Your parents' cars. Classics now or not?
Discussion
Looking back to my childhood, my parents seemed to change their cars more often than I used to refuse to eat Mum's hot dinners. They weren't absolute petrolheads like me, but on reflection there were far more gems than turkeys. I think only one or possibly two were bought new. Here's a list of what I can remember from toddler to teenager and how I would view them if I stumbled across them today:
Classics:
4 x Midgets (all models)
6 x MGB GTs (all models)
MGB (pull-handle)
Honda S800 coupé
2 x Imp / Chamois
Mini 1275GT
TR6
3 x TR7 (FHC & DHC)
Jag S-Type (3.8 MOD)
Jag XJ-S (V12 FHC)
Jag E-Type (V12 FHC)
Land Rover Mk2a
Range Rover (V8)
Alfa GTV 2000 Bertone
Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire
Ford Capri Mk2
Dross:
Datsun 120A
FIAT 128
2 x Talbot Solaras
Alfetta
Renault 11
Allegro
How would your parents' choice of cars stack-up on the cool wall today?
Edit: how could I have forgotten their bright green Ford Capri Mk2!
Classics:
4 x Midgets (all models)
6 x MGB GTs (all models)
MGB (pull-handle)
Honda S800 coupé
2 x Imp / Chamois
Mini 1275GT
TR6
3 x TR7 (FHC & DHC)
Jag S-Type (3.8 MOD)
Jag XJ-S (V12 FHC)
Jag E-Type (V12 FHC)
Land Rover Mk2a
Range Rover (V8)
Alfa GTV 2000 Bertone
Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire
Ford Capri Mk2
Dross:
Datsun 120A
FIAT 128
2 x Talbot Solaras
Alfetta
Renault 11
Allegro
How would your parents' choice of cars stack-up on the cool wall today?
Edit: how could I have forgotten their bright green Ford Capri Mk2!
Edited by LotusOmega375D on Wednesday 11th January 14:28
Not very well really.
1972 Citroen GS - Probably the coolest of the bunch if seen today.
1976 Citroen GS Estate - In beige.
1979 Renault 5 GTL 4 Door - Took my test in this and sold it for an MGBGT very soon after
1982 Citroen CX Safari Diesel - My Dad loved this and kept it for years
1989 Citroen CX22 TRS - Probably one of the last CXs bought from Citroen in Slough.
Not that good to be honest.
1972 Citroen GS - Probably the coolest of the bunch if seen today.
1976 Citroen GS Estate - In beige.
1979 Renault 5 GTL 4 Door - Took my test in this and sold it for an MGBGT very soon after
1982 Citroen CX Safari Diesel - My Dad loved this and kept it for years
1989 Citroen CX22 TRS - Probably one of the last CXs bought from Citroen in Slough.
Not that good to be honest.
My old mans list bellow, How cool is that his first car, a Singer Le mans ? He had some interesting cars over the years.
Singer Le Mans 1936
Opel Kadett 1939
Austin 10 1945/6
Lanchester 10 late 40's
Trojan Perkins van 1950
Morris 8 Series E Van 1954
Mirris 1000 Van 1958
Land Rover 1959
Mini Van 1961 (First new mini van in Glasgow)
Renault Dophine Gordini 1963
Renault Dophine 1964
Panhard PL17 1963
Auto Union 1000 Estate 1964
Humber Super Snipe 1961
Renault 4L 1963
Fiat 850 Coupe 1968
NSU Prinz 4 1969
Imp Califonian 1968
Fiat 124 1970
Vauxhall viva HC 1971 (New)
Simca 1000 Special 1973
Renault 12 TL 1975
NSU 1200 SC 1972
Fiat 128 1978
Alfa Sud 1500 SC 1983 (new)
Fiat Panda 1990 (new)
Rover 100 1995 (new
Daihatsu Charade 2004 (New)
Forgot about the orange 2cv 1977
Singer Le Mans 1936
Opel Kadett 1939
Austin 10 1945/6
Lanchester 10 late 40's
Trojan Perkins van 1950
Morris 8 Series E Van 1954
Mirris 1000 Van 1958
Land Rover 1959
Mini Van 1961 (First new mini van in Glasgow)
Renault Dophine Gordini 1963
Renault Dophine 1964
Panhard PL17 1963
Auto Union 1000 Estate 1964
Humber Super Snipe 1961
Renault 4L 1963
Fiat 850 Coupe 1968
NSU Prinz 4 1969
Imp Califonian 1968
Fiat 124 1970
Vauxhall viva HC 1971 (New)
Simca 1000 Special 1973
Renault 12 TL 1975
NSU 1200 SC 1972
Fiat 128 1978
Alfa Sud 1500 SC 1983 (new)
Fiat Panda 1990 (new)
Rover 100 1995 (new
Daihatsu Charade 2004 (New)
Forgot about the orange 2cv 1977
Edited by ian2144 on Wednesday 11th January 15:50
Edited by ian2144 on Wednesday 11th January 21:26
For years my Dad used a 1969 Ford Escort 1100 Van for his plumbing / gas fitting work. It's lower half was dark green and it's top half was white. It had a factory fitted folding bench seat in the back.
