For those interested in old cars.

[Gruffalo]

Just found an old paper in the loft whilst clearing out. Middlesex Gazette, Feb 15th 1964, and saw this advert.

 

Note the prices!

 

(Click for larger image)

 

DSC03745_s.jpg

That list includes several I have owned and one a later version of which we still have in the family - the Midget. Re earlier posts on Alfas, I don't want to change my 159, I don't like the Mito and the Guillietta doesn't do it for me. Yes, a Brera is a really nice car but I come back to the fact that Alfa have only been making the Mito and the Guillietta for the last couple of years.

[Phil Traxson]

Just found an old paper in the loft whilst clearing out. Middlesex Gazette, Feb 15th 1964, and saw this advert.

 

Note the prices!

 

(Click for larger image)

 

DSC03745_s.jpg

 

Yes, but to put them in context my Dad was a reasonably well paid Mech.Fitter at the time on about £16 a week take home pay including overtime!

 

The Mortgage on his new build 3bed semi was £14 per month, house price was £1250 in 1963.

 

Phil T.

Edited August 24, 2013 by Phil Traxson

[45669]

Just found an old paper in the loft whilst clearing out. Middlesex Gazette, Feb 15th 1964, and saw this advert.

 

Note the prices!

 

(Click for larger image)

 

DSC03745_s.jpg

 

Nowadays we would drool over such cars at a vintage vehicle rally!

[Shadow]

That puts the Triumph Vitesse at £1094 at almost the same price as a 3 bed semi! 

[Phil Traxson]

That puts the Triumph Vitesse at £1094 at almost the same price as a 3 bed semi! 

Its actually the Triumph 2000 that's £1094 but your point still holds good.

Dad was running a 2 previous owner, stored for the duration of the War, 1939 Ford 8 at the time, first version of the car Ford produced until about 1960. This version still had the spare wheel on the back( posh ones had a cover over it) and entry to the boot was inside by lifting the back of the back seat up. Sold it for £10 with 12 months "ten year test" MOT.  Followed it with a 1951 Morris Oxford, the one that looked like a Morris Minor on steroids.

 

Phil T.   

[108]

Just found an old paper in the loft whilst clearing out. Middlesex Gazette, Feb 15th 1964, and saw this advert.

 

Note the prices!

 

(Click for larger image)

 

DSC03745_s.jpg

Crikey. This was published 2 days before I was born.

[69843]

Digging around today, I uncovered a whole heap of old shots of classic cars, to be slowly posted here.

 

First up, 12th August 2007 and a visit to an All Ford Day at Warwic Farm, and a whole set of XY GTs and GT-HOs

 

A beautiful Green and White Shelby GT350R

 

Another Shelby, a Cobra 427 S/C

 

Ford GT40 in stunning Yellow with a nice thin Black stripe

 

Couldn't have said it better myself!-Cortina Cosworth

 

Nice Green XA GT Coupe

 

XC Cobra. I have been lucky enough to be given a ride in one of these before, and they are a heap of fun!

 

The Laundu out of Mad Max 2

 

Pete Geohgan's classic 1967 Mustang GTA

 

And did someone say pink?!

A 1964 Ford Thunderbird, with the roof partway closed, and a pink Falcon BF MkII in the background

 

Falcon XA 4-door

 

50s Fairlane. One of the only cars I have ever seen that looks delicate in a certain livery

[Rugd1022]

 I don't think there will ever be a better looking 'normal' car  - don't think even alfa can top the Brera/159 styling (im not a huge fan of he mito/giulietta) 

 

There's been a red Alfa Brera Spider sat in the work's car park for the last few days, I arrived back from my shift this morning and just kept walking round it, staring at it. I actually prefer tin tops but it just looked so 'right' I could barely take my eyes off it. Half an hour previous, I'd driven into Northampton and stopped off to look at a black Brera 2.2 (by accident, honest) and did exactly the same thing.... in some photos they look too fat at the rear (one of the criticisms when they were new) but in the flesh all the lines and curves are so beautifully resolved, as a piece of automotive design I think it's an absolute stunner. The interior is beautiful too. There aren't many modern cars I ever take any notice of but to my eyes the Brera is a future classic and no mistake.

