Phil P
@phil-p.bsky.social
Yes, it's that Phil P from #WeirdCarTwitter, the one with a penchant for buying unreliable cars and the worst luck in keeping them running. May or may not like Espaces. Ex-TVR owner, with the financial scars to prove it. Rustival award winner!
Welcome to the newest addition to the fleet!
This was either a genius idea, or the begining of my downfall.
Before anyone asks, the key numbers are 2000kg and 1470kg.
This was either a genius idea, or the begining of my downfall.
Before anyone asks, the key numbers are 2000kg and 1470kg.
November 8, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Welcome to the newest addition to the fleet!
This was either a genius idea, or the begining of my downfall.
Before anyone asks, the key numbers are 2000kg and 1470kg.
This was either a genius idea, or the begining of my downfall.
Before anyone asks, the key numbers are 2000kg and 1470kg.
My dad as a motoring journo got to test both the Space Cruiser and Previa, and I got to briefly drive the Previa. As a child the Space Cruiser in particular was memorable thanks to its large rear sunroof and ventilation controls in the centre row. Saw an amazing one recently at Retro Rides Gathering
September 13, 2025 at 11:02 AM
My dad as a motoring journo got to test both the Space Cruiser and Previa, and I got to briefly drive the Previa. As a child the Space Cruiser in particular was memorable thanks to its large rear sunroof and ventilation controls in the centre row. Saw an amazing one recently at Retro Rides Gathering
That post deserves a shot of you giving it the pre-inspection for me 😁
And thank you again!
And thank you again!
September 13, 2025 at 10:03 AM
That post deserves a shot of you giving it the pre-inspection for me 😁
And thank you again!
And thank you again!
And here is the newest addition to the fleet, in all its glory! Couldn't resist lining it up for a photo alongside its period European rival.
It's a little rough around the edges, but managed the trip back from North Yorkshire to Hereford in the rain without drama.
It's a little rough around the edges, but managed the trip back from North Yorkshire to Hereford in the rain without drama.
September 12, 2025 at 6:54 PM
And here is the newest addition to the fleet, in all its glory! Couldn't resist lining it up for a photo alongside its period European rival.
It's a little rough around the edges, but managed the trip back from North Yorkshire to Hereford in the rain without drama.
It's a little rough around the edges, but managed the trip back from North Yorkshire to Hereford in the rain without drama.
And here it is! No, not the Espace...it's behind it 😁
September 12, 2025 at 10:34 AM
And here it is! No, not the Espace...it's behind it 😁
Currently, I am mostly on a car collection caper.
Clues - it's 1990s, an import, and uber rare in the UK.
Clues - it's 1990s, an import, and uber rare in the UK.
September 11, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Currently, I am mostly on a car collection caper.
Clues - it's 1990s, an import, and uber rare in the UK.
Clues - it's 1990s, an import, and uber rare in the UK.
And heading back home. Alternator has gone. Even with a replacement battery it's going into a limp mode as soon as you try and pull away.
Moral of the story - don't ignore noises!
Moral of the story - don't ignore noises!
August 30, 2025 at 11:25 AM
And heading back home. Alternator has gone. Even with a replacement battery it's going into a limp mode as soon as you try and pull away.
Moral of the story - don't ignore noises!
Moral of the story - don't ignore noises!
Unfortunately it would appear that I did not choose my chariot for Rustival wisely..
Parked up between the M5 and M42 awaiting The AA.
Was driving fine, then suddenly dash lit up, complete loss of power and as I pulled over the smell of burning 😢
Parked up between the M5 and M42 awaiting The AA.
Was driving fine, then suddenly dash lit up, complete loss of power and as I pulled over the smell of burning 😢
August 30, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Unfortunately it would appear that I did not choose my chariot for Rustival wisely..
Parked up between the M5 and M42 awaiting The AA.
Was driving fine, then suddenly dash lit up, complete loss of power and as I pulled over the smell of burning 😢
Parked up between the M5 and M42 awaiting The AA.
