Shite at the Vicarage: Toyota Duet and Nissan Figaro

[The Vicar]

On 9/14/2023 at 10:38 PM, Matty said:

@The Vicar did you see there was a javelin racing in the St Mary's trophy at goodwood this year?

Yes, saw that. A green one!

[The Vicar]

This has really piqued my interest:

[High Jetter]

Will it fit up the aisle?

[lesapandre]

10 hours ago, The Vicar said:

This has really piqued my interest:

Drive it before you buy it - they are an 'aquired' taste - particularly gearbox and brakes. But a huge and fantastic enthusiasts club. Looks fantastic.

[The Vicar]

On 9/21/2023 at 10:08 AM, lesapandre said:

Drive it before you buy it - they are an 'aquired' taste - particularly gearbox and brakes. But a huge and fantastic enthusiasts club. Looks fantastic.

I've spoken to a multitude of people about 30s Austins (either a 7 or a 10) and something that comes to mind each time is the fact that nobody has anything really glowing to say about them. The closest thing I've heard to a good word is exactly what you've said, that they're an acquired taste. I really need to try one. My issue is, I know if I went to view one and it wasn't a basket case, I'd just buy it anyway.

On a separate note, this, while still a long way out of my price range, is inching closer and closer in price to a number I would spend:

https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/citroen-traction-light-15-avant/34153359

[Matty]

19 minutes ago, The Vicar said:

I've spoken to a multitude of people about 30s Austins (either a 7 or a 10) and something that comes to mind each time is the fact that nobody has anything really glowing to say about them. The closest thing I've heard to a good word is exactly what you've said, that they're an acquired taste. I really need to try one. My issue is, I know if I went to view one and it wasn't a basket case, I'd just buy it anyway.

On a separate note, this, while still a long way out of my price range, is inching closer and closer in price to a number I would spend:

https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/citroen-traction-light-15-avant/34153359

Now everyone I've spoken to about these ( and bare in mind I know feck all about pre 60s cars) is that tractions are actually a good drive without needing to make exceptions for age and so on. And having seen a few in the flesh, they are impossibly sleek of styling for the period. Definatly would.

[lesapandre]

Huge following in France - much more so than the later DS. So parts are easy. What to check? Rust in the monocoque body and smokey engines and gearbox problems and driveshafts.

[lesapandre]

31 minutes ago, The Vicar said:

I've spoken to a multitude of people about 30s Austins (either a 7 or a 10) and something that comes to mind each time is the fact that nobody has anything really glowing to say about them. The closest thing I've heard to a good word is exactly what you've said, that they're an acquired taste. I really need to try one. My issue is, I know if I went to view one and it wasn't a basket case, I'd just buy it anyway.

On a separate note, this, while still a long way out of my price range, is inching closer and closer in price to a number I would spend:

https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/citroen-traction-light-15-avant/34153359

The Austin 7 club are so enthusiastic that if you go to a meet or track-meet - I think you'd get a ride or a even a drive.

[High Jetter]

4 hours ago, The Vicar said:

I've spoken to a multitude of people about 30s Austins (either a 7 or a 10) and something that comes to mind each time is the fact that nobody has anything really glowing to say about them. The closest thing I've heard to a good word is exactly what you've said, that they're an acquired taste. I really need to try one. My issue is, I know if I went to view one and it wasn't a basket case, I'd just buy it anyway.

On a separate note, this, while still a long way out of my price range, is inching closer and closer in price to a number I would spend:

https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/citroen-traction-light-15-avant/34153359

Would. Amen.

[The Vicar]

With the shite fleet now down to just the Micra, these two have caught my eye in the classifieds. Dunno why:

orange one is a 79 1500 and beige an 81 automatic with 20k miles 

[The Vicar]

Not much of an update to this thread recently as I’m back in Rome for a little while. It’s olive season here so we’ve had the mule out and working:

[Rocket88]

On 20/09/2023 at 22:55, The Vicar said:

This has really piqued my interest:

They’re catastrophically terrible to drive…. Especially if you’re a normal sized human being. Slow, cramped, and bordering on lethal in the brake department. 30 is about as fast as you’d want to go…. Did I mention the terrible steering?

[The Vicar]

Thread revival!

The garage has been whittled down to one lonesome Micra. I’ve had this for nearly 6 months now, and have done about 2k miles in that time (now on 61k). I thought about selling it during the week and even had a very good offer on it, but in the end I decided to keep it. It costs practically nothing to keep it taxed and insured for the year, so why bother getting rid? I enjoy jumping into it whenever I need to too. So it’s here to stay:

[JMotor]

That's really clean!

