Re: Bad day at the Tyre fitters
"But I enjoy the heck out of the British motoring terms: boot, bonnet, petrol, etc. " Try some British motoring realities: Lucas, Prince of Darkness. Whitworth threads. Spanners (wrenches) turned out on a punch press. Carburaters with oil filler caps. HP references that are historic without providing any useful information. Parking lights that turn on without you knowing you hit the secret switch (see also Crossfire). Figure out the difference between a drophead coupe, roadster, convertible, torpedo, volante, and a surrey top. "Tinworm" (their word for rust) issues that rival or surpass anything that 70's Detroit made. I love 'em and currently own two (Tiger and Jensen Healey), but British motoring is unique beyond their terms. (Also on uniqueness: Gordon Keeble; Triple scoop hood on a Rover; Fairthorpe; Elva; the all fiberglass Lotuses; HRG, the Marcos, Morgan and Minigem).