Middle age men and convertibles? - Page 5

garcon · 21 Mar 2012, 18:15 (Ref:3046101)

The sort of people who say SUVs/4x4s make them feel safer are the sort of drivers with such appalling roadcraft that they'll probably end up barrel rolling their 'safe' truck down a motorway.

My local Subaru dealer has just started selling Morgans. If the Plus Four is a bit old for you, how about the three wheeler?

**dtype38** · 21 Mar 2012, 18:53 (Ref:3046134)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHamilton

It's the dignity part that I'm struggling with. I think that's the American in me having difficulty grasping British reservedness. Just get something loud and yellow or orange (maybe a little chrome) and leave the dignity for when your six feet under.

Ok, one more shot...

Good looking, fun to drive, and reliable.

Yes it's definitely an American thing, but that's a whole different subject. Over here something brash will just attract abuse rather than admiration. That tends to make such cars the preserve of those with too much money to concern themselves with what anyone thinks, like footballers and bankers!

As for the Speedster.... interesting. Funnily enough I had been going to suggest something like this, but the colour put me off....

**dtype38** · 21 Mar 2012, 18:56 (Ref:3046136)

Quote:

Originally Posted by garcon

My local Subaru dealer has just started selling Morgans. If the Plus Four is a bit old for you, how about the three wheeler?

That would be the one in Post #2 of this thread.... which we all ignored. Probably because you could only get away with it if you were called something like Badminton Wilkinson-Smythe DSO.

Cougar · 21 Mar 2012, 21:06 (Ref:3046224)

For the OP's question.. in my opinion, this doesnt work at all

but this does...

**dtype38** · 21 Mar 2012, 22:05 (Ref:3046243)

Erm.... I think I agree

I'm sort of coming to the conclusion that it doesn't matter if the car is old or modern, it simply needs to LOOK like its as old as the driver and hence offers sufficient dignity for him to be seen with the top down.

mountainstar · 22 Mar 2012, 01:16 (Ref:3046309)

Quote:

Originally Posted by terence bower

Are they all crap drivers as they are in England?

Yes. A public hazard if there ever was one. One hand and one eye on the iphone texting, the other hand and eye on applying makeup, SUV weaving all over, coffee flying in the air, people running for their lives.

What is especially scary is when they get behind the wheel of a 3 ton Ford Expedition or Chevy Suburban.

I couldn't count how many times I've nearly been hit by women drivers not having any situational awareness and not paying attention. I had a woman in a RAV4 not paying attention just today, never looked my way and pulled right out in front of me driving along main street out of the supermarket. I noticed she wasn't paying attention so I was already prepared to give her a wide birth.

mountainstar · 22 Mar 2012, 01:47 (Ref:3046318)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHamilton

It's the dignity part that I'm struggling with. I think that's the American in me having difficulty grasping British reservedness. Just get something loud and yellow or orange (maybe a little chrome) and leave the dignity for when your six feet under.

Ok, one more shot...

Good looking, fun to drive, and reliable.

It is amazing to me just how prices on 356's and early 911's have shot through the roof. It really wasn't that long ago you could pick up a decent one(not one of the limited models though) for $15k-$20K.

mountainstar · 22 Mar 2012, 01:49 (Ref:3046319)

How about an Ariel Atom?

Cougar · 22 Mar 2012, 06:31 (Ref:3046370)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHamilton

I think I am correct in thinking one of these did feature in Top Gun... so there's a good start... :P But alas it was a woman driving it

**dtype38** · 22 Mar 2012, 08:25 (Ref:3046414)

Can we keep to cars without tops rather than women drivers and SUV's please......

and no, not an Ariel Atom

**Tim Falce** · 22 Mar 2012, 08:54 (Ref:3046429)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtype38

Can we keep to cars without tops rather than women drivers and SUV's please......

As you are a bit handy with making things and still have the chassis jig how about this on ebay .

**dtype38** · 22 Mar 2012, 08:57 (Ref:3046432)

That's not a car, it's two bicycle wheels and a coal scuttle.

garcon · 22 Mar 2012, 09:04 (Ref:3046439)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtype38

That's not a car, it's two bicycle wheels and a coal scuttle.

When I saw this I thought you were talking about the Morgan 3 wheeler!

275 GTB-4 · 22 Mar 2012, 10:13 (Ref:3046462)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Here's what you need !

I am approaching 63 and this thread is not helping me AT ALL!! I own a 1949 Low Light that I would dearly love to restore (our family had a convertable when I was a wee lad).

However, I am being drawn towards a "modern" 6 cylinder, soft top MG....with terrible thoughts of what people will think and the impracticality of it all...trouble is...when I was younger, and had the opportunity, I played safe with sensible sedans...and whilst friends travelled, I stayed home and saved my coin

What do I do!!

nicanary · 22 Mar 2012, 10:32 (Ref:3046477)

It depends whether Aussies react like the UK public or like the USA public - it's either admiration or ridicule. You pays your money.....

If we're thinking in terms of the age of the car being apt, how about a Daimler SP250 : a gentleman's carriage, but still with prescence and oomph.

MGDavid · 22 Mar 2012, 10:46 (Ref:3046482)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 275 GTB-4

I am approaching 63 ........ What do I do!!

don't spend too long deciding, JFDI
(I'm similar age and philosophy)

**dtype38** · 22 Mar 2012, 12:22 (Ref:3046529)

Posting pictures of what we're talking about would help. At least it would save me the effort of googling.....

Here's the lowlight in convertible form and the sp250. Sadly I think the latter looks too much like a wide-mouth-frog!

And 275, I completely agree with MGDavid..... get spending that coin you saved and put the low light on the road right away.... convertible of course. I think its a very suitable car for your age... and will be until you're at least 90!!

**bella** · 22 Mar 2012, 13:19 (Ref:3046558)

how do people view a lotus elise with the roof chopped off? is that an adequate man-car or is it not nearly convertible enough for the discussion?

it does contain the same creature comforts as a 1960s mg though

JHamilton · 22 Mar 2012, 15:14 (Ref:3046600)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cougar

I think I am correct in thinking one of these did feature in Top Gun... so there's a good start... :P But alas it was a woman driving it

Lol, yes. And now that you mention it, Detective Frank Bullitt's girlfriend had one... McQueen did drive it however.

**dtype38** · 22 Mar 2012, 16:14 (Ref:3046629)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bella

how do people view a lotus elise with the roof chopped off? is that an adequate man-car or is it not nearly convertible enough for the discussion?

Not sure about the Elise, bit young persons I feel. Perhaps an Elan though..... the original one of course

Clive Brown · 22 Mar 2012, 17:05 (Ref:3046654)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtype38

May I therefore present for consideration that hardy annual that has become a living fossil:

You know my mother-in-law?

**dtype38** · 22 Mar 2012, 18:09 (Ref:3046686)

Must be the same age as mine!

**Peter Mallett** · 23 Mar 2012, 05:10 (Ref:3046939)

This is my ride in Doha. It is automatic, thus the hairdresser's version.

GORDON STREETER · 23 Mar 2012, 07:54 (Ref:3046960)

At least your hair doesn't blow about Pete !

**dtype38** · 23 Mar 2012, 09:05 (Ref:3046981)

My neighbour is dead keen on me getting one of these. It's about the right age if that's what means I can own a convertible with dignity. I even mentioned it in my opening post.... but I'm still not sure. Any thoughts?

.

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