Aprilia Diary

[Dilambdaman]

Huge respect to you Simon, the work you turn out and the speed at which you do so is amazing and an inspiration to those of us up against dead lines to complete a re-build. Thanks so much for you're regular contributions.

Good luck and I very much look forward to seeing the results of your labour. Maybe at the Sliding Pillar Rally?

Robin.

[simonandjuliet]

Thank you for your comments and the effort was definitely worth it ! Just back from the rally.

Stunning scenery, amazing roads and a lovely selection of motor cars all washed down with a glass of Gallic flair. We had,I think, 34 cars representing each of 9 decades of Lancia. The earliest being a Belna from the 30's ( real French one !) and the most recent an Ypsilon from last year - from the 60 or so participants, we probably had someone from each of the 9 decades as well .....

Apart from the Belna and Ypsilon, there was also our Aprilia, 2 B20's, Appia Vignale convertible, Flaminia PF coupé, Flavia, 2000's, Fulvia Fanalone, coupés and Zagatos, Beta saloon and MonteCarlo, Integrales and Thesis. Crews came from all over France, Belgium and the UK (the delightful Roger Bowen and the ever resourceful Peter Harding and his partner, Mici)

We did a lot of driving yesterday along steep, winding roads climbing high into the Pyrenées, passing through the ski stations where the same roads were nearly impassable with snow less than a month ago. On one section I didn't get out of third (or use second) for more than half an hour, I just kept swinging the steering wheel ! We finally stopped at the Vaubin designed hill fort of Fort Louis , built to defend the original France/Spain border. Lunch was a typical French affair taking 3 hours .... and the first of the cakes, an amazing edible recreation of the gateway to the fort !

After lunch we visited another of Vaubin's creations at Villefranche le Confluent before an awesome drive through the Corbières to Maury. A backdrop of snow-laden mountains, verdant pasture and fragrant garrigue - we live here but it still took our breath away !

Just time to stop for a tasting of the local Maury wines (vin doux naturel, or fortified sweet wines) before returning to the hotel for another enormous meal which included Cassoulet and a "Stratos" inspired cake !

Today was more relaxed - A short drive along similar roads to a chateau originally belonging to one of Simon de Montfort's minions, Thomas somebody or other ! (Simon de M came down here in the early 1200's to help the Pope get rid of the Cathars, consequently Simon is still an uncommon christian name around here !) We were treated to an interactive demonstration of swordfighting and chivalry. An amazing place where I would love to have spent more time, however lunch beckoned ....

Another filling lunch and it was time to bid goodbye to friends, new and old. We did about 550 kms in the 2 days, of which little was flat, or straight and the Aprilia was fantastic. They are remarkable cars and very modern. The only time you feel unable to keep up with modern traffic is either on the autoroute or accelerating uphill (or not accelerating , more to the point!)
The only thing I had to do this morning was re-oil the lower suspension guides after the rigours of yesterday

Gerard Cassagnes has been organising these events for the LCF for a number of years and they are great affaires, if you ever get an opportunity to attend, do so !

Photos in 2 parts and apologies for the quality of some of the pictures

[simonandjuliet]

A few more photos

[the.cern]

Brilliant !!!!

A just reward for your excellent and incredibly swift efforts over the last months.

You most definitely make me feel jealous that you can achieve so much in such a short time.

I am sure you will now continue to reap the benefits from owning your Aprilia.

                                Andy

[MaciekPeda]

Fantastic job !

Congratulations !!

Maciek from Poland

[Dilambdaman]

Fantastic, well done indeed! Just the lift I needed to press on with the Fanalone for Fulvia 50.

Robin.

[simonandjuliet]

Thanks everyone !

I have added a few new shiny bits that I found on eBay.It . Ever since I lost a hubcap over a precipice, I have been on the lookout for a/set of, new one/s. I came across these when they were advertised as Ardea furgoncino hubcaps, so checked the size and hey, perfect. They were advertised as originals and as far as I can tell they are, little details around the edge at the back suggest they are correct, also they have a slightly patinated chrome finish , not a new, super shiny chrome.

