£100K Garage: Robert Smith
GT-R, RS Cosworth, Sport 190... Land Cruiser? A diverse bunch in Robert's fantasy garage
Previously owned: 1962 VW Beetle
Currently owned: 1995 Land Rover Defender 110
On the shortlist: "Mainly cars I idolised growing up plus something I'm currently obsessing over! Overall it's a very Anglo-Japanese affair."
Cost: £34,995
Balance: £65,005
Why I chose it: "This was at the top of my shopping list. Why? I'm of the Playstation generation and it was the ultimate car in the early Gran Turismo games. Saw a red one at the NEC motorshow one year and it has been my second favourite car ever since (McLaren F1 still tops it). This one stands out as its got the N1 spec engine which should be good..."
See here for all Skyline R34s on PH.
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
Cost: £29,995
Balance: £35,010
Why I chose it: "This was THE car when I was about eight or nine years old and the first car I can remember buying a poster of. I just love the look of it; the wide arches, bonnet grilles and that iconic wing! This example looks pretty close to Cosworth perfection to me and in a rare colour (although mallard green is my favourite), it just needs a set of Morettes."
Cossie a hero car from your childhood too? Escorts for sale here.
Cost: £23,950
Balance: £11,060
Why I chose it: "Every car collection should have a lightweight British sports car and this is right up there with the best of them. I prefer the look of the S2 and I went for the Sport 190 version because of the factory fitted upgrades. The VHPD K-Series is probably more likely to cause issues than the already troublesome standard K but I'd still take it over the Toyota engine cars for the noise it makes."
Prefer S2 to S1? Elises from 2001 on for sale here.
Toyota Land Cruiser
Cost: £5,495
Balance: £5,565
Why I chose it: "This is the one I'm currently obsessing over, although I'd prefer a 70 series they are like hen's teeth over here so 80 series it is. This one looks tough with the black 'eight spokes' but I'd remove the bull bar. This would complement my Defender nicely and give me more time to fix the Landy as I'm sure the legendary Toyota reliability wouldn't let me down."
PH's Land Cruisers on offer here.
Cost: £5,495
Balance: £70
Why I chose it: "Another childhood favourite! A lot of folk say it's a car everyone should drive and I've yet to so it makes it into my last spot. It has got to be one of the latter cars with the MPI engine for me, this one being the only Cooper MPI I could find within my remaining budget. A 10-inch wheel conversion is needed though."
All classic Minis from the 60s to the 21st century here.
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MPIs had too tall gearing (to meet noise regs) which kills the fun and seem to be the low point when it comes to rust protection.
Folk are correct though, everybody should try one. In fact, if you let me try everything else on that list once you've bought it, I'll let you have a go in my Mini
MPIs had too tall gearing (to meet noise regs) which kills the fun and seem to be the low point when it comes to rust protection.
Folk are correct though, everybody should try one. In fact, if you let me try everything else on that list once you've bought it, I'll let you have a go in my Mini
Happy to be corrected, but I thought it was only the final drive ratios that vary. The only MPI I have driven fealt pretty inert, but then it had 13" wheels which wouldn't have helped.
Any Mini is worth a try though!
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith - the weekend car
1992 Jaguar XJS V12 Coupe - the wife's occasional car
1997 Aston Martin DB7 Volante - my occasional car
2001 Skoda Octavia Estate Laurin & Klement - the work horse!
2007 Mini Cooper S - my wife's city car and current love affair
£100k spent - job done (except I only have a four car garage!)
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