Was driving fine, then suddenly dash lit up, complete loss of power and as I pulled over the smell of burning 😢
Rustival tomorrow. Unfortunately the more interesting cars are off the road, so I'll be in this. Listen out for the pulley whine. Oh, and it's currently been sitting a month, has a flat battery, and is missing the passenger seat to trace fuel gauge wiring. Plus it's filthy. But otherwise, perfect.
August 29, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Rustival tomorrow. Unfortunately the more interesting cars are off the road, so I'll be in this. Listen out for the pulley whine. Oh, and it's currently been sitting a month, has a flat battery, and is missing the passenger seat to trace fuel gauge wiring. Plus it's filthy. But otherwise, perfect.
Total mileage from one tank, not bad for a 17 year old bus mostly not being driven sedately.
I may have driven the final 30 minutes with --- range remaining, lift and coast! 🙈
I may have driven the final 30 minutes with --- range remaining, lift and coast! 🙈
April 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Total mileage from one tank, not bad for a 17 year old bus mostly not being driven sedately.
I may have driven the final 30 minutes with --- range remaining, lift and coast! 🙈
I may have driven the final 30 minutes with --- range remaining, lift and coast! 🙈
That feeling when you've almost arrived in Sussex from Hereford for an overnight stay to drop younger son off for a trip to France (meeting at 4.30am) and your wife announces "We've forgotten his passport"
173 miles for the day turned into 519. Thankful for the Espace DCI economy and 83L fuel tank!
173 miles for the day turned into 519. Thankful for the Espace DCI economy and 83L fuel tank!
April 21, 2025 at 10:15 AM
That feeling when you've almost arrived in Sussex from Hereford for an overnight stay to drop younger son off for a trip to France (meeting at 4.30am) and your wife announces "We've forgotten his passport"
173 miles for the day turned into 519. Thankful for the Espace DCI economy and 83L fuel tank!
173 miles for the day turned into 519. Thankful for the Espace DCI economy and 83L fuel tank!
Fun with trains yesterday, took younger son (who LOVES trains) on a footplate ride at Severn Valley Railway. A fantastic experience for both father and son, and he even got to blow the whistle a few times! ☺️
April 14, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Fun with trains yesterday, took younger son (who LOVES trains) on a footplate ride at Severn Valley Railway. A fantastic experience for both father and son, and he even got to blow the whistle a few times! ☺️
Today was a trip to the Festival Of Transport & Autojumble, in Malvern. Lots of lovelies!
April 6, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Today was a trip to the Festival Of Transport & Autojumble, in Malvern. Lots of lovelies!
Had taken another jaunt in earlier in the weekend, further east, to visit the pizza van at Llangyndir Moor. Or rather, the nopizza van, as they'd run out just as we arrived an hour before they were due to finish 🤦🏻♂️
April 6, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Had taken another jaunt in earlier in the weekend, further east, to visit the pizza van at Llangyndir Moor. Or rather, the nopizza van, as they'd run out just as we arrived an hour before they were due to finish 🤦🏻♂️
Took a drive over to the west side of the Brecon Beacons in the E82 to sample the famous "Top Gear road", aka the A4069 Black Mountain Pass.
And boy, it didn't disappoint.
Traffic over the entire 3.5 hr round trip fairly minimal, despite glorious sunshine. One of the reasons I moved from the SE.
And boy, it didn't disappoint.
Traffic over the entire 3.5 hr round trip fairly minimal, despite glorious sunshine. One of the reasons I moved from the SE.
April 6, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Took a drive over to the west side of the Brecon Beacons in the E82 to sample the famous "Top Gear road", aka the A4069 Black Mountain Pass.
And boy, it didn't disappoint.
Traffic over the entire 3.5 hr round trip fairly minimal, despite glorious sunshine. One of the reasons I moved from the SE.
And boy, it didn't disappoint.
Traffic over the entire 3.5 hr round trip fairly minimal, despite glorious sunshine. One of the reasons I moved from the SE.
It's a weekend of hellos and goodbyes.
Au revoir to the Espace 350Z, which departed this afternoon with its new owner.
And welcome to the world our new ducklings. Three hatched so far.
Au revoir to the Espace 350Z, which departed this afternoon with its new owner.
And welcome to the world our new ducklings. Three hatched so far.
March 29, 2025 at 4:52 PM
It's a weekend of hellos and goodbyes.
