One Banana Two Banana

[Joloke]

Three Banana Four.............................


 

[AlabamaShrimp]

In only a few words my Fiesta is pogweasel, primer on the wing, a fair few rust spots and horror of horror it's one up from bottom of the range.

 

I'm leaving it as is. It's my car that I use (whish I used it more) , it's not a show piece nor a racing car. Things get fixed if I'm capable or have the time/space if not they don't.

 

Don't get me wrong I won't let it die but it'll never have a restoration* whatever one of those can be said to be as so many people have so many different ideas.

[tommotech]

Bangernomics I call it. Keeping a car running by the most resourceful way possible for as long as possible.

 

I’m sure it may mean different things to others, but I do share your sentiment.

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

I think there is quite an array of views on this here. I like my car to be as good as it can realistically be which includes being nice and shiny, but there are many Shiteists who have so many cars, just having them all function is quite some aspiration.

 

P1130239 by *D*B*, on Flickr

 

I wouldn't want a dent - but not seeping atf would be nice! - I really must do something about that...

[captain_70s]

AS seems to cover quite a few bases, there are some people who are doing major restorations (danthecapriman with his Capri), others who are doing custom work (Vulg's Prinny), salvaging cars no sane person would want on a low budget and in large numbers (FOAD's... Everything), doing the same with even weirder cars in smaller numbers (dollywobbler's Invicar), running cars as super cheap daily drivers (Nyphur's Octavia), tinkering with tidy classics (SiC's MGB GT) and those who try to keep fucked cars presentable and running out of stubbornness (myself and the Doloshite).

 

On a personal level I'm not overly fussed about cosmetics or even about originality to a certain extent. I want to keep the Doloshite looking pretty much as it is and running a 1.3 OHV Triumph lump for the foreseeable future but that's just cause it's how I want it. It picked up a new dent in the N/S/R door at some point during it's rescue, I find myself to not really care very much, it'll be living on the street in Glasgow after all... As long as I still have it and can keep it vaguely able to do car things that'll do for me... It can't be bangernomics because its costing a fortune!

 

I have some dreams for it, Mk4 Spitfire wheels, twin carbs, Lucas Square 8's, the bent rear bumper to be fixed, but that's my personal preference more than anything else. I like driving the car, and I have to work to a very low budget, in real terms I shouldn't have a classic car at all, it's not a hobby a person with my income has any right to have! I can't drive it on the regular and keep it cosmetically perfect, I've not got the time or money, so I make do with it being as presentable as I can get it with it's rattle can paint-job and make the most of it.

[nisfan]

I'm in the camp of that'll do mainly, different cars seem to have there own character as to what to do with them, the 305 I feel should stay with the shitty paintwork with a d-turbo under the bonnet whereas with my civic I wanted to get it up to a decent standard, a battle which I'm currently losing.

[Ghosty]

I just want to keep the Volvo as it is. It's honest and clearly reasonably well used, and clean enough that there isn't much return for beautifying it. Besides, it's in a state where I'm not devastated if it gets a bit of a mark here or there.

It's on that lovely line between tidy, scruffy and giffermobile (I took all the giffer bits like carpet and door protectors off, but left the cool stuff like old period stickers).

[eddyramrod]

On the whole, I think the priority for most of us is simply preservation.  Most of the cars here are what I call "pre-classics" in that, while they might be allowed into classic car shows, they aren't the ones that grab attention or have a big following.  And I say that fully aware of the odd exception like Dan's Capri.  Most of us are simply seeing something the "normal people" don't see in our choices, usually some element of charm that attracts us enough to deliberately keep (and hopefully drive) a car that might not otherwise survive.  Not for us the telephone-number pricing of the RSR Turbo Fandango versions; we delight in keeping the 1.3L alive and more or less as the factory intended.  The ingenuity that can overcome budget restrictions can be highly entertaining and impressive too.

There are cars that go round and round.  Look at my Saab convertible, it's a right old bike, everyone's getting a turn!  I'm on third time round and at least five other Shiters have owned it.  And yet that's nothing compared to the white Rover 220!  Work is getting done when it has to be, usually at minimum spend.

Bangernomics?  Yes, I think that applies to many of us, especially those of us who like to sample a car for a few months and then move it on in favour of a new (or familiar) experience.  The trick is not to spend vast sums if possible, or if you do, keep the car long enough to get value out of your spend.

Some people would say it's insane for a minimum-wage part-time van driver to try to keep more than one car when he lives in a little terraced house with no driveway, never mind one of them being a 44-year-old Cadillac!  But I'm not a show-polisher and the Cadillac was deliberately chosen for its down-at-heel appearance, which I'm doing my best to maintain.  I don't think it can lose money if I were to get rid.

