'Historic' track car - recommendations?

[Al Weyman]

Maybe just me but I cannot think of a much more unsuitable car than the XJS, its expensive to operate weighs way more than my Chevys, prone to be problematic (even the factory had problems getting big Jags reliable for competition) and as for just slipping in a manual gearbox in leiu of the auto well all I can say is you must be a very competent machanic as I would look on that as a heck of a lot of work and expense which you said you wanted to avoid I believe.

[Colin McKay]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

even the factory had problems getting big Jags reliable for competition

Ah, but it's not for competition (and it's not a V12, it's a Ford straight 6!), it's for trackdays where I'm learning the circuit rather than setting lap records (of course you're not allowed to time yourself on track days ) and for getting there in a reasonably civilised manner. The real difficulty is reminding myself that I'm not after another collectable, I'm looking for a tool for a specific job, hence the fact that I was out again today to look at another BMW.

I just hope no-one recognised me.

[Al Weyman]

Each to their own ;-)

[GORDON STREETER]

Although some cars are more user friendly and some have more room inside, I always remember Fred Moss used to actually drive a De Tomaso Pantera to the circuits with race wheels and slick tyres inside ! So where there's a will there's a way

Hey I just thought. Rear wheel drive, 6 speed sequential box. Look at my avatar !!!!!

[Al Weyman]

Ha ha I remember Fred, met him at my mates tyre shop in Camden Town, mad bugger he was!

[Colin McKay]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Hey I just thought. Rear wheel drive, 6 speed sequential box. Look at my avatar !!!!!

Would there be room for the calendar for checking lap times?

[GORDON STREETER]

Don't laugh too much, some of them go pretty well, and mine ain't exactly slow as some have already found out on the roads round my neck of the woods !!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5S1NAMnYKM

[Colin McKay]

Brilliant! That raised a laugh on a gloomy Monday morning!

[banbury]

Alfa 75,either 2 Litre or V6,or an Alfetta GTV 6.

[mhljoih]

MX5 would be a good choice, I have used one for the last 3 year,very reliable, cheap to buy / run & easy on brakes / tyres
I drive to & from the circuit with one spare in the boot

[Colin McKay]

Well, so far I've looked at about a dozen different cars and as mentioned earlier all I've ended up buying is an MX5 for my daughter - what a great little car, I'm jealous! I'm not allowed to drive it but at least she allows me to fill the tank so that's something.

I was at Brands yesterday where, amongst all the heavy metal, someone was having just as much fun in his MX5 probably at a quarter of the cost so I might have to work out some sort of hire deal.