bit the bullet

Well, after almost 2 years without an F car we found one that is almost where I want to be. The business purchased a 1992 modial t with Valeo from melbourne. We had Ferrarifixer check it over and he did a great job the photos he took were excellent and his report was a great help. Took a trip to melbourne from sunny bris. and arrived at 10.30 at the showroom, car was at the mechanic getting a few little things rectified ie new front rotors and the fan plus the air,a wheel alignment. Finally we did the deed and collectedat 3.30 and off we went for the drive back to brisbane. It was a bit wet until Shepparton but fine afterthat.
Car went very well and we stopped in Forbes that eve. Gave it a tub the next morning and set off again at 7.30 to nice sunny skies, arrived back in bris at 6.30 that night, a little weary but not too back consider the 2000+ kl journey.
I must say we were very surprised at how the car drove I would say it is more stable than the 355 gts I had, a bit different as it has 5 not 6 gears so there was less changing needed when overtaking as revs were a bit higher in 5th than 6th in the 355.
More stable at high speed , managed to double the speed limit for a good minute on a slightly bumpy road.Was cool as a cucumber no tracking pitching or rolling, rock steady, we were very happy.
Reached dubbo and the weather was warmer so we tried the air but nup didn't work. Tested it in melbourne seemed to work but it was 8 degrees and wet so I suppose it was our imagination that it was ok. We will investigate and keep you posted.
Now to the Valeo... what a great system, I had a 360 f1 which I found uninvolving but this system is great. 1st gear selected you simply slowly depress the accelerator and off you go with a perfect start each time whether on hils or flat whether slowly or quickly. 1st to second takes a little practice as the rev selection and timing of lifting off the accelerator at the precise time you change gears is important for a smooth change. You can either beat the deceleration a little and have a jerk out of gear or be too quick on the gas and have a thrust forward. Timing is getting better, 2nd to third is great as the revs are not as important and 4th to 5th is great. Times between gears are quicker than a normal clutch as you can just shoot it in. If you hit the wrong gear it wont let you change and if you are in the wrong gear and revs are too low it will buzz to advise you.
Down changes are great, the lower you go the more skill needed for smooth transition but generally we were good and very quick, again faster than you would normally change.
All in all a great system and I am amazed that ferrari did not go further with it as in our opinion it stradles the gulf between f1 and manual perfectly as you still need skill to match revs with gears, still have to select the correct gear and can move from 1st to 3rd or 3rd to 5th and vice versa. It is no wonder the lancia rally cars had this system in the late 80's.

I have posted a few pics and we look forward to attending more drive days now that we have wheels again. Speaking of wheels, the tyres are 7 years old and are as hard as rock so we will look towards some new pirellis once the bank balance improves again, any suggestions welcome.
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Yep that's the same car,it went to Melbourne after having the ecru for the vale replaced and has been there since. It did about 10k over the last 3yrs
Thanks for your words of encouragement.

 

It's a pity the old John can't business is no longer,John at least allowed Keith m and chris some latitude in the workshop and on many occasions they did work on my tr at cost or with discounted labour simply because they all had a love for the marque and were not solely wrapped up in profit like some places