A week with The Special’s modern classics

It’s been a week of modern classics action at Special HQ as the new addition arrived, the Isuzu came home and the mighty Kia Mentor racked-up more than 400 miles in one day.

The week kicked-off with the newly arrived Honda Civic going to our mates at Ferryside Garage for an MoT-test and full service. Garage boss Jed picked the car up from Special HQ and took it away: he later called us to say it was driving well.

We also collected the Trooper from Ferryside Garage: the clutch had been replaced, Jed got the electric aerial to work (hurrah) and recommended both batteries being replaced, which we decided to go for. The front section of the exhaust system was replaced too, and this was made at the garage as the replacements simply didn’t fit properly.

Isuzu home, and the next day the Kia was off to the Midlands for a social with Special picture guru Special K. The Kia still remains a joy on motorways and it’s frugal too, needing just after 22 quid’s worth after a 200 or so-mile trip.

There are plenty of small villages worth a look if you’re in the Buxton area and it’s as lovely – if not better – than the Cotswolds. And it’s less crowded. Back home that evening the mighty Mentor covered 430 miles in what will be its last trip (for now) to the Midlands, but it’ll be back that way in the Autumn, having had a well-deserved rest.

After the Kia, the Isuzu, and taking the road test terrier to the vets for a check-up revealed a peculiar clanging sound from the front. Could it be the new exhaust system? No. A quick check under the front showed the skid plate had come away, the mounting on one side having rusted through. Back to Ferryside for its removal, Jed removing the plate and making a note for some welding next time it’s in.

Meanwhile the Isuzu is running like a train and Mrs Special marked an evening out in downtown Llanelli with a ‘Just Use Oil’ t-shirt, a sentiment we fully approve of.

And the week ended with a Suzuki Wagon-R: Our friend John the Bungalow’s tidy automatic example needed a proper clean and wax so the guv’nor stepped in with the pressure washer and a variety of potions.

The result? In just over an hour the pint-sized hauler was gleaming inside and outside. And John the Bungalow was one happy Wagon-R owner.