My First Car [Archive] - World Naval Ships Forums

astraltrader

22-02-2008, 14:21

When I was 12 [1964] a local farmer let a friend and myself keep a 1939 Lanchester [with from memory a pre-selector on the gears] in a field near Exeter. We obtained this unwanted car from another friends dad.
Whilst not in brilliant condition it was all there and would be of great value today, I am ashamed to admit it was wrecked [mainly by me] over the next 3 months by madcap driving - probably as much in the air as actually on the ground!
Then came my motor-cycle years - where I was an utter maniac and had 4 severe crashes between 1968/9. Fractured my skull, wrist, ankle, ribs and collar-bone in various prangs. I went over a hedge at a T-Junction riding a 500cc Triumph Daytona T100T out in the sticks in the middle of the night. When I came to I was covered in dew and congealed blood from my head where it smashed into a curved number-plate I had fixed to the front of my T-bar style handlebars had dried over my eyes and for a while I thought I was blind. In another "mishap" passengers from a bus in Exeter got out screaming as a bike I was riding slammed under it and wedged solidly around the back-axle! They only stopped when they realised that I was not with it - having flown off across the opposite carriageway narrowly missing being run over by the fast moving traffic and was sitting looking dazed and confused on the pavement!
For a bet I even rode a friends motor-scooter down a huge flight of stone-steps in the centre of Exeter!

I am ashamed to say I ran my poor parents ragged - although they are both alive and well at 79. It was partly through fear that I might end up with one like me - that my wife and I never had children...

Anyhow you will [probably] be pleased to hear that I had retired for good from 2-wheels and proudly took ownership of my first car. A hideously rusty Triumph Herald - Reg number UFX 139. [no photo survives]
Since then I have owned 94 cars - of which I have photo`s of over 60 and never had a bump that was down to me. I even used to briefly race hotrods and bangers in the early 1980`s...
I obviously needed to sit up straight when I went around corners!
Today I share with my wife a big BMW estate which although I have owned for 7 years never goes wrong as well as an Alfa-Romeo Spyder which being Italian often does!!

This day and age I am very conservative and I think anyway staid in appearance. I do have a photo of me when I was 17 that does give an accurate portrayal of my character then - which I would only post if arm was twisted for fear of offending!!

astraltrader

22-02-2008, 14:32

I cant put my hand on a photo - but the Alfa Spyder is exactly the same colour and year as this - but is RHD...

Harley

22-02-2008, 14:33

Tsk, sounds like twin leading shoes on your Triumph might have saved you some grief, Terry. I hope the bike wasn't too hurt :p.

Harley

astraltrader

22-02-2008, 14:41

Totalled I am afraid good sir. Engine was pushed right back into the frame and front forks and wheel were unrecognizeable.
Bike under bus was a Triumph t-21 also totalled...

Harley

22-02-2008, 14:54

Shame on you, sir! They weren't exactly the epitome of British engineering but they still had character in the shape of their little defects. Plus Triumphs and their little quirk of the rear frame being attached to the front by five bolts and YOU. And to think it would be even more dangerous to ride on a motorcycle nowadays?!

Harley

romft1945

22-02-2008, 15:12

My first car was a Mini van ,followed by a Mini cooper S, then a Vauxhall Viva Brabham GT, then two Austin Maxis and a Rover 216 EFI,the cars we now have are her in doors jeep the Diahatsu, my Sizuki and our summer fun Triumph Stag,
ROM

Maritime Michael Ian

22-02-2008, 15:17

My mother used to say... where's there's no sense there's no feeling!! My late father used to ride a BSA through the Cotswolds from Bourton on the Water to Gloucester even inwinter months with snow on the ground (1920s). He always advised me to use 4 wheels if I was able... I hate 2 wheels anyway... however my first car was an Austin A40 in Melbourne ( I was about 21 I think), my second was a Humber Hawke; third - Austin A50, fourth - Austin Freeway ( the Oz equiv of the Austin Cambridge I think) ( all in Melbourne); fifth in UK after 1972 a Hillman Minx,sixth the 'new' Austin A40 a small estate car- which was a real rust bucket, seventh Fiat Strada, eigth and last was a Landrover Discovery... also was a rust bucket - at least on the box frame chassis. Now use my wife's car which is a Renault Laguna.

Got some photos somewhere... will try and find a couple of them for inclusion

Ian

Stan.J

22-02-2008, 16:04

Learnt to drive using a Short wheel base ex-W.D.Bedford. Driving round an Orchard. 20 at the time. I was on leave..When I returned to Barracks I was asked "Do you drive" I replied "I have a provisional licence!" "O.K. then, As there are possible strikes in the Docks in London you can be put down for a mobile crane". Glad I never had to do that .
Bought my first car. A 1961 Austin A40 it was three months old and cost £450. Used it a lot to carry the clubs cricket gear around,.it was also the car used when I was courting my Wife. remember it with affection.The car I mean!.Lost count of the cars I have had since.

herakles

22-02-2008, 16:21

OMG! I learned to drive on a farm with a Bedford truck! I think I was about 14.

At RMC we had to gain 6 licences, everything from a sedan car to a Centurian tank.

My first car was a Lancaster 1935. Quarter inch steel mudguards. And 2 pints of oil every 30 miles.

The Triumph Herald was hugely popular in Oz but not for me. Oh no. My eyes caught a Mark 7 Jag in a dealers yard. 90 m/h with ease. I initially wondered why the damn thing had 2 petrol tanks. Didn't take too long to find out why.

I stepped up to a Mini - one of the first. Lovely car. Drove it from Melbourne across the desert to Darwin, cracking the petrol line in the middle of nowhere. On my return had to sell it and buy another. Only bought the Mini 'cos I couldn't fit into an MG C.

It was all up from there. After several love affairs with various Jap cars, ended up with a Toyota Celica. Now that was fast. There was one spot where I could push it to 200 km/h. Somehow survived. Jap cars are all the go in Oz. We sell them wool, they sell us cars.

Over here it's all open backed vehicles - what we in Oz call Utes (Utilities).

No photos here I'm afraid.

Batstiger

22-02-2008, 17:05

Say no more. PC 168 outside father in laws pub, Wolverhampton 1964.

tim lewin

22-02-2008, 20:19

my first car was a 1932 austin 10/4 which my mother bought for me for a fiver to stop me buying an ariel red hunter in 1964. I still have it and drive it regularly altho mechanically it has grown up to keep it practical, following the warship exemplar! I still have a 1969 mgb which my wife drives daily and a reliant scimitar whose only green attribute is the colour. If anyone is really interested I cvan get quite boring about these. I have had, but not kept, an E-type V12, XK150S, Austin 12/4, frogeye, Morris 8 Series E, fergie tractors and a host of other more forgettable relics.
tim

The Sailor

22-02-2008, 21:52

Here is a pic of the new Peugeot 206 if anyone is thinking of trading up.

BB60

22-02-2008, 22:23

I have no pics of my early vehicles.

This is pretty close to my first car, except mine had a red interior,a hatchback and different rims. It is a 1978 Ford Mustang II, bought in 1981, after I wrecked my father's truck one night. Alcohol was involved as well as youthful inexperience.

I loathed the car, it drove like a block-wheeled wagon. The T-tops leaked and were a pain in the arse to take out. It wasn't nearly as cool as a convertable.

I only had it six months before I ran it under a log truck the day before my high school graduation. It was my third wreck in less than six months and my father's patience was wearing quite thin.