Au revoir to the Espace 350Z, which departed this afternoon with its new owner.
And welcome to the world our new ducklings. Three hatched so far.
Au revoir to the Espace 350Z, which departed this afternoon with its new owner.
And welcome to the world our new ducklings. Three hatched so far.
Well, it was a mixed weekend.
On one hand, I finally got the E82 back on the road after sitting on the lawn for 2.5 months with broken suspension and took it on an awesome road trip to Dartmoor with friends.
On the other...well see the last photo.
On one hand, I finally got the E82 back on the road after sitting on the lawn for 2.5 months with broken suspension and took it on an awesome road trip to Dartmoor with friends.
On the other...well see the last photo.
March 17, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Well, it was a mixed weekend.
On one hand, I finally got the E82 back on the road after sitting on the lawn for 2.5 months with broken suspension and took it on an awesome road trip to Dartmoor with friends.
On the other...well see the last photo.
On one hand, I finally got the E82 back on the road after sitting on the lawn for 2.5 months with broken suspension and took it on an awesome road trip to Dartmoor with friends.
On the other...well see the last photo.
Little sunset trip this evening in the 350Z (farewell drive, if anyone actually buys it) over to Gospel Pass and then on foot to the top of Hay Bluff.
Car drove well, engine is simply <chef's kiss>
I on the other hand, was wheezing like a bastard and going to be sore tomorrow..
Car drove well, engine is simply <chef's kiss>
I on the other hand, was wheezing like a bastard and going to be sore tomorrow..
March 9, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Little sunset trip this evening in the 350Z (farewell drive, if anyone actually buys it) over to Gospel Pass and then on foot to the top of Hay Bluff.
Car drove well, engine is simply <chef's kiss>
I on the other hand, was wheezing like a bastard and going to be sore tomorrow..
Car drove well, engine is simply <chef's kiss>
I on the other hand, was wheezing like a bastard and going to be sore tomorrow..
My Grand Espace 350Z (aka Initiale 3.5 V6 petrol auto) is up for sale if any interest.
Only 67k miles, drives nicely with MOT to end-June but does have some smaller issues needing attention, pre-2006 so not mega tax.
£2000 no offers, located near Hereford.
Full details in pics.
Only 67k miles, drives nicely with MOT to end-June but does have some smaller issues needing attention, pre-2006 so not mega tax.
£2000 no offers, located near Hereford.
Full details in pics.
March 3, 2025 at 2:05 PM
My Grand Espace 350Z (aka Initiale 3.5 V6 petrol auto) is up for sale if any interest.
Only 67k miles, drives nicely with MOT to end-June but does have some smaller issues needing attention, pre-2006 so not mega tax.
£2000 no offers, located near Hereford.
Full details in pics.
Only 67k miles, drives nicely with MOT to end-June but does have some smaller issues needing attention, pre-2006 so not mega tax.
£2000 no offers, located near Hereford.
Full details in pics.
Another sojourn into Wales today, this time in the purple bus. Excuse was, a test drive following some suspension work. But also has new EBC discs and Greenstuff pads...and boy, are the brakes hugely improved.
Torrential rain and gales...but was nothing to a 2.5 ton 4WD brick on all-season Contis.
Torrential rain and gales...but was nothing to a 2.5 ton 4WD brick on all-season Contis.
February 23, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Another sojourn into Wales today, this time in the purple bus. Excuse was, a test drive following some suspension work. But also has new EBC discs and Greenstuff pads...and boy, are the brakes hugely improved.
Torrential rain and gales...but was nothing to a 2.5 ton 4WD brick on all-season Contis.
Torrential rain and gales...but was nothing to a 2.5 ton 4WD brick on all-season Contis.
Nice little drive yesterday given the long awaited appearance of the sun, to visit the hallowed ground in Wales where recently a 959 was filmed.
And happy to report, roads, views and pizza all exemplary!
And happy to report, roads, views and pizza all exemplary!
February 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Nice little drive yesterday given the long awaited appearance of the sun, to visit the hallowed ground in Wales where recently a 959 was filmed.
And happy to report, roads, views and pizza all exemplary!
And happy to report, roads, views and pizza all exemplary!