Sense the need for something American ...
Sense the need for something American ...
Author
Discussion

MikeyT

Original Poster:

17,782 posts

294 months

Wednesday 30th April 2003
quotequote all
And no, I don't mean a McDonalds ...

More and more in the last few weeks I've been thinking about selling the Chim and buying something like this ...



The Chim doesn't get used as much as it should and relative to something like the above, costs a lot in insurance and servicing ...

I sold a Mustang to get the Chim and while I still love the TVR, I fear I'm not quite as *in* love with it as I was ...

Help! Am I guilty of blaspheming on a large scale or is it just the zero opportunity I've had recently to get to drive it in anger getting me down?

dick dastardly

8,325 posts

286 months

Wednesday 30th April 2003
quotequote all
What Mustang did you have?

IMHO the 1964 & 1/2 Convertible is one of the most gorgeous cars of all time, and if I made millions it would be on top of the list next to the 550 and DB5.



Mmmm

agent006

12,058 posts

287 months

Wednesday 30th April 2003
quotequote all

Help! Am I guilty of blaspheming on a large scale or is it just the zero opportunity I've had recently to get to drive it in anger getting me down?


Both. Go for a drive. NOW. Don't stop to turn the computer off. GO.

Don't buy that american thing (whatever it was). It looks a right heap, and where would you find a parking space big enough for it.

madmike

2,372 posts

289 months

Wednesday 30th April 2003
quotequote all
Don't listen! There's nothing wrong with American cars, especially the old classics. As far as suitability for European roads and drivers, that's another issue altogether. These cars were designed for the great outdoors and long stretches of cruising on big wide roads. As such, the old classics are timeless. Now, the boat you posted is probably a bit big for the British scene. But the old Stangs...they are gems. I agree, the 64 and a half is one of the prettiest cars of any time. Not a lot of power till the later years, but the quintessential pony car.

The basic thing is, forget the blaspheming. Follow your heart. If the Chim doesn't do it for you, and you fondly remember the Stang, do it.

And that's not just patriotic advice from an American...I drive a British car and a Korean car, and if I went the luxury route I'd be in a Jag in a second. Drive what you want to.

Mike (Good luck!)

Slayer

58 posts

279 months

Wednesday 30th April 2003
quotequote all

dick dastardly said:
IMHO the 1964 & 1/2 Convertible is one of the most gorgeous cars of all time, and if I made millions it would be on top of the list next to the 550 and DB5.



If you really want one, you don't need millions. I'd have thought you could afford a '65 convertible long before a 550 or a DB5 15k would get you a very nice one. Brum Brum!

dick dastardly

8,325 posts

286 months

Wednesday 30th April 2003
quotequote all

Slayer said:

dick dastardly said:
IMHO the 1964 & 1/2 Convertible is one of the most gorgeous cars of all time, and if I made millions it would be on top of the list next to the 550 and DB5.



If you really want one, you don't need millions. I'd have thought you could afford a '65 convertible long before a 550 or a DB5 15k would get you a very nice one. Brum Brum!


Yeah, 15K would do it, but the car would just be for summer cruises on saturdays. So it would be 15K which can be spent on a spare car which only covers like 1000 miles a year. I wouldn't buy one as an everday car ever, but it's a good toy to have in the collection!

moleamol

15,887 posts

286 months

Wednesday 30th April 2003
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The only problem with American cars is that they generally have handling that a supertanker could shame. Other than that, big beefy engines and some pretty good lookers.

top fuel

2,590 posts

276 months

Wednesday 30th April 2003
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there's a member on here with a Buick Riviera like that.

Mad Dawg.
(that's his user name, not me)

Slayer

58 posts

279 months

Wednesday 30th April 2003
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dick dastardly said:
Yeah, 15K would do it, but the car would just be for summer cruises on saturdays. So it would be 15K which can be spent on a spare car which only covers like 1000 miles a year. I wouldn't buy one as an everday car ever, but it's a good toy to have in the collection!



