Written by Episode 4 — One Mistake = Game Over
Some days in the workshop are calm. Methodical. Predictable.
This wasn’t one of those days.
Episode 4 was supposed to be simple: get a new ramp into the workshop, give Black Betty her first proper service since we bought her, and call it a win. Instead, it turned into a day where every decision mattered — and one mistake could have ended the story completely.
The Ramp Problem
Before a single spanner came out, we had a problem.
The new ramp had arrived… but the only way into the workshop was over a fence.
Heavy. Awkward. No margin for error.
If it slipped, we wouldn’t just damage the ramp — we’d damage the workshop, and possibly ourselves. This wasn’t a job you rush, and it definitely wasn’t one you take lightly.
After a few tense moments, a change of plan, and some careful handling, the ramp was finally where it needed to be. Our part was done.
The real test would come the next day.
Black Betty Refuses to Start
With the ramp in place, it was time to put it to work.
Except Black Betty had other ideas.
After sitting outside in the heat, she simply refused to start. No drama. No bang. Just an engine asking for fuel that wasn’t there.
The problem turned out to be simple — but only once you knew what you were looking for. Fuel had evaporated, floats had dropped, and the system was dry.
She sounded angry.
In reality, she was just thirsty.
Once fuel returned, so did life.
A Short Drive, and a Quiet Moment
Before diving into the service, we took her out for a short drive. Nothing dramatic — just enough to warm the oil and make sure everything felt right.
It was during this drive that a stranger stopped and said something simple:
“That’s a beautiful car.”
Those moments never get old.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just any car.
Only two Triumph Dolomite ACs were ever built. This is the only one on this continent. The other lives in America.
There are no spare parts.
Which means every bolt, every thread, every decision matters.
https://youtu.be/7kc-iLqzg5o
The First Service
This was Black Betty’s first service since we bought her.
The engine is magnesium — light, clever, and completely unforgiving if you get it wrong.
Old oil came out. Magnets told their story. Threads were cleaned, checked, and treated with care. Washers were sourced, modified, and fitted by hand.
No rushing. No shortcuts.
This wasn’t about speed.
It was about respect.
One Mistake = Game Over
That phrase isn’t clickbait.
It’s the reality of working on something this rare.
When there are no replacements, preservation becomes the job. The goal isn’t just to make it run — it’s to make sure it survives.
By the end of the day, the oil was clean, everything was dry, and Black Betty was back on her wheels.
Still alive.
What’s Next
Next time, Black Betty leaves the workshop.
Not just for a drive — but to stand among her own kind.
