A cheerful thread!

[Guest]

Bit negative on here lately, here's a nice thread of things I like in an effort to restore the balance.

 

 

Honda Quintets. I love the fact it even exists, Honda didn't tend to make pointless in-between models back then. It is their equivalent of a Stanza and just as rare.

 

 

Slatty-grille dangly-mirror Sierras. Couldn't find a picture of the base with unpainted grille/headlight surround. I love Sierras in general too, I like that old advert at a race track where they're showing all these different types of Sierras in various roles.

 

 

This sort of beaded seat cover, they're super-comfortable. I'm using different ones at the moment and they're not as good (or stylish). Only problem is they fall to bits after a while.

 

 

Turning up at car shows in a car which doesn't really belong there, then watching people look a bit baffled at it from a distance.

 

 

Topping up my oil in the street. I find it an oddly satisfying task (good news really).

 

 

The current Chevrolet range, I feel like they're making cars solely for me to use in 20 years time. I'd love an Epica already, but then they do this Cruze thing which looks like a slightly smaller Epica, plus there's still the 4-door Lacetti "sedan". Nice work lads!

 

 

Going to the motorway services! Feels like some kind of adventure, admittedly one where you've got to spend a pound for a can of pop. Still an adventure at night, though everything is usually shut bar the toilets. Which would be an adventure of sorts, I suppose. Don't fancy it though.

 

 

Old car magazines! Especially "Motor", I find their reviews tend to be quite honest instead of just slating the car in an exaggerated fashion for comic effect. If the ride/handling isn't quite up to scratch they'll let you know, but they won't start banging on about it being a hopeless death trap. Everything tends to be along the lines of that it'll be suitable for someone.

 

 

The Hyundai Stellar, I like how it found its market with people who couldn't quite get on with the idea of the new-fangled Sierra.

 

 

Whilst we're at it, the Kia Clarus - rubbish plastic interiors aren't a problem to me. Handsome cars.

 

 

Strange half-baked facelifts of cars which they're keeping in production elsewhere. This is a Mazda Vantrend (aka the late 70s onwards 323).

 

There you go, happiness is restored. Stick some stuff you like up here, it might catch on.

[Station]

I funking love motorway services, and also topping up my oil, in a motorway service petrol station! Watch for initial pouring overspills!

 

Also, early grey slat grille Cavaliers ...

 

 

... In LS form.

[RedSparrow]

I thought I was the only one who like motorway services! Have since I was a kid, which baffled my parents. Can't really explain it myself.I like to go to Tescos and buy some Tesco Value motor oil, and top it up in the car park. Seems to impress MILFs sometimes. I suppose being a bit practical makes you an attractive prospect to take on their illegitimate multi-coloured children.Off! nearly went grumpy there! (and a bit Alf Garnett) Apologies.Edit:Oh did I read about Quintets in PC a while back? Weren't they made for Aus? And sold about 5 over here?

[M'coli]

I did get some funny looks in Harrogate Sainsbury's car park just before Christmas 2006 when I changed the Avenger's oil...

[whitevanman]

Damn...............I assumed that the tilte was going to be ironic..............how disapointing

[mouseflakes]

I used to enjoy starting my Renault 10 on the starting handle - from the back of course. Used to make people stop and stare.

 

[Mr Lobster]

Heres more nice stuff. For me at least...

 

Motorways at night. I love a good long drive that starts in the middle of the night. Gives it a real sense of purpose, more of an adventure than just a journey.

 

Sea travel. Don't like flying at all. Give me a nice drive to some ferry port followed by a couple of hours sur la mer. Lovely. I find it very it virtually an essential part of holidays abroad

 

 

 

Good car shows where it's not just a sit-in-a-field-and-look-at-MGs event

Really restores motivation!

 

 

French classic car mags. I can spend hours trying to read them, pondering the classifieds and marvelling I what I wish I could have

[j-j]

I used to enjoy starting my Renault 10 on the starting handle - from the back of course. Used to make people stop and stare.

 

Awesomeness!

 

Actually, I did the crank handle thing when I had a GSA - duff battery but always started on half a crank of the handle - I enjoyed the stares.

 

Seemed delightfully ironic that a car with a starting handle also had electronic ignition!

[Station]

I used to head off solo down the A55 every Friday or Saturday night into Conwy, and then turn back, at about 3am in the morning. I gave up drinking and found a big space had been emptied on the weekend!

 

[dollywobbler]

I like doing this to my BX.

 

 

I love finding random tat that makes me look like a loony as I go running over all exciting. "Oooh, a Fiat Tempra!"

 

Wartburgs. Full stop.

 

As for hand-starting, even Top Gear do it!

 

Battling through the snow in a classic just because I can.

 

Playing a reed organ in the middle of a field full of 2CVs. As you do.

 

Off roading!

[seth]

Dolly beat me to the snow.

 

 

Faded old automotive advertising.

