Lamborghinis used as Covid-19 shopping trolleys
Discussion
Wow, just look at that Monteverdi.
Don't think I've ever seen one in real life. I had a model of one as a kid. Actually I still have it, in maroon red. Always thought it was a very beautiful car.
Funny how these things make an impression. Just like the Espada I saw. For this reason I would have one before any of the modern Lambos (probably! )
Don't think I've ever seen one in real life. I had a model of one as a kid. Actually I still have it, in maroon red. Always thought it was a very beautiful car.
Funny how these things make an impression. Just like the Espada I saw. For this reason I would have one before any of the modern Lambos (probably! )
The Monteverdi "High Speed" was indeed a lovely thing; I bid on one at a Bonhams auction in London maybe 2 or 3 years ago but stopped at about £55K - it was a project car and although had an MoT, I've no idea how!
The Monteverdi High Speed weas actually built on a Jensen Interceptor Chassis, supplied by West Bromwich as a "motorised chassis" for Fissore to body then Monteverdi to finish out. The first bit was kept well under wraps and to this day Monteverdi does not share the numbers built, though anyone with the Richard Calver Jensen chassis book can count them ;-)
Thanks for the kind messages regarding the damage to ELB420J; I plan on getting a new screen on order from Pilkington next week and hopefully it won't be an age for them to manufacture. She'll be back on the road in no time after that's delivered - and this time stays with me - she's clearly made her feelings known about that!
Regards Andy
The Monteverdi High Speed weas actually built on a Jensen Interceptor Chassis, supplied by West Bromwich as a "motorised chassis" for Fissore to body then Monteverdi to finish out. The first bit was kept well under wraps and to this day Monteverdi does not share the numbers built, though anyone with the Richard Calver Jensen chassis book can count them ;-)
Thanks for the kind messages regarding the damage to ELB420J; I plan on getting a new screen on order from Pilkington next week and hopefully it won't be an age for them to manufacture. She'll be back on the road in no time after that's delivered - and this time stays with me - she's clearly made her feelings known about that!
Regards Andy
I sometimes think that if I were single I'd sell my house to live in a tent so I could buy a piece of genuine high end exotica, but I can hear a (female) voice in my head saying ''don't you bloody dare...'' 
In the early '80s I lived in Hammersmith and occasionally walked to work at Old Oak Common depot if I was on nights (no night bus in those days and it was much quieter than it is now), on the way I'd often see a silver 308GT4 with a red interior parked up in Old Oak Common Lane, to most people it probably looked like just another flash foreign motor, but to me it was wonderfully exotic, a wedge shaped piece of sculpture on wheels, completely at odds with the tired looking Fords and Vauxhalls surrounding it. Gandini was at his peak when he first penned the shape, a rejected proposal for the Lamborghini Urraco which was shelved until the beautiful 246GT needed a replacement.
In the early '80s I lived in Hammersmith and occasionally walked to work at Old Oak Common depot if I was on nights (no night bus in those days and it was much quieter than it is now), on the way I'd often see a silver 308GT4 with a red interior parked up in Old Oak Common Lane, to most people it probably looked like just another flash foreign motor, but to me it was wonderfully exotic, a wedge shaped piece of sculpture on wheels, completely at odds with the tired looking Fords and Vauxhalls surrounding it. Gandini was at his peak when he first penned the shape, a rejected proposal for the Lamborghini Urraco which was shelved until the beautiful 246GT needed a replacement.
I have followed this thread .. and thoroughly enjoyed reading it for any number of reasons but P5BNij’s post prompted me to also write …
As a small boy in late 70’s from around 8, when home from school in the summer, I was allowed to ride my bike around until it was allowed to ride my bike until it was almost dark along two or three adjoining roads near to where we lived.
I guess times were different then … and the roads where so much quieter …
At the time my Father drove a 1750 Maxi and when that was upgraded to a 3.0 Ford Granada, I thought that was amazing…..
However, along a couple of the adjoining roads the houses and their frontages were all large and very open.
I remember, at one house there were a white late E-type 2+2 …. partnered with a sandy coloured Daimler Double Six…
An Aston Martin V8 in a light blue metallic at another ….
At two houses there were Rolls Royce Silver Shadows (sliver and dark blue) one was accompanied by an Avis Drophead (sliver with red leather) and at the other the drive mate was a Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9
Anyhow, at one particular house that was and probably still is a large and at the time very contemporary 1970’s house there was and Iso Grifo in dark metallic blue and a short while later in an addition to the Grifo a ISO Lele, in a bronze metallic brown….
I had absolutely no idea what they were at the time, when did you ever see cars like that then?? … but I used to stop my bike and stand there, respectfully, at the end of the drive looking at them. I did this on several occasions and until one day the owner came out and must have asked what I was doing and then invited me to come and have a closer look. I can still remember the dilemma, as my Mother had always drummed into me not to talk to ‘strangers’ and here I was being asked to come and sit in the cars ….
I did this several times and the owner usually came out and chatted to me and showed me the cars …..
On one particular occasion, the couple must have been having a dinner party and the driveway was packed with cars including a silver Lamborghini Urraco, which I was invited to sit in and told I could pretend I was driving on the race-track. I can remember it as if it was yesterday …
The Iso owner used to give me his copies of MOTOR Magazine, including one with an article on the ISO Lele, I still have those magazines in amongst the 1000’s that I have amassed in the years since…
Most of us will have similar experiences and memories and for me those childhood memories were formative in fuelling my passion for cars. Crikey!, even today, I would still ride a bicycle along a road like that just to stop and look at the cars!
At a weekend, just before the C19 ‘Lockdown’, I was out in a ‘car’ and I had parked up to get a ‘coffee’ from a local coffee shop, when a young lad (probably around 10 years old) ran up to have a look, his dad in tow and I found myself clearing it with his Dad, before asking him if you wanted to sit in the driver’s seat. I didn’t quite say ”you can pretend you are the race-track” ….
I would love to think that the experience will stay with that little lad for as long as my late 1970’s ISO and Lamborghini Urraco experiences have stayed with me and perhaps just ignited a similar passion ……
Apologies for the ramble and taking the tread slightly 'off-piste'! …… is nostalgia what it used to be?
As a small boy in late 70’s from around 8, when home from school in the summer, I was allowed to ride my bike around until it was allowed to ride my bike until it was almost dark along two or three adjoining roads near to where we lived.
I guess times were different then … and the roads where so much quieter …
At the time my Father drove a 1750 Maxi and when that was upgraded to a 3.0 Ford Granada, I thought that was amazing…..
However, along a couple of the adjoining roads the houses and their frontages were all large and very open.
I remember, at one house there were a white late E-type 2+2 …. partnered with a sandy coloured Daimler Double Six…
An Aston Martin V8 in a light blue metallic at another ….
At two houses there were Rolls Royce Silver Shadows (sliver and dark blue) one was accompanied by an Avis Drophead (sliver with red leather) and at the other the drive mate was a Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9
Anyhow, at one particular house that was and probably still is a large and at the time very contemporary 1970’s house there was and Iso Grifo in dark metallic blue and a short while later in an addition to the Grifo a ISO Lele, in a bronze metallic brown….
