Longest ownership and still yours
Discussion
My BMW 2002 'roundlight' Cabriolet came to me in 1988. I still have the page from Exchange & Mart where it was offered for sale.
Wooed by the rarity (apparently only 247 roundlight RHDs sold) the rosetints were in position when I collected it from the vendor at Paddington Station before an enthusiastic and memorable evening's drive back to Cardiff with the Targa top stowed.
To be fair to it, although there was rather more patching up than I would usually have accepted, the car was honestly presented and I needed an excuse to buy a Mig welder! We used it for 4 years, including a stint of caravan towing, before a slipping clutch and serious doubts about whether another MOT could be obtained caused the idea of a full restoration to sound like a good one.
Long story short...... It is still not finished! There have been bursts of progress over the years and at last I feel like the downhill stretch is in sight.
The O/S genuine BMW sill will go on during the Christmas holiday - The other side was done in the 20th century! - Then it'll be engine out and a 5 speed conversion. On the road, but maybe not finished before the end of 2019 I reckon.
Wooed by the rarity (apparently only 247 roundlight RHDs sold) the rosetints were in position when I collected it from the vendor at Paddington Station before an enthusiastic and memorable evening's drive back to Cardiff with the Targa top stowed.
To be fair to it, although there was rather more patching up than I would usually have accepted, the car was honestly presented and I needed an excuse to buy a Mig welder! We used it for 4 years, including a stint of caravan towing, before a slipping clutch and serious doubts about whether another MOT could be obtained caused the idea of a full restoration to sound like a good one.
Long story short...... It is still not finished! There have been bursts of progress over the years and at last I feel like the downhill stretch is in sight.
The O/S genuine BMW sill will go on during the Christmas holiday - The other side was done in the 20th century! - Then it'll be engine out and a 5 speed conversion. On the road, but maybe not finished before the end of 2019 I reckon.
16VJay said:
Bought the Esprit in 1991. Still got it after 50,000 miles, been to Le Mans and Scotland, Goodwood trackdays and a season of sprint/hillclimbs.
Well-known pic for Pratical Classics Esprit feature.
Goodwood track day.
About to start a run at Shelsley Walsh
Prefer your ME any day of the week.Well-known pic for Pratical Classics Esprit feature.
Goodwood track day.
About to start a run at Shelsley Walsh
I guess I should include the Audi. This is my '86 Audi coupe quattro, bought to replace a 1.8 coupe in 1988. It had 72k on the clock, I took it to 272k before taking it off the road. I've recently started replacing the rust with metal. Some of the rust is in the back end where it had a knock before I bought it, some is on the nearside rear quarter where I had some trouble and there are "issues" with how the quarter was replaced, and the rest is just working back from panel edges where the rustproofing is thin.
I must find a better photo of it.
I must find a better photo of it.
Benjy911 said:
My Uncle has had his lovely P5B coupe since 1975, which he purchased for the grand sum of £1785. She had just 14k miles on the clock back then, she's now done just over 140k.
I've seen that car several times at shows over the years, it's a stunner, no question about it.
Chuffing hell I thought I'd post about 16 years with my Esprit but utterly humbled by the dedication shown by epic ownerships!GAjon said:
My TVR 3000ML, mine for the last 38 years and now passed to my son, hopefully for another 38 or more years.
One difference, my son wants it but he ain't having it yet!
Should be back on the road in the New Year.
And still looking, nearly as long, gotta be 30 yrs, for the 'missing' one, chassis No. 1.
Last spotted and pictured down south about 15 yrs ago.
And some think it's my car. No, not same car. Subtle differences, headlamp covers, wing mirrors on bonnet, mine never had them there, reflective plates, never.
And mine's been blue for yonks now.
Mine's No. 2. Of the only two coupe's made.
dandarez said:
Suppose I better add mine. 38 years this coming July.
One difference, my son wants it but he ain't having it yet!
Should be back on the road in the New Year.
And still looking, nearly as long, gotta be 30 yrs, for the 'missing' one, chassis No. 1.
Last spotted and pictured down south about 15 yrs ago.
And some think it's my car. No, not same car. Subtle differences, headlamp covers, wing mirrors on bonnet, mine never had them there, reflective plates, never.
And mine's been blue for yonks now.
Mine's No. 2. Of the only two coupe's made.
You sure love your Ginetta cars, and I love yours as well; feel sorry for your son NOTOne difference, my son wants it but he ain't having it yet!
Should be back on the road in the New Year.
And still looking, nearly as long, gotta be 30 yrs, for the 'missing' one, chassis No. 1.
Last spotted and pictured down south about 15 yrs ago.
And some think it's my car. No, not same car. Subtle differences, headlamp covers, wing mirrors on bonnet, mine never had them there, reflective plates, never.
And mine's been blue for yonks now.
Mine's No. 2. Of the only two coupe's made.
cjb44 said:
You sure love your Ginetta cars, and I love yours as well; feel sorry for your son NOT
He'd probably put a electric engine in it! 
Some of his mates at BMW called him 'leccy' for a reason, anything to do with EVs and modern tech inside cars, all way above my head (I'm too old fashioned). To show how bright he is in that area, JLR have just poached him, that's all I can say.
dandarez said:
He'd probably put a electric engine in it!
Some of his mates at BMW called him 'leccy' for a reason, anything to do with EVs and modern tech inside cars, all way above my head (I'm too old fashioned). To show how bright he is in that area, JLR have just poached him, that's all I can say.
Crikey, it is just as well that you have that attitude, otherwise it could have used as a mule for the latest electric LR; I suspect in that scenario you would either have considered suicide or had him committed!Some of his mates at BMW called him 'leccy' for a reason, anything to do with EVs and modern tech inside cars, all way above my head (I'm too old fashioned). To show how bright he is in that area, JLR have just poached him, that's all I can say.
I am totally humbled by this thread since - perhaps we all did - I thought that at over 30 years I would be up there. But no, some of you are way into the stratosphere. Congratulations. This is a photo of my "recent acquisition" during its first restoration in 1987 after a few years of ownership, She's done more than 100,000 since and been restored again but back in original colours of gunmetal and red interior
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I’ve owned my 1968 Herald 13/60 convertible since 1989. Took it to university (roof slashed when someone stole the tax disc), 3 of us spent a month touring France in 1993 in it from Calais to Biarritz, across the Pyrenees to St Tropez and back to Portsmouth. Was my daily for a few years. Exported it to the US when I emigrated in 2004. Currently slumbering, awaiting restoration.
If you'll forgive a small transgression, this may be of interest: The above car was bought new in 1933 by my father's godfather. He sold it to my father's grandfather when it was about 8 years old. It was then on semi permanent loan to my father's parents, and used as a family runabout in the 40's and early 50's. Think of an (eccentric?) family today, choosing to run round in a ratty £3 grand Shadow, rather than a modern eco-box...
It then did a quick 50 odd years with another family, (in turn being passed down from father to son), and, thanks to the wonders of the internet and RREC, is now back with my father.
He is a sprightly 76, and is back in his childhood family car! Sadly, not continuous ownership, but quite fun nonetheless!
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