Dream Garage

Matthewfalle

You can buy the carb'd versions brand new from a bloke in Italy who bought the whole lot when the factory went bankrupt years ago. He's got a warehouse full of them

Not cheap but readily available and beautiful.

pinno

FatTed wrote:

Navrig2 wrote:

Is this wrong?

A classic sports car - DB5 or e-Type BUT with modern mechanics under the skin. So modern brakes, suspension, engine etc. Looks old world but drives new world and no need to get oily hands.

That would be an Eagle Speedster then:-

http://www.eaglegb.com/9/eagle-speedster

There's something quite likeable about that.
However, the E-type had double wishbone suspension and handled and performed well. An original E-type chassis with modern guts wouldn't have the feel of a classic car so much. As MRS said, 'you don't have to have power to have fun'. I think this relates to other aspects of the car too.

shortfall

Matthewfalle wrote:

You can buy the carb'd versions brand new from a bloke in Italy who bought the whole lot when the factory went bankrupt years ago. He's got a warehouse full of them

Not cheap but readily available and beautiful.

Hmmmm. What sort of money is he asking? Could be tempted if it's not ridiculous.

Flâneur

Talking of old but modern, Singer do a wonderful job on the 911.

Back to the start of this thread, I'd be more interested to hear why people pick certain cars/bikes. Performance, image, styling, some romantic love etc etc.

I know for me the RS6 was function and drive (with the speed), but the version choice was down to the engine sound. The 911 is down to the looks, a nonsensical love of Porsche and the 911, yes I have driven one and I loved the fear of it. Compared to say the rs8 which lets you feel good, alive but you never really feel like the car will let you go spinning into the nearest object.

Pinno, fun without power and cost - mx5 is pretty good on that

shortfall

Flâneur wrote:

Talking of old but modern, Singer do a wonderful job on the 911.

Back to the start of this thread, I'd be more interested to hear why people pick certain cars/bikes. Performance, image, styling, some romantic love etc etc.

I know for me the RS6 was function and drive (with the speed), but the version choice was down to the engine sound. The 911 is down to the looks, a nonsensical love of Porsche and the 911, yes I have driven one and I loved the fear of it. Compared to say the rs8 which lets you feel good, alive but you never really feel like the car will let you go spinning into the nearest object.

Pinno, fun without power and cost - mx5 is pretty good on that

For me it's mostly an emotional connection although there's the odd exception. The e type Jag first caught my attention when I was at my dad's golf club as a kid in the 70s. Although it continued in production into the 70s it was basically a 60s car and compared to all the crappy Ford Granadas and Austin Allegros it was parked alongside it was like putting Nicole Scherzinger next to Thora Hird. It also happened to belong to the club captain who was a successful rich bloke so it had all the right associations for a 10 year old kid. The Maclaren F1 was just so much better than anything else at the time that even 20 years down the line there's hardly anything out there that can live with it. There may be cars with a higher top speed now but on acceleration and handling it's still right up there. Oh and it's British.
The Honda RC 30 was a bit like!e the Maclaren but not quite the cosmic leap. However watching the likes of Joey Dunlop lap the TT on it and decimating the opposition on what were effectively over powered and under braked dinosaurs in comparison was something to behold. Seeing it win a slew of other race series around the world cemented it's p!ace in my affections. It was and still is a beautiful bike which hasn't dated at all in my book. The rg500 was affordable speed for the masses. I couldn't afford one at the time but my mates dad had one and he was a hero to spotty faced teenagers like me. I suspect the reality of ownership never really lived up to the myth but it was faster than the rd500 and ns400 competition although the ns was a stunning bike in its own right that was short of another 20 HP.
As for the Pegoretti, is there a cooler bloke on the planet? He has the history behind him of making bikes for the pros that were so much better than the competition that they would buy one of his and rebadge it as their sponsors own. They're much much more than the sum of their parts and they look like a piece of artwork, especially in the individualistic Ciavette paint schemes. I admire a man who eschews fashion and makes a bike with his bare hands using traditional materials and techniques in age where pretty much everything else is mass market and disposable and comes out of a mould in Taiwan or wherever.

veronese68

Flâneur wrote:

