The Good old days.

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Cheshire Cat
Posts: 505
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2018 9:17 pm

Post by Cheshire Cat »

Somewhere I posted that the good old days, from a motoring perspective, were actually crap. It was suggested that this could be a whole new thread, so here goes.

Some may look back fondly on their early motoring days. Not me though. I passed my driving test aged 17 and 3 weeks having had lessons from my sisters boyfriend, later husband, in his mini Cooper 'S' not on the public highway of course. Not being flush with cash, I went looking for transport and found an Austin A35 locally that 'needed work'. It cost £10. The 'work' was in fact a new floor. Luckily, my Brother was a Fitter and had a custom made floor produced in the workshop of a local international chemical company. They even drilled the hole for the pop rivets to be fixed. I spent a whole Summer getting this floor in using axle stands and ramps. As I am 6ft 2ins, it was a tad difficult. Finally finished it, took it for an MOT and it failed due to lack of brakes. It stopped but not well enough. Being totally cheesed off, I took it to the scrapper and got £20 I think.
Next car I vowed would be a runner and not so old. Enter a Ford Escort 1.3 XL no less 'G' reg (1968 I think). It was two years old when I bought it having saved for a while. I had a great time in it. Painted the grill black,as you did back then, and fitted a better sound system. One day I was going to pick up the then girlfriend for a weekend away bird watching (ha ha) and the bloody thing would not start. I had the plugs out, the points cleaned, fuel filter checked. No go. Stuck the battery off my Dad's lawnmower on it to no avail. Some neighbours push it and it still wouldn't go. My evil weekend ruined and I vowed never to buy another Ford again and I haven't. Naturally, it started on the first turn the next day.
I moved on to a GT6 mk 111 in white. Loved that car and apart from the overdrive stuttering in and out, it was very good. This was caused by the insulating on the cable from the switch to the solenoid wearing out and shorting the connection.

An Alfa Sud arrived soon after I was married. A three door 1.3 ti that handled like nothing I've had since. With perfect timing, a baby arrived also and after some months of struggling to get the baby into the Sud, I was informed it had to go. I had no issues with that car, probably because I razzed it at every opportunity. I would often race with an unidentified chap in his Golf GTI. I had him on the bends but struggled on the straights.

For some reason which I still can't comprehend, I bought Renault 15TS coupe. Still three doors but bigger. I wash washing it one Sunday morning and my hand disappeared through the front nearside wing. Amongst the filler was a two year old Daily Mirror. The following week, the exhaust downpipe also disappeared leaving vast holes. I think that the local dealer wanted about £150 for a new one fitted. They were a flexible braided item. Not having the readies, I sourced a usable one from a scrapyard and after many hours on my back, fitted it. My neck still hurts and I introduced my neighbours to some words the were unfamiliar with.

After that pantomime, I moved onto company cars thank God. So, my memories of the good old days are not that good. What are yours?
Dolomite Silver 'S' with red leather 14 way seats, Pano roof, Bose, Air suspension with pasm, Chrono pack, PDLS, Surround view, 911 turbo wheels, heated screen, spare wheel, ioniser,75 lt tank, black tail pipes, black roof rails.

PorscheMack
Posts: 1701
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2021 3:46 pm

Post by PorscheMack »

Cheshire Cat wrote: Fri Oct 01, 2021 2:51 pm Somewhere I posted that the good old days, from a motoring perspective, were actually crap. It was suggested that this could be a whole new thread, so here goes.

