| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| mully |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 10:04:18
...look f**king stupid.
I have spoken.
Stephen |
| 39 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 30/06/2012 : 13:50:11
The fun and challenge of driving is using your skill to get the maximum performance and cornering available. In Midgets and Sprites, old Minis and Bubble Cars this fun is all available at road lega speeds. I did get my 1275 MG up to about an indicated 95 on the M 20, downhill and fairly briefly. It was a real white knuckle ride, with the steering getting very light as the front lifted, and plenty of noise and vibration. A few years later I had a Sierra Ghia, and that sort of speed was just dull, nothing happened, no drama, no tension. Great for long motorway journeys, but as much driving fun as watching paint dry. |
| drummerNick |
Posted - 30/06/2012 : 13:06:57
My P6 is a show winner, I don't take it out a lot as it's only got 54,000 on the clock. It's a proper series one 2000 sc. I've had all the V8 versions and yes they are fast, but don't suit the cars luxury. I still think it's one of the best designed cars ever built from and engineering point of view. It smells nice too! Young car mechanics can't believe the spring layout when they first see it. My Jag is a 4.0 supercharged thing, cheap as chips to buy and so far amazingly reliable. It looks like a dodgy dealer fly-by-nights car though and a bit embarrassing at times, but I turn the key and it gets me to where I need to go. My Midget was a 76 square arch, de bumpered with an 1800 injection engine. I never took it above 95mph, you didn't need to. It was serious fun even at legal speeds. Above 15mph you can drive in a thunder storm and never get wet. |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 30/06/2012 : 12:55:28
Yay Nick! Many cars go a lot faster than Midgets, but few are such fun to drive and so affordable, mine was a 1972 square wheel arch with chrome bumpers, in Mustard Yellow! 70s or what?!
Grandad bought the 6th P6 sold, a few teething troubles but quite a car, only problem was that it was so smooth it made me car sick! |
| drummerNick |
Posted - 30/06/2012 : 12:48:55
I sold my Midget last year to buy a Jaguar. The big car is great but I really miss the speed and fun factor of the little car. It had a K series engine in it and was fully race prepared. I drove it all through the winter even in the snow and ice of last year. I can't get on with these modern plastic cars, they don't smell right. As my Jaguar is in for it's MOT this week I have pulled the Rover (1967 P6) out of the garage. It never fails to astound me what an amazing machine that is. The suspension system is out of this world. I am looking at a Lomax next week as a fun car!! Yes air-cooled and not German, how fab! |
| OriginalAnimal |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 10:16:49
quote:
Originally posted by rollingthunder
quote:
Originally posted by Captain Bubble
I have had a ride in a 1934 Morgan Matchless MX4 3 wheeler sports car and I doubt any car is more fun to be in, the closets you can get to a road going open cockpit plane. Lean out slightly and you can see the valves tapping away on top of the cylinder head. The throaty noise of the V twin up front and the smell of Castrol R is totally intoxicating. It might not be a fast as a modern machine, but it feels like it!
I can smell the Castrol R just reading that.
+1  |
| rollingthunder |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 10:09:38
quote:
Originally posted by Captain Bubble
I have had a ride in a 1934 Morgan Matchless MX4 3 wheeler sports car and I doubt any car is more fun to be in, the closets you can get to a road going open cockpit plane. Lean out slightly and you can see the valves tapping away on top of the cylinder head. The throaty noise of the V twin up front and the smell of Castrol R is totally intoxicating. It might not be a fast as a modern machine, but it feels like it!
I can smell the Castrol R just reading that. |
| martydrums |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 10:09:31
quote:
Originally posted by Captain Bubble
There are a number of 2CV kit cars, the Lomax is the most familiar one, but the Blackjack Avion designed by genius Richard Oakes is the best:
http://jalopnik.com/246993/2cv+based-3+wheeler-the-blackjack-avion
Don't think I will look at a 2CV in quite the same way ever again! |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 10:02:45
I have had a ride in a 1934 Morgan Matchless MX4 3 wheeler sports car and I doubt any car is more fun to be in, the closets you can get to a road going open cockpit plane. Lean out slightly and you can see the valves tapping away on top of the cylinder head. The throaty noise of the V twin up front and the smell of Castrol R is totally intoxicating. It might not be a fast as a modern machine, but it feels like it! |
| rollingthunder |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 09:45:10
quote:
Originally posted by Captain Bubble
quote:
Originally posted by drummerNick
Having just this minute completed a 17.2 mile round trip to pick up a pint of milk, I would consider a small car. I was thinking about one of those Citroen 3 wheel kit car things but most of the roads round here have grass growing down the middle of them, nightmare for braking. I would happily drive a Smart Car
There are a number of 2CV kit cars, the Lomax is the most familiar one, but the Blackjack Avion designed by genius Richard Oakes is the best:
http://jalopnik.com/246993/2cv+based-3+wheeler-the-blackjack-avion
I'd love one of those. I've got a replica WW2 sheepskin flying jacket, so a long white scarf and a pair of goggles and it's chocks away.
I would prefer a Morgan, but they are getting pricey.
|
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 09:12:38
I used to have an MG Midget, open top two-seater, loved it. As soon as you go above about 5-10 mph all the rain gets deflected over you by the windscreen. If you have to stop at a level crossing or junction you put up your umbrella. All year round I used to drive with roof down and heater on, partly because it was the only way to get the bassist and his double bass in...the db sat on the passenger seat, the bassist sat on the boot and clung on! |
| Badman_batman |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 08:52:50
quote:
Originally posted by Captain Bubble
quote:
Originally posted by drummerNick
Having just this minute completed a 17.2 mile round trip to pick up a pint of milk, I would consider a small car. I was thinking about one of those Citroen 3 wheel kit car things but most of the roads round here have grass growing down the middle of them, nightmare for braking. I would happily drive a Smart Car
There are a number of 2CV kit cars, the Lomax is the most familiar one, but the Blackjack Avion designed by genius Richard Oakes is the best:
http://jalopnik.com/246993/2cv+based-3+wheeler-the-blackjack-avion
Im sorry but that is just horrible, i love air cooled and my grand father had many VW Beatles and i would work tirelessly on them with him every sunday
Its britain and it rains what use is this car ? This is one of those cars where you have a jacket fleece lined buttoned up to your chin so you can feel the freezing cold wind and rain through the last 2 or 3 hairs left on your head
|
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 27/06/2012 : 08:45:07
quote:
Originally posted by drummerNick
Having just this minute completed a 17.2 mile round trip to pick up a pint of milk, I would consider a small car. I was thinking about one of those Citroen 3 wheel kit car things but most of the roads round here have grass growing down the middle of them, nightmare for braking. I would happily drive a Smart Car
There are a number of 2CV kit cars, the Lomax is the most familiar one, but the Blackjack Avion designed by genius Richard Oakes is the best:
http://jalopnik.com/246993/2cv+based-3+wheeler-the-blackjack-avion |
| drummerNick |
Posted - 26/06/2012 : 23:21:24
Having just this minute completed a 17.2 mile round trip to pick up a pint of milk, I would consider a small car. I was thinking about one of those Citroen 3 wheel kit car things but most of the roads round here have grass growing down the middle of them, nightmare for braking. I would happily drive a Smart Car |
| Badman_batman |
Posted - 26/06/2012 : 19:49:46
I have seen G4S security guards driving them, and believe me they were probably lubed up with baby oil to get it |
| Sean |
Posted - 26/06/2012 : 19:26:51
quote:
Originally posted by mully
quote:
Originally posted by logic_user99
My dad had one when I was 15/16.
You were a fraction?
Stephen
Love it! |
| OriginalAnimal |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 22:45:38
quote:
Originally posted by MustangMick
Fuel consumption on the Smart cars isn't that great.
You can turn one of the Smart Roadsters into one of these though.
Banks Europa (Lotus Europa replica)
http://www.banks-europa.co.uk/articles/kitcar_08/kitcar_brabus_europa.pdf
Cheers
Mick
Aaaarrrggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh Not a Europa!!!!they were hideous and about as reliable as a TVR
The car dealer I worked for sold a white 72 model and every day it came back with a different fault, the only thing that wasn't complained about was the plastic padding repair to the OSR wheel arch where I hit a radiator whilst backing out of the cleaning shop and we patched it up with PP and some random white paint, I then stood in front of it whilst the customer checked it over
Oops!! |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 18:08:15
Over the last 30 years or so the quality of kit cars has gone right up, and that one looks pretty good, plus probably "Less Of Troubles, Usually Sortable" compared to the original! |
| MustangMick |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 17:51:51
Fuel consumption on the Smart cars isn't that great.
You can turn one of the Smart Roadsters into one of these though.
Banks Europa (Lotus Europa replica)
http://www.banks-europa.co.uk/articles/kitcar_08/kitcar_brabus_europa.pdf
Cheers
Mick |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 16:17:40
The old bubble cars were perfect in their day, but fail to meet most modern safety standards, and people used to modern cars do not feel "safe" in them. The fact that if a car feels less "safe" to the occupants they take fewer risks! Still, bubble cars are safer than a cycle, moped, scooter or small motor cycle! Heinkel-Trojans like mine were the best for fuel: 80-90 mpg on unleaded, 4 stroke so good emissions, AND unlike the 'schmitts....hydraulic brakes which stop the car instantly. |
| OriginalAnimal |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 15:56:36
quote:
Originally posted by Captain Bubble
Myself and some friends sat in a Twizy at Bromley Pageant of Motoring a few Sundays ago. First impressions were that it seemed a lot of fun and possibly of some use in some situations for some users..
Then I noticed that the swing up door/roof has big open gaps right near your hands and smaller gaps all around, not nice if you get caught in a shower or plan to use it all year round. No obvious handle or grip to pull the door/roof shut. Price information did not include cost of hiring the battery pack. There is a child's back seat/luggage space, but horribly cramped and claustrophobic for any child to ride in. We were left with a strong feeling that it is not really practical and not fully developed. One of my friends often uses a G Whizz for getting into London from Essex and at first was quite attracted to the Twizy but soon changed his mind.
Yup, the battery hire is quite expensive at £45-60 per month, on their large saloon car it's £70 per month.
Why isn't something along the lines of the Meschersmitt tandem three wheeler reproduced, even with a petrol engine, the economy would be great and emissions can be tightly controlled |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 15:42:17
Myself and some friends sat in a Twizy at Bromley Pageant of Motoring a few Sundays ago. First impressions were that it seemed a lot of fun and possibly of some use in some situations for some users..
Then I noticed that the swing up door/roof has big open gaps right near your hands and smaller gaps all around, not nice if you get caught in a shower or plan to use it all year round. No obvious handle or grip to pull the door/roof shut. Price information did not include cost of hiring the battery pack. There is a child's back seat/luggage space, but horribly cramped and claustrophobic for any child to ride in. We were left with a strong feeling that it is not really practical and not fully developed. One of my friends often uses a G Whizz for getting into London from Essex and at first was quite attracted to the Twizy but soon changed his mind. |
| OriginalAnimal |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 15:18:59
If you don't like the Smart Car, what about the Renault Twizy?
http://www.renault.co.uk/Cars/model/twizy/explore.aspx
 |
| averagewaistdude |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 15:10:31
This...?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/ollythedolly/SL742136.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/ollythedolly/SL742134.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/ollythedolly/SL742137.jpg
|
| Allegro |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 13:49:42
There are some Smart cars that I have seen with ass written after the manufactures name; like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-SMART-ASS-Car-Decals-Stickers-Graphics-/160541745563 |
| mully |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 13:22:47
quote:
Originally posted by ian-40
i like em too.
by the way, 15/16th is 24mm if you need a metric equivalent spanner
Don't call logic a spanner.
Stephen |
| JKDrummerDude |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 13:01:30
I drove one once as my car was in the garage. Awful. Really bad. The example I drove wasn't helped by dodgy tracking, but the best thing about it is it's fuel consumption. |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 12:21:19
Curiously odd looking and fun to drive, I like them but they are not great value for money: a Suzuki Wagon is £5000 cheaper, and can take 5 people and luggage while only being slightly bigger. |
| ian-40 |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 11:48:05
i like em too.
by the way, 15/16th is 24mm if you need a metric equivalent spanner |
| martydrums |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 11:26:12
I must be in a minority of one here. I think they look quite cool. |
| averagewaistdude |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 11:20:26
quote:
Originally posted by moosetication
quote:
Originally posted by logic_user99
And talk about a PITA when you try and get any kind of kit inside... No chance!
A certain prestidigitator, formerly of this parish, would very much disagree with you.
My thought exactly. Was a "magic" moment when he posted up the photo... |
| logic_user99 |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 10:59:15
quote:
Originally posted by mully
quote:
Originally posted by logic_user99
My dad had one when I was 15/16.
You were a fraction?
Stephen
No; I was a single bar of 15/16. |
| dwpaddy |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 10:53:55
quote:
Originally posted by beezerk
quote:
Originally posted by dwpaddy
Gay Stephen, one of our drivers, has one.
Suits him though.
He has the Cabroilet version...not that that makes any difference.
Still looks stupid.
That makes sense, I saw one of your trucks last Friday near Worksop, the driver had a pink dress on 
That's quite right too.
We operate a 'casual dress Friday' in here.
Lucky for you you didn't see our Hell's Angel.....one scary mofo. |
| beezerk |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 10:51:08
quote:
Originally posted by dwpaddy
Gay Stephen, one of our drivers, has one.
Suits him though.
He has the Cabroilet version...not that that makes any difference.
Still looks stupid.
That makes sense, I saw one of your trucks last Friday near Worksop, the driver had a pink dress on |
| dwpaddy |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 10:49:07
Gay Stephen, one of our drivers, has one.
Suits him though.
He has the Cabroilet version...not that that makes any difference.
Still looks stupid. |
| gaz farrimond |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 10:46:02
The problem is in the name.
Smart Car: Nothing smart about them.
|
| moosetication |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 10:37:37
quote:
Originally posted by logic_user99
And talk about a PITA when you try and get any kind of kit inside... No chance!
A certain prestidigitator, formerly of this parish, would very much disagree with you. |
| Pegdrummer |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 10:29:59
quote:
Originally posted by mully
quote:
Originally posted by logic_user99
My dad had one when I was 15/16.
You were a fraction?
Stephen
Coffee - monitor - only Monday morning..... |
| mully |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 10:25:02
quote:
Originally posted by logic_user99
My dad had one when I was 15/16.
You were a fraction?
Stephen |
| logic_user99 |
Posted - 25/06/2012 : 10:18:16
My dad had one when I was 15/16. Felt like a right knob getting a lift in it. And talk about a PITA when you try and get any kind of kit inside... No chance! |
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