Plus what would replace it? Does "Car" very well. So totally worth keeping and looking after it.

[ETCHY]

1 hour ago, The Vicar said:

Thread revival!

The garage has been whittled down to one lonesome Micra. I’ve had this for nearly 6 months now, and have done about 2k miles in that time (now on 61k). I thought about selling it during the week and even had a very good offer on it, but in the end I decided to keep it. It costs practically nothing to keep it taxed and insured for the year, so why bother getting rid? I enjoy jumping into it whenever I need to too. So it’s here to stay:

That's lovely.

Great little cars. Willing eager, fun little things. 1.3's are quite brisk too.

[hairnet]

*waves chalice

so theres no aul shoite now??

 

[The Vicar]

On 28/01/2024 at 23:22, hairnet said:

*waves chalice

so theres no aul shoite now??

 

Not for the time being but I’m always on the look out..

[Stinkwheel]

On 22/09/2023 at 20:51, Matty said:

Now everyone I've spoken to about these ( and bare in mind I know feck all about pre 60s cars) is that tractions are actually a good drive without needing to make exceptions for age and so on. And having seen a few in the flesh, they are impossibly sleek of styling for the period. Definatly would.

This, in spades. Probably the only car of its looks/type that you could actually drive daily without worries and still be keeping up with traffic flow

[wuvvum]

My old Renault Novaquatre was surprisingly decent to drive for a pre-war car - certainly far ahead of any of the '30s British cars I've owned.  It was far more primitive than a Traction - ancient sidevalve engine, beam axles, RWD - but the ride was OK, with 2.4 litres and 48bhp it wasn't so slow as to be a liability, and the brakes were power assisted and better than most '60s cars.  Adequate room inside and a reasonable turning circle, which is often a weak point on pre-war cars.  You'd probably need to import one from France, but you could pick one up on your way home from Rome.  Cheaper than a Traction too.

[lesapandre]

Great looking cars these big late 30's Renaults. This is a Vivastella. This lovely car is unrestored - saw it last summer.

[wuvvum]

Vivastellas are the limo version.  Here's my old Nova:

The Celtaquatre is a similar style and more common, but I think those had the smaller 1.5-litre engine.  The good thing about the Nova is that with the big torquey engine and relatively tall gearing they'll hum along at 55-60 if you need them to.

[The Vicar]

Summer is upon us, my holiday time is booked, and I need a set of wheels. I’ve gone in a slightly different direction this year and bought this:

Its a 1 owner car with 10k miles on the clock, and has been off the road for ten years. Plan is to change the timing belt, give it a service, put 4 new tyres on it and send it for a test and let them tell me what it needs. 

Watch this space!

[The Vicar]

In other news the Micra passed another test last week, needing nothing doing of course. I bought it last year with 59k and it now reads 64k, and in 12 months of ownership the only expenditure has been fuel and tax. It’s a great “an car” as someone previously said to have lying around, whenever I’m back home on a flying visit I know it’s there and ready to be used whenever I need it.

[Matty]

21 minutes ago, The Vicar said:

Summer is upon us, my holiday time is booked, and I need a set of wheels. I’ve gone in a slightly different direction this year and bought this:

Its a 1 owner car with 10k miles on the clock, and has been off the road for ten years. Plan is to change the timing belt, give it a service, put 4 new tyres on it and send it for a test and let them tell me what it needs. 

Watch this space!

Looks a solid thing at first glance that. Is it that good?

[Wibble]

Forgive me Father but I must confess to my eyes straying to the Chevette in the corner😞

[The Vicar]

37 minutes ago, Matty said:

Looks a solid thing at first glance that. Is it that good?

There isn't so much as a hint of rust anywhere on it; its going to come up really nicely with a wash and polish..

[The Vicar]

33 minutes ago, Wibble said:

Forgive me Father but I must confess to my eyes straying to the Chevette in the corner😞

There were plenty of interesting cars around the place...but none more interesting than the Domino IMO 

[Wibble]

I can’t deny the Domino is a great find. Fingers crossed for the test and you’re soon enjoying it on the road.

[grogee]

What a lovely little thing! 'Domino' is a great name for a car, too. Can't remember when I last saw one. 

10k is incredibly low mileage. Do you know anything about its previous life? 

[hairnet]

uncle shay used to buy the irish car mag back in the day used to read it in the summer hollidays and there was always these and altos in it D

87 on kinda thing