Someone told me that these are worth an absolute fortune now.
He sold it in about 1980 for £100.
Someone told me that these are worth an absolute fortune now.
He sold it in about 1980 for £100.
ian2144 said:
My old mans list bellow, How cool is that his first car, a Singer Le mans ? He had some interesting cars over the years.
Singer Le Mans 1936
My dad had one of those, it's the first car of his that I remember travelling in.Singer Le Mans 1936
It was replaced, briefly, by a Daimler DB18; but the family car for much of my childhood (in the sixties) was a 1936 Riley Kestrel Sprite.
LotusOmega375D said:
miniman said:
I guess these all fit the Classic tag.
Honda S800
Escort Mexico
Dolomite Sprint
Saab 99
Pug 505 GTi
Datsun 120Y 3-door
If only you hadn't included that last one! I'd rather own my Dad's dross 120A over that one!Honda S800
Escort Mexico
Dolomite Sprint
Saab 99
Pug 505 GTi
Datsun 120Y 3-door
I think they are rather cool in a "wow, one that hasn't rotted away" kind of way.
Being an older guffer my parents had motorbikes for quite a while, I particularly remember the Ariel Square Four and sidecar that we used to go on holiday in Weymouth.
Once they moved on to cars they were pretty unexciting:-
Standard 10
Austin A55
MG Magnette ZB
Humber Sceptre (fantastic dashboard by my childhood standards)
Vauxhall Victor Estate
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen Golf
Rover 214 (urgh)
Volkswagen Polo
I blame it on my dad who bought "sensibly" and also kept cars a long time.
Dearest Mum was a bit more "racey" in her youth, here's a picture of her with her 21st birthday present.
Once they moved on to cars they were pretty unexciting:-
Standard 10
Austin A55
MG Magnette ZB
Humber Sceptre (fantastic dashboard by my childhood standards)
Vauxhall Victor Estate
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen Golf
Rover 214 (urgh)
Volkswagen Polo
I blame it on my dad who bought "sensibly" and also kept cars a long time.
Dearest Mum was a bit more "racey" in her youth, here's a picture of her with her 21st birthday present.
Moskvich something or other (1966ish) retro cool?
Standard 10...maybe
HA Viva, I think it's a classic
Riley 1.5 Ditto
HC Viva, no
HC Viva Estate, no
Peugeot 104, no
Renault 5TL, seasickness beckons
Vauxhall Chevette Saloon, I learnt to slide in it, so I'd say it was a classic!
Hillman Avenger, Classic, but it was a white 4 door.
Skoda Felicia, not really.
Standard 10...maybe
HA Viva, I think it's a classic
Riley 1.5 Ditto
HC Viva, no
HC Viva Estate, no
Peugeot 104, no
Renault 5TL, seasickness beckons
Vauxhall Chevette Saloon, I learnt to slide in it, so I'd say it was a classic!
Hillman Avenger, Classic, but it was a white 4 door.
Skoda Felicia, not really.
these from recollection...