I had absolutely no idea what they were at the time, when did you ever see cars like that then?? … but I used to stop my bike and stand there, respectfully, at the end of the drive looking at them. I did this on several occasions and until one day the owner came out and must have asked what I was doing and then invited me to come and have a closer look. I can still remember the dilemma, as my Mother had always drummed into me not to talk to ‘strangers’ and here I was being asked to come and sit in the cars ….
I did this several times and the owner usually came out and chatted to me and showed me the cars …..
On one particular occasion, the couple must have been having a dinner party and the driveway was packed with cars including a silver Lamborghini Urraco, which I was invited to sit in and told I could pretend I was driving on the race-track. I can remember it as if it was yesterday …
The Iso owner used to give me his copies of MOTOR Magazine, including one with an article on the ISO Lele, I still have those magazines in amongst the 1000’s that I have amassed in the years since…
Most of us will have similar experiences and memories and for me those childhood memories were formative in fuelling my passion for cars. Crikey!, even today, I would still ride a bicycle along a road like that just to stop and look at the cars!
At a weekend, just before the C19 ‘Lockdown’, I was out in a ‘car’ and I had parked up to get a ‘coffee’ from a local coffee shop, when a young lad (probably around 10 years old) ran up to have a look, his dad in tow and I found myself clearing it with his Dad, before asking him if you wanted to sit in the driver’s seat. I didn’t quite say ”you can pretend you are the race-track” ….
I would love to think that the experience will stay with that little lad for as long as my late 1970’s ISO and Lamborghini Urraco experiences have stayed with me and perhaps just ignited a similar passion ……
Apologies for the ramble and taking the tread slightly 'off-piste'! …… is nostalgia what it used to be?
Andy-IM said:
Yes, it was mine. It looks likely that I shall be embarking on yet another restoration project and given I only have the workshop space for one car, I reluctantly decided to let ELB420J go onto her next adventure. However, life changes things sometimes..... I had to go and pick up some stuff from Kevin at Zero exhausts and decided, since it was a nice day, to take the Jarama. I had a lovely drive down there on the back roads of Kent, but getting a bit short of time decided to take the M20 back home. That was a mistake - the heavens opened and a van and a BMW had an altercation on the opposite carriageway. The van slammed into the central reservation and showered rocks into the Jarama. A split second before or after and I'd have been OK, but that's how it goes sometimes. Luckily its just the screen and a bit of paintwork, but any plans for selling are obviously on hold. Regardless, driving the car that day was absolutely exhilarating; such an engaging car to drive and that V12 is just...WOW...... So I think I'll be keeping it anyway and will have to find some easily accessible storage if that new resto project works out.
Regards Andy
Luckily nobody hurt.
Ouch but as you say lucky no-one was hurt. It reminds me that one evening when I had my Espada, a friend closed the passenger door and the door glass shattered - bits of glass everywhere including over the rear passengers. The screen had picked up a significant chip too, and at this time (maybe 96/97 wish) they didn't seem to think about repair. Del Hopkins kindly saved me the last door glass he had, so when Autoglass called him up to order one for my car they were told none were in stock. Anyhow, after their initial panic all was sorted smoothly enough but I do recall it cost about £2,200 in those days for all of that to be repaired. Hopefully you're well insured, and if not I guess you can claim against the other vehicle. Ideally it won't be off the road for long so you can enjoy it in the nice weather.Regards Andy
Luckily nobody hurt.
rat rod said:
Apart from my yanks i like compact cars as there's only me in the car most of the time(Billy no mates) and usually more agile to place on our smaller roads so i would go for the QPIV on size but for me it has to be a manual ,I would avoid a auto on this model and i would imagine a manual will be a better investment long term.I loved my car,it was so fast especially mid range, one minute you are at 80 the next at 130 and still pulling like a train,you have to be hauling it in all the time ,hard to believe you are in a 5 seater 4 door saloon. Can't comment on how a QPV drives as l've never driven one but being more modern it should handle well for such a large car . Are they only available in automatic with paddle shift if so you will have the best of both worlds . I love the looks of the OPV over the QPIV ,visually more impressive especially in Mafia black . I would never leave either of these cars outside especially with our winters but the QPV should withstand being in the elements better than the QPIV being newer. Now you finished the house maybe you could extend your garage ,might make the decision easier for you. classic or modern classic that is the question, i'd say go with your heart as you buy these cars with your emotions rather than your head . PS .sounds like you are getting worse ,you are on a lost cause fighting it ! .
Just to add that I'd be wary about leaving a IV outside too. Of course, it is nicer to garage if you can, but the only corrosion I have had was on the mirror bases. The V drives well for such a big car. Mine is auto but with paddles, but I don't think all autos come with paddles, because a friend had one without. But all the duo-selects have paddles of course.Edited by rat rod on Saturday 20th June 00:57
TonyAM66 said:
I have followed this thread .. and thoroughly enjoyed reading it for any number of reasons but P5BNij’s post prompted me to also write …
As a small boy in late 70’s from around 8, when home from school in the summer, I was allowed to ride my bike around until it was allowed to ride my bike until it was almost dark along two or three adjoining roads near to where we lived.
I guess times were different then … and the roads where so much quieter …
At the time my Father drove a 1750 Maxi and when that was upgraded to a 3.0 Ford Granada, I thought that was amazing…..
However, along a couple of the adjoining roads the houses and their frontages were all large and very open.
I remember, at one house there were a white late E-type 2+2 …. partnered with a sandy coloured Daimler Double Six…
An Aston Martin V8 in a light blue metallic at another ….
At two houses there were Rolls Royce Silver Shadows (sliver and dark blue) one was accompanied by an Avis Drophead (sliver with red leather) and at the other the drive mate was a Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9
Anyhow, at one particular house that was and probably still is a large and at the time very contemporary 1970’s house there was and Iso Grifo in dark metallic blue and a short while later in an addition to the Grifo a ISO Lele, in a bronze metallic brown….
I had absolutely no idea what they were at the time, when did you ever see cars like that then?? … but I used to stop my bike and stand there, respectfully, at the end of the drive looking at them. I did this on several occasions and until one day the owner came out and must have asked what I was doing and then invited me to come and have a closer look. I can still remember the dilemma, as my Mother had always drummed into me not to talk to ‘strangers’ and here I was being asked to come and sit in the cars ….
I did this several times and the owner usually came out and chatted to me and showed me the cars …..
On one particular occasion, the couple must have been having a dinner party and the driveway was packed with cars including a silver Lamborghini Urraco, which I was invited to sit in and told I could pretend I was driving on the race-track. I can remember it as if it was yesterday …
The Iso owner used to give me his copies of MOTOR Magazine, including one with an article on the ISO Lele, I still have those magazines in amongst the 1000’s that I have amassed in the years since…
Most of us will have similar experiences and memories and for me those childhood memories were formative in fuelling my passion for cars. Crikey!, even today, I would still ride a bicycle along a road like that just to stop and look at the cars!