The Tacuma is a bit of a left-field choice as a modern but it costs bugger-all really, even if it's not the most frugal thing around.  I've had it 4 1/2 years now and at ten years old it's worth nothing.  I paid retail for it but it just keeps going and is surprisingly comfy and capable for the long-distance work.  Also, MrsR can drive it, and likes it.

Because she likes it I can't really use it to go to work every day in case she needs to go out before I get home.  I can't really take the Cadillac every day, because the fuel consumption is insane, and it takes up rather a lot of the little car park we have.  So I need to keep a third car, and me being me, I like that to be show-eligible too.  Finances dictate that it mustn't suck up too much money - once that starts, it goes! - and this is where my GifferRover comes in.  As a WBoD it's very nice, and while it's with me it's being preserved in regular use.  Come the spring or summer, there's every chance I'll be offering it around.  I like to change my beaters even when I find one I actually like, which I have this time!

 

I've rambled on a bit there, haven't I? Hope it helps!

[purplebargeken]

I used to be a bit of a restorationist and spent a huge amount of hours on one of my Triumphs a good few years ago. It did look lovely but did it take a fucking huge amount of time, effort and cash.

 

I guess since then, due to a combination of things, mostly down to a deterioration in my physical health, the mind is willing but the body is fucked and there is no way I could be spending days under a car scraping underseal off.

 

There have been one or two cars that I have had, most recently Panda's lovely white Rover, BtB's very nice 75 which are in lovely condition and deserve to be pampered.

 

Perhaps a case in point is my Toledo. The one I have owned for 3 times now. I made it very tidy when I first bought it. Replaced the interior, polished it all up and just fettled with it. It looked decent. Yes, it had a few dents here and there but I never felt inclined to fix them as it was part of the cars character. I had it the second time and started to make good some of the surface rust on various panels, however, I only got as far as red oxide primering. This time I have been tinkering in the engine bay, tidying that up a bit. Making sure the wiring is good, etc. 

 

It is a little modified with the TR7 engine and overdrive gearbox, MGF steelies, it will have Alfa seats, no rear seats, there will be no carpeting, it will be fitted with additional 12v supply thingies, a map reading light and some other bits and bobs to enable my American friend to participate in the Triumph Clubs 10 Countries run in 4 years time. I will hopefully upgrade the suspension accordingly. The car already has a sports exhaust system. I may not be able to drive the car but there is no way it is leaving my possession anymore on a permanent basis. The car will be painted in the summer but only by roller. At the end of the day I will do what I can to make it presentable. It will never be a show winner but there should be some fun to be had out of her.

 

No more making it nice but being scared of using it in case some twat damages it. 

[D Spares & Tyres]

Life is way too short for concourse

 

100 years from now we will all be dead and so will most of our cars so just get on and enjoy them!

[Sigmund Fraud]

Autoshite is a hub of great international activity, cunningly disguised as a dozen blokes posting up photos of Talbot Solaras Renault Laguna IIs.

[Parky]

I would describe it as budget recommissioning.

 

There have been some near restorations but ultimately I haven't seen a cheque book resto on here. Everyone seems to find discount solutions to expensive problems.

 

We are very like Wombles, making good use of the things that we find and all that. And by doing so are inadvertent Eco Warriors! What's not to like about what we do?

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Bangernomics I call it. Keeping a car running by the most resourceful way possible for as long as possible.

 

I’m sure it may mean different things to others, but I do share your sentiment.

 

 

This. I run my old BMW's for next to nothing. Yesterday at U Pull It I scored a pair of nearly new discs and pads (literally days or 2-3 weeks old) and a new caliper for £25, into storage until needed. I got enough other stuff to sell to cancel that 25 quid out, so free bits.

[danthecapriman]

I like Eddy's word for it 'preservation' I think it fits well with exactly what most on here aim for. It's not a restoration but it's taking an old car or even a classic car and simply keeping it going. It's been preserved in its usable state.

 

It's one of the great things about this place though, there's room for it all, full on restorations - preserving and running old stuff - running a car that's on its last legs - I'm even a fan of banger racing...

 

I would say my most 'shite' worthy car is my Volvo.

It's not really a classic, it's not really desirable to many people, it's not immaculate. It's a nice old car that stands out in a sea of moderns and I'm trying to pull it back from near death sat rotting on someone's drive for a few years. Most people would have just weighed it in but instead I'm going to use it to make an interesting daily driver.

I'm still going to improve its condition but it'll never be a show car.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

I favour the rolling restoration approach. Get the car road legal then fix / improve while it's getting some use.

 

I haven't had anything good or rare enough to warrant a full restoration. Arguably the XM generally is reaching that state of value / rarity however mine isn't the best example - you'd probably start with a better one.

 

Maybe in the future when I have the magical combination of space / time it'll get partly stripped for a partial respray and a rebuild of the drivetrain.....But knowing me there's a danger it would end up sitting in bits for years

 

Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk

[fordperv]

I aim for making the car looking nice but also improving it with suspension and engine modifications so that it can perform at its best when I am enjoying it because that's exactly what I want to do enjoy the damn thing (still hasn't happened with my mk1 sierra I just enjoy working on that and emptying my wallet)

[PiperCub]

For me it's a combination of Bangernomics (been at it for 30 years+ if I think about it) and preservation/recommissioning. 

 

The upshot is I get to drive what I want/like, cheaply and efficiently and can give the finger to rampant consumerism which seems to be getting worse. I spend less per year on running three cars and a bike than most spend on one car all for the sake of a bit of time, effort and getting a bit dirty. 

 

 

OP: Mustie1 channel on YouTube is very good indeed, makes night shift fly by!!! I love the way he has an open mind and will try to resuss anything, cars, trucks, bikes, machinery, tools etc.. Plus he seems like a really nice, decent chap, not like some of the loudmouth types (Scotty Kilmer springs to mind) you often get on US YouTube channels. 

Have to say though, that Ford F150 he got for $200 angered me - fuck, was I ever jealous!!!! What a find (by the side of the road & no, it wasn't nicked). 

[clayts450]

For me it's just about having something on the road which is different to the norm and deffo not a fridge on wheels. Whilst I only returned to driving after an 18 year absence earlier this year it was primarily about getting something relatively modern but a bit off the wall, vaguely reliable and with a long ticket. The Streetshite ticked all of these boxes, and still does - its only wear and tear issues (tyres, exhaust) and a few manageable annoyances which cause me any degree of consternation.

 

Before I bought the Streetshite, I had toyed with OMG4YRLEASE, but then I got to thinking about the way my father used to lurch from one shitpile to the next, and figured that was the only logical step for me to take - genetics and all that jizz. Much more fun to buy a £200-400 snotter, do what I can with it and either bridge it or recycle it here for others to enjoy* when the novelty has worn off.

 

I do need a second car for long journeys, and rest assured it will be something different again.

 

I do look on with considerable envy at those on here who have fields full of quality* motors but space, modern life and pockets with bottoms in does mean I have to check that desire in at the door. Come retirement time, I aspire to be like Chris (6cyl) because that is autoshite nirvana to me.

[oldcars]

We preserve the unloved and the underdog. Why, i have no idea

[panhard65]

I just like getting the old shite back on the road. I hate bodywork and finding anyone to paint stuff is getting really difficult so now I try to find things that look tidy but need mechanical work. As soon as they are up and driving reliably I am usually on the look out for the next project. My newest car at the moment is a 2002 and to be honest it will probably stay that way. I did the full restoration years ago with a Jensen 541 but watching the bodywork deteriorate was the last straw. (early 50's fibreglass wasn't the best) So now it's get it running and solid then punt it on for the next owner to do the paint and worry about every little scratch. This business plan isn't the best though and probably explains why I am always skint.

[sierraman]

I really do enjoy reading about restorations on here, especially stuff like the old Talbots getting restored in the face of impossible to find parts etc.

 

Personally I practice Bangernomics, pay a grand or so, look after it within reason but then move it on when it’s had it’s chips. I’m not one for polishing cars anymore but mechanically they’ll be good, do most stuff myself unless it’s a PITA for whatever reason or it’s not feasible on the driveway. More people do this than you’d think depending on where you live. I don’t get involved in stuff like stripping engines apart, it’s rarely worth it on anything made in the last 25 years, in any case you really need a clean garage to strip down and rebuild an engine properly not sat at the kerbside laying on a bit of card, grit all over the place...

[John F]

I prefer the shape & driving experience of older cars, and that usually means I have to repair them.

[Parky]

The fact it is something different too. In London I park alongside a load of BMW's, Porsches, Audis, etc. All the aspirational things we are supposed to aspire to.

 

The only cars I ever took notice of were an Orange Capri, a tired looking Mark 3 Golf and a Lancia Thema.

 

We are wired differently

[castros_bro]

  

[AMC Rebel]

The fact it is something different too. In London I park alongside a load of BMW's, Porsches, Audis, etc. All the aspirational things we are supposed to aspire to.

 

The only cars I ever took notice of were an Orange Capri, a tired looking Mark 3 Golf and a Lancia Thema.

 

We are wired differently

It's pretty funny - when I was younger I didn't "get" people like me - now I do.

[RayMK]

Mr Castro: Nice one. It made me laugh anyway.

 

I don't like to be pigeon holed or to fit stereotypes.  This may cause me to like cars that others dismiss, but there's more to it than that.  Nostalgia, an affliction which has become more prominent with my advancing years and deteriorating health - I retired 10 years ago - plays a part, as does the sheer pleasure of driving something unusual (through quirkiness or rarity).  Enthusiasm and ability to fix things myself is waning. My shite fleet has thus recently been pruned to include a modern, replacing my 205 automatic which developed terminal problems with its autobox.  The Stellar and Reliant Regal (1961) are both technically roadworthy and the Stellar still gets frequent use, as does my son's Tipo 1.4ie.  Clean, tidy and reliable is my preference. I was going to say 'safe' as well, but decided that was difficult to apply to the Reliant, probably why I only drive it about 500 miles per year.

 

Concours cars are nice to see, as are rat look daily drivers, though I have yet to be attracted to cars with the suspension removed (slammed). 

[Parky]

Safe is important - paintwork and alloys are useless without decent steering, suspension, and brakes.

 

As many of us actually maintain our vehicles I wouldn't be too surprised if our cars, underneath the grime and lacquer peel, were not actually in better mechanical shape than many newer ones.

[bezzabsa]

never been one for 'ordinary ' cars..OK first LEGAL car was a Mini...BUT prior to that I'd owned a Skoda 105. Dolly 1850HL Mk1 Escort, HA van, and a Marina van!!

 

I've also gone through the WASH Polish & repeat  route..which is all well and good, but theres always one knob out there that sees this as an afront to him/her so either keys the side or punctures the tyres (had both done)..

 Never really stuck with 1 car - longest was 2 years and that was my MK3 Mondeo diesel estate loved it, 100% reliable and sipped diesel..

Always gone for stuff that wasn't main stream as it was usually cheaper..things like Allegros, MK5 escorts, rover 214's Lada's etc...I tend to buy something, treat it to a service, cam belt if im feeling flush, run it for a gfew months then either swap it , or sell it and move on.

Major thing for me at the moment is comfort, with my sciatic damage and bugered hips n knees means that i'm usually bum shuffling after a few minutes..Touch wood the skoda was uber comfy on the 80 odd mile journey home and the subsequent 100+ miles round town...as is the Punto...the Van suits me as being an ex HGV driver I prefer the sit up driving position....i just need to crack on, swap the brakes and get it thrown through anMOT so I can start the conversion...want it tested so I'm not converting a Rot box that needs 8 miles of welding done.

 

In my drean garage I still lust after a Hillman Avenger....MK2 1300 Cortina 2 door....VW fast back (can never remember the model type)..and a mint Sherpa camper with pop top...must be in Beige/Brown.. with orange canvas pop top !!

 I have owned 2 cars on HP...and have vowed Never again..pay over the odds for a car thats worthless by the time you finish paying for it...If I cant afford it  - i either wait, or work out a deal ..

[RayMK]

Safe is important - paintwork and alloys are useless without decent steering, suspension, and brakes.

 

As many of us actually maintain our vehicles I wouldn't be too surprised if our cars, underneath the grime and lacquer peel, were not actually in better mechanical shape than many newer ones.

 

'Safe' is a relative term.  Compared to modern cars which are stuffed full of airbags and crumple zones and judging by the firm suspension and sprayed on tyres, designed to whack round a race track, most older cars are deficient in safety performance, particularly when rust has also degraded their structural strength.  Good driving and good maintenance will however mitigate the risks, even in a Reliant with no seatbelts, cross ply tyres and 17.5bhp. It goes and stops as well as Reliant intended 56 years ago .   

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Safe is important - paintwork and alloys are useless without decent steering, suspension, and brakes.

 

As many of us actually maintain our vehicles I wouldn't be too surprised if our cars, underneath the grime and lacquer peel, were not actually in better mechanical shape than many newer ones.

 

 

 

Festering rear arches on mine, but four matching Goodyears that were new last year. Couldn't give a shit about cosmetic rust now - I used to get so annoyed by it as well.

 

To me concours is a form of mental illness. Something really not right about it. A car is your servant.

 

I'd still like a nice newish daily and if the prices of damaged repairable ever come down from the current insane level I might have a go at one.