Pinno, fun without power and cost - mx5 is pretty good on that

They are very good.
Regarding old but with modern bits there are some things that really need updating if you are going to use an old car on a regular basis.
We had a track day at Castle Combe many years ago to show how old cars could be subtly updated to make them more useable as everyday cars. Invited all of the classic car press of the day. Most of the upgrades were to suspension and brakes and the addition of a little more power. The first thing to fit to any old car is electronic ignition, makes things much easier. I'd nearly always keep the engine of the original, it's the heart and soul and with leccy ignition will start reliably. Carbs in good nick are fine in terms of reliability, emissions and power compared to modern efi are not so good. But it is possible to fit modern injection to many classics. Power steering is a relatively easy mod now you can get electric power steering that is in the column rather than a different rack or box. Gearboxes can be replaced with a modern 5 speed, essential if you have an old Jag or Aston with a moss box. We sell stereos that look like old style radios that you can plug your ipod into so you can have modern music. The thing you really can't do a lot about is the amount of wind noise that can get tiring on a long journey and of course crash safety.
Something like MRS's Alfa or a Fulvia coupe with those kind of mods would be a great daily runner. I used to ride to work on a 68 Bonneville for about 5 years. Electronic ignition and better tyres were the only mods. It would start first kick every time, was quicker than almost any car off the line, easy to ride in traffic and looked a million times better than most other things on the road.

pinno

Hmm... I think the 'tiring on long journeys' bit is slightly sceptical. My '74 bay could be driven all day.
I drove form Le Cap Ferret in Bordeaux to Dieppe in 1 day. The following day from Dover to Cheltenham and the day after that, from Cheltenham to Scotland in my '82 W123 series 2.3l Merc. I felt great. More comfortable than any other vehicle I have driven over similar distances. My mother had to be at Glasgow airport and I forgot.
On the following day (for some inexplicable reason, probably for fun) I drove my mother's Fiat the 170 mile round trip and to Glasgow airport. I was more tired after that drive than any of the previous 3 days.

But yes, I fitted pointless ignition, a Lucas Gold coil and high output alternator to my mini pick up (1300 Metro engine) and that was a car I drove all the way to Portsmouth, Caen and then Le Mans and back in '94 from SW Scotland. Not uncomfortable or noisy given the modern sound proofing and heavy, lined Cooper carpets I fitted but tedious for the distance.

Pross

Flâneur wrote:

Back to the start of this thread, I'd be more interested to hear why people pick certain cars/bikes. Performance, image, styling, some romantic love etc etc.

For me, most of my picks are on style and 'class'. I've always felt Aston make more stylish, understated cars that many of the other luxury brands (although there are a fair few Ferraris I love too). I think there's also a big element of the Bond fan in me making the decision but then they haven't really been used in that many of the films. I picked the One77 as my modern choice due to rarity and the DB5 as I think it's their most iconic model. Range Rover Sport was chosen as I think it offers a really good balance of practicality, comfort and appearance (I find the full size version too boxy). I reckon the Riva speedboat speaks for itself, it is just a thing of beauty and class and how it actually performs is irrelevant.

veronese68

Pinno wrote:

...a Lucas Gold coil ...

Now there's a thing. You can now buy a Lucas gold coil in a Lucas box with a Lucas sticker on it, but it's a cheap, low quality coil. Alternatively you can buy a gold coil from another company that used to make them for Lucas. That is the same part as the original Lucas gold coil, but can't be sold as such. So which is the original?

Matthewfalle

All the above are piles of junk when compared to mine and TDNFNTATN's Merc pick up with a 50 cal on the back.

pinno

Veronese68 wrote:

Pinno wrote:

...a Lucas Gold coil ...

Now there's a thing. You can now buy a Lucas gold coil in a Lucas box with a Lucas sticker on it, but it's a cheap, low quality coil. Alternatively you can buy a gold coil from another company that used to make them for Lucas. That is the same part as the original Lucas gold coil, but can't be sold as such. So which is the original?

Couldn't honestly tell you. It was bought from Mini Spares Brighton, circa '93 if that helps.

Garry H

Matthewfalle wrote:

Garry H wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Garry H wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

Pinno wrote:

So I would have to live in Trieste.

The dream garage would have to be in the right place. Lake Garda would be good for the boat and a few more.
Does it have to be just the one garage? Multiple locations would be good.

And one of these to travel between said garages/boat sheds/hangars

I worry about you....

(Reminds me of that Geordie on Alan Partridge... if you know the scene)

Worth a watch https://youtu.be/fzVD5zYLK1k

I thought everybody knew a "Dave, that used to be in the SAS" :?

Is that Dave who was second man on the balconey?

That's him, but not if it's the paedo guy.

Matthewfalle

Paedo Dave was from Alsager. In fact he became Mayor of Alsager based purely on his paedo tendencie.

Balconey Dave ended up running a small haberdashers in Nuneaton. Deffo not to be confused with Alsager Dave the paedo.

Matthewfalle

Shortfall wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

You can buy the carb'd versions brand new from a bloke in Italy who bought the whole lot when the factory went bankrupt years ago. He's got a warehouse full of them

Not cheap but readily available and beautiful.

Hmmmm. What sort of money is he asking? Could be tempted if it's not ridiculous.

I believe the guy is called Piero Caroni, used to work for Bimota, €10,000 upwards.

davesnothere

Matthewfalle wrote:

All the above are piles of junk when compared to mine and TDNFNTATN's Merc pick up with a 50 cal on the back.

Will TDXTWPIALC be manning the gun while you and TDNFNATN sit up front in the MPUWA5COTB?

pinno

Seems like he's gone AWOL.

Matthewfalle

DavesNotHere wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

All the above are piles of junk when compared to mine and TDNFNTATN's Merc pick up with a 50 cal on the back.

Will TDXTWPIALC be manning the gun while you and TDNFNATN sit up front in the MPUWA5COTB?

Naturally mio amico.

Brilliant question wonderfully, wonderfully presented.

I have been discussing this with TDNFNATN and she's all up for it so long as we have a fridge on board to keep her Buckie cold (she can't stand warm fortified wine).

TDXTWPIALC is also up for it so long as I buy her 20 Bensons and a case of Lambrini each day.

We'll do a fly past your crib and I'll see if TDNFNATN will let you smell her lab coat.

Matthewfalle

Pinno wrote:

Seems like he's gone AWOL.

Who has? Can someone else go and look for him as a) I've hurt my knee and b) I have to go and meet a bloke down the pub to get my 50 cal.


Did I mention my knee hurts?

pinno

I thought you were getting jabs because you were being posted to Guatemala or San Salvador or something but it wasn't and you never contradicted me in the full knowledge you got the jabs 'cos your going on holiday.
So you're a liar and i'm not your best friend any more and my brother is bigger than you and he's going to poke you in the eye.

Matthewfalle

Well, you're half right - I did get jabs and I am going on hols but hols are 9 days at home (so. It really hols but hols) with bambini to cover childcare (again) before going away with work and actually having to do some work.

So now that is cleared up am I your BBRF again?

pinno

Only if I can use your Tonka truck and say sorry.,

Matthewfalle

Pinno wrote:

Only if I can use your Tonka truck and say sorry.,

As per other post, apologies on the back of a nice picture of TDNFNATN please or you remain persona non-grata.

mouth

I'm always amazed when a thread/post like this crops up, no matter what forum or group, there's always so much Italian and German metal.

In this case Italy takes the lead in cars, motorbikes, pedal bikes and bloody boats.

pinno

...and bloody bicycles. Don't forget to mention the C60's and the Pegoretti's.

It's 'cos they got style.

secretsam

DavesNotHere wrote:

TDXTWPIALC

Ok, who's that? No one can compare to Nina

Matthewfalle

SecretSam wrote:

DavesNotHere wrote:

TDXTWPIALC

Ok, who's that? No one can compare to Nina

Top cover.

Garry H

Mouth wrote:

I'm always amazed when a thread/post like this crops up, no matter what forum or group, there's always so much Italian and German metal.

In this case Italy takes the lead in cars, motorbikes, pedal bikes and bloody boats.

But not these:



These:



Or these, anymore

secretsam

Matthewfalle wrote:

SecretSam wrote:

DavesNotHere wrote:

TDXTWPIALC

Ok, who's that? No one can compare to Nina

Top cover.

Still no idea. You're going to have to spell it out

veronese68

Mouth wrote:

In this case Italy takes the lead in cars, motorbikes, pedal bikes and bloody boats.

Of course they do, it's a dream garage. Nobody dreams of a Morris Marina, a Triumpb Tina and a Raleigh Stow Away.

pinno

You sure about that? You've missed some real classics - Austin Allagro, Vauxhall Shuvette, Fraud Crapi...