At a weekend, just before the C19 ‘Lockdown’, I was out in a ‘car’ and I had parked up to get a ‘coffee’ from a local coffee shop, when a young lad (probably around 10 years old) ran up to have a look, his dad in tow and I found myself clearing it with his Dad, before asking him if you wanted to sit in the driver’s seat. I didn’t quite say ”you can pretend you are the race-track” ….
I would love to think that the experience will stay with that little lad for as long as my late 1970’s ISO and Lamborghini Urraco experiences have stayed with me and perhaps just ignited a similar passion ……
Apologies for the ramble and taking the tread slightly 'off-piste'! …… is nostalgia what it used to be?
I enjoyed reading this, it sounds like a veritable magnet for a young car enthusiast! You have reminded me that there used to be an Iso Lele (I think metallic blue) which I used to walk past when I visited a school pal, parked in Park Avenue in Hutton. It was there, down a pretty long drive, for years and I'd always point it out to him, much to his bemusement. I never saw it move. I seem to recall seeing one for sale in C&S in the classifieds with the right phone code somewhere around 94-96. I didn't follow it up but hopefully it was saved. I imagine it needed a lot of work by then, but it was super rare of course.As a small boy in late 70’s from around 8, when home from school in the summer, I was allowed to ride my bike around until it was allowed to ride my bike until it was almost dark along two or three adjoining roads near to where we lived.
I guess times were different then … and the roads where so much quieter …
At the time my Father drove a 1750 Maxi and when that was upgraded to a 3.0 Ford Granada, I thought that was amazing…..
However, along a couple of the adjoining roads the houses and their frontages were all large and very open.
I remember, at one house there were a white late E-type 2+2 …. partnered with a sandy coloured Daimler Double Six…
An Aston Martin V8 in a light blue metallic at another ….
At two houses there were Rolls Royce Silver Shadows (sliver and dark blue) one was accompanied by an Avis Drophead (sliver with red leather) and at the other the drive mate was a Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9
Anyhow, at one particular house that was and probably still is a large and at the time very contemporary 1970’s house there was and Iso Grifo in dark metallic blue and a short while later in an addition to the Grifo a ISO Lele, in a bronze metallic brown….
I had absolutely no idea what they were at the time, when did you ever see cars like that then?? … but I used to stop my bike and stand there, respectfully, at the end of the drive looking at them. I did this on several occasions and until one day the owner came out and must have asked what I was doing and then invited me to come and have a closer look. I can still remember the dilemma, as my Mother had always drummed into me not to talk to ‘strangers’ and here I was being asked to come and sit in the cars ….
I did this several times and the owner usually came out and chatted to me and showed me the cars …..
On one particular occasion, the couple must have been having a dinner party and the driveway was packed with cars including a silver Lamborghini Urraco, which I was invited to sit in and told I could pretend I was driving on the race-track. I can remember it as if it was yesterday …
The Iso owner used to give me his copies of MOTOR Magazine, including one with an article on the ISO Lele, I still have those magazines in amongst the 1000’s that I have amassed in the years since…
Most of us will have similar experiences and memories and for me those childhood memories were formative in fuelling my passion for cars. Crikey!, even today, I would still ride a bicycle along a road like that just to stop and look at the cars!
At a weekend, just before the C19 ‘Lockdown’, I was out in a ‘car’ and I had parked up to get a ‘coffee’ from a local coffee shop, when a young lad (probably around 10 years old) ran up to have a look, his dad in tow and I found myself clearing it with his Dad, before asking him if you wanted to sit in the driver’s seat. I didn’t quite say ”you can pretend you are the race-track” ….
I would love to think that the experience will stay with that little lad for as long as my late 1970’s ISO and Lamborghini Urraco experiences have stayed with me and perhaps just ignited a similar passion ……
Apologies for the ramble and taking the tread slightly 'off-piste'! …… is nostalgia what it used to be?
Bob the Cop said:
Andy, sorry to learn of the incident with the Jarama. I have sent you an email.
Fessia fancier. Good to learn about your journey times back to Calais. I have to correct what I said. Although I once did it in 12 hours the distance was incorrect. From the factory to Calais was 925 miles by my route, the other 75 miles to make it 1000 was the distance from Dover to Alie street where the car received it's first service.
That would work out at an average of 77mph which would be correct as there were no speed limits on the French autoroute at that time and there was a lot less traffic than today!
The shorter route via Switzerland was not an option for me, the Swiss were a lot more strict and the customs officers were very vigilant. I recall a stretch of road just after Annemasse when I got stopped by the Swiss Customs. To this day I believe that I was still in France. All they wanted to know was if I had purchased any swiss time pieces. A short conversation later and I was on my way.
I have since done a bit of driving and motorcycling in Switzerland. I took an old Goldwing over the Simplon pass, the old girl did not like it and was puffing a bit due to the altitude. But the scenery was amazing.
Bob the Cop, that is still a fantastic pace! The Como to Calais trip is about 750 miles so you had another 175 on top!Fessia fancier. Good to learn about your journey times back to Calais. I have to correct what I said. Although I once did it in 12 hours the distance was incorrect. From the factory to Calais was 925 miles by my route, the other 75 miles to make it 1000 was the distance from Dover to Alie street where the car received it's first service.
That would work out at an average of 77mph which would be correct as there were no speed limits on the French autoroute at that time and there was a lot less traffic than today!
The shorter route via Switzerland was not an option for me, the Swiss were a lot more strict and the customs officers were very vigilant. I recall a stretch of road just after Annemasse when I got stopped by the Swiss Customs. To this day I believe that I was still in France. All they wanted to know was if I had purchased any swiss time pieces. A short conversation later and I was on my way.
I have since done a bit of driving and motorcycling in Switzerland. I took an old Goldwing over the Simplon pass, the old girl did not like it and was puffing a bit due to the altitude. But the scenery was amazing.
I've started to re-dip into the old Lambo photos thread, enjoying your posts there :-)
Fessia fancier said:
TonyAM66 said:
I have followed this thread .. and thoroughly enjoyed reading it for any number of reasons but P5BNij’s post prompted me to also write …
As a small boy in late 70’s from around 8, when home from school in the summer, I was allowed to ride my bike around until it was allowed to ride my bike until it was almost dark along two or three adjoining roads near to where we lived.
I guess times were different then … and the roads where so much quieter …
At the time my Father drove a 1750 Maxi and when that was upgraded to a 3.0 Ford Granada, I thought that was amazing…..
However, along a couple of the adjoining roads the houses and their frontages were all large and very open.
I remember, at one house there were a white late E-type 2+2 …. partnered with a sandy coloured Daimler Double Six…
An Aston Martin V8 in a light blue metallic at another ….
At two houses there were Rolls Royce Silver Shadows (sliver and dark blue) one was accompanied by an Avis Drophead (sliver with red leather) and at the other the drive mate was a Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9
Anyhow, at one particular house that was and probably still is a large and at the time very contemporary 1970’s house there was and Iso Grifo in dark metallic blue and a short while later in an addition to the Grifo a ISO Lele, in a bronze metallic brown….
