Originally Posted by chuck65
LOL Max, they really weren't very good as far as quality and reliability were concerned, but they were "cool" for the era and fun to drive. The high maintainance issue worked to my advantage because I worked in, and eventually managed a Shell station and we specialized in foreign cars which at that time were almost exclusively English or German. We had our drive on lift altered so we could drive the narrow track sports cars onto it. We stocked Lucas ingition parts and spark plugs for all them. We also stocked Abarth exahust systems. Most of the members of the local Sports Car Club of America in our area used our station for oil changes tune ups etc.
While I worked there I got to drive TR2, TR3,TR3B and TR4, MG TC,TD and TL MGA & B, All the Jaguars from that era XK120, 150, and XKE, plus the Jag sedan's. The Austin Healy's were my favorite. Most all the sports cars from that era had disc brakes before we did on their production cars.
They were simpler cars but it also was simpler times. I'm glad I lived in that era. Gas was 29.9 cents per gallon for high octane. Some say today that they don't build cars today like they used to, inferring that they were much better back then. I say thank God they don't. Most were leaky rust buckets.
Chuck, you and I must be around the same age 6/5/48. When I got my license gas was at 29.9 cents.
It sounds like you could fix all those limey sports cars in your sleep. I presently own a Jaguar XJS convertible with a V12 and a blown headgasket. You live anywhere near Pasadena?lol. I'll bet you could also get an A+ on a British service manual vocabulary test.
My first English ride was hotrod hybrid, a bug eye sprite with a 220 HP 283 Chevy and 0f course different drive train (GMC three speed Olds rear end) I later had a regular sprite, an MG midget, and a mini cooper. One time I got so pissed at the midget that I kicked the whole side in with my cowboy boots. My bikes were an Ariel, Royal Enfield, and Norton Commando. I presently ride a Yamaha VMAX Hence my Mr. Max Handle. I always wanted an Austin Healey (the grown up one) but was too poor to afford one back then. By the time I could afford one I was into Eldorado Convertibles.
Those were fun times but these are fun times too. My buddy is bringing his new Shelby GT 500 over today and I'm gonna pull the SRT6 out of the garage and we're going to obsess over are rides with wax and microfiber towels. Nice chattin' with you!