RE: Pic Of The Week: Top 5 Driver's Cars 'Ever'
Discussion
RichyBoy said:
Love to try an old mini now. Always thought the driving position in them resembled that of a bus so never bothered to have a go in one.
It is the only one of the 5 I have driven, but if you haven't tried one you really should. But do try and get one on 10 inch wheels, they are more fun.Great selection for the top five, and I understand the inclusion of the 8C and Mini. Wasn't the 8C basically a road-going version of Tazio's GP car in which he won the 1935 German GP against Caracciola and Von Brauchitsch?
Personally, the F1 and Lotus are in my lottery garage.
I'd love to have a go in a 2.7RS just to see if all the fuss and adulation is well founded. I suspect it is, it's just that reputation of early 911's handling traits worries me a bit.
Personally, the F1 and Lotus are in my lottery garage.
I'd love to have a go in a 2.7RS just to see if all the fuss and adulation is well founded. I suspect it is, it's just that reputation of early 911's handling traits worries me a bit.
Conversely one I wouldn't include would be the Macca F1! Not because I don't believe it to be an absolute marvel of a car, a technical tour de force that would leave 99.999% of lesser road cars in the weeds. But because it is too special to be a "driver's car". Obviously the phrase means different things to different folks but to me it means a car that is USABLE as an everyday driver that you could rag around your local B roads. Maybe it's because I covet it so much, come the lottery win I'd probably park it in the front room and only drive it on sunny days before gently polishing it's every curve and tucking back into bed! Similarly my other dream garage nominees the Lamborghini Miura and Ferrari 288GTO.
I guess the Alfa fails on that measure too. I think the MX-5 loses out because it's great granddaddy the Elan is already in?
I'd add a Golf Gti Mk1 and an Alfa Spider (Mrs Robinson model) in their places.
(edit golk to read golf)
I guess the Alfa fails on that measure too. I think the MX-5 loses out because it's great granddaddy the Elan is already in?
I'd add a Golf Gti Mk1 and an Alfa Spider (Mrs Robinson model) in their places.
(edit golk to read golf)
Edited by Rumblestripe on Friday 5th November 20:11
Rumblestripe said:
Conversely one I wouldn't include would be the Macca F1! Not because I don't believe it to be an absolute marvel of a car, a technical tour de force that would leave 99.999% of lesser road cars in the weeds. But because it is too special to be a "driver's car". Obviously the phrase means different things to different folks but to me it means a car that is USABLE as an everyday driver that you could rag around your local B roads. Maybe it's because I covet it so much, come the lottery win I'd probably park it in the front room and only drive it on sunny days before gently polishing it's every curve and tucking back into bed! Similarly my other dream garage nominees the Lamborghini Miura and Ferrari 288GTO.
Good point. Of course a F1 would be special every time one drove it, but as you allude to I'd be more inclined to drive the Elan more often.Liquid Knight said:
Why's the Porsche there? Driving one of those is like having the sword of adamocles hanging over your head. Understeer in spin out (not oversteer out due to the ballance point being about an Inch).
everyone's idea of a drivers car is different, and the drivers car i enjoyed the most would be one that is very tricky on the limit, because the reward when you get things just right is amazing. RichyBoy said:
Love to try an old mini now. Always thought the driving position in them resembled that of a bus so never bothered to have a go in one.
Bucket seat soon sorts that issue out. It for me a 6 foot 3 bloke has the best driving position for me I have experienced in a car they really are a laugh glad to see thats its included. As said they are meant to be better on 10's mine is on 12x6's at the moment so may have to sample it to see what everyone is on about...kiteless said:
Rumblestripe said:
Conversely one I wouldn't include would be the Macca F1! Not because I don't believe it to be an absolute marvel of a car, a technical tour de force that would leave 99.999% of lesser road cars in the weeds. But because it is too special to be a "driver's car". Obviously the phrase means different things to different folks but to me it means a car that is USABLE as an everyday driver that you could rag around your local B roads. Maybe it's because I covet it so much, come the lottery win I'd probably park it in the front room and only drive it on sunny days before gently polishing it's every curve and tucking back into bed! Similarly my other dream garage nominees the Lamborghini Miura and Ferrari 288GTO.
Good point. Of course a F1 would be special every time one drove it, but as you allude to I'd be more inclined to drive the Elan more often.
Don't know enough about the Alfa, but the other 3 are worthy of inclusion in 'a' list (not necessarily THE list), but in all honesty, as with every other discussion on this topic, it's just too subjective to come up with one list that fits everyone.
I think of more importance is "what 5 cars could you live the rest of your life with?" (i.e. not driving anything other than one of those 5). I bet there'd be a Landy/Rangey and a Caterham/Elise on most people's lists...
andyps said:
RichyBoy said:
Love to try an old mini now. Always thought the driving position in them resembled that of a bus so never bothered to have a go in one.
It is the only one of the 5 I have driven, but if you haven't tried one you really should. But do try and get one on 10 inch wheels, they are more fun.And where's the vw beetle in this list...!
Personally it would be the 8C for me, was lucky to ride in a 6C 1750 several years ago and the performance was amazing for the age of car. The concentration needed to drive it properly and the satisfaction in getting it all to gel together must be what makes these pre war machine such fun and so involving to drive. The sound would be worth it alone, full marks tom people who use and race the multi million pund monsters.
Regards to the other cars I too was amazed the E30 M3 didn't make the final list, I would add an Alfa ES30 SZ also.
Regards to the other cars I too was amazed the E30 M3 didn't make the final list, I would add an Alfa ES30 SZ also.
The 'chitty chitty bang bang car' has a 2.3L supercharged engine, as someone mentioned it is a road version of a 1930's GP winning car.
The 'Top 5' were voted for by various 'names' in the classic car world - the order of the top 5 was decided by Alain de Cadenet, who dove them on the day.
220G (owner of the mini)
The 'Top 5' were voted for by various 'names' in the classic car world - the order of the top 5 was decided by Alain de Cadenet, who dove them on the day.
220G (owner of the mini)
andyps said:
RichyBoy said:
Love to try an old mini now. Always thought the driving position in them resembled that of a bus so never bothered to have a go in one.
It is the only one of the 5 I have driven, but if you haven't tried one you really should. But do try and get one on 10 inch wheels, they are more fun.I opted for the cheaper 12" wheels and 8.4" Metro turbo brakes combo, you lose a little feel but was nice to be able to brake quickly without having to pump the brake pedal to get the thing to stop
My advice is to avoid the later models heavy 13" wheels as they're too heavy for the stock suspension and if the subframe isn't solid mounted like the mk1-3s get it polybushed.
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