Run to France

[Johnwindwood]

Guys

We've decided to bite the bullet and take the Excel to France in July. Obviously I'm taking tools. The car has new brakes, suspension, belts and a powerspark dizzy (So no AB14).
Question-what spares should I take, just in case?

Cheers.

[Lotus-e-Clan]

I went on a fully laden, 3 week, camping trip to Carnac years ago with a boot full of camping gear for four, plus 2 teenagers in the back seats and took NO SPARES for the Lotus.

I did take a basic tool roll for the obvious roadside tweaks + rescue (plus a full continental kit (bulbs, Triangle, First Aid etc)...no stat nav.

No issues, and I didn't spare the horses.

I started and finished in North Yorkshire - Ferry Portsmouth to Cherbourg etc. Temperatures in the high twenties/low thirties in 2006. The main issue during daytime hot weather driving was a lack of cabin ventilation as my 89SE has no A/C.

So I suggest you could do the same if your Excel is well-fettled.

[RRHANS]

In my Lotus & Triumph, I always pack a basic toolkit, sparkplugs, dissy cap & rotor, coil, fuses and a multimeter.
If you run into a problem its mostly electrical.
Also check if spare is holding some air!
With my Ferrari I am a little more paranoia. I am taking a spare fuel pump since it is still running on the original one.

[bash]

Ive a few things tucked around the car, in the spare wheel well and behind the petrol tank panel mainly, Ive always carried a selection of relays, spare v belts, a small ( 3/8 ) socket set including the hex for the power steering pump fixings, some araldite or similar ( got me home when the rad got holed by a stone once ), some exhaust repair tape and repair putty, I carry one of those airasol type of tyre repair / inflater things and keep it behind the drivers seat cos nobody wants to change a tyre on a motorway its easier to then swap to the spare somewhere safe ( is your spare a goodun ?), a few tiewraps and a 6 footish electrical wire. Plus a few other tools like pliers, adjustable spanner and usually a spare loose nut for the steering wheel ( the missis ).

John

[DavidOliver]

I suggest you take RRHANS telephone number and full address.

More seriously, I hear in France there is some special thing you need, can´t remember what, so check the AA or RAC (if they still exist).
Here in Europe we require yellow high visibility vests and two warning triangles.

Dave the cog.

[rs blu]

I always carry some universal water hoses in various sizes, a 5 liter tank of water and some hard 3M adhesive tape. Then I always have my toolbox with some sparks and light bulbs, plus some engine oil, brakes and steering...
My only doubt about my Excel are the oil cooler hoses, they are still the originals.
but remember ... keep the right
I also hope to be able to come to England with the Excel

[RRHANS]

I will move all my spare-parts to my house in France and open a pop-up Excel garage in July.

[MrCoolA]

Tie wraps. Fuses. Tool kit.

[Johnwindwood]

I suggest you take RRHANS telephone number and full address.

More seriously, I hear in France there is some special thing you need, can´t remember what, so check the AA or RAC (if they still exist).
Here in Europe we require yellow high visibility vests and two warning triangles.

Dave the cog.

Thanks Dave. I often travel to France so I'm used to that, its the more Excel based stuff I was interested in.
We will DEFINITELY have breakdown cover!!

[Johnwindwood]

I will move all my spare-parts to my house in France and open a pop-up Excel garage in July.

Thankyou very much!

We know St Valery quite well, now have a mobile home in Pays De La Loire.