Florence and I set off for the garden store today, and it was (predictable, yes?) an adventure! To begin with, bear in mind that the car's engine is rather like a lawnmower's. As in, it won't start right away always. Or you flood the engine. Or whatever. So after 8 attempts at starting it, Florence and I thought it was time to let the poor car have a break. So we walked to the yarn store (I needed some supplies).
When we got back, we appeared to be completely blocked in by a car that was parallel parked at the base of the row of perpendicularly parked cars! On further inspection, I saw that we had about 40" of clearance, and plenty of room in front to negotiate. Plus, given Murphy's Law, I figured the car was more likely to start if we were blocked in! And, yes -- first time.
At that, a man came bounding up, and said that he was moving, really! He hopped into the offending car, and reemerged a short time later saying that his (late-model) car wouldn't start. He suggested I go over the sidewalk until I pointed out that my wheels don't have enough clearance. I just proceeded to follow the line I had previously planned. My new friend obligingly moved some of the concrete bollards out of the way. And off we went!
Down the 18% grade in second gear, and we were at the garden store. I got several plants for the area near the front door, and more for the balcony, along with a few pots and some soil. The lady who was helping us was using the handcart to move all the heavy items, and finally looked at me and asked how we proposed to put everything in. I told her I was "ottimista" (my word for the day). She said her husband was also, so she called him over to help me.
It all went in! This is how it looked:
She was just charming -- gave a discount on everything, didn't charge me for the small plants, and even gave me a pot of asters I'd admired! Isn't that sweet?
While we were driving home with camellia leaves in our ears, Florence called the others to come meet us in the piazza. We were quite a tourist attraction upon arrival!Love, Alexandra
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| And this is all of it outside the car! |
Now I know you are getting settled in - thank you so much for sharing this particular adventure - one close to my heart and to which I can relate!!! The volvo held a great number of leyland cyprus at one point. Same addiction - just a different scale. Love to all! Angela
ReplyDeleteSo how do I like the car? Let me count the ways...
ReplyDeleteSorry, I couldn't write an ode to complete that. My right brain is and always has been dysfunctional. But cute is a good descriptor. I can see why you had to pay so much. It appears to be beautifully restored.
Your description of the choke woes reminded me of the (bad) old days when all cars had them. I had gladly forgotton what it was like to wonder when you would cross the line between lean and flooded. That was easy to do because ignition systems weren't all that reliable. You may have enough gas in the cylinders but no spark. Now I never wonder if my car or any car I rent will start, and the intermitant hesitation that used to make every cross traffic dash or left turn an adrenalin rush is gone.
When I was about 17 and was working in the gas station we had a regular customer who bucked (then) conventional wisdom that big is better. He drove and expected us to maintain his Morris Minor. It was very similar in size and complexity with to your Fiat. Unfortunately, it's wheelbase was too narrow to fit on either lift in our shop. The smaller one had swing out arms to fit almost anything, but even it's narrowest couldn't accommodate the Morris. So we used three floor jacks (all we had) to lift it for tire rotations and oil changes.
One idle Friday evening as we were closing up, one of my co-workers drove it into the shop. We always brought in three of our overnight cars for safe keeping. He drove the Morris in but then proceeded to drive around the shop. We raised the lifts and he proceeded to do donuts arount the pillars. Now that's maneuverability.
It did share one design limitation with the early Beetle. I could lean forward and hit my head on the windshield without lifting myself from the seat. I was always uneasy road testing them them surrounded as I was with the finned behemouths of the day.
I bet Eleanor wishes she could drive it around. And James looks surprisingly tall standing in front of it.
Granddad
I love the car and this adventure was very entertaining. I think you all will get your moneys worth out of the car. Has Eleanor driven yet?
ReplyDeleteA rolling garden! How nice!
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