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Phil P

@phil-p.bsky.social
227 followers 68 following 307 posts

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!

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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Newest addition to the fleet. But what is it?
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
For your entertainment, have some filthy wiper action.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Last week marked the first time the Alpine has been on the road in over 18 months! So of course I had to celebrate it with a weekend away. Was keeping good company at our hotel Friday night. Followed by the fantastic Rustival on Saturday. Dessert? A trip to Caffeine & Machine on Sunday evening.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Scramble tomorrow (or today now, I guess). Sadly I can't take the Pontiac "Dustbuster" as the MOT has expired. Good job I now have a spare, of the Oldsmobile variety.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 08/11/2025
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.
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Reposted by Phil P
Antony Ingram @antonyingram.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Will be rustling up an ad for the Rallye soon. Limited reach on here, but if anyone knows somebody who is after one of these, let me know.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
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.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
And here it is! No, not the Espace...it's behind it 😁
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Currently, I am mostly on a car collection caper. Clues - it's 1990s, an import, and uber rare in the UK.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
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 😢
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
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.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
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!
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
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! ☺️
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
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.
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Reposted by Phil P
Rich (From Twitter) @joehallenbeck.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
So. Fresh MOT, no advisories. Anyone want a FOTU car? 1991 Volvo 240 GL 2.0L auto. Rare sunroof option. 127,448 miles. Fat wallet of history. All new suspension. New front brake discs & pads. Upgraded anti roll bars. Full stainless headers & exhaust system. New alternator Wirral. £4,500
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
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.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
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.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
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..
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
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.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
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.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
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!
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
When you accidentally get your car stuck (with seven aboard) outside your own house and sprint round to the Range Rover to rescue yourself 🤣
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Fame at last! Available for autographs, for a sensible fee of course.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
This one has just returned to the fleet after a rather expensive job, which you may be able to deduce from the photo. So I am now enjoying a likely brief window in which all the key components are functioning correctly and I have no warning lights lit. And boy, is it glorious.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Rather frustratingly, it appears my original war and peace description had been truncated without warning. Ad now rewritten, with a nice set of bullet points!
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
Just listed our 2015 Fiat 500C S TwinAir Dualogic (auto) for sale, if anyone's interested. Just had a new clutch and dual mass flywheel fitted. No, it wasn't cheap. You can find the ad on that wretched hive of scum and villainy, so be cautious (link in reply).
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
Pleased to report that this risky auction purchase went in for its first MOT under my ownership this morning, and it's passed with zero advisories! Let's just not discuss the transmission problem..
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 28/12/2024
I have a very strong suspicion that the front suspension on my BMW E82 is not in happy place. No, it's not on bags. It's stock. Or was.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 28/12/2024
Finishing touch added to my wife's car (by her, not me!). She's always been on the good side previously, but given the colour of this there was only really one choice this time.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 28/12/2024
Almost ten hour drive today to return family to Sussex from Hereford, and back again. Was foggy, drizzly, and traffic was terrible, so there was only one correct choice for the trip. Unfortunately not quite all of it made it back again (spot what's missing) Will need to depart the fleet soon sadly
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Anyone else been using their phone under a car and accidentally dropped it in a tub full of used oil? No? Just me then. First reaction, well that's had fooked. Second reaction, hold on oil is thicker than water. Cleaned up ok thankfully, and on the plus side the phone feels slicker than ever.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
