Car nostalgia

When I was a teen, I really wanted a TR6 or an MGB.  Sadly, at 6'4" and 225 lbs, I could fit in neither.  In fact, it seems like every classic British sports car I've ever looked at seems to have been built for more, shall we say, compact drivers.

Are there exceptions?  Thanks!

Hook

No exceptions in classic sports cars unless you stretch the definition to include Jensen and Bristol. But it could have been worse as driving a Italian sports car of the day would have demonstrated. During that period, for people of stature it was American or German.

Originally Posted by Phil Harris:

Originally Posted by Tony Lockhart:

 

She was "fun" this morning coming into work and I haven't a hope in hell of getting up the hill to my house later...

A TVR and snow,

Just don't go!

Just keep it between the ditches Tony

Interesting hook,

   i wonder what the max size is to fit in an MG midget, or Triumph GT6

Tony, what is a Delta S4?

A Lancia Delta S4 is a homologation special built for Group B rallying

Turbocharged AND supercharged, reputed about 550bhp when the min weight was under 900kgs!!!

John

And in rallycross even more power, and then in European hillclimbs......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...youtube_gdata_player

Tony

The Lancia Delta S4 was a car built in the 80s, homologated for Group B rallying. Four wheel drive, super and turbo charged. Ferocious. A friend had the road going 'Stradale' version. Tony

Was'nt the delta rally car known as the integrale?

For slim jims only

I'm still driving Fiat X1/9's. They divide opinion like mad, but the handling is great, parts very cheap and easily available, and much can be done to get more oomph out of them. If you can find one without too much tin worm and then spend a few summer weekends spraying Waxoyl everywhere (and sorting out the dodgy electrics) they're a fun all year round 2 seater. But you have to be prepared to learn basic mechanic skills. Something goes wrong about once a month! It's like a baby Elise in some ways, and shares a few parts with the Stratos. 

Currently on X1/9 number 6. A black 1987 car. Bit of bubbling on rear arches, but it's 25 years old! 

Michael,

   No offence but an x19 ---and a tenuous link to a stratos. Come on now!!!!

I used to work with a fella that had one and it was always considered a hairdressers car.

Apologies 

Thanks Tony -- appreciate the suggestions, and have been reading up on them.  If I ever finally scratch this 40-year old itch, it would have to be vintage (pre 1979) and British.  The TVR Chimaera looks like it wasn't introduced until '92, so am scratching it off the list.  And while I love the all-business rally sport look of the mid-80's Lancias, they are impossible to find in the US.  But you've raised my hopes with the Lotus Elan.  I see several for sale (including the '72 rag top shown below), and I am totally digging its classic curves!

ATB.

Hook 

My company car 10 years ago....

Jono

Hook,

    If you arechinking of lotus, then don't forget the Europa. Worth a look.

If you want to stick with élan, than of ourse you also have the option of the elan +2

Jono,

 The type R integra is a beauty, and one of my sons dream cars, a real drifters "must have"

I had a 1957 Austin A35 998cc engine from 1965 to 1967. It took me to Heidelberg, Istanbul, Prague on separate trips as  well as numerous trips in the UK. No radio, but it had trafficators and not the semaphore signal arms. Eventually it provided a foot bath for passengers when it rained.

Good memories but no digital pictures, some colour slides of it somewhere!

To help out Derek, here's a lovely A35.  Have to say, watching this one tear up the Goodwood track dicing with the big Jag saloons is a wonderful spectacle.  Oh, and the big orange Tatra with the dustbin exhausts is hilarious too.

Ah the old "hairdresser's car" put down. Also re the Stratos,  both cars designed by Bertone, built by Bertone, numerous shared (albeit minor) parts. The X1/9 out-handles the Stratos.

Anyway, love or hate the X1/9, it was the first mid engined car for the masses, had many clever design features, and I doubt you ever drove one. They're amazing fun.

Carry on!

Re Richard's picture of an A35 on steroids - Thanks

Wow lowered suspension.

The suspension of mine was lowered when in Czechoslovakia in 1967. The main leaf of the rear right spring broke, the car sagged and the rear axle moved back causing the brake cable to tighten up.

So after slackening off the brake cable I drove into the nearest town and found a garage /workshop. They promised to get it repaired by the following day. I hitched back to the camp site.

Next morning up very early to get the only bus back into town, along with the stereotypical villagers taking chickens etc to market.  Got to the garage before they opened to discover that they had not even looked at the car.

They butt welded the main leaf together and I got them to weld a bar across the weld (I was not an engineer for nothing <g&gt 

Any way we loaded up the car and drove to ferry port in time to catch the ferry.

Once home I bought a new main leaf and after a month of driving the repaired one broke so had the new leaf fitted.