My car history - 2 years after passing test
Discussion
I always knew I loved cars since a young age. But having joined PistonHeads nearly two years ago and not yet posting about my car history, I am starting to doubt this. And so just to reassure myself, here’s my incredibly interesting story of me and cars.
With my driving instructor telling me the single most helpful thing I have ever heard; “Driving can’t be that difficult; women can do it!” I passed my test sometime after my 17th birthday. Knowing that the next biggest obstacle was the hefty insurance sum (and how to avoid it), I decided to venture down the classics route, considering countless offerings provided by decades of automotive production, from old Cortina’s, Spitfire’s to MK1 Golf’s, 190e’s etc.
In the end I settled on something that I found attractive while also being fairly cheap. It had no MoT, but being a cocky 17 year old hoping to study engineering at university, that wasn’t a concern (speaking as a mature 19 year old now of course). It was a long eight hour round trip to get the car home, trailering it home whilst getting slightly aroused every time I caught a glimpse of it in the mirror. I arrived at home near midnight and rolled the car off the trailer. Early next morning, under the dull beat of rain, I peered out the kitchen window and there, sat on the driveway, was a cream coloured MG BGT, and it was mine.
It’s a 1973 car, so just about qualifies for free tax which made for useful savings considering its thirsty twin carb’d engine. I was also surprised to find many non-factory upgrades; namely two loose speakers in the boot, a non-functioning webasto sunroof, and lowered offside ride height. That’s ‘character’ I thought.
Admittedly there were a few things that needed to be done; the driver’s door was bare metal from the inside, there was only one side mirror and no window seal. But all the bits were there so it turned out only to be a big jigsaw puzzle. I suppose I should also mention now that when I bought the car, the car would not start (stupid decision? -yes). After replacing a suspicious alternator and sorting out the firing order on all four cylinders, it was put in for a MoT (eventually passed) and the other legalities were taken care of.
“I didn’t even try to do that!” I said to my passenger (and good friend, also fellow PH’er synchromesh) immediately after an accidental drift around a 90 degree bend; with all four tires close to the limit, I had only funds to replace one pair. And in the matter of picking between oversteer and understeer, the choice was obvious. But the truth is I never did drive the ‘b’ much at all; it was plagued problems and eventually sat in the garage before being sold to a fat bloke wearing Sparco race boots.
MGB road by RayLHodges, on Flickr
MGB by RayLHodges, on Flickr
I was much more cautious when I bought my next car; I inspected it in the daylight, made sure it had service history and that it ran. Fundamentally, I wanted a car that was true to the definition of the word. But now I’m going to tell you what I bought and you’ll think I’ve just forgotten what I’ve said. Yes, I bought an Alfa, a V6 one, and it’s still with me now, eight months on.
The main attraction to the 156 was the engine; 2.5 litres of Italian soundtrack promised so much, and it sure delivered in that department. But with a not so exotic 190 horsepower, sadly it sounds a lot faster that it is. That’s still a lot of power; enough to spin the wheels- don’t get me wrong! In fact I learned that after being influenced by some dragster videos I had watched the day before, much to the demise of the front tires. Oops.
The engine sits pretty much directly over the front wheels, and you can feel that when you’re driving. It’s like guiding a heavy trolley around a supermarket. But there comes a certain satisfaction in doing so (yes I play parking games on my iPhone). In my opinion, the notion of a front wheel drive car is just wrong. It’s asking too much from the front tires. You may say, however, that good driving will overcome this (understanding tires have only a certain amount of ‘grip’; friction circles), but alas were not all driving gods so I stick by my belief.
For a car that is 14 years, the design has aged well. Compared to other cars of its era it still manages to look modern in my opinion. Of course there are issues that come with that age, a squeaky wishbone for example, but I’m enjoying this car a lot (mostly because it works). I also have the bonus of being able to call myself a true petrol head, but if Top Gear got that right what they didn’t get right is the reliability of Alfas; the 156 is still going strong after a couple thousand miles in my ownership and touch wood it continues that way. And, on a separate note, the spoiler is NOT the reason I bought it.
Alfa 156 road by RayLHodges, on Flickr
Alfa 156 by RayLHodges, on Flickr
Alfa 156 trip by RayLHodges, on Flickr
With my driving instructor telling me the single most helpful thing I have ever heard; “Driving can’t be that difficult; women can do it!” I passed my test sometime after my 17th birthday. Knowing that the next biggest obstacle was the hefty insurance sum (and how to avoid it), I decided to venture down the classics route, considering countless offerings provided by decades of automotive production, from old Cortina’s, Spitfire’s to MK1 Golf’s, 190e’s etc.
In the end I settled on something that I found attractive while also being fairly cheap. It had no MoT, but being a cocky 17 year old hoping to study engineering at university, that wasn’t a concern (speaking as a mature 19 year old now of course). It was a long eight hour round trip to get the car home, trailering it home whilst getting slightly aroused every time I caught a glimpse of it in the mirror. I arrived at home near midnight and rolled the car off the trailer. Early next morning, under the dull beat of rain, I peered out the kitchen window and there, sat on the driveway, was a cream coloured MG BGT, and it was mine.
It’s a 1973 car, so just about qualifies for free tax which made for useful savings considering its thirsty twin carb’d engine. I was also surprised to find many non-factory upgrades; namely two loose speakers in the boot, a non-functioning webasto sunroof, and lowered offside ride height. That’s ‘character’ I thought.
