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Feb 23, 2020 20:56:19 GMT
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Some back story. I've been wanting to do the Scottish 500 for a while now. For those who don't know what that is, it's 500 mile road trip though Scotland on some of the best roads in the country. It's the British version of route 66. However due to where i live, just north of Southampton, it's a 1500 mile trip all in. I was planning on doing it last year with some mates but as with all good plans, nothing came of it. I can't see us organising it any time in the next couple of years. So I've decided I going to do it myself. Other wise it will become one of those pipes dreams that never gets done. The car I've chosen is a 92 honda accord estate. I picked it up for £340 with a month's MOT, the only caveat being I plan on doing this trip in 4-5 months so that could be a hurdle as I don't want to spend alot of money on ot There is actually a couple of reasons why I got the particular car. One is that I own a coupe version of this car and the are getting rare. the idea is that after the road trip I will strip it for spare parts for my coupe (or if it takes alot of money to get it moted). The second reason is a place to sleep. There are hotels and hostels along the route but these cost money. I'm a tight so and so and don't want to pay this. I could always camp in a tent but if it's raining, experience has taught me that putting up a tent isn't fun. It also takes to try. My idea with the estate is transform the back in to a basic Living area. Bed one side, and storage with possibly a basic camping stove on the other. Third reason was the price, at £340 I couldn't go wrong, the spare parts I'll get out of her would easily come to more than that. Here is the car in all her beauty Obligatory first filling shot      Here's why you should always clean out your car before selling.thats a Free lunch, thank you very much.  The 100 mile drive back was handled with out issue. Pretty much everything works, cruise control, electric window and mirror and even the sun roof. There is a bit within of laziness with the Speedo. 70mph on the clocks is 85mph on the road, this may have gotten me in a little trouble, only time will tell. But on the plus side she sat at that speed with no signs of trouble. Next step is to get it moted to determine if this plan can actually go head |
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1972 viva 'Sparky'
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I like everything about this post.
I like the car, like your plans and like your planned trip!!
I hope you will post heaps of photo's.
Thanks
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Feb 24, 2020 10:58:42 GMT
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I like everything about this post. I like the car, like your plans and like your planned trip!! I hope you will post heaps of photo's. Thanks Thanks, it's booked in for an MOT for next Monday. My plans will be determined by the out come of that. But here are some more pics The Crusty bits, I plan on bodging these to get it through the MOT. Not the proper way I know but it's a throw away car and I don't want to put loads of hours on rust repair for it to fail on something else. And it's not a big enough patch to weaken the car structurally. Plus I'm not trying to hide that it's bodged.    The potential living quarters, with the passenger seat in a forwarder position,I can lay down with room to spare. Which is something I probably should have checked before buying.  Only 160000 miles and no warnings lights when driving, what more could you ask for?  Although a bit dirty, the interior is actually in quite good knick, it's a fairly nice place to be.  The almighty f22 engine with a total of 125bhp (when factory fresh) to give it it's due, it still pulls nicely and doesn't struggle at all  And because I couldn't resist, Comparison of my daily (coupe) to the barge  |
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1972 viva 'Sparky'
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smart
Part of things
Posts: 134
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Feb 24, 2020 13:22:49 GMT
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I like everything about this post. I like the car, like your plans and like your planned trip!! I hope you will post heaps of photo's. Thanks I second this! Is it just me or are those rear wheel wells massive? |
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1998 Rover 400 Derv |
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Feb 24, 2020 13:29:04 GMT
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Very interesting; are you retired by any chance?
