Extraordinary examples of ordinary(ish) cars
Extraordinary examples of ordinary(ish) cars
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Chris71

Original Poster:

21,548 posts

264 months

Friday 19th August 2011
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I'm really not of the detailing persuasion, but every so often I see an example of a relatively normal car that's been so beautifully looked after it just stands out. This morning I saw possibly the shiniest red mk2 MR2 in existence. I think it may also have been lowered slightly or fitted with some very subtle sill extensions or something because, although I couldn't spot anything obviously non-standard, it looked like no other MR2 I've seen. I believe the phrase is 'OEM plus'.

Granted, there isn't an MR2 on every street corner, but they're hardly exotic either. Similarly, a while back I saw a mint (but otherwise fairly ordinary) Alfa 33 - the boxy 1980s saloon that is, not the gorgeous '60s racer - that had me standing opened mouthed as it drove past. And there's a purple late-shape 'old' Mini that sometimes parks near me, which I just look at and dribble.

I'd never have the patience to get a car looking like that myself, but there is something really captivating about these immaculately kept examples. And if by a million-to-one chance anyone on here was parking their red MR2 in Finchley this morning ... nice work.

James Dean

1,373 posts

187 months

Mr Scruff

1,380 posts

237 months

Friday 19th August 2011
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James Dean said:
I love it when people do things like this, putting that amount of time and energy into something that others think is really dull and/or ordinary. The skill, dedication and attention to detail is hugely impressive...

justayellowbadge

37,057 posts

264 months

Friday 19th August 2011
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Mr Scruff said:
The skill, dedication and attention to detail is hugely impressive...
It's obsessive compulsive car washing.

hesnotthemessiah

2,121 posts

226 months

Friday 19th August 2011
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James Dean said:
When I first saw the car I thought WTF!.....but then looked on through the thread....What an amazing job! Hats off and all that but I think if I was gonna use that amount of skill and effort I would have chosen a different car to start with.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

212 months

Friday 19th August 2011
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Pics don't do it justice, but it was better than immaculate. I suspect it never looked this good even new.




RB Will

10,613 posts

262 months

Friday 19th August 2011
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drakart

1,748 posts

232 months

Friday 19th August 2011
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300bhp/ton said:
Pics of Bentley
I can almost guarantee that when it was new it didn't look anything like that! Most of these have recently been built on old chassis. Saloons aren't desired anymore, so most are rebuilt to be open top instead.

Great car, but far from original.



chris_w

2,568 posts

281 months

Friday 19th August 2011
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aka_kerrly

12,495 posts

232 months

Friday 19th August 2011
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Not as exotic as some cars but my old Polo Coupe S was a pretty good example of a 1986 car with 60k on it.


what I started with

how it ended up



Literally the whole underside was cleaned, inner arches T cut/polished, exhaust system polished, axles refurbished the list went on. My little brother took it to VW golf owners show an won best non golf an had a feature in VW Driver


Chris71

Original Poster:

21,548 posts

264 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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300bhp/ton said:
Gorgeous Bentley
Nice car, but if that counts as ordinary in your neck of the woods I may have to consider moving there... wink

Blakeatron

2,553 posts

195 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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There is a very early 1.2 corsa at the care home i walk past on the dog walk.

It is bright red and still looks great, bumpers and tyres and always blacked, radio fascia off and steering wheel lock on.

Obviously an old dears pride and joy.

Well it was sadly for the past 2 months it has not moved and is covered in tree crud and moss frown

WeirdNeville

6,033 posts

237 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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I always think it's a bit sad to see a car sooooo clean that it obviously isn't used properly. Escort RS Cosworths with 4 flat on the floor to show the tyre sale stickers and 4 unused brake discs... frown

That said, I think my old MR2 was a 'good example' of a 22 year old car with 134k miles .And it was used properly, on road and track.. smile It had had one previous owner and I treated it to a complete suspension rebuild!












Snowman23

254 posts

227 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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Weird, I was going to start a similar thread yesterday.

On my ride home I went past the cleanest looking E Reg 5 door Metro. It really was a tribute to the owner, having grown up in the midlands a lot of people had these and the vast majority were rust buckets 10 years ago.

I think the scrappage scheme would have seen a lot of these kind of cars off the road, shame

robsco

7,875 posts

198 months

Wednesday 24th August 2011
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I always thought my 156 was an absolute stunner. In a rare colour, and absolutely immaculate.






anonymous-user

76 months

Wednesday 24th August 2011
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That 156 is stunning.

robsco

7,875 posts

198 months

Wednesday 24th August 2011
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Another token photo Yonex. Boy I miss that car.