|
|
Post by alf on Jan 25, 2021 15:52:14 GMT
Something I've been meaning to post for a while. Now we all get our fresh air kicks by taking the one daily walk/run/cycle locally, what local heroes are you aware of? By that I mean the intriguing or clearly enthusiast owned future classic, or enthusiasts car, ideally outside a very normal house?
If I ignore the Huracan/M5/RR combo in a nice but not incredible house near here, there are three that catch my eye. Weirdly (as I'm not the BMW spotter/lover some of you are) they are all BMW's. There is the mint, late, dark blue/purple E46M3 cabrio just down the road (I can see it from my office window) with a relatively young owner, I'm always tempted to "swap rides" when COVID allows and may say something I could regret along the lines of: give me first refusal on that when you sell it.... Then there is an E39 M5 in dark blue with the smaller wheels outside a small house on my usual walk into town, its so subtle, it has huge appeal - the E39 5 series was a car that absolutely kicked arse when new and I think it's a near perfect size, plus I may not have driven one but have passengered in 528 and 530 variants and it just felt, and sounded, right. I'm slightly obsessed with these presently (and E9X M3's) but good ones are more than my XFR, for a car not actually better (and a lot less modern/known to me). The last is an E36 328 coupe in metallic dark green, with great wheels on it and a (small) 'ring sticker on it. All 3 just have "enthusiast" written all over them, and I walk past them a few times a week each,I feel I know them!
When I lived near Winchester there was the Delta Integrale - in need of work - in an always open garage, that I cycled past weekly. Weirdly that one was a handful of doors down from James Martin's place (house). Surely he'd have said something when walking past.... It never got better, probably a long term pipe dream lacking time or money.
So - what have you noticed out and about, car wise, that may have tickled your fancy near where you live, that might have been missed normally?
|
|
|
|
Post by garry on Jan 25, 2021 16:01:34 GMT
My run takes me past a house with a silver series 3 Jaguar xj12. It’s in different positions on the drive that suggest it gets used. It’s so elegent.
|
|
|
|
Post by michael on Jan 25, 2021 16:08:42 GMT
I recently discovered where the owner of a Lotus Carlton lives, in a very normal house on a development close to town. I spotted it on the driveway next to their comparatively gigantic new Evoque. I know of a Clio Williams that appears to have been in regular use by the same owner for the best part of twenty years.
|
|
|
|
Post by racingteatray on Jan 25, 2021 16:55:40 GMT
This is Fulham. There's a lot of shiny stuff parked kerbside. However, on our daily walk down to the Thames, of note we walk past a silver M2 Competition with a BRDC badge, a Stelvio Quadrifoglio (actually there are two roundabout), a half-restored Rover P5 V8 under a car cover and a late 1970s Mercedes SLC, also under a car cover. Also a Range Rover CSK and a Ferrari Portofino. All just parked at the side of the street. There's quite a bit of older stuff like first gen A6 Avants, E30 cabrios and Volvo 940s, but I think they just fall in the "old" category.
And lest I forget, the dark green classic Range Rover of circa 1990 vintage, with number-plates shaped like bones which read "80NED". It had been looking loved but rather scruffy but then was evidently sent off for a spruce-up, because it's now all shiny and smart and sports upgraded HID headlamps.
And then if I head towards Parsons Green, there's a 997 GT3 (I think) in Gulf livery.
I'm also intrigued to see that one of my neighbours has just treated himself to a brand new BMW X5 M50d - surely one of the very last since BMW has now stopped making that engine.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blarno on Jan 25, 2021 17:05:42 GMT
There's an old boy just around the corner from me who has an absolutely pristine Volvo P1800 shooting brake. He also has a lovely V90 estate with tan leather that I have a good goggle at when I pass it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Jan 25, 2021 17:26:34 GMT
Neighbour round the corner has a beautiful Bentley Azure convertible that he keeps garaged in the winter. I think it gets about 15 mpg so to assuage his environmental conscience he has a new Nissan Leaf plugged in.
|
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Jan 25, 2021 17:39:42 GMT
There isn’t much of interest where I live. My neighbour has a McLaren 650S Spyder, the guy next to him has a V8 Mustang and there’s a late previous model RS6 up the road, but that’s it.
On one of our walks, about 1/2 mile away, there is a large drive full of stuff, including a 928 and E39 530i plus some Japanese imports, a 90s Toyota Soarer and Nissan Skyline (basic one). The 5 series had a plastic sheet with a spare tyre holding it down a while back, presumably because the sunroof was leaking, but it’s OK now. I’m just glad I don’t live next to him!
|
|
|
|
Post by Roadrunner on Jan 25, 2021 17:45:29 GMT
I have not discovered much new in the way of local heroes, but have seen more of them. Highlights include a Benz C63 and a Caterham. A one year old 530d Touring and a brand new X5 45e have recently arrived on neighbouring driveways.
