My thoughts

Howie666 · 10th July 2013, 18:24

I have been musing for some time over how to put this. I enjoy belonging to the owners club. I have enjoyed, to a certain extent, attending meetings of owners in various places. I have met one or two people from the forum who are very nice, and seem to me to represent what I imagine the club is all about.
Sadly some people appear to be under some misapprehension about me and my car/reason for belonging to the club.
I am painfully aware that our car is far from the best example of a ZT out there. When we bought her she had a dead battery and all of the breather tubes were fractured. The bodywork is scratched and dented. The inlet manifold has been messed with and needs replacing. We have decided that we want to replace it with a brand new one, despite the expense, because every job we do on the car is done with long life and service in mind, and a new one will provide many years of motoring for us.
The seats are ripped and worn in the usual places, and yes, we are planning to have them reupholstered but again that is a large expense and it will have to wait.
The upgrades I have made thus far have been partly with the help of forum members (to whom I am eternally grateful) and partly with the help of a local mechanic who very kindly loaned me the space I needed to do the biggest job so far, that of replacing the radiator fan with a two speed Kenlowe unit from Jules.
We see the car as a long term investment, with the eventual goal of returning her to brand new condition, or if possible, better than new. The problem is we are trying to do all this on a non-existent budget. The car is parked on the street outside our house, prey to the elements and the local scumbaggery walking past on their way home from getting bladdered. Not to mention idiots in cars with a total lack of spatial awareness when it comes to maneuvering near our car.
I am not too proud to attempt work on the car but I do know my limits. I managed to fit the rear sunblind with a lot of printouts from the how-to and not a few heart stopping moments, not least concerned with whether or not I would be able to put it back together right.
She is a major expense for us and we have had to make sacrifices to keep her on the road. When Sandra was being treated for cancer the car was essential. Many of her clinic appointments would have been inaccessible were it not for the car. We see the car as a member of the family. I will continue to attempt to attend meetings because it is nice to own a car that has a group of people who care about them as much as the owners on here (or at least most of them). If I am an embarrassment or unwelcome I will keep myself to myself.
I admit I feel a little invisible on the forum. I contribute what I can when I can but seldom if ever do I get any feedback on my comments. I was/am planning a 'how-to' on an aspect of upgrading the car that I think I can do but I'm worried I'm just going over old ground or that my efforts will be derided for their amateurishness. In essence, I belong to the club, but in many ways I don't feel like I 'belong'. If you've read this far then thank you for reading, and I apologise for taking up your time.

chipsceola · 10th July 2013, 18:31

Hey don't be embarrassed You appear to have a car in a lot worse condition visually at least, than many that are scrapped for what really are quite minor problems, yet your intentions are to improve it, subject to time and money constraints, to that of a nice good condition motor. Well done that man!

bse1966 · 10th July 2013, 18:32

Hi don't worry what other people think about your car it's what you think is most important not every one can afford to do thing right away, I know how it fells having to work on a tight budget and the old saying Rome was not build in a day

Just look after yourself and family first then the car good luck

suzublu · 10th July 2013, 18:34

A very nice post,& puts your feeling across very well

You will never be derided over any post that helps other members,remember,everyone started somewhere.Some members have differing senses of humour,& sometimes this comes across differently than was intended when typed,we are not all the same,which is what makes this forum all the more interesting for its diversity.Keep posting,& just enjoy yourself,life's too short

MG Tom · 10th July 2013, 18:34

You may be surprised to see there are many others in a similar position.

I desperately want to get mine to a much higher standard, but money is tight and time even more so! Rome wasn't built in a day. I am reasonably content with slow progress as long as I can fix and improve things quicker than they deteriorate!

Don't be disheartened about the forum or the club. You will make friends from meets over time, (just as you will eventually get there with the car). I absolutely encourage you to document what you do to the car, and any how-tos will be appreciated. Yes lots of things have been covered, but every new write up is a valuable resource, people do things in different ways, or spot an easier way to do things, or are just better at taking photos or explaining things.

I know how you feel when you don't get a big response to posts, but for every comment you may depend there are dozens who have read what you have written. Indeed many forum members use this place but never post! Don't let it put you off.

Please don't give up on the car or the forum!!

Platemaker · 10th July 2013, 18:35

Brabus · 10th July 2013, 18:38

I think its great that you restored your and improve it as you go.that is what its all about. You should be proud of your car. Never be embarrasst. Anybody who does not see this is not a true enthusiast. A how to would be great and will be more than appreciated. This saves people alot of money so they can do the work themselves. I think its great and this is what the club is and should be about first and foremost, Keeping the cars on the road and enjoying them .

