"Ellie", the Sprite, my new summer fun classic.
Discussion
It's a good idea to take a step back in motoring every so often to remind yourself how much modern cars do for you. Recently I drove an open pre-war car with no synchromesh, no indicators, no heater and the accelerator in the middle. Woo, I felt exposed. And busy! The gearchange was the mirror image of the modern layout with first top right and fourth bottom left.
My late uncle reckoned you shouldn't be allowed to drive a car until you ridden a motorbike and shouldn't be allowed to ride a motorbike until you had ridden a pushbike. His theory was to give those insulated from reality by modern cars some idea of what was actually happening where the wheels meet the road.
When I stood and watched a girl blithely three wheeling her hot hatchback towards me along a bendy road I knew exactly what he meant. She didn't have a clue how near the limit she was. Her face was completely expressionless; as far as she was concerned she was just driving.
Yup, a Sprite will keep you in touch with reality. Actually, I think it should be made compulsory. Have a great time.
My late uncle reckoned you shouldn't be allowed to drive a car until you ridden a motorbike and shouldn't be allowed to ride a motorbike until you had ridden a pushbike. His theory was to give those insulated from reality by modern cars some idea of what was actually happening where the wheels meet the road.
When I stood and watched a girl blithely three wheeling her hot hatchback towards me along a bendy road I knew exactly what he meant. She didn't have a clue how near the limit she was. Her face was completely expressionless; as far as she was concerned she was just driving.
Yup, a Sprite will keep you in touch with reality. Actually, I think it should be made compulsory. Have a great time.
Meant to say...
One of my first cars was a Sprogeyed Fright and I do hanker after its simplicity every so often. I will have another; either a Frogeye or MkII. Thanks for bringing that ambition back into focus.
Mmmm, setting the tappets on an A-series. One of life's lesser known pleasures.
One of my first cars was a Sprogeyed Fright and I do hanker after its simplicity every so often. I will have another; either a Frogeye or MkII. Thanks for bringing that ambition back into focus.
Mmmm, setting the tappets on an A-series. One of life's lesser known pleasures.
I'm fairly well known for my love of Jaguars, but one day, as old age bites and 300+ horses get too much, I still hanker for the simplicity of my froggie and a slower life. Ah, 948cc, the sheer power and exhilaration - or so it seemed way back then when not only the cars but life itself was slower.
Thanks for the positive feedback!
"Ellie" is running a rebuilt 1275 engine, so is actually quite nippy. She underwent a mild restoration in 2006 and looking over her everything is very clean, no rust and solid underneath. I must admit it's quite a revelation driving it around the lanes, 30mph feels like 60 but you don't seem to rush as there is no need. I would recommend the experience to anyone when life now expects everyone to rush around at warp speed!!
Andy
"Ellie" is running a rebuilt 1275 engine, so is actually quite nippy. She underwent a mild restoration in 2006 and looking over her everything is very clean, no rust and solid underneath. I must admit it's quite a revelation driving it around the lanes, 30mph feels like 60 but you don't seem to rush as there is no need. I would recommend the experience to anyone when life now expects everyone to rush around at warp speed!!
Andy
A bigger steering wheel (original would have been 16") and having 145 size tyres on those lovely steel wheels will give you a much better feel to the steering and front end
Also bear in mind those wheels use inner tubes
You can forget the spare wheel in the boot and just have a foot pump - I've not carried a spare wheel only footpump and repair can for over 15 years and have only used the footpump three times and never the can and I used my classics daily and do Uk and European tours, just back from 1,300 miles round Wales in my Midget - with no spare wheel
B drivers faint
I'm on my second Spridget now
Also bear in mind those wheels use inner tubes
You can forget the spare wheel in the boot and just have a foot pump - I've not carried a spare wheel only footpump and repair can for over 15 years and have only used the footpump three times and never the can and I used my classics daily and do Uk and European tours, just back from 1,300 miles round Wales in my Midget - with no spare wheel
B drivers faintI'm on my second Spridget now
lowdrag said:
I'm fairly well known for my love of Jaguars, but one day, as old age bites and 300+ horses get too much, I still hanker for the simplicity of my froggie and a slower life. Ah, 948cc, the sheer power and exhilaration - or so it seemed way back then when not only the cars but life itself was slower.
And they were held in such high regard - lowdrag may remember this - that years before the Caterham 7 they were sold alongside the Lotus 7 by Caterham Cars.
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff