Lacking Enthusiasm...
Discussion
I sometimes have an internal smile, a recent piece on PH, about a Chevy powered Stag, there were several comments, along the lines of;
I have an x, twin turbo, 384 BHP, 0 – 60 mph, bla bla, cost <£20,000.
Some people seem to think if you’re into cars, it’s all about BHP, 0 – 60 MPH and V max etc; well I’m sorry to inform them, those things do not define you as a petrol head.
Some of the best cars ever built were not that quick and that includes competition cars, their iconic status stems from them being able to do more with less.
I would argue as much, if not more, fun could be had making progress in a 2CV, than a 300BHP hot hatch.
I have an x, twin turbo, 384 BHP, 0 – 60 mph, bla bla, cost <£20,000.
Some people seem to think if you’re into cars, it’s all about BHP, 0 – 60 MPH and V max etc; well I’m sorry to inform them, those things do not define you as a petrol head.
Some of the best cars ever built were not that quick and that includes competition cars, their iconic status stems from them being able to do more with less.
I would argue as much, if not more, fun could be had making progress in a 2CV, than a 300BHP hot hatch.
Well done. Delighted for you that you enjoyed it so much. We enjoyed reading about your exploits. You did seem to make prodigious progress on certain days; I suspect you got up quite early in the mornings. And how many miles on motorways? The trick, I think, to enjoy such a road trip, is stay away from them. Anyway, really enjoyed your trip (by proxy). Well done. Next please!
Bob CD said:
Well done. Delighted for you that you enjoyed it so much. We enjoyed reading about your exploits. You did seem to make prodigious progress on certain days; I suspect you got up quite early in the mornings. And how many miles on motorways? The trick, I think, to enjoy such a road trip, is stay away from them. Anyway, really enjoyed your trip (by proxy). Well done. Next please!
We were usually on the road around 9:00am. Very little motorway, only one day as it was prudent to reach our digs. Can’t recall if it was Spain or France, but otherwise all minor roads and no tolls.Next time will be similar to previous trips, a couple of days to get to the Dordogne, rent a house with a pool for a couple of weeks and then trundle home again.
The 2CV has a few new stickers now. Many more to come…
Edited by Sideways Tim on Saturday 18th May 19:20
Hate to be the one to say it, but we told you so. We told you you'd love it and that l'escargot would be fine. We did.
Seriously though, I think I speak for us all when I say we're glad you enjoyed it and we're grateful for the well written updates and humour therein, which kept us all amused these last few weeks.
Chapeau!
Seriously though, I think I speak for us all when I say we're glad you enjoyed it and we're grateful for the well written updates and humour therein, which kept us all amused these last few weeks.
Chapeau!
What a great thread, and glad you enjoyed yourself!!
can could on the way down!).
The country roads on the Wairarapa side are somewhat less than smooth, with lots of dips and bumps and camber changes. Ideal roads for the Dyane/2CV, whereas most cars are "suspension limited" rather than speed limited. Not so the Dyane. And then when I get to Ocean Beach on the south coast, the Dyane copes brilliantly on the stony beach tracks. With the late autumn sun out, the roof gets rolled back for some gentle rays.
'Tis (often) more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
daqinggregg said:
....
I would argue as much, if not more, fun could be had making progress in a 2CV, than a 300BHP hot hatch.
Last Friday I headed over the Remutaka Hill that separates Wellington from the Wairarapa, this time in the Dyane. It's steep & very twisty. I thrashed the nuts off it on the way over and back later in the day and had a stupid grin on my face. Copious body roll, getting the right lines, avoiding the brakes where possible (there are some very tight turns). Loads of fun and I didn't need to exceed the speed limit (ok, I can't on the way up, but certainly I would argue as much, if not more, fun could be had making progress in a 2CV, than a 300BHP hot hatch.
The country roads on the Wairarapa side are somewhat less than smooth, with lots of dips and bumps and camber changes. Ideal roads for the Dyane/2CV, whereas most cars are "suspension limited" rather than speed limited. Not so the Dyane. And then when I get to Ocean Beach on the south coast, the Dyane copes brilliantly on the stony beach tracks. With the late autumn sun out, the roof gets rolled back for some gentle rays.
