What's do you want in your garage? (Plausibly)
Discussion
As I wandered home from work today, I wondered. How big does my garage need to be?
I settled on a four car garage to fill. I'm not talking about a dream garage here, because that for many people is totally unachievable, filled with rare hand built exotica, possibly, with racing heritage. And I'm not "really" talking about investment cars either. I'm just talking about cars that you'd like for no other reason than you'd like to own them. You're allowed to include ones you already own.
For me:
1. My Pembleton. I own one already and I'm building another one, the current one will be sold on completion of the new one, which will be a keeper.
2. Austin A35 2 door. My wifes mothers first car, given to her by her father who ran it for a several years. Been in the family for about 50years so far. Will never be sold. Photo from our wedding 3 years ago.
3. Citroen 2cv Ripple bonnet. Always loved 2cvs and brilliantly engineered and designed. The prettiest was the early ripple bonnets with suicide doors... I want one. Still climbing in value and they're expensive for what they are, but I want one.
4. Something small, light, underpowered and pre war. Not sure exactly what yet. Sometimes im drawn to the early fiat tipolinos (around war time). Other times im drawn to something like an Amilcar or a Citroen 5CV/Torpedo.
Over to the floor....
I settled on a four car garage to fill. I'm not talking about a dream garage here, because that for many people is totally unachievable, filled with rare hand built exotica, possibly, with racing heritage. And I'm not "really" talking about investment cars either. I'm just talking about cars that you'd like for no other reason than you'd like to own them. You're allowed to include ones you already own.
For me:
1. My Pembleton. I own one already and I'm building another one, the current one will be sold on completion of the new one, which will be a keeper.
2. Austin A35 2 door. My wifes mothers first car, given to her by her father who ran it for a several years. Been in the family for about 50years so far. Will never be sold. Photo from our wedding 3 years ago.
3. Citroen 2cv Ripple bonnet. Always loved 2cvs and brilliantly engineered and designed. The prettiest was the early ripple bonnets with suicide doors... I want one. Still climbing in value and they're expensive for what they are, but I want one.
4. Something small, light, underpowered and pre war. Not sure exactly what yet. Sometimes im drawn to the early fiat tipolinos (around war time). Other times im drawn to something like an Amilcar or a Citroen 5CV/Torpedo.
Over to the floor....
Mr Tidy said:
I think my 1st wish would be a garage - cars could come along later! 
Tell me about it! When we were looking at houses to buy, having a garage was at the top of the list!2 owners previous to us, there was an extension, part of it turned the small single garage into a (nearly) tandem garage with a wider work area at the front. The previous owner to us had converted half of this into a kids playroom. Job no.1 was to take the stud wall out and make it a (nearly) tandem length garage again.
The possibility of a double garage basically sold the house.
I say nearly tandem as it'll fit two pembletons in easily, but wouldn't fit two "normal" classic saloons in (eg 2xCortinas)
I often think about exactly this topic and agree a four car garage is the ideal balance.
1) My grand fathers MGB GT that he bought new in 1970 (never to be sold)
2) Series I Land Rover (to me these are THE icon of the marquee)
3) Lotus Elise S1 (because that’s what I had when I met my wife)
4) Aston Martin V8 Vantage (I think its a design classic. Beautiful from every angle)
I’d really love to be able to fit in an early Fiat 500 (suicide doors) as they are bursting with character and that dashboard is a design masterpiece.
Oh.. and I’d also want to squeeze in a few bikes (is that cheating?)
Suzuki RGV250 (my first road bike and yes I did think I was Kevin Schwantz)
Ducati 916 SPS (see Aston comments)
A vintage British bike as yet undecided (Norton, BSA, Triumph, Vincent etc)
Maybe a four bay garage isn’t big enough
1) My grand fathers MGB GT that he bought new in 1970 (never to be sold)
2) Series I Land Rover (to me these are THE icon of the marquee)
3) Lotus Elise S1 (because that’s what I had when I met my wife)
4) Aston Martin V8 Vantage (I think its a design classic. Beautiful from every angle)
I’d really love to be able to fit in an early Fiat 500 (suicide doors) as they are bursting with character and that dashboard is a design masterpiece.
Oh.. and I’d also want to squeeze in a few bikes (is that cheating?)
Suzuki RGV250 (my first road bike and yes I did think I was Kevin Schwantz)
Ducati 916 SPS (see Aston comments)
A vintage British bike as yet undecided (Norton, BSA, Triumph, Vincent etc)
Maybe a four bay garage isn’t big enough
Ambleton said:
As I wandered home from work today, I wondered. How big does my garage need to be?
