"The Perfect Pair"
Discussion
Certainly not perfect, and I doubt the "perfect pair" exists for me as it would change as my circumstances/needs/finances/weather changed. Not a bad pairing for now tho'...
1964 Dodge A100 pick up, slow, ponderous, basic, old fashioned commercial that is a challenge to drive but is great for hot rod weekends and classic meets, as well as being big enough to carry a complete bathroom suite from the supplier. Cast iron slant six and a three speed column change, single wiper, useless mirrors and invisible indicators all add to the fun. It's well different and I love just looking at it and enjoying the details and the ownership experience (just imported a steering box, that I then rebuilt, from a helpful guy in Illinois) as much as I enjoy driving it.
1980 TR7 with a fuel injected V8, quick, fast, relatively frugal, handles nicely and is easy to drive and comfortable. Loud and lairy when wanted, smooth, quiet and comfy if needed. Decent hood, lights, heater (when I get around to fixing it), proper windscreen and wipers, wind up windows and other mod' con's, and loads of parts on eBay for next day delivery. A bit modern, plasticky and convenient for my tastes really, but does the job of covering ground very effectively and makes a cracking, cheap daily.
Still need a stable of bikes tho'..
1964 Dodge A100 pick up, slow, ponderous, basic, old fashioned commercial that is a challenge to drive but is great for hot rod weekends and classic meets, as well as being big enough to carry a complete bathroom suite from the supplier. Cast iron slant six and a three speed column change, single wiper, useless mirrors and invisible indicators all add to the fun. It's well different and I love just looking at it and enjoying the details and the ownership experience (just imported a steering box, that I then rebuilt, from a helpful guy in Illinois) as much as I enjoy driving it.
1980 TR7 with a fuel injected V8, quick, fast, relatively frugal, handles nicely and is easy to drive and comfortable. Loud and lairy when wanted, smooth, quiet and comfy if needed. Decent hood, lights, heater (when I get around to fixing it), proper windscreen and wipers, wind up windows and other mod' con's, and loads of parts on eBay for next day delivery. A bit modern, plasticky and convenient for my tastes really, but does the job of covering ground very effectively and makes a cracking, cheap daily.
Still need a stable of bikes tho'..
Vintage Racer said:
Kids all grown up, so here's my perfect pair............and drove them both today!
GOPR0498 by Glynn Hobbs, on Flickr
2 things I absolutely love there - the TR3 and that garden GOPR0498 by Glynn Hobbs, on Flickr
(Merc isn't bad either)Not perfect, but driving one always makes me want to drive the other, so that makes them a pretty decent pair for me.
One was made in 1970 for the 1971 model year and is rear-wheel drive with a manual gearbox, a rather large V8 and a loud blow-blop-blop-blop burble. It's instant go in any gear at any speed.
The other was built in 2007 and handles worse than the one from 1971, is automatic, supercharged and has a far more muted exhaust note. Yet it will cover distances and time in great comfort and serenity and is no slouch.
One was made in 1970 for the 1971 model year and is rear-wheel drive with a manual gearbox, a rather large V8 and a loud blow-blop-blop-blop burble. It's instant go in any gear at any speed.
The other was built in 2007 and handles worse than the one from 1971, is automatic, supercharged and has a far more muted exhaust note. Yet it will cover distances and time in great comfort and serenity and is no slouch.
Back in 2006 I owned these two at the same time, and they complemented each other pretty nicely.
I would be very happy indeed to have them both back.
The Mini was a 998 Auto with 12,000 miles from new. Bought for £1500 and sold for £2650.
The Ferrari had fewer than 8,000 miles on the clock. Bought for £37,000 and sold for £33,000.
You could probably put a "1" in front of each of those figures and not be a million miles away from today's prices.
Just goes to show how cocked up the classic car market is at the moment. I am just grateful that I had the chance to do it when I was in my mid thirties.
There's a whole generation of classic car enthusiasts who have been denied the chance to own some great old cars at sensible prices.
I would be very happy indeed to have them both back.
The Mini was a 998 Auto with 12,000 miles from new. Bought for £1500 and sold for £2650.
The Ferrari had fewer than 8,000 miles on the clock. Bought for £37,000 and sold for £33,000.
You could probably put a "1" in front of each of those figures and not be a million miles away from today's prices.
Just goes to show how cocked up the classic car market is at the moment. I am just grateful that I had the chance to do it when I was in my mid thirties.
There's a whole generation of classic car enthusiasts who have been denied the chance to own some great old cars at sensible prices.
Impossible to choose and you get nothing for a pair (Audience: "Not in this game")
If I wanted luxury, it would have to be a Bentley Arnage in a dark colour like black, blue or purple
The reality of the second car is undoubtedly a hot hatch like a Fiesta ST or Golf R but to hell with that, it's the Camaro ZL1. I suspect it would be have to be brutally red, to match its "Don't f*** with me" looks.
If I wanted luxury, it would have to be a Bentley Arnage in a dark colour like black, blue or purple
The reality of the second car is undoubtedly a hot hatch like a Fiesta ST or Golf R but to hell with that, it's the Camaro ZL1. I suspect it would be have to be brutally red, to match its "Don't f*** with me" looks.
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