I had absolutely no idea what they were at the time, when did you ever see cars like that then?? … but I used to stop my bike and stand there, respectfully, at the end of the drive looking at them. I did this on several occasions and until one day the owner came out and must have asked what I was doing and then invited me to come and have a closer look. I can still remember the dilemma, as my Mother had always drummed into me not to talk to ‘strangers’ and here I was being asked to come and sit in the cars ….
I did this several times and the owner usually came out and chatted to me and showed me the cars …..
On one particular occasion, the couple must have been having a dinner party and the driveway was packed with cars including a silver Lamborghini Urraco, which I was invited to sit in and told I could pretend I was driving on the race-track. I can remember it as if it was yesterday …
The Iso owner used to give me his copies of MOTOR Magazine, including one with an article on the ISO Lele, I still have those magazines in amongst the 1000’s that I have amassed in the years since…
Most of us will have similar experiences and memories and for me those childhood memories were formative in fuelling my passion for cars. Crikey!, even today, I would still ride a bicycle along a road like that just to stop and look at the cars!
At a weekend, just before the C19 ‘Lockdown’, I was out in a ‘car’ and I had parked up to get a ‘coffee’ from a local coffee shop, when a young lad (probably around 10 years old) ran up to have a look, his dad in tow and I found myself clearing it with his Dad, before asking him if you wanted to sit in the driver’s seat. I didn’t quite say ”you can pretend you are the race-track” ….
I would love to think that the experience will stay with that little lad for as long as my late 1970’s ISO and Lamborghini Urraco experiences have stayed with me and perhaps just ignited a similar passion ……
Apologies for the ramble and taking the tread slightly 'off-piste'! …… is nostalgia what it used to be?
I enjoyed reading this, it sounds like a veritable magnet for a young car enthusiast! You have reminded me that there used to be an Iso Lele (I think metallic blue) which I used to walk past when I visited a school pal, parked in Park Avenue in Hutton. It was there, down a pretty long drive, for years and I'd always point it out to him, much to his bemusement. I never saw it move. I seem to recall seeing one for sale in C&S in the classifieds with the right phone code somewhere around 94-96. I didn't follow it up but hopefully it was saved. I imagine it needed a lot of work by then, but it was super rare of course.As a small boy in late 70’s from around 8, when home from school in the summer, I was allowed to ride my bike around until it was allowed to ride my bike until it was almost dark along two or three adjoining roads near to where we lived.
I guess times were different then … and the roads where so much quieter …
At the time my Father drove a 1750 Maxi and when that was upgraded to a 3.0 Ford Granada, I thought that was amazing…..
However, along a couple of the adjoining roads the houses and their frontages were all large and very open.
I remember, at one house there were a white late E-type 2+2 …. partnered with a sandy coloured Daimler Double Six…
An Aston Martin V8 in a light blue metallic at another ….
At two houses there were Rolls Royce Silver Shadows (sliver and dark blue) one was accompanied by an Avis Drophead (sliver with red leather) and at the other the drive mate was a Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9
Anyhow, at one particular house that was and probably still is a large and at the time very contemporary 1970’s house there was and Iso Grifo in dark metallic blue and a short while later in an addition to the Grifo a ISO Lele, in a bronze metallic brown….
I had absolutely no idea what they were at the time, when did you ever see cars like that then?? … but I used to stop my bike and stand there, respectfully, at the end of the drive looking at them. I did this on several occasions and until one day the owner came out and must have asked what I was doing and then invited me to come and have a closer look. I can still remember the dilemma, as my Mother had always drummed into me not to talk to ‘strangers’ and here I was being asked to come and sit in the cars ….
I did this several times and the owner usually came out and chatted to me and showed me the cars …..
On one particular occasion, the couple must have been having a dinner party and the driveway was packed with cars including a silver Lamborghini Urraco, which I was invited to sit in and told I could pretend I was driving on the race-track. I can remember it as if it was yesterday …
The Iso owner used to give me his copies of MOTOR Magazine, including one with an article on the ISO Lele, I still have those magazines in amongst the 1000’s that I have amassed in the years since…
Most of us will have similar experiences and memories and for me those childhood memories were formative in fuelling my passion for cars. Crikey!, even today, I would still ride a bicycle along a road like that just to stop and look at the cars!
At a weekend, just before the C19 ‘Lockdown’, I was out in a ‘car’ and I had parked up to get a ‘coffee’ from a local coffee shop, when a young lad (probably around 10 years old) ran up to have a look, his dad in tow and I found myself clearing it with his Dad, before asking him if you wanted to sit in the driver’s seat. I didn’t quite say ”you can pretend you are the race-track” ….
I would love to think that the experience will stay with that little lad for as long as my late 1970’s ISO and Lamborghini Urraco experiences have stayed with me and perhaps just ignited a similar passion ……
Apologies for the ramble and taking the tread slightly 'off-piste'! …… is nostalgia what it used to be?
Some more tasty exotica, I took these at the NEC in 2018....
My pal Jon almost wetting himself over one of the six RHD Mexicos....
Edited by P5BNij on Saturday 20th June 20:59
P5BNij said:
This thread keeps on giving!
Andy - glad you're not hurt and that the Jarama is repairable, it could have been a lot worse and your sense of relief must've been very high.
Fessia Fancier - I've been looking into the QP IVs and Vs in great detail, more so the latter as they're obviously more recent and there's far more information and owner's experiences to pick up on. The IV is quite a niche car with so few in number being built and even fewer around now, but there is a fairly good spares back up via one of the facebook groups which is populated by some very knowledgable people scattered all around Europe and further afield. The later Evo QPIVs are definitely the ones to hone in on, I've read every period review I can get my hands on and they're much improved over those that were built before the Maserati factory was revamped in '97 / '98.
Rich888 - You mentioned the old dealer in Syston, I drive trains through there and occasionally have to drive one of the staff cars to get to the station when relieving trains, next time I do I'll see if the premises is still there, it may will be just an MOT station now.
Rat rod - The RHD manual QPIV I'm eyeing up is currently Sorned, but thanks to a poster on the Sportsmaserati forum who has owned a few I now know that it is a 'known' car with at least one of the previous owners being in the Maserati Club and it has been seen at various shows not that long ago. All good stuff but we'll see what transpires. There may well be a few gremlins waiting to appear for the next owner if it hasn't been started up and moved around but it isn't putting me off, the automatic one for sale is on the button but I'd prefer a manual if at all possible.
The glass bodied 308GTB you mentioned reminds of the one I saw down at the workshop where my Mk2 Cooper S was being restored a few years ago, it was a yellow one with a black interior and had a private plate containing the number '308', it was in for some tidying up around the rear where the paint had been badly scuffed, if memory serves it was a RHD car, it looked fantastic under the flourescent lighting in the workshop. My car was there for fourteen months and every time I went down to see how it was progressing there'd be something special to look at, on one occasion there was a metallic green RHD Alfa Montreal in for some paintwork which took my breath away.
I posted these elsewhere on PH a while ago but thought why not post them here - some casual shots of exotica parked up in London back in the '70s...
When was the last time you saw a Monteverdi parked up by the kerb....?
