Dommo Posted February 8, 2018 Posted February 8, 2018 I was quite lucky - I didn't have to endure old, unreliable cars until I bought my first house. Until then, I endured a brand new unreliable one! 2001 MINI Cooper. Day 2 saw me swapping the head unit for a Nakamichi effort (they were good back then). After that, it's all a bit "if I knew then what I know now"... I fitted the bonnet stripes and St. George's cross as soon as MINI released them (I was too young and dumb to realise I could have just gone to a vinyl stickerist and saved myself a fortune)... Tinted the windows... fitted the Playmini exhaust as soon as that was released... I got that fitted at a Honda dealership on the way back from collected the exhaust, I was that impatient. I had also ruined it a bit further... Little did I know but with an integrated hard drive MP3 player and hands free kit, I was quite a way ahead of the game. I'd later shift the amps around and have two subwoofers in the back. The components I used on the audio side of things were quite alright and it's probably something I wouldn't change much if I could go back in time. Aside from, not doing it. It was quite a social little thing though! Quote
BigSkyBrad Posted February 8, 2018 Author Posted February 8, 2018 Dead impressed by those who had a Westfield as their first or second car! I had wanted to build as my third car what was the only seven-esque in NZ back then, the Chevron-7, which used the Viva HC or Chevette as the donor for suspension, diff etc. But I was only a couple of years in the Airforce and being shunted around bases for trade training, and common sense prevailed suggesting I needed a hatchback, and I went for a Chevette anyway. So my dad and I added an HS bodykit and shoe-horned an 18R-GR twin cam with twin 40 sidies, big-valve Yamaha head and W50 gearbox into it from a 1st gen Celica/Corona GT, and as part of my trade was aircraft spraypainting, I painted it in Opel Dealer Team colours. It was this car that was my first foray into motorsport, in what in NZ is known as 'club-sport', which is autotests, gymkhanas, reg rallies, tarmac/grass/gravel sprints, hill climbs and dual-sprints. Dual sprints are track based and you race in pairs for one to three laps. At any one time, depending on the size of the circuit, there can be up to four pairs racing. Some events are race who you like (race your mate or challenge who you like), and some events are bracketed. This car and the next car (1981 Celica GT RA45 with 18R-GEU injection - below) was the start of a long and numerous relationship with JDM classics, especially rear-drive Toyotas. Here's one that was a bit different, that I had a few years later as a toy... 1987 Suzuki Alto Works RS-R -- 550cc, twin cam, inter-cooled turbo, fulltime 4wd! Quote
Thrustyjust Posted February 8, 2018 Posted February 8, 2018 3 hours ago, IanK (Bagpuss) said: I started early: The one above was more reliable than this one, though it's got the same pedal rubbers as my Westie! Sure you still wear the same hat in the pinky nose Westie Hmmmmmmm....................... hydrolastic suspension..................... Quote
Thrustyjust Posted February 8, 2018 Posted February 8, 2018 1 hour ago, pistonbroke said: The Kray Quadruplets have been found !! Quote
Kevin (Mr T) Posted February 8, 2018 Posted February 8, 2018 No photos of my first car, a Viva HB, although I do remember the reg was COY875D. Do have a photo of my first new off the "production line" car. Quote
Thrustyjust Posted February 8, 2018 Posted February 8, 2018 Is that a Panther or Marlin Kevin ? Quote
Robin Parker (Red Spider) - Yorkshire AO Posted February 8, 2018 Posted February 8, 2018 MK 1 Escort, bought from my brother for £300 before I passed my test in 1980. Quarter bumpers from my dads van and 1100cc of raw crossflow power. Sprayed by me after a coming together with a lamppost. Quote
Kevin (Mr T) Posted February 8, 2018 Posted February 8, 2018 39 minutes ago, Thrustyjust said: Is that a Panther or Marlin Kevin ? It was a Panther Kallista. Absolutely loved it at the time. Quote
Robin Parker (Red Spider) - Yorkshire AO Posted February 8, 2018 Posted February 8, 2018 6 minutes ago, Kevin (Mr T) - Essex AO said: It was a Panther Kallista. Absolutely loved it at the time. V6 or cvh? Quote
Kevin (Mr T) Posted February 8, 2018 Posted February 8, 2018 18 minutes ago, Robin (Red Spider) - Yorkshire AO said: V6 or cvh? It was the 1.6 Robin, had a test drive in the 2.8i and it was a bit too much. Quote
Thrustyjust Posted February 8, 2018 Posted February 8, 2018 30 minutes ago, Kevin (Mr T) - Essex AO said: It was the 1.6 Robin, had a test drive in the 2.8i and it was a was a heavy boat anchor in zebeedee bouncing chassis that caused major bowel movements Edited for you Kevin 1 Quote
pistonbroke Posted February 9, 2018 Posted February 9, 2018 22 hours ago, Thrustyjust said: The Kray Quadruplets have been found !! A case of first up best dressed Quote
Never Too Old Posted February 9, 2018 Posted February 9, 2018 My first car was a 'hot' Morris Mini but cannot find any pics so here's my second car a Daimler SP 250 'B' Series 1962 - wish I'd still got it! Quote
Thrustyjust Posted February 9, 2018 Posted February 9, 2018 Crikey, judging by the photos , owning cars in the 60's meant you could afford shirts Quote
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