A Spring/Summer semi-lockdown walk did reveal an absolute gem of a collection. We were already aware that the owners of an old farmhouse own the lane were 'on message', having a Quattroporte as thier daily driver and a Bristol 401 for Sunday afternoons. As we walked by one day, it seemed he had looked out the rest of his collection in the gravelled courtyard, including an XK140, an early '70s Aston Martin V8 and a late '90s Bentley Continental R. Clearly a gentleman in possession of impeccable taste.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stuntman on Jan 25, 2021 22:09:31 GMT
There isn’t much of interest where I live. My neighbour has a McLaren 650S Spyder, the guy next to him has a V8 Mustang and there’s a late previous model RS6 up the road, but that’s it. On one of our walks, about 1/2 mile away, there is a large drive full of stuff, including a 928 and E39 530i plus some Japanese imports, a 90s Toyota Soarer and Nissan Skyline (basic one). The 5 series had a plastic sheet with a spare tyre holding it down a while back, presumably because the sunroof was leaking, but it’s OK now. I’m just glad I don’t live next to him! Does not compute  |
|
|
|
Post by Roadsterstu on Jan 26, 2021 7:11:03 GMT
A bloke across the street has a dark green MG Maestro in his garage, with a load of stuff piled on top of it. I wonder if he is waiting to announce it as a "barn find". That really is about it!
|
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Jan 26, 2021 9:07:50 GMT
A bloke across the street has a dark green NG Maestro in his garage, with a load of stuff piled on top of it. I wonder if he is waiting to announce it as a "barn find". That really is about it! Let me know if he's ever selling it, I lusted (not sure that's quite the right word to describe wanting an MG Maestro but you know what I mean) after a BRG one on the cross spoke alloys back in the day! The only classic I've seen is one of the local farmers 2011 Mitsubishi L200. Judging by the strange smells, squeaks and rattles as it comes by it's probably a grave dodger. It looks as if it's had a hard life, so a real survivor. |
|
|
|
Post by PetrolEd on Jan 26, 2021 9:22:16 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Jan 26, 2021 9:43:42 GMT
There isn’t much of interest where I live. My neighbour has a McLaren 650S Spyder, the guy next to him has a V8 Mustang and there’s a late previous model RS6 up the road, but that’s it. On one of our walks, about 1/2 mile away, there is a large drive full of stuff, including a 928 and E39 530i plus some Japanese imports, a 90s Toyota Soarer and Nissan Skyline (basic one). The 5 series had a plastic sheet with a spare tyre holding it down a while back, presumably because the sunroof was leaking, but it’s OK now. I’m just glad I don’t live next to him! Does not compute Fair point when I read it back, but I was thinking about enthusiasts. Mr McLaren is in his second, has an X5 company car and his wife had an S3 saloon, so he likes his cars. Mr Mustang won’t drive it unless it’s bone dry and warm plus he revs it as soon as he starts it up and drives up the road dipping the clutch and revving it and Mr RS6 drives like an idiom through town in 1st gear. So whilst they are enthusiasts of sort, they don’t count! (In my mind). |
|
|
|
Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Jan 26, 2021 14:16:37 GMT
Just before Xmas I was turning into our street with the dog when I noticed a couple of the Chinese lads who live there trying to push an old, but relatively tidy, red Mercedes W190 up onto their drive as it wouldn't start. It just shows how time flies because the last time I'd talked to them they were trick or treating. They were now 17 and starting to drive and had got this as a project so I nodded approvingly at their choice of car. Their parents own Chinese supermarkets and wholesalers in Chinatown so I guess they could have had something much newer. I noticed the other day a blue W190 had also appeared so I don't know if it's one each or a donor car. It'll be interesting to see how they get on. When it gets a bit warmer I might pop over for an update.
|
|
|
|
Post by racingteatray on Jan 26, 2021 14:27:48 GMT
One of my colleagues (late 30s) uses a 190E as his daily driver. He tells me he's also just acquired an E30 320i cabrio.
|
|
|
|
Post by PG on Jan 26, 2021 20:36:54 GMT
The only classic I've seen is one of the local farmers 2011 Mitsubishi L200. Judging by the strange smells, squeaks and rattles as it comes by it's probably a grave dodger. It looks as if it's had a hard life, so a real survivor. If a 2011 L200 is a local hero, then have I got one in a 2009 Shogun? A partner in our farm vets (who lives down the road from us) has a Subaru Forester STi in Imprezza blue. It was a Jap import. About half a mile away is a 2005 XKR that looks lovingly cared for. Apart from that it's all pretty normal stuff. |
|
|
|
Post by Stuntman on Jan 26, 2021 22:25:33 GMT
Mr Mustang won’t drive it unless it’s bone dry and warm plus he revs it as soon as he starts it up and drives up the road dipping the clutch and revving it and Mr RS6 drives like an idiom through town in 1st gear. So whilst they are enthusiasts of sort, they don’t count! (In my mind). He needs to get with the programme. it's not rocket science really - it's actually as easy as ABC, or perhaps it's a piece of cake In fact, by letting the cat out of the bag he could probably kill two birds with one stone. I'd better call it a day now, before I add more fuel to the fire. |
|
|
|
Post by Tim on Jan 27, 2021 9:16:18 GMT
The only classic I've seen is one of the local farmers 2011 Mitsubishi L200. Judging by the strange smells, squeaks and rattles as it comes by it's probably a grave dodger. It looks as if it's had a hard life, so a real survivor. If a 2011 L200 is a local hero, then have I got one in a 2009 Shogun? A partner in our farm vets (who lives down the road from us) has a Subaru Forester STi in Imprezza blue. It was a Jap import. About half a mile away is a 2005 XKR that looks lovingly cared for. Apart from that it's all pretty normal stuff. The L200 is a real survivor, if you saw the state of it it'd make sense. I imagine your Shogun is in much better condition. |
|
|
|
Post by alf on Jan 27, 2021 10:54:21 GMT
Some interesting stuff about then!