I settled on a four car garage to fill. I'm not talking about a dream garage here, because that for many people is totally unachievable, filled with rare hand built exotica, possibly, with racing heritage. And I'm not "really" talking about investment cars either. I'm just talking about cars that you'd like for no other reason than you'd like to own them. You're allowed to include ones you already own.
For me:
1. My Pembleton. I own one already and I'm building another one, the current one will be sold on completion of the new one, which will be a keeper.
2. Austin A35 2 door. My wifes mothers first car, given to her by her father who ran it for a several years. Been in the family for about 50years so far. Will never be sold. Photo from our wedding 3 years ago.
3. Citroen 2cv Ripple bonnet. Always loved 2cvs and brilliantly engineered and designed. The prettiest was the early ripple bonnets with suicide doors... I want one. Still climbing in value and they're expensive for what they are, but I want one.
4. Something small, light, underpowered and pre war. Not sure exactly what yet. Sometimes im drawn to the early fiat tipolinos (around war time). Other times im drawn to something like an Amilcar or a Citroen 5CV/Torpedo.
Over to the floor....
No. 4. You seem to already have 3 underpowered cars, why not something with a bit more oomph.I settled on a four car garage to fill. I'm not talking about a dream garage here, because that for many people is totally unachievable, filled with rare hand built exotica, possibly, with racing heritage. And I'm not "really" talking about investment cars either. I'm just talking about cars that you'd like for no other reason than you'd like to own them. You're allowed to include ones you already own.
For me:
1. My Pembleton. I own one already and I'm building another one, the current one will be sold on completion of the new one, which will be a keeper.
2. Austin A35 2 door. My wifes mothers first car, given to her by her father who ran it for a several years. Been in the family for about 50years so far. Will never be sold. Photo from our wedding 3 years ago.
3. Citroen 2cv Ripple bonnet. Always loved 2cvs and brilliantly engineered and designed. The prettiest was the early ripple bonnets with suicide doors... I want one. Still climbing in value and they're expensive for what they are, but I want one.
4. Something small, light, underpowered and pre war. Not sure exactly what yet. Sometimes im drawn to the early fiat tipolinos (around war time). Other times im drawn to something like an Amilcar or a Citroen 5CV/Torpedo.
Over to the floor....
Mine would be
1. My Westfield, great fun and simple to play with
2. Mk 1 escort. Because I'm old and always loved them
3. Lotus Elise. Only car Ive ever regretted selling.
4. Porsche speedster. Because who wouldn't want one
keirik said:
No. 4. You seem to already have 3 underpowered cars, why not something with a bit more oomph.
The Pembleton has 150bhp/tonne and is very light, it feels quick, especially as you're so open. If I got bored of the 2cv I'd do a BMW oil head conversion.
I have plans afoot for the A35 to make its running gear the same as the academy spec cars.
1275 engine and gearbox, taller midget diff, midget rear axle with hydraulic brakes, midget front disk brakes. These can be very quick little cars!
There's something wonderful about being able to drive a car flat out without being "scared". You can't do that in modern cars as they only get "scary" at 130mph+.
Plausible? OK...but the line up changes more often than my socks:
A small, low power convertible - a round wheel arch Midget, a Spitfire or a Fiat 850 Spider
My first car - black Fiat 127 Sport. Objectively not that great and I'm probably viewing it through rose tinted spectacles but I'd love to own one again.
4WD - Land Rover Lightweight
A classic saloon - maybe an E28 528i as M5s are completely out of reach.
Oh and a Honda Monkey bike.
So, not too much to ask really.
A small, low power convertible - a round wheel arch Midget, a Spitfire or a Fiat 850 Spider
My first car - black Fiat 127 Sport. Objectively not that great and I'm probably viewing it through rose tinted spectacles but I'd love to own one again.
4WD - Land Rover Lightweight
A classic saloon - maybe an E28 528i as M5s are completely out of reach.
Oh and a Honda Monkey bike.
So, not too much to ask really.
Plausibly: A MK 2 Jag, probably my favourite four door car.
Stretching it a bit when I retire to the sun and if the prices don't go up too far, a highdays and special occasions SM. There is a beauty for sale at the moment for £35k, which if they remain like that for that price, it's plausible.
Other things come and go in my mind (TR Triumphs for example
), but those two are and always have been on the top of my want list. 
The Facel Vega ship sailed away many yesrs ago.
Stretching it a bit when I retire to the sun and if the prices don't go up too far, a highdays and special occasions SM. There is a beauty for sale at the moment for £35k, which if they remain like that for that price, it's plausible.
Other things come and go in my mind (TR Triumphs for example
), but those two are and always have been on the top of my want list. The Facel Vega ship sailed away many yesrs ago.