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Feb 24, 2020 13:35:21 GMT
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Very interesting; are you retired by any chance? Can honestly say I've never been asked that before. Both of those cars are older than me (not by a huge amount) Why do you ask? |
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Last Edit: Feb 24, 2020 13:35:38 GMT by Ebejeebies
1972 viva 'Sparky'
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Feb 24, 2020 14:51:33 GMT
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Very interesting; are you retired by any chance? Can honestly say I've never been asked that before. Both of those cars are older than me (not by a huge amount) Why do you ask? I was wondering how you manage to find time to accomplish this sort of task, that's all. |
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Feb 24, 2020 15:03:05 GMT
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Can honestly say I've never been asked that before. Both of those cars are older than me (not by a huge amount) Why do you ask? I was wondering how you manage to find time to accomplish this sort of task, that's all. Weekends and work holiday is the plan |
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1972 viva 'Sparky'
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Very cool plans. Fingers crossed for the MOT and look forward to seeing the roadtrip pics
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Feb 25, 2020 10:09:28 GMT
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I was wondering how you manage to find time to accomplish this sort of task, that's all. Weekends and work holiday is the plan I see; well I wish you all the best with your challenge; you have now intrigued me with this event, so off to search oin Google to see exactly what it involves. |
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Feb 25, 2020 10:19:43 GMT
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Weekends and work holiday is the plan I see; well I wish you all the best with your challenge; you have now intrigued me with this event, so off to search oin Google to see exactly what it involves. I'm glad it's peaked your interest. Its not particularly challenging thing. just a nice road trip over 500 miles. Route takes about 7 days to drive at a nice pace My challenge comes from being a tight s.o.b and doing it the cheapest way possible but in a way that's still fun. They did most of the route on one of the grand tour episodes. If you have the ability I would recommend watching that |
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1972 viva 'Sparky'
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Feb 25, 2020 10:25:24 GMT
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For those interested this is the route around Scotland. I lied it's actually 516 miles  And this is my starting point  |
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1972 viva 'Sparky'
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Kron
Part of things
Posts: 260 
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Feb 25, 2020 13:27:57 GMT
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That's a route/Journey i have long fancied doing myself. Like you i think doing it on a budget will give the most experience - I plan on attacking it in a panda and wild camping for as much/long as possible.
There some good info on this site:
<https://independenttravelcats.com/north-coast-500-road-trip-planning-guide-nc500-route/#Where-to-Stay-on-the-North-Coast-500>
Along with a Google map that can be copied into your google maps:
<https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1gLfwZSsQ8PcoghgDZw2Px_H82v8WM0KK&ll=58.02808354061524%2C-4.466499999999996&z=8>
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Feb 25, 2020 15:20:59 GMT
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That's a route/Journey i have long fancied doing myself. Like you i think doing it on a budget will give the most experience - I plan on attacking it in a panda and wild camping for as much/long as possible. There some good info on this site: <https://independenttravelcats.com/north-coast-500-road-trip-planning-guide-nc500-route/#Where-to-Stay-on-the-North-Coast-500> Along with a Google map that can be copied into your google maps: <https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1gLfwZSsQ8PcoghgDZw2Px_H82v8WM0KK&ll=58.02808354061524%2C-4.466499999999996&z=8> I can see a panda being quite a fun little car on the bendy roads. I will probably bring a tent and if I have any true gorgeous days I may use it but it being Scotland, I'm expecting it to be wet, alot. |
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1972 viva 'Sparky'
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Darkspeed
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,882
Club RR Member Number: 39
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Feb 25, 2020 16:15:53 GMT
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As far South as you are - why not start at Lands End !
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Feb 25, 2020 16:20:47 GMT
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As far South as you are - why not start at Lands End ! Ohhhh..hadn't thought of that |
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1972 viva 'Sparky'
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Darkspeed
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,882
Club RR Member Number: 39
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Feb 25, 2020 17:42:36 GMT
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As far South as you are - why not start at Lands End ! Ohhhh..hadn't thought of that For the LE JOG I doubt it really matters where you start from as you end up doing double the distance anyway but if you are going to JOG as part of the 500 a few extra miles to tick of one of the UK drivers bucket list tours at the same time.... It's on my bucket list of journeys just have to find a car to do it in as most of my fleet would end me within 200 miles. |
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Feb 25, 2020 19:23:17 GMT
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Ohhhh..hadn't thought of that For the LE JOG I doubt it really matters where you start from as you end up doing double the distance anyway but if you are going to JOG as part of the 500 a few extra miles to tick of one of the UK drivers bucket list tours at the same time.... It's on my bucket list of journeys just have to find a car to do it in as most of my fleet would end me within 200 miles. I've driven close to lands end and tbf it only an additional 400miles on to the trip. You've talked me into it As for your 200 mile issues, You should place yours cars at strategic intervals all up the country to achieve the trip |
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1972 viva 'Sparky'
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Feb 25, 2020 19:36:28 GMT
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I'm 1000% for this apart from the camping stove in the back of the car, that sounds like the opening scene in an episode of casually.
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Feb 25, 2020 20:03:15 GMT
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I'm 1000% for this apart from the camping stove in the back of the car, that sounds like the opening scene in an episode of casually. I've not fully planned out the stove thing yet. But I know where your coming from. Open flames in a confined spaces is a hazard. |
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1972 viva 'Sparky'
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