Show And Tell - What Do You Drive?

[Steve Holmes]

I thought it'd be cool to have our members post up photos of their classic car and/or race car. Lets see what you have, and feel free to share details and stories that go with it.

And, feel free to also post pics of cars you've previously owned but no longer have.

Here is one of my projects: 1938 Ford Deluxe coupe, traditional hot rod with 1955 Oldsmobile Rocket 324ci motor.

32040

No doubt you can all do better than me. Lets see what you have.

[chaindrive]

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag104/udwud/001_zpsfjtnltve.jpg I've had lotsa V8s over the years........71 Camaro.68 Tbird.69 Vette. I think I got done with this one. It says 8 on the bonnet emblem , but I can only find 4 !!!!!!

[Steve Holmes]

That is awesome ^^. The paint looks a mile deep.

[Greg Mackie]

My 1924 Minerva AB. Next month [January] will be 91 years on the road...it has been fully registered all that time, and still runs beautifully. Sleeve valve, 3.3 litre, 6 cyl. engine.
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab172/happydaze8/Other%20cars%20etc/Image%204_zpsmlm79vd8.jpg (http://s861.photobucket.com/user/happydaze8/media/Other%20cars%20etc/Image%204_zpsmlm79vd8.jpg.html)
The original owner [behind the wheel], and Brian [the bloke I bought the car from] on the running board. That makes me the third owner.
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab172/happydaze8/Other%20cars%20etc/RBP86003_zps4ade6aad.jpg (http://s861.photobucket.com/user/happydaze8/media/Other%20cars%20etc/RBP86003_zps4ade6aad.jpg.html)

[Powder]

Well my garage is full of modern cars compared to what's been posted so far.

The toy on the right is a '65 Mustang, 289 V8, C4 auto, all original spec. 2 barrel carb, drum brakes all round and still with a single exhaust underneath. Not a muscle car, just a cruiser.
On the left is the Thai girl (that's where it was made) that my Mustang spends each night with :)

32084

[ERC]

60% of the current crop... pic taken 2013.




32085

[Roger Dowding]

1953 Austin Healey 100 owned from 1982 -1995, 1973 MGB GT owned from 1987 to 1996, 1987 Fiat Uno, purchased new sold in the 1990's 1971 Austin Mini van , owned from 1984 to 1990
32086

This was after the Sprite and the TR4A.
Shifted from a house and three car garaging to an apartment with a single carport in 1995 so things had to change, the MG stayed to be replaced by an MX5, and the daily driver was a Daihatsu Feroza 4WD, then a Rover 216 Cabrio [ say Honda ] then a BMW 318 Compact, still have the MX5, back in NZ, under a tarp in a family carport [ Eddie Dowding's ] and in need of TLC, one day !!
Current daily driver is a Suzuki SX4, as shown the Lakeside Sept 2015 thread. reliable, not up on stands or getting crawled under to tap the SU fuel pump. The double garage had a small pit where the Fiat is parked, so could do a lot of work at home.. too old now for that stuff !!

[John McKechnie]

Roger- lovely dog in your pic.

[Roger Dowding]

Roger- lovely dog in your pic.

John, thanks, was my best Mate !!.
" Sammy the Dog ", he always managed to get in photos and loved being in cars, I think anytime I went near the garage he thought he was going for a ride.
He was in the TR4A when I had the accident, in the back squab seat, behind the roll bar and when we stopped was in the front, hit his head [ mouth ] on the dash, but was OK. was with me almost all the time I had the Healey 100, Healey from 82 - 95, Sammy from 80 - 93. - another Classic he had quite a few Sports Cars to ride in, during his lifetime

[John McKechnie]

For you Roger-
DOG,in life
The firmest friend,
the First to Welcome,
Foremost to Defend.
-Lord Byron

[nigel watts]

Too embarrassed - not telling

[Powder]

60% of the current crop... pic taken 2013.

There can't be too many silver Marcos' with red wheels in NZ?

