PAG 26, page 2
For the last 2 years Gregor Gunther has been a visitor to our pitch at the Stoneleigh Kit Car show. Flying in specially from Germany to look and admire the Pembletons. Trikes are not new to Gregor, he’s owned quite a few but his latest desire has been a ‘Grasshopper’ Super Sport. Not having access to our website, which seems to be the preferred way of buying and selling Pembletons these days Gregors search was going to be a long one. I took his address and said I’d post him any details that I thought would be of interest along with copies of future Pembletons are Go !
It was quite a pleasant surprise to receive this letter at the P.A.G. office with an update on how the search has gone.
Dear Algernon and Crackleport Date 12th Oct 2005
Yeah ! Yeah ! I have one—T’UV tested and registered. After the ‘Wanted’ advertisement in the Summer issue No24 P.A.G magazine (Ian many many thanks) I get three offer. I have this compare and after a little correspondence with the kit Nr19 Brain Carmichael from Aylesbury. I’m flying in at 17th August from Hanover to London-Stanstead. Arrival time 9.00p.m. Meeting point..car parking ground near the airport exit. I’m searching Brian—at first without success. With two heavy bags on my shoulder I’m running over the A. B. C. places. I have the ‘handy’ number from Brian...but no ‘handy’ (not yet a handy or computer..)
After half hour I see a nice young (German) girl with a ‘handy’ and I have reach Brian. But I have wrong understanding that he wait at park place B. The Next 15 minutes I look around B. No Brian, but a friendly English negress, first a little mistrustful (it was in the meantime dark and we was alone) but with a ‘handy’
The same procedure…..and Brain said D. Nr D ...(D as delta) …. On the other side near the bus station…
Now no problem...but I have lost an hour……..I want to take the ferry from Harwich to Hock of Holland at 11.30. p.m…..Approx 50 miles from Stanstead.
The handing over from A435 JBW on a car park outside in direction to Harwich was also not so quick..just as the drive to the harbour with the big 5.60 x 15” tyres. Not enough revs in the fourth gear…
At 11.00 p.m. the lights on the ferry docks are red, the lanes, doors and cashiers office closed. I haven’t pre-booked. No chance. I half hour late….the ferry run out without me….Sh## !
A long night on the driver seat...the head with a put on motorcycle helmet on the luggage on the passenger seat, covered with an old army tarpaulin, between 5 motor homes attempting to sleep….
Next morning for £91 at 10.40 a.m. with the ferry to Hock of Holland. A little tired, but happy.
After approx 450 kilmetres/280 miles driving from Hock of Holland to my home, arrive 11.00 p.m.
Two days later I was with the (little polished) Pembleton by a Lomax meeting. The car was the centre of attention and all the people wish me success with the TUV (similar to MOT/SVA)
After 3 weeks work on the car I drive to TUV (see the photo with inspector) I have fit a pedestrian grid from an old bedframe (see photo with my town name) Because it is a little heavy and ugly I have re-fit this after TUV (see photo with me at steering wheel)
For noise reduction I put in the exhaust ends the exhaust pipes from the old VW Beetle, protect the pipes against the heat near the seats with grids, change the rear fog light to the other side and the front reflectors (sealed beams are forbidden) Also I have fit (very expensive) Michelin tyres 135 x 15” instead of the 5.60 x 15”
I get the TUV test certificate after 2 hours with the order, to fit the rear light approx 2” every side more outside, and must have round bottom outer front wing corner.
No problem….project for the winter…
A day later—since the 20th September—I have registered the car with the first registration date from the donor (01.07.1984) because I cant pass the noise test with the Pembleton reg.
Reg No NOM-PG-50
NOM = Northeim is the abbreviation for the chief town
In the district from my home
PG = PEMBLETON GRASSHOPPER
50 = Year of registration (turned round)