> >"why not just junk the old British steel bodies and buy a
>kit-built
> >something-or-other from Taiwan. Hell, if we bolt Sunbeam
>Alpine on it, who
> >will know the difference?
> >
> >John McEwen"
Hello Richard and List:
I guess my biggest problem with many of the Alpine postings on this list -
and one which my limp sarcasm failed to adequately probe - is that the
major goal seems to be the major modification of all existing vehicles into
something non-original. I don't have a big quarrel with reversible
modifications. But I do feel that many of us are trying to turn vintage
sports cars into modern, fast light cars in an attempt to say "Look what I
did".
We who "live and breathe LBCs" should realize that during our short lives
we are in actuality stewards of the old vehicles which we temporarily own -
just as we are stewards of the natural resources of our countries. This
reckless pressure to modify engines, chassis and interiors in a foolish
attempt to make a leather purse out of a cow's ear is rapidly destroying
what we believe in. When we are dead what will be left? Buick-engined
Alpines? Ford-engined Alpines? V-6- engined Alpines? Sure the old
four-banger is no ball of fire but it was plenty good enough 35 years ago.
Why is everyone trying to make a 1997 car out of something built in 1962?
My advice to all of you is to buy a new Neon or a Sunbird. It will go as
fast as your heavily-modified Alpine. It will probably be cheaper and
infinitely more reliable than your bastardized LBC and will fetch a decent
resale price when you are tired of playing with it. Leave the old cars
alone. Restore them to their original specs and enjoy them for what they
are.
I would like to think that our children and their children will be able to
enjoy an LBC too. If you must have a go-fast sports car, buy a kit or
hotrod a Miata. It is the height of hypocrisy to proclaim LBC love while
destroying the very character you apparently so revere.
"It's my car so I can do whatever I want to it. Just butt out!"
John McEwen
See what I mean?
>
> Answer: Everyone who lives and breathes LBC's. !!!!!
>
>
> When I do My V-8 conversion to the Buick 215 Aluminum block,
>I'll probably go get a newer Rover block not because it's better, (there
>are some structual impovements), but BECAUSE it will be a British
>Engine. Although, I'll still use my cool Offenhauser aluminum valve
>covers.!! I will use an American gearbox because they are much better
>than the British ones that will fit.
>
> Rich
>
>
>> ----------
>> From:
>> mmcewen(at)gpu.srv.ualberta.ca[SMTP:mmcewen(at)gpu.srv.ualberta.ca]
>> Sent: Thursday, April 03, 1997 4:01 PM
>> To: alpines(at)autox.team.net
>> Subject: Re: Woooh! Can of worms!!
>>
>> >matthew.c.jennings wrote:
>> >>
>> > I am offended that we are wasting time and energy on
>> >> polluting this forum with remarks such as this.
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> >Here, Here - lets get back to Ring Gear Bolts, guys!!
>> >Tony
>>
>> Or possibly a continued discussion on the merits of modifying all
>> existing
>> engines into 200 HP turbo Porshe fighters. How about throwing away
>> the
>> body and the engine and hanging Sunbeam letters on a Fiero? Perhaps
>> we
>> should consider a spirited examination of the benefits of V6 or V8
>> engines
>> which can be welded and bolted into Sunbeam bodies in order to destroy
>> any
>> possible vestige of British engineering. We all know that the only
>> reason
>> for restoring a Tiger to stock is because the owner can't afford the
>> necessary modifications to make it a modern, competitive street car.
>> In
>> fact a stock Tiger is about as rare as a stock Harley-Davidson.
>>
>> After we've followed the collective wisdom of the list regarding
>> engine,
>> electrical, suspension, wheel/tire, and interior modifications or
>> outright
>> changes, why not just junk the old British steel bodies and buy a
>> kit-built
>> something-or-other from Taiwan. Hell, if we bolt Sunbeam Alpine on
>> it, who
>> will know the difference?
>>
>> In complete agreement with Tony,
>>
>> John McEwen
>>
>>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Sep 05 2000 - 09:39:55 CDT