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1974-1975-1976-1977-1978-ford-mustang-24.jpg

I got it fixed, sold it and bought this to drive whilst at college.
It was a 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix and would run like a scalded dog. It had a nice cloth interior (as opposed to the naugahyde in the previous) and power everything. I didn't wreck this car, I just ran it to death. My wife is now wearing it as I sold it 7 years later to help buy her an engagement ring. Mine was actually a two-tone, with a dark burgundy hood* and roof and Pontiac rims instead the wire spoke ones shown here.

http://www.ve3xd.com/images/78grandprix.gif

*Bonnet to you Limeys out there.

I drive one like this now.
http://thumbs.automart.com/imgs/ag/automart/cst/262/065/711/837/35/feed/thumb/10420031530011000.jpg

astraltrader

22-02-2008, 23:56

Tim - As I alluded to earlier I have owned 94 cars between my wife and I in 39 years. It sounds a lot - it is a lot - but the total is bumped up because I have often [although not so much in the last few years] kept a 3rd car to sell for a profit. I have owned some interesting, strange, fast, boring and a few horrible types. If I get some time I will list the more interesting ones - but the reason this post is addressed to you and the reason why I find it hard to get really excited about my cars is because of the cars my Dad has owned.
Amongst them and my favourites were 8 or 9 E-types - of which all but one were the classic early 3.8 the other a v12 [which he disliked in comparison].
With one of them he won concours no less than 3 times during the 1980`s.
He has also owned about the same number of XK150`s - one of which was one of the last roadsters built a gorgeous white 150 "S" with as you know the same engine and triple-carb as the early E-type. He also has owned 1 XK140 and 2 XK120`s as well as a clutch of MK2 saloons. For many years he was a member of and for a few years secretary for the JDC and XK club
Sadly he is now 79 and has not owned a "classic car" for a variety of reasons for over ten years now - and now feels he is too old [ I don`t agree!] and that driving is no longer any fun with the number of cars on the roads these days [I have to sympathise with that].
Did you keep a photo of your XK150 "S" and how long ago and for how long did you keep it? Both Dad and I would always love to hear about a decent car!

The Sailor

23-02-2008, 00:07

Wouldn't mind a Lancia

Remember the old song? "Maybe there's something fancier, an E type or a Lancia"?

astraltrader

23-02-2008, 00:42

I have owned 2 Lancia`s Graeme the second of which was the last Lancia to be sold in the UK - in 1994 -a very fast Dedra Turbo.
I promise you it is nothing in comparison with the E-type. The Alfa Spider I currently have is better than than the Lancias being lovely looking, has great roadholding and does not rust!
But it too is nothing compared with the XK`s and early E-Types...

The Sailor

23-02-2008, 01:34

Welcome to car buff heaven

http://www.intuh.net/barnfinds/afa70.htm

romft1945

23-02-2008, 09:42

Hey Comm I very much like the photo of your wife the yellow dress is most becoming,
ROM:eek

The barn was very interesting someone sent me that last year lucky chap whoever he was:

The Sailor

23-02-2008, 21:31

Lot of guys grouped around the back of that Lancia. Funny that. Seemed to be the main exhibit at the motor show.

John Brown

23-02-2008, 21:54

Cars in order as a single man:

1953 Morris Oxford.....1958 Ford Consul......1963 triumph Herald Convertible..

1963 Vauxhall Viva with a Brabham Conversion.....1966 MGB Roadster

Cars with the wife:

1967 Morris Oxford....1966 Austin 1100....1974 Morris Marina.....1967 Morris 1100......1982 Talbot Horizon.....1981 Ford Cortina.....1986 Ford Ganada.....
1986 Ford Escort XR3i.....1987 Volvo 760GLE.....1986 Renault 5...1991 Ford
Granada......1990 Vauxhall Cavalier.......1995 Vauxhall Omega

Current vehicles-wife..Vauxhall Frontera self.....Ford KA

Best car....Omega Worst car.....Viva Most fun to drive....MGB

TheDigger

25-02-2008, 11:17

First car was the old Holden Ute since then I have had a string of cars

1. Holden Ute HG
2. Toyota Hilux 4x4
3 Datsun ( Nissan ) Stanza
4. Same again but the SSS Version
5. Mitubishi Pajero
6. Ford Falcon EF
7. Suziki Vitara
8. Landrover Discovery
9. A couple of Company cars the best to own because someone else pays
10. The lucky last is the Mini Cooper S Turbo Charged 2007 Model

But I have inherited my Gradfathers car now 38 years old Ford Falcon Fairmont XW Model.

John Brown

15-03-2008, 16:17

Just come across a pic of my old MGB.

Neither of the two people in it is me!

John

astraltrader

15-03-2008, 17:43

Nice British sports car John. 1966 reg. It is hard to tell from the picture but was it BRG?

John Brown

15-03-2008, 19:21

Terry

Originally it was white with a red hood. When I bought it the colour had changed to red with a white hood. I went abroad for a while and left it with a friend of mine. When I returned it was Fiat French Blue with a black hood. It turned out that my friend had crashed it, needed to put two new wings on and decided to change the colour while he was about it. :eek:

regards...John

herakles

15-03-2008, 19:37

That's what friends are for!

jonti

19-03-2008, 07:22

My first car was a pre-war WW2 Standard 'Flying 9' softtop hand-me-down from my father, and I took possession in the 1950s. I came back to UK from a commission in the Med on HMS Cheviot in 1954 and took the first opportunity to learn to drive. ( not easy on a sea-going destroyer). The driving school I selected used 1954 Ford Anglias with the inverted slope rear window and had dual controls for clutch, footbrake and steering wheel. Yes, 2 steering wheels. Rob T

John Brown

05-10-2008, 12:44

JohnS

05-10-2008, 14:44

My first car was a 1959 Austin Cambridge. As a poor student, and a budding hot rodder, the Cambridge met my criteria of having bucket seats, 4-on-the-floor and, most importantly, cheap transportation.:D

Now, almost 45 years later, I'm still a hot rodder with 900 horses in the stable (a '99 Camaro SS & an '06 Charger SRT-8).

I've attached the then and now photos.

As an aside, two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to drive the Camaro at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was fun pretending to be Mario Andretti, even if it was for only a few minutes.:cool:

designeraccd

09-10-2008, 01:14

My lowly first car was a used (very) '64 Pontiac Tempest 6 that I purchased upon returning from Viet Nam in '68. It joined my '57 6T Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle that was in storage. That was my fifth bike. Now 40+ cars and a total of 79 bikes later; hey I've been TRYING to keep the economy moving!! DFO :D

pic: my '06 Yamaha FJR 1300 (#78) and my second '95 Miata, which is the latest addition to my lil stable....who needs a roomy 350hp C5 Corvette anyhoo? sigh.....

nigelweysom

18-10-2008, 18:52

I'm not good on dates and all the pictures have been taken from wiki in order they were
the vauxhall viva HA then the HC
then the Renault 14 and the Vauxhall chevette , married by then
then the Ford fiesta , only one by then children having arrived ,
then the Seat Ibiza , then the Nissan micra and the mini , children older by now and now i have a Kia Picanto , no picture , of all the cars Ive had the Renault was the quickest the Nissan still is the most reliable , the Seat was the most troublesome and the Vivas held the best memories ,being my first cars
Nigel

Wombat

11-11-2008, 13:39

An interesting thread.

As an apprentice Panel Beater at 17, I had a Ford Pop 100E which I made myself from spare parts. The garage where I worked serviced a fleet of around 200 of these cars, belonging to Commercial Travelers, who because they didn't own the cars themselves, didn't take very good care of them; they treated them more like Dodgem Cars at the Fair. So as you can imagine there were plenty of spare parts around.

