[Shotimes] Re: (OT) British perspective on the new Mustang

[Ron Porter]

Well, the Lotus has dealerships in at least about 22 states. Probably more
than Ferrari and definitely more than Lamborghini at this point.

When you talk to folks who believe in the "true sports car" concept,
probably the only American car today that qualifies if the Solstice. Vettes,
Vipers etc are GT cars. Same with modern Porsches, actually.

It's one of those "Whatever" topics with me. I see their point on what a
"true sport car" should be, but I don't much care.

Also, as a few folks raised the point. For as many miles as it takes in the
USA to cross one state, you have crossed three countries in Europe or the UK
(well, maybe not the UK.....hard to drive to Ireland).

I've never really been a British sports car fan, but a lot of what you wrote
as the history of British sports cars also applies to the Corvette as well
as living with on a daily basis for Vettes C1-C3.

Ron Porter

-----Original Message-----
From: Donald Mallinson [mailto:dmall@mwonline.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 12:41 PM
To: 'Shotimes'; 'V8List SHO'
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] Re: (OT) British perspective on the new Mustang

Mini doesn't count, BMW through and through.  Lotus?  Botique maker, low 
production, true sports car? yes, but they only sell one car in the US, 
in four states.  Hardly in the same league as most production cars.  It 
is neat, it is fun, it is sporty, but it barely qualifies as a car, 
certainly not one that you can live with on a daily basis.  Chaterham, 
is basically a kit car.  Again, the British sports car industry 
isvirtually non-existent.  They have a wonderful history of easily 
broken, spindly little cars that were fun, leaked, broke down a lot and 
took American parts to keep running,  but hardly practical.  That this 
jerk can have the attitude he does when the British could not make a 
modern car well enough to survive is really a joke.

Don


Ron Porter wrote:

>Well.......the British still make sports cars.
>
>Prime one is the Lotus Elise (don't know about the other models at this
>time). This is probably the preeminent sports car out there today.
>
>The Mini. Yes, owned by BMW, but still made in England.
>
>The Caterham (former Lotus 7).
>
>When you get into discussions with folks about "true" sports cars (and some
>folks are very picky about that!!), the Lotus and Caterham definitely
>qualify (as did the defunct British sports cars of years past).
>
>Ron Porter
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net [mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]
>On Behalf Of Donald Mallinson
>Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 9:59 AM
>To: Shotimes; V8List SHO
>Subject: [Shotimes] Re: (OT) British perspective on the new Mustang
>
>Fun to read but the guy has no concept of what a good car is, no concept 
>of how the car is used. 
>
>He ran out of brakes on turn 6?  Then he needs some driving lessons.  
>The car has good brakes, and his driving style must be terrible to go 
>through them that fast, or was the "press" car he was driving totally 
>thrashed and in poor shape since I doubt he gets first shot at press cars.
>
>Oh, and lets see about that revered British sports car industry.  They 
>make how many sports cars?  How about zero.  I think the guy is pissed 
>because Ford now owns Jag, and Jag no longer makes a sports car.  They 
>make touring cars.  The british no longer make cars except for kit cars 
>and ultra low production stuff.
>
>No sports car in the US in 50 years?  The Vette may not be a lotus, but 
>then it is safe in a crash, has modern accessories, gets great fuel 
>mileage and is very fast and even affordable.  When did the British make 
>anything to compete? 
>
>As for the lightning, he should attend an SVTOA event and find out how 
>well those trucks handle and go.  He obviously just doesn't get the 
>American pickup truck universe.  Yep, we haul stuff with our trucks, and 
>more than just Horses.
>
>The guy is an ass. 
>
>Don Mallinson
>
>Ron Porter wrote:
>
>  
>
>>Interesting read!!
>>
>>http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,12529-1794313_1,00.html
>>
>>Ron Porter
>>    
>>
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