Allez France

[stuartgb100]

Planning a trip from UK to France.
First time with the Sprint.

A possible clearance issue when embarking/disembarking
from shuttle/ferry is my concern.

The Sprint is lowered, giving 5 inch clearance under the cills.
A big-bore TTR manifold and exhaust means that there's
not much more than 3 inches of clearance under the lowest
point ( the Y exhaust connection).

These are approximate unladen clearances.

I'm surmising that lower deck on the shuttle (Eurotunnel) would
be best.

Any experience, please ?

Regards,
Stuart.

[elanman999]

Stuart,
I have only been on the lower deck of the shuttle and it's OK apart from the joins in the carrages. There is a lump sticking up in the middle at each carrage joint that can hit the exhaust. As the Elan is narrow it's easy to drive a bit off centre to miss it. As I assume you have adjustable suspension why not raise the ride hight a little?
Some of the French villages have speed bumps now and they make the UK ones look flat! Last LMC I had to drive on the pavement to get over one set.
Cheers
John

[Old English White]

Stuart,
I have only been on the lower deck of the shuttle and it's OK apart from the joins in the carrages. There is a lump sticking up in the middle at each carrage joint that can hit the exhaust. As the Elan is narrow it's easy to drive a bit off centre to miss it. As I assume you have adjustable suspension why not raise the ride hight a little?
Some of the French villages have speed bumps now and they make the UK ones look flat! Last LMC I had to drive on the pavement to get over one set.
Cheers
John

Every comments from John are OK .
I must add very hard speed bumps in the direct aera of shuttle . These are painfull with any cars anyway ...
"OEW" arrived from UK by ferry and didn't have any problems despite very tired rear springs ...
So nothing should make you stay out of France ... As it is the same condition for every Petrohead going to Le Mans with its car .
Christian.

[bcmc33]

Stuart,

Don't forget to pack a fluorescent jacket.

[stuartgb100]

Thanks for the replies.

I had considered raising the rideheight, but it would be preferable not to.
My navigator will be on speedbump spotting duty !

The fluourescent jacket must be carried in the car, not the boot.
Then there is also the medical kit, warning triangle and flashing beacon.

Not to mention tow rope, jump leads, jack, wheelspinner tool, spare tyre,
spare oil/water/brake fluid, screenwash. Points, plugs, condensor, rotor arm,
distributor cap etc.

Oh, and two small suitcases !!!

Regards,
Stuart.

[69S4]

I took my Elan on a ferry to France last Sept and had no problem with the loading ramps but it's at std ride height. It was a concern beforehand and some of the bumps in the ramps had me going over them at less than walking pace as it looked like it was going to be close. It's been a while since I was on the shuttle but from memory the ramps were a bit smoother so I think the train is the better bet.

There are some horrendous speed bumps in France which again had me down to walking pace (much to the annoyance of following local cars). As John mentioned the worst ones are at the entrance to villages. Most of the time they are well marked and you can see them easily but there were a few that I missed completely until I hit them. The problem was that many of the bumps are marked with white lines to make them stand out from a distance but similar markings are used elsewhere on flat road so you're trying to guess whether you're approaching a real bump or a fake one. If you're loaded up, with a passenger and with lowered suspension it could get expensive to get it wrong.

I took all the spares you've listed - and used none of them. In fact I've just raided the boot of the Elan to put all the legal requirement stuff into my Land Rover for a trip to the Alps tomorrow.

Stuart

[elansprint71]

Don't forget you will need a hi-viz jacket for your passenger too.

"Yeah, right M. Agent de Police; I'm sure that every Citroen Mehari carries four hi-viz jackets under their loads of onions, chickens and garlic."
...............
"Oh, an on the spot fine for smart-arse Rosbifs? How kind."

[rjaxe]

Pete is right to flag up the risk to UK drivers in France, I stayed at a B&B 20 or so miles from the tunnel terminal and my French hosts were specific about their police targeting UK drivers particularly in that area where they can expect a good catch of speeders legging it for the train etc and I bet once they stop you they will check for the hi-vis jackets, spare bulbs, headlight deflecters etc. sounds like a good revenue source for them.

[curly type 26]

Speed humps! what fossilated idiot decided to fit these gargoils everywhere, did they ever take into account the extra fuel used by slowing down & getting back up to speed again only to go through the same procedure again & again so much for global warming, not counting suspension damage ect. They dont slow down company cars vans or stolen vehicles, isnt it time we the motoring public told them to get real after all they are our roads we pay enough dont we? rant rant Curly 1964 26Rr

[andyhodg]

Hi all

A friend of mine works on a cross channel ferry has sees many lowered sports cars of all types being loaded for club trips to Nurburgring etc. there all cope with the ramps on and of the ferry. The only problem I have experienced is when parked on the ferry I found I was on a steep ramp. My handbrake was unable to hold the car on the slope and I ended up asking the ships staff for some chocks but still no damage was caused and all ended well.

Regards

[alexblack13]

I'm With you Colin, Get stuck into them.

Hey guys..Remember that 45 cliks over the limits will get you a BIG fine and probable confiscation of the car. Please beware. Don't let the buggers win. If you must go a bit too fast Keep it under the magic numbers. Same as here, 30 mph over = a much bigger slap. So don't risk it. That last few Kph is not good value for money. Ask Lewis Hamilton! He had to get someone to come pick him up!! And Merc' had to go get the car...

Watch the time between pay stations also.. The plods check your average....


It would almost put you off visiting the country.

AB...

[bcmc33]

It would almost put you off visiting the country

Reminds me of the ancient saying --- "France is a wonderful country - pity about the french".


Sorry Christian

[curly type 26]

I wonder if the AULD ALLIANCE still works! Curly 1964 26Rr

[alexblack13]

It does for me Curly....

Back in the good old (Fighting fit!) days I would just have got stuck in.

I now think first ............................. Then get stuck in!!

Don't monkey around with the French fuzz. The folk I have generally found to be wonderful.

I am looking forward to the trip...