in December and this short ride – I noticed a few clonks when accelerating quickly or braking hard. It felt a bit like a “moving” engine – pretty much as if an engine steady has failed. Years back I had the problem on my first Mini due to rubber bushes that had become brittle. As I already started rearranging my garage to work on Maggie’s suspension – I asked Gerhard Breuer in Cologne if I could put the Miffi on his car lift and check it.

The opportunity came up on Saturday as not much was going on in his workshop. To my surprise – all engine steadies – including a third one I added five years ago -were all OK. The poly bushes are in perfect condition. I double checked all suspension bolts as well as the tie-rods bushes. The engine mount bolts required some minor fastening – but other than this – all looked OK. Quite annoying is the amount of play in the drive-shafts bearings and a minor oil leak. The gearbox was overhauled in March 2021 – and I only did about 5000km in the Mini since. So another project on the list for 2024.

But maybe it is good a back a look back on 2023. And keeping a blog like this helps to remember that it was a really great year. Progress in the garage on for example Mildred stalled a bit – but for good reasons. Numerous trips & events, new friends and connection left some many positive memories. The (not even complete) list is quite long. MG Spares Day at Stoneleigh Park, the Cuxland Classic Rallye, the 37th Highland Games, BVAC 2023, our 25th anniversy and summer trip to Brindisi in the Morgan, the awesome 7th British Classic Rallye, the ADAC driver training and last but not least the LeJog 2023 were certainly all highlights.

Reflecting about all those experiences the only conclusion I can come up with: there was no better way to spent the time!!! Sure, some goals – like gettting Mildred’s bodyshell done in 2023 – were left unfulfilled. But this does not matter at all – I will just try to get this done in 2024. And looking ahead – a few trips and events are already marked in the calendar. Another trip to the UK is coming up shortly. But this is not all – many projects are on my list as well – both in the garage as well as at home.

I wish you all the best for the new year and hope to meet you at some point on the way.
Savety fast and Stay cautious!