Ye this thread has grown showing lots of interest and enthusiasm from like minded people not like the umpteen threads on prices on super cars are now worthless and we will have to pay someone to take them away.Nobody wants to take a bath but that's not why we buy these cars ,yes if they go up while you are enjoying them that's a bonus. I bought a Countach 400 S some 14 years ago before prices went silly and sold it just over 4 years ago thinking i'm doing the wright thing for the wright reason and did very well out of it but instead of clapping my hands together with joy there's not a day goes by that i do regret selling it even though it's probably worth considerably less today ,as i keep saying they are a long time gone. Getting back to Maserati 's i would get someone who knows their way round these cars and check the manual car out ,he's bound to find some problems but at least you know what you are getting into and as long as the price will reflect this you will be ok. Give the automatic one a drive ,to see if you can live with it,you may love or hate it either way you will know what direction you want to go.You don't seem to be the type who changes his car regularly so might as well get it wright. I love the shape of both but like the size of the earlier cars as ff said, Marcello Gandini designed it which can't be a bad thingAndy - glad you're not hurt and that the Jarama is repairable, it could have been a lot worse and your sense of relief must've been very high.
Fessia Fancier - I've been looking into the QP IVs and Vs in great detail, more so the latter as they're obviously more recent and there's far more information and owner's experiences to pick up on. The IV is quite a niche car with so few in number being built and even fewer around now, but there is a fairly good spares back up via one of the facebook groups which is populated by some very knowledgable people scattered all around Europe and further afield. The later Evo QPIVs are definitely the ones to hone in on, I've read every period review I can get my hands on and they're much improved over those that were built before the Maserati factory was revamped in '97 / '98.
Rich888 - You mentioned the old dealer in Syston, I drive trains through there and occasionally have to drive one of the staff cars to get to the station when relieving trains, next time I do I'll see if the premises is still there, it may will be just an MOT station now.
Rat rod - The RHD manual QPIV I'm eyeing up is currently Sorned, but thanks to a poster on the Sportsmaserati forum who has owned a few I now know that it is a 'known' car with at least one of the previous owners being in the Maserati Club and it has been seen at various shows not that long ago. All good stuff but we'll see what transpires. There may well be a few gremlins waiting to appear for the next owner if it hasn't been started up and moved around but it isn't putting me off, the automatic one for sale is on the button but I'd prefer a manual if at all possible.
The glass bodied 308GTB you mentioned reminds of the one I saw down at the workshop where my Mk2 Cooper S was being restored a few years ago, it was a yellow one with a black interior and had a private plate containing the number '308', it was in for some tidying up around the rear where the paint had been badly scuffed, if memory serves it was a RHD car, it looked fantastic under the flourescent lighting in the workshop. My car was there for fourteen months and every time I went down to see how it was progressing there'd be something special to look at, on one occasion there was a metallic green RHD Alfa Montreal in for some paintwork which took my breath away.
I posted these elsewhere on PH a while ago but thought why not post them here - some casual shots of exotica parked up in London back in the '70s...
When was the last time you saw a Monteverdi parked up by the kerb....?
Edited by P5BNij on Saturday 20th June 14:57
Edited by P5BNij on Saturday 20th June 15:00
Edited by rat rod on Sunday 21st June 07:21
P5BNij said:
Happy to be corrected, but from memory I think only eleven RHD Iso Leles were ever sold here in the UK, so seeing one in period must have been a very rare occurence! I think there may have been even fewer RHD Fidias in the UK.
Some more tasty exotica, I took these at the NEC in 2018....
My pal Jon almost wetting himself over one of the six RHD Mexicos....
Lovely photos P5B. The previous post with the period ones with the cars in the wild are very unusual because in those days not many would carry a camera.Some more tasty exotica, I took these at the NEC in 2018....
My pal Jon almost wetting himself over one of the six RHD Mexicos....
Edited by P5BNij on Saturday 20th June 20:59
I love the name of the Monteverdi "High Speed". A clarity of purpose in the name!
As Ratrod says, take your time and get any QP checked over. If I was going for a QP IV from my very limited experience of that model the manual would appeal more than an auto.
Andy-IM said:
The Monteverdi "High Speed" was indeed a lovely thing; I bid on one at a Bonhams auction in London maybe 2 or 3 years ago but stopped at about £55K - it was a project car and although had an MoT, I've no idea how!
The Monteverdi High Speed weas actually built on a Jensen Interceptor Chassis, supplied by West Bromwich as a "motorised chassis" for Fissore to body then Monteverdi to finish out. The first bit was kept well under wraps and to this day Monteverdi does not share the numbers built, though anyone with the Richard Calver Jensen chassis book can count them ;-)
Thanks for the kind messages regarding the damage to ELB420J; I plan on getting a new screen on order from Pilkington next week and hopefully it won't be an age for them to manufacture. She'll be back on the road in no time after that's delivered - and this time stays with me - she's clearly made her feelings known about that!
Regards Andy
I was just about to say isn't that a Swiss version of a Interceptor ,I've only ever seen one so wouldn't seem like a lot of money for something so rare,didn't they make a mid engine model ?The Monteverdi High Speed weas actually built on a Jensen Interceptor Chassis, supplied by West Bromwich as a "motorised chassis" for Fissore to body then Monteverdi to finish out. The first bit was kept well under wraps and to this day Monteverdi does not share the numbers built, though anyone with the Richard Calver Jensen chassis book can count them ;-)
Thanks for the kind messages regarding the damage to ELB420J; I plan on getting a new screen on order from Pilkington next week and hopefully it won't be an age for them to manufacture. She'll be back on the road in no time after that's delivered - and this time stays with me - she's clearly made her feelings known about that!
Regards Andy
Edited by rat rod on Sunday 21st June 00:38
rat rod said:
Ye this thread has grown showing lots of interest and enthusiasm from like minded people not like the umpteen threads on prices on super cars are now worthless and we will have to pay someone to take them away.Nobody wants to take a bath but that's not why we buy these cars ,yes if they go up while you are enjoying them that's a bonus. I bought a Countach 400 S some 14 years ago before prices went silly and sold it just over 4 years ago thinking i'm doing the wright thing for the wright reason and did very well out of it but instead of clapping my hands together with joy there's not a day goes by that i don't regret selling it even though it's probably worth considerably less today ,as i keep saying they are a long time gone. Getting back to Maserati 's i would get someone who knows their way round these cars and check the manual car out ,he's bound to find some problems but at least you know what you are getting into and as long as the price will reflect this you will be ok. Give the automatic one a drive ,to see if you can live with it,you may love or hate it either way you will know what direction you want to go.You don't seem to be the type who changes his car regularly so might as well get it wright. I love the shape of both but like the size of the earlier cars as ff said, Marcello Gandini designed it which can't be a bad thing
Ratrod, I'm interested in your observation on the 400S ownership and sale. There are a lot of threads with the aim of examining values. Sure, people need to figure out what they afford to can buy and run, but the fun of ownership sometimes seems to be secondary. I'm with you on the 400 S sentiments - on paper a good decision to sell, but perhaps once emotion is factored in, a bit more complex. Edited by rat rod on Saturday 20th June 22:22
In my view any rise in values is a bit of a poisoned chalice. I take my hat off to you for having a 400S, that is a fabulous dream fulfilled and you are in a tiny group of people who did that. The shame of these price rises is that what used to be quite affordable things to buy (thinking Espada and Jarama in this topic rather more than 400S, of course) have become quite a different kettle of fish.