He also had a (definitely original !) centre rad. grill starting handle plug. I haven't seen one of these for a while and my first Aprilia had one ... so that went in the basket !

Swiftly followed by a repro sunvisor frame

I had to stop before I was (very) tempted by an original rear view mirror ......

Finally a photo of the finished interior, complete with the central armrest which turned up the day after the rally - c'est la vie !

[simonandjuliet]

Oh, and I forgot these little beauties .....

Mine are made of a thin plastic and are a bit broken and cracked in places. These are heavy glass and lovely . Just need a bit of a clean and then can be fitted when I find a lens cover for the central light.

I think Juliet needs to do a Boden/Wine Society shop to balance things up a bit  !

[the.cern]

Skip the Boden, just concentrate on the Wine Society !!!!!
 
.... and I'm not sure that I have ever before seen 'Wine Society' and 'balance' in the the same sentence !!

                             Andy

[simonandjuliet]

The weather down here has been really "cruddy" not at all what we expect .... so it was great that when we woke up on Sunday it was beautiful - a real Aprilia day!

First up was a Vide Grenier (car boot sale) , but since an Aprilia boot is very small I had to curtail my purchases, so only came home with a microscope for Mathilda and a wicker basket for Juliet's bicycle (also found reel of solder and some welding goggles for me !).

Then we all went to a birthday party for one of M's friends, and on the way home tried to find a field of poppies for a photo. Really frustrating because we have fields and fields of bright red poppies at the moment, but it has either been pouring down or the fields have been too muddy to drive into to get a decent picture .... we are having a VERY late spring here, everything is a couple of weeks late

The Appia furgoncino is arriving on Thursday, which means a spring clean in the garage. Someone gave me a dozen IKEA Billy bookcases at the weekend so I have reorganised the space for the Appia and Aprilia parts. The Renault 4 stash has been moved elsewhere, just keeping the day to day 4L bits.

Very excited about the Appia .....

[fay66]

And a lovely little Velosolex to potter around on

Brian
8227

[simonandjuliet]

Re VeloSolex - I use it to collect the bread and other essentials in the morning, hence the fruit panier on the back ! The epicerie/depot du pain is only a few hundred yards away, but it is fun using the VS.

ps I do have the blue and white striped jumper, but not the beret or onions .....

[fay66]

Re VeloSolex - I use it to collect the bread and other essentials in the morning, hence the fruit panier on the back ! The epicerie/depot du pain is only a few hundred yards away, but it is fun using the VS.

ps I do have the blue and white striped jumper, but not the beret or onions .....

Listen very carefully I shall say this only once, zat can be arranged.

Brian
 8227

[simonandjuliet]

After what seems a tortuous wait , the Appia furgoncino came to its (is it a he or she ?) new home today !

First impressions ..........

Fabulous, what a beast ! Bigger, taller and more purposeful than I was expecting. The only one I think I have ever seen in the flesh before was a KCA (?) furgoncino in Italy in 1981, but it seemed smaller. It may have even been an Ardea (!) - I'm sure Ade will inform me ... these vans are so rare they tend to merge in my small brain.

Beautiful, even Jules was moved to comment ! Mathilda loved being able to sit three abreast along the bench seat, so the girls are happy !

Several friends called round to see our latest arrival and without exception, they were enthralled. Dog (bodywork friend) couldn't keep his hands of her, and is now desperate to work his magic

Lots of boxes of bits, it's like buying a 5,000 piece jigsaw - but without the picture on the box !

Can't wait - but need to slow down and make a plan of action ......

Garage currently has more than 200 years worth of motoring experience abiding within ( Aprilia, Appia, Solex and R4)

Next conundrum - start Appia diary or include in Aprilia diary,  or rename as "A" diary to include both ?   ...... bear with me !

[DavidLaver]

Well done !!  I saw the consortium van at Wiscombe and was struck by the wide track.  I think it was Chugga who said it was an Aurelia front axle.

New thread for this one please.

David