Ben Hooper
@popup-breakdown.bsky.social
That youth who managed to blag a column for @classicretromodern.bsky.social magazine. Defender of the Tat, 47 since 2005, owner of 0 sensible cars. #WeirdCarTwitter Exile
If we are going to do this whole Lancia's that should have made it thing then I have to bring this to the table. The Fulvia 1600HF Competitzione
November 25, 2025 at 9:31 PM
If we are going to do this whole Lancia's that should have made it thing then I have to bring this to the table. The Fulvia 1600HF Competitzione
Seriously how hard is it to find a decent protective phone case that doesn't pretentiously advertise that I have an iPhone, and is made decently and isn't made of cheap plastic.
Have settled on this Aztec pattern "wood" case, which is very 1988. Will see if it can last...
Have settled on this Aztec pattern "wood" case, which is very 1988. Will see if it can last...
November 25, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Seriously how hard is it to find a decent protective phone case that doesn't pretentiously advertise that I have an iPhone, and is made decently and isn't made of cheap plastic.
Have settled on this Aztec pattern "wood" case, which is very 1988. Will see if it can last...
Have settled on this Aztec pattern "wood" case, which is very 1988. Will see if it can last...
Matched only by the Artz Quattro Saloon
November 25, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Matched only by the Artz Quattro Saloon
With the possible exception of the R32 Skyline
November 18, 2025 at 2:13 PM
With the possible exception of the R32 Skyline
Idle control valve on these isn't motorised as far as I am aware, but I have disconnected it and also done the squeezy pipe trick but to no avail
November 17, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Idle control valve on these isn't motorised as far as I am aware, but I have disconnected it and also done the squeezy pipe trick but to no avail
You know, I am really not in the mood this week for obstinate French engined Dutch built Volvos, especially at 60mph on the A36
November 17, 2025 at 7:03 PM
You know, I am really not in the mood this week for obstinate French engined Dutch built Volvos, especially at 60mph on the A36
I was always fond of the Nimbus as they were produced in Andover IIRC, near where I grew up
October 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM
I was always fond of the Nimbus as they were produced in Andover IIRC, near where I grew up
Oi, I find the Montego desirable, I almost bought this one!
October 22, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Oi, I find the Montego desirable, I almost bought this one!
It reminds me of that Triplex 10-20 glassback from about 1978, do we know the story of why it was made?
October 21, 2025 at 2:23 PM
It reminds me of that Triplex 10-20 glassback from about 1978, do we know the story of why it was made?
This was after I had discovered someone at my uni daily drives a 2015 Daihatsu Copen
October 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
This was after I had discovered someone at my uni daily drives a 2015 Daihatsu Copen
Legendary spots I happened across in Winchester yesterday!
October 12, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Legendary spots I happened across in Winchester yesterday!
Is that an Isuzu Piazza top left?
October 4, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Is that an Isuzu Piazza top left?
Heroic efforts by @vhschloe.bsky.social today trying to get my Panasonic VZ200 to kick into life ahead of fitment to the Starion. We tried but could not get the cassette mechanism to work nor any sound.. Still, it looks like the car in question needs a new slave cyl now, so bigger fish it would seem
October 3, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Heroic efforts by @vhschloe.bsky.social today trying to get my Panasonic VZ200 to kick into life ahead of fitment to the Starion. We tried but could not get the cassette mechanism to work nor any sound.. Still, it looks like the car in question needs a new slave cyl now, so bigger fish it would seem
Even has pictures
September 26, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Even has pictures
Rally car innit
September 13, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Rally car innit
During this time a Danish exchange friend was about to depart back to civilisation. As such before she left, we spent some time just driving around Bath, exploring when no one was about. It was the sort of spontaneous thing I just don't do enough of. Everything felt it needed justifying...
September 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
During this time a Danish exchange friend was about to depart back to civilisation. As such before she left, we spent some time just driving around Bath, exploring when no one was about. It was the sort of spontaneous thing I just don't do enough of. Everything felt it needed justifying...
In January little was I to know how tough 2025 would be. In the moment tho it, was mostly spent getting time in the Volvo again. For all the bits I still haven't fixed, from the leaking rear light seals to the leftward pulling on the steering, it is a great thing to drive even after all this time.
September 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
In January little was I to know how tough 2025 would be. In the moment tho it, was mostly spent getting time in the Volvo again. For all the bits I still haven't fixed, from the leaking rear light seals to the leftward pulling on the steering, it is a great thing to drive even after all this time.
The rest of December was uneventful really, and in the lull between Xmas and NYE, my father and I were able to get the Volvo running. Turns out it was an earthing strap that had come loose and wouldn't fit properly. After some quick bodging, the Wedge fired up again and was returned to service
September 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The rest of December was uneventful really, and in the lull between Xmas and NYE, my father and I were able to get the Volvo running. Turns out it was an earthing strap that had come loose and wouldn't fit properly. After some quick bodging, the Wedge fired up again and was returned to service
Being the rockstar that he is, Will drove me back to Winchester that night in his 240 to collect the Audi once again, as I had work the next morning and couldn't exactly be underneath cars on company time. The 480 would be spending Xmas in Bath, and for once both my cars would be in my uni city...
September 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Being the rockstar that he is, Will drove me back to Winchester that night in his 240 to collect the Audi once again, as I had work the next morning and couldn't exactly be underneath cars on company time. The 480 would be spending Xmas in Bath, and for once both my cars would be in my uni city...
December brought the return of the Volvo as it had been in for some work in much of November. Its return was short lived however as it broke down right as I was about to put it on my mate Will's drive for a winter wash. I tried hotwiring it, but it was dead.
September 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
December brought the return of the Volvo as it had been in for some work in much of November. Its return was short lived however as it broke down right as I was about to put it on my mate Will's drive for a winter wash. I tried hotwiring it, but it was dead.
After wrestling with the dizzy cap, I squirted the inside with (not just WD, but M&S) WD40, then another half hour getting the thing back on again. But, keying the engine, my infamously unfussy "DZ" code GTi unit fired up, and I could continue. This must be what being a proper car person feels like.
September 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
After wrestling with the dizzy cap, I squirted the inside with (not just WD, but M&S) WD40, then another half hour getting the thing back on again. But, keying the engine, my infamously unfussy "DZ" code GTi unit fired up, and I could continue. This must be what being a proper car person feels like.
She conked out right outside Beckington services. Pushing the car through the driving rain and wind, I was now tasked with finding out what was wrong, and how to fix it with whatever I could find in M&S at the petrol station.
September 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
She conked out right outside Beckington services. Pushing the car through the driving rain and wind, I was now tasked with finding out what was wrong, and how to fix it with whatever I could find in M&S at the petrol station.
The end of November tho saw my first breakdown in a while. Storm Bert I believe it was, driving across Salisbury Plain at night, in a gale and driving rain. The atmosphere was impeccable for a Sisters of Mercy album, but I could have done without an unplanned M&S trip...
September 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The end of November tho saw my first breakdown in a while. Storm Bert I believe it was, driving across Salisbury Plain at night, in a gale and driving rain. The atmosphere was impeccable for a Sisters of Mercy album, but I could have done without an unplanned M&S trip...