When it was finished, the Foreman said I could have any left over paint that I could find. Being 17, I put all the left over paint I could find into one tin and mixed it all together. It came out what I think you could roughly call Green, which I painted the body with. I then painted around the headlights with bright yellow. :D

I was once pulled over by the police on the East Lancs Rd, who told me they thought I had stolen the car. I smiled and said, "You must be joking, have you looked at the colour" :D

I was not the best looking lad in the district, but I was the only one of my age with a car. (And a girlfriend ;)) Sadly the other lads soon cottoned on.:(

I am now reduced to driving a Series III Land Rover. When I recently had to take one of our wombats to a specialist Vet in Hobart, (normally a 3 hour drive), it took me 5 hours. When a friend asked how the Land Rover went, I told him the trip went well, only 2 Panadol every 100 kilometers :D

Meanwhile, my wife rides around in the comfort of her Subaru Liberty.

Wombat,
(James).

herakles

11-11-2008, 18:26

3 hour drive to Hobart? Where are you - Queenstown?

Your 2 Panadol comment reminds me of a Crete moment. Asked how far it was to a village, the man replied "3 cigarettes".

Wombat

11-11-2008, 20:56

3 hour drive to Hobart? Where are you - Queenstown?

No I am near Devonport. Tasmania that is not the UK.

I am a member of the Maritime Museum in Devonport, Tasmania, and have volunteered to take visitors tours around the museum. The only trouble is, I MUST remember which Devonport I am in. They might think it a bit strange if I start rambling about the Doodlebugs, Hell Fire Corner and the massive German Air strikes on the coast. :confused:

Wombat,
(James).

herakles

11-11-2008, 21:01

No I am near Devonport. Tasmania that is not the UK.
Wombat,
(James).

There's a Devenport in the UK?

Wombat

11-11-2008, 21:07

There's a Devenport in the UK?

Sir Francis Drake will be turning in his grave:rolleyes: Not to mention some of the naval historians on this site.:)

Wombat,
(James)

herakles

11-11-2008, 22:48

He, he! :rolleyes:

oldsalt

20-11-2008, 18:04

With four kids to support I had to wait until 1964 when I was promoted to S/LT before I could afford a car. The car was a Mk1 Ford Consul , cost £150, It had a bench front seat, column gear change, three forward gears and reverse, 1st gear was not synchromesh. It had trafficators for signalling which I usually forgot to cancel so I used to step from the car 7 collide with the signal arm breaking it off. I was 31 at that time, its a bit different today, kids want a car as soon as they are old enough to drive.:eek::eek::mad::mad::)

John Brown

20-11-2008, 18:19

Excellent car Bigship.

You may have noted from one of my posts that I had a 1958 MkII Consul, the same beige colour as the one in the photo attached. Also attached is a picture of a MKI for comparison

Regards....John

astraltrader

20-11-2008, 19:46

The Consul was Fords equivalent to todays Mondeo.

With all its different versions it was a best seller throughout the 1950`s into the 60`s.

Most people forget that when the ground breaking Cortina Mk1 first appeared in 1963 - for the first couple of years it was originally called the Ford Consul Cortina as Ford UK were worried how the British people would react to there being no Consul range around...

Jan Steer

28-11-2008, 14:21

Our first car was a Mk1 Ford Escort. It was a much-loved family friend named "Ermintrude" after the cow in "The Magic Roundabout". Well, we were both of that age when we bought it. After that there has followed a long list of family cars, some good and some bad but once the children had grown up there was time for hobbies again and consequently, since then, we have managed to run a succession of classics too. I've owned two Morris minors, a Lancia sport Zagato 1.3 series 2 RHD, my wife acquired a Suzuki Cappuccino to race around in and I had a Morris 8 tourer series 2 (1937) ex-Melbourne. We sold that and bought a Singer Bantam saloon which I loathed, mistrusted and sold as quickly as I could. I now have a British Racing Green MGB GT; one of the last chrome bumper ones built (we think) in July '74. I adore these cars and this is my third. My everyday car is now a Ford Street Ka which is great fun to drive and sticks to the road like glue. Goodness only knows what will come next!!
Jan

Ray Horne

23-12-2008, 19:27

http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30145&stc=1&d=1230063719
Hope this turns out .not my first car,but similar to my first is the maroon Morris 8 Tourer 1937.and the latest addition Rover 10 1937.Both a year older than yours truly.Ray

davep

23-12-2008, 22:11

my first car was a 78 minin 1000

followed by ford fiesta escort capri and sierra

then 2 other minis i used to play around with then a fiat punto and marea and now an astra sxi

astraltrader

24-12-2008, 01:39

The Marea was a really under-rated car that can be an absolute bargain for virtually no money - especially if you go for the 2-Litre 16v twin-cam.
What a beautiful engine. About 15 years ago I used to have a Fiat Croma with the same 2-litre twin-OHC engine but turbo-charged. My God did that car fly. I had it rolling road tuned/tested and to the blokes surprise it gave torque figures close to a Cosworth`s. 190BHP. It was a real "Q-car".
Other than the chunkyish alloys it looked very ordinary but I used to give the boy-racers a hard time in their Escort Turbo`s and XR3`s. No contest!!:eek:
I used to make a habit of buying fast depreciating [after depreciation!] unpopular expensive to run but blisteringly quick turbo`s. The Fiat Croma Turbo I mentioned was one - other examples included two very rare Subaru XT-Turbo 1.8 coupes [brilliant cars - won the 1987 Paris-Dakar rally.] perhaps the best of them all was a 1986 Citroen CX 2.7 GTI-Turbo 2. They only imported to the UK about 500 of these amazing machines - 210BHP - a huge FWD beast with a stunning ride and space-age luxurious cabin. Back in 1986 they were £30,000 new - I got mine when 5-years old from a CEO who had just been made redundant - as new condition for £1,200!! I kept it a year - I wish I had never sold it. I have owned many, many cars some of them really classy [I have a 5-series BMW at the moment] but nothing came class to this citroen. THe big problem was if anything at all ever went wrong it cost a proverbial arm and a leg!. Mechanics used to run with terror - they were so complicated and just bizarre! For example you had to take the engine out to change the clutch!!
But on the plus side they did not go wrong as much as the run of the mill motor as they were so well engineered. Longer than an XJ6 it used to road hold like a mini-cooper. The ride allowed you to raise and lower the suspension to 3 different heights - at speed when braking hard it would at the same time sit down lowering itself - it was like coming in to land conning the Starship Enterprise. All the CX range were brilliant but the GTI Turbo 2 was unbelievable.

I have some photo`s somewhere - I will scan one in when I find them...

Wombat

24-12-2008, 04:05

Well Terry,
You had comfort and speed, so I must have the opposite.
I am sure you have heard of the “Tortoise and the Hare”! ;)
This is a Series 3, Diesel, 4WD, 5 Bearing Crank, Built 1983, Destination South Africa. :confused:

COMFORT: NIL (When you hit a penny on the road you can tell if its heads or tails). :(

SPEED: 50mph FLAT OUT (Motorway or Bush). If you are feeling brave and want a real thrill you can even put it in Overdrive and get 55mph. :mad:

ECONOMY: 24 miles per gallon. (Performs best on DIESEL TRAIN oil). :o

PERFORMANCE: EXCELLENT (When up to the Axle in Mud & Water). :)

It is still going strong and used every day for the Wombat Rescue.
(What other 4 wheel drives claim they can do, mine DOES DO every day). :D

Wombat,
(James).

PS This is the first vehicle that is solely mine since my single days as my wife FLATLEY REFUSES to drive it. :cool:

Every Christmas it is decorated and driven in the Local Christmas Parades.