32089

[khyndart in CA]

Hyndman roams around in these two vehicles.
32092


The 1962 Mini Cooper looks better now than it did in 2008 !
(note the high level fire fighting system at the back seat area.. a watering can ! )..Not a project I will ever do in my garage again !
The red punch bag was often put to good use ! Especially when the front windshield was removed and the roof almost collapsed because the pillar posts were rotted out !

32093


Note that I have not given up on my homeland, although I had to get a NZ sticker to help explain what NZER meant !
32102

Also this plate tells the age of my 1962 Austin Mini Cooper.
32103






(Ken Hyndman )

[Roger Dowding]

1953 Austin Healey 100 owned from 1982 -1995, 1973 MGB GT owned from 1987 to 1996, 1987 Fiat Uno, purchased new sold in the 1990's 1971 Austin Mini van , owned from 1984 to 1990
32086

This was after the Sprite and the TR4A.
Shifted from a house and three car garaging to an apartment with a single carport in 1995 so things had to change, the MG stayed to be replaced by an MX5, and the daily driver was a Daihatsu Feroza 4WD, then a Rover 216 Cabrio [ say Honda ] then a BMW 318 Compact, still have the MX5, back in NZ, under a tarp in a family carport [ Eddie Dowding's ] and in need of TLC, one day !!
Current daily driver is a Suzuki SX4, as shown the Lakeside Sept 2015 thread. reliable, not up on stands or getting crawled under to tap the SU fuel pump. The double garage had a small pit where the Fiat is parked, so could do a lot of work at home.. too old now for that stuff !!

32094

The dog is missing from this one though !!
32095

[Steve Holmes]

These are awesome guys! Its amazing the diversity already seen here. Really impressive stuff. Keep it coming!

[Andrew Metford]

32094

Nice!! My '74 BGT numberplate is HE6009, not far off yours.

[Andrew Metford]

Bracken '74 BGT in the foreground was bought to re-shell my old 'B roadster race car. I drove it for 2 weeks before it went in for a roll cage.

Harvest Gold '73 BGT is / was my daily driver, I bought it on Boxing Day 1999.


http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u387/JAFA851/MG%20BGT%20race%20car/10724April20042_zps8d9bc642.jpg (http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/JAFA851/media/MG%20BGT%20race%20car/10724April20042_zps8d9bc642.jpg.html)

[bry3500]

then and now

[khyndart in CA]

Hyndman found a 1985 A+ 998 engine and transmission in a field that was about to be bulldozed under for landfill. The engine had been sitting outside with no plugs installed and was full of water but the price was right ! Bit of a project but it now sits in my Cooper and runs great and the gearbox is a vast improvement.
Here are some photos of that project. From the junkyard to the garage.
32106

32107

32108
All ready to go. Tried to keep it looking as original as I could.

( Ken Hyndman )

[ERC]

32089
Thanks for that! Nice pic. After the initial restoration (It was yellow when I bought it.) Also, after someone took a chunk out of the left rear wheelarch at Whenuapai but before the big bang at Pukekohe that topped and tailed the car! Note that the number-plate is now on the Cooper S.

[Roger Dowding]

Thanks for that! Nice pic. After the initial restoration (It was yellow when I bought it.) Also, after someone took a chunk out of the left rear wheelarch at Whenuapai but before the big bang at Pukekohe that topped and tailed the car! Note that the number-plate is now on the Cooper S.

ERC, have a few photos from a " Whenuapai Wings and Wheels " around 2000, must go through and see what I took, have found an initial 6 but sure I would have taken more than that, went to a couple of them from memory. and love your car

[khyndart in CA]

Not sure if this is the appropriate thread but here are some of the cars we had in the Hyndman family as I was growing up.

Number 1 is a photo of little Kenny arriving at his aunties home on Felix St in Te Papapa with mum & dad in their 1948 Ford Prefect E93A four door saloon.

