A personal automotive history (pic heavy)

[Sailor]

My best mate is a bloody good self-employed carpenter; he’s used these as his firm’s van, one after another. This one has a knackered head gasket and an only-just-functioning turbo: he needed to replace it. Would I take it off his hands for roughly scrap value? Yes, please, I’ve got loads of stuff to move.

It still works well enough for local journeys and I’ve a feeling it will outlast the 3 months MoT still outstanding.




That’s it, 66 cars (unless I remember some more). We’ve still got 5 of them. It’s enough.


For now ….

[prelude91]

Popped in to see the garage today. Modulator fitted, brake bleed left to do, hopefully good news Monday during the day, fingers crossed.

[Sailor]

So, which of these cars do I miss the most? Or which give me the fondest memories? These are not the same things. The first car in which things got physical isn’t necessarily one I’d like to own today.

Certainly, the two that would be the most expensive at today’s prices are still worth having: not for the economics, but because they were great machines – the XK150 and the 190SL. On the other hand, 40 years of automotive evolution mean that the Prelude is a better car than either of them could ever have been back then.

If I think about their special talents, I'd have to keep 8 of them:-

1. The best looking: 190SL
2. The most fun has to be one of the rwd cars. Perhaps the Manta B or the P6 3500? (both less precious than the 190SL or XK150)
3. The quickest: ATR (probably? especially on a track?)
4. The best tourer: Prelude 5G
5. The most reliable: Mazda Xedos
6. The most useful: Galant 2.5V6 Estate or perhaps the hatchback Sierra.
7. The most economical (in terms of overall cost per mile) Peugeot 205GRD
8. The one that could go (almost) anywhere: Subaru Justy

Remembering cars is like reading an old diary. They have their stories. My stories overlap with theirs. In fact, I’d keep the whole garage if I could, but that would be meaningless. Most of them would end up neglected in the corner of a barn while I’d be looking forward to the next different beast.

And the next adventure.

[wurlycorner]

In fact, I’d keep the whole garage if I could, but that would be meaningless. Most of them would end up neglected in the corner of a barn while I’d be looking forward to the next different beast.

[prelude91]

Thanks for the analytical précis of your motoring history. Any particular reason you've decided to wax lyrical at this juncture? Of them all, I'd have the P6, followed by the Manta, then the Sierra. But my current 3g, or previous SRI130 would both take a lot of beating.

[Sailor]

Any particular reason you've decided to wax lyrical at this juncture?

Whimsy.

Of them all, I'd have the P6, followed by the Manta, then the Sierra. But my current 3g, or previous SRI130 would both take a lot of beating.

Good choices.
The V8 Rover was a magnificent beast, comfy and capable. I have many happy memories of my time with it.
I don't share your enthusiasm for the SRI (I'd rather have my old Viscount), but I hope the 3G works out on Monday.

[Sailor]

I gave in. I bought Car 67, a Honda Integra DB9.
I can't find another one in the country.

[wurlycorner]

[prahunt]

This is a fine history lesson through a petrol heads life.
It seems crazy to me you could drive so many cars across your life, but then when I think back on my low 25 years you realise how they add up quickly enough.

Have you ever tried to track down any of your old conquests? Out of curiosity, to see if they're still running?

A fine story and a wonderful range of cars.

Kudos

[Sailor]

Thanks.

Have you ever tried to track down any of your old conquests? Out of curiosity, to see if they're still running?

3 were written off in accidents, 9 were scrapped or broken for parts, 1 was sold for the plate and was probably scrapped by the new owner.

I think about 5 went in part exchange and were never seen again. When sold locally, some of the others would appear now and again over a year or two and then who knows? A subsequent owner of the 190SL tracked me down a few years after I sold it, looking for some of the car's history and asking if I had any photos.

We've still got 10% of them (6 cars and load of bits). Other than those, what's gone is gone.