What has been your all time favourite car and why?

General Chat with an emphasis on BMC Minis & Other iconic cars of the 1960's.
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What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by richardACS »

Mine have come from the sixties from that impressionable period when growing up, Jaguar mk 2, Etype and of course the Cooper S. But my all time favourite car has been the BMW E30 M3, great power to weight ratio, sublime handling, airy cabin, great race history and comfortable driving position.

I bought this car 23 yrs ago to satisfy my trackday driving itch and have since driven on many (uk tracks) Cadwell has to be the 2nd best and only to the Grandaddy of them all the Nurburgring) apart from a AC Schnitzer suspension kit, is completely standard. She has now covered just under 300k miles and still thrills to this day.

It has a 4 cylinder twin Overhead cam engine with a modest 2.5L engine and not being an engineer I wonder whether a 4 cylinder engine is actually the best to deliver non aspirated power with it's easier ability to rev.
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by larrysimon »

Torn between;

A Jaguar XJR X351 2018 ...........epic in every way.

A Mk 2 Cooper S ...........for nostalgia and being my first performance car........back in 1980

Finally a 1963 Jaguar E type 3.8 FHC ................Looked brilliant/gorgeous .......... but drove awful no brakes and uncomfortable.......car I always wanted but couldn't live with.
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by Peter Laidler »

one previous owner but barely used 2nd generation Lotus Cortina Mk2

Oooooops, sorry, forgot a later car. The monster, rocket sledge on wheels. My MGB GT V8, PL6447, now living in Australia
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by Polarsilver »

Perhaps you have to own a Ferrari maybe just the once .. my choice Dino 246GT for when i win £300k + ... In the meantime my 1275GT will suffice because it is a cheap Fun to drive car & can be used in the rain or better still if we get some snow & can be parked up anywhere.. reasoning if a Prat does damage or nicks my GT..
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by DAM2961 »

Subaru Legacy GTB estate, twin turbo, 1998. Wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Subaru Impreza STI, Prodrive Performance Package 2004, just recently sold. Performance and handling!
Mini Miglia (home built) 1990/91 race seasons. Loved the close racing.
Hopefully my next one will be my Austin Cooper Mk2 1968 when it’s restored.
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by snoopy64 »

MG Metro… I’m sorry but I don’t have a reasonable excuse! :lol: :lol:

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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by and.rs1800 »

My series3 Jaguar XJ6 sovereign that I bought when I was only 23, and my series1 RS Turbo were both cars I promised myself I’d own when I was a teenager-both were fantastic but my current R53 supercharged Cooper S is my favourite.

It’s modified but looks standard apart from the ride height,goes like stink,sounds fantastic ,does every thing I’ve ever needed it to do ,and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it-love it to bits ,had it seven years and will never sell it.
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by Classic1 »

My dream car has always been the tojeiro jaguar. The stunning craftsmanship and look has always captivated me, along with its brilliant performance and handling, what's not to like.
Amazingly it was built in my home village, all built in a small workplace by people I grew up admiring.

Back to reality though my mk2 cooper s has been with me since I was 16 and though many cars, bikes trackers along with the odd lorry have come and gone over the years I'll never part with my S
Times money and I'm always short of both
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by and.rs1800 »

Classic1 wrote: Sat Dec 30, 2023 5:47 pm My dream car has always been the tojeiro jaguar. The stunning craftsmanship and look has always captivated me, along with its brilliant performance and handling, what's not to like.
Amazingly it was built in my home village, all built in a small workplace by people I grew up admiring.

