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MG Midget and Sprite General - Trip to France

Hello all,
I am taking the Midget to France for a week or so in August and the group I am going with are shocked that I am taking it, thinking that it will not keep up with the others (all in modern cars, although one does not drive very fast) and I will break down every 5 minutes.
I am confident that we will get there and back without any problems.
We are only going to Normandy, a 270 mile trip each way from Calais.
Apart from the normal pre trip checks (fluid levels, tyre pressures) and service items (it was serviced a few weeks ago but the gearbox and diff oils were changed about 3000 miles ago), what else would you recommend I do before leaving.
I am planning to take the normal tool kit (spanners, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers etc.) plus a few electrical tools just in case and obligatory French things (bulbs, triangle, hi vis jacket etc.). What other extras would you suggest, tools or otherwise?
Also, any of you live in that part of the world?
Thanks for your help.
Dave
Dave Brown

Get some get back to Blighty recovery from the RAC or AA.

Drive the car as much as possible before you go and then give it a final lube and home service before you go.

Ian
I Ball

Points, condenser & coil.
Graham
Graham P 1330 Frogeye

Most of the classic car insurance policies cover you for breakdowns in Europe - you just have to tell them.

Credit card and mobile phone and moss catalogue!
rachmacb

I forgot to say enjoy the trip.
I Ball

Dave,

I’ve done a few trips abroad in classics always made it back, the only problem I ever really had was an alternator that went faulty at the tunnel this end going, I could have not went but that would have been silly, I would have made it to Belgium and back and around it almost on battery power alone had I not left my headlights on ! doh!

If you’ve had the car fully and properly serviced, maintained and repaired then all you need do is to drive the car as much and as regularly as possible between now and your holiday to see if anything crops up

Also during this time use your spare keys instead of your normal keys this ensures you know where they are and that they all fit and work, take your usual keys as spares on holiday

The trip will do the car a power of good, give it 120 kph for as long as you can stand it or petrol station availability allows

Have your battery full charged before you go or change for new if suspect and that will get you through a lot of minor problems, as above, subject to all leads, wire and connections being clean secure and protected including battery and engine earths

Most breakdowns are battery related or running out of petrol so also carry a spare gallon, I usually end up giving that away to others

If possible dump the spare wheel to give you more space, carry a foot pump anyway and reliable pressure gauge and a can of Tyre-Weld as belt and braces (I’ve never used it, foot pump has always got me home but never had trouble abroad anyway)

I like to Rain-X all exterior glass, screen, windows, mirrors and headlights as this helps with cleaning of baked on bugs, Rain-X rejuvenator in the washer bottle too and a spray bottle of the washer mixture with a splash of Rain-X rejuvenator and roll of cheap kitchen paper as a cheap and effective way to clean all exterior glass at all times

I keep very few tools in my boot, a working torch is useful, test it and change batteries before you go away, a spare (longest) HT lead

Check the two spares fuses in your fuse box are the correct type and both work before you go

I keep my car set for 95 octane petrol that way you’re not using more petrol hunting out 97

enjoy your trip and using your car until then
N Atkins

the 120 kph I meant where allowed on the paige of course
N Atkins

Thanks for your replies.
I think I have most of that covered. I must get a footpump (the spare wheel went a while ago and was replaced with a can of spray) and some rain x rejuvenator, those bugs on an upright screen at 75/80 will make a mess.
My daughter is putting lots of miles on it at the moment and she won't be shy on the auto routes.
The battery is good and there is normally a can of petrol in the boot.
The dizzy is a 123 so no points or condenser, I will dig out the spare coil.
I always have the credit card and phone when in the Midget.
I was thinking of not getting the extra RAC insurance for travelling abroad just to rub it in to those who doubt the car will make it, I am sure it will.
Daev
Dave Brown

I wouldn't bother with a spare coil

123 dissy - very sensible

insurance cover to get you back home yes but RAC/AA extra breakdown cover gives you very little as I found you could do it for yourself usually

whenever we've been to France it's either been very hot or very rainy

with your attitude and preparation I think you're going to have a great time
N Atkins

And the roads are just great too.
Gary & Gaps

Dave just wait for the moment they all want a to drive with you!

Just bring some essential tools, tywraps, tape and wire etc and a phone, credit card and break down service.
I have never had to use them on a holiday but just bring them to be sure.
I am usualy faster then the friends with euro hatches
Onno Könemann

Whatever spares you take will guarantee that bit is 100% reliable.

