In trepidation (what could possibly go wrong?)

[thor64]

24th a big day first long trip out in the Rover 1964 3 litre. I believe since 1999 Xmas. Booked in at Ripon Old Cars Gathering show 90 miles round trip. Checked all fluids and set away through Piercebridge and onto the A1 near Scotch Corner; on to Ripon race course. Car went well, parked up. Unbeknownst to me the Rover P5 Club Northern had a stand and were present. I'm intending to go to the Elvington Airfield Rally and this journey was a precursor to that, as a shake down. There I am sitting behind the P5 having my coffee and one of the Club introduces himself and asks about whether I know about the York show. I tell him all about my car and how this is its first long journey in preparation to going to his show. He has a very nice P5 1965 Mark 3 on the Rover stand. On the stand are also a couple of P5B's and I think a pre P4. Then I meet up with members of the NECPWA club (I am a member)  who have not seen the 1964 restored and on the road. Will I get the thumbs up? People think it's OK and point out the oil leak from the rocker cover gasket and the water leak from the header tank. Just as I am returning from looking at the Rover stand the heavens open and there is a mad dash by everyone to leave, it's time to see if the wipers work and do we get home. I was unsure of how many miles to the gallon I would be getting and whether I would have enough petrol. I need not have worried, as I was going back up the A1 the fuel gauge was going from a quarter full to half full. (hope this is the correct place for this anecdote.)

[Phil Nottingham]

Well done - I have every confidence going anywhere is both our P5 and P5B and indeed the other 5. They have hardly ever let me down. Filling up the P5B with 12 gallons of diesel in Dublin on the way back home to the ferry was not a good or cheap idea though

[Warwick]

Far better than filling up a diesel car with petrol though, Phil.