Grannies in baddass cars
Discussion
There's a lady near me in her late '60's that has a pretty decent condition Series 2 Escort RS Turbo that she's had from new. I remember having a good chat with her about it a couple of years ago when I parked a few cars down from her in my 205 GTI.
I've also seen another lady around Sandhurst, of retired age, that drives a modified Jap Import MR2 turbo with a relatively loud exhaust. She also isn't shy about putting her foot down on the A331 and stretching the legs of the car as I found out last year
I've also seen another lady around Sandhurst, of retired age, that drives a modified Jap Import MR2 turbo with a relatively loud exhaust. She also isn't shy about putting her foot down on the A331 and stretching the legs of the car as I found out last year
It is reassuring really! I'm not married, but if I were, I would want my wife to be the type who, in 40 years time, would be doing that sort of thing. Around here, I have seen an early 80's vintage Mercedes 420 SL, driven by what can only be described as a very mature lady with similarly tasteful classic choice in clothes and hairdo. Difficult to place her age, but not under 70.
Also, now and then I see a BMW 850 pootling around, and the driver is a chap who looks like those retired men you saw in the 70s, flat cap, brownish overcoat, thick glasses. Season ticket at Greenwoods outfitters. Unlikely to see 80 again. From what I remember, his wife has a flowery hat and grasps her shopping bag on her lap. They really should be driving a Rover 200. Doing a search on the car showed pretty low mileage, yet consistent miles per year from the start of the MOT online log, and never even had any advisories, so the car is clearly well kept.
If I were driving an 850 or a 420 SL in my 80s, that would be fine by me!
Also, now and then I see a BMW 850 pootling around, and the driver is a chap who looks like those retired men you saw in the 70s, flat cap, brownish overcoat, thick glasses. Season ticket at Greenwoods outfitters. Unlikely to see 80 again. From what I remember, his wife has a flowery hat and grasps her shopping bag on her lap. They really should be driving a Rover 200. Doing a search on the car showed pretty low mileage, yet consistent miles per year from the start of the MOT online log, and never even had any advisories, so the car is clearly well kept.
If I were driving an 850 or a 420 SL in my 80s, that would be fine by me!
a few years ago i had a little business in berkhamstead. always plenty of interesting vehicles to look at. i had a steam traction engine drive past one day and a penny farthing another.
but the one that stands out in my mind was that one day i looked across at the waitrose car park and saw an old dear struggling to walk across the car park on some crutches . i almost went to help her but she got to her car as i walked outside. a black db9 volante , i think the soft top ones are called . sounded great too.
made my day
but the one that stands out in my mind was that one day i looked across at the waitrose car park and saw an old dear struggling to walk across the car park on some crutches . i almost went to help her but she got to her car as i walked outside. a black db9 volante , i think the soft top ones are called . sounded great too.
made my day
It wasn't so much the car but the driving. Sold a car to a lady in her late fifties/ early sixties, just a run of the mill Focus I think. By far the best driver I have sat next to and not slow either, hustled the thing round the test route like a pro. Turned out that she used to rally back in the day and it showed. I got out with a grin on my face and had a really good natter about Motorsport.
There's also an elderly gent I see from time to time hooning about in his Corsa VXR. I can only hope to be capable enough in my old age.
There's also an elderly gent I see from time to time hooning about in his Corsa VXR. I can only hope to be capable enough in my old age.
GenePoolReject13 said:
It wasn't so much the car but the driving. Sold a car to a lady in her late fifties/ early sixties, just a run of the mill Focus I think. By far the best driver I have sat next to and not slow either, hustled the thing round the test route like a pro. Turned out that she used to rally back in the day and it showed. I got out with a grin on my face and had a really good natter about Motorsport.
I once asked an instructor who'd worked at the Jim Russell racing school how many pupils had any talent whatsoever. He thought long and hard and nominated three out of several thousand. They were all women between 50 and 60.
I know a pair of elderly lesbians who share an Integrale Evo.
MrMoonyMan said:
Haven't seen him for a few years but there used to be a little old man who drove a full on rally spec white Impreza round St.Albans.
It had the scoop on top, big red mud flaps and was always immaculate.
Was great, always made me smile.
Saw the fella recently in St Albans, love it.It had the scoop on top, big red mud flaps and was always immaculate.
Was great, always made me smile.
My stepmothers Mother, who has passed away now sadly, used to drive a Renault 5 Turbo, it was black with a red check interior if I remember rightly, which she then replaced with a Clio 172 when they first came out. Luckily she kept the Turbo under a dustcover.
I wonder if someone on PH bought a black Renault 5 Turbo private sale from South Wales a few years ago?
I wonder if someone on PH bought a black Renault 5 Turbo private sale from South Wales a few years ago?
willmagrath said:
MrMoonyMan said:
Haven't seen him for a few years but there used to be a little old man who drove a full on rally spec white Impreza round St.Albans.
It had the scoop on top, big red mud flaps and was always immaculate.
Was great, always made me smile.
Saw the fella recently in St Albans, love it.It had the scoop on top, big red mud flaps and was always immaculate.
Was great, always made me smile.
Cheers
Not sure why we expect older folk to drive tedious things, I suppose there maybe a been there, done that thing, or just not bothered but one thing I have learnt, as I get older that I feel exactly the same, you dont get to 60, 70 and whatever and turn into a different species, just sort of end up as a creakier 20 odd year old.
My dad and uncles are still Petrolheads at around 70, it may be prime time for cars, hopefully kids are independant, should be solvent with the house paid off.
But, I like the sentiment of older ladies driving interesting cars.
My dad and uncles are still Petrolheads at around 70, it may be prime time for cars, hopefully kids are independant, should be solvent with the house paid off.
But, I like the sentiment of older ladies driving interesting cars.
smileymikey said:
I was in Melksham today and found myself behind a beautiful showroom condition 89 Ford Escort RS Turbo in that metallic grey I always thought suited it best. It was entirely bog standard and a car that brought a nostalgic lump to my throat. When we hit a stretch of dual carriageway I pulled past for a proper look ( which wasn't hard, it was doing about 15mph). Only to see the driver. A little old lady in her early eighties in full Wurthers spec knitwear and hearing aids. If this is what the grannies in Melksham are nipping to the Post Office in...... just WTF are the boy racers bringing to the party ?
I know the lady you mean, she's had it from new. It was a present from her husband and she used to do hill climbs. The local Ford dealer has tried to buy it off her as well. bloomen said:
GenePoolReject13 said:
It wasn't so much the car but the driving. Sold a car to a lady in her late fifties/ early sixties, just a run of the mill Focus I think. By far the best driver I have sat next to and not slow either, hustled the thing round the test route like a pro. Turned out that she used to rally back in the day and it showed. I got out with a grin on my face and had a really good natter about Motorsport.
I once asked an instructor who'd worked at the Jim Russell racing school how many pupils had any talent whatsoever. He thought long and hard and nominated three out of several thousand. They were all women between 50 and 60.
I know a pair of elderly lesbians who share an Integrale Evo.
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