Admittedly there were a few things that needed to be done; the driver’s door was bare metal from the inside, there was only one side mirror and no window seal. But all the bits were there so it turned out only to be a big jigsaw puzzle. I suppose I should also mention now that when I bought the car, the car would not start (stupid decision? -yes). After replacing a suspicious alternator and sorting out the firing order on all four cylinders, it was put in for a MoT (eventually passed) and the other legalities were taken care of.
“I didn’t even try to do that!” I said to my passenger (and good friend, also fellow PH’er synchromesh) immediately after an accidental drift around a 90 degree bend; with all four tires close to the limit, I had only funds to replace one pair. And in the matter of picking between oversteer and understeer, the choice was obvious. But the truth is I never did drive the ‘b’ much at all; it was plagued problems and eventually sat in the garage before being sold to a fat bloke wearing Sparco race boots.
MGB road by RayLHodges, on Flickr
MGB by RayLHodges, on Flickr
I was much more cautious when I bought my next car; I inspected it in the daylight, made sure it had service history and that it ran. Fundamentally, I wanted a car that was true to the definition of the word. But now I’m going to tell you what I bought and you’ll think I’ve just forgotten what I’ve said. Yes, I bought an Alfa, a V6 one, and it’s still with me now, eight months on.
The main attraction to the 156 was the engine; 2.5 litres of Italian soundtrack promised so much, and it sure delivered in that department. But with a not so exotic 190 horsepower, sadly it sounds a lot faster that it is. That’s still a lot of power; enough to spin the wheels- don’t get me wrong! In fact I learned that after being influenced by some dragster videos I had watched the day before, much to the demise of the front tires. Oops.
The engine sits pretty much directly over the front wheels, and you can feel that when you’re driving. It’s like guiding a heavy trolley around a supermarket. But there comes a certain satisfaction in doing so (yes I play parking games on my iPhone). In my opinion, the notion of a front wheel drive car is just wrong. It’s asking too much from the front tires. You may say, however, that good driving will overcome this (understanding tires have only a certain amount of ‘grip’; friction circles), but alas were not all driving gods so I stick by my belief.
For a car that is 14 years, the design has aged well. Compared to other cars of its era it still manages to look modern in my opinion. Of course there are issues that come with that age, a squeaky wishbone for example, but I’m enjoying this car a lot (mostly because it works). I also have the bonus of being able to call myself a true petrol head, but if Top Gear got that right what they didn’t get right is the reliability of Alfas; the 156 is still going strong after a couple thousand miles in my ownership and touch wood it continues that way. And, on a separate note, the spoiler is NOT the reason I bought it.
Alfa 156 road by RayLHodges, on Flickr
Alfa 156 by RayLHodges, on Flickr
Alfa 156 trip by RayLHodges, on Flickr
Edited by raymanh on Wednesday 20th March 11:46
Another Fluffer said:
Great write up, B looked stunning!
Thank you! They're gorgeous looking things.JayT said:
Indeed, and that last picture looks great. I am currently looking for my first car and a daily game of insurance is fun. 
My mate also went down the classic route with his first car and got a Morris Minor, it was a great car but a long list of problems so he traded to a newer car....an 80's Austin Mini () which is still causing him problems. He now is looking at MG BGT's and we (ie: my friends) are all saying to just get a modern car. I may show him this thread, cannot do any harm can it?!
Enjoy the Alfa though - looks a good 'un!
I think the most important basis upon buying a car is it's condition, regardless of age. With the b, I made the mistake of buying with no MoT, no history and by trusting the seller's words; "virtually no rust" he said, then just into my ownership the sills were completely rusted. On the other hand, get a good one and you'll be trouble free. I've seen a couple of b's still being used as daily drives. My mate also went down the classic route with his first car and got a Morris Minor, it was a great car but a long list of problems so he traded to a newer car....an 80's Austin Mini (
) which is still causing him problems. He now is looking at MG BGT's and we (ie: my friends) are all saying to just get a modern car. I may show him this thread, cannot do any harm can it?! Enjoy the Alfa though - looks a good 'un!
Well done Ray for finally plucking up the courage to say hello here. I remember that oversteer moment very well and you held it nicely. Actually it was probably one of the most graceful transitions I've seen as the tail swung wide and the whole thing felt almost slow motion compared to any oversteer I've experienced. If only you could transfer that talent to the kart track. 
Anyway I found this picture on my phone from the other weekend. You with the Alfa in its natural habitat. I think its thirst is worth though it for the noise of that mellifluous V6.
Anyway I found this picture on my phone from the other weekend. You with the Alfa in its natural habitat. I think its thirst is worth though it for the noise of that mellifluous V6.
Synchromesh said:
...If only you could transfer that talent to the kart track.
Anyway I found this picture on my phone from the other weekend. You with the Alfa in its natural habitat. I think its thirst is worth though it for the noise of that mellifluous V6.
Sorry I can't take what you're saying seriously; you're not a true petrol head Anyway I found this picture on my phone from the other weekend. You with the Alfa in its natural habitat. I think its thirst is worth though it for the noise of that mellifluous V6.
. We'll just have to wait and see this Friday then! 32 mpg at 80 leptons isn't abominable, but indeed it's around town where it downs the stuff. raymanh said:
Sorry I can't take what you're saying seriously; you're not a true petrol head . We'll just have to wait and see this Friday then! 32 mpg at 80 leptons isn't abominable, but indeed it's around town where it downs the stuff.
Win some medals then talk to me. In all seriousness though 32mpg is about what the T5 did at those speeds, and not far off what the MR2 is doing.... We'll just have to wait and see this Friday then! 32 mpg at 80 leptons isn't abominable, but indeed it's around town where it downs the stuff. 
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