Modifications U (Don't) Like
Discussion
barefoot said:
Not sold on the carbon fibre(?), or the door cards (especially with speakers in) but that leather trimmed centre console is beautiful Also how did you make and fix those panels behind the console under the dash?
Those seats also look pretty tasty too!
Modifications I dislike
-Big wheels e.g. 17" Minilites on an MGB
-Most vinyl / leather seat covers
-Chrome lower trims along the sill (my car came with them and they will be removed when I get it painted!)
-Most radio aerials
-Webasto roofs, period or not
As for modern head units I'd rather have something more period but I'm not made of money and I want to plug my iPod in!
Oh and I've got Minilites (or similar) just to spite you all
lordlee said:
Can't stand clear indicators when a car should have ambers. It's seems especially rife on early 90's Mercedes. I saw a gorgeous 560 SEC the other day that, in my opinion, was ruined by cheap looking clears on it. Shame.
Agreed. Early 996 Porsche 911s are blighted by this - I think every single one in the PH classifieds has been changed to clear indicators, which just exacerbates the 'fried egg' look of the headlights. The orange indicators tie in nicely with the bumper line.Ferg said:
Pat H said:
Chrome wire wheels instead of painted ones.
Absolutely!Pat H said:
Plastic wheelarch extensions on Minis.
Hmmm...harsh. I actually had ally spats on mine, but plastic would have been OK. I just needed to keep the wheels legal.However, I have issue with later Rover Sportspack wheels and arches. I admit that I haven't driven one but would be interested in knowing how those huge boots affect the direct steering, strain the powertrain and bearings and stop you sliding the thing around.
Breadvan73 said:
Thinking over the Colin Chapman "everything does two jobs" formula, I am trying to figure out what job the front numbers/letters attached to the grille are doing. Making the car a few grammes lighter, I suppose. Maybe I can kid someone that the rear numberplate is a vital structural member.
I always thought that letters / numbers fixed to the grille meant that airflow through grille was not compromised, whilst also avoiding need for (arguably lighter but visually offensive) sticky-back plate on bonnet?CY88 said:
Breadvan73 said:
Thinking over the Colin Chapman "everything does two jobs" formula, I am trying to figure out what job the front numbers/letters attached to the grille are doing. Making the car a few grammes lighter, I suppose. Maybe I can kid someone that the rear numberplate is a vital structural member.
I always thought that letters / numbers fixed to the grille meant that airflow through grille was not compromised, whilst also avoiding need for (arguably lighter but visually offensive) sticky-back plate on bonnet?Let's be honest though it is pretty hard to think of two jobs for most parts of any car, you have to resort to....erm, and aero dynamic efficency an awful lot!
Breadvan73 said:
One correction: black numberplates are legal on a car built before 1973. I have a Lotus Europa which was built in October 1972 but registered in January 1973. It is allowed to have black numberplates. I agree that black plates are deplorable on post 1972 cars and particularly on modern cars.
That's good news.Edited by Breadvan73 on Thursday 10th February 12:24
My Range Rover was build 10/12/72 but registered in '73 so though I was limited to the later plates.
Paul H
mgtony said:
Electric windows. Who on earth thinks it's a must have in a classic resto
I can understand most modern upgrades, but is winding up a window such a chore?
The windows in the morris minor can be wound up in half the time my electric ones in the jag take to operate. why do we need electric windows?I can understand most modern upgrades, but is winding up a window such a chore?
Also, wind up windows do not go wrong. Mr Chapman was cross when the marketing spods made him put electric windows in the Europa, and he was right. I spent a few days enjoying the breeze and diesel fumes last week when one of my windows got stuck open, before it was spoken to firmly by Monsieur René le Mech and started working again.
ARH said:
mgtony said:
Electric windows. Who on earth thinks it's a must have in a classic resto
I can understand most modern upgrades, but is winding up a window such a chore?
The windows in the morris minor can be wound up in half the time my electric ones in the jag take to operate. why do we need electric windows?I can understand most modern upgrades, but is winding up a window such a chore?
Ferg said:
Pat H said:
Without arches, naturally.
We're going to have to disagree on this one, Pat...It fks me off when Googling 'Mini Cooper 'S' that I have to wade through so many images of those wky BMW things before I can find a picture of a proper one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq743jZ6L0Y
(And if you think that was good you should see the the owners' race on the DVD)
My first Mini had 5x10 Dunlop alloys that didn't need arches. Lovely. My current Mini has 5x12s and arches and therefore I like them too. Contrary? Moi?
Any self-respecting driver of a quick road-going min back in the 60s and 70s would want widies, arches, and a nice big fat centre exhaust...loud as possible.
Forget all this 'original' or aesthetically pleasing guff.
My mate had at least 10 gauges on the dash and in an overhead console that weren't even connected to anything.
Forget all this 'original' or aesthetically pleasing guff.
My mate had at least 10 gauges on the dash and in an overhead console that weren't even connected to anything.
grahamw48 said:
Any self-respecting driver of a quick road-going min back in the 60s and 70s would want widies, arches, and a nice big fat centre exhaust...loud as possible.
Forget all this 'original' or aesthetically pleasing guff.
My mate had at least 10 gauges on the dash and in an overhead console that weren't even connected to anything.
so right, I forgot the 70's , more was ALWAYS betterForget all this 'original' or aesthetically pleasing guff.
My mate had at least 10 gauges on the dash and in an overhead console that weren't even connected to anything.
thanks for reminding me
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