TigerTom

25-12-2008, 15:26

First car, 1950s MG TK (£100 Singers pass on,early '60s.) V'hall Velox '65.
Ford Cortina(Corsair Eng').Ford Falcon S/Wagon. Falcon Sedan.Toyota Camry.
Just had to include this for the Vintage enthusiasts.
Jack on a Grippo run,Fremantle to Perth Rally 1945.

airlana

19-01-2009, 08:44

Having been successfully done over for 80 quid at 17 by a used car salesman, my first car was a clapped out 1949 Vanguard which had a column gear change on the RIGHT hand side. Normal was the left side.

In those days, blinkers were a rarity, and 'pop-out' indicators seldom worked. Hand signals were still the law.

The combination of making a turn, and with the right hand, changing gears and giving hand signals sure made for interesting times.

Fortunately good times were just around the corner and I became the proud owner of a brand Mini Minor. Life had really begun.

Ash

kookaburra

24-03-2009, 19:42

Hmmm, about the only thing I can tell you about my first car - or any car - is the colour. This two-tone 1961 FB Holden was sort of aquamarine and white - about the same colour as the socks I used wear back then.

My brother owned the little Austin sports across the road. I think it's an Austin.

MartinH-K

24-03-2009, 20:15

I too have had a goodly number of cars... the ones that live on in my memory though are (in order of appearence);
Racing green Triumph Spitfire Mk2- died in a crash (the car, not me) :(
Black Austin A50 (just died) :confused:
Two tone Ford Executive (blew up on M40- I got out before it happened!) :eek:
Silver Ford Escort estate (eventually traded up - to the Z3) :cool:
Atlantic blue BMW Z3 (sold for 4x4- how stupid can you get?) :mad:
Now drive a Peugeot 307... oh how are the mighty fallen.

kookaburra

24-03-2009, 20:58

Adding...

A Short History of Kookaburra Family Cars ...

Pic 1. My great grandfather (he's left -my Mother is far right) and his first car: he bought it at a grand show at Melbourne's (now World Heritage listed) Royal Exhibition Buildings, where it was suspended from the ceiling... but he insisted that they take it down and hand it over straight away.

Pic. 2. The Royal Exhibition Buildings, Melbourne.

Pic. 3. My Dad (standing left) and his first car: now you begin to see why my mother's family disinherited her when she married him.

Pic 4. My Mother was the first young woman to own her own car from a very wide area of the country district they came from. I'm not sure that it is this car, surrounded by country gawpers, that has suffered a bit of a rollover, but it's entirely possible. Anyway, it's in the album, and the location's right.

Pic 5. My Mother continued to drive - but we all survived (K to the left) .

Pic 6. I was her favourite, and she took me anywhere I wanted to go (K to the right).

Pic 7. My younger brother owned this MG (after the Austin, in the previous post).

The end. K.

kookaburra

24-03-2009, 21:02

EDIT... mix-up repeat

John Brown

24-03-2009, 21:17

Great photos KB. Thanks for sharing them with us.

A great grandfather that owned a car!!! Very few people of my generation over here could say that :eek:

Regards...John

Wombat

24-03-2009, 21:36

How often do you see a crumpled car on the side of the road as in no.4 and no one even gives it a second look. How times have changed.
Great photographs.

Wombat,
(James).

mike mayer

25-03-2009, 21:46

My first car was a Ford Popular which disgraced it self in the middle of Five Ways Birmingham on route to a R N recruiting exhibition at the Bingley Hall. can't complain I think if my memory serves me right there 7 or 8 of us in it 4mateloes, 2 or3 wrens and bootie ,can't complain cost me £13. Scrapyard gave a tenner for it generous or what. next car some 40 odd years later Austin Montego
I bet there is'nt anyone from that exhibition crew on here, if so remember the Castaways club.

harry.gibbon

28-03-2009, 23:04

.... was a Hillman Husky 1750cc, 3 forward gears, (and reverse), one had to hold 2nd gear in or you went nowwhere, 3 doors and I mean doors because the back door was upright and opened as such.

Gladys as she was named made the journey Littlehampton to Aberdeenshire and back with little or no probs except a regular supply engine oil and no excessive speed above 50mph'ish

Oh the joys of a young family life and good fortune

little h

splashg32

31-03-2009, 09:48

My first car was this sorry looking Morris 1300, cost me £150 in 1976. One day the hydro elastic suspension gave up and I bounced up and down the road like a demented space hopper, she was duly scrapped. A far cry from my beloved Jag.

harry.gibbon

06-04-2009, 15:20

Hillman Husky 2nd series, 3 doors (yes all doors) rear one opened out not up!!

4 cyl, 1750cc, 3fwd + reverse gear, 2nd gear had to be held in...

Towed a 6cyl Ford Zephyr through snow storm on A1 in Lincolnshire 1969/1970:p

Travelled from seaside town in East Sussex to Deeside in Aberdeenshire and back with wife and son on hols.... Had to FILL UP engine oil at the fuel station on south side of A74 duel-carriageway before getting back on M6.

Oh happy days

Little h

Mr Woo

13-04-2009, 12:04

I learnt to drive in a Morris 8 at the age of 12 around the country lanes of Berkshire.
My first car was a 1932 Wolsey Hornet, I then graduated to a 1949 Citroen Light 15.
Off the cuff I can't remember how many cars I have owned but I now have a Chevrolet Lacetti.
Here are a few.
George

Mr Woo

13-04-2009, 13:00

A few more

astraltrader

13-04-2009, 16:34

Out of all the cars you have shown and despite the fact that I have owned around 100 cars the only one that we seem to have had in common are the MK3 Cortina [I once had a 2.0 Litre GT which was quick in the dry!] and the Citroen GS club.
Years ago [about 1979] I had a GS Club 1220 Pallas which was a luxurious and smooth little car that I remember with great fondness.
I liked it so much I went on to own many of the largest CX space ships which although very complex to repair and prone to rust were superb driving machines. As I think I have mentioned here before my final CX was the top of the range 2.7 Litre GTi Turbo 2 which even now ranks as one of the best cars I have ever driven. A real starship!!
Having just sold my alfa spyder I am now left with just a BMW 5 series Estate and a Suzuki Jimny which the wife drives...

harry.gibbon

13-04-2009, 22:45

Terry, it is possibly not good format but I'll risk it... do you mean a BMW 5 series TOURING????

Little h

astraltrader

14-04-2009, 13:49

Yes that is the one - I have had it for 6 years now and it is utterly reliable!

al1934

17-04-2009, 15:03

My first car was an A35 van with windows. I last saw it on a Wallace and Grommitt film.......

Of more interest is the one which my Dad owned, with me trying to find my licence.

CGRET

17-04-2009, 18:37

My first car was the 67 Chevy Impala SS. Thou by today standards it be would a gas hog, or as some kids would say today "A Land yacht".

43364

Nice car, buckets seat, with console. Lot's of room in the truck!

Regards
Charles

dayerb

30-04-2009, 20:04

John Moscow

23-10-2010, 09:22

My first car was a Berkerley 2 seater I took my test in this and imagine my horror when I saw the examiner he must have been about 20 stone! and his first words to me were you need a shoe horn to get into this ! however I passed, I have been fortunate that until I retired I always had a company car
provided, although most of the time I also had a sports car for fun but motorbikes have always been and still are my first love,
Brian.

My first car is (not was!) a 1932 Morris Minor tourer which I bought in June 1959 for £5 in a vandalised state. I got her going in time to return to Sheffield Uni, but the no 4 big end failed (not for the last time!). A tow to Sheffield, & back to using my old Vespa (bought new in 1951 by my Dad - dormant since 1961 in pieces) crank reground & new big ends etc & I was back on 4 wheels in a couple of weeks. I passed my driving test on 1 Jan 1960 in her (3rd attempt). In the summer I drove her to Moscow, Yalta and back doing 3000 miles in 10 days after 5 days in hospital in Simferopol with gut rot.

87110

In 1961 I drove to Turkey, intending going to Syria (then UAR) but after a week with the dreaded gut rot at the camp site in Istanbul, decided to head back via Greece.
87111

The roads were awful all round the then forbidden Albania & I had to have the front springs remade from scrap springs by a blacksmith.
Soon after getting home the car showed some signs of stress after 40000 miles in 2 years so I took her to bits taking till 1973 to get her back on the road. Meantime I had bought another 1934 Morris Minor for spares, but used this until Aug 1962 (sold in bits in 1988 and been going strong for the last 20 years!) when my Gran gave me the money for a new Mini-Cooper. I did 100000 miles in the first 4 years, including a trip round the Med to Egypt. I still have her but unused since 1972.

I had used the little Morris for driving tests & rallies at Uni and annoyed fellow students by beating them in their new cars!

87113

In Sep 1994 I had a special free day trip with Eurotunnel before the VIPs & shareholders.
87112
She has been off the road for the last year, but will soon be back.

I mostly use my 1927 Rolls-Royce limousine for which my Dad paid £250 back in 1964. 4 European trips totalling 12000 miles with my 1967 15/2 Safari caravan between 1995 & 2002 and a trip to do wedding duties for my son in central Italy in 2009 added another 3000, but without the caravan.
87114
At the top of the Julier Pass in Switzerland on the way home. Much harder work with the big caravan in 1997! Just one of many passes including the magnificent Stelvio the car just sailed up.

Royces (& Morrises) are for driving!!

John Dixon in Bromley

Scurs

23-10-2010, 09:58

As an ex-Biker, and one who failed 2 car tests, said "rowlocks to it" and has driven 3-wheelers since giving up 2 wheels...............do Reliants count as "cars"?

1964 Reliant Regal
1978 Reliant Robin
1988 Reliant Rialto
1994 Reliant Robin
1999 Reliant Robin (current)

Intend giving up driving when I reach 70 yrs of age (if indeed I reach it!), since retirement, am only doing 4,000 miles a year, so current Reliant should last until Dec.2011.

Ednamay

23-10-2010, 12:42

What a fascinating (and hilarious!) thread - bears out what I always suspected, men buy cars as hobbies, women as tools!
My first car in October 1959 was a Morris 1000, an export model which had been ordered by an overseas visitor and not delivered in time for his return so I got it at British standard price - with a loan from my employer, to be repaid by monthly deduction from my salary, part of my contract of service.
I was living in Exeter, had to collect the car from Bideford, N Devon, on Saturday. I went up by train, had a meal, started back - and realised I had left my spanking new map in Exeter .......... I asked for directions and was told to follow the signs for Torrington, then look for signs for Exeter! I did get back, but rather late.
I needed a reliable car for work so I had -- MORRIS 1000, 27 COD; FIAT 500. MRV I G; AUSTIN 1300, MPO ???; DAF 33, RV????; AMI SUPER, LUV ???; DATSUN CHERRY, ??????; DATSUN SUNNY, ??????; DATSUN VIOLET, ??????; ONE I CAN’T REMEMBER!!!; VAUXHALL ESTATE; FORD FOCUS
TOYOTA PRIUS SPIRIT HYBRID HW57EFX
My current car, the Toyota Prius, I share with my son, and it is my third 'happy car', the first being the Morris and the second the Datsun Cherry - and it is economic and eco-friendly, but don't ask about the technicalities!
Incidentally, Terry, in 1960 my boyfriend in Exeter drove a Lanchester.......
Small world? Edna

Scurs

23-10-2010, 14:04

When I got the idea of taking a car test.........used to drive my father's 1957 Split-Windscreen, 850cc variant, "Moggie" Minor.
He asked me once, what I found to be the main difference between driving that compared with my Reliant.
My reply was that the Reliant had a much better turning circle and with the same size engine, due to power-weight thingy, better acceleration.

Destroyerman

23-10-2010, 19:16

harry.gibbon

23-10-2010, 20:12

Wot? No best of British? RILEY!;)

My first car was a 1947 RILEY RM series one-and-a-half litre saloon. I always fancied a Riley as my Dad had one many years previously and I loved it, especially with it's Armstrong Preselecta gearbox whine. There was really no point in buying a car during my naval career as I generally went ship-to-ship with little shore time in between. So I bought it for £200 second hand in 1976 and learned to drive in it. I have no photo of it, but attached is a copy of a painting that I did of a similar RM series Riley.

Always liked the lines of the RM series.

As I recall they came with two styles of dashboards, a rectangular shape (as in the pic on the link - scroll down about halfway its on right of the page) and a rather more swish curvy version.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.jarnoey.com/RileyLofoten2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.jarnoey.com/RileynorgeE1_5.htm&usg=__PkGpvE_9hqrsr8bHZop-XyzhnUg=&h=329&w=360&sz=34&hl=en&start=7&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=KZY4tpRubE3oAM:&tbnh=111&tbnw=121&prev=/images%3Fq%3Driley%2Bcars%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa% 3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1

Little h

r.morrison

23-10-2010, 21:22

OPEL MANTA GSI in 1984 (wasn't allowes to own a car before then, against regulations etc etc)

It finished up slightly "bent" in 1985, from then on I had a series of FIAT PANDA 4x4. Do you believe we managed to get 14 people into a panda?

seaJane

23-10-2010, 21:46

Morris Marina Coupé, 1973 reg., bought with my first wage packet in April 1985 (£300). Paint colour "Citron" with a dark green vinyl roof; I called it Henry, or the Clockwork Lemon.

Took me to Scotland (wiper motor nearly caught fire in Ballachulish, engine blew a gasket in Oban) and round the west country (exhaust pipe dropped off on Bodmin Moor). Had to be carted back from Oxford with a leaking petrol tank and finally succumbed to rust after three glorious but heart-stopping years.

I once reached 80mph downhill on a good day with the wind behind me... knew when it hit 70mph because the steering wheel stopped shaking! :p

Destroyerman

24-10-2010, 10:34

As I recall they came with two styles of dashboards, a rectangular shape (as in the pic on the link - scroll down about halfway its on right of the page) and a rather more swish curvy version.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.jarnoey.com/RileyLofoten2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.jarnoey.com/RileynorgeE1_5.htm&usg=__PkGpvE_9hqrsr8bHZop-XyzhnUg=&h=329&w=360&sz=34&hl=en&start=7&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=KZY4tpRubE3oAM:&tbnh=111&tbnw=121&prev=/images%3Fq%3Driley%2Bcars%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa% 3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1

Little h

Quite correct Harry. The earlier RM's (up to 1952) sported the curved dashboard with ornate fillets and round Jaeger gauges. The later series had the more contemporary dashboard with rectangular gauges.

From my original 1947 RMA I moved on to a 1952 RME (NFJ 283) and then a 1955 (spatted) RME (VFM ***).

My final Riley was a 1934 9HP RILEY LYNX TOURER (KG 3739) which was probably the least comfortable but most exhilarating of them all. (Never managed to get the oil pressure above 15 psi when hot!). When I bought her I reconverted her to the original continuous cable brake system which made for very interesting modern day motoring.:eek: Unfortunately I had to sell her to finance my daughters wedding in Surrey 1989.