Heddy · 10th July 2013, 18:39

Blimey Dale, you've gone a lot further than me. My car too is scratched, stone chipped, has dirty wheels etc. The best mod was my recent remap. Would be great if the car was spotless and in tip top running order, but I just want to drive it, can't be too bothered about cleaning it. So no, I'm not an 'enthusiast' but I'm keen to figure these cars out and it's true they get under your skin. I do admire the work and hours some members put into their cars, maybe I'll be the same when I retire or have less other things to do. The wife and I are going to our first meet a week on Sunday at Cheddar, looking forward to seeing other owners and their cars. I may 'muck it out' before I go but we're along for the ride mainly.

carlalou · 10th July 2013, 18:46

as long as your car can get you from A to B, who cares what it looks like

at times i dread taking mine out to meet other ones due to them looking amazing and mine not so

but......your intentions are exactly the same as everybody else's, its just they are just at a different stage with there cars then you are now

my car is also part of our family

but she will one day look like one of the superb cars also on the forum.

it just takes time and money.

i have found the people on here and at the meets really are little superstars.

in short...with there help and support your half way there

the other half is your time and money

as far as i can see, its another one still on the road. so for that i congratulate you

macafee2 · 10th July 2013, 18:53

Howie666, I don't know what has gone to make you feel like this. I certainly wish Sandra all the very best. I don't see anything wrong worth being devoted to restoring a car, lots of people do it.
If you are only here to learn, to ask and get advice, so what?

macafee2

10th July 2013, 18:24	#1
Howie666 I really should get out more....... MG ZT 190+, Trophy Blue Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Preston Posts: 2,067 Thanks: 1,401 Thanked 309 Times in 195 Posts	My thoughts I have been musing for some time over how to put this. I enjoy belonging to the owners club. I have enjoyed, to a certain extent, attending meetings of owners in various places. I have met one or two people from the forum who are very nice, and seem to me to represent what I imagine the club is all about. Sadly some people appear to be under some misapprehension about me and my car/reason for belonging to the club. I am painfully aware that our car is far from the best example of a ZT out there. When we bought her she had a dead battery and all of the breather tubes were fractured. The bodywork is scratched and dented. The inlet manifold has been messed with and needs replacing. We have decided that we want to replace it with a brand new one, despite the expense, because every job we do on the car is done with long life and service in mind, and a new one will provide many years of motoring for us. The seats are ripped and worn in the usual places, and yes, we are planning to have them reupholstered but again that is a large expense and it will have to wait. The upgrades I have made thus far have been partly with the help of forum members (to whom I am eternally grateful) and partly with the help of a local mechanic who very kindly loaned me the space I needed to do the biggest job so far, that of replacing the radiator fan with a two speed Kenlowe unit from Jules. We see the car as a long term investment, with the eventual goal of returning her to brand new condition, or if possible, better than new. The problem is we are trying to do all this on a non-existent budget. The car is parked on the street outside our house, prey to the elements and the local scumbaggery walking past on their way home from getting bladdered. Not to mention idiots in cars with a total lack of spatial awareness when it comes to maneuvering near our car. I am not too proud to attempt work on the car but I do know my limits. I managed to fit the rear sunblind with a lot of printouts from the how-to and not a few heart stopping moments, not least concerned with whether or not I would be able to put it back together right. She is a major expense for us and we have had to make sacrifices to keep her on the road. When Sandra was being treated for cancer the car was essential. Many of her clinic appointments would have been inaccessible were it not for the car. We see the car as a member of the family. I will continue to attempt to attend meetings because it is nice to own a car that has a group of people who care about them as much as the owners on here (or at least most of them). If I am an embarrassment or unwelcome I will keep myself to myself. I admit I feel a little invisible on the forum. I contribute what I can when I can but seldom if ever do I get any feedback on my comments. I was/am planning a 'how-to' on an aspect of upgrading the car that I think I can do but I'm worried I'm just going over old ground or that my efforts will be derided for their amateurishness. In essence, I belong to the club, but in many ways I don't feel like I 'belong'. If you've read this far then thank you for reading, and I apologise for taking up your time. __________________ Commission Number 352 To do list: 1. Reversing sensors 1a. Headlights polished - DONE! (Magic Mike ) 2. Auto dip rear view mirror 3. Seats replaced - DONE! (thank you Mischief) 7. Bodywork repainted 8. Inlet manifold changed for a working one - DONE! (Magic Mike )

10th July 2013, 18:31	#2
chipsceola This is my second home Jaguar XF 3.0D Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Southampton Posts: 4,364 Thanks: 119 Thanked 509 Times in 426 Posts	Hey don't be embarrassed You appear to have a car in a lot worse condition visually at least, than many that are scrapped for what really are quite minor problems, yet your intentions are to improve it, subject to time and money constraints, to that of a nice good condition motor. Well done that man! __________________ Chips

