Bear and Banana's 2017 roundup...........

FLYING BANANA · 2nd January 2018, 13:56

............................................., well what another cracking year my two "girls" have had.

"The Flying Banana" attended a total of 30 meets/shows and "Pooky Bear" managed to rack up 17. "Banana" travelled furthest to a meet at Grantown-on-Spey although the "Bear" did go to the Castle Howard event as "Banana" was off of the road awaiting a new steering rack.

We had around about 13 "Mini Tours of the UK", with "Banana" doing the majority. The "Bear" did go to Cornwall though via places of interest like Fort Esso, Castle Shell and the Texaco ranch.

We did have a few issues along the way though starting with "Banana" splitting her radiator which led to yet another HGF. And later on we had a
couple of belts replaced, then there was the steering rack needing to be replaced. Not forgetting the two wheel bearings she needed. And a service and a clean MOT.

In comparison the "Bear" had up to August been free of any faults and cheap to run. Then she developed a fault when the EML illuminated itself, and has been on ever since. I took the "Bear" to MJS twice, they managed to clear the light off, but was back on within 24 hours. Then I took her to British Legends who said the fault lay with the ECU. This was then confirmed by Trikey when the T4 was plugged in. To rub salt into the
wounds the oil light came out in sympathy.

So since October the "Bear" has been off of the road. She is now booked into Retro Sports Cars to have all her faults put right including the front crankshaft seal that is leaking. She will also have a full service including the supercharger oil changed. Our very own Paul Collins, Sonic ZS, will be transporting the "Bear" up North for me very soon. (Paul is the former owner of the "Bear").

"Banana" picked up 2 awards for the furthest travelled to an event, Shildon and Tayside. She has also won 'Best Monogram' at the Kent and Surrounding end of the year contest. The "Bear" won 'Best MG' also at the Kent and Surrounding end of the year contest.

One of those special moments this year was being asked to join "The Green Team" on this forum. Thought I would give it a try. Well, I'm still learning all the in's & out's. Not everyone has been over keen on my joining but then you just need to take the rough with the smooth. I've never had so many PM's.
Then I got the 'chance' to work on the Clubs stand at the NEC where I tried my hardest to sell Roger's V8 75 Tourer. Loved every minute of 'working' on the stand. You get to meet so many people who helped to build our cars when Longbridge was up and running.

I got to sign up a few new members under Reebs beady eye. And it was through one of these new members I learnt the whereabouts of another Sunspot Yellow ZT, the only diesel made. So along with the ZTT we are gradually tracking them all down. Just need to know where the other two ZT's and the 75 are.

So in 7 years and 9 months of ownership of 'Ole Yella' we have clocked up 136,500 miles.
And in my 2 years of owning the "Bear" we have clocked up just on 15,000 miles.
And we have done our fair share of "Banana & Bear Express" in delivering, and collecting parts, to keep our fine cars on the road.

My only downside of the year was learning about the death of my Brother David, by letter. Came as almighty shock out of the Blue. I still have not come to terms with this devastating news. And I'm no nearer to finding out any further info.

Also,

We lost 3 fine members in 2017, Alanjay, Beejay and Windrush. 3 members who will be sadly
missed.

Now what about 2018,

well we have 12 meets/shows provisionally booked.
And I will be collecting another ZT to add to the fleet.
Plus I'll be putting my flat on the market and moving down to the South West. Nothing to keep me here anymore after the passing of my brother.

Many thanks to everyone who have been reading about our exploits over the past year, and the kind comments. Many thanks to everyone for the support you have shown us as well.
So HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all.

stevenicks · 2nd January 2018, 14:13

An interesting write up Bob, I look forward to your adventures of 2018

steve-45 · 2nd January 2018, 14:55

Good luck with your move Bob and you will very much missed in the London, Essex, Kent areas........

Ravinder · 2nd January 2018, 14:58

Nice write up, Bob.

FLYING BANANA · 2nd January 2018, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve-45

Good luck with your move Bob and you will very much missed in the London, Essex, Kent areas........

I'll still be popping along to some meets still.

mininuts · 2nd January 2018, 15:28

Yes, great write up Bob...as always!
Good luck with the move and best wishes for 2018. Maybe catch up at Gretna again?