Some may look back fondly on their early motoring days. Not me though. I passed my driving test aged 17 and 3 weeks having had lessons from my sisters boyfriend, later husband, in his mini Cooper 'S' not on the public highway of course. Not being flush with cash, I went looking for transport and found an Austin A35 locally that 'needed work'. It cost £10. The 'work' was in fact a new floor. Luckily, my Brother was a Fitter and had a custom made floor produced in the workshop of a local international chemical company. They even drilled the hole for the pop rivets to be fixed. I spent a whole Summer getting this floor in using axle stands and ramps. As I am 6ft 2ins, it was a tad difficult. Finally finished it, took it for an MOT and it failed due to lack of brakes. It stopped but not well enough. Being totally cheesed off, I took it to the scrapper and got £20 I think.
Next car I vowed would be a runner and not so old. Enter a Ford Escort 1.3 XL no less 'G' reg (1968 I think). It was two years old when I bought it having saved for a while. I had a great time in it. Painted the grill black,as you did back then, and fitted a better sound system. One day I was going to pick up the then girlfriend for a weekend away bird watching (ha ha) and the bloody thing would not start. I had the plugs out, the points cleaned, fuel filter checked. No go. Stuck the battery off my Dad's lawnmower on it to no avail. Some neighbours push it and it still wouldn't go. My evil weekend ruined and I vowed never to buy another Ford again and I haven't. Naturally, it started on the first turn the next day.
I moved on to a GT6 mk 111 in white. Loved that car and apart from the overdrive stuttering in and out, it was very good. This was caused by the insulating on the cable from the switch to the solenoid wearing out and shorting the connection.

An Alfa Sud arrived soon after I was married. A three door 1.3 ti that handled like nothing I've had since. With perfect timing, a baby arrived also and after some months of struggling to get the baby into the Sud, I was informed it had to go. I had no issues with that car, probably because I razzed it at every opportunity. I would often race with an unidentified chap in his Golf GTI. I had him on the bends but struggled on the straights.

For some reason which I still can't comprehend, I bought Renault 15TS coupe. Still three doors but bigger. I wash washing it one Sunday morning and my hand disappeared through the front nearside wing. Amongst the filler was a two year old Daily Mirror. The following week, the exhaust downpipe also disappeared leaving vast holes. I think that the local dealer wanted about £150 for a new one fitted. They were a flexible braided item. Not having the readies, I sourced a usable one from a scrapyard and after many hours on my back, fitted it. My neck still hurts and I introduced my neighbours to some words the were unfamiliar with.

After that pantomime, I moved onto company cars thank God. So, my memories of the good old days are not that good. What are yours?
Not sure Memory Lane has too many Porsches parked in it 😊
Macan GTS (Gen 3) (Mar 24-???)
http://www.porsche-code.com/PRKIVM50
Macan GTS (Gen 3) (Mar 22-Nov 23)
http://www.porsche-code.com/PNIECDM4
Deleted User 4436

Post by Deleted User 4436 »

I had a Triumph Dolomite 1850 HL that was mainly rust (but I did put Sprint stickers on the bonnet that definitely made it quicker and made the girls swoon). We had to rebuild the engine after the timing-chain broke and everything all went in the same direction at the same time. I had a Ford Cortina that was way more rust than car. I had an Audi Coupe that looked great, until most of the body work turned out to be filler

I have been in plenty of cars where you could chose to either breathe or see where you were going, but never both at the same time. I also remember many many trips to the scrap yard to buy spare parts and then laying in the street in the pouring rain and freezing cold trying to look helpful whilst my brother actually did all the work (he became an engineer so had the aptitude for such things - I still don't know what I want to do for a living)

When I look back I am amazed at the crap I bought, the crap we used to do in them and the crap we got away with (e.g. removing the V8 from a fast back mustang with shovels rather than a hoist!!)

When I think back to the council house I grew up in the the static caravan parks I used to go on holiday to with my parents I am extremely grateful that I have been able to give my son a very different set of "good old days". His memories are of foreign trips from an early age, being picked up from secondary school in the Aston and his second ever car being brand new. Surprisingly not spoiled buy any of it. I wonder what he will say in 30 years time when he's my age and someone speaks to him about the "good old days". Presumably it will include global pandemics, empty shops and fuel shortages!
PorscheMack
Posts: 1701
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2021 3:46 pm

Post by PorscheMack »

OmniCognateSnr wrote: Fri Oct 01, 2021 3:38 pm I had a Triumph Dolomite 1850 HL that was mainly rust (but I did put Sprint stickers on the bonnet that definitely made it quicker and made the girls swoon). We had to rebuild the engine after the timing-chain broke and everything all went in the same direction at the same time. I had a Ford Cortina that was way more rust than car. I had an Audi Coupe that looked great, until most of the body work turned out to be filler

I have been in plenty of cars where you could chose to either breathe or see where you were going, but never both at the same time. I also remember many many trips to the scrap yard to buy spare parts and then laying in the street in the pouring rain and freezing cold trying to look helpful whilst my brother actually did all the work (he became an engineer so had the aptitude for such things - I still don't know what I want to do for a living)

When I look back I am amazed at the crap I bought, the crap we used to do in them and the crap we got away with (e.g. removing the V8 from a fast back mustang with shovels rather than a hoist!!)