On paper it looks like a good thing but all that happens is the cost of spares and servicing rises because the parts and garages are dealing with a car worth much more than before. The same widget costs much more if the car has doubles in value. Insurance also becomes more expensive. Want to take your car on track for fun? Quite a few people are more reluctant because of the value.
And in a way it also becomes a bit like the rising house price illusion - fine if you sell but then you need to buy somewhere to live, so there isn't really a gain and I can even see some long term owners being priced out of ownership even though they bought long ago. It also becomes a bigger transaction if you just want to change on a whim. I used to change cars frequently but over the last few years I have bought and sold very little (admittedly that is partly due to being short of time).
I suppose that I always tend to rebel at the monetisation of my hobbies (and still feel a little miffed that they make you pay for F1, Moto GP and football when everybody could watch them before) so perhaps this is my particular hobby horse.
On a different note, I was amused to see what I think is the back of a Renault 12 in one of P5B's photos. Amused because for days we drove over much of Turkey in one when I was a teenager (a trip with parents) with only one music tape (Bridge over Troubled Water, Simon and Garfunkel, I can probably still remember the words of all the songs!).
P5BNij said:
I sometimes think that if I were single I'd sell my house to live in a tent so I could buy a piece of genuine high end exotica, but I can hear a (female) voice in my head saying ''don't you bloody dare...''
In the early '80s I lived in Hammersmith and occasionally walked to work at Old Oak Common depot if I was on nights (no night bus in those days and it was much quieter than it is now), on the way I'd often see a silver 308GT4 with a red interior parked up in Old Oak Common Lane, to most people it probably looked like just another flash foreign motor, but to me it was wonderfully exotic, a wedge shaped piece of sculpture on wheels, completely at odds with the tired looking Fords and Vauxhalls surrounding it. Gandini was at his peak when he first penned the shape, a rejected proposal for the Lamborghini Urraco which was shelved until the beautiful 246GT needed a replacement.
Don't worry if you decide to sell the house i've got a spare room you can use it as a safe house until she calms down. Silver is the best colour for a GT4 ,it really shows off the lines much better than red or any solid colour for that matter ,a 400 Ferrari also doesn't look particularly good in red ,they look so much better in a metallic colour . Just my opinion.In the early '80s I lived in Hammersmith and occasionally walked to work at Old Oak Common depot if I was on nights (no night bus in those days and it was much quieter than it is now), on the way I'd often see a silver 308GT4 with a red interior parked up in Old Oak Common Lane, to most people it probably looked like just another flash foreign motor, but to me it was wonderfully exotic, a wedge shaped piece of sculpture on wheels, completely at odds with the tired looking Fords and Vauxhalls surrounding it. Gandini was at his peak when he first penned the shape, a rejected proposal for the Lamborghini Urraco which was shelved until the beautiful 246GT needed a replacement.
TonyAM66 said:
I have followed this thread .. and thoroughly enjoyed reading it for any number of reasons but P5BNij’s post prompted me to also write …
As a small boy in late 70’s from around 8, when home from school in the summer, I was allowed to ride my bike around until it was allowed to ride my bike until it was almost dark along two or three adjoining roads near to where we lived.
I guess times were different then … and the roads where so much quieter …
At the time my Father drove a 1750 Maxi and when that was upgraded to a 3.0 Ford Granada, I thought that was amazing…..
However, along a couple of the adjoining roads the houses and their frontages were all large and very open.
I remember, at one house there were a white late E-type 2+2 …. partnered with a sandy coloured Daimler Double Six…
An Aston Martin V8 in a light blue metallic at another ….
At two houses there were Rolls Royce Silver Shadows (sliver and dark blue) one was accompanied by an Avis Drophead (sliver with red leather) and at the other the drive mate was a Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9
Anyhow, at one particular house that was and probably still is a large and at the time very contemporary 1970’s house there was and Iso Grifo in dark metallic blue and a short while later in an addition to the Grifo a ISO Lele, in a bronze metallic brown….
I had absolutely no idea what they were at the time, when did you ever see cars like that then?? … but I used to stop my bike and stand there, respectfully, at the end of the drive looking at them. I did this on several occasions and until one day the owner came out and must have asked what I was doing and then invited me to come and have a closer look. I can still remember the dilemma, as my Mother had always drummed into me not to talk to ‘strangers’ and here I was being asked to come and sit in the cars ….
I did this several times and the owner usually came out and chatted to me and showed me the cars …..
On one particular occasion, the couple must have been having a dinner party and the driveway was packed with cars including a silver Lamborghini Urraco, which I was invited to sit in and told I could pretend I was driving on the race-track. I can remember it as if it was yesterday …
The Iso owner used to give me his copies of MOTOR Magazine, including one with an article on the ISO Lele, I still have those magazines in amongst the 1000’s that I have amassed in the years since…
Most of us will have similar experiences and memories and for me those childhood memories were formative in fuelling my passion for cars. Crikey!, even today, I would still ride a bicycle along a road like that just to stop and look at the cars!
At a weekend, just before the C19 ‘Lockdown’, I was out in a ‘car’ and I had parked up to get a ‘coffee’ from a local coffee shop, when a young lad (probably around 10 years old) ran up to have a look, his dad in tow and I found myself clearing it with his Dad, before asking him if you wanted to sit in the driver’s seat. I didn’t quite say ”you can pretend you are the race-track” ….
I would love to think that the experience will stay with that little lad for as long as my late 1970’s ISO and Lamborghini Urraco experiences have stayed with me and perhaps just ignited a similar passion ……
Apologies for the ramble and taking the tread slightly 'off-piste'! …… is nostalgia what it used to be?
I think we may have another epidemic here and like C19 there's no cure for it. just keep sniffing the petrol and you will be ok. I wonder if we will look back at Aventador's and Huracan's with so much nostalgia in 30 years,i don't think so.The golden years are gone and characters like Valentino Balboni ,Bob the Cop ,Del Hopkins,Mike Pullen are a rare bread these days ,As a small boy in late 70’s from around 8, when home from school in the summer, I was allowed to ride my bike around until it was allowed to ride my bike until it was almost dark along two or three adjoining roads near to where we lived.
I guess times were different then … and the roads where so much quieter …
At the time my Father drove a 1750 Maxi and when that was upgraded to a 3.0 Ford Granada, I thought that was amazing…..
However, along a couple of the adjoining roads the houses and their frontages were all large and very open.
I remember, at one house there were a white late E-type 2+2 …. partnered with a sandy coloured Daimler Double Six…
An Aston Martin V8 in a light blue metallic at another ….
At two houses there were Rolls Royce Silver Shadows (sliver and dark blue) one was accompanied by an Avis Drophead (sliver with red leather) and at the other the drive mate was a Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9
Anyhow, at one particular house that was and probably still is a large and at the time very contemporary 1970’s house there was and Iso Grifo in dark metallic blue and a short while later in an addition to the Grifo a ISO Lele, in a bronze metallic brown….