 

Anyway, back on topic, here's the old Bruiser, in the dry at long last...

 

 

[DDolfelin]

Not that old - still in use:

 

[Oldddudders]

Not that old - still in use:

 

I note the spare wheel has gone off the bonnet - it does make it a bit heavy in my experience!

 

Nidge - that's a lovely garage. But, hey, if you chuck the car(s) out you have space for a killer model railway! When Deb and I married just over 38 years ago, as we left the Register Office, a BR-owned P5 stopped outside - the Divisional Movements Manager, Les Singleton's daughter was next in the production line to be married! Les had started as an engine-cleaner at Fratton. He'd done well to get to Senior Officer grade, and was still only in his late 40s.

Edited August 26, 2013 by Oldddudders

[trisonic]

Not that old - still in use:

 

 

Now I can see why you have those cool mirrors too...let me know if you ever want to sell it!

 

Best, Pete.

[Gruffalo]

The Midget progresses but we found a seized brake calliper and stripping it showed the barrel needed resurfacing due to corrosion. One source of parts is the MGBeeHive and in this instance, theirs was the best price but the items are exchange only. That prompted a trip over to Wisbech and out into the flatlands. What a treasure trove we found! Excellent service too so now we have some fabric to cover the inner door rails which were crying out for attention, new filters and new plugs - the end is getting nearer. By the way, no commercial link to that business, just a happy customer.

Edited August 28, 2013 by Gruffalo

[Peter Bedding]

It is no easy task to keep an old classic car on the road, let alone in the immaculate condition displayed in the earlier photos on this thread.

 

There was a time when "previously owned" cars would show their age:-

 

 

A 1925 "Bullnose" Morris Oxford, as rescued from a farm in 1956, and in "learner driver" mode.

 

Other oldies on this Whippingham IoW campus included this very pretty 1935 Wolseley Wasp.

 

 

Fast forward to 1961, and I had progressed to this 1933 SA Alvis Speed 20 with VDP 3-position DHC coach work. Here seen during a weekend thrash across the Hog's Back. Close inspection will disclose the advanced body decay which was beyond my pocket money to put right.

 

 

Here seen outside my digs in W3. (Within a long-ish stones-throws of Old Oak Common Shed) The car behind is my chum's Mercedes 170V, which was a very popular choice of National Servicemen who gained from their time in the Mob in RAFG.

 

[DDolfelin]

Beautiful cars.

... and they have running boards!

Thanks.

[Peter Bedding]

Beautiful cars.

... and they have running boards!

Thanks.

 

Thank you, DD.

 

In the back of my mind was the thought that until 1961 and the introduction of the MoT test, a large proportion of everyday cars were pre-war, i.e in excess of 20 years old and still earning their keep. They were not very fast (just as well, really), but as lorries were limited to a top speed of 20mph the car's limitations were not as significant as might be expected. Look at the midday traffic on the A31!

[shortliner]

I know not where or what was on - but this morning as I went south down the A9 towards the Cromarty Bridge I overtook an immaculate old Seddon Atkinson lorry with a name that I didn't register and Brora as the place on the door - presumably en route to a show - returning about an hour later, in roughly the same place, there was one of the VERY old olive-green Morris "Post Office Telephones" vans similsr to this http://www.flickr.com/photos/austin7nut/8879236536/ also heading south, complete with its wooden ladder on the roof - that brought back a few memories

Edited August 31, 2013 by shortliner

[Nimbus]

Is 1991 old? If so, could I seek a bit of advice please?

 

I'm tidying up under the bonnet of my 1991 Rover 214, as corrosion is nibbling at the edges of some of the brackets. Would the original Ducellier ignition coil be oil-filled, or is what I can hear sloshing around inside more likely to be water? It's not as though it's ever been under a large head of water trying to force its way in...

 

The Nim.