 

 

Using an engine crane. It means SERIOUS STUFF is happening.

 

[brammy777]

Realising your spots were probably a one off, when the next time you go out looking, they have moved/arent there/ are under a tarp.

 

 

Motorways at night, guranteed im still a passenger, but i bloody love it.

 

Agreed with the service stations, the most recent time i visited one it was Fleet Services, just down the road, and i felt an intruder in the domain of tourists!Felt amazing!

 

Everytime i think theres too many new cars on the road, i see loads of shitters hurry by, proving their worth far more than most people think.

[michiel]

Playing a Lambchop cd in the living room and then going for a read/hang up laundry in the bedroom listening to Tool or v.v. cheers me up... and maybe a little Bach inbetween.

 

And old Japanese pics like these:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/2233794225_24670bac16_o.jpg

 

 

 

 

Please note I'm not a paedo...

 

Old car brochures & mags are good for lots of cheerfulness too.

 

[Pete-M]

I absolutely love spending a nice therapeutic day cleaning the car every few months. Let it get nicely rotten and then bring it back to former glory.The Audi has just had its first proper clean. It's got pearly paint. Lovin' it.

[Cavcraft]

Bit rubbish because I have no pictures but on Sunday morning I saw a red Ferrari with the number plate G1 RLS. It made me smile anyway!

[dollywobbler]

Must find a way to capture this on camera but I chuffing love that feeling as my BX rises to the occasion (!) once I start it up. Mind you, that then allows me to see the puddle it's left on the floor...

[GJR 11L]

I did get some funny looks in Harrogate Sainsbury's car park just before Christmas 2006 when I changed the Avenger's oil...

/\/\/\ Pure Gold that is!

[M'coli]

I did get some funny looks in Harrogate Sainsbury's car park just before Christmas 2006 when I changed the Avenger's oil...

/\/\/\ Pure Gold that is!

What he didn't say was that he changed it for someone else's.

I know of that trick...more difficult nowadays when you don't get a 1000 mile new car service interval.

[Mr H Sceptre]

Playing a Lambchop cd in the living room

Lambchop rule

 

My cat Clarence cheers me up

[AXrescuer]

This cheered me up!

 

[Mr H Sceptre]

This makes me immensely happy:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wphWwW8npEY&feature=related

[Cavcraft]

I r approving of Clarence, cats rock a phat one.

 

On a pets related theme some stuff that makes me happy:

 

Fairly recently got into keeping marine fish after 'graduating' from cold water and tropical. Not easy to keep, expensive and easy to muck it up but find it fascinating...

I can haz crabs?

 

 

Marmite (now older and up the duff, due any time)...

 

Dave (Marmite's brother) the coolest cat EVAH...

 

Daisey/Tiddles...

 

Tom: Old, grump and always hungry-like his owner...

 

We also have to rabbits and two other fishtanks. Got to love animals, they give so much pleasure.

[AXrescuer]

This url made me chuckle!

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldne ... e-off.html

 

Not the content, just the address!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

This always makes me LOL even thought its well old.

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... 01&cc=5901

[Guest]

Here's some more happy things.

 

 

Eggcrate grilles - they're the best sort.

 

 

Wine red seats. Need more of this.

 

 

Also very light-coloured leather seats, none of this black leather nonsense.

 

 

The K-car platform and all its wonderful variants.

 

 

Driving past cooling towers! (also wind turbines and other unearthly industrial objects)

 

 

Colourcoded steel wheels on "service" vehicles (not just police cars).

 

 

Vans based around estate cars, in white with black bumpers/mirrors, no rubbing strips and blanking plates over nearly every interior switch.

 

 

Driving on a long trip and picking up radio stations I can't usually get.

 

 

Travel sweets. Bonus point if they're bought from a garden centre. Double points if they're rhubarb and custards. Triple points if they're those in the yellow bags that say "Half-pounders are great value".

[Mr Lobster]

More then? Oh, ok...

 

The Daily Mash. Ace, always good for a quick bit of LOLing

 

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk

 

 

Tea. I sometimes wish pubs served tea. In pints.

 

 

Tidying the garage. Something is very satisfying about tidying out the garage, empty everything out, throw some crap away, tidy shelves and all that (Not my garage btw, don't have a picture of mine so have a look at someone elses instead)

 

Tunnels. Even going through the Mersey tunnel seems a bit exciting

 

Cats. Mine are currently meowing for their tea. This amuses me greatly. No pic of mine on my photobucket account though...

[RedSparrow]

Cats are ace.So is a nice cup of tea.Fuck it, I have started smoking again 'cos it makes me happy.

[Mr H Sceptre]

Heavy industry

 

 

Experimental vehicles:

 

 

Only right to put up a piccy of my other cat, Claude

 

 

Deltic locomotives:

 

[pandamonium]

That is all.

[sporty-shite]

^That made me proper giggle. Love it!