News page
The latest updates on the world of the my MK2
23rd june, 2003:
Well, what can i say, my Escort world and my own life has taken a turn for the worse. Last night at 11:20pm, i was driving through Lincoln, at a nice steady pace, The road was dual lane by this time, leading to a large roundabout and then off up a dual laned bridge. I got to the top of said bridge and I looked ahead, and there in front was a copper(oink) beckoning me to pull up.I pulled up, and the copper came to my window. I was then told by him that i had been registered doing 36mph . I was asked if i knew the speed limit on the bridge, and i replied with 40mph saying so because it was a dual lane road, thinking that it was 40mph. I was told that it was infact 30mph and that i would be recieving 3 points. After much begging and trying to reason with the copper, telling him about my impending holiday(which i need my car for) and the fact that i already have 3 points, he still wouldnt change his mind, so i now have 6 points within 2 years of passing my license. I will be banned as of saturday June 28th, i will have my license taken off me, and i will have to start all over again, right from applying for my Provisional license. So instead of the Police being out there catching thiefs and assaulters, they're out catching young drivers doing 6mph over the speed limit at 11.20pm on a sunday night on a deserted road, hiding themselves on the crest of a bridge so that they cant be seen untill the last minute. Words cant descibe how upset and angry i am. The mk2 will be staying in my possesion untill after my holiday while i decide what to do with it. If you fancy twisting my arm, then drop me an email, but things arent cast in stone. If i did sell it, id ideally be looking at a 4 figure amount as ill be doing sum work to her now that im off the road.
On a slightly higher note, my mk2 is featured in the latest issue of Classic Ford magazine. Im on the readers cars page, and it mentions this site.Result. Also, i now have a digi camera, so when im in the mood, ill be able to put some pictures up. Dan
25th June, 2003:
Took my documents in today, and got some fairly good news. I have to
go to court, but the info has to be sent from the police and then a date set, and then a
letter sent to me.The police woman there today was very helpful, basically saying that it
takes roughly 6 weeks for the letter to turn up,
and in the mean time im fine to drive. Which basically means, im off on holiday in my car
again all being well!!!I even get to keep my driving license card untill the court date.
The court thing isnt bad either-i just turn up and if i hand over my license when i
get there, i dont have to go through the full thing and i pay my �60 fine then. But im
going to try my hardest to get out of it in court.I have plenty of ideas up my sleeve.
On a slightly worse note, if i want to have a few lessons(ie freshen meself up and get rid
of bad habbits) i canot use a normal driving instructor, i have to go with the police to
have lessons, and my practical test will be extra long and stricter.
This country sucks.
29th June, 2003:
Well, my lucks changed for the better just recently.This doesnt make up for the fact that im going to be banned, but its nice to have this happen all the same.Was rummaging around in the shed yesterday, when i stumbled across a carrier bag tucked away at the back. Had a nosey inside and found a set of inertia seat belts. Not only a set of seat belts, but a FORD set of seat belts that perfectly match the front ones in my mk2!!!So todays job is to put them in the back of the MK2, ready for going on holiday so that me mates in the back have the protection of a seatbelt.Peace of mind for me and them.May start to slowly give the mk2 a service today as well, ie, check the diff and gearbox for oil, adjust the brakes e.t.c. Right, im off to fit these seatbelts, will hopefully have an update later.
30th June, 2003: That was a nice and easy job, got the seatbelts in, the only non straightforward bit being cutting the parcel shelf. All mounting points and threads are there, so it really was a simple bolt in job. Still, its only temporary, as ive finally made up my mind on whats going to happen with the Escort.
If, as soon as i lose my license, i am allowed to start geting towards driving again, then the Escort shall stay as it is and i will concentrate my efforts and money on regaining my driving license. If, however, i will be banned for 6/12months before i can start again, then i will do alot of work to the old girl, mainly getting her lower and a few other mods, although thinking logically it would be a better idea to get the few dodgy areas of the bodywork sorted and the old girl resprayed.
Anyway, nothings set in stone yet untill i have been to my court case. Dan
6th July, 2003:Not much to report really, other than that im doing quite abit of overtime at work, so that ill have plenty to spend at Ford Fair(3rd August). Going on holiday in a week, so its just a case of checking/topping up fluids e.t.c.Thats it for now.
26th July, 2003: Well, got back off of Holiday last night, and pleased to say that the mk2 ran faultlessly. Most of the journey was undertook at about 75mph, and i had not one problem with her.Still, i had to finally hand in my driving license today, although im allowed to drive untill further notified, so faced with the fact that i wont be driving the mk2 for a while, ive decided that while im off the road, it may as well be too. Every time i look at the car, theres a new rust bubble or scratch to be seen, and ive finally decided to bite the bullet and strip her down for a restoration. Ford Fair is on the 3rd August, so ill be on the hunt for panels then. Ill be starting a new page for the resto when i start, so keep your eyes peeled. Dan