LotusLC · 2nd January 2018, 15:42

Nice read Bob.
Hope all goes well in 2018 for you and good luck with the move. I know that will not be an easy move for you but perhaps the time is right.
Look forward to seeing you at some meets this Year, take care, Gary...

bl52krz · 2nd January 2018, 20:51

Hi Bob. Thanks for your entertaining write-ups during 2017. Also for giving us an insight into different parts of the country. The photo’s you take are excellent and informative, both on the part of the country you are in, and the cars at meets you undertake. I can only wish you a happy new year, and a bit of advice, keep calm during your move. Hope to meet you again later in the year.

FLYING BANANA · 2nd January 2018, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by bl52krz

Hi Bob. Thanks for your entertaining write-ups during 2017. Also for giving us an insight into different parts of the country. The photo’s you take are excellent and informative, both on the part of the country you are in, and the cars at meets you undertake. I can only wish you a happy new year, and a bit of advice, keep calm during your move. Hope to meet you again later in the year.

I expect our paths will cross at some point. And I promise to keep calm(ish!!!)

FLYING BANANA · 3rd January 2018, 07:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by mininuts

Yes, great write up Bob...as always!
Good luck with the move and best wishes for 2018. Maybe catch up at Gretna again?

Hope so, you never know I might even bring the Bear.

2nd January 2018, 13:56	#1
FLYING BANANA Moderator/Club Shop MG ZT 1.8t+. No.3 of 4 in Sunspot Yellow & Ford Fiesta in Black. Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Rattler Farm Posts: 22,568 Thanks: 9,270 Thanked 15,645 Times in 6,806 Posts	Bear and Banana's 2017 roundup........... ............................................., well what another cracking year my two "girls" have had. "The Flying Banana" attended a total of 30 meets/shows and "Pooky Bear" managed to rack up 17. "Banana" travelled furthest to a meet at Grantown-on-Spey although the "Bear" did go to the Castle Howard event as "Banana" was off of the road awaiting a new steering rack. We had around about 13 "Mini Tours of the UK", with "Banana" doing the majority. The "Bear" did go to Cornwall though via places of interest like Fort Esso, Castle Shell and the Texaco ranch. We did have a few issues along the way though starting with "Banana" splitting her radiator which led to yet another HGF. And later on we had a couple of belts replaced, then there was the steering rack needing to be replaced. Not forgetting the two wheel bearings she needed. And a service and a clean MOT. In comparison the "Bear" had up to August been free of any faults and cheap to run. Then she developed a fault when the EML illuminated itself, and has been on ever since. I took the "Bear" to MJS twice, they managed to clear the light off, but was back on within 24 hours. Then I took her to British Legends who said the fault lay with the ECU. This was then confirmed by Trikey when the T4 was plugged in. To rub salt into the wounds the oil light came out in sympathy. So since October the "Bear" has been off of the road. She is now booked into Retro Sports Cars to have all her faults put right including the front crankshaft seal that is leaking. She will also have a full service including the supercharger oil changed. Our very own Paul Collins, Sonic ZS, will be transporting the "Bear" up North for me very soon. (Paul is the former owner of the "Bear"). "Banana" picked up 2 awards for the furthest travelled to an event, Shildon and Tayside. She has also won 'Best Monogram' at the Kent and Surrounding end of the year contest. The "Bear" won 'Best MG' also at the Kent and Surrounding end of the year contest. One of those special moments this year was being asked to join "The Green Team" on this forum. Thought I would give it a try. Well, I'm still learning all the in's & out's. Not everyone has been over keen on my joining but then you just need to take the rough with the smooth. I've never had so many PM's. Then I got the 'chance' to work on the Clubs stand at the NEC where I tried my hardest to sell Roger's V8 75 Tourer. Loved every minute of 'working' on the stand. You get to meet so many people who helped to build our cars when Longbridge was up and running. I got to sign up a few new members under Reebs beady eye. And it was through one of these new members I learnt the whereabouts of another Sunspot Yellow ZT, the only diesel made. So along with the ZTT we are gradually tracking them all down. Just need to know where the other two ZT's and the 75 are. So in 7 years and 9 months of ownership of 'Ole Yella' we have clocked up 136,500 miles. And in my 2 years of owning the "Bear" we have clocked up just on 15,000 miles. And we have done our fair share of "Banana & Bear Express" in delivering, and collecting parts, to keep our fine cars on the road. My only downside of the year was learning about the death of my Brother David, by letter. Came as almighty shock out of the Blue. I still have not come to terms with this devastating news. And I'm no nearer to finding out any further info. Also, We lost 3 fine members in 2017, Alanjay, Beejay and Windrush. 3 members who will be sadly missed. Now what about 2018, well we have 12 meets/shows provisionally booked. And I will be collecting another ZT to add to the fleet. Plus I'll be putting my flat on the market and moving down to the South West. Nothing to keep me here anymore after the passing of my brother. Many thanks to everyone who have been reading about our exploits over the past year, and the kind comments. Many thanks to everyone for the support you have shown us as well. So HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all. __________________ 233,431. That’s our second meet done, no.3 next weekend. onen hag oll

