The Car Thread.

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Always liked those wheels, though the number plate looks photoshopped.

 

[Friesiansam]

Always liked those wheels, though the number plate looks photoshopped.

Was just the first picture I found, might change it later, when I’m on my PC.

 

[plastic penguin]

The previous owner of the car unfortunately put new lowering springs on it, so yeah it does sit too low but the springs and bushes aren't worn out.
Surprising that the bloke did it, considering he lives ten miles away in Wales.

Ah, that explains a lot.

 

[plastic penguin]

Always liked those wheels, though the number plate looks photoshopped.

The teledials are my favourites. Much easier to clean and look nice.

 

[plastic penguin]

Was just the first picture I found, might change it later, when I’m on my PC.

The only GTV I would consider is the limited edition CUP. Not my favourite shape Alfa

 

[JDL]

Nooo....there are worst things in life to be interested in. No one-upmanship as I only have a 2.0 litre. It's the only thing that's truly mine. Even the hi-fi the family use, but the car....

Bit of a sweeping statement there. Could be that some of us just like cars.

Speaking of which, back on topic.

I'm perfectly fine to admit it....I'm a 'petrol head', except I prefer diesels, so until the price of fuel redically comes down, which I suppose it won't, that makes me a 'diesel head'. Ha ha ha.

 

[plastic penguin]

I'm perfectly fine to admit it....I'm a 'petrol head', except I prefer diesels, so until the price of fuel redically comes down, which I suppose it won't, that makes me a 'diesel head'. Ha ha ha.

 

[JDL]

The only GTV I would consider is the limited edition CUP. Not my favourite shape Alfa

 

[JDL]

I had a black 2004 GTV one of the last of them with the newer front end and different engine. That car really did fly for a 2 litre.
It had red leather seats, looked real cool... But I found it extremely uncomfortable for some reason, made my back ache, ha ha.
Definitely not the right car for me.

 

[plastic penguin]

I had a black 2004 GTV one of the last of them with the newer front end and different engine. That car really did fly for a 2 litre.
It had red leather seats, looked real cool... But I found it extremely uncomfortable for some reason, made my back ache, ha ha.
Definitely not the right car for me.

Yes, the later ones are the facelift version which would have the 2.0 JTS engine. Exactly the same as my 156. Little more torque & BHP than the 2.0 Twin Spark. Good engines if you refresh the oil on a regular basis and make sure the cam belt is changed every 3-4 years.

 

[Friesiansam]

I had a black 2004 GTV one of the last of them with the newer front end and different engine. That car really did fly for a 2 litre.
It had red leather seats, looked real cool... But I found it extremely uncomfortable for some reason, made my back ache, ha ha.
Definitely not the right car for me.

Cars are a bit like headphones. Doesn't matter how good they look or, how well they perform, if they're uncomfortable, you'll never enjoy using them.

 

[My2Cents]

If that is howyou feel about cars, why are you posting in this thread?

Because it is somewhat amusing to read people fawn over a ton of sheet metal wrapped around a load of mechanical components that are destined to breakdown and that is depreciating in value every day (unless, of course, you can afford a 'real' classic).
I remember in the 70's (when cars actually began to become popular in the UK). Manufacturers put badges all over the vehicle advertising the engine size and the all important trim level... 1.3L 1.6GL 2.0GXL etc. It just seems to sum up the British mentality of one-upmanship and the importance of status (along with everyone knowing how old the car is from the number plate - British people are obsessed with the number plate).
If your dad came home with an Austin Allegro you may as well put a bag over your head before going to school and hang your head in shame.
Luckily my dad had a '74 Cortina 2000 and we could hold our heads up high... 97 HP and 0-60 in 10.5 seconds! Not bad for a Dagenham Dustbin.
I would actually love to have one of those Cortina's fully restored or, even better, an early 70's Consul/Granada V6... drive around like Jack Regan and George Carter (with an 8 track playing the theme tune to 'The Sweeney').

 

[Friesiansam]

If your dad came home with an Austin Allegro you may as well put a bag over your head before going to school and hang your head in shame.

In the US, you could replace "Austin Allegro" with "AMC Pacer".

 

[michael hoy]

Because it is somewhat amusing to read people fawn over a ton of sheet metal wrapped around a load of mechanical components that are destined to breakdown and that is depreciating in value every day (unless, of course, you can afford a 'real' classic).
I remember in the 70's (when cars actually began to become popular in the UK). Manufacturers put badges all over the vehicle advertising the engine size and the all important trim level... 1.3L 1.6GL 2.0GXL etc. It just seems to sum up the British mentality of one-upmanship and the importance of status (along with everyone knowing how old the car is from the number plate - British people are obsessed with the number plate).
If your dad came home with an Austin Allegro you may as well put a bag over your head before going to school and hang your head in shame.
Luckily my dad had a '74 Cortina 2000 and we could hold our heads up high... 97 HP and 0-60 in 10.5 seconds! Not bad for a Dagenham Dustbin.
I would actually love to have one of those Cortina's fully restored or, even better, an early 70's Consul/Granada V6... drive around like Jack Regan and George Carter (with an 8 track playing the theme tune to 'The Sweeney').

I de badge mine . Looks neater.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

It just seems to sum up the British mentality of one-upmanship and the importance of status (along with everyone knowing how old the car is from the number plate - British people are obsessed with the number plate).

Again, rather sweeping stuff.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

And we're heading off topic. Back to the pointless, depreciating metal please!

 

[My2Cents]

My foray into depreciating metal occurred in 1989 when I had a '61 low line Consul. At the time it was only 28 years old. Funny thing is, style wise, it stuck out like a sore thumb.
If I was to drive around in a 28 year old car today, it probably wouldn't look all that out of place.

 

[Friesiansam]

If I was to drive around in a 28 year old car today, it probably wouldn't look all that out of place.

It probably would look very out of place, among all the fat-arsed SUVs and crossovers...

 

[DougK1]

It probably would look very out of place, among all the fat-arsed SUVs and crossovers...

True!

 

[My2Cents]

It probably would look very out of place, among all the fat-arsed SUVs and crossovers...

There's plenty of late 90's vehicles on the road where I live; Jeeps, 4 Runners, Explorers, all makes of p/ups and even old Chevy sedans... no one bats an eye lid.

 

[plastic penguin]

It probably would look very out of place, among all the fat-arsed SUVs and crossovers...

Absolutely. In the Surrey area, it's awash with darn off-roaders and SUVs, along with silent assassins Tesla.

Alfas have appreciated at a bigger rate than the equivalent BMW: My Sportwagon has increased from average price of £1000 to 5k in the last 5 years. For a good version with a 3.2 GTA you can pay anything up to 20k.

As regards my dad's cars they were pretty funky: 1935 Morris 8, 1950s Vauxhall Victor, two-tone Hillman Minx with a column change, to a Bedford Dormabil to a Hillman Hunter GLS (race tuned Holbay engine).

 

[plastic penguin]

My daughter has recently purchased a Bluetooth device for her Mini. The sound quality is surprisingly good for £17. It plugs straight into the cigar lighter.

Not sure I would bother though.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Reading a comparison with this and the McLaren F1 in this month's evo. Sounds like a hell of a car, redline of its 4l V12 660+bhp naturally-aspirated engine is 13,000.

Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[JDL]

Reading a comparison with this and the McLaren F1 in this month's evo. Sounds like a hell of a car, redline of its 4l V12 660+bhp naturally-aspirated engine is 13,000.

Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

When you gettin' one.....soon I hope.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

When you gettin' one.....soon I hope.

I wish...