Really love the look of this car, looks absolutely fantastic.

Mehariman - thats all good then no nasty holes in them rear sweeps! very understandable for the mot

Russell, how are you finding 425cc driving? What's your experience with driving along fast roads? What output is this engine? 13 or 18bhp? Have you 'maxed' it out yet? If so, how fast (or slow)does it go? So many questions

Well I haven't used it a great deal, but so far it's not bad. I've mostly used it for driving around the farm at work with my radio controlled plane in the back. Up and down the farm tracks to the more remote fields for which it's absolutely perfect. On Friday I drove it down to James wallaces work to look at some trailers which meant some fast A roads and dual carriage way plus crossing Chichester at rush hour. It will keep up with traffic fairly well but most of the faster roads you find yourself tucked behind slow lorries. I've managed just over 60mph with it which wasn't too uncomfortable but it's happier plodding along at 45-50. It does a strange thing to you where unlike a 602 you don't feel ashamed holding up traffic up slower hills and you become far more relaxed about the pace you're achieving. It's hard to put into words but I can now fully understand why the hells en deuche chaps have such a carefree and happy demeanor about them.

The lack of seatbelts is still a worry actually, I do feel a little uncomfortable driving it with oncoming traffic.

The clutch being so harsh is a problem, espescially when pulling out onto roundabouts with heavy and fast traffic. The trafficlutch makes sitting in slow stop-start traffic a breeze and I still rate it as one of the best inventions ever that didn't catch on. The lack of telescopic dampers accentuates any kangarooing you do away from junctions. I'm still getting used to it really.

It backfires on the overrun when it's warm and I suspect the manifold probably isn't as airtightas it should be, these old flat manifolds are notorious for rusting away and I will remove it and try to seal it up as best as possible and see if that makes a difference. It adds to the chittychittybangbang experience but it's embarrassing when approaching junctions in built up areas.

The externally fastened hood is a total bastard to open and close and I'm tempted to make a hybrid roof with the later internal clips and bar but the external clips to hold it open at the sides and back.

I'm hoping to use it to commute this week so I will have more to report then. Id like to eliminate the backfiring and clutch trouble before France as I think these small issues are really a hinderance to my fully enjoying it and relaxing behind the wheel. I believe it's the 18hp version, as the 12hp is the one with three stud heads isn't it?

Nice one Russ, might prompt me to get on with mine, tho I don't expect it to be ready for FN

Sounds like you're having a (mostly) wonderful experience with it, which is good to know. Think the car will shine in France along the RN and D roads, I know a late 2CV is far nicer to drive out there. When I was in Brittany two weeks ago I know I had no quarms with pootling along the Breton highways at 45-50mph.

Correct, afaia. Nice car, admire you are happy driving slow, that is not for me...

Well I always usually drove 602 engined cars, they love to be revved and it's a lot of fun to drive them on the limit, this is a bit different, just as much fun but in a totally different way.

Today there was sunshine enough to warrant the roof being rolled open on the way home, both windows flapping in the wind too. Whilst waiting at the traffic lights a man who I assume to have been under the influence of many illicit substances wobbled past me on his pushbike and cheered at me with a big smile on his face. It's nice to bring a little sunshine into other peoples lives, even if they are smacked off their tits anyway.

Have a photo.

Hey Russ shes a beauty reminds me of the blue meanie that Ben had a few yrs ago, that was a 64 model if memory serves me right, cant believe your reg no as my one is mvg 270c

This one?