I agree. You must make sure that the car is sound. I
wounldn't take a car around those back roads quickly
if its only a 500 mile a year car. I drive my GT6
every day and I know every noise it has [little to
none of course:-) ] and I know what I have replaced.
After KONI shocks all around, a stiffer anti roll bar,
panasport wheels and Bridgestone tires let me tell ya,
I give those raced up Civic's and Accord's a run for
their money around the turns!
Mark Holbrook
--- Laura Gharazeddine <Laura.G@141.com> wrote:
>
> I was judging at a car show yesterday and this was
> something we were talking about-the driving of these
> cars.
>
> I was saying that actually, when you think about it,
> I've had so few problems in nearly 20,000 miles of
> *daily* driving a *restored* but still a 22 year old
> car. I'm afraid I'm not always respectful of this
> 'elder' and I too enjoy the kind of drives that Jeff
> describes (only unsually in the Santa Monica
> Mountains). I don't do it everyday. But when I do do
> it I do it to the limits of my abilities and the
> cars abilities.
>
> The senior judge-who drives a 1935 MG on those same
> roads, commented that I've probably had relatively
> few problems because I do drive it everyday-and I do
> take him out for those open road jaunts. These cars
> were made to be driven.
>
> Which brings to mind one of our club members-he's
> taking his rebuilt '57 TR3 on the Great Race
> 2000-Boston to Sacremento! Need I say more?
>
> Dave did make me promise when he gave me the
> keys-not to drive this car like a grandmother! Now,
> I've come to realize that driving a car like this
> each and everyday means that one needs to find a
> balance between not driving it like a Grandma-but
> not beating the old woman to death either. And above
> all-to drive it and have a good time! They can be
> fixed!
>
> Laura G. and 'Nigel'
>
>
> >
> >From: Philip Warburton <cplimey@home.com>
> >Date: Sun, 04 Jun 2000 23:00:50 -0700
> >To: SPIT mail list <spitfires@autox.team.net>
> >Subject: FW: Gaining confidence / moral dilemma
> >
> >
> >FWIW ...
> >
> >I can understand your glee and joy at taking curves
> and bends at speeds
> >higher than recommended because you have a car that
> can perform those feats
> >(given you know how to "drive" your LBC) . It is
> something that the North
> >American cars cannot handle as they are not built
> with the same low centre
> >of gravity for the most part and thus the stability
> and handling suffer.
> >
> >However ....
> >
> >I don't put my car through those paces beacause
> >
> >1) It is a 25 year old car and I like to treat it
> with respect. You never
> >know (unless it is ALL new and replaced) where the
> weak points in the car
> >are. I suppose you can liken it to people as they
> age. Different parts wear
> >out quicker than others, but (for example) there is
> still nothing like
> >original equipment knees compared to surgically
> implanted ones to replace
> >the worn out joints ... ask my Dad!!
> >2) I would rather have my car working at a slower
> speed for many years than
> >push it to it's limit .. and die sooner.
> >
> >Just MHO
> >
> >
> >Cheers,
> >
> >Philip
> >1975 Spitfire 1500 - Blue
> >FM 32468U
> >
> >--------------------------------------
> >
> >
> >From: "Jeff McNeal" <jmcneal@ohms.com>
> >Reply-To: "Jeff McNeal" <jmcneal@ohms.com>
> >Date: Sun, 4 Jun 2000 20:33:28 -0700
> >To: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
> >Subject: Gaining confidence / moral dilemma
> >
> >
> >Greetings all. I just completed an exhilerating
> early evening rip through
> >the backroads of Northern San Diego. Narrow, wo
> lane highways all the way;
> >barely any traffic in either direction; very little
> development; lots of
> >wide open spaces, hairpin turns, mountain roads,
> valley roads with oak tree
> >canopies above, the smell of grass, cows, jasmine,
> etc. (I definitely
> >preferred the jasmine). As I drive my car more,
> the more confidence I'm
> >gaining -- and the harder I push for performance.
> I was doing 40 MPH on 25
> >MPH curves, lots of downshifting, heel and toe,
> revving up to just a bit
> >past 5,000 RPM -- that sort of thing. Really,
> REALLY enjoying myself.
> >
> >I arrived home feeling absolutely energized and
> relaxed at the same time.
> >Wonderful feeling. Now, I'm wondering if it's such
> a wise thing to do -- to
> >push a 33-year-old car so hard. It sure feels good
> -- but am I asking for
> >trouble? Whaddya think?
> >
> >Best wishes,
> >
> >Jeff in San Diego
> >
> >'67 RHD Spitfire Mk3 aka "Mrs. Jones"
> >Jeff's Classic '67 Spitfire Mk3 site & Vintage
> Spitfire Webring
> ><a
>
href="http://www.ohms.com/spitfire/spitfire.shtml";>http://www.ohms.com/spitfire/spitfire.shtml</a>
> >home of the NEW, (but STARVING FOR POSTS!!) Totally
> Triumph Auction
> >"By Triumph enthusiasts, for Triumph enthusiasts"
> ><a
>
href="http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRauction.cgi";>http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRauction.cgi</a>
> >and... The Triumph Autos/Parts Wanted Listings
> ><a
>
href="http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRwanted.cgi";>http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRwanted.cgi</a>
> >....plus a few other surprises!
> >
> >* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> * * * * * * *
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
=====
-Mark Holbrook-
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