32122

Our next car was a 1951 Standard Vanguard Phase 1 saloon. With a 2 litre engine the same as a Ferguson tractor. 0 to 60 in a really quick 21.5 seconds !
Our car was black and on a hot day and dad smoking I was always car sick, especially on the gravel roads to Waihi Beach through the Karangahake Gorge.
32123

32124
Again at Te Papapa. Note the evidence of the gravel roads !

[John McKechnie]

Went down Felix Street tonight- changed a bit.
Give me the address and I can give her little Kennys regards.....

[khyndart in CA]

Thanks John,
My two aunties left Felix St in 1966. I Googled it last night and found the old house is still there. Number 30 across from the entrance to GIB Living. It is a light beige colour and has a garage in front with a blue mural painted on it. I recognized it from the stain glass window which was on the room where I used to sleep when I went to stay and visit the "big city". You can see it best from the driveway to 28A. If you could ever get a chance to photo the house that would be greatly appreciated.

The last car dad drove to Auckland and we had for years was a 1959 Humber Hawk.
32125

Before I go, here are my two aunties arriving at Kiwitahi in their new 1965 Simca 1000. (Not a great aerodynamic design but they were very happy in it )

32126

[BMCBOY]

Humber Hawks were the most sought after cars for "Demolition Derby" races at Waikaraka Park Stock cars - they were so strong that most other cars wrote themselves off trying to take them out!

The little Simcas were very good performers, but evidently a little light in the front. I'm told at higher speeds the nose would try to lift so a good heavy toolbox or similar was always carried under the bonnet.

[John McKechnie]

I had one in 1982, saved it from Demolition Derby. Had the 4 cylinder Commer Truck engine,
A great car with factory heater.
Hey Ken, when you were a wee boy staying at Aunties, any Saturday night noises from Epsom Showgrounds, Glouster Park Stock Cars.........

[Paul Wilkinson]

My garage in better days.


http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/prw007/Manta%20Mirage/DSC01684.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/prw007/media/Manta%20Mirage/DSC01684.jpg.html)

[khyndart in CA]

John,
I remember my dad & brother going to the Epsom Showgrounds and Western Springs. I was not allowed to go.
I also remember I had been an apprentice for one week and thought I knew it all and told mum I was going out to tune the Humber Hawk.
By the time I was finished the valve clearance was so bad and loud and the timing so far off the engine was almost turning backwards.
I think it was towed into town to get set right. I was not allowed to touch it again except to wash and vacuum the old beast !


(Ken Hyndman )

[ERC]

One for you Paul... Can you please confirm the make, so that I can file my pic!!!



32130

[Paul Wilkinson]

One for you Paul... Can you please confirm the make, so that I can file my pic!!!



32130



Picture taken at Bygone while Malcolm was getting it certed under the Neil Fraser's watchful eye.

It is a 1984 factory-built Manta Mirage. Mid-mounted 350 Chev, modified Corvair transaxle, Mustang 2 front suspension. Pin-striping by Shaky Jake

[librules]

Picture taken at Bygone while Malcolm was getting it certed under the Neil Fraser's watchful eye.

It is a 1984 factory-built Manta Mirage. Mid-mounted 350 Chev, modified Corvair transaxle, Mustang 2 front suspension. Pin-striping by Shaky Jake

Wow. They made them for a few years (probably not surprising given their McLaren-derived styling). I've got a brochure from the Australian agent, Manta Motors, which dates to the mid-70's. At that time they had 1970 VW or late Karmann Ghia suspension listed in the specs. Nett weight with a small block Chev was quoted as 1900lbs. (under 900kg!!)

[Paul Wilkinson]

Wow. They made them for a few years (probably not surprising given their McLaren-derived styling). I've got a brochure from the Australian agent, Manta Motors, which dates to the mid-70's. At that time they had 1970 VW or late Karmann Ghia suspension listed in the specs. Nett weight with a small block Chev was quoted as 1900lbs. (under 900kg!!)

Yep. The early ones had VW front suspension which always seemed strange to me. They used a (flipped) Corvair rear so why not use the twin-wishbone Corvair front? They also made the VW based Montage which indirectly came to NZ as the Mararn. The founder died in a racing accident (Formula Ford?) and his brother kept it going for some years but I think they overcapitalised on their C1 Corvette replica.

I loved them ever since I saw one being stolen in the original 'Gone in 60 Seconds'

From Wheels 1974:

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/prw007/Wheels%20Nov%2074/Manta1.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/prw007/media/Wheels%20Nov%2074/Manta1.jpg.html)

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/prw007/Wheels%20Nov%2074/Manta2.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/prw007/media/Wheels%20Nov%2074/Manta2.jpg.html)

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/prw007/Wheels%20Nov%2074/Manta3.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/prw007/media/Wheels%20Nov%2074/Manta3.jpg.html)

[chaindrive]

Not the best pic..sorry. This was my first 'project' car. Bought as bit of a derelict and rebuilt and refurbished ! Believe the Mararn moulds were bought in by the legendry Mr McRae but can't be sure of that. Mine was 100 percent VW based.......but a lot of fun !!!!!!http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag104/udwud/IMG_zpsgnm3muey.jpg

[librules]

I swooned after them as a teenager (hence the brochure) I still have that Wheels mag, too. Maybe they went the VW route originally due to parts availability and price, and as a follow-on from the kit-car beach buggy days?321533215432155

[librules]

....that should have ended - .....beach buggy days.......

[librules]

Apologies for quality but my scanner is out of action. The quote for complete kit less engine is $7400, reasonable value for that time.

[Paul Wilkinson]

You're right about the Mararn moulds.
Rather than clog this forum, have a look at: http://mantacarsforum.com/forum.php I've posted a lot of scanned articles, including the popular Mechanics article where Stirling Moss drives a Manta.

Here is my Mararn and my Beach buggy from years gone by:

http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu55/prw007/Mararn/Mararn1.jpg (http://s633.photobucket.com/user/prw007/media/Mararn/Mararn1.jpg.html)

32157

[kiwi285]

This was my pride and joy. It was built from the Almac kit and had a warmed 351 Cleveland. Loved driving it through town and blipping the throttle - the lake pipes sounded fantastic. Built it in less than two years - I know of quite a few earlier kits than mine that are still stuck away in sheds. Unfortunately is has now moved on. Last I heard it was down in Whanganui being repaired.

http://i65.tinypic.com/30t1guv.jpg

http://i65.tinypic.com/9fo9ck.jpg

http://i66.tinypic.com/osfhig.jpg

http://i64.tinypic.com/oub4bd.jpg

[John McKechnie]

Mike- thats a very tasty bit of kit, easily the best colour scheme I have ever seen on one,
Good to see a Clevo pushing it along.
After all the real deals had Fords back then-like the Tigers........

[kiwi285]

Yes a grunter - from the early V8 Falcon days and saloon car racing.
I have never seen another in that colour scheme and that was one of the reasons that I picked and I think it looked smart.
And yes I have always fancied a Tiger with a 289 and Minilite wheels.

[kiwi285]

That Manta Can-Am is a smart looking car. Must admit I had never heard of it but I guess that they are pretty rare these days.

[John McKechnie]

Thanks John,
My two aunties left Felix St in 1966. I Googled it last night and found the old house is still there. Number 30 across from the entrance to GIB Living. It is a light beige colour and has a garage in front with a blue mural painted on it. I recognized it from the stain glass window which was on the room where I used to sleep when I went to stay and visit the "big city". You can see it best from the driveway to 28A. If you could ever get a chance to photo the house that would be greatly appreciated.

The last car dad drove to Auckland and we had for years was a 1959 Humber Hawk.
32125

Before I go, here are my two aunties arriving at Kiwitahi in their new 1965 Simca 1000. (Not a great aerodynamic design but they were very happy in it )

32126

32165

[John McKechnie]

Ken- here is number 30.
Circumstance do not appear to have been kind to it, there is a lot of infil housing.
The garage with the mural is number 28

[khyndart in CA]

John,
I made a mistake as it is now # 28 Felix Street. It still has the stain glass window on the south west side and it is behind the garage with the mural.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/28+Felix+St,+Onehunga,+Auckland+1061,+New+Zealand/@-36.9163071,174.8000698,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x6d0d48cf83bb7b6b:0x73003f48dbc7bdf?hl=en

I really do appreciate you doing this as this old house was a big part of my NZ childhood. Your time and photographs you can put on
Grant's tab and I will take care of it !

Cheers,
Ken H

[grelley]

Kiwi285 Do you mean something like this. Unfortunately 289 has been stroked and bored to 305 so dosent quite fit the bill.

[John McKechnie]

Grelley- those wheels really suit this very smart looking car

[grelley]

Thank you. The wheels are American Pannasports. They are used quite a lot on Tigers.

[Jac Mac]

Not a big deal to make it back into a 289, crank and either a set of rods or pistons depending on which of many options you decide on.

[kiwi285]

That is just what I had in mind. I'll bet the 305 is a real handful in damp conditions, but that probably goes for all Tigers. I have never heard of one with a bigger engine than 289.

Do you still have the car ?

[grelley]

Hi,yes I still have the car, its a lot of fun. A number of Tigers in the US (where most of them reside) have been stroked to 347 and have in excess of 400 hp. I understand mine is about 360 hp. The best part of it is, that with its high gearing I have had over 32 mpg out of it on trips.

[Rod Grimwood]

Bit off thread but Laguna Seca Rolex this year and driven by John Morton, it was very quick and don't think it is 'standard' 289 set up. Beautiful car and sounded great.

[grelley]

Hi Rod, if it was a Mk1 Tiger, which I think it is, it would be running the 260 CI engine so that would make it even better. Only the Mk2s had the 289 and I think the cars have to be very period correct, including small disc front brakes and drum rears.

[markson]

A lineup of Tigers in NZ .Markson

32201

[Rod Grimwood]

Hi Rod, if it was a Mk1 Tiger, which I think it is, it would be running the 260 CI engine so that would make it even better. Only the Mk2s had the 289 and I think the cars have to be very period correct, including small disc front brakes and drum rears.

It was quick, bloody good 260 if that's what it had.

[Oldfart]

I was told by the owners club (Tigers) that the way to tell a real one as opposed to a repowered Alpine, is to look at the gearbox tunnel. If it looks as though it has been beaten out with a sledgehammer then it's real. If it's nicely formed, it's a repower :)

[John McKechnie]

32203
Ken...Does this look like your favourite childhood window?

[khyndart in CA]

John,
That is the correct place. It may not look like much but it means a lot to me. I thought the place had been demolished to make way for new buildings and I have not been on Felix St since 1965. ( Only 50 years and I still remember looking out at the trains and the fertilizer works and the noise of the city etc after the quiet of Kiwitahi !)
Thanks so much for this.
Wishing you and all a Merry Christmas.
Ken.

(My apologies to all for taking up space on this thread and I promise not to post as much in the future )




(Ken Hyndman )

[John McKechnie]

Ken- this site is all about sharing memories.
You have have given so much enjoyment to all of us here in terms of pics and your experiences.
Enjoy something we can give back to you.
Keep your posts coming mate.

[rf84]

Ken
Though we have never met I really enjoy your contributions to this Forum. Please keep them coming!

[John McKechnie]

Ken- my favourite all time road movie is -Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
Would love to retrace the same route all through Southern California to see whats the same and what isnt.
I know the Big W is not there, have you ever done this trip ?

[khyndart in CA]

John,
I have to agree it had some unforgettable road scenes. I only saw it when it first came in Auckland after staying at Felix St. Whenever I drive into LA on Pacific Coast Highway I think of the scenes filmed there. Here is a site that shows where most of it was filmed and I have driven through each place except for the Florida scenes. You must put it on your "Bucket List." That will be on your way to drop in to visit us here in Los Olivos.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057193/locations

I also liked the movie "Vanishing Point" with actor Barry Newman and Gilda Texter riding on the motorbike ! That is what lured me to the states after I watched it in Hamilton in 1971.