When I think back to the council house I grew up in the the static caravan parks I used to go on holiday to with my parents I am extremely grateful that I have been able to give my son a very different set of "good old days". His memories are of foreign trips from an early age, being picked up from secondary school in the Aston and his second ever car being brand new. Surprisingly not spoiled buy any of it. I wonder what he will say in 30 years time when he's my age and someone speaks to him about the "good old days". Presumably it will include global pandemics, empty shops and fuel shortages!
He will probably say; Why didn't my dad spend just a little more and buy a GTS? 😂
Macan GTS (Gen 3) (Mar 24-???)
http://www.porsche-code.com/PRKIVM50
Macan GTS (Gen 3) (Mar 22-Nov 23)
http://www.porsche-code.com/PNIECDM4
Zadkiel
Posts: 146
Joined: Mon Jul 26, 2021 2:04 pm

Post by Zadkiel »

From my viewpoint, having started driving in the late 1970’s .... the ‘Good Old Days’ were the days prior to the money-making, criminalising, speed cameras. They have sucked the joy out of driving in unfamiliar locations for fear of going a few mph over the limit where there might be a camera lurking.

The Good Old Days were also when the carburettor was king. Aaaah the sound 😁

First car an old MK1 Mini (cracking go cart like abilities) and most fun as a youngster was an old Rover P6 (V8) which I bought with a couple of mates, experimented with to make as loud as possible and eventually drove into the ground.

Have to admit, car bodywork & suspension quality is so much better than 70’s / 80’s.

And who misses a choke?
Macan S arrived May’22.
Met. Black, Burmester, Bordeaux ext. leather
http://www.porsche-code.com/PNKMKWC6
PorscheMack
Posts: 1701
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2021 3:46 pm

Post by PorscheMack »

A Choke. Isn't that what you pulled out to hang your 👜 on 😂
Macan GTS (Gen 3) (Mar 24-???)
http://www.porsche-code.com/PRKIVM50
Macan GTS (Gen 3) (Mar 22-Nov 23)
http://www.porsche-code.com/PNIECDM4
Deleted User 4436

Post by Deleted User 4436 »

PorscheMack wrote: Fri Oct 01, 2021 4:14 pm
OmniCognateSnr wrote: Fri Oct 01, 2021 3:38 pm I had a Triumph Dolomite 1850 HL that was mainly rust (but I did put Sprint stickers on the bonnet that definitely made it quicker and made the girls swoon). We had to rebuild the engine after the timing-chain broke and everything all went in the same direction at the same time. I had a Ford Cortina that was way more rust than car. I had an Audi Coupe that looked great, until most of the body work turned out to be filler

I have been in plenty of cars where you could chose to either breathe or see where you were going, but never both at the same time. I also remember many many trips to the scrap yard to buy spare parts and then laying in the street in the pouring rain and freezing cold trying to look helpful whilst my brother actually did all the work (he became an engineer so had the aptitude for such things - I still don't know what I want to do for a living)

When I look back I am amazed at the crap I bought, the crap we used to do in them and the crap we got away with (e.g. removing the V8 from a fast back mustang with shovels rather than a hoist!!)

When I think back to the council house I grew up in the the static caravan parks I used to go on holiday to with my parents I am extremely grateful that I have been able to give my son a very different set of "good old days". His memories are of foreign trips from an early age, being picked up from secondary school in the Aston and his second ever car being brand new. Surprisingly not spoiled buy any of it. I wonder what he will say in 30 years time when he's my age and someone speaks to him about the "good old days". Presumably it will include global pandemics, empty shops and fuel shortages!
He will probably say; Why didn't my dad spend just a little more and buy a GTS? 😂
ok, that one made me laugh :D :D :D :D

BTW, just found out my boss has just taken delivery of a brand new Volcano Grey 911 S, so clearly he's not thinking big enough either :)
Deleted User 4436

Post by Deleted User 4436 »

Zadkiel wrote: Fri Oct 01, 2021 4:31 pm From my viewpoint, having started driving in the late 1970’s .... the ‘Good Old Days’ were the days prior to the money-making, criminalising, speed cameras. They have sucked the joy out of driving in unfamiliar locations for fear of going a few mph over the limit where there might be a camera lurking.

The Good Old Days were also when the carburettor was king. Aaaah the sound 😁

First car an old MK1 Mini (cracking go cart like abilities) and most fun as a youngster was an old Rover P6 (V8) which I bought with a couple of mates, experimented with to make as loud as possible and eventually drove into the ground.

Have to admit, car bodywork & suspension quality is so much better than 70’s / 80’s.

And who misses a choke?
The speed camera thing is a very good point. Also, on the odd occasion we did get collared by the rozza's they tended to just tell us to behave and let us be on our way. A bit more common sense approach than today.
PorscheMack
Posts: 1701
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2021 3:46 pm

Post by PorscheMack »

OmniCognateSnr wrote: Fri Oct 01, 2021 4:35 pm
PorscheMack wrote: Fri Oct 01, 2021 4:14 pm
OmniCognateSnr wrote: Fri Oct 01, 2021 3:38 pm I had a Triumph Dolomite 1850 HL that was mainly rust (but I did put Sprint stickers on the bonnet that definitely made it quicker and made the girls swoon). We had to rebuild the engine after the timing-chain broke and everything all went in the same direction at the same time. I had a Ford Cortina that was way more rust than car. I had an Audi Coupe that looked great, until most of the body work turned out to be filler

I have been in plenty of cars where you could chose to either breathe or see where you were going, but never both at the same time. I also remember many many trips to the scrap yard to buy spare parts and then laying in the street in the pouring rain and freezing cold trying to look helpful whilst my brother actually did all the work (he became an engineer so had the aptitude for such things - I still don't know what I want to do for a living)

When I look back I am amazed at the crap I bought, the crap we used to do in them and the crap we got away with (e.g. removing the V8 from a fast back mustang with shovels rather than a hoist!!)

When I think back to the council house I grew up in the the static caravan parks I used to go on holiday to with my parents I am extremely grateful that I have been able to give my son a very different set of "good old days". His memories are of foreign trips from an early age, being picked up from secondary school in the Aston and his second ever car being brand new. Surprisingly not spoiled buy any of it. I wonder what he will say in 30 years time when he's my age and someone speaks to him about the "good old days". Presumably it will include global pandemics, empty shops and fuel shortages!
He will probably say; Why didn't my dad spend just a little more and buy a GTS? 😂
ok, that one made me laugh :D :D :D :D

BTW, just found out my boss has just taken delivery of a brand new Volcano Grey 911 S, so clearly he's not thinking big enough either :)
Wow!! More Bean Counters. Pity his children also 🤣
Macan GTS (Gen 3) (Mar 24-???)
http://www.porsche-code.com/PRKIVM50
Macan GTS (Gen 3) (Mar 22-Nov 23)
http://www.porsche-code.com/PNIECDM4
Deleted User 611

Post by Deleted User 611 »

Started driving in 1967 and they definitely were not the good old days. First car an MG Magnet 0 to 60 in 18 seconds( google it).bought for £20 so I could get to work during UNI holidays. Like many of that era were not that fast which was good because drum brakes were scary. Many cars such as Mini Cooper , Cortina, Viva all needed weekends spent keeping them on the road. The positive was I learnt how to change an engine and do my own servicing and by the time the first company car arrived I had a good appreciation of how cars worked.
One car had a starting handle and no heater or radio as they were extras .
Even today’s worst cars are a hundred times better.
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