Humber Super Snipe [before my time]
Morris Minor Traveller
Vauxhall Viva
Ford Zephyr [written off with head-on collison with lorry]
Hillman Hunter [written-off by bloody great tractor]
Sunbeam Rapier H120
Jaguar XJ6
Simca 1300
Maxi 1750 HL
Renault 20
Mitsubishi Colt [white - mother kept this for years]
Mitsubishi Colt #2 [blue - she now had a 'thing' for these]
Vauxhall Astra [why I'll never know]
Rover 214 [as above!]
Toyota Yaris [now in retirement living by coast]
...more importantly were my Uncles, one in particular who sowed the pistonhead seed for me...
Scimitar GTE
Citroen DS Safari
Porsche 2.7RS [bought in late 70's]
Citroen CX
...remember summer of 1976, aged 11yrs, blatting over Dartmoor in Scimitar, windows and sunroof open, 10cc playing on 8-track; I thought said Uncle was the coolest chap around. Then being mesmerised by the space-age designs of the Citroens. Very fond memories indeed
Humber Super Snipe [before my time]
Morris Minor Traveller
Vauxhall Viva
Ford Zephyr [written off with head-on collison with lorry]
Hillman Hunter [written-off by bloody great tractor]
Sunbeam Rapier H120
Jaguar XJ6
Simca 1300
Maxi 1750 HL
Renault 20
Mitsubishi Colt [white - mother kept this for years]
Mitsubishi Colt #2 [blue - she now had a 'thing' for these]
Vauxhall Astra [why I'll never know]
Rover 214 [as above!]
Toyota Yaris [now in retirement living by coast]
...more importantly were my Uncles, one in particular who sowed the pistonhead seed for me...
Scimitar GTE
Citroen DS Safari
Porsche 2.7RS [bought in late 70's]
Citroen CX
...remember summer of 1976, aged 11yrs, blatting over Dartmoor in Scimitar, windows and sunroof open, 10cc playing on 8-track; I thought said Uncle was the coolest chap around. Then being mesmerised by the space-age designs of the Citroens. Very fond memories indeed
Dad didn't change car often,
The first car he had after I was born was a Humber Hawk, a 1958 Mk1 in black with red leather interior.
This was eventually replaced with a Triumph 2000 MkII.
After that things rather went down hill with a Chrysler Alpine, it might have been car of the year, but I have no fond memories of it. This then made way for a Talbot Solara, the booted version of the Alpine. At which point I'd given up in disgust and left home.
The first car he had after I was born was a Humber Hawk, a 1958 Mk1 in black with red leather interior.
This was eventually replaced with a Triumph 2000 MkII.
After that things rather went down hill with a Chrysler Alpine, it might have been car of the year, but I have no fond memories of it. This then made way for a Talbot Solara, the booted version of the Alpine. At which point I'd given up in disgust and left home.
Dad had the following, some were classics (maybe)
Vauxhall Wyvern (about 1955)
Ford Consul
Vauxhall Victor 101 estate
Triumph 2000 estate
Triumph 2.5pi
Granada Ghia
Austin Maxi
Austin Marina estate
after that he stopped driving much to relief of everyone in Devon. He laened to drive in a Model T in 1925.
I've had
63 Minivan
57 Ford Consul
65 Mini
61 Singer Gazelle
69 Cortina 1600E
72 Mexico
74 MGB GT
76 Scirocco
78 Dolomite Sprint
Rover SDi 2600
2 Cavalier SRi
Rover 620ti
2 Nissan 200sx (I've never had backache like it, I don't know why I bought the 2nd one)
Vauxhall Omega MV6 (fantastic car)
BMW 530
and finally Volvo V40.
Some interesting stuff in there I guess.
Plus an Ariel Arrow and a BMW R60/6
Vauxhall Wyvern (about 1955)
Ford Consul
Vauxhall Victor 101 estate
Triumph 2000 estate
Triumph 2.5pi
Granada Ghia
Austin Maxi
Austin Marina estate
after that he stopped driving much to relief of everyone in Devon. He laened to drive in a Model T in 1925.
I've had
63 Minivan
57 Ford Consul
65 Mini
61 Singer Gazelle
69 Cortina 1600E
72 Mexico
74 MGB GT
76 Scirocco
78 Dolomite Sprint
Rover SDi 2600
2 Cavalier SRi
Rover 620ti
2 Nissan 200sx (I've never had backache like it, I don't know why I bought the 2nd one)
Vauxhall Omega MV6 (fantastic car)
BMW 530
and finally Volvo V40.
