An old bloke's motoring history

[Wagon Sailor]

I agree with you. The R4 was a much better car than a 2CV, and yet still quirky enough.

[Wagon Sailor]

I once spent every evening for a week rebuilding Solex 44PHH carburettors. No choice: even all that time ago it was £100 for a S/H pair or £800 for new …
More of the same was on its way. The 190SL could no longer be seen as a daily driver.

The practical solution was an ugly but hugely underrated car. Among other things, I was running a project that meant I had to go from London to Caithness on a regular basis. And back. Other Maxi drivers used to wear hats and stay on the inside lane on motorways. I didn’t. The car didn’t seem to mind how it was driven.

I’ve had two. You should have one as well. Both of mine were white. Instead, why not get one in BL’s newborn’s diarrhoea colour that matched what the critics thought of it at the time?

Then drive it to Patagonia. You’ll get there.





One of my brothers ran a Humber Sceptre for ages before selling it to the other bro. I bought it a couple of years after that. It broke down on the way home. Comfy once it was working again.




Nearly another Moggy 1000, but with a bigger engine and body. This 1500 was a good commuter until the brakes failed and I ran into the back of a friend’s MGA. I dragged it home and put it in a lock-up for a winter. Then sold it for the number plate. There were still broken eggs on the floor, by now extremely pongy.






The GS was sold and the company offered me a brand new Ford. “I’ll have an estate,” I told them. I didn't really need the extra space for work, but it was great for my amps and speakers at the weekend.







The 400-4 had gone for a good price.
A while later, feeling the need for a bike again, I was going to go up a grade. Instead, I went for an affordable runabout.

[biggbn]

Originally Posted by Wagon Sailor

I agree with you. The R4 was a much better car than a 2CV, and yet still quirky enough.

And yet I would rather have a 2cv today

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by biggbn

And yet I would rather have a 2cv today

It's the 4CV that hit's the spot for me George.

[EssexExile]

This was fun, until I couldn't get in or out of it any more.

[biggbn]

Originally Posted by EssexExile

This was fun, until I couldn't get in or out of it any more.

Panther Lima? I like retro styled cars but it would be a Morgan for me if I had the wherewithal!!

[EssexExile]

Panther Kallista 2.8. Much more practical & cheaper than a Morgan.

[biggbn]

Originally Posted by EssexExile

Panther Kallista 2.8. Much more practical & cheaper than a Morgan.

Can't argue with either of those points. But I prefer the Morgan looks. Even the later boss eyed ones!! I'm sure someone on here has a Marlin also. I think they are lovely looking things.

[Wagon Sailor]

Was the Kallista 2.8 engine a Ford V6?





Back to the story:


I wasn't looking for one, but when a beast like this came up locally, I thought it was worth a punt. Torquey straight-six. Electric windows even! It felt like something out of American cop movies.
I couldn’t resist it. It couldn’t resist petrol stations.




As I write this, I’m not sure if my eyes are watering in reaction to cigarette smoke, or because of something else.
The silliest thing I’ve ever done was to listen to her when she said: “We’re moving to a house that needs work; wouldn’t it be better to get rid of a car that needs work, too?”
I took this in part-exchange for the 190SL. Next time you see me, give me a (gentle) smack. I’ll know what I’ve done to deserve it. Vehicle No. 40 wasn’t one of Daimler Benz’s finest.





The Merc 250’s engine blew up. I got it going again but it was never the same. This Manta A was much better.






Our last Morris Minor met its end after the gap between black ice and an old, knotty hedge was too small. My girlfriend and I got something quite different as a replacement. It was almost impossible to drive without a smile on your face.





The Manta also got written off - by an inattentive eejit in a hurry on the Basingstoke Road in Reading. I’d had it less than a year. The temporary measure was to buy another Maxi.

Eventually, a car came up that I’d always wanted. The P6 3500 had great mid-range overtaking acceleration; very comfortable. For only the second time, I had a car that at least once managed 100 miles in an hour. (The first was the 190SL.)

[EssexExile]

Originally Posted by Wagon Sailor

Was the Kallista 2.8 engine a Ford V6?

Yes, you could have 1.6, a 2.8 or a 2.8 injection. A 1.6 would've been fine for me but I couldn't get one so I had to put up with a 2.8