Even more unfortunately, she divorced recently and has never offered to buy the vehicle back for me.:mad::D

astraltrader

24-10-2010, 14:28

Old Seaman

24-10-2010, 15:37

In 1970 my Dad bought his first Moskvitch 412. I drove thiis car till 1994, then sold it out.

Old Seaman

24-10-2010, 15:51

In 1983 I bought MY FIRST car. It was ZAPOROZHETS (Ukraine made). I managed to drive it for 3 months after that the engine of the car broke due to the oil lack.

Old Seaman

24-10-2010, 15:52

By the way the picture above is a historical car earlier belonged to Mr. Putin.

Old Seaman

24-10-2010, 15:56

In 1994 I got a red LADA 2010.

Old Seaman

24-10-2010, 15:59

In 1998 I stopped my naval carrier. In 2003 I bought my first foreing made (exept that of Ukraine) NISSAN Almera. Good car, made in UK for the Russian market.

Old Seaman

24-10-2010, 16:02

In 2008 I bought my second NIISAN TEANA (made in Japan), and still drive it.

Old Seaman

24-10-2010, 16:37

In June, being in Rhodoes Island we rent Fiat for sight seeings

Old Seaman

24-10-2010, 16:42

As for my daughter in 2008 she bought her used OPEL TIGRA. On the picture the car is decorated by her boy friend. Somebody on the street tries to take some of baloons...

Old Seaman

24-10-2010, 16:52

Now she has a MINI COOPER (same to that one on the picture, made in UK). Just for the information yesterday she left for LONDON for two weeks as a tourist group leader.

Old Seaman

25-10-2010, 03:29

Sorry, I forgot to present this kind of a carriage device, I made from 2 old ZINGER sewing machines for my summer cottage. ...Not a car, of course, but there are some wheels (at least 2)... :confused::D

Ednamay

25-10-2010, 09:49

Old Seaman

25-10-2010, 14:25

I am enjoying all your entries, and especially your sense of humour ! ! ! Edna

Hi Edna,

Nice to hear that my postings are of interest. :o Just want to explain that without a good humor it is almost impossible to exist in my country :eek: :cool: . That is the life :mad: I try to take it easy, cause it can make my life a bit longer.

Cheers,
Serge.

astraltrader

25-10-2010, 23:45

The Marea was a really under-rated car that can be an absolute bargain for virtually no money - especially if you go for the 2-Litre 16v twin-cam.
What a beautiful engine. About 15 years ago I used to have a Fiat Croma with the same 2-litre twin-OHC engine but turbo-charged. My God did that car fly. I had it rolling road tuned/tested and to the blokes surprise it gave torque figures close to a Cosworth`s. 190BHP. It was a real "Q-car".
Other than the chunkyish alloys it looked very ordinary but I used to give the boy-racers a hard time in their Escort Turbo`s and XR3`s. No contest!!:eek:
I used to make a habit of buying fast depreciating [after depreciation!] unpopular expensive to run but blisteringly quick turbo`s. The Fiat Croma Turbo I mentioned was one - other examples included two very rare Subaru XT-Turbo 1.8 coupes [brilliant cars - won the 1987 Paris-Dakar rally.] perhaps the best of them all was a 1986 Citroen CX 2.7 GTI-Turbo 2. They only imported to the UK about 500 of these amazing machines - 210BHP - a huge FWD beast with a stunning ride and space-age luxurious cabin. Back in 1986 they were £30,000 new - I got mine when 5-years old from a CEO who had just been made redundant - as new condition for £1,200!! I kept it a year - I wish I had never sold it. I have owned many, many cars some of them really classy [I have a 5-series BMW at the moment] but nothing came class to this citroen. THe big problem was if anything at all ever went wrong it cost a proverbial arm and a leg!. Mechanics used to run with terror - they were so complicated and just bizarre! For example you had to take the engine out to change the clutch!!
But on the plus side they did not go wrong as much as the run of the mill motor as they were so well engineered. Longer than an XJ6 it used to road hold like a mini-cooper. The ride allowed you to raise and lower the suspension to 3 different heights - at speed when braking hard it would at the same time sit down lowering itself - it was like coming in to land conning the Starship Enterprise. All the CX range were brilliant but the GTI Turbo 2 was absolutely unbelievable. In all I owned 5 of the CX saloons - at one time my wife and I owned a blue one each!

They were years ahead of their time....

I have some photo`s somewhere - I will scan one in when I find them...

I have finally dug out my albums of cars owned!

The cars I show here are the ones I mentioned in this post.

astraltrader

26-10-2010, 17:49

So far the only picture that seems to have been looked at is the one with my other half in it! [It was over 20 years ago!!].

Amongst all of the other cars either my wife or I owned at sometime that were of a similar level of performance were;

VW Scirrocco, BMW 520i, 525i, 528i, Isuzu Piazza [rare], Datsun 260Z, Mazda RX7, Capri 2.8Ri, Fiat X-19, Opel Manta GTE, Opel Rekord Coupe 1.9 [very rare],

Astra GTE, Mitsubishi Colt GTi, Audi coupe, Consul GT, Cortina 2000GT, Citroen BX GTi, VW 1302S, Lancia Dedra, Alfa GTV spyder, Alfa Sud,

Sab 900 Carlson, Vauxhall Calibra, etc, etc.

Dave Hutson

26-10-2010, 18:11

OK Terry I fell for that one. Cars are OK but cars with ladies as adornments seem to attract more attention. But back to cars - I also favour a nice Citreon - being about the only thing that the French have produced of any worth other than Carla Bruni :cool::);)

Dave H

astraltrader

26-10-2010, 18:35

Agreed Dave [as usual!!].

Wombat

26-10-2010, 21:58

So far the only picture that seems to have been looked at is the one with my other half in it! [It was over 20 years ago!!].

Terry if you looked like your "other half" we would look at you too!!:D:D:D

Wombat,
(James).

Scurs

27-10-2010, 07:33

Wombat............agreed ! :D:D:D

astraltrader

27-10-2010, 16:40

Phew! Lucky escape then!!! :D:D

Dave Hutson

27-10-2010, 18:41

Hey Terry, looks like you are in danger of getting hoisted by your own petard and wandering off thread on this one. Tut tut, but on this occasion if you don't say anything I certainly won't :D:D:D:D;)

Dave H

Scurs

27-10-2010, 19:17

It's ok Terry...........we'll all keep quiet and not let on.! :D:D

Destroyerman

27-10-2010, 19:32

Is it me??

Is this thread drifting off topic??:D Any more and I shall post a pic of my current car with my wife beside it. Now that's a threat and not yet a promise!

Scurs

27-10-2010, 20:51

As long as it is not a photie of your MIL lurking in the Burma Way to spy on unsuspecting sailors! :D:D

astraltrader

28-10-2010, 03:21

A few pictures selected from the list of the cars I mentioned above.... [Owned during period 1980-1993.]

1. Datsun 260Z
2. Datsun 260Z.
3. Mazda RX7.
4. Isuzu Piazza.
5. VW Scirroco GT.
6. Ford Capri 2.8i.
7. BMW 528i.
8. Vauxhall Calibra.
9. Audi Coupe GT.
10.Citroen BX 1.9 GTi.

MelQuick

28-10-2010, 06:00

When I moved to Malta, I had to sell my old Volvo 850 estate, as the registration fee to get it registered in Malta at the time was about 3 times the value of the car.

It had 226,000 miles on the clock, was still immaculate and it was absolutely reliable. When I worked in Europe for various aircraft companies, I drove it just about everywhere between UK and Poland. I slept in the back a couple of times.

Mel

Scurs

28-10-2010, 07:45

What, no pic of your wife Terry? :D:D:D

astraltrader

28-10-2010, 23:34

A fine car Mel - the 850 was a vast improvement over the 700 and 900 series. They could also cover starship levels of mileage but unlike the earlier Volvo Estates they had better performance and handled well.

At the moment I still have an old BMW 520 Tourer [Estate] that I have owned for over 10 years now. It is the perfect Antique Dealers vehicle and is [touch wood] always reliable.
Any other cars including one for the wife we have have always bought and sold around it.
Every year now I always seem to say I expect to finally get rid of it and get something newer but it is so reliable that I never seriously consider it!

Now we recently sold our Alfa Spyder we just have the BMW and a Suzuki Jimny for the wife which is a great little 4wd that is equally happy on the M-Way or around town.

Also now I am approaching 60 [58] my desire for faster cars as well as constantly trying different ones has now finally evaporated!!

[Sorry Scurs - I was told off for going off topic so thats it- its Cars Only!!

harry.gibbon

28-10-2010, 23:59

Terry Re your:-

At the moment I still have an old BMW 520 Tourer [Estate] that I have owned for over 10 years now. It is the perfect Antique Dealers vehicle and is [touch wood] always reliable.

Hang on to it Terry, grand cars.
and:-
Also now I am approaching 60 [58] my desire for faster cars as well as constantly trying different ones has now finally evaporated!!

Don't kid yourself mate, at just ten years your senior I spent the last ten years enjoying driving 'fast' and also luxurious cars all over the UK, some of which were, the then current BMW range including the pleasure of BMW M5's, Porsche's and on one occasion an Audi R8, also a Merc SLS AMG.
All the then Merc range including the S class.
On luxury; the Audi A8 stretched, BMW 7L and Lexus's including their hybrids. Never drove the VW Phaton (Audi A8 really) but had to take the good with the bad.... Taxi's (for 230 miles from the smoke), Early left hand drive Landy fro Ilkley to L'pool docks for shipment to US (petrol tank under one of the front seats:eek:).
.... and many many more.

can't forget:-
Sorry Scurs - I was told off for going off topic so thats it- its Cars Only!!
He'll be OK, I've contacted age concern for 'im:):)

For the record, as a biker at heart, just got back on two wheels on a scooter after exactly 30 years away from the 'art'.!!!:eek:
Little h

Dave Hutson

29-10-2010, 09:27

Now, now Terry - my little rebuke was meant to be lighthearted and prevoke perhaps a titter or two.

Your collection of cars reminded me of when we used to collect cigarette cards as kids - I had two complete sets of cars - what would they be worth today in pristine condition - probably at the bottom of a landfill site these days along with most of the early cars I owned.

As an aside, if everyone included a lovely lady in their posts the thread would be forever swamped and noone would get on.

Dave H

Scurs

29-10-2010, 14:12

As an aside, if everyone included a lovely lady in their posts the thread would be forever swamped and noone would get on.

Dave H[/QUOTE]

Now there's a shame........was going to post photo of ex-wife sitting on my old 500cc BSA.........ah well.......:D:D

Dave Hutson

29-10-2010, 14:36

Don't let me stop you Scurs...... it's only Mods that issue blasts.:D

bigmal1

29-10-2010, 19:48

My first car was a MG 1100 in 1976, and i now drive a 1992 sierra, with a lot of crap in between:D

Scurs

29-10-2010, 20:04

Dave H............might get away with photo of wife, but get a rollicking for it being a motor-cycle not a car.........mustn't stray from topic you know! :D:D
"What? No picture posted? Get your cap" :rolleyes:

alexrad

31-10-2010, 02:13

My first two cars with a nautical flavour. Being transported between Brisbane and Sydney. A 1969 Mazda 1200 and a 1980 Holden Commodore. (We used to be allowed to bring our cars along when we left our home port for a extended period). :D

Nauftikos

31-10-2010, 05:32

Absolutely fabulous Alexrad !....Far more usefull than the normal "married accompanied" where you could only take your wife ! :D

jainso31

07-11-2010, 16:37

My first car was a 1957 Hillman Minx Jubilee model.
SORRY- NO PICTURE- BECAUSE IT FELL TO BITS!

jainso31

limeybiker

07-11-2010, 18:19

My first car, was a 1958 350 AJS 16MS, bought it in Pompey, whilst on the Victorious, 1958, first real car was a 1955 Ford 100E Van, bought that in Chatham 1960. had windows cut in the side.

limeybiker

07-11-2010, 18:22

My latest toys.

Dave Hutson

07-11-2010, 18:25

Hi Barry,

The Ford 100E what a memory. mine was '57 Anglia - cost me 70 notes, ran it for two years and sold it for 90 notes. Spent half my life at the scrappy and owned a box full of carbs. Dreaded rain, cos with the airbox wipers they always stopped going uphill. But alll said and done - First car - even today I think I have fonder memories of that one than any since.

Thanks for the memory.

Dave H

ekd

07-11-2010, 18:53

As posted elsewhere on this forum; my first car ended up submerged in No.3 basin in Portsmouth Dockyard! :mad:

Ednamay

08-11-2010, 10:49

My latest toys.

I trust you have checked the weight ratios thoroughly???????? Edna

limeybiker

08-11-2010, 20:20

I trust you have checked the weight ratios thoroughly???????? Edna

fifth wheel Approx. Gross Vehicle Weight: 12,192 lbs

http://www.kustomkoachrv.com/specific.php?stock=DW93201

GMC Sierra 2500HD Diesel, 9200 lbs GVW, towing capacity 16,000 lbs

Ednamay

09-11-2010, 11:56

fifth wheel Approx. Gross Vehicle Weight: 12,192 lbs

http://www.kustomkoachrv.com/specific.php?stock=DW93201

GMC Sierra 2500HD Diesel, 9200 lbs GVW, towing capacity 16,000 lbs

Joke! We ran a Peugeot 404 (good tow car) with a lightweight 4 berth van for husband son and self - regular chant among 'vanners, have you checked the ratio!

Edna

limeybiker

09-11-2010, 22:50

Joke! We ran a Peugeot 404 (good tow car) with a lightweight 4 berth van for husband son and self - regular chant among 'vanners, have you checked the ratio!

Edna

I used to tow a 14' caravan in the UK with a Ford Cortina estate, what a difference.

Ednamay

10-11-2010, 10:53

I used to tow a 14' caravan in the UK with a Ford Cortina estate, what a difference.

Barry, our first 'van (not car, sorry!) was a 4 berth 12' Robin (4th berth for the two cats!) and we rallied with the East Hants Centre of the Caravan Club.

One 'van I don't remember, but my favourite was the Mustang and we went all over the country (still with cats and son) but it was stolen when we lived in London so we gave up, after ten years; very sad, but son now has his own motor caravan,

Edna

limeybiker

10-11-2010, 22:31

Barry, our first 'van (not car, sorry!) was a 4 berth 12' Robin (4th berth for the two cats!) and we rallied with the East Hants Centre of the Caravan Club.

One 'van I don't remember, but my favourite was the Mustang and we went all over the country (still with cats and son) but it was stolen when we lived in London so we gave up, after ten years; very sad, but son now has his own motor caravan,

Edna
Funny you should say 4 berth for the two cats

We bought the fifth wheel with a king size bed for Daisy, our Maltese, we couldn't take her when we were cruising.

astraltrader

10-11-2010, 23:35

Its funny I could have sworn this was a thread about our members cars and not their caravans?? :rolleyes::D

Scurs

11-11-2010, 08:31

Whoops.............or their motor-cycles..........ex-Biker exits stage left! :D

Ednamay

11-11-2010, 11:47

Already 'done' cars above - s'pose I could try to remember my late husband's cars????????? Or son - Peugeot 404 (ex dad), big Granada (ex uncle!), ex-navy landrover, Hymer motorcaravan, latest motorcaravan (can't see the name from here!!!)

