A suspicious MOT

MOT passed (Huzzah!) with only headlight realignment & handbrake adjustment. Incredibly, a two digit garage bill! I haven’t had one of those for a while (if ever!). My garage man (Cross St Garage, Sale in Manchester. Highly recommended!) noticed the engine sounded different, plus there were high Hydrocarbons on tickover, which he eventually traced back to one of the ignition leads shorting out (by turning all the lights off in the garage!). What a great spot!

Today was the second show of the year at Tatton Park. Weather was excellent & there were more punters in than I can ever remember. The Marcos stand looked great with the factory banner hanging from the gazebo (& we were grateful for the shade!). We had seven cars in all, including a 1971 2+2 Mantis, which Jem Marsh had for his wife at one point – I’ve never seen one of these before & predictably perhaps it won ‘Best Marcos’ from the show organisers. Futuristic for the ’70s but still too many straight lines for me compared with my voluptuous proper Mantis! Alas, the sunshine really highlighted how tatty my bonnet has become, & I am determined to get it resprayed before next spring. Despite this, my Mantis was the subject of many a photo; it’s rather nice to think that the car will live on in pictures all over the country for years to come. Strangely, I was not once asked to pose next to the vehicle in question – Philistines!