10th July 2013, 18:32	#3
bse1966 Loves to post Rover 75 2.0 ltr Diesel Tourer Silver Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ashington Northumberland Posts: 384 Thanks: 19 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Hi don't worry what other people think about your car it's what you think is most important not every one can afford to do thing right away, I know how it fells having to work on a tight budget and the old saying Rome was not build in a day Just look after yourself and family first then the car good luck __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] This vehicle was the 10,545th 75 Tourer to run off the production line, out of 27,407 This vehicle was the 609th 75 Tourer CDT Connoisseur SE to be made out of 1,465 This vehicle was the 3,415th 75 Tourer in Zircon Silver Metallic (code: MUM) to be made out of 3,958 Zircon Silver Metallic 75 Tourers

10th July 2013, 18:34	#4
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,912 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	A very nice post,& puts your feeling across very wellYou will never be derided over any post that helps other members,remember,everyone started somewhere.Some members have differing senses of humour,& sometimes this comes across differently than was intended when typed,we are not all the same,which is what makes this forum all the more interesting for its diversity.Keep posting,& just enjoy yourself,life's too short

10th July 2013, 18:34	#5
MG Tom Posted a thing or two ex. MG ZT+ Join Date: May 2013 Location: Northampton-ish Posts: 1,484 Thanks: 156 Thanked 98 Times in 95 Posts	You may be surprised to see there are many others in a similar position. I desperately want to get mine to a much higher standard, but money is tight and time even more so! Rome wasn't built in a day. I am reasonably content with slow progress as long as I can fix and improve things quicker than they deteriorate! Don't be disheartened about the forum or the club. You will make friends from meets over time, (just as you will eventually get there with the car). I absolutely encourage you to document what you do to the car, and any how-tos will be appreciated. Yes lots of things have been covered, but every new write up is a valuable resource, people do things in different ways, or spot an easier way to do things, or are just better at taking photos or explaining things. I know how you feel when you don't get a big response to posts, but for every comment you may depend there are dozens who have read what you have written. Indeed many forum members use this place but never post! Don't let it put you off. Please don't give up on the car or the forum!! __________________ '03 MG ZT+ 1.8T X-Power Grey with Monogram 'WTD' black alcantara trim. [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] My project thread HERE

10th July 2013, 18:35	#6
Platemaker I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 160, MG ZT 180. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: N/A Posts: 2,384 Thanks: 27 Thanked 24 Times in 20 Posts	__________________

10th July 2013, 18:38	#7
Brabus This is my second home 01 75 tourer cdt,1973 Rover 3500S,,1974 Rover 3500 Auto,1998 216 SE Coupe, 1968 Morris Minor 1000 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: bangor/down Posts: 4,839 Thanks: 62 Thanked 184 Times in 158 Posts	I think its great that you restored your and improve it as you go.that is what its all about. You should be proud of your car. Never be embarrasst. Anybody who does not see this is not a true enthusiast. A how to would be great and will be more than appreciated. This saves people alot of money so they can do the work themselves. I think its great and this is what the club is and should be about first and foremost, Keeping the cars on the road and enjoying them . __________________ Regards Neale [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] 121st 75 Tourer to be made 15th 75 Tourer CDT Club SE to be made 36th 75 Tourer in Zircon Silver Metallic to be made Membership No 903 I was one of the 541

10th July 2013, 18:39	#8
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	Blimey Dale, you've gone a lot further than me. My car too is scratched, stone chipped, has dirty wheels etc. The best mod was my recent remap. Would be great if the car was spotless and in tip top running order, but I just want to drive it, can't be too bothered about cleaning it. So no, I'm not an 'enthusiast' but I'm keen to figure these cars out and it's true they get under your skin. I do admire the work and hours some members put into their cars, maybe I'll be the same when I retire or have less other things to do. The wife and I are going to our first meet a week on Sunday at Cheddar, looking forward to seeing other owners and their cars. I may 'muck it out' before I go but we're along for the ride mainly.

10th July 2013, 18:46	#9
carlalou Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T 190 Biomorphic Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: coventry Posts: 1,473 Thanks: 231 Thanked 136 Times in 81 Posts	as long as your car can get you from A to B, who cares what it looks like at times i dread taking mine out to meet other ones due to them looking amazing and mine not so but......your intentions are exactly the same as everybody else's, its just they are just at a different stage with there cars then you are now my car is also part of our family but she will one day look like one of the superb cars also on the forum. it just takes time and money. i have found the people on here and at the meets really are little superstars. in short...with there help and support your half way there the other half is your time and money as far as i can see, its another one still on the road. so for that i congratulate you __________________ membership number 001735 http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/...psf0c0d066.jpg

10th July 2013, 18:53	#10
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,912 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	Howie666, I don't know what has gone to make you feel like this. I certainly wish Sandra all the very best. I don't see anything wrong worth being devoted to restoring a car, lots of people do it. If you are only here to learn, to ask and get advice, so what? macafee2