[PatB]

1991 is, rather disturbingly, 22 years ago so yes, I think your Rover can reasonably be described as 'old' . I'd be very surprised if anyone was still using oil filled coils by then.  I've always thought of them as being more of a 1950/60s thing and generally aftermarket at that, Runbaken being the main brand name that I remember.  So, in the rainy old UK, my money would be on water .  Given the relatively modest cost of replacement coils for most things and the amount of trouble and frustration they can cause, particularly with intermittent faults, I've always favoured replacement if there'sthe slightest doubt over condition.

[Rugd1022]

Been digging through the old archive for some more classics...

 

One of my earlier Rover P6Bs, a 1971 3500 Auto, parked up in Loughborough - the sign is long gone but the factory wall is still standing...

 

My last P6B alongside a mate's early SD1...

 

Quite often see this lovely early Rangie in the staff car park at Leamington Station...

 

My previous Mini Cooper alongside a very nice early Stag, turns out he lives about half a mile from me and uses it everyday as a company car...!

 

And a few from last November's classic do at the NEC...

 

 

 

 

 

(Is Tony Curtis in the building...?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[69843]

Well, yesterday (and today) was the annual Fathers Day Muscle Car Masters held at Eastern Creek Sydney Motorsport Park, and as usual, it turned out some real head-turners. I took my dad and a friend out, and as usual had a fantastic time. It's good to see such collectable cars actually being driven, rather than shut up away in a shed, gathering dust and rust. All below is but a small sample of what was on display/racing.

 

The driver of the Torana would have been a bit worried with the four RX2s lined up behind...he eventually won.

 

Nice big ol' Mercury Comet, dubbed by my dad as the 'Batmobile'. It came second in the race, being third on the grid.

 

The Touring Car Masters. These are the serious race cars, the ones with a bit of modern technology and power under the hood. The number 12 Falcon Sprint on the second row of the grid has a 289ci motor putting out about 585hp-not too bad for a small block!

 

The genuine, original Ian 'Pete' Geoghegan 1967 GTA Mustang (seen in my earlier post) is still out and racing, seen here with a 1969 Boss 302 lookalike of the Coca-Cola Mustang.

 

The other '69 in the field, a lookalike of the 1969 Parnelli Jones Mustang.

 

Now onto some of the other, display (at least on the Saturday) cars. This is the ex-John Goss/Kevin Bartlett 1974 Bathurst winning XA Falcon GT.

 

'Godzilla' herself, the dominate Nissan Skyline GTR R32 that won Bathurst in 1992, causing that now famous outburst from Jim Richards...

 

THE LJ XU1 that gave the late Peter Brock his first of 9 wins at Bathurst.

 

A little Triumph Dolomite Sprint from Bathurst 1980. It came 24th outright out of 60 cars in that race.

 

Replica ex-Leo Geoghegan ('Big Pete's brother) E38 Charger VH. Aparrently, Leo himself helped with the build of this, to help make it as accurate as possible.

 

Ford Zephyr 6 Mark 3-aparrently, it was the drivers first time racing in 45 years, and the first time out in the car.

 

A Torana painted to look like the old Norm Beechey HT 350 Monaro-actually suits the little car!

 

And speaking of HT 350s...

 

1966 Shelby GT350. It did fairly well, and sounded beautiful to boot!

 

A Corvette,  MGB(?) and a TVR battle it out on the track

 

And the fine little Green and Gold/Bronze Triumph TR6 that wa buzzing around the circuit

[trisonic]

Nice (real) Ghibli, Nidge.

I'm having lunch today with the owner of two original '60's Bora's. Both maroon with stainless steel roofs. Amato also has two L. Urracos a couple of Ferrari's and a later day Maserati (which I think looks like a Mazda - but don't tell him)....

 

Best, Pete.

[Rugd1022]

Nice (real) Ghibli, Nidge.

I'm having lunch today with the owner of two original '60's Bora's. Both maroon with stainless steel roofs. Amato also has two L. Urracos a couple of Ferrari's and a later day Maserati (which I think looks like a Mazda - but don't tell him)....

