Small sports cars

[gtd2000]

No mention of the Datsun Fairlady/Roadster yet?

 

Interestingly this pre-dates the MG by one year - although most consider it to be a blatant copy

 

 

 

 

 

[Mr_Bo11ox]

 

Did you take this photo Wat? HA HA, only joking.

 

I always admire these things, they are such a neat design.

 

 

They just look the pefect size, layout, everything really. Not sure if I could put up with a transvers A series in 2010, but you could probably fit a 1.4 k series Mpi into the chassis alright which would just make the BEST CAR EVER for an early morning blast up over the A689 from Haydon bridge to Penrith.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Heres another that I have long admired:

 

 

Think these Nimbuses are a more modern (mid-80's) effort at a GTM coupe, with a mid-mounted A series. You occasionally see them on the bay looking shite. I think they have a pretty neat monocoque shell possibly with some kevlar reinforcement or something, I remember there being something space age about it anyway.

[nigel bickle]

Berkeley SE328

 

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Mildly modded with a Honda N600 engine/box (twin cylinder,air cooled - reliable...)and Fiesta running gear.

 

Its quick(ish)honest...

[Quintus]

I've always quite liked these

 

[Gompo]

I cant believe nobody has mentioned the Fulvia yet?? Gorgeous cars.

 

[seth]

Elva Courier.

 

My dad learnt to drive in one of those. I posted this link on R-R I think but not here. Unless it was the other way round? Anyway, some history of University guys messing with cars and bikes in the '60s

 

http://www.elva.com/news/20101002-twochitties.php

 

Lotus Elite for me please. Such a pretty shape.

 

 

I do also lust after four wheel Berkleys

 

Wankel NSU Spyder should surely be high up a shiter's list though.

 

 

[Justin Case]

Ahhhm, a gentle reminder, this is Autoshite

 

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Talking of Elites, did anyone see this 'Encore' Elite replica at the NEC? It was splendid, the dashboard was right and the whole lot lokoed the bees knees. The condition was 'used but healthy'. Check the colour-coded CVH.

 

[michiel]

Berkeley SE328

 

Excellent, more pics of Basil! How's he doing?

 

I'm reading the Brooklands Elite road test book, makes me really want one...

[messerschmitt owner]

Berkeley SE328

 

Excellent, more pics of Basil! How's he doing?

 

I'm reading the Brooklands Elite road test book, makes me really want one...

I've had se328s, and I prefer the B95 - hence why I still own one - the Berk is a cool car though (but obviously not if the airflow isn't right ...)

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

Excellent! One of my favourite subjects. Gotta agree with all your choices with the possible exception of the SS1. Even as a massive Reliant apologist I just can't get over how wrong they look... but then I've never been a huge fan of wedgie styling even when done well.

 

Anyway, I'd nominate the SOVAM range, Renault 4 based and GRP bodied French whotsits from the 60s. there is just something about the styling I really like, I think it's the fact that it's all a bit awkward and nothing seems to fit, yet somehow it all coheres quite well. The choice of powertrain also gives it some Shite kudos. Decide for yourself;

 

I have never seen one of these before. It looks like a tiny Marcos with Rolls-Royce front headlamps. Every detail on it is wrong, but put together it looks so right.

[pogweasel]

It looks like a Sceptre Mk1/2 rear screen, but the top is too 'bulbous'. I still do not know.

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

I have always had a strange but undeniably strong liking for these. Not necessarily a sports car, but certainly a coupe.

 

 

 

But would draw the line somewhere before this...

 

 

Everything has 'potential'

Zaporozhets

http://jalopnik.com/383463/hoon-of-the- ... ets-donuts

[Negative Creep]

Is that bottom one mounted on a Range Rover chassis!?

[barrett]

It looks like a Sceptre Mk1/2 rear screen, but the top is too 'bulbous'. I still do not know.

 

RENAULT FLORIDE!

I already said that on page one Mr.Pogoo.

 

 

Magnificant Rustbucket - I might be talking out my arse as usual, but isn't that second stilted car the Polski-Fiat 1100 coupe? If it is, then it's not supposed to look like that! It looks great in period photos, I'll have to find one in a minute to prove it.