Cant say it better than "Credit card and mobile phone and moss catalogue!"

Moss catalogue helped me ask a small calais garage for a coil when mine died on the way to Le Mans a few years back. I was soon on my way.

Stay away from the autoroute and enjoy the empty and open backroads...and the smiles from the locals.
Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

Ditch the credit card for a money card such as Fairfx. Much better rates withoout all the add on charges.
Alan.
A Anstead

I use a postoffice mastercard when abroad and preload a credit balance.

They give a better exchange rate and because it's your money there's never any charge for withdrawals.

Ian
I Ball

Ian - do you have to load it in the currency of the country you're going to? How long does it last for, so you can use it for multiple trips?

That sounds a perfect solution - and you've still got the credit card there if it's a mega-emergency for lots more than you'd planned - but, at least you've got a good exchange rate and no further costs as you say :)
rachmacb

Don't forget The Michelin Restaurant Guide or the Routard Guide !

Enjoy your trip.

Henri
H. D'HAENENS

Rach - I recently got a Caxton FX euro mastercard which I just used for a fortnight sur le continent. Yes if going to Europe you get a euro card and that's all you can load on it (no good in Switzerland obviously). You can leave unspent funds on the card pretty much indefinitely I think, or ask for them to be refunded, or spend them here with an appropriate loss in the exchange rate back and a small handling charge. When paying for things or withdrawing cash in Euros abroad there are no transaction fees at all.

It worked well - we loaded funds and got balances using their txt message service (you can phone or use their website also). There are a few things to be aware of like the fact that using a pay-at-the-pump petrol station (such as 24hr places) will reduce your available funds by 150 euro for a couple of days until the transaction clears, but we always used stations with manned kiosks so it didn't matter.

The only real catch is if the exchange rate improves significantly between you loading the card and spending the money - you're stuck with the rate you loaded at. Not that big a risk I don't think, especially when you add in the benefits of no fees and competitive rate compared to credit cards.
Jordan Gibson

LOL - with the exchange rate having been in the doldrums for the past 3 years, I don't think that would be a problem!

Great idea though :)
rachmacb

"Ian - do you have to load it in the currency of the country you're going to? How long does it last for, so you can use it for multiple trips?"

Rach,
It's a standard UK credit card so put pounds on it and use it anywhere in the world, I've used it in Spain, France, Italy and USA in the last 12 months.

The post office use the inter bank exchange rate which although variable is about 0.5% better than the standard tourist rates and because I have a credit balance they can't charge me for making a cash withdrawal.

You can do this with any CCard, it's just that the PO give a better exchange rate.

When we get back to Blighty I just use the card as normal until it's down to a zero balance and then put it away until required.

This year we're off to the F1 at Monza so will be using it as we're driving over there, not in the Midget unfortunately.

Next year we're thinking of the Classic races at Spa in May and we will be taking the Midget.

Ian
I Ball

Ahhhh - very useful then :)

It would have saved three wallets on a trip between several countries, where I spent my whole time trying to pay USA in Euros, Canada in £s and UK in $s!

The other option to Spa is the later one in September - which, being after the Spridget weekend in Holland, would be an interesting holiday ... :)
rachmacb

so complicated; what's wrong with using the same debit card one uses in UK? mine is dirt cheap, handling charge is built-in to exchange rate and these are within normal range. If your bank screws you on charges, change bank!
David Smith

If someone has mentioned this already ignore me, but I read through and couldn't see it.

Are you doing any night driving?

Remember to sort your headlight direction, otherwise you're going to be driving into a glare of irate oncoming full beams, apart from not being able to see so well on dip too.

Maybe you could even get nicked or a fine too?

I have a spare of headlights that I picked up in Greece years ago, so I just put them in when go continental driving.
Lawrence Slater

"The other option to Spa is the later one in September - which, being after the Spridget weekend in Holland, would be an interesting holiday ... :)"

Sounds good, Ball opens up search engine of choice to find out more!!

Ian
I Ball

Just wondering, if the front headlights are sealed beam, then does taking a spare 'bulb' mean that you have to take a spare sealed beam unit?
Rob Armstrong

Yes
That is why they are rubish ;)

Just put some tape in the relevant place.
With all the xenon/hid headlamps a pair of wrong midget lights don't attract any attention
Onno Könemann

This thread was discussed between 19/07/2011 and 21/07/2011

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