Community Forums

Hit_the_Rhod · 10-19-2015, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramets

You bet I do. In 1967 I got a Mustang which I still have, And then in '69 I got the "Judge" which I will NEVER get rid of, and I have a '57 Belair I picked up a number of years ago. I've actually dollied the Mustang a few times.

I had a 1967 Triumph Spitfire Mk 3 that I purchased in the late '70's. If you know Triumphs, you will understand when I say it needed WORK! I told myself that I would wait at least one year before I tore it apart to fix it.

I lasted about 6 months . . . Or rather IT lasted about 6 months! I stripped it, had it dipped, came out looking like Swiss cheese. I fixed, braised, welded, leaded, etc, re-wired (intelligently, not a fire waiting to happen), put in in aircraft circuit breakers, Imron Emerald Green polyurethane paint, re-upholstered the seats/interior, rebuilt the engine, all new brakes, and DOT 7 silicone brake fluid, etc. Ended up half way through that I should have picked a car that would have been WORTH something when finished, not a Spitfire . . . but I LIKED that Spitfire, all roundy corners and curves, and no ugly "rubber baby buggy bumpers" on the front like later years.

I dragged that car around for 21 years in the Army (when not in storage while I was overseas). Finally sold it a few years ago. Boy was my youngest daughter PISSED! She had always figured that she would get that car. I told her that she hadn't let me in on the "plan", when in reality, I just didn't want her driving around in a cracker box. It never (after I fixed it) left me stranded, never on the side of the road.

Guy asked me when he looked at it if I would guarantee it to make it to Beaumont, TX from Kentucky. I told him, "It's a British sports car, I won't guarantee it to get out of the Driveway! That being said, I would feel getting in it right now and driving it to Washington State! He bought it, drove it to Texas, nary a problem, said it was the most solid British car he'd ever driven . . . .

Damn, I wish I hadn't sold that car . . .

TeJay · 10-19-2015, 07:15 AM

Love the British cars. I think we had about 6 of them. There's still a 74 Midget setting in the drive as we speak. It needs another re-store but it was one of those Father Son critical times project that probably saved the kid. He's now a Lt. Col in the AF with 20 years and 4 college degrees under his belt. We won't sell that car.

You do know why the Brits never manufactured TV's?? They couldn't stop the things from leaking oil on to the carpet.

Then there's the LUCAS three position light switches, DIM, FLICKER & OFF.

TeJay

Hit_the_Rhod · 10-20-2015, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeJay

Love the British cars. I think we had about 6 of them. There's still a 74 Midget setting in the drive as we speak. It needs another re-store but it was one of those Father Son critical times project that probably saved the kid. He's now a Lt. Col in the AF with 20 years and 4 college degrees under his belt. We won't sell that car.

You do know why the Brits never manufactured TV's?? They couldn't stop the things from leaking oil on to the carpet.

Then there's the LUCAS three position light switches, DIM, FLICKER & OFF.

TeJay

Okay, British Car trivia time: what does SU stand for in the case of SU Carbs, also MG stands for what? No searching on Google!

TeJay · 10-20-2015, 11:23 AM

The MG is Morris Garage. I'm still thinking on the SU. Well if I did know, which I think I did it's not coming back to me. I'll google it because I have to know, but not post it.

TeJay

CJ7ole · 10-20-2015, 01:44 PM

When we leave Michigan for our usual spot down in FL (and the trip back home), I am on a mission to get there. Until last year it was 1250 miles in 2 days. Last year we started leaving at noon just so it would be one long day sandwiched with two shorter ones. We put on an Audible book and that really helps.

datrbone8 · 10-20-2015, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod

Okay, British Car trivia time: what does SU stand for in the case of SU Carbs, also MG stands for what? No searching on Google!

SU = Skinners Union after the family that invented them

George Schweikle · 10-20-2015, 02:17 PM

Continuing on this off-topic theme,

The reason the British drink warm beer is that they have Lucas refrigerators.

And, contrary to accepted teaching, electricity is actually conducted by smoke. Whenever the smoke leaks out, the electrical component stops running (Ebay sells "Smoke injection" kits for British cars).

