OV9

In definitive proof that getting drunk at charity auctions and bidding willy nilly sometimes pays off…

Today I spent a day off thrashing around Surrey and West Sussex in a wide variety of classics!

Fantastic trip out in which me and my dad (doubling as an opportunistic birthday present…) managed to sample an AM V8 Oscar India, ‘Porsche’ Speedster (beetle based replica), Austin Healey 3 litre, MGA, Jaguar E type Series 3 4.2 and finally, 911 2.2E.

Sadly we ran out of time to try the Ford mustang ‘vert, AC Cobra (rep) and RR Corniche but I did end up getting an extra 40 minutes down the A3 taking the 911 home when the musical chairs stopped. Talk about serendipity…

I have many many boring words to share about all of them but in the meantime I’ll leave some pics:

What an awful way to spend a day, you must be really upset!

Which was the most surprising, and which would you sink your 911 fund into?

What an awesome bunch of cars!

DeskJockey wrote: Fri May 12, 2023 6:38 am What an awful way to spend a day, you must be really upset!

Which was the most surprising, and which would you sink your 911 fund into?

Yes it was truly horrible

Each one was such an experience in its own right but there were a couple that really surprised. I had never really considered an Austin Healey 3 litre as anything that would stir any emotions in me but the straight six engine was mighty impressive for a '60s car. It also had lovely metal pedals closely spaced with short precise action. Sadly the front of the back of the car just didn't feel connected to one another round the corners and the gearbox was quite obstructive with no synchro on first which made it unusable other than at a dead stop, oh and the brakes were pretty poor.

Even more surprising than that was the MG A. What a fabulous little sports car. I think it had a later (or non-original 5 speed 'box) which was by far the best of all the cars. It also handled like it was on rails through the corners and the engine, although low on power revved unbelievably with a proper "waaaarrrrp" of exhaust noise as you chased the redline. For the money they fetch, i'd be very tempted by one (in cream with a 5spd box). Brakes were extremely powerful too (probably aided by the low weight)

Then the two 'big guns' the 911 and the Jagwar. We drove the Jag first of the two and it had easily the gruntiest engine of all the cars we drove (noting we didn't get to try the AC Cobra). Even brushing the throttle had it leaping forward like a scalded... err... cat. It was also stupendously beautiful, even in later S3 guise. Sadly that's where the good kind of stopped. The steering was hopelessly vague and only really tightened up once you were fully into a corner. There was various concerning clunking noises from the back (possibly drive shaft and/or suspension), the clutch bearing whined when you depressed the clutch pedal, oh and it missed a couple of times and cut out on me at 50mph (thankfully these cars are non-servo'd brakes and no power steering so other than the engine stopping you can otherwise control the car). And the gearbox was a bit of a pig with "guess where the gear is" being a key feature. I imagine it would be a money pit.

Last but certainly not least... the 911. Predictably, it is the one I would buy if I had a garage to keep it in and the thick end of 100k to spend on such a thing. As soon as I jumped in it felt like being back at home, even thought it was LHD. It didn't feel as low and priapic as the E type but it was so much more responsive in the steering, very strong on the brakes (thought needs a good push - as per all 911s ever) and a great noise from the engine. The downsides were the 915 box needs coaxing and wouldn't go into first until you stopped but it rewarded being precise. People talk about the ergonomics / switches being all over but clearly they hadn't just stepped out of an(y) other 1960/70s car. As I said I got to drive it all the way back along the A3 and pretended it was mine - capped off a brilliant day.

That sounds excellent (prices notwithstanding).

Nice to get to drive so many.

Mrs mik got me a half day in an e-type coupe for a big birthday some years ago and it wasn't an awesome experience - the car pulled to the left throughout the day, so clearly something not right, but it was quite hard work to make the drive flow at all.

That’s an interesting experience, is that through a classic car hire company?

I got it indirectly through a charidee auction but it was provided by Webbs of Weybridge https://www.webbsofweybridge.co.uk/classic-car-tours

I'd highly recommend it - the organisation was great - and its significantly cheaper direct that what I bid for it!

Make sure you ask to drive the 911/E-type though (assuming you would want to) as otherwise you may not get it depending on which cars they bring.

What a great day out! (Although you seem to have enjoyed the 911 a bit too much judging by the internal shot! ) I’d love an E-Type or classic 911.. even having never driven either!

My girlfriend has been pestering me that we need to buy this after sitting in it at Goodwood.. https://www.totalheadturners.com/cars/2 ... a-by-hawk/

So it’s nice to see we are all growing old together!

IanF wrote: Fri May 12, 2023 9:56 am you seem to have enjoyed the 911 a bit too much judging by the internal shot!

My only thought when looking at the 911 interior shot was "oh - they've fitted the steering wheel upside down - that's a shame".

Perhaps it's my age but I would have needed a drive in the convertible Rolls Royce.

GG. wrote: Fri May 12, 2023 12:09 am

Which one's you and which one's your Dad...

dinny_g wrote: Fri May 12, 2023 10:59 am
Which one's you and which one's your Dad...

Duh - the one with the shades is GG, and the one who could do with a shave is his dad.

It's complexificated as GG's dad actually hired the Delorean in 2009, and popped forward to 2023 to get involved in this day.

IanF wrote: Fri May 12, 2023 9:56 am My girlfriend has been pestering me that we need to buy this after sitting in it at Goodwood.. https://www.totalheadturners.com/cars/2 ... a-by-hawk/

Ooooh! They've got some interesting cars, there.

Blimey, is a 911 like that really £100k now? Nice thing but absolutely not worth that to anyone sane, surely?

Jobbo wrote: Fri May 12, 2023 12:40 pm Blimey, is a 911 like that really £100k now? Nice thing but absolutely not worth that to anyone sane, surely?

I asked the guy what he had it insured for - to which the answer was £50k. The inevitable follow up question was if he'd sell it for that... apparently he thinks its worth (as a dog eared ex rental LHD) more like £60k. A non-rental with better prep (but still a left hand drive entry level "T") would be more like 80-90k. 2.4Ss are 150 ish (LHD) and a 2.4S RHD c. 200k.

https://www.paul-stephens.com/current-a ... rhd-1972-1

Looks shit.

Looking at the website the "welcome drinks" to a driving day sound like fun. Hope they risk assesed that!

I love that era of Aston, good examples are big money now IIRC though.

dinny_g wrote: Fri May 12, 2023 10:59 am

GG. wrote: Fri May 12, 2023 12:09 am

Which one's you and which one's your Dad...

I have to say, your Dad, assuming he has the beard, looks suspiciously young!

Gavin wrote: Sat May 13, 2023 9:08 am

dinny_g wrote: Fri May 12, 2023 10:59 am

GG. wrote: Fri May 12, 2023 12:09 am

Which one's you and which one's your Dad...

I have to say, your Dad, assuming he has the beard, looks suspiciously young!

Old enough for the Beatles to write a song about being decript at that age

He was 27 when I was born so had kids reasonably young. Also a reasonably flattering picture