 

Best, Pete.

 

Oh that lovely Ghibli.... me and my mate stood there staring at it for what seems like ages, it was so beautiful, just perfect really.

 

I like the front end (and the sound) of late model Masers, but from the back they look like a lot of other posh modern coupes on the roads.

 

Enjoy your lunch you jammy, jammy s*d!

 

PS : please get some nice piccies...!

Edited September 1, 2013 by Rugd1022

[trisonic]

I'm going to ask him if I can visit the cars and spend an afternoon taking photos - if I get a chance. It's his 25th Anniversary....

 

Best, Pete.

[Adams442T]

Well, yesterday (and today) was the annual Fathers Day Muscle Car Masters held at Eastern Creek Sydney Motorsport Park, and as usual, it turned out some real head-turners. I took my dad and a friend out, and as usual had a fantastic time. It's good to see such collectable cars actually being driven, rather than shut up away in a shed, gathering dust and rust. All below is but a small sample of what was on display/racing.

 

DSCF6963.jpg

The driver of the Torana would have been a bit worried with the four RX2s lined up behind...he eventually won.

 

DSCF6991.jpg

Nice big ol' Mercury Comet, dubbed by my dad as the 'Batmobile'. It came second in the race, being third on the grid.

 

DSCF7066.jpg

The Touring Car Masters. These are the serious race cars, the ones with a bit of modern technology and power under the hood. The number 12 Falcon Sprint on the second row of the grid has a 289ci motor putting out about 585hp-not too bad for a small block!

 

DSCF7072.jpg

The genuine, original Ian 'Pete' Geoghegan 1967 GTA Mustang (seen in my earlier post) is still out and racing, seen here with a 1969 Boss 302 lookalike of the Coca-Cola Mustang.

 

DSCF7086.jpg

The other '69 in the field, a lookalike of the 1969 Parnelli Jones Mustang.

 

DSCF7108.jpg

Now onto some of the other, display (at least on the Saturday) cars. This is the ex-John Goss/Kevin Bartlett 1974 Bathurst winning XA Falcon GT.

 

DSCF7117.jpg

'Godzilla' herself, the dominate Nissan Skyline GTR R32 that won Bathurst in 1992, causing that now famous outburst from Jim Richards...

 

DSCF7126.jpg

THE LJ XU1 that gave the late Peter Brock his first of 9 wins at Bathurst.

 

DSCF7128.jpg

A little Triumph Dolomite Sprint from Bathurst 1980. It came 24th outright out of 60 cars in that race.

 

DSCF7152.jpg

Replica ex-Leo Geoghegan ('Big Pete's brother) E38 Charger VH. Aparrently, Leo himself helped with the build of this, to help make it as accurate as possible.

 

DSCF7158.jpg

Ford Zephyr 6 Mark 3-aparrently, it was the drivers first time racing in 45 years, and the first time out in the car.

 

DSCF7167.jpg

A Torana painted to look like the old Norm Beechey HT 350 Monaro-actually suits the little car!

 

DSCF7173.jpg

And speaking of HT 350s...

 

DSCF7199.jpg

1966 Shelby GT350. It did fairly well, and sounded beautiful to boot!

 

DSCF7217.jpg

A Corvette,  MGB(?) and a TVR battle it out on the track

 

DSCF7243.jpg

And the fine little Green and Gold/Bronze Triumph TR6 that wa buzzing around the circuit

I think the MGB(?) is actually a square wheel arch Midget.  They can be made to go surprisingly fast.  In the late 60s I had a 'frogeye' Sprite with a 1500 Cortina GT engine and rally Escort gearbox and rear axle.  I had some classic battles along the Dover - London road, one culminating in a guy in a BMW jumping out at the lights in Old Kent Road running up and saying to me, "What the hell have you got in that thing?!!!"

[PhilJ W]

I visited a car show this morning at Fords Dunton research facility. Plenty of interesting cars and a chance to drive a Dutton super 7. This is a new event on behalf of the St. Francis Hospice and will run again next year (first Sunday every September).