One For Classic Car Fans.....

[Shearwater Missile]

I was an

Escort man, two Mk2s and two Mk3s. What did I like best ? the Mk2`s. Yes, the Mk3s were front wheel drive so handled better perhaps but then you drove to their limitations. My brother had a Capri and I drove that, what was the problem ? It was a 1978 model and perhaps wider tyres would have been better but never lost it on a corner. Sure, in snow conditions perhaps you filled the boot with a sack of spuds !

 

[booze and cake]

My love of old Italian cars shows no signs of waning, saw this lovely Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce today.

 

[Shearwater Missile]

View attachment 476046 Nice looking car that. Does`nt it look small parked against the Range Rover but then they all did of the vintage. My father used to have a Rover 3 litre (P5) 1964 model, as photo.We used to think that it was a large car and of course our Prime Ministers used to use the 3.5 litre version. Now if you see one they just look average size perhaps small. It was such a comfortable car and it would cruise all day on overdrive with the engine bearing ticking over. When dad sold it in 1974 he missed it and in reality of all the cars he had since, none ever matched it. The nearest he got was a Fiat 132, the renowned rust bucket and that was after a Lancia Beta. Rust on those cars was not optional, it was standard. I think that he went through an Italian stage in his life !
Sorry about the quality of the picture taken in about 1972. I meant to have put the Rover photo under the text but can`t seem to change it, sorry. The

 

[booze and cake]

@Shearwater Missile it does look small and dainty compared with the Range Rover, I'm sure if the two were involved in a crash you wouldn't want to be in the Alfa. Even knowing that, if I was given the choice to drive away in one, it would still be the Alfa. It is really noticeable how much glass, and how light and airy the cabins were in old cars, visibility is great. I was in a new Ford Focus today and the rear pillars and blinds spots are huge in comparison.

It is sad to see the demise of Rover, before the British Leyland years they made some lovely looking old motors that had almost Rolls Royce levels of refinement, but at a fraction of the cost. And would you Adam and Eve it I saw a lovey old Rover this morning in tip-top condition, a Rover 95 (P4). Classy and understated.

And now for something the complete opposite of an understated and classy British car, a loud and lairy American, a Corvette Stingray.(please excuse the rank amateur photographer getting his finger in shot on his camera phone)

 

[Smokin Joe]

View attachment 476046 Nice looking car that. Does`nt it look small parked against the Range Rover but then they all did of the vintage. My father used to have a Rover 3 litre (P5) 1964 model, as photo.We used to think that it was a large car and of course our Prime Ministers used to use the 3.5 litre version. Now if you see one they just look average size perhaps small. It was such a comfortable car and it would cruise all day on overdrive with the engine bearing ticking over. When dad sold it in 1974 he missed it and in reality of all the cars he had since, none ever matched it. The nearest he got was a Fiat 132, the renowned rust bucket and that was after a Lancia Beta. Rust on those cars was not optional, it was standard. I think that he went through an Italian stage in his life !
Sorry about the quality of the picture taken in about 1972. I meant to have put the Rover photo under the text but can`t seem to change it, sorry. The

That is still a very classy looking car. Rovers used to be considered as the poor man's Rolls Royce.

 

[Profpointy]

It is sad to see the demise of Rover, before the British Leyland years they made some lovely looking old motors that had almost Rolls Royce levels of refinement, but at a fraction of the cost. And would you Adam and Eve it I saw a lovey old Rover this morning in tip-top condition, a Rover 95 (P4). Classy and understated.

View attachment 476116
View attachment 476117

Those P4 Rovers are really splendid cars, and the one in your picture is a real beauty. Maybe less obviously exotic than a Jag, but probably at least as well made and half the price of good Mk2 jag these days

 

[Chris S]

That is still a very classy looking car. Rovers used to be considered as the poor man's Rolls Royce.

It's sad to think that they ended-up making obsolete Honda models under licence.

 

[Shearwater Missile]

That is still a very classy looking car. Rovers used to be considered as the poor man's Rolls Royce.

It was a poor mans Rolls Royce although we did`nt think it at the time. Talking of Rolls Royce. Before dad bought his Rover he did go into the Rolls Royce showroom in Ipswich and had a glance at one. He was approached by a salesman who informed him that " You can`t afford one of those". My dad was in his working clothes I has`n to add. His reply was " Actually I can, as I have just sold a piece of land". There after he walked out. Never judge a book by it`s cover I always say ! So he ended up with the poor man`s Rolls Royce !

 

[Shearwater Missile]

Those P4 Rovers are really splendid cars, and the one in your picture is a real beauty. Maybe less obviously exotic than a Jag, but probably at least as well made and half the price of good Mk2 jag these days

That looks like a very nice car, nice rounded lines and probably very comfortable. Is it me or are modern cars less aero dynamic. Once upon a time the Holy Grail was to get the drag coeffient down and the manufacturers spend loads of money in doing so and advertising the factor. Drag coeffient is something you don`t hear now, unless someone can correct me. When you look at a lot of modern vehicles they look as aero dynamic as a house brick.

 

[Smokin Joe]

It's sad to think that they ended-up making obsolete Honda models under licence.

I had a Rover 25. Now I may be biased because after paying £300 for it (I know how to live) the head gasket blew after six days, scrapping it. Nevertheless, in that week I had grown to loathe it, it was the most hateful, uninspiring car I have ever owned, and believe me I've had my share of shyte.

I was not surprised when they went under.

 

[Shearwater Missile]

I had a Rover 25. Now I may be biased because after paying £300 for it (I know how to live) the head gasket blew after six days, scrapping it. Nevertheless, in that week I had grown to loathe it, it was the most hateful, uninspiring car I have ever owned, and believe me I've had my share of shyte.

I was not surprised when they went under.

I must admit they certainly went downhill but really you can`t compare the like of the P4,P5 they were a different era. It is always sad when a name gets carried forward but without the prestige that went with it. There are plenty of British marques which have fallen by the wayside and their names cease but then that is when they become collectable. I am sure the same goes with cycles as well.

 

[tyred]

Visited a classic car show last weekend and took a few photos

A fibreglass replica but I'd still like it

A very rare survivor

I'd like one as it's the first car I ever drove (in a field, aged 12) but it wasn't one of Ford's better efforts.





Not many of these left now either, especially in estate. Great cycle carrying potential and it would compliment my 205


A classic with even more cycle carrying capacity


And think how many bikes I could fit in the back of this


I'd like without the roof!


Toyota Celica






My favourite "Mini"...


Much prettier than a Capri


Always laughed at by the Clarksons of this world but I've always fancied one. I've always admired things which were built simply to do a job.


A miniature Honda


Anyone know what horsepower this one is?

 

[Grant Fondo]

An Aston DB5
View attachment 472290
An MG, Austin Healey Sprite and a cool looking Triumph Herald estate
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A Humber Super Snipe
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An Alvis
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A Toyota Century, presidential limo Japanese style.
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A spotless Pininfarina designed Ferrari Testarossa
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Another classic Pininfarina Ferrari
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Lancia Gamma Coupe
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A couple of stunning Mercs
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I will take all the Alfas please

 

[Drago]

@tyred ^^^ believe it or not I actually know the guy that owns that 405!

 

[tyred]

@tyred ^^^ believe it or not I actually know the guy that owns that 405!

That's a small world!!