 

That and the Ogar reminded me of the Anadol-based coupe, now that was a proper nice looking bit of kit. Would definitely want one of those at some point

[barrett]

See! Granted, it does need lowering, but it's still pretty fuggin cool

 

they did this one as well

 

aforementioned Anadol coupe

[Albert Ross]

I get the horn for these. I probably wouldn't fit in them, but I wouldn't fit in a GT40 either.

 

 

 

 

 

[boobydoo]

 

Matra M530 Sports...looks like something from a 1950s Sc-Fi B-Movie, but was actually made until 1973.

Never made in RHD, unfortunately.

Quite beautiful to my eyes.

[Albert Ross]

But seriously. What about one of these if you can find one you can load up without a dustpan and brush?

 

[barrett]

I get the horn for these. I probably wouldn't fit in them, but I wouldn't fit in a GT40 either.

 

I wouldn't say the Cisitalia is really a sports car, more a gran tourismo, and the Bizzas aint exactly small... but if you must insist on bending the rules, and if we are now in the realms of lottery winner bone fide classics, I may as well mention the single most beautiful car ever made...

 

ATS 2500GT

That's one 'proper' classic I'd rather have over a Tagora or whatever

[seth]

OOh, Yes please! Goodwood in '08

 

 

I loved the unrestored feel of the interior

 

 

and the door catch detail

 

[Tayne]

.

[garethj]

I have always had a strange but undeniably strong liking for these. Not necessarily a sports car, but certainly a coupe.

 

 

 

But would draw the line somewhere before this...

Fantastic, I'll have a pint of whatever you're drinking!

 

What the hell are they, by the way?

 

See! Granted, it does need lowering, but it's still pretty fuggin cool

 

they did this one as well

mmmmmm, they're a bit savoury

[dollywobbler]

That bottom one looks like it's trying really hard to be a Lotus Elite. And failing.

 

Suzuki Cappuccino is very high on my small-car wish list, but I adore this class of motor, so a Honda Beat (an MGF in miniature) and Mazda AZ-1 would also be prominent in my desires, and a Citroen Bijou - but with a proper engine please. I'd like to do more than 45mph in my sports car.

 

The Toyota Sera is nice - very peculiar to drive from a visibility point of view (because you can see so much) but otherwise a bit dull and Toyota-like. Similarly, Smart Roadsters look superb, but have always disappointed me from a driving point of view.

[messerschmitt owner]

Smart Roadsters look superb, but have always disappointed me from a driving point of view.

You have to get used to the gearbox - it's about reading the road properly and anticipation - making sure you're using the box and not letting the computer do it for you.

 

They also need a remap for extra zing. There are no complaints about my one ...

 

Other small sports cars I like include

the FMR Tg500 - awesome handling

Goggomobil TS400 - beautifully engineered microcar

Panhard Dyna Junior and various other Panhards

and Jowett Jupiters

[johnbaz]

Hi

 

Back in around 1972 (when i was fourteen years old), my dad was negotiating on a little kit car for me to 'do up' (more like play with!), it was called a ford special and based upon a ford pop E93a sidevalve (if my memory serves), it had been built but was standing in the back of a service station, my dad knew the chap that it belonged to but for some reason it didn't come to stay at ours

It was a small sports body but with a plywood floor, it probably did 0-60 in around 3.4 days, if it would reach 60 which is probably just within it's range as my dad had a proper sit up and beg where someone had written on the log book, "max speed 57 mph", when he tried it with foot flat down, it would go no faster that the 57 stated

 

Anthow, the only little car i have now is the Midget, it's still getting worked on and my goal to get it on the road and painted is July next year so that i can attend the Midget 50 gathering...

 

 

 

John

[eddyramrod]

Midget would have been one of my choices; it kind of has to be, seeing as I have an A-series saloon here in bits! The A40 was often described as a "Midget with a roof" apparently (most of the running gear is shared). Spitfire would have been on my list too, the obvious rival from within the same empire (but not when they were launched).

This one can be seen around Coral Bay, on the west coast of Cyprus.

I know someone in my local classic-car club who has a Scimitar SS1, with the Nissan engine, she's extremely pleased with it. Also has an S2000, both from new.

Why has nobody mentioned the Fiat Barchetta?

[Mr Lobster]

I'll probably never get to have on, but I'd love a CRX. A nice standard one in black would be perfect.

 

 

Also, a Simca CG Sport would be nice