Middle age men and convertibles? - Page 2

**Tim Falce** · 17 Mar 2012, 12:03 (Ref:3042717)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam43

The Jeep is a bit left-field. What if it is decked out as if in a war. Camouflage, spade, radio, fake gun? Do you need to be concerned what people say then?

We used to do shows and film work with the Jeeps, my brother had one as well, and five minutes after coming home one day two bored and very anal plain clothes police knocked on the door and wanted to arrest us for impersonating military personnel

That was back in the late 60s early 70s so it'd be interesting to see what they'd make of it today although I do see quite a few military vehicles with people dressed for the part going to shows so wonder if they get any grief from over enthusiastic BiB.

**Adam43** · 17 Mar 2012, 12:15 (Ref:3042730)

I've heard of people being pulled over for pretend classic police cars. Including someone in a FIAT and in Rome!
Nowadays it might not be so bad because the classic vehicle scene is more well known. I believe there are some real no nos like visible blues (even if turned off) and guns, but other than that you will be OK.

nicanary · 17 Mar 2012, 14:24 (Ref:3042817)

I hadn't thought in terms of a WW2 replica Jeep - in France there are specialists selling restored Hotchkiss models in civvy colours.

Just remembered the new Alfa 4c, which is supposed to be affordable.I wonder if they intend to bring out an open version?

It does seem that the only open cars within most people's price range are either classics (not always reliable) or those which are not universally acknowledged as a "man's" car.

Is this symptomatic of our society, or subtle merchandising?

GORDON STREETER · 17 Mar 2012, 16:03 (Ref:3042956)

Here's what you need !

**dtype38** · 17 Mar 2012, 17:46 (Ref:3043016)

No! Unless I was thinking of doing an Antiques Road Trip that is....

But the Jeep is an interesting idea. Taking that a bit further, would anyone laugh at you in one of these?

**ghinzani** · 17 Mar 2012, 17:51 (Ref:3043018)

I went to look at an M3 convertible today. I am 41...

**dtype38** · 17 Mar 2012, 17:57 (Ref:3043024)

Welll.... I can see that, but colour is going to be really important. Silver suggests you wanted a Merc but couldn't afford a quick one. White suggests you used to deal drugs be are going straight. Red would only work if you're ginger. But I think a nice dark blue or green could work... but only if you don't let anyone sit in back! What do we think?

GORDON STREETER · 17 Mar 2012, 20:34 (Ref:3043146)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtype38

Taking that a bit further, would anyone laugh at you in one of these?

You may have a bit of trouble getting rear tyres at your local "tyre n zorst" center!

**bella** · 17 Mar 2012, 21:33 (Ref:3043207)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtype38

But I think a nice dark blue or green could work... but only if you don't let anyone sit in back! What do we think?

ours was dark green! bit of an odd colour but it worked

nicanary · 18 Mar 2012, 11:30 (Ref:3043843)

Just back on line, trying not to find out the "result" Down Under 'til it's on this p.m..

I still think the Beemer would be generally regarded as a "lunching ladies" car, even in M3 guise. They wouldn't know the difference between it and a base model,only that it looks nicer and they like the colour.(I am definitely not sexist here, just an observation based on people-watching)

As I said earlier, I think a lot of the problem has evolved because of marketing stratagems - you have to be thick-skinned to drive a soft-top that has certain public perceptions.

There's always a Merc 38/250 SSKL, or what about a Speed Six (absolutely kosher, I swear, guv.)?

barnettracing · 18 Mar 2012, 13:16 (Ref:3043886)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

Get an old man's car, an MGB...................ooops.

They're not old man's cars. My first car was a 1968 MGB GT. At the age of 17 I was the envy of many of my schoolmates. Ah, such a shame I couldn't afford the upkeep.

barnettracing · 18 Mar 2012, 13:19 (Ref:3043887)

To add to the thread topic, I reckon an S2000 is okay for a man. Any car that revs comfortably to 9000rpm definitely isn't for hairdressers (to use the oft-quoted stereotype).

nicanary · 18 Mar 2012, 13:30 (Ref:3043891)

Interesting, this is something like the Twilight Zone....Nana,nana,nana,nana...

I have just sold a 1968 MGB GT, and it was a Honda S2000 I wanted to buy. My daughter still says it's all wrong.. 9000revs means nothing to her.

The bigger open tops are too pricy, so what IS the answer?

barnettracing · 18 Mar 2012, 13:42 (Ref:3043899)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicanary

Interesting, this is something like the Twilight Zone....Nana,nana,nana,nana...

I have just sold a 1968 MGB GT, and it was a Honda S2000 I wanted to buy. My daughter still says it's all wrong.. 9000revs means nothing to her.

The bigger open tops are too pricy, so what IS the answer?

