It's been a while !

[MattNoVAT]

I've logged in today for the first time in probably 6-7 years, emigrating to France has been a massive adventure, and starting two businesses from scratch has had its challenges but here we are, extremely happy and settled, and hence, now that things are a bit more settled I can enter my garage/workshops and spend time on my Betas (we have added an Ypsilon to the fleet which is Mrs NoVAT's fabulous little runaround).

When I moved from the UK I was separated from my 1976 1600 Coupe chassis, that was a long, expensive story which I shall not bore you with, but luckily for me I have an excellent friend who went and recovered the car from the guy who had messed me around/turned me over and he took the car back to his workshop.  His bodywork guys assessed what had been done and what was required to put it right then paint the car, which they did.  He stored the car in his storage facility for over 4 years, then surprised me when they came to France for my 50th birthday party and the played the "Car SOS" trick on me and re-united me with my car (not refitted though as I have the rest of the cars components here with me but it has a running engine and it does drive).  I honestly didn't have a clue and I admit that I had a bit of an emotional moment after all those years of not seeing it.  There are still some little issues to resolve..... front windscreen is another long, expensive saga but hoping that is resolved shortly.

So, now I'm starting the refit of the S1.  I still have my S2/FL 2000 Coupe (VNX), just couldn't face selling her after 30 years of ownership.

I am really pleased to see that the forum is still just as active and the members are still as passionate as ever!

[mangocrazy]

Well hello, and welcome back! I did wonder how you were getting on and how the France adventure was shaping up - all good, it would seem! Very glad to hear you've been reunited with the S1 and that it's safely back in your hands. Look forward to hearing more of life in La Belle France...

[WestonE]

Welcome back Matt

Glad you are able to feed the Lancia addiction and you were rescued from one of the far too many motor trade rogues.

Eric   

[HFStuart]

Remind me, who are you again ?

[Sandro]

Welcome back Matt,

I'm a more recent member (in relation to many of you) but I've read and found your posts useful.
It's good to have you back on here.

Great story about your S1, you have good friends.
I also had an unpleasant experience with a Garage I'd entrusted my beta too ( mostly work he said he'd done and charged me for but hadn't )
the downside is he's still in business and probably doing the same to others, the upside is I've learnt alot more about my car than I otherwise would have done.   



Andrew.   

[TonyLanciaBeta]

Good to have you back Matt  did you notice a certain red Coupe on the banner pic 

[MattNoVAT]

Thank you all, old friends and new.

Yes, I noticed my red coupe in the banner 

Had some good news today, the third screen for my S1 has been manufactured and is now in Basingstoke.  Hooray!