All in good fun; my first two cars were British; an Austin Healey 100 and 100M (there's no such thing as a 100-4)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeJay

...

You do know why the Brits never manufactured TV's?? They couldn't stop the things from leaking oil on to the carpet.

Then there's the LUCAS three position light switches, DIM, FLICKER & OFF.

TeJay

Dennis Dean · 10-20-2015, 02:40 PM

All you DP'ers with air ride suspension and Comfort steer complaining about 500 Mile drives PFFFFFT LOL

Rich-n-Linda · 10-20-2015, 08:03 PM

I routinely do 550 to 650 miles per day. It's no big deal.

TeJay · 10-20-2015, 08:07 PM

We routinely do 250-350 miles a day because we can and choose to do so. Back when we worked and had limited time for vacations and spring break trips we did the 400,500,600, and even straight through 20-25 hours trips. But no more. That was when we were young and had fewer choices.

TeJay

JFXG · 10-21-2015, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeJay

Love the British cars............Then there's the LUCAS three position light switches, DIM, FLICKER & OFF.
TeJay

LUCAS -- Prince of Darkness

John & Diane, fulltiming since '12
'02 DS, FL, 3126, '04 Element

speed racer · 10-21-2015, 05:10 AM

Before I retired I would make the run from St.Louis to St.Petersburg Fl. in 14HRS. Now it takes me at least 3 days but I,m not tired when I get there.

baraff · 10-21-2015, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod

I had a 1967 Triumph Spitfire Mk 3 that I purchased in the late '70's. If you know Triumphs, you will understand when I say it needed WORK! I told myself that I would wait at least one year before I tore it apart to fix it.

I lasted about 6 months . . . Or rather IT lasted about 6 months! I stripped it, had it dipped, came out looking like Swiss cheese. I fixed, braised, welded, leaded, etc, re-wired (intelligently, not a fire waiting to happen), put in in aircraft circuit breakers, Imron Emerald Green polyurethane paint, re-upholstered the seats/interior, rebuilt the engine, all new brakes, and DOT 7 silicone brake fluid, etc. Ended up half way through that I should have picked a car that would have been WORTH something when finished, not a Spitfire . . . but I LIKED that Spitfire, all roundy corners and curves, and no ugly "rubber baby buggy bumpers" on the front like later years.

I dragged that car around for 21 years in the Army (when not in storage while I was overseas). Finally sold it a few years ago. Boy was my youngest daughter PISSED! She had always figured that she would get that car. I told her that she hadn't let me in on the "plan", when in reality, I just didn't want her driving around in a cracker box. It never (after I fixed it) left me stranded, never on the side of the road.

Guy asked me when he looked at it if I would guarantee it to make it to Beaumont, TX from Kentucky. I told him, "It's a British sports car, I won't guarantee it to get out of the Driveway! That being said, I would feel getting in it right now and driving it to Washington State! He bought it, drove it to Texas, nary a problem, said it was the most solid British car he'd ever driven . . . .

Damn, I wish I hadn't sold that car . . .

I have two Triumphs, a '73 Spitfire and an '80 TR7 Spider. I have put more money into the Spit than I will ever get out (unless they suddenly get more valuable), but it is a joy to drive, easy to work on and always turns heads. Mine is a rare Triumph color, Magenta #92, most folks think it's a custom color, but it's not.
The TR7 is fun also but not as much as the Spit. It's more suited to US roads and certainly more comfortable. It's great for the longer drives and trips.
One of the reason British cars had such a bad rep for the Lucas electrical system is that people would substitute US fuses for the British ones; there is a significant difference. Wiring is all sized to British fuses and American fuses have a thicker element and blow more slowly than British ones. Often the result was damaged wiring harnesses or worse.
Both cars have proved to be very reliable, but both need constant maintenance; not something most folks are willing to do themselves these days.

mojoracing · 10-21-2015, 06:00 AM

Ive done 800 900 1000 so many times I can't remember. Having to make a race keeps you humping. I made northern Florida to Des Moines in one straight shot. We pulled the motorcycle to the gate as it dropped! Got there late and they wouldn't let us park the rig at the stadium. Had to ride the race bike through downtown streets. Pulled in the loading dock and up to the starting gate and it dropped.... Race ON!