back to article Reg hacks crawl from London to Brighton

You might imagine that the Paper Aircraft Released Into Space team would be taking a well-deserved Caribbean beach break following their recent high-altitude triumph, but no sooner had the dust settled on PARIS than we were ready to face a new, and perhaps even more daunting challenge: the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. …

COMMENTS

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  1. Ugotta B. Kiddingme
    Thumb Up

    good show

    Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies.

  2. Richard 116
    Thumb Up

    Excellent.

    I enjoyed that.

  3. Pirate Dave Silver badge
    Pirate

    Say

    don't you guys on the PARIS team ever do anything computer related anymore? ;)

    Good show. Nothing like 100-year old metal to make you appreciate how far we've come. Although, I have to wonder how many 2010 Toyota Corollas will be able to make a 60-mile run in 2110. So maybe we've actually gone backwards.

    1. JimC
      Coat

      >anything computer related

      Well, computers are entertaining enough for work, and it means that you are warm and dry and well paid, but for satisfaction in a hobby you can't beat manipulating real physical objects:-)

      [my coat's in the garage with the two boats and the train set...]

      1. Pirate Dave Silver badge
        Pirate

        aye

        well said. After playing IT all week, it's nice to retire to the Man Cave and do Manly Things on the weekend.

        [My coat's in the wood working shop. Or maybe I left it by the welder. ]

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Get a grip, Dave

      You have coloured pictures of a horseless carriage delivered to you by electricity and you want to know where is the new-technology content?

      1. Pirate Dave Silver badge
        Pirate

        huh?

        What? You lost me. I was merely agreeing with a fellow Reg reader who still sees the value in working with real things - wood, steel, concrete, etc, as opposed to sitting on the couch playing video games all weekend. Craftsmanship, we used to call it. Having something you could step-back from and proudly show others that you'd made. Like a table or a fountain or a dollhouse for the daughter. That kind of stuff. Sure, computers are a great career for feeding and clothing the kids, but there are times when it's relaxing to take a pile of lumber and make it into a new cabinet. A cabinet that only existed in my mind before my hands made it exist in the real world. That's what I was talking about.

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Pint

    Small World

    The guy with the vulcan also looks after my (slightly less ancient) vw camper. He's been known to make parts and even tools from scratch if they're otherwise not available.

    Proper old-school engineer and a dead good bloke to boot. Here's a pint for you Dave.

  5. Anonymous Coward
    Coat

    PARIS?

    Prehistoric Automobile Raced Into Submission

    1. Rumcajz

      PARIS

      Prehistoric Automobile Raced Indomitably Southward

  6. Anonymous Coward
    Thumb Up

    Pip Pip, Chaps!

    If you need a passenger next year...

  7. Olafthemighty
    Pint

    Wow.

    And I used to think my old Moggy Minor was hard work!

    1. Vulch
      Pint

      Starting handle elbow?

      From what I remember of my Moggie Minors it's the Starting Handle Back of the Hand you suffer from as the engine kicks over without the handle dis-engaging and fetches you a solid crack across the knuckles before you can get your hand out of the way.

  8. ArmanX
    Thumb Up

    And how did you place?

    I'm assuming you weren't the first across the finish line, but surely not last place; how well (or poorly) did you place? Inquiring minds, and all that!

    Also, along the lines of PARIS... what are the plans for making a circa 1900 paper horseless carriage?

  9. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Ah I think I know what's wrong

    You seem to have bought the model of Crestmobile that has an espresso maker rather than an engine under the bonnet.

    Honestly - that thing's an engine? And I thought miniaturisation was a new thing, this must have been built by elves - incompetent elves I grant you, but elves all the same.

    BTW. Is it just me who suspects that Lester has realised that 'Top Gear' is a bit (and this is something the Crestmobile could only dream of) 'over the hill' and is setting himself up as chief purveyor of daring japes and tomfoolery to the nation? Think about it - Playmobil in space and an unreliable car race. Next, a daring crossing of Lake Baikal on an amphibious traction engine!