'Tis (often) more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
Edited by XOcette on Sunday 19th May 06:01
XOcette said:
Last Friday I headed over the Remutaka Hill that separates Wellington from the Wairarapa, this time in the Dyane. It's steep & very twisty. I thrashed the nuts off it on the way over and back later in the day and had a stupid grin on my face. Copious body roll, getting the right lines, avoiding the brakes where possible (there are some very tight turns). Loads of fun and I didn't need to exceed the speed limit (ok, I can't on the way up, but certainly can could on the way down!).
The country roads on the Wairarapa side are somewhat less than smooth, with lots of dips and bumps and camber changes. Ideal roads for the Dyane/2CV, whereas most cars are "suspension limited" rather than speed limited. Not so the Dyane. And then when I get to Ocean Beach on the south coast, the Dyane copes brilliantly on the stony beach tracks. With the late autumn sun out, the roof gets rolled back for some gentle rays.
'Tis (often) more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
Nice work XOcette! Great pics too.The country roads on the Wairarapa side are somewhat less than smooth, with lots of dips and bumps and camber changes. Ideal roads for the Dyane/2CV, whereas most cars are "suspension limited" rather than speed limited. Not so the Dyane. And then when I get to Ocean Beach on the south coast, the Dyane copes brilliantly on the stony beach tracks. With the late autumn sun out, the roof gets rolled back for some gentle rays.
'Tis (often) more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
Edited by XOcette on Sunday 19th May 06:01
Turbobanana said:
Hate to be the one to say it, but we told you so. We told you you'd love it and that l'escargot would be fine. We did.
Seriously though, I think I speak for us all when I say we're glad you enjoyed it and we're grateful for the well written updates and humour therein, which kept us all amused these last few weeks.
Chapeau!
Thank you Seriously though, I think I speak for us all when I say we're glad you enjoyed it and we're grateful for the well written updates and humour therein, which kept us all amused these last few weeks.
Chapeau!
It’s been nice to sleep in my own bed and have a lie in, knowing I don’t have to drive 200 miles today. Glad you have enjoyed following our little adventure, but more importantly I’m glad we actually did it
XOcette said:
Last Friday I headed over the Remutaka Hill that separates Wellington from the Wairarapa, this time in the Dyane. It's steep & very twisty. I thrashed the nuts off it on the way over and back later in the day and had a stupid grin on my face. Copious body roll, getting the right lines, avoiding the brakes where possible (there are some very tight turns). Loads of fun and I didn't need to exceed the speed limit (ok, I can't on the way up, but certainly can could on the way down!).
The country roads on the Wairarapa side are somewhat less than smooth, with lots of dips and bumps and camber changes. Ideal roads for the Dyane/2CV, whereas most cars are "suspension limited" rather than speed limited. Not so the Dyane. And then when I get to Ocean Beach on the south coast, the Dyane copes brilliantly on the stony beach tracks. With the late autumn sun out, the roof gets rolled back for some gentle rays.
'Tis (often) more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
Wow! That looks truly epic. Forgive my ignorance, but NZ or AUS?The country roads on the Wairarapa side are somewhat less than smooth, with lots of dips and bumps and camber changes. Ideal roads for the Dyane/2CV, whereas most cars are "suspension limited" rather than speed limited. Not so the Dyane. And then when I get to Ocean Beach on the south coast, the Dyane copes brilliantly on the stony beach tracks. With the late autumn sun out, the roof gets rolled back for some gentle rays.
'Tis (often) more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
Edited by XOcette on Sunday 19th May 06:01
I really enjoyed this thread, great effort. I could have wandered off topic with some stories about John Curtis and Route Napoleon mentioned earlier but resisted. My cousin is a 2CV owner and also a keen biker. He’s on about touring Normandy next year on his bike, If I can persuade him to go in the car I’ll take my M100 Elan.
Nyloc20 said:
I really enjoyed this thread, great effort. I could have wandered off topic with some stories about John Curtis and Route Napoleon mentioned earlier but resisted. My cousin is a 2CV owner and also a keen biker. He’s on about touring Normandy next year on his bike, If I can persuade him to go in the car I’ll take my M100 Elan.
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