Martin Port

Freelance motoring art director, writer & photographer. New book: Trans-Africa Land-Rover - out now. Author of JUE 477.

[Martin Port @Martinport]

@AskDyson Thanks, but I think that the number of new parts needed would make it uneconomical to repair! Shame.

[Martin Port @Martinport]

Looks like the @Dyson I bought when going self employed exactly 5 years ago has finally had enough. Hope this isn’t a metaphor for my working life (although it too is frequently patched up with gaffer tape). What to replace it with though? (The hoover, not my career) @AskDyson

[Martin Port @Martinport]

@SteveGrantv8 @Dyson @AskDyson That's been the downfall of this one to be honest. All connecting fittings have cracked (hence tape!) and the battery life has now become a bit of a joke. It's served us well, but I hoped to get a bit more from it. I wonder if new ones are more robust?

[Martin Port @Martinport]

Perfect for the school run - even when it’s hovering around zero degrees. @CandSCmagazine #austinsevenspecial

[Martin Port @Martinport]

@ppleCorps @CandSCmagazine I can tell you (kind of)exactly. Engine (theoretically) has 29bhp and the vehicle weighs 320kg. Therefore 90hp/tonne.

[Martin Port @Martinport]

The exhaust fell off the #series2landrover this morning, but that just gave me an excuse to enjoy the autumn sun in the Austin Seven Special. Still amazes me how a collection of bits of old metal bolted together in a garage can be so much fun! @CandSCmagazine #austinsevenspecial

[Martin Port @Martinport]

@EventageousPR @AndyMoshPringle @thelostgarage @LiftonFarmShop @OctaneMark The temptation to try and start it would be too great!

[Martin Port @Martinport]

A couple of people in this that you might recognise… @CandSCmagazine #jue477 @LRMonthly

[DRIVETRIBE @DRIVETRIBE]

Richard Hammond on the greatest barn find of all time.
https://t.co/8zmf2ufmKX

[Martin Port @Martinport]

That’s the West Berkshire Classic Vehicle Club show by the way (the new not Twitter, Twitter won’t let me edit the post, but google Newbury Classic Car Show or the Club if you’re interested in finding out more and attending!

[Martin Port @Martinport]

Fresh from its Le Mans adventure, the Austin Seven Special has a slightly shorter journey tomorrow when we attend the 30th anniversary @wbcvc show in Newbury. All for a good cause as usual - hope to see some familiar faces there. @CandSCmagazine

[Martin Port @Martinport]

15 years ago, @alclemCSC and I did what remains one of the best motoring-related things I have ever done: the Three Castles Rally. The Suzuki SC100 was the perfect underdog and we won our class. More importantly, we spent 3 solid days laughing until it hurt. @CandSCmagazine

[Martin Port @Martinport]

@Biketruck Even when it’s a bad day, it’s still a good day! 👍

[Martin Port @Martinport]

Thanks to the friendly chaps at my local sand and gravel supplier, I can now confirm that the Vegemite Special weighs in at a 'whopping' 320kg... complete with 1/4 tank of fuel! With an engine putting out 29bhp, that works out at 90bhp/tonne power to weight ratio (ish)!

[Martin Port @Martinport]

@classiccarguru1 @CandSCmagazine @Castrol Thanks Darren. Another step closer!

[Martin Port @Martinport]

What a morning. Eight months have passed since we picked up the chassis that hadn’t been on the road since the 1970s. Today, we took the Austin Special for its first proper run up the road. Lots still to do, but very happy! @CandSCmagazine #austinseven @Castrol

[Martin Port @Martinport]

First drive complete (even if it was just to the top of the road and back). No brakes, alternator not working and the oil doesn’t want to stay in the engine… but it’s going to be BRILLIANT! Just under 11 weeks to go. #lemansclassic @CandSCmagazine

[Martin Port @Martinport]

@OctaneJames @StrettonGary Yep - all present and counted for… and still in use! If I wasn’t in another country, I would take a photograph…

[Martin Port @Martinport]

@oldclassiccar @CandSCmagazine Oh my word, that is LOVELY as is. Hope it hasn’t been restored, but is just running around looking the same?!

[Martin Port @Martinport]

Second proper run of the Special engine. Clutch seems to work, cooling system holds water and fuel system holds petrol. Downside is that I think the head gasket already needs replacing. Loom arrives next week. 13 weeks to go until Le Mans... 😬 @CandSCmagazine #cuttingitfine

[Martin Port @Martinport]

@oldclassiccar @CandSCmagazine Thanks!

[Martin Port @Martinport]

@BURLENCo @CandSCmagazine Done. 👍