Who drives what?

[Alec]

Hello allen,

without doubt, the DB5, but a little too extravagant in reality. I eventually sold it and paid off my mortgage; I would have another tomorrow (or a 4 but not a 6) if a miraculous change in financial circumstance occurs.

The Aceca was interesting, but relatively under powered being the AC engined version. People talk about poly bushes being inflexible and harsh. This car had metal bushes for the supension pivot points.

The Fiat was quick for it's size being faster than the larger engined Mini and with a lovely exhaust note. Some of the larger engined variety were very quick (Fiat 600 body for those unaware of the model)

Alec

[David Withers]

Hello Alec.

Of the hundred or more cars I have owned over 48 years, the most 'exotic' have been the pre-production Sunbeam Tiger and the 1965 Jaguar 3.8S. But you leave me standing with that DB5 (literally as well as metaphorically!).

I've never owned an Aston Martin - way out of my price range - but I do have a lovely book on the marque. This is 'Aston Martin & Lagonda' by Michael Frostick, publ 1977 by Dalton & Watson. My bookseller father gave it to me as a present only a day or two after it issued and it was apparently a very expensive book, though I don't know the actual price it sold at. It has almost 200 pages of photos!

[Alec]

Hello Dizzy,

I think I bought most of the books about Aston Martin, over the years. One was written by the service manager, later production manager, I think, which gave a good insight into the company and it's production problems. The DB 5 was tested by being driven to Aberdeen and back every day for weeks to rack up the miles.
Their chief test driver had a set route using the newly opened M1 and it took him just over the hour, a distance of a hundred and thirty or forty miles from what I remember. Certainly speeds that get you banned these days.

I was working in the Middle east when I bought it so was earning a good salary, but it was a car that needed a fair bit of work to get it up to scratch. Parts are really expensive, bearing shells for the engine were priced 'each' rather than per set. Main bearing shells were graded in three sizes per nominal size, to achieve a very small bearing clearance to ensure adequate oil pressure at running temperature. (aluminium block as you probably know)

Quite a practical DIY car as well, fortunately.

Alec

[James]

I had the chance to drive a DB6 - was sooo disappointing

[Alec]

Hello James,

was it an automatic transmission model?

Alec

[James]

Alec - how did you guess?

[Alec]

Hello James,

the 6 somehow looked 'heavy' with the raised tail, and I think that it lost the original line that touring designed.
Bearing in mind the original design was a fifties car, in that light it was a revelation. Of course, the E type Jaguar was released shortly afterwards rather overshadowed the Aston as it was about half the price?

Alec

[wrighty]

ok im 17 so it isnt so long
1972 850 mini
1991 mini
1993 polo
and the best is my mk2 2.5pi
it has changed a bit,

[French rep]

Hello,
My cars are :
Triumph 67\' 2000 Mk1, 69\' 2500PI Mk1, 71\' 2500PI Mk2 (x3), 71\',76\' and 80\' Spitfire, 67\' (x2) Herald 1200, 69\' (x2) Herald 1300, 65\' and 71\' Vitesse, 73\' Stag, 81\' TR7 cabriolet (x2), 69\' 1300 TC (x2), 67\' and 71\' MGB GT, Volvo 142 69\', 144 72\', 145 73\',  73\' and 76\' Mini, 85\' Range Rover V8, and some more \"modern\" cars and motorcycles.
I have sold my 69\' Mk3 Spitfire just before Christmas.
I have had 12 x Renault 5, 8 x Peugeot 205, etc.... Nearly 200 cars, but they were too modern for me.
Cheers, Chris (Register french representative)<IMG>&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hello folks,
Just a small update, as i have add to my fleet of cars : 73' MGBGT, 73' Reliant Scimitar SE5A, 60' TR3A, 66' TR4 Airs, 80' TR8 (factory, not a TR7 V8 !), and some "wrecks" (2000 Mk1, herald 1300 convertible, etc, for spares).
Unfortunatly I have sold my TR6, but will buy another one asap.
Happy new year,
Cheers,
Chris.

[Rob B]

I have previously owned 2 Herald Estates which sadly never saw the light of day, followed by my first proper car (as in it had an MOT!) a '65 Herald 1200 saloon.

Upon relocating to Manchester i was car-less or a long time before acquiring a ratty but reliable '93 Vauxhall Astra estate from my fiances Father.

I have now come full circle by replacing the Astra with my current 2500 mk2. Feels nice to be back in a proper car once more

Vicki has a modern Hyundai Coupe 2.0. Nice car, its more of a long legged GT than its sports car looks would suggest but its fun to drive and surprisingly practical.