  10. Trygve
    Thumb Up

    in that last photo...

    The esteemed Mr Haines also seems to be wearing an expression that indicates he is either having a great time or leaving a pucker mark on the seat, or possibly both...

  11. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Where's the "Report a problem" link?

    The least The Reg could have done was blur the number plate.

  12. Eugene Crosser
    Pint

    Cheers!

    Cool geeky stuff!

    And impressive motion blur on the pictures, too!

  13. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    "Genevieve"

    That's not one of the cars from Genevieve (the movie with Kenneth More & others) is it? it was a troublemaker back in the 50s.

  14. Johnny Canuck

    Is that a poppy

    on the steering column? If so, kudos for remembering.

  15. Anonymous Coward
    Thumb Up

    Well done all

    I particularly like the RAC honour guard escort into Preston Park

  16. blackworx
    Pint

    Jeez

    It's all go with you lot isn't it?!

    As I sit here at my desk after hours, beavering away at someone else's retarded attempts at coding* whilst avoiding the cleaners' brutal vacuuming technique, all I can say is I have a distinct feeling of envy and give you a hearty "splendidly done chaps!"**

    * except for when I'm skiving, like now for example

    ** required vocabluary

  17. Anonymous Coward
    Flame

    Really cool

    We need more 'o that!

    Seeing one of Jay Leno's steam cars makes me REALLY want one of those... enough torque that it doesn't need any stinkin' gears TYVM and can spin the wheels inside the tires. On the other hand, it takes 30 minutes to start it up, with a checklist and procedure that makes an Airbus blink.

    On the good side, if you crash, there's a huge steam explosion and everybody dies, so it's a great motivation to learn to drive properly. None of that calibrated crumple zone garbage for you!

  18. Chris Mellor 1
    Thumb Up

    Down to Earth PARIS

    Down to Earth, hey PARIS :-)

  19. Anonymous Coward
    Black Helicopters

    Reg hacks crawl from London to Brighton

    The image at

    http://regmedia.co.uk/2010/11/09/london_brighton_11.jpg

    Looks like it was taken from a Google streetview car.

  20. Jeff Held
    Happy

    Delightful!

    Thank you for sharing, REG! What a fun and whimsical adventure. What fun! Brightened up a dull day at work and put a smile on my face!

  21. Louise Cowan
    Thumb Up

    Great Story

    Loved it!! I've never seen so many photo's of a car breaking down.... It's even better reading it from a warm climate with a glass of wine! What's next???

  22. skeptical i
    Pint

    WHEEEEEEE!

    Add mine to the pile of thanks for sharing this adventure!

    Is it possible that the Crestmobile took the sign for Crawley as an order and not as a border crossing notice?

  23. Mr Larrington
    Pint

    Outstanding!

    That is all.

  24. Geoff Campbell Silver badge
    Thumb Up

    Splendid effort!

    Even better to be able to read about in the warm and dry, I admit.

    GJC

  25. heyrick Silver badge
    Happy

    Whoooo-hoooo!

    Locomobile. Steam car. Awesome!

    And the Crestmobile - *that* thing is an engine? Seriously? OMFG.

    Smiley, even though I'm feeling depressed 'cos you guys are having way more fun. At least you're sharing the experience with us. I look forward to your crossing of Lake Baikal. <wink@mike> Will that be next month or in the new year?

  26. N2
    Happy

    Well done

    & A star for effort in making the finish

  27. skellious
    Pint

    Stop making me homesick, dammit!

    I recently moved from the crawley-brighton area to Scotland and seeing all the places I used to know and drive and walk through is making me miss it! Still, family to visit come christmas!

    Oh, and the pint is becuase I miss Harveys. Readers from the Brighton / Lewes / Sussex area will understand what I am talking about...

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