[Moonracer]

there is just something about British cars though. As much as they piss you off they are just so much fun to drive when they are working and running. I don't know if it's just how crude they are or what but it's hard to understand. I sold my first Alpine when the kids started popping out and missed it so bad. My wife bought the one in the pictures for my 40th birthday. I kind of put them on the same level as a SAAB 2-stroke. When the run there is nothing more enjoyable, but nothing as frustrating when they don't

 

[jssaab]

Same story here, started with a MK IV 71 spitfire, bottom rusted out, bought a 72 without title, popped the Vin on and ran that till the trans went... got the 2nd TR6 for the big 40 ( sold my first to buy a house) and it still sits under a tarp, new interior, motor rebuild and all.

Also had a 73 midget ( it was cool to let your arm drag on the ground while driving), 76 MGB and then the Jags, XJS and XK8...

Something about British cars and Saabs... Jak Stoll was a brit car mechanic for years and there are a lot of us on the board.

 

[liketheword]

I think I am one of the few "younger" guys who has a real appreciation for these cars. I want a Austin Healy 3000 for my next Brit roadster!

 

[saabsbreakdown]

I have never owned a british car (or anything british for that matter) and never will. Old saabs are way cooler than old british cars. Even the handcrank start triumphs. god I could not imagine restoring one of those buckets.

 

[Moonracer]

That's a sharp TR there!!! Probably nicer then when it was new.

saabsbreakdown, Untill you've owned one you will never understand. Kind of like owning a Harley too.

 

[jssaab]

That's a sharp TR there!!! Probably nicer then when it was new.

saabsbreakdown, Untill you've owned one you will never understand. Kind of like owning a Harley too.

Its gone to h@ll now... Sat out under a tarp for the last few years...

Gonna clean it up and sell it this spring... concentrating on the Saabs now

 

[jssaab]

I have never owned a british car (or anything british for that matter) and never will. Old saabs are way cooler than old british cars. Even the handcrank start triumphs. god I could not imagine restoring one of those buckets.

Cooler maybe but if you are into quiry ( like a saab) the brits have that beat by a long shot:

The lighting company Lucas is often nicknamed " the prince of darnkness"
The TR worshop manual actually tells you to listen for correct fuel mixture when adjsuting the SU carbs
In a country full of rain it never occurred to them to rust-proof the metal
Any company that jams a hugh engine in a small car is alright by me
Low Displacement, high revs = losta fun
Handbuilt cars are always cool, even those built by a buncha guys who drink beer for lunch

 

[saabsbreakdown]

don't forget the gaskets were made out of recycled issues of the times.

 

[GripenTek9000]

I have never owned a british car (or anything british for that matter) and never will. Old saabs are way cooler than old british cars. Even the handcrank start triumphs. god I could not imagine restoring one of those buckets.

idk there is just something about driving a british sports car around that feels really different. If I had to choose between a 99 and an MGB GT, I would take the GT

 

[saabsbreakdown]

so far the only reasons mentioned in this thread to drive something british are:

1. they are really, really poorly built

2. they invoke a visceral feeling that no one can explain

Sorry guys i'm not convinced. If i had a hardon for something like that I would just build a sonett roadster. It would be easy since I would have so much free time, since I don't own anything british.

 

[Ashbypa]

Long....sorry. And its not personal.

First, there are way more Triumphs out there than Sonetts(SP?). And - as we so often point out here - beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To me, a Sonett will always be ugly.

You can make any Triumph in to a car you WANT to drive. Even the Spitfire. It takes some work - but parts are relatively inexpensive. And support for the marque is great. Yes they have some electrical issues - but the cars are so simple, its usually very easy to find the problem.

I put 60K on my Spitfire and it only left me stranded once - and it was my fault as I forgot to grease a joint on the front wheel. Mistake made once.

I had a ratty TR6, that had upgraded suspension, but the PO had ignored all else. It was fun to drive and fairly reliable. Rust, though, saw this car move on.

My TR8, the Wedge, is hugely unpopular. However, its more comfortable to take on cruising trips than my Spit or TR6 ever was. Add to the fact that it has a warmed over Rover V8 doesnt hurt (TR7's had 4's, 8's had 8's). Also helps that it handles like its on rails.

Interestingly enough the Saab 99 engine was derived directly from the TR7 slant 4.

Long story short: you don't need to like the British cars - it leaves more for those of us who do.

 

[saabsbreakdown]

Interestingly enough the Saab 99 engine was derived directly from the TR7 slant 4.

Long story short: you don't need to like the British cars - it leaves more for those of us who do.

We have a triumph powered 1969 99 - it's a great car and easily has more power than the newer saab b-engines, probably due to compression ratio, cam, and carb of the stock engine at the time. One could also argue that we can 'blame' all the weird shit on the b-engine on the brits!

Yeah you can have the british cars. It seems every time I let loose my opinion that "all I will ever drive is Saabs and everything else is junk" people get really, really iritated!! :lol:

I'll try to keep my mouth shut I guess!

 

[Ashbypa]

I'm not irritated in the least. I find it humorous that you find only one marque worth driving. More power to you.

I like more selection. I have have had 3 standout cars so far (and plenty of rats). '71 240Z, 94 RX7-TT, TR8, and my Viggen. All have/had their good points. These are just the ones I wish I'd held on to.

Difference of opinions keeps things interesting.

A

 

[saabsbreakdown]

I'm not irritated in the least. I find it humorous that you find only one marque worth driving. More power to you.

I like more selection. I have have had 3 standout cars so far (and plenty of rats). '71 240Z, 94 RX7-TT, TR8, and my Viggen. All have/had their good points. These are just the ones I wish I'd held on to.

Difference of opinions keeps things interesting.

A

Well, I mean, we have a lot of saabs. We also have a few trucks and a suzuki motorcycle. Thats basically just because saab doesn't make trucks or motorcycles!

We have a '67 96 2-stroke, '69 sonett II v4, '69 99, '74 Sonett III, 2 '75 99's, 2 '76 99's, '79 900 EMS, '86 9000, 2 '87 convertibles, '89 convertible, Kaylan's 97 Aero, '06 9-5, '07 9-3 SportCombi.

All these cars run and drive and make appearances at club meets, etc.

Our garage is a bit full! :lol:

 

[NahumCC]

This was a project car of mine for sometime. I figured I would share my former baby. I still jones for a little roadster every now and then because of her!

I want a Saturn Sky Redline. God that is one hell of an awsome roadster. Went and looked at one on my day off the other day and all I have to say is DAMN just from sitting in the car and looking at it. Sadly I couldn't get a test (I was even in my business suit as I had just come from doing some shopping at Men's Warehouse for some other shirts to go with the suit) drive as the only one with a stick was in the showroom floor. The other one with a stick I found at the local mall as a display .