Those on this list the far side of the ocean from Coventry, will probably be
unaware of the dramatic events here in the UK this week, protesting over fuel
tax. Here in the UK, tax accounts for around 75% of the cost of petrol, which
costs around $4.50/US gallon. We have at last decided to do something serious
about getting the message across to the government - lorry drivers and farmers
(with help from fishermen and other groups this government has particularly
shafted) have been blockading fuel refineries and depots, causing a
nation-wide shortage of fuel. By Wednesday most petrol stations in the
country had run out of unleaded. The blockade was finally lifted yesterday,
but it will be some time before all petrol stations have fuel - very few do
now, and they will only sell to emergency services, not the public. This has
seriously inconvenieced almost everyone across the country, but still the
majority of the public support and back the blockade.
Anyway, now for the LBC-relevant stuff. The last type of fuel to run out, (and
some places never did run out) was LRP, the replacement for Leaded 4* petrol,
which cannot be used in any cars with a catalyst (any under about 8 years
old). So, everyone who keeps an old Triumph or MG in their garage at home,
has got it out, parked their modern car, and is cruising around with few fuel
worries at all! I don't think I have seen this many Triumphs on the road at
any other point all summer! As I was filling up on Wednesday evening, the
queue at the station consisted of a Triumph Dolomite 1500, an MG BGT, and
Daffy. We all stood around having a good laugh about how we were coming out
best from the situation, and were laughing particularly at the Rover 400
driver in front of us, who had been forcing LRP into his car (despite the fact
that the nozzle doesn't fit, to prevent you using the wrong fuel), and the 500
quid bill he will face for a new catalyst at his next MOT. Cruel, maybe, but
we had to see the funny side of it!
Richard and Daffy (still motoring, while all around us run dry)
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