panhard65 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 9:22 pm
My only reason to say go for the spitfire is they are easier to get in and out of when you are a tall fat fucker. Bloody Midgets make me have to crawl out where as the Spitfire is a lot easier. I wouldn't go for either of them built by BL though as it will be shit. I still have a few 1500 Midget bits kicking around including a couple of cylinder heads if you want them.
The way I read that is, get a MG Midget while you can easily get in and out of them!
I'm keeping an open mind on what to get, but preference is a chrome bumper Midget for the 1275 engine. Spitfire would be mk4 onwards as I prefer the look of them.
I think I've said this before, but what shaped my desire on classics is the Red Room in Haynes Museum. I visited here back not long after passing my driving test in 2003/04 with the now Mrs SiC. Previously aircraft was my fascination, but getting my driving licence kicked my interest into cars.
It was seeing the Midget, Spitfire and MG BGT (actually its a MGC there...) that struck me the most.
After that visit I researched into them - buying books. This I think was my first proper car repair book I bought.
- 2021-09-16 21.40.46.jpg (386.34 KiB) Viewed 1346 times
I decided I'd love a BGT the most, Spitfire I liked but would be the preferred option as it looked easy to work on and the Midget the most fun out of them. My parents told me they were shit and I'd be wasting my money in getting one. At the time, I wasn't flush with cash so couldn't really afford one, especially as I was at Uni.
My lust for a sports car was huge and I couldn't stop thinking about getting something. I eventually quelled that by buying a Mk1 MX5 back in 2008 while on placement year at Uni. Wasn't the best financial decision but absolutely loved that car. Classic cars were always on the radar but still had in my mind that they were a bit rubbish. After seeing that Vermillion BGT in the local car garage about 5 years ago now, it ignited my fascination in pre-80s British sports cars.
They're pap, but so are virtually all cars pre-80s. You can get something quicker, safer, more comfortable and generally better car for much less as a modern equivalent. But we all know that and that's not the reason why we buy classics.
Driving pleasure isn't about how fast you accelerate, how quick you can corner or how fancy the car looks. Its about how a car makes you feel. These old British sports cars just do it for me. Even not driving and just sitting in my MGB makes me feel happy.