I had absolutely no idea what they were at the time, when did you ever see cars like that then?? … but I used to stop my bike and stand there, respectfully, at the end of the drive looking at them. I did this on several occasions and until one day the owner came out and must have asked what I was doing and then invited me to come and have a closer look. I can still remember the dilemma, as my Mother had always drummed into me not to talk to ‘strangers’ and here I was being asked to come and sit in the cars ….
I did this several times and the owner usually came out and chatted to me and showed me the cars …..
On one particular occasion, the couple must have been having a dinner party and the driveway was packed with cars including a silver Lamborghini Urraco, which I was invited to sit in and told I could pretend I was driving on the race-track. I can remember it as if it was yesterday …
The Iso owner used to give me his copies of MOTOR Magazine, including one with an article on the ISO Lele, I still have those magazines in amongst the 1000’s that I have amassed in the years since…
Most of us will have similar experiences and memories and for me those childhood memories were formative in fuelling my passion for cars. Crikey!, even today, I would still ride a bicycle along a road like that just to stop and look at the cars!
At a weekend, just before the C19 ‘Lockdown’, I was out in a ‘car’ and I had parked up to get a ‘coffee’ from a local coffee shop, when a young lad (probably around 10 years old) ran up to have a look, his dad in tow and I found myself clearing it with his Dad, before asking him if you wanted to sit in the driver’s seat. I didn’t quite say ”you can pretend you are the race-track” ….
I would love to think that the experience will stay with that little lad for as long as my late 1970’s ISO and Lamborghini Urraco experiences have stayed with me and perhaps just ignited a similar passion ……
Apologies for the ramble and taking the tread slightly 'off-piste'! …… is nostalgia what it used to be?
Edited by rat rod on Sunday 21st June 00:01
rat rod said:
I think we may have another epidemic here and like C19 there's no cure for it. just keep sniffing the petrol and you will be ok. I wonder if we will look back at Aventador's and Huracan's with so much nostalgia in 30 years,i don't think so.The golden years are gone and characters like Valentino Balboni ,Bob the Cop ,Del Hopkins,Mike Pullen are a rare bread these days ,
100% agree, the personalities were just as engaging as the machinery.Edited by rat rod on Sunday 21st June 00:01
rat rod you are probably right, the modern cars make driving so much easier than the classic stuff, but it also removes a lot of the fun of driving them, I always think it's a bit like playing a Sony Plastation, makes all the right noises, is fast, but is also somewhat detached from what is going on that the speeds have to rise to gain the same level of excitement, then when things do go wrong it's all happens too quickly to be corrected.
Andy IM, that is bad luck indeed, but it could have been a lot worse if it had been the van or the car coming over the barrier, at least you managed to take the Jarama out for a blast before it all kicked off.
Bob the Cop I think congratulations are in order then and a few virtual pints.
Can't fault you on buying yourself the CB1000R for your birthday present, I bought myself a Porsche 928 for my 50th birthday present, it's not so exotic (or expensive) as a Lamborghini but I do happen to like it.
P5BNiJ I think Cooper cars were to the left on the junction with the main road through Syston though I have a feeling the road layout was changed a few years ago so probably isn't there any more. I used to push bike down the main A46 till a few miles from Leicester, then take a slip road off towards Syston just before a gentle bend to the right, am sure there used to be some type of haulage company on the left on the A46 just before the slip road where crashed cars used to be stored. If my mum had known what I was doing she would have thrown a wobbly!
You mentioned a glass bodied 308 GTB, well back in the late 70s I used to push bike up the road to drool over a red glass bodied 308 GTB owned by a grumpy guy who used to take it out for a spin every Sunday, I used to sit at the top of the drive and just gaze over at it as he washed it then took it out. The miserable sod never once asked me if I wanted a spin out in it. Am pretty sure this particular 308 had been sprayed an oddball red colour at some point in its life. Thinking about this he changed his cars quite often and also owned a few Lancia cars including a Montecarlo, and if remember rightly owned a red 246 Dino which he traded in for the 308 GTB. Pretty sure he owned a ski shop near Daybrook in Nottingham.
You made me laugh over your comment about selling the house, am pretty sure some of the owners have come mighty close to this, the silver Countach S owner parked it in the reception area of his hotel, and I'm pretty sure another Lambo owner put the car in his lounge so it's not that uncommon, though I guess you have to be single or have a very understanding wife to get away with it. My wife wants my 928 out of the garage so she can convert it into a large room which I'm not too chuffed about and have been dragging my heels for the past couple of years but am running out of excuses!
TonyAM66, thanks for your post, is a brilliant read, isn't it strange that you can remember all the good stuff and quite rightly were totally mesmerised by the sights of these cars, perhaps it's because seeing anything remotely exotic in those days was very rare indeed, whereas nowadays they are far more common.
Have just noticed the time so am wondering where the heck my evening has gone, I blame Bob the Cop for reminding me about the photos from the 90s thread... what a brilliant read.
Andy IM, that is bad luck indeed, but it could have been a lot worse if it had been the van or the car coming over the barrier, at least you managed to take the Jarama out for a blast before it all kicked off.
Bob the Cop I think congratulations are in order then and a few virtual pints.
Can't fault you on buying yourself the CB1000R for your birthday present, I bought myself a Porsche 928 for my 50th birthday present, it's not so exotic (or expensive) as a Lamborghini but I do happen to like it.
P5BNiJ I think Cooper cars were to the left on the junction with the main road through Syston though I have a feeling the road layout was changed a few years ago so probably isn't there any more. I used to push bike down the main A46 till a few miles from Leicester, then take a slip road off towards Syston just before a gentle bend to the right, am sure there used to be some type of haulage company on the left on the A46 just before the slip road where crashed cars used to be stored. If my mum had known what I was doing she would have thrown a wobbly!
You mentioned a glass bodied 308 GTB, well back in the late 70s I used to push bike up the road to drool over a red glass bodied 308 GTB owned by a grumpy guy who used to take it out for a spin every Sunday, I used to sit at the top of the drive and just gaze over at it as he washed it then took it out. The miserable sod never once asked me if I wanted a spin out in it. Am pretty sure this particular 308 had been sprayed an oddball red colour at some point in its life. Thinking about this he changed his cars quite often and also owned a few Lancia cars including a Montecarlo, and if remember rightly owned a red 246 Dino which he traded in for the 308 GTB. Pretty sure he owned a ski shop near Daybrook in Nottingham.
You made me laugh over your comment about selling the house, am pretty sure some of the owners have come mighty close to this, the silver Countach S owner parked it in the reception area of his hotel, and I'm pretty sure another Lambo owner put the car in his lounge so it's not that uncommon, though I guess you have to be single or have a very understanding wife to get away with it. My wife wants my 928 out of the garage so she can convert it into a large room which I'm not too chuffed about and have been dragging my heels for the past couple of years but am running out of excuses!