Last day of work today for 3 weeks. Hoping I can use the time to make progress on the backlog of work across the cars as just not been feeling it recently. Partly the weather, partly lack of suitable working space, but mostly me. Need to move a number of them on so time to get stuck in!
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Interesting article. Didn't realise the US has a lower headlight intensity limit than Europe (150k candela vs. "up to 430k" according to the article) Could reducing the UK limit be a way of alleviating the increasingly common complaint of bright headlights affecting people's vision at night?
autoevolution.com
The Battle of Laser Headlights Ends With All Contenders Exiting the Arena, Blame the US
Once touted as a game-changing technology, laser headlights are on their way out as regulations in the US made them too expensive for their benefits
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
Unfortunately we've taken a hit from Storm Dara. A tree has come down in the back garden and basically crushed the workshop, narrowly missing the chicken coup. My wife's bell tent is badly damaged. And the roof has started coming away from the garage. And we're not through it yet. Bugger.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
Don't usually lock the cars at home, but the Espace IVs will auto lock when you walk away from them (particularly annoying at petrol stations with family in the car). Last night discovered the 350Z had done just that, which had then flattened the battery. And guess which door has the one key lock?
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Sadly, it's farewell to this little number..
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
Nice little spot out in the wild on the local damp and muddy roads.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
I see I'm getting new followers here despite not having posted for some time. Difficult to work out which platform to focus on. That other place seems to still have a fair bit of activity, but so does Threads now.. Anyway, here are some pics of the Daihatsu from my farewell drive at the weekend 😢
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 22/07/2024
Back in Sussex overnight for a car collection caper...of my own cars 😄 Yep, 2.5 weeks after moving, the other half of the fleet will finally be heading to Herefordshire tomorrow. I'm particularly looking forward to introducing the Alpine and the Daihatsu to the local roads!
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 01/07/2024
T-3 days to the move. So here's a Grand Espace doing grand Espace things.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 01/07/2024
And here it is, the first vid on my former 166 by its new owner - youtu.be/F8Y_nMLMnj4 Happy to hear he's pleased, apart from the lack of working A/C!
youtu.be
My First Alfa Romeo Has A Legendary V6 Engine!
Now that my fiat punto hgt is off to its new owner, it was time to find my next project car and its my first Alfa Romeo with a legendary v6 engine! The Busso V6 Engine is a legend in the automotive world and I can't wait to get on the road and test it out! the Super lusso is the highest trim and it comes with a 6 speed manual gearbox, which is critical for that alfa romeo sports car drive! The 2001 Alfa Romeo 166 is a mid-size luxury sedan featuring a distinct and elegant design and a sleek profile, with a prominent front grille bearing the Alfa Romeo badge, and stylish headlamps. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project40cars 00:00 Intro 00:57 Initial Thoughts 04:46 Walk around 08:10 Out on the road #cars #alfaromeo #alfaromeo166 #bussounds #v6
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 30/06/2024
T-4 days to the move, nerves rising and doubts nibbling. Still not sorted move of the fleet, but it doesn't have to travel on move day itself and I've got the garages I rent to end July. Today's job is to start sorting the garage, which is a big mess and absolutely full of stuff.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 28/06/2024
It's two for two 1990 Renault MOT passes 😁 And what's this alongside outside? Common as muck these things!
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 27/06/2024
MOT time for this one. And it's a pass! It then rewarded me by unusually running like an absolute dog all the way home, stuttering at anything under 2k revs and stalling repeatedly when coming to a halt 🤔
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 26/06/2024
Just taken a first look at what the move might do to my car insurance. Moving from a Sussex town residential estate to a rural house on the outskirts of a village 6 miles west of Hereford, which isn't visible from public roads. So you'd think it might reduce? What the actual 🤬
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 25/06/2024
First quote received to transport the fleet (6 cars) to the new house (190 miles) 🫣
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 25/06/2024
An automatic Avanzato, whatever next! 🧐 Import, not a UK car (which as well as only being manuals, only came in silver I believe). Now I'm curious whether the auto's gearing ratios are as ridiculously low as the manual's. ebay.co.uk/itm/116229271872
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 21/06/2024
And just like that, the Alfa is gone. Pleased to report that it's in good hands, and likely coming to a YT channel at some point soon!
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 31/05/2024
The usual car selling travails. Fairly lengthy conversation with this person, then after this (two days ago) nothing.. Pinged them back 24 hours later to ask that if they've changed their mind could they please tell me. Still nothing. I just don't get people.
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Phil P @phil-p.bsky.social · 21/05/2024
I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that I am on yet another car collection caper across the country, sight unseen, and the Alfa's not even sold yet. On the plus side, this isn't my usual basket case and should *hopefully* want for nothing for the immediate future. On train 1/4
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