Hot rods

[Papalazarou]

I was just watching American Hotrod whilst simultaneously scrolling through Pistonheads classified on my cockphone, torturing myself with empty promises of cars I will never buy, a carrot dangling , offering a short term materialistic injection of shallow happiness, in the hope of somehow filling my post relationship void, when I realized the problem.
It had been staring me in the face for a very long time and for some insidious reason I'd refused to see it.
I'm not talking about anything meaningful, not in the qualitative sense. I haven't just decided to go get a family and be like the Rest of you, bastards.
No my simple realization was the answer to my serial NSX monogamy with the occasional deviation to something with a great ass, albeit grey.
So here goes; the amazing thing about American Hotrod is how they have this organic process of creating beautiful vehicles. The Americans aren't scared of painting things different colours, using copious amounts of chrome and polished alloy. They live to mod. And there's me sat on the end of the phone unable to make a decision about wheel colour.

In the end of this particular episode, they drive out in a thirties big block. This car was for the moment and totally impractical but just perfect.
The NSX will never be that in my mind, they're worth too much to really chop around, they're incredibly practical and civilized and they don't offer that raw edge of excitement.

However, in all fairness what does? Or more precisely, what does that you'd actually want to own?
When did we get so staid? Look at the Boxster Spyder ( clever marketing conspiracy aside), criticized for its back to basics roof, praised for it's minimalism.
I really like the added element of having that PITA roof and taking the weather lottery on a Sunday morning.
It's a step in the right direction. But it has more luggage space than my Honda and I cant **** about with it.

Maybe a Honda Exige is a step in the right direction. Quick, minimalist and a potentially crap roof.
Still can't really mess with it though.
Atom, no disrespect, but NO.

So any ideas? The NSX goes in the spring, unless I change my mind and then you can call me fickle and bitch about me starting another; what car shall I buy next, I'm so confused; shall it be the 458 or the Gallardo? I've got so much money and I know not what to choose thread.

In summary,
Are all modern cars inaccessible and therefore cold?
Are there alternatives that do not suck? Cars we can be creative with.
Is it ok to shoot people who can't get through a sentence without using the word 'Senna?' damnit.

[Silver Surfer]

Get a GTR !

SS

[m666 edd]

I'm lost for words.

Well almost. I can't believe you actually got a cockphone.

[forumadmin]

Some people have such hard decisions.

There is speed. Go and buy the fastest car for sale. However, there is always something faster. Speed alone does not satisfy. Speed also comes at a price, which is practicality and comfort. Go a different route. Go class. Class never goes out of style and trumps everything else. Do 458s and Gallardo's have class? I think not. An old car, with class, and style always has respect. Who cares if it's not the fastest most technically advanced machine on the planet. You can be above all these things when you have class.

Anyone can have a modern, sterile sports car or uber saloon. The guys driving the classic old cars on the shores of Lake Geneva, or the Italian Lakes, or in the mountains know what's what.

Oh, and it helps to live here, with lakes and mountains and stuff.

[Senninha]

.......... The guys driving the classic old cars on the shores of Lake Geneva, or the Italian Lakes, or in the mountains know what's what...

And my choice for the drvie would be an '89 SL500 please ....

[Papalazarou]

I'm lost for words.

Well almost. I can't believe you actually got a cockphone.

It's the spell check. Everytime I input iPhone it substitutes the work ****. Strange.

Reference replies. The 458, Gallardo quote was just a joke. I can't afford either of them.
Kevi you're right, outright speed's not the answer either, although it's quite nice.
What I was trying to get at was that we have become isolated from everything we buy. I was viewing the impracticality of some cars as a way to get back to Having some kind of real interaction.
I can completely understand why many drivers give up their GT cars and their 'uber saloons' in favour of something raw and basic. Guess it's like real sex Vs cyber sex. How's the M3 by the way?

Cheers,

James.

[gumball]

Buy a Mk1 Escort, sort the suspension, brakes and running gear then put a V8 in it, add an outrageous paint job. Post pics when your done.

[NoelWatson]

Buy a Mk1 Escort, sort the suspension, brakes and running gear then put a V8 in it, add an outrageous paint job. Post pics when your done.

Hasn't it taken around a decade for Jon Barker of EVO to do something similar with a Crapi?

[Nick Graves]

Having spent a yoof building kits of the most accomplished custom/show cars, I can understand the appeal.

Dynamically, they may be appalling, but they are works of art in the way something truly sad like a Project K**n Range Rover can never be. Or a bog-standard Evoke, come to that.

You don't have to wreck a real Model A or T; there are plenty of replica parts out there for a first attempt, some of which are quite convincing.

But keep the NSX to remind you of what a good car is like!

[markc]

I'm with you on the modern car front, they're all very good at what they do these days but increasingly dull and same'y. They also very obviously built my marketeers rather than engineers, why else would we have the 2wd SUV or 4 door Coupe Personally I couldn't car less about blue teeth integration, lane departure assist or the numerous other frivolous features offered on new cars these days.

My answer is different vehicles for different use/occasions, the Merc (2001 E430 T) for lugging and daily abuse, the NSX for fast touring and the occasional track day, the Puma (Racing) for totally demolishing a B road and making you feel 18 again, the Citroen (S1 CX Pallas) for just being different and making me smile as soon I open the door and the Westfield (SEW) for brain out fair weather blasts (when it's finished of course). Ohh and there's the Mrs's TT Cab (2007 TFSI) for a bit more sensible, reliable, comfortable and conformist transportation.

I'm also fortunate enough to be able to call on my dads MG's (MGA Twin Cam Roadster & MGC Roadster) and Alfa Giulia Spider anytime I feel the need to remind myself how far car design and manufacture has come since the 1950's... it's a looooooog way dynamically BUT a conversely a lot less fun I used the Alfa for Goodwood Revival this weekend and it was a hoot, even if the hood leaks like a sieve. Here's the Alfa in the company of hundreds of other classics on Saturday...

Ideas? get yourself a kit car and personalise the spec and build. How about an Ultima or GTD, with a 500hp V8 in Lime Green metallic or maybe a Dax Tojero (Cobra replica)? Maybe add a Cater-field 7 a-like or if you fancy one less wheel a Grinall Scorpion III for back to basic fun? The good thing about cars like these is no one cares how you "mod" them, what wheels you chose or what colour you paint them because they're all one offs!

Alternatively or perhaps additionally you could get yourself a classic to get you back to "proper" motoring? A '70s or 80's Alfa or Fiat 124 Spider would be a good start, perhaps a Lotus Elan +2, Triumph Stag or the Escort suggested by Gumball, or maybe something older and classier like an Alvis or Lancia? Sure they'll let you down now and then and you might have to get your hands dirty regularly but the rewards might make it worthwhile. Ohh and bought right they don't deprieciate... quite the opposite

Cheers

Mark