Back to reality though my mk2 cooper s has been with me since I was 16 and though many cars, bikes trackers along with the odd lorry have come and gone over the years I'll never part with my S
What lorry’s have you had? Very into my classic lorry’s-helped a good friend of mine with his restored Bedford TK artic,love Bedfords, my father ran a few Km and TM artics and bigger stuff aswell.
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by hanlminiman »

My favourite car also comes from the 1960s. I first saw it at an BARC Junior Members' event at Brands Hatch in 1965? I was there with my Dad and best friend taking part in a go-kart day with the add on of a trip around the circuit with Denny Hulme. Sadly it was in a Ford Transit mini bus and to this day I still remember Denny's words as the threaded the steering wheel through his hand approaching the hairpin to show the correct line with words to the effect - in my F1 car I would just "twitch" the wheel. Happy days.
The car was a 1964 registered Ferrari 250 GT Lusso in metallic blue which we parked alongside. :D
I found a photo during the lockdown so will look it out and post it later.
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by Classic1 »

Lorry wise Scania 111 Scania 112
As a driver Scania 141 142 scammel crusader . worked on Bedford tm with Detroit engine Vauxhall in Luton ran them you could hear them coming a mile away good truck 👍
Times money and I'm always short of both
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by and.rs1800 »

Classic1 wrote: Sat Dec 30, 2023 7:22 pm Lorry wise Scania 111 Scania 112
As a driver Scania 141 142 scammel crusader . worked on Bedford tm with Detroit engine Vauxhall in Luton ran them you could hear them coming a mile away good truck 👍
Nice!! My father was an owner driver in the seventies and eighties-Aside from the KM units ( mostly ex Vauxhall Luton)we had a v6 Detroit TM-my father loved it. Also had ( nearly new) Scania 80 super, and a Ford Transcontinental, my favourite-wish I was old enough to have had a go in it!!
Unfortunately I’m not brave enough to have a lorry In preservation-the wife would kill me!
I drive a brand new Scania now, love it
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by Peter Laidler »

BEDFORDS........ Just a simple addition to Classic and RS above, my brother has a lovely old 1945 ex RAF Bedford QL. In Army colours of the BAOR in the 50's
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by Joel Welsh 4769VU »

Owned?
My fiat spider for sure so far... until i get the mini on the road.

It's powerful enough for a 4cyl car, handles like a go cart, and can get in anywhere i need to go usually!
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by Bart Smith »

I was not sure if you meant that I had to actually own it so I have two answers.
Favorite car that I have not owned but got to drive, Jaguar C-Type. Pretty much my all time favorite car ever.
Favorite car that I have owned and wish I still had, BMW 2002.
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by Stewartp »

My 1993 MX5 then my 1968 Aussie Morris 1100
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by e-type »

My Elise S1, the purest driving experience, will outperform much more powerful cars on a twisty road. Will do 52 mpg at a steady 70 mph.
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by WMU 211G »

All time favourite has to be the Lamborghini Miura, every time I see one in the metal (not often, granted) it pretty much takes my breath away. The first time I ever saw one as a nipper is etched into my memory - from the top deck of a London bus in Kensington High Street I was with my dad and uncle, looking down at Rod Stewart getting out of his white Miura S, it made everything else round it look redundant and old fashioned. I know there are plenty of people who just don't like it but to me it's beautifully proportioned and oozes '60s glamour. That it even exists makes it special and the fact that it's designers Dallara, Stanzani and Gandini were barely into their mid 20s at the time is remarkable. Gandini's assistant who designed the gorgeous Campagnolo alloys for it was just 20 at the time!

As for all time favourite that I've actually owned it has to be the Rover P5B Coupe, my grandad's cousin had two of them from new in the early '70s which both made a lasting impression on me, and many years later I eventually had two of my own. The first was a 1973 car 'PGU 726L' in burnt grey over white which was one of the very last Coupes built. It was solid enough with a few rough edges but taught me a lot about the model, it was my everyday car for a while and I loved its smoothness, gorgeous leather and wood interior and sheer road presence. The second one was a 1970 car 'ELC 941J' in monotone zircon blue which the previous owner had restored, it was much nicer all round than the first one but after two years I sold it to scratch the Jag itch and still regret it...

