Mid-life crisis!

How about something a little more sedate and arguably unrealistic - this would be my MLC are of choice

80's Bristol Brigand - brutally ugly and slab sided, appalling mpg, impractical, (a stretched SAAB comes to mind), not a head turner but fantastic engine, lineage and I will own one )one day!)



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Phil, you raise the question of relative values. For Classic car like our Rovers, fashion appears to set the value, not more sensible things like driving pleasure or practicality.
I have driven Jaguar mk2's and wondered how anyone would pay so much for one when my 3500S was, to me, a much better car. I can live without the veneer facia fro what I save with my P6.
Similarly, an Aston DBS was, to me, a clumsy great lump that made a lot of fuss, when going fast, compared to my P6.
Leave me wondering how I could replace my 3500S, when the time comes.
Why are Rover V8's so undervalued? No idea, but thankful they are.

Quite agree with you. The P6 literally feels a generational change from the MKII (in standard form anyway) in terms of driving experience.
 
When the missus got tired of me and retired mate moaning around , needing something to occupy us, SHE suggested we build a car...so we did. 6 months research, ordering a kit, 5-1/2 months work, there we were.
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Almac Clubsprint
Kit out of NZ. MX5 engine + turbo, 215hp at wheels. Bit tougher down here to do than in UK - have to meet a realistic chassis torsion test. If you enjoy the journey as well as the end result, do it!
 
Quite agree with you. The P6 literally feels a generational change from the MKII (in standard form anyway) in terms of driving experience.
Can relate to that
Sold my P6b and bought a 66 Daimler/Jag with 250 V8.
c/f the P6 rather a lumbering chunky car. Subsequently owned Mk1 Sovereign. SP250. Lotus .Oz Falcon . Range Rover .Landrover. the list went on.
I had to buy my P6 back- I couldn't get no satisfaction.
Weird thing is - all the "other" cars have grown in value
 
Can relate to that
Sold my P6b and bought a 66 Daimler/Jag with 250 V8.
c/f the P6 rather a lumbering chunky car. Subsequently owned Mk1 Sovereign. SP250. Lotus .Oz Falcon . Range Rover .Landrover. the list went on.
I had to buy my P6 back- I couldn't get no satisfaction.
Weird thing is - all the "other" cars have grown in value

What many people fail to appreciate is the drivers car was always the S-type (and 420) with the E-type IRS and all round disc brakes. The larger boot would help in bank robberies of legend too. The Mk II was good for what it was - especially compared with the MK I but was inherently limited by the leaf spring/live axle set-up. the P6 is far more sophisticated and it shows.

It's very hard car to explain to someone who hasn't driven one. I guess what dates it most is the low geared steering. The only one that comes close in my limited experience is an early BMW E28 with manual steering. Generally similar feel, less roll but actually less balanced, more traditionally RWD.

The P6 was a good 15 years ahead in general road manners. Obviously allowing for technology which came on stream in that time most noticeably tyre technology, particularly those with lower profiles. anyone who fits an uprated ARB knows how much the full profile tyres squirm around on a P6.
 
Now I'm not sure I want another project, but how about this early 1600GT? I'm not quite sure exactly what it is as the model histories are very involved :hmm: Probably a South African build; it has some peculiar sidelights & badging.


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I think it's been like this for around 20 years in dry storage & there's some serious work required :oops:.

Who would run a mile from this one...?:D
And to think I was offered one of those in bits for the equivalent of about 150 Quid back in 1994.....:rolleyes::hmm::hmm:
 
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I 'attended' the auction online on Saturday & did make some serious bids for this car, but it went for £14,000 :oops:. Add the buyer's commission & transport & you're looking at about £16,000.

I'm disappointed I didn't get it though....
 
Ok folks, I've actually taken the plunge :D Time to try something new!

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I'm hopefully taking delivery at the weekend & it will be our first ever classic that is non-British, as apart from our P6s we've had many Triumphs & an MGB. It needs a fair bit of work, but is structurally very good apart from a few smaller areas. It's tatty inside & out but I think it's at the right level for me to get on the road & then enjoy refurbishing.

For anyone who is interested, the Alfa Guilia model history can be far more confusing than the P6's & information is a bit sparse in places. This car is a 1976 South African car, technically one of the 200 GT1600 Junior "Delux" models which were 2000GTV cars partly assembled in SA that surrendered their engines & running gear to the SA Guilia 1600 saloons for homologation purposes. The 2000GTVs then got the 1600 gear fitted, although I'm told this one has a 1750 engine! :hmm:

Still, I'm not desperate to sell one of the P6s but it may come; we'll see how we get on.
 
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Have been following this thread with great interest. I think AR are great cars. As far as the MLC goes, I have gone the other way. Thinking there may not be much time left for motorcycling, decided to redirect the motorcycling interest into the recently acquired P6. Therefore, the BMW R100R is being sold (need space in shed) while still going touring on the BMW G650S. I travel more Km's on the bike than my daily drive car (Mazda CX5) and still enjoying it. Cheers Tom
 
For anyone who is interested, the Alfa Guilia model history can be far more confusing than the P6's & information is a bit sparse in places. This car is a 1976 South African car, technically one of the 200 GT1600 Junior "Delux" models which were 2000GTV cars partly assembled in SA that surrendered their engines & running gear to the SA Guilia 1600 saloons for homologation purposes. The 2000GTVs then got the 1600 gear fitted, although I'm told this one has a 1750 engine! :hmm:

I won't dwell on this car (it's a Rover forum after all...!) but I'd done a bit of research on SA Alfas & although this one was sold as a 1976 car, I was starting to think it was a much earlier 2000GTV; it has a reasonably early chassis number (588 of around 37,500 cars) & the whole homologation thing seemed to happen much earlier than '76.

Anyway, I've now got the paperwork to say that it was built in October 1972, so I should now be able to get it registered as an 'L' registration. I'm pleased about that!

The quality of previous 'restoration' work on this car has been questionable to say the least; the paint varies across the car & there's overspray everywhere, including the seats! The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that the front over-riders are different ways up. You'd have thought someone would get them both on the wrong way or right way, but not one of each on the same bumper :oops:.

The window quarterlight frames were also put in the wrong doors (so they'd open facing forwards...) but not only that, each side had the same seal on, so one wouldn't open at all!

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Still, I'm enjoying it so far. It's rather like my sharkstooth 2000 in that the project is bringing a car back from the brink. I just don't intend it to take me another 18 years :LOL:

I'll shut up about Alfas now ;)
 
Just an update on those other projects that have been getting in the way of P6 work recently:

I've booked the Alfa in for MOT at the end of June: :eek:

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..& the local heritage railway project has been expanding: :D

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Hopefully I'll get back on with the Rovers soon. However, it is looking likely that I'll sell at least one.....
 
I like the idea of the heritage railway thing. We do have one locally, the old underground line from Epping to Ongar. The mainline services now terminate at Epping.
I don't have time for trains at present though what with my own projects & still being a worker bee in the fight for financial survival. :LOL:
 
The MLC has truly taken hold ;). The Alfa is now with MOT & UK plates & has been doing 'shakedown' runs in the locality. Here it is (sans various grille bits & trim) in front of our son's latest addition:

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The Alfa needs a lot of tidying up yet & is far more of a 'challenge' to drive than the Mazda, but it really 'fizzes' & just has that 'something' that makes it live up to Alfa's 'petrolhead' reputation.

However, the Mazda is a great car in it's own right & I can see why they are so well thought of. Even it is 30 years old! A peppy engine, good fitting rag top, 5 speed, aircon, etc etc. What's not to like?
 
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