TonyAM66, thanks for your post, is a brilliant read, isn't it strange that you can remember all the good stuff and quite rightly were totally mesmerised by the sights of these cars, perhaps it's because seeing anything remotely exotic in those days was very rare indeed, whereas nowadays they are far more common.
Have just noticed the time so am wondering where the heck my evening has gone, I blame Bob the Cop for reminding me about the photos from the 90s thread... what a brilliant read.
rich888 said:
rat rod you are probably right, the modern cars make driving so much easier than the classic stuff, but it also removes a lot of the fun of driving them, I always think it's a bit like playing a Sony Plastation, makes all the right noises, is fast, but is also somewhat detached from what is going on that the speeds have to rise to gain the same level of excitement, then when things do go wrong it's all happens too quickly to be corrected.
Andy IM, that is bad luck indeed, but it could have been a lot worse if it had been the van or the car coming over the barrier, at least you managed to take the Jarama out for a blast before it all kicked off.
Bob the Cop I think congratulations are in order then and a few virtual pints.
Can't fault you on buying yourself the CB1000R for your birthday present, I bought myself a Porsche 928 for my 50th birthday present, it's not so exotic (or expensive) as a Lamborghini but I do happen to like it.
P5BNiJ I think Cooper cars were to the left on the junction with the main road through Syston though I have a feeling the road layout was changed a few years ago so probably isn't there any more. I used to push bike down the main A46 till a few miles from Leicester, then take a slip road off towards Syston just before a gentle bend to the right, am sure there used to be some type of haulage company on the left on the A46 just before the slip road where crashed cars used to be stored. If my mum had known what I was doing she would have thrown a wobbly!
You mentioned a glass bodied 308 GTB, well back in the late 70s I used to push bike up the road to drool over a red glass bodied 308 GTB owned by a grumpy guy who used to take it out for a spin every Sunday, I used to sit at the top of the drive and just gaze over at it as he washed it then took it out. The miserable sod never once asked me if I wanted a spin out in it. Am pretty sure this particular 308 had been sprayed an oddball red colour at some point in its life. Thinking about this he changed his cars quite often and also owned a few Lancia cars including a Montecarlo, and if remember rightly owned a red 246 Dino which he traded in for the 308 GTB. Pretty sure he owned a ski shop near Daybrook in Nottingham.
You made me laugh over your comment about selling the house, am pretty sure some of the owners have come mighty close to this, the silver Countach S owner parked it in the reception area of his hotel, and I'm pretty sure another Lambo owner put the car in his lounge so it's not that uncommon, though I guess you have to be single or have a very understanding wife to get away with it. My wife wants my 928 out of the garage so she can convert it into a large room which I'm not too chuffed about and have been dragging my heels for the past couple of years but am running out of excuses!
TonyAM66, thanks for your post, is a brilliant read, isn't it strange that you can remember all the good stuff and quite rightly were totally mesmerised by the sights of these cars, perhaps it's because seeing anything remotely exotic in those days was very rare indeed, whereas nowadays they are far more common.
Have just noticed the time so am wondering where the heck my evening has gone, I blame Bob the Cop for reminding me about the photos from the 90s thread... what a brilliant read.
Good job i suffer from insomnia as i'd never catch up with this thread, I posted on the"Old Lambo photo's of the 90's" about a guy who ordered his Countach in a only what i would call a flesh colour,he took a Dulux colour chart into the Lamborghini showroom and ordered it in the colour of his garage door including colour coding the wheels, I think it was y reg so that would make it 1983 i assume it must have been Portman. I saw the car when it was almost new at Emblem Sports Cars in Blamford Forum and the salesman told me that he sold his house to buy the Countach and now lives in a caravan hence they were storing it for him.It was well know in the club .It's now white and lives in Australia.Now that's what i call real passion. The 928 is a great car ,I went though a Porsche stage having a couple of 911 Turbo's having wrote one off in the New Forest having taken the scenic route,next time i'll use a Ranche Rover ,had ,various 911's and a S4 928 Auto and a manual S2 ,that was like a Hot Rod compared to the automatic,would spin the wheels in 3rd and 4th gears if it was just a hint of dampness. They were the best kept secret in the Porsche world but i see the prices have crept up steadily.Andy IM, that is bad luck indeed, but it could have been a lot worse if it had been the van or the car coming over the barrier, at least you managed to take the Jarama out for a blast before it all kicked off.
Bob the Cop I think congratulations are in order then and a few virtual pints.
Can't fault you on buying yourself the CB1000R for your birthday present, I bought myself a Porsche 928 for my 50th birthday present, it's not so exotic (or expensive) as a Lamborghini but I do happen to like it.
P5BNiJ I think Cooper cars were to the left on the junction with the main road through Syston though I have a feeling the road layout was changed a few years ago so probably isn't there any more. I used to push bike down the main A46 till a few miles from Leicester, then take a slip road off towards Syston just before a gentle bend to the right, am sure there used to be some type of haulage company on the left on the A46 just before the slip road where crashed cars used to be stored. If my mum had known what I was doing she would have thrown a wobbly!
You mentioned a glass bodied 308 GTB, well back in the late 70s I used to push bike up the road to drool over a red glass bodied 308 GTB owned by a grumpy guy who used to take it out for a spin every Sunday, I used to sit at the top of the drive and just gaze over at it as he washed it then took it out. The miserable sod never once asked me if I wanted a spin out in it. Am pretty sure this particular 308 had been sprayed an oddball red colour at some point in its life. Thinking about this he changed his cars quite often and also owned a few Lancia cars including a Montecarlo, and if remember rightly owned a red 246 Dino which he traded in for the 308 GTB. Pretty sure he owned a ski shop near Daybrook in Nottingham.
You made me laugh over your comment about selling the house, am pretty sure some of the owners have come mighty close to this, the silver Countach S owner parked it in the reception area of his hotel, and I'm pretty sure another Lambo owner put the car in his lounge so it's not that uncommon, though I guess you have to be single or have a very understanding wife to get away with it. My wife wants my 928 out of the garage so she can convert it into a large room which I'm not too chuffed about and have been dragging my heels for the past couple of years but am running out of excuses!
TonyAM66, thanks for your post, is a brilliant read, isn't it strange that you can remember all the good stuff and quite rightly were totally mesmerised by the sights of these cars, perhaps it's because seeing anything remotely exotic in those days was very rare indeed, whereas nowadays they are far more common.
Have just noticed the time so am wondering where the heck my evening has gone, I blame Bob the Cop for reminding me about the photos from the 90s thread... what a brilliant read.
Edited by rat rod on Sunday 21st June 09:00
cgt2 said:
rat rod said:
I think we may have another epidemic here and like C19 there's no cure for it. just keep sniffing the petrol and you will be ok. I wonder if we will look back at Aventador's and Huracan's with so much nostalgia in 30 years,i don't think so.The golden years are gone and characters like Valentino Balboni ,Bob the Cop ,Del Hopkins,Mike Pullen are a rare bread these days ,
100% agree, the personalities were just as engaging as the machinery.Edited by rat rod on Sunday 21st June 00:01
Edited by rat rod on Sunday 21st June 02:05
Gassing Station | Lamborghini Classics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff