The Grin Gets Bigger
Discussion
Have had the Chim a few month now. I'm driving it most days although its not my everday car by any means.
I've gone from the "better not drive too hard because I might break something" approach to really driving it - not pushing it or driving it hard but not treating it with kid gloves either and it really feels as if it comes alive
Driving the Chim is not all about speed but the ocassion every time I drive it. I've always found it an easy car to drive but now - I suppose with added confidence - I'm driving with an even bigger grin on my face 
I've gone from the "better not drive too hard because I might break something" approach to really driving it - not pushing it or driving it hard but not treating it with kid gloves either and it really feels as if it comes alive
Driving the Chim is not all about speed but the ocassion every time I drive it. I've always found it an easy car to drive but now - I suppose with added confidence - I'm driving with an even bigger grin on my face I've had mine for two weeks now and I'm still driving it like a wuss, although I'm now doing the occasional "foot down" bit. To be honest, even driven at 50% it's still faster than anything else I've driven, and there's a certain amount of pleasure to be got from cruising with the top down and the V8 burbling away.
Not sure it's going to be much of a knicker-dropper though, so far only blokes and small boys seem to notice it, which is OK if you're gay or a paedophile I suppose.
Embarrassed myself today in the supermarket car park by stopping too far from the machine that opens the gates. Had to open the door to retrive my token and of course I twisted the knob the wrong way and had to get out and shut the passenger door, I did get a reasonably indulgent smile off the woman in the car behind, pity she was well the wrong side of 50.
Not sure it's going to be much of a knicker-dropper though, so far only blokes and small boys seem to notice it, which is OK if you're gay or a paedophile I suppose.
Embarrassed myself today in the supermarket car park by stopping too far from the machine that opens the gates. Had to open the door to retrive my token and of course I twisted the knob the wrong way and had to get out and shut the passenger door, I did get a reasonably indulgent smile off the woman in the car behind, pity she was well the wrong side of 50.
The Hood said:
Just don't get to cocky with it as this time of year is not a good time to get a heavy right foot.
Glyn.
I respect the car too much to get over confident. The merest hint of damp or ice and its either in the garage or I'm driving it like a granny Glyn.
Saying that I wasn't a granny this afternoon. Went over to see my mate who is a petrolhead and we went for a blast in the Chim. Good weather, deserted local road and almost perfect driving conditions. Did a few short blasts - camera phones used. He couldn't stop laughing and now I think he's in love with my Chim
Must admit I felt pangs of guilt when I got back home 'cos I thought I've just abused the old Chim and first time I've given it stick like it had earlier in the day. My mate reckons I should take it on a track - No way.
Paul M said:
The Hood said:
Just don't get to cocky with it as this time of year is not a good time to get a heavy right foot.
Glyn.
I respect the car too much to get over confident. The merest hint of damp or ice and its either in the garage or I'm driving it like a granny Glyn.
Saying that I wasn't a granny this afternoon. Went over to see my mate who is a petrolhead and we went for a blast in the Chim. Good weather, deserted local road and almost perfect driving conditions. Did a few short blasts - camera phones used. He couldn't stop laughing and now I think he's in love with my Chim
Must admit I felt pangs of guilt when I got back home 'cos I thought I've just abused the old Chim and first time I've given it stick like it had earlier in the day. My mate reckons I should take it on a track - No way.
these cars are built for speed and like your mate says, on a track, so no need to feel guilty for doing a sprited drive out.BUT, i will add you won't IMO get perfect driving conditions (for a TVR) at this time of year, because although the roads might look nice and dry all it takes is a damp bit of road down a back lane on a bend and you accelerate a bit to quick out of the bend (before the car straightens up) and before you know it your in a ditch (if your lucky) but the car will be out of action and your pride (and pocket) will be dented.
Glyn.
Note: i'm not trying to put you off driving your car, i just don't want you to become another statistic.
The Hood said:
Just don't get to cocky with it as this time of year is not a good time to get a heavy right foot.
Glyn.
Good advice Glyn... http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...Glyn.
Glyn,
Thanks for the advice and its much appreciated.
Don't think I put my behaviour across in the right perspective. The road in question, or the bit I used is about 1/2 mile arrow straight and was thoroughly checked before anything was undertaken. My feeling that I "abused" the car was on reflection of how I drive it 99% of the time, i.e within my own limits and not that of the car - my own ability would run out long before the Chims and I would not even want to come close in attempting to exploit its limits. I'm of an age where I am aware of my precious mortality - plus I was more scared that something would bloody break on The Chim, the resulting financial heartbreak and the prospect that the present Mrs M would not be best pleased.
Fear not my boy racer days are long behind me
Thanks for the advice and its much appreciated.
Don't think I put my behaviour across in the right perspective. The road in question, or the bit I used is about 1/2 mile arrow straight and was thoroughly checked before anything was undertaken. My feeling that I "abused" the car was on reflection of how I drive it 99% of the time, i.e within my own limits and not that of the car - my own ability would run out long before the Chims and I would not even want to come close in attempting to exploit its limits. I'm of an age where I am aware of my precious mortality - plus I was more scared that something would bloody break on The Chim, the resulting financial heartbreak and the prospect that the present Mrs M would not be best pleased.
Fear not my boy racer days are long behind me
Paul.
Just a little note to explain myself here.
With my comment to you about you must be driving like a maniac was only due to you saying you abused your car and knowing what these cars are capable of it takes quite alot of guts to be able to abuse the car on any normal road which is why i put a after the comment about you being a maniac, i was in no way trying to imply you were a boy racer.
Glyn.
Just a little note to explain myself here.
With my comment to you about you must be driving like a maniac was only due to you saying you abused your car and knowing what these cars are capable of it takes quite alot of guts to be able to abuse the car on any normal road which is why i put a
after the comment about you being a maniac, i was in no way trying to imply you were a boy racer.Glyn.
The Hood said:
Paul.
Just a little note to explain myself here.
With my comment to you about you must be driving like a maniac was only due to you saying you abused your car and knowing what these cars are capable of it takes quite alot of guts to be able to abuse the car on any normal road which is why i put a after the comment about you being a maniac, i was in no way trying to imply you were a boy racer.
Glyn.
Glyn,Just a little note to explain myself here.
With my comment to you about you must be driving like a maniac was only due to you saying you abused your car and knowing what these cars are capable of it takes quite alot of guts to be able to abuse the car on any normal road which is why i put a
after the comment about you being a maniac, i was in no way trying to imply you were a boy racer.Glyn.
I re-read my post and thought I didn't put it across very well and realised that it read as if I had been a bit careless, i.e my definition of having "abused" the car - spirited driving more like
and hence my subsequent reply.Any misunderstandings were brought about by me and the wording of my original post. Your observations and comments were taken as intended and appreciated and I didn't for a moment think that you implied that I was a boy racer .... in fact it would have been quite a compliment at my age
The Hood said:
That's that all settled then 
BTW a nice evening blat out with the roof off down some lanes can induce a good smile aswell this time of year (but watch out for the leaves) OH and make sure you dress warmly and the heater helps aswell.
Glyn.
Yep these evening blats are recommended although the slightest excuse and the Chim is out - roof down, fleece on and heater cranked up BTW a nice evening blat out with the roof off down some lanes can induce a good smile aswell this time of year (but watch out for the leaves) OH and make sure you dress warmly and the heater helps aswell.
Glyn.
Its a damned good heater. I'm looking forward to the cold, clear, dry winter days. I'm getting strange looks (now and its not even cold) from people emerging from their cosy tin tops and I know they just don't get it The Chim feels like nothing else on the road.Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff