Mumbles

For me it was my first sports car. 1973 MG Midget, red with knock on wire wheels which creaked when cornering, a boot rack, and a 1275 cc engine which could run me 100 mph. That gentlemen was the beginning way back in South Wales in 1987.

Where did you begin...............

beden1

My first car was a 1967 MG Midget that I bought used in 1969. British Racing Green with knock off wire wheels, an Abarth exhaust and a wood/aluminum racing steering wheel. I loved that car but it needed constant care to keep running right. One time I was driving down the road and an electrical fire started in my dash with the flames showing in the gauges. Fortunately, the fire went out when I turned off the car.

smokestack20

A red 1964 Triumph TR4 Great little car.

I sense a pattern here.... from British to German

91469972

1974 Alfa GTV 2000, Silver with Cromodora wheels and Ansa exhaust. Great car but then I came across a Porsche 914-6, Green like my current Carrera S. Wish I had both in my garage.

n1gels

Continuing the British to German trend. Mine was a 1967 Austin Mini Deluxe (it had a heater and an oil pressure gauge!) with a 848cc engine. Handled like it was on rails. Installed a stage II cylinder head, polished the points every week, tuned it to perfection. Scared many passengers speechless. It all ended with rolling it into a ditch learning an important lesson about hydroplaning. I wish I still had it. What I'd give to hear that straight cut gearbox whining on downshifts.

drummin4fun

I'll break the British love fest. My first sports car was a 1974 Fiat X-19. So balanced, and so much fun!! After that it was a 914.

82_930

See below, 1990 Nissan 300 ZX, borla exhaust, intake, ecu chip, stainless steel brake lines with race pads, centerforce clutch, adjustable sway bars, competition pedals, chrome wheels (they were cool back then) a Steve Millen front splitter, rear diffuser, and wing.

TommyV44

1974 TR 6.......what a beauty she was. Chocolate brown with a tan inside....Manual choke. Union Jack on the rear quarter panel.....sweet. Only $4,300 new (back then a fortune!)!

I can still remember the day I went to get her in Brooklyn and she was by herself just sitting in the back and looking stunning. I was 27 and the world was in front of me. I couldn't believe I was going to take her home.

Reality strikes.......Needed a valve job after 12,000 miles so I traded her in straight up for a 1975 MG midget....Orange with Black inside......talk about going from the frying pan into the fire........oh boy...every other day I had to pop the clutch to get her started and in the winter I had to put a blanket on the engine to keep her warm overnight..........and I was never happier.

Those were the days!!!! Mumbles......Thanks for a cool thread as I wake up on the other side of the country in Southern California.......makes me smile to remember those oh so sweet days.

Here's to all those British Leyland stalwarts who kept on smiling through all of those mechanic bills and early morning no-start disappointments.....I loved those cars!

Tom

TommyV44

Smokestack..........and still something English and very special in the garage I know.......you should treat us all to a pic of that beauty........wish she was mine!!

Tom

Mumbles

Those Fiat X-19 were a great little car, quick too. All the Fiat's were fast

Mumbles

Great story Tom ! I always parked my cars facing down hill so I could bump it every morning if she wouldn't start.....lol
Always second gear tho...

beden1

Vitually the same car I had also in black, but with a lesser rear spoiler and it was a 2+2. Great car and I wish I never sold it. They still look good on the road today.

beden1

I had a 1975 MGB also in Orange. It was my daily driver when I lived in Syracuse, NY and driving through heavy snow storms and frozen roads. It was actually really good in the snow because it was light and kinda floated on top.

TommyV44

Thank you my friend....I remember doing the same thing.....my stepfather, friend, stranger or girlfriend even if I was on a big enough hill pushing and me yelling out the window for them to "go faster"

Tom

TommyV44

Man....you were a brave one!!! Syracuse!!

I drove my all winter too. MG or Triumph they went in snow......no snow tires just shift and go!!!

Tom