Some interesting stuff in there I guess.
Plus an Ariel Arrow and a BMW R60/6
vixen1700 said:
Not very well really.
1972 Citroen GS - Probably the coolest of the bunch if seen today.
1976 Citroen GS Estate - In beige.
1979 Renault 5 GTL 4 Door - Took my test in this and sold it for an MGBGT very soon after
1982 Citroen CX Safari Diesel - My Dad loved this and kept it for years
1989 Citroen CX22 TRS - Probably one of the last CXs bought from Citroen in Slough.
Not that good to be honest.
Ha: Are you my brother?!!1972 Citroen GS - Probably the coolest of the bunch if seen today.
1976 Citroen GS Estate - In beige.
1979 Renault 5 GTL 4 Door - Took my test in this and sold it for an MGBGT very soon after
1982 Citroen CX Safari Diesel - My Dad loved this and kept it for years
1989 Citroen CX22 TRS - Probably one of the last CXs bought from Citroen in Slough.
Not that good to be honest.
We had
1972 Renault 4
1973 Datsun 120Y
1975 Citroen GS in Beige
1978 Citroen GS Estate in Gold (loved it)
1982 Citroen Dyane
1983 Citroen CX 2400 - Best car my dad ever had
1987 Citroen BX 19RD - learnt to drive in that
1991 Citroen BX DTR - left home, dad got that up to 432,000kms
1992 Renault 5 GTL
1993 Renault Clio
1996 Renault Clio
2001 Citroen Picasso
2003 1953 Austin Somerset arrives
2004 BX finally gave up forementioned - 432,000kms
2004 Citroen Picasso
2005 1958 Citroen 2CV arrives, promptly dismantled - currently being put back together.
2006 Another Austin Somerset arrives
Old S Escort Mk2 L (with dent from a Mini Clubman crashing into it)
Old R Rover P5 2200 - lasted 3 weeks - gas guzzler
Old X Reg Metro 1.0 City
Old Y Reg MG Metro (with Red seatbelts)
A reg Polo C Formel E Estate
B Reg Orion 1.6i Ghia (written off)
C Reg Orion 1.6i Ghia
C Reg Cavalier 1.6GLS
F Reg BMW 525i SE (brand new, sold due to recession!)
E Reg Renault 25 2.2iGTX (a legend hit 280,000 miles having had it from a year old)
F Reg Metro City
Interspersed with Several Minis - all blurs into one
I ended up with a 250k mile Renault 25 for free - friends would leave the doors open when I drove off just to get it to talk in its amazing Commodore 64 style voice. It was still alive when it was purchased for £100 by an asylum seeker.
Old R Rover P5 2200 - lasted 3 weeks - gas guzzler
Old X Reg Metro 1.0 City
Old Y Reg MG Metro (with Red seatbelts)
A reg Polo C Formel E Estate
B Reg Orion 1.6i Ghia (written off)
C Reg Orion 1.6i Ghia
C Reg Cavalier 1.6GLS
F Reg BMW 525i SE (brand new, sold due to recession!)
E Reg Renault 25 2.2iGTX (a legend hit 280,000 miles having had it from a year old)
F Reg Metro City
Interspersed with Several Minis - all blurs into one
I ended up with a 250k mile Renault 25 for free - friends would leave the doors open when I drove off just to get it to talk in its amazing Commodore 64 style voice. It was still alive when it was purchased for £100 by an asylum seeker.
VolvoMariner said:
...
I ended up with a 250k mile Renault 25 for free - friends would leave the doors open when I drove off just to get it to talk in its amazing Commodore 64 style voice. It was still alive when it was purchased for £100 by an asylum seeker.
Strange I googled this earlier as I passed a mint one in someone's drive and couldn't remember the model name. This looks great:I ended up with a 250k mile Renault 25 for free - friends would leave the doors open when I drove off just to get it to talk in its amazing Commodore 64 style voice. It was still alive when it was purchased for £100 by an asylum seeker.
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