32210

"Vanishing Point" movie scene with Barry Newman driving a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Magnum.



(Ken Hyndman )

[John McKechnie]

Ken- Gilda... boy that was mouth watering.
Always loved the part where the E Type roadster failed to make the bridge.
I, all of 18 then,loved the movie so much , I talked my folks- they were in their late 60s then- into seeing this neat road movie with me.
All was good till Gilda appeared on that bike.........the look on their faces......had forgotten about that scene till then.

"That is what lured me to the states after I watched it in Hamilton in 1971" - Mate you took the lure, hook, line ,sinker and copy of Angling Times

[grelley]

Hi Rod, checked my facts re the red tiger, that one belongs to Dale Akuszewski (Dales Restorations) apparently has 289 engine, but has standard brake calipers and must run 13" wheels. 400 plus HP. My yellow Tiger uses one of his front suspension set ups. John Morton drove a white Tiger No 74 at Laguna Seca this year.
Regds

[Rod Grimwood]

Ok, had his name on board. Cheers. Bloody nice bit of car anyway, sounded and went real good.

[ERC]

Gone now, but not forgotten. The shell was crushed before TradeMe came along but the engine lives on and I look forward to its re-appearance... My original intention/dream was to convert it to a Broadspeed replica but with the dropped Elf front.



32301

[Roger Dowding]

Gone now, but not forgotten. The shell was crushed before TradeMe came along but the engine lives on and I look forward to its re-appearance... My original intention/dream was to convert it to a Broadspeed replica but with the dropped Elf front.



32301



Love the Elf front, there was a guy in the UK in the 1970's who ran a Mini with a cut down MG grille and called it an MG Gnat, was a very fast car at the time apparently - I had seen an article probably in UK's " Autocar " magazine

[ERC]

Not just an Elf front Rog. It is/was an Elf! I vaguely remember the MG Gnat.

Google is your friend.

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/news/news106.html

[gokiwi]

Not in the same league as the previous posters , but this is my daily driver & "toy", although now painted gloss black.

32378

[Roger Dowding]

Not just an Elf front Rog. It is/was an Elf! I vaguely remember the MG Gnat.

Google is your friend.

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/news/news106.html

ERC, Ray thanks for the link, The " Gnat " obviously used the standard Cooper body not with the Elf / Hornet tail .. I have always loved Minis, had two 1960's - 850cc, between 1967 and 1974 then a 1275GT - the English version in the early/mid 1980's and a 1000cc Minivan - the Dominion Motors conversion with side windows and a back seat.

cheers
Roger

[khyndart in CA]

I recently wrote about going to the site of the Longford race circuit in Tasmania in December 1990. It brought back memories of that time as I thought we would have time to come back and check out Longford in more detail but as we left Hobart we got delayed at the Cadbury Chocolate factory !! (Which is now closed for tours ) and we just made it back to the Launceston airport for a flight to Melbourne before flying back to Auckland. So the next day I drag my weary butt into work at Tauranga and was told my services were no longer required which was a bit rough right before Christmas and we needed to stay in NZ until March 1991.
Anyway I looked around and found this 1973 BMW 2002 Touring sitting in a back yard in Bethlehem and it needed engine work and some bodywork. I bought for $ 2200.00 and sold it before we left for $ 5000.00 and thought I had done ok. It was a neat little car and now are worth quite a bit due to their rarity. It was sold to a guy in Taupo. If anyone sees it around, let me know. It helped rescue us by paying for our tickets back to California !
The Hyndman 1973 BMW 2002 Touring.
39660

39661

Here is a present day sales ad for a 1974 BMW 2002 Touring.

https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/bmw/2002/1974/419591


Oh well.. at least we all enjoyed the chocolate factory ! ( Ken Hyndman.)

[khyndart in CA]

The good old 2002 BMW engine had some good pedigree.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5Dbp_SuMHE&list=PLdbEcVisnfvr1ylDqhtBO0NhS10f84SOH


(Ken Hyndman )