Cheers PetrolEd for the link to that garage - I had never heard of it or him, and just watched some of his stuff on Youtube. Some incredible hypercars on the video I saw, where his Miura (which is an absolute dream in that orange) won concours...
|
|
|
|
Post by chipbutty on Jan 27, 2021 12:14:37 GMT
There is a fair bit of flash on my cul de sac, but nothing that really fits with the theme of thread.
One neighbour has a new M5, an M4 convertible and has just replaced a Cayman GT4 with a 911 GT3 (991 ??)
Another did have an older 911 (pre-996), but I haven’t seen it in a good while.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnc on Jan 27, 2021 12:32:52 GMT
One of my close neighbours has an immaculate E46 M3 CS which comes out in the summer and does some track days. His daily is an M4.
Further down the road there is an old gent with a white Mercedes SL from the 1960's (the one with the vertical headlights) who I smile at and nod to when he drives past in the summer. It is never out except when the sun is shining.
There is also a silver Carrera GT which I see in the summer and comes from one of the very big and expensive sandstone villas about a mile up the road.
There is also an immaculate 25,000 mile first model Merc SLK which lives in the garage 2 doors down and has been owned since new by the same person and my next door neighbour has a 3/4 year old Porsche 991.2 GTS which has only done 5,000 miles. He was complaining the other week that he had to get it serviced again before he had even done 1,000 miles. His car is a trophy car because it only comes out in good weather and is more about telling people what he has rather than enjoying it!
|
|
|
|
Post by LandieMark on Jan 27, 2021 13:46:00 GMT
Our local farmer has all sorts.
Landmaster anyone? He has one of those rare things in his shed. Bentley Continental GTC, Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Bentley T2, Ford Cortina Mk5, Mercedes E320D, the usual collection of Defenders on limited use agricultural and a Haggelund. Several other bits I have forgotten, no doubt.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Jan 27, 2021 14:20:25 GMT
Just thinking further; a guy round the corner is always out cleaning his red 981 Boxter and 911 GT3 before putting them back in his garage but the car he has as his daily driver is the one that caught my eye - an immaculate metallic green Audi 80 (B4). It remains on the drive in all weathers but looks great for its age.
The one I've mentioned before is the Nissan R34 Skyline that the guy across the road has - he shipped it to New Zealand for complete engine rebuild and tuning. It sounds like an F1 car when he fires it up.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Jan 27, 2021 14:21:51 GMT
Our local farmer has all sorts. Landmaster anyone? He has one of those rare things in his shed. Bentley Continental GTC, Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Bentley T2, Ford Cortina Mk5, Mercedes E320D, the usual collection of Defenders on limited use agricultural and a Haggelund. Several other bits I have forgotten, no doubt. Those set aside payments won't spend themselves!  |
|
|
|
Post by racingteatray on Jan 27, 2021 15:20:53 GMT
Our local farmer has all sorts. Landmaster anyone? He has one of those rare things in his shed. Bentley Continental GTC, Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Bentley T2, Ford Cortina Mk5, Mercedes E320D, the usual collection of Defenders on limited use agricultural and a Haggelund. Several other bits I have forgotten, no doubt. Those set aside payments won't spend themselves! Beat me to it. |
|
|
|
Post by Ben on Jan 29, 2021 16:26:39 GMT
I dunno. There are some interesting cars near where I live but nothing that I really fancy. There was an Alfa 156 Sportwagon quite a while ago that seemed quite nice, and another young chap ran a Maserati Quattroporte for a few months, but otherwise it seems I'm always the one with the fanciest car around (for a few days at a time at least ) |
|
|
|
Post by Roadsterstu on Jan 29, 2021 16:50:25 GMT
A bloke across the street has a dark green NG Maestro in his garage, with a load of stuff piled on top of it. I wonder if he is waiting to announce it as a "barn find". That really is about it! Let me know if he's ever selling it, I lusted (not sure that's quite the right word to describe wanting an MG Maestro but you know what I mean) after a BRG one on the cross spoke alloys back in the day! I keep meaning to ask about it but I really see him. I have to confess to really quite liking the Maestro shape and as my driving instructor had an MG Metro, I have a tiny bit of liking for the brand (as in the proper MG brand, not the Chinese one!). The first time I drove a turbocharged car was a mate's mother's MG Montego Turbo which was a bit of a lark - I learnt all about turbo lag that day! |
|