DAKIN 1 8fIgKAk6.jpg
P5 Dakin 1jZB.jpg
1970 26685275_1930420500320059_2943478798596886565_o.jpg
1970 P5B Coupe ELC 941J Battersea Power Station.jpg
ELC 1955331_n.jpg

As soon as I've sold the Maser Biturbo and Mk2 Cooper I'll be getting another one, I've got my eye on a few already, I'm also looking at P6B 3500s which are another old favourite ;)
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by Exminiman »

WMU 211G wrote: Mon Jan 01, 2024 10:34 am All time favourite has to be the Lamborghini Miura, every time I see one in the metal (not often, granted) it pretty much takes my breath away. The first time I ever saw one as a nipper is etched into my memory - from the top deck of a London bus in Kensington High Street I was with my dad and uncle, looking down at Rod Stewart getting out of his white Miura S, it made everything else round it look redundant and old fashioned. I know there are plenty of people who just don't like it but to me it's beautifully proportioned and oozes '60s glamour. That it even exists makes it special and the fact that it's designers Dallara, Stanzani and Gandini were barely into their mid 20s at the time is remarkable. Gandini's assistant who designed the gorgeous Campagnolo alloys for it was just 20 at the time!

As for all time favourite that I've actually owned it has to be the Rover P5B Coupe, my grandad's cousin had two of them from new in the early '70s which both made a lasting impression on me, and many years later I eventually had two of my own. The first was a 1973 car 'PGU 726L' in burnt grey over white which was one of the very last Coupes built. It was solid enough with a few rough edges but taught me a lot about the model, it was my everyday car for a while and I loved its smoothness, gorgeous leather and wood interior and sheer road presence. The second one was a 1970 car 'ELC 941J' in monotone zircon blue which the previous owner had restored, it was much nicer all round than the first one but after two years I sold it to scratch the Jag itch and still regret it...


DAKIN 1 8fIgKAk6.jpg


P5 Dakin 1jZB.jpg


1970 26685275_1930420500320059_2943478798596886565_o.jpg


1970 P5B Coupe ELC 941J Battersea Power Station.jpg


ELC 1955331_n.jpg


As soon as I've sold the Maser Biturbo and Mk2 Cooper I'll be getting another one, I've got my eye on a few already, I'm also looking at P6B 3500s which are another old favourite ;)
Can really see why you like them, they are a good looking car, with a V8 and the polar opposite to a mini :D
Dont mean to hijack the thread, but what do you watch out for when buying one, apart from the obvious rust etc...?
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Re: What has been your all time favourite car and why?

Post by richardACS »

WMU 211G wrote: Mon Jan 01, 2024 10:34 am All time favourite has to be the Lamborghini Miura, every time I see one in the metal (not often, granted) it pretty much takes my breath away. The first time I ever saw one as a nipper is etched into my memory - from the top deck of a London bus in Kensington High Street I was with my dad and uncle, looking down at Rod Stewart getting out of his white Miura S, it made everything else round it look redundant and old fashioned. I know there are plenty of people who just don't like it but to me it's beautifully proportioned and oozes '60s glamour. That it even exists makes it special and the fact that it's designers Dallara, Stanzani and Gandini were barely into their mid 20s at the time is remarkable. Gandini's assistant who designed the gorgeous Campagnolo alloys for it was just 20 at the time!

As for all time favourite that I've actually owned it has to be the Rover P5B Coupe, my grandad's cousin had two of them from new in the early '70s which both made a lasting impression on me, and many years later I eventually had two of my own. The first was a 1973 car 'PGU 726L' in burnt grey over white which was one of the very last Coupes built. It was solid enough with a few rough edges but taught me a lot about the model, it was my everyday car for a while and I loved its smoothness, gorgeous leather and wood interior and sheer road presence. The second one was a 1970 car 'ELC 941J' in monotone zircon blue which the previous owner had restored, it was much nicer all round than the first one but after two years I sold it to scratch the Jag itch and still regret it...


DAKIN 1 8fIgKAk6.jpg


P5 Dakin 1jZB.jpg


1970 26685275_1930420500320059_2943478798596886565_o.jpg


1970 P5B Coupe ELC 941J Battersea Power Station.jpg


ELC 1955331_n.jpg


As soon as I've sold the Maser Biturbo and Mk2 Cooper I'll be getting another one, I've got my eye on a few already, I'm also looking at P6B 3500s which are another old favourite ;)

Fabulous car, the interior and V8 made this the height of effortless luxury

Nice clip from Richard Hammond: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AYp2Fe4fEQ
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