Spumfry said:
Plausible? OK...but the line up changes more often than my socks:
A small, low power convertible - a round wheel arch Midget, a Spitfire or a Fiat 850 Spider
My first car - black Fiat 127 Sport. Objectively not that great and I'm probably viewing it through rose tinted spectacles but I'd love to own one again.
4WD - Land Rover Lightweight
A classic saloon - maybe an E28 528i as M5s are completely out of reach.
Oh and a Honda Monkey bike.
So, not too much to ask really.
Don't rule out a square-arched Midget - they're stiffer shells and if a back wheel falls off it doesn't go far (ask me how I know)!A small, low power convertible - a round wheel arch Midget, a Spitfire or a Fiat 850 Spider
My first car - black Fiat 127 Sport. Objectively not that great and I'm probably viewing it through rose tinted spectacles but I'd love to own one again.
4WD - Land Rover Lightweight
A classic saloon - maybe an E28 528i as M5s are completely out of reach.
Oh and a Honda Monkey bike.
So, not too much to ask really.
1. My Midget (my first car, owned since 1997)
2. The cheapest non-rotten, non-2+2, non-V12 Etype I could find (probably lhd import S2 then) and make it nice but keeping patina. Rhd conversion and lightweight S1 type bonnet when funds allow.
3. S1 Elise
4. This varies often. Maybe a Lexus LS400, as I could be sure it would be working when the others aren't!
I suppose 'plausable' could be quite fluid depending on circumstance etc, I've given it plenty of thought and am struggling to stick with four but here goes :
1). My existing '68 Mk2 Cooper S, I don't think I could really part with it, small, quick and fun.
2). Definitely a yank V8, either a '67 or '68 Mustang Fastback, a '67 or '68 Mercury Cougar or (assuming the garage were big enough) a 'wide track' Pontiac Bonneville or Chevy Impala from the '66 or '67 model years. Or maybe a '66 Oldsmobile Toronado.
3). Something with a definite 'otherworldly' vibe, a Citroen SM.
4). Got to be an Italian, either a Ferrari Dino 308GT4, Maserati Merak or Lamborghini Urraco. If able to push the boat out further I'd go V12 and pick the Lamborghini Espada, preferably a Series 2.
Told you I was struggling...
1). My existing '68 Mk2 Cooper S, I don't think I could really part with it, small, quick and fun.
2). Definitely a yank V8, either a '67 or '68 Mustang Fastback, a '67 or '68 Mercury Cougar or (assuming the garage were big enough) a 'wide track' Pontiac Bonneville or Chevy Impala from the '66 or '67 model years. Or maybe a '66 Oldsmobile Toronado.
3). Something with a definite 'otherworldly' vibe, a Citroen SM.
4). Got to be an Italian, either a Ferrari Dino 308GT4, Maserati Merak or Lamborghini Urraco. If able to push the boat out further I'd go V12 and pick the Lamborghini Espada, preferably a Series 2.
Told you I was struggling...
Great idea for a thread
>
I already have 2 of the 4 - the Lotus 7 and a 1990's 4 wheel drive Subaru Tintop for everyday shopping etc.
the other 2 would be a 60's Mini cooper 'S' - probably the most enjoayable Tintop ever, & fastest car, other than the 7 over the roads I drive on
And a Lambo Muira.for the winter skiing trips to the Alps with the buxom blonde as a passenger
>
Anything else on 4 wheels wouldn't make the cut for my garage
>
I already have 2 of the 4 - the Lotus 7 and a 1990's 4 wheel drive Subaru Tintop for everyday shopping etc.
the other 2 would be a 60's Mini cooper 'S' - probably the most enjoayable Tintop ever, & fastest car, other than the 7 over the roads I drive on
And a Lambo Muira.for the winter skiing trips to the Alps with the buxom blonde as a passenger
>
Anything else on 4 wheels wouldn't make the cut for my garage
Hmm. Hard one. I’d like to cover a few bases here. I think this list changes several times a day.
1) Rover 800 Vitesse (XX shape). Can’t really explain it. I’d just like one.
2) Opel Manta A. I just love the lines.
3) international Harvester Scout. Does the Range Rover thing but rare and unknown here.
4) Vauxhall FD Ventora. Again, I just like them. This would be something like Black Prince spec, with a V8, manual gearbox and limited slip diff. It would look standard though, maybe with the exception of some period-correct aftermarket alloys
3)
1) Rover 800 Vitesse (XX shape). Can’t really explain it. I’d just like one.
2) Opel Manta A. I just love the lines.
3) international Harvester Scout. Does the Range Rover thing but rare and unknown here.
4) Vauxhall FD Ventora. Again, I just like them. This would be something like Black Prince spec, with a V8, manual gearbox and limited slip diff. It would look standard though, maybe with the exception of some period-correct aftermarket alloys
3)
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