Getting ready for 3ma11

[Thotos]

The 131 passed the MOT test on Saturday so now one step closer to being ready for 3ma11 

[Thotos]

I was always of the opinion that there's no room for chrome on a 131 Sport and the first thing I did when I got my current Sport was to remove the chrome strips on the rear number-plate mount. They are not really chrome but simply strips of shiny plastic which crack and loose their shine with age. Mine were not too bad and in fact they lived on on someone else's 131 Sport 

Today while I was working in my garage with the 131 on the driveway I noticed that the black paint on the stainless steel rear exhaust was beginning to peel off (I painted it as I don't like shiny exhaust silencers!  ) so I got out my high-temperature exhaust paint and gave the silencer a new coat of matt black paint. And while I was there I polished the exhaust pipe  OK, I know I said I don't like blingy shiny things but the exhaust pipe is the one thing I can accept as being shiny. Looking at the shiny exhaust pipe I remembered the number plate mount strips I was given by Marko. He had them expertly made out of stainless steel and they are a really high quality item (unlike the original plastic strips). So I decided to fit them and I'm beginning to change my mind about them now  So now there's two shiny bits I'm willing to accept  on a 131 Sport  Before and after photos below.

[kev131]

Definite improvement Theo - Where is the before picture of the grubby exhaust pipe...?

Is that a new full length stainless steel system so that you can hopefully avoid crawling around under your 131 on 3MAs?  

[mirafiori76]

I wonder why this plate was added to the Racing/Sport in the first place anyway. It would have been more suitable for the Super 1st series.

[Thotos]

Is that a new full length stainless steel system so that you can hopefully avoid crawling around under your 131 on 3MAs?  

Yes and it was fitted a year ago (http://www.131mirafiori.com/smf/index.php?topic=3627.msg27874#msg27874)  and survived 3ma10 and the trip to Germany and back with no problems  

[jasonh131]

HI ALL
  i only booked thurs - friday off work ,to save a bit i booked from thurs day night to sunday morning and then will head home  sunday afternoon ,
 wednesday evening after work will travel halfway to Chippenham Leigh Delamere M4 Westbound
 travel lodge
http://www2.travelodge.co.uk/search_and_book/directions_map.php?hotel_id=240
?19 for room and meet you all for breakfast thursday morning ..

[simon131]

Well done Jason.

We're booked in at the hotel for Weds night but will probably leave work a bit earlier on Weds rather than taking the whole day off. It's only a couple of hours from mine to Devon so no need for a whole day off - unless the car isn't sorted by then.

Abarth is booked into Mark's from Saturday 26th March (when I plan to drop it over to him) for MoT and general fettling - so hopefully it will be ready for May! Watch this space.

BTW Theo, I like the look fo the 'new' stainless strips. 

[Thotos]

I'm off work from Wednesday 4th May and won't be back at work until Monday 16th May as I'm off to the Eurovision Song Contest in D?sseldorf straight after 3ma11   

On Wednesday 4th I was planning to take a leisurely drive down to Kingsteignton and the time I do so will depend on whether I can meet up with any others driving there. Our European friends will be driving south of London on their way to Kingsteignton and if they were to use the motorway route (M20, M25, M3 - Option 1 below) I could possibly meet them at the services on the M3 and drive the rest of the way in convoy. Then again they may decide to drive to Kingsteignton the "131" route (Option 2) in which case I'll probably get to the hotel on Wednesday early-ish and enjoy some of the facilities 

[simon131]

Option 2 route will be extremely slow and they are the sort of roads that once you get up behind a slow moving vehicle there is little opportunity for overtaking.

Option 1 is the most obvious and in my opinion the best route and as I live less than 5 miles from Fleet Services on the M3 I'd be more than happy to meet with others there - or even at my house close to Junct 4, M3 - which ever is preferred by the majority

[Thotos]

Seems like a plan but I thought you said you'll be working most of Wednesday 4th May? Of course all of this depends on our European friends and if they are coming together and what time and all that.... 

It's been a dry and very sunny day in London today so I decided to test-drive my new stainless steel strips  I am happy to report that despite all the potholes and sleeping policemen and huge speed-restricting bumps on London roads, the strips survived the arduous journey without falling off 
 

[simon131]

If people are meeting so close to me for the onward journey I'll try to fit in! I wouldn't want to miss out. If I can do half a day at work then that's fine - and if I have to take the whole day off to be with "131 friends" then that's fine too!

[Fiat 131 Abarth#2]

I'm off work from Wednesday 4th May and won't be back at work until Monday 16th May as I'm off to the Eurovision Song Contest in D?sseldorf straight after 3ma11   

On Wednesday 4th I was planning to take a leisurely drive down to Kingsteignton and the time I do so will depend on whether I can meet up with any others driving there. Our European friends will be driving south of London on their way to Kingsteignton and if they were to use the motorway route (M20, M25, M3 - Option 1 below) I could possibly meet them at the services on the M3 and drive the rest of the way in convoy. Then again they may decide to drive to Kingsteignton the "131" route (Option 2) in which case I'll probably get to the hotel on Wednesday early-ish and enjoy some of the facilities 

Hi Theo,

i make the route 2 last year to pic up the Stratos from Portsmouth,
it was nice to drive and they are very nice landscapes.

STRATOS REPLICA FOR SALE
Contact Andrew Taylor Tel 00000000000, e-mail andrexxxxxx@dsl.pipex.com To view in Portsmouth ? 14,000 ono

Enzo 

[Thotos]

Hello Enzo,

Portsmouth is only half way to Kingsteignton and being on the south coast route 2 is the obvious way. It is very nice countryside in Kent and East/West Sussex 

Are you not doing the route this year and joining us for 3ma11? 

[Fiat 131 Abarth#2]

Theo,

unfortunate i cannot come, I have too much work.  
but I make organ transplant (New Engine) in to Robert's orange WR.
Roberto comes and show you,  and all the others the work,  and so a little from me are also be there.

Saluti Enzo    

[131akafa]

Hello everyone,


Holger, Gerald, Ernst, Jan & me just got our booking confirmation !

Looking forward to meet you all !!

Regards,
Ren