Aww, that's a shame. They should be used and abused

MikeyT

Original Poster:

17,782 posts

294 months

Wednesday 30th April 2003
quotequote all

moleamol said: The only problem with American cars is that they generally have handling that a supertanker could shame. Other than that, big beefy engines and some pretty good lookers.


Yeah they do, I wouldn't have wanted to corner the Mustang anywhere the limit that's for sure. But I *think* they may suit me better asthey're big, lazy things!

Chims oughta be on a track and mine isn't going anywhere near one as long as I own it, so is it a waste? They suit the home mechanic type, able to tinker here and there etc, while the Chim has to be fettled by someone who knows what they're up to - big Yank cars are so understressed, it's difficult to do any harm to them seemingly.

Having a ponder at the mo - nothing classic and British interests me - maybe a Jensen FF but they're a bit thin on the ground. Not interested in anything fast and modern. I was happy with the Mussie I had, so maybe that's where the future lies .... we'll see.

apache

39,731 posts

307 months

Thursday 1st May 2003
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I thought that was a Riviera, I like them.
Mikey get an FF or an Interceptor, they're not too expensive, are hand built, look the business and have a major lump of yank iron under the bonnet, sorry hood. I can understand your dilemma, TVRs and US musclecars have the V8 attraction but are completely different beasts

cinqster

1,057 posts

302 months

Thursday 1st May 2003
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How about a Gordon Keeble?

Prices are quite steep now though?

MikeyT

Original Poster:

17,782 posts

294 months

Tuesday 15th July 2003
quotequote all




Have pondered long andhard and the Chim is going to have to go I'm afraid. Sad but necessary. I don't get to use it as much as I'd like by a long chalk and it's a waste having it in the garage if it's not being used. It took me an age to fing a good 'un but that's life.


Think I need a winter project (see above ) or maybe I'll just import a good 'un. (see below).

A nice '65 or '66 289/302 Mustang Fastback'll do nicely Sir.

I think deep down I always regretted selling my 67 Coupe to get the TVR ...



The missus fancies a week in California so maybe we'll see. It's not that the Chim hasn't got what I want, but with the kids and all, seems a waste to have it and not all go out in it as we want to.

Hmmmmmm ... watch this space.



>> Edited by MikeyT on Tuesday 15th July 12:56

plotloss

67,280 posts

293 months

Tuesday 15th July 2003
quotequote all
'58 'Vette Mikey?

MikeyT

Original Poster:

17,782 posts

294 months

Tuesday 15th July 2003
quotequote all
plotloss said:
'58 'Vette Mikey?


Sorry Matt, edited my post to say '65 or '66 Fastback is on the cards ...

FourWheelDrift

91,825 posts

307 months

Tuesday 15th July 2003
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Im my eyes theres only one big V8 classic American car to think about.

1969 Dodge Charger


MikeyT

Original Poster:

17,782 posts

294 months

Tuesday 15th July 2003
quotequote all
Darren, these are fetching serious money ... and especially in the UK.

Another 'possible' I did think about was a Buick Riviera or a Pontiac GTO.

Got a Mustang F/Back in mind cos they're a) still relatively cheap; b) easy to rebuild - parts grow on trees for all models; c) bloody love 'em ... d) Wimbledon White or Candy Red .

That bloody Dodge is nice though ...

DustyC

12,820 posts

277 months

Tuesday 15th July 2003
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Yep, Charger or a Challenger.

Watch vanishing Point, then you'll want a Challenger!

I Just spent the weekend at a custon car meet and drag race event (Thorny Island).

Fantastic. Hundreds of cool cars, mostly yanks.
My favorites though had to be the 2 Fiat 126's with 5.7 V8 engines in!
They did the 1/4 in about 11 - 12 secs at 112+ mph!
and they are street legal!

plotloss

67,280 posts

293 months

Tuesday 15th July 2003
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Go on, you know you want to...

GregE240

10,857 posts

290 months

Tuesday 15th July 2003
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Last time I was in Naples Matt, there was a Corvette just like that for silly money - 25K US I recall.

Beautiful, beautiful car.... if only.