Hi Folks
As a long-term stalker, I was intrigued when mention of my former steed came up, so I now feel duty-bound to raise my head above the parapet.
I built, enjoyed and finally bent Q730UDW over a period of 4 years. It was purchased in 'Silver' form and collected from Corby on the Mayday bank holiday weekend in 1985, and on the road in July. It went through a period of modification, and was eventually fitted with a 1380 engine from MED, stage 2 head, HIF44, K&N, 3.1 final drive. This combination gave 'sprightly and tractable' performance, with good economy. I lived in Pontypool at the time (hence DW being a Cardiff registration at the time), and remember a couple of trips up to the Isle of Skye with a full load of camping and climbing gear returning over 45mpg and 60mph average speeds. This was when traffic was lighter, but the M5 was 2 lane south of Brum, the A74 was a 2 lane dual carrigeway with tractors, and the road up the side of Loch Lomond was single carriageway. Happy days.
The car was bent on the A5 near Glasfryn as I was going to N Wales to meet up with some friends. The back end slid sideways in a bend, and, although I got it back the first time, the second time wasn't so lucky. I remember a partial spin, hitting the kerb just beyond permendicular to it, and the car rolling. I closed my eyes as I moved to lay across the passenger seat, and hoped that it wouldn't hurt too much. When I came to a stop, I was upside down, but uninjured. I climbed out of the rear hatch opening, having removed the keys from the ignition, and found some people on the roadside looking at the wreckage. I climbed up to the road, and they were amazed that I was OK. The ambulance and police arrived, and eventually I was taken to the police station in Llanrwst to be checked over by the doctor, and sort out an accident report. I then got a taxi to Nant Peris to meet up with my friends, and discuss the events of the evening. I was aching the following morning - partly drink related, but mainly the adrenaline wearing off, and one of my friends took me back to the scene to rescue any odds and sods lying around. It looked like a combination of damp road, diesel slick, lift-off oversteer and surplus speed had done for me. At least i walked away.
I returned to Snowdonia a couple of weeks later to get some photo's for insurance purposes, and managed to sort out an insurance settlement relatively painlessly. I would have liked to buy the remains and rebuild into a new shell, but a change of job, house and 101 other things meant I took the money and ran.
I went to a few NW area meetings at a pub in Bowden, and did meet with Dave who had repaired the shell - far more brave than me!
Anyway, Here are a couple of pictures of the event, if I can upload them.
Regards
John
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