Great minds Nicanary, great minds. At 21 though, I don't really have the same problem with open top sportscars (at least I don't think I do). Having driven an MX-5 I wouldn't buy one. I do fancy an S2000 as an affordable bit of fun...

nicanary · 18 Mar 2012, 14:54 (Ref:3043924)

Just had a heart-to-heart with the daughter ; turns out she once had a "hot date" who turned up in an S2000 when she knew perfectly well that he had a Focus at home as well.

She considered this the typical male "bragging" scenario and has been put-off the car ever since. Spoil-sport.

(One date once arrived in a Nissan 200SX but lowered and dustbin exhaust style - when he started to show the exhaust cut-out she got out and walked home. Don't think the lad ever "got" her reasoning).

So this is the female perspective according to the rules of a feisty 26-yr old :-
Small sports (MX5 etc) - too girlie
Large sports (Jag,Aston etc) - too expensive
All cabriolets - ladies that lunch
Performance (Caterham, Atom etc) - only good for track days
Classics - unreliable

By her rules, there isn't anything out there.

**Tim Falce** · 18 Mar 2012, 15:29 (Ref:3043944)

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnettracing

They're not old man's cars. My first car was a 1968 MGB GT. At the age of 17 I was the envy of many of my schoolmates. Ah, such a shame I couldn't afford the upkeep.

I had an MGB GT when I was in my early 20s and I've just bought an MGB now I'm in my mid 50s so to me it is now an old man's car.

**dtype38** · 18 Mar 2012, 15:46 (Ref:3043955)

Except you bought it for your wife....!

**dtype38** · 18 Mar 2012, 15:54 (Ref:3043960)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicanary

So this is the female perspective according to the rules of a feisty 26-yr old :-
Small sports (MX5 etc) - too girlie
Large sports (Jag,Aston etc) - too expensive
All cabriolets - ladies that lunch
Performance (Caterham, Atom etc) - only good for track days
Classics - unreliable
By her rules, there isn't anything out there.

But, no matter how car-literate and worldly wise, are we going to decide this based on the opinions of our daughters? For example, I just suggested to my 15yr old that I'm considering getting rid of my Jaguar XJ6 and my Jaguar Mk2 in order to buy a run-around with a name like Eco-Watsit or Enviro-(colour)-motion. She looked agast and said that I was too "manly" to drive something like that! Then I said it would probably free up as least £10k of capital to spend on fun stuff like going motor racing and scuba diving holidays (her passion). Now she's wavering, but I'm concerned that I'm even concerned what she thinks!

That XKSS is looking better all the time.....

MGDavid · 18 Mar 2012, 16:22 (Ref:3043974)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicanary

..........So this is the female perspective according to the rules of a feisty 26-yr old :-
Small sports (MX5 etc) - too girlie
Large sports (Jag,Aston etc) - too expensive
All cabriolets - ladies that lunch
Performance (Caterham, Atom etc) - only good for track days
Classics - unreliable

By her rules, there isn't anything out there.

what about an older 'large sports' which is not old enough to be classic but has done most of its depreciation? e.g.
Porsche 993 or 968?
Aston DB7?
TVR?

nicanary · 18 Mar 2012, 16:40 (Ref:3043990)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGDavid

what about an older 'large sports' which is not old enough to be classic but has done most of its depreciation? e.g.
Porsche 993 or 968?
Aston DB7?
TVR?

I absolutely agree, but this thread began by asking what open car can the "older" man drive without ridicule, and whatever anyone suggests, there will always be someone who will say "no way".I suppose we just need to go ahead and ignore them.

"The child" has just said "Stirling Moss' Jaguar", whatever she means by that, but I suspect she's been watching old film footage of C-types.Yeah, my pension will stretch to that!

**Tim Falce** · 18 Mar 2012, 16:42 (Ref:3043994)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtype38

Except you bought it for your wife....!

Of course I did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtype38

Now she's wavering, but I'm concerned that I'm even concerned what she thinks!

...and it'll only go down hill from there.

Clive Brown · 18 Mar 2012, 16:58 (Ref:3044010)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

Get an old man's car, an MGB...................ooops.

What, the Austin Cambridge A60 convertible?

**dtype38** · 18 Mar 2012, 18:31 (Ref:3044071)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicanary

"The child" has just said "Stirling Moss' Jaguar", whatever she means by that, but I suspect she's been watching old film footage of C-types.Yeah, my pension will stretch to that!

She doesn't mean the McLaren Stirling Moss by any chance? I'm not even sure I'd drive round Monaco in one of these!

nicanary · 18 Mar 2012, 18:41 (Ref:3044077)

Oh good grief!

Arab sheikhs queue here.

No, she means something from the 50s, cos she's seen my DVD collection.

N.B. A60 cambridge softtop ? Que?

nicanary · 18 Mar 2012, 19:42 (Ref:3044124)

It's Sunday,so forgive me.

Just got it - B series etc yeah. That's what you get after watching another new GP year opener with the attendant snooze factor.

Some posters said it was a cracker. Zzzzzz...

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