2nd January 2018, 14:13	#2
stevenicks This is my second home MG ZT 180 Auto / Rover 75 2.0 Diesel Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Brecon. Posts: 7,465 Thanks: 3,297 Thanked 1,666 Times in 1,264 Posts	An interesting write up Bob, I look forward to your adventures of 2018 __________________ "You're Not Laughing Now Are You?" Steve

2nd January 2018, 14:58	#4
Ravinder This is my second home Rover 75 saloon x2, Rover 75 Tourer x2, Rover 220 Coupe Turbo Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kirkcaldy, Fife Posts: 9,036 Thanks: 2,278 Thanked 2,852 Times in 1,718 Posts	Nice write up, Bob. __________________ Wanted - Indian bride. Cash waiting. (All sorted - bargain) First name and forum name: Ravinder Rover 75 2.0 CDT Connoisseur SE 116 (160 remap) Royal Blue (JFM) This vehicle was the 50,481st 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 2,238th 75 CDT Connoisseur SE to be made out of 3,775 This vehicle was the 5,002nd 75 in Royal Blue (code: JFM) to be made out of 14,420 Royal Blue 75s

2nd January 2018, 15:28	#6
mininuts This is my second home Cooper S 210 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Port William Posts: 5,309 Thanks: 5,098 Thanked 2,406 Times in 1,631 Posts	Yes, great write up Bob...as always! Good luck with the move and best wishes for 2018. Maybe catch up at Gretna again? __________________ *Paul* 2016 MINI Cooper S 210 : 2000 Rover 75 CDT Classic SE : 2009 Freelander 2 GS : 2000 Mini Cooper Sport : 1986 Mini Mayfair : 1980 Mini Pickup : 1971 Mini Cooper S

2nd January 2018, 15:42	#7
LotusLC This is my second home MG ZT CDTi Auto / ZT-T Trophy Blue Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: York Posts: 3,981 Thanks: 3,329 Thanked 1,644 Times in 1,238 Posts	Nice read Bob. Hope all goes well in 2018 for you and good luck with the move. I know that will not be an easy move for you but perhaps the time is right. Look forward to seeing you at some meets this Year, take care, Gary... __________________ Lotus Carlton - Number 852 (My old car) https://i.imgur.com/Cwa3376m.jpg

2nd January 2018, 14:55	#3
steve-45 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon CDTi Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Belvedere Posts: 4,076 Thanks: 108 Thanked 1,089 Times in 774 Posts	Good luck with your move Bob and you will very much missed in the London, Essex, Kent areas........

2nd January 2018, 20:51	#8
bl52krz This is my second home Rover 75 cdt club + Rover 2.5 KV6 Conni SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 11,396 Thanks: 6,587 Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,729 Posts	Hi Bob. Thanks for your entertaining write-ups during 2017. Also for giving us an insight into different parts of the country. The photo’s you take are excellent and informative, both on the part of the country you are in, and the cars at meets you undertake. I can only wish you a happy new year, and a bit of advice, keep calm during your move. Hope to meet you again later in the year. __________________ Great Barr, Birmingham.