Get another 50 miles from a Tankful of Fuel. My first car was a 1936 Lanchester 10.8 HP limousine (pre-selector gear box). 1960 for 15 and my pushbike. I was 17 had no license, tax or insurance and I drove it around the back streets of Staines, much to the horror of my Mother and her husband. I proposed to 'do it up' and pass my test to use it 'legit'. My competence at vehicular restoration was non-existent and after a number of months with little progress the kerbside bound car disappeared one day (mums husband had given it away). What would it be worth today, who knows, it was a lovely old car but never mind. In those days my recollection is that petrol was two shillings and sixpence (12.5P) per gallon. For reasons of economics and style my next vehicle was a motor scooter (Lambretta 175, the Vespa GS was physically to small for me). As a 'mod' I covered my scooter in heavy chrome accessories (mostly stolen from other scooters at the dead of night).
One evening my chrome covered pride and joy (no wing mirrors or non-working spotlights, those bits were carried by those with no 'mod' style) was stolen, poetic justice. When the remains of my cherished steed was returned with no chrome, it and my parka went the way of the Dodo. Four wheels from then on, with hardly ever a thought on fuel consumption, Volkswagen Beetle (Swiss number plates, 2 years of ignoring parking restrictions and road tax), E Type, S Type, Daimler, Jaguars. Other marques including, Jensen Interceptor, Range Rovers and quite a few others. As I prospered the need for fuel (empty tank), was answered with a 'fill up'. No longer any need to check my pocket to see how many gallons I could afford. I have indeed put half a gallon in to get me home, and cycled to work till payday, but those happy days are long gone or are they? After 50 years of driving I have become increasingly aware of the cost of fuel and how often I need to spend ever-increasing amounts of money to stay mobile.
Now as a pensioner, where income is finite and expenses appear ever more infinite it is even more pertinent. Whilst not to forget global warming, the diminishing resource of fossilised fuels (although I largely have until perhaps now) I found it necessary to look at my own fuel consumption and how it is achieved. An odd thing happened when I bought the Shogun, as it was not a Range Rover (where such thoughts are pointless) and a diesel, I became increasing aware of 'miles per gallon' (MPG). My weekly cycle of journeys had largely settled on the same trips, with occasional sorties elsewhere. The School run, 44 miles each day, trips to town 25 miles 4/5 times each week etc, fill up every Thursday evening after my sons water polo club. Taking note that similar mileage was giving varied MPG I explored my differences and reached a number of conclusions that time has proved highly valid. All modern mass-produced cars when in prototype are tested extensively in wind tunnels, their 'drag coefficient' being very important to the manufacturers.
However in all cases I am sure the cars are clean. I consistently obtained better MPG when my car was clean. As an extra it keeps the value up, assists self esteem, is reasonable exercise for us OAP's. Having confirmed the 'dirty car' penalty, with the bit between my teeth I embarked on MY QUEST. My tools are, in common with many husbands, not allowed to live in the house, they can visit for shelves and other jobs but at down tool time they must leave. When put in a shed or stable or attic, the do of course sulk and hide away and try to rust as quickly as possible. Where better than stored in the boot of my car, no one but me goes there, they have my company every day and they therefore rust as slowly as they decently can. But they weigh, on a good day, as much as one small fat person. In truth this move was not all my tools. Over the years, everytime I have needed the extra two midget seats, it has been necessary to unload an earlier generation of tool junk from my car and park it in some shed.
