Greatest ever automotive cliches
Discussion
Looking at a beautiful limited run of a coffee table, art style book on loan from Dealership on history of 911. The cliche , only tacit in this text, is “how did they milk one shape for 56 years?” That is a Premier League , ocean-going example. The train of thought led me to inferior cliches “Moss a great driver, but not quite a Fangio”. “Make or break time for new small Jaguar”, right down to “Back seat never been sat in.” For those with a classic interest: “Engine fully rebuilt in 2004.” Some of you out there can better these!
Cocks the nearside rear wheel like a willing puppy.
Time-warp condition! One lady owner, FSH, always garaged! [ Driven everywhere in first gear ]
Barn find! [ Asked how much to restore it, jaw dropped, sell it to some other sucker ]
Patina commensurate with age [ has lots of scratches and bumps, red paint faded to pink on roof ]
No welds [ chassis consists mainly of welds held together by metal ]
Time-warp condition! One lady owner, FSH, always garaged! [ Driven everywhere in first gear ]
Barn find! [ Asked how much to restore it, jaw dropped, sell it to some other sucker ]
Patina commensurate with age [ has lots of scratches and bumps, red paint faded to pink on roof ]
No welds [ chassis consists mainly of welds held together by metal ]
Pretty much any time an American car is being reviewed by a UK journalist it will be A - too big for UK roads (despite it being the same size or smaller than any number of European competitors - saw this a lot with the Mustang), B - can't go round corners (despite times round a track being virtually identical if not better than the Euro stuff), and C - have a rubbish interior (might be some truth in it sometimes but it is generally overdone).
sheepman said:
"doctor owned"
I'm still not sure why that's a positive to some people.
My brother in law was a GP and had two new S2000's in succession when he was working. He never had either on the Vtec, ever, and would not have even known that feature existed or that he should rev it past 5k rpm. Whether that would have been a good thing to a subsequent purchaser is probably moot but if there is an opposite to what we often define a 'petrolhead' he was it.I'm still not sure why that's a positive to some people.
My father in law is a retired GP as well and both are cut from the same cloth, incredibly parsimonious, risk averse beyond belief but not short of a bob or two. I know a lot of GP's and they all have one thing in common - incredibly tight!
sheepman said:
"doctor owned"
I'm still not sure why that's a positive to some people.
Ive always thought the seller states doctor owned as they should be well paid enough to ensure it gets serviced properly with a main dealer stamp with no expense spared. I've always thought they don't have much time to dote on their "work" car and drive them mostly when tired after a long shift so not ideal.I'm still not sure why that's a positive to some people.
Doesn't mean they are a proficient driver at all.
I worked with a colleague who was for ever trying to get me up in his plane. Turned him down as his driving left a lot to be desired, lack of hazard perception and he never really got the hang of a manual gearbox and liked a drink!
"German engineering". What it actually means is over complexity, poor design, and cost cutting.
For example, here's a cam chain guide from a VW engine, which will need replacing prematurely. Readily available at Christmas time inside a cracker:
Here's one from a Honda:
For example, here's a cam chain guide from a VW engine, which will need replacing prematurely. Readily available at Christmas time inside a cracker:
Here's one from a Honda:
Edited by lee_erm on Thursday 11th June 21:11
QuattroDave said:
German engineering
When this sort of crap was appearing everywhere in the early pro-Europe Blair years I went to buy a 25 mtr extension lead (27 yards) I was offered the choice of two, one normal one and a more expensive one with big 'Made In Germany' stickers on the side of the plastic reel, I thought f
k me they think they're the only ones who can make a fking extension lead now.rallycross said:
QuattroDave said:
German engineering
It meant a lot until I'd say mid 90's then the accountants ruined that with cheap rust metal from MB and plastic ste engine parts from BM and VW fitted cheap crap sensors/systems to their previously robust run of the mill motors - what a shame! Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff