Surprised today

No pics, so it didn't happen I suppose..

Nice sunny day, so I took my ancient MX5 out, not for a blast on the back roads but just a few miles away to my Dads house. Wondered if I'd see anything nice, so a Porsche 944 appeared and I assumed that was it, until a 68 Mustang fastback GT came around a roundabout, Highland green with the 5 spoke wheels. I got a quick chat in traffic, later 302 engine and 5 speed box.

You just don't see that stuff in Dublin on a normal Sunday.

Nice one Shay but........ IS there such a thing as a normal Sunday in Dublin?

No. I came home, went to the supermarket and there was a 60's Jag 420 G parking up next to a current E class Merc, it was still bigger.

They were the biggest car they ever made I think.

Strange what the sunshine brings out, and not a classic event on anywhere.

Fine and cooler weather tends to bring out the hobby cars. I was at "Chrome Bar Bonanza" at Lakeside recently. Heaps of Aussie and American cars, the odd Japanese, British and European cars.

Comedy provided by the rotaries, as the brapped, pffitted and turned oxygen and fuel into noise.

I'd hate to fuel a V8 with Ireland's fuel prices. It's bad enough here.

A couple of friends and I took our MG's to a local classic car show yesterday. Only about 80 cars but a lvely friendly event, lovely warm sunny day and good crack with lot's of owners.

Including this one:









1953 Bristol 401. Bought four years ago in need of a complete restoration. We three looked all over her and could not find one single flaw. Absolutley gorgeous.

Great restoration, given that NOS or reproduction parts are exactly lying around. What's the white roadster behind the Bristol?

webby wrote:What's the white roadster behind the Bristol?

It looks a little like an old Spartan kit car...

Andy...

webby wrote:Great restoration, given that NOS or reproduction parts are exactly lying around. What's the white roadster behind the Bristol?

The body is made from hand formed alluminium, lovingly restored by the present owner Chris.

Johnag wrote:

webby wrote:What's the white roadster behind the Bristol?

It looks a little like an old Spartan kit car...

Andy...

That's exactly what it is Andy. Not my cup of tea though.

Skid wrote:That's exactly what it is Andy. Not my cup of tea though.

Same here Al, their noses are way to square, but that's also what makes them stand out in a crowd...

I’ve always had another ‘toy’ (or two) in my garage, which I used to take to a few shows - until about four years ago, when I sold my last car.
At 71, I thought I was too old to be crawling under cars, and decided to concentrate on bikes. This was my last ‘toy’,
..and if anybody calls it a ‘Thing’ - I’ll find out where you live, and come round and wash you mouth out with soap and water
.......It’s a very rare Volkswagen 181 civilian Kurierwagen.

I wouldn't insult you by calling it a 'thing' Ron. In fact I like it a lot as it reminds me of the WWII Kubelwagen' which I guess it's based/modelled on and which I like very much indeed.

It was called a trekker Ron?

Thanks guys, so many people called it a Thing, which it annoyed the hell out of me. It’s like calling a Lotus a kit car, partly right, but so wrong.
It is still a Kubelwagen in military form Al, but unlike the WW2 version, the chassis is not based on the beetle but the Karmann Ghia.
.....and yes Shay, brilliant! - those cars sold in the UK with right hand drive were called a Trekker, which is exactly how I used to refer to it.
However, it is still a LHD German built Civilian Kurierwagen to be pedantic.
It wasn’t a Sunday driver either, it was used whenever I felt like a buzz, I even took it to race at York Raceway dragstrip,
where I once won my round, when my opponent in the other lane was showboating doing burnouts, and broke a half shaft, and I won on a Bye run.
The Red beetle in front is my son’s Bug, bought from the US without engine, but we built up a 2litre race motor for it - and it did about 12mpg, if we were lucky.

It was marketed as the VW Thing in the USA.

I think that's the point Mike!

Yes, that’s true Mike, the Mexican built VW 181 was called the Thing in the US, as a marketing ploy to try and capture the Hippy generation
...and it worked, with VW cashing in with more sales.
But for owners outside of the US it was like an embarrassing joke, which it will always be remembered for.....not it’s true identity.

THING !

I will have a cold beer ready for when you show up.

Well, there had to be one !
But wouldn’t you know it - it’s from Oregon, the only state in the US that I can’t enter because I already have an outstanding warrant for arrest for assault with a deadly weapon.
.......but make it TWO cold beers, and I’ll see you Wednesday !

Your flight arrives when?
Oh, and I live near Newport, home of Rogue Ale. You will probably want the Double Dead Guy.

Flight ?.....I’m British, so I’ll be swimming over, it’s only 3,400 miles,
...then I’ll hitch the 3,000 miles overland.....that’s why I said Wednesday !
By the way Sam, how did you know I was in the Dead Guy Coffin Club ???