Edna

harry.gibbon

15-04-2012, 22:26

Wakey wake, time to resume business....

A selection of some of the cars which I owned between 1980 and 2000. The last photograph (Carlton) includes the 'three reasons';):) why I returned to car ownership after 2 wheels.

The photographs are not presented in the order of ownership.

Little h

WGVSr

16-04-2012, 01:01

From the States, a '62 Ford Fairlane. I'd been out engaging in some extracurricular activity.
Bill

limeybiker

16-04-2012, 12:16

350 AJS 16MS

limeybiker

16-04-2012, 12:40

My first real 4 wheel car, I traded in a 500cc Matchless G9 with Watsonian sidecar, for it in London 1961, my father in law drove it home from Pride & Clarke, gave me a drive round the block, then I drove it home to RNB Chatham, with him as passenger, the rear L plate fell off, so I took the front one off and eventually passed my test in Dorchester whilst at HMS Osprey.
Photo taken at Snetterton, I think.

bert-261

16-04-2012, 15:26

Admittedly not my first car, but one of my favourites was my 3.0GL Granny,that took me all the way to Cyprus via Dover,Calais,Mt Blanc Tunnel,Brindisi,Patras,Piraeus and thence Limassol. bert 261.

eskimosailor

16-04-2012, 19:29

This is my first, a Wolseley 6/90 in Connaught green. Bought it off a chap at Brawdy, and photographed here behind one of the squadron hangars. Beautiful car with a straight six engine and twin SU carburetors. Unfortunately it caught fire on the A32 driving down from home near Reading to Daedalus. I always remember it with great affection.
Steve
p.s. That road is almost unchanged since 1963 (except for a few burn marks:D:D)

astraltrader

17-04-2012, 01:00

Admittedly not my first car, but one of my favourites was my 3.0GL Granny,that took me all the way to Cyprus via Dover,Calais,Mt Blanc Tunnel,Brindisi,Patras,Piraeus and thence Limassol. bert 261.

A great car in its time Bert. I once had the same shape Consul Granada 2.5GT which was quite a rare version - it really motored! :)

Teuchter

17-04-2012, 07:13

A great car in its time Bert. I once had the same shape Consul Granada 2.5GT which was quite a rare version - it really motored! :)

True - I had a 2.5 Consul Granada estate - for about 4 years!!

derek s.langsdon

17-04-2012, 18:30

My age is showing-this is second time today am sure I posted at an earlier time but don't find via "Search" etc--so briefly:

1) My old FIAT 1500 convertible but it's 6-cylinders were wasted !
best part was its open top for the Italian sunshine,white wall tyres and stylish early Pinin Farina ally body.! (Fiat ran out of spare parts !).Gave it to ATC unit to play about with mechanics and later sell to enthusiast for funds.

2) A new Ford Escort Estate (best bit being the discount obtained from the Ford Press department) Expensive repairs after crash/sold.

3) Sierra 1600 Estate (low mileage used) excellent work-horse but hit black ice and a write-off (good insurance payoff).
.
4) Sierra 1800i Estate excellent ,running now since mid nineties when they stopped production and switched to Mondeos-don't plan to swop it as long as I can get in !

Hired countless makes/types around world during working life , more energy than now ! when the old Sierra gives everything needed and is well serviced by local garage.

dsl
.

harry.gibbon

17-04-2012, 22:19

Perhaps the last set of four wheels for this household, now gone to pastures new.

Port & Stbd (near & offside) views:).

Little h

derek s.langsdon

18-04-2012, 04:40

Feel better (age !) on recalling twasn't here that posted before
on "first car", but on my old us newsmen site, where we had also
chewed fat on odd experiences with hire cars on assignment.

dsl

harris

18-04-2012, 16:19

In September 1965, I signed on from 9 to 14 years and got the £600 bounty that was given at that time. We were expecting our second baby and needed better transport so I went along to Queen St in Pompey and splashed out £460 on a brand new Robin Reliant. We kept it for four years and it did us proud.

Happy days, Fred. :):):)

Scurs

19-04-2012, 14:17

Except it would have been a "Regal", not "Robin", Fred? I had a 1962 Regal......my first Robin was 1978!

limeybiker

19-04-2012, 14:29

Except it would have been a "Regal", not "Robin", Fred? I had a 1962 Regal......my first Robin was 1978!
Shades of Only Fools and Horses, Sharon bought me the entire set, we watch one whenever we need a good laugh, most Americans just don't get the humour.

eskimosailor

19-04-2012, 19:16

Except it would have been a "Regal", not "Robin", Fred? I had a 1962 Regal......my first Robin was 1978!

I once owned two of the Regal's big brothers. A scimitar SE5A and SE6. Lovely motors, and very good looking. Plastic body and a big Ford V6 engine.
Steve

Scurs

19-04-2012, 20:43

Though all Reliant 3 wheelers got dubbed "Robins" - they wern't.

1953 - 1973.................. Regal
1973 - 1975.................. Robin Mk.1 (750cc)
1975 - 1981...................Robin Mk.1 (850cc)
1981 - 1989...................Rialto
1989 - 1999...................Robin Mk.2
1999 - 2001...................Robin Mk.3

I have owned Regal, Robin Mk.1 (850), Rialto (2) and Robin Mk.3...............why?
Because I am ex-biker who never did pass a car test............still driving my 1999 Robin Mk.3.

harry.gibbon

19-04-2012, 21:11

I have owned Regal, Robin Mk.1 (850), Rialto (2) and Robin Mk.3...............why?
Because I am ex-biker who never did pass a car test............still driving my 1999 Robin Mk.3.

Hey up Scurs mate,

Quite understandable, a case of Two wheels is Best; Three wheels is Next & Four wheels for the rest;):)

Little h

jbryce1437

19-04-2012, 21:12

My first car, in 1976 when I passed my test, was a Morris Minor of 1959 vintage. Split windscreen with trafficators in the B frame to indicate a turn, although it had also been fitted with flashers front and back.
I paid £35 for it and it had 2 months MOT.
I used it to take the family to Butlins at Ayr and found that it needed £200 worth of welding to the floor pans to get it through the MOT, so it had to go. I sold it for £35 spares or repair, so got my holiday travel for nothing. My only regret is that I didn't hang on to the registration plate - LGR 62. It would be worth a bob or two now.
My next car was a Vauxhall Viva HB, then a Morris Marina 1800, then an Austin Allegro - named as the worst British car ever, Rover 213, Rover 216, then two new Austin Maestros - E and G reg, then Renault Clio, Renault Megane, Renault Clio and currently Renault Modus.
Never owned a Ford;)

Jim

derek s.langsdon

19-04-2012, 22:49

JimB's mention of the 35 quid Morris re-shakes my rusty
,memory that we had a similarly priced Traveller whose floor went the same way (we'd bought it for my wife Lynn who did
manage use it to pass test)-it wound up at the tip.
Also forgot that between crashing the Escort and first Sierra my old Dad gave me his cast-off Vauxhall Victor which drove back'n forth to Rome over three summers before it ended at same tip. My earlier ancient Roman sojurn with my first Fiat was using an Italian and International license so on return to UK needed pass the test which was done in one of Dad's small Commer Cob delivery vans Briefly tried my hand at son's first hard-used little Triumph/MGs but they did'nt stay un-dented or useable for long.
Schooldays on the old Hercules bike were easier !

dsl