Your most memorable test drives
Discussion
I think my most memorable test drive was when going to look at a Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 that was being sold as the chap was slimming down his collection of Mercedes. His father had recently passed away. He also had a lovely 600 SWB in gunmetal grey. I liked the 6.3 but the 600 just looked magnificent. Would you like a drive, I just need to put some fuel in it. He reverses it out of his garage (more like a very large workshop adjoined to his house). Stops at the bottom of his drive. gets out. Opens a wooden door on one of the gate pillars and low and behold he has his own petrol pump. How cool is that.
He took me and the missus out in the 600 and then suggested I ought to have a drive. What a car. Its pace for such a large car was quite incredible and it shrank with speed. Handling was very impressive. You could barrel it through a roundabout and have the tail sliding on the way out. I was gobsmacked buy its ability, its technology and its presence and yet first built in 1963. A Shadow 11 is a lowly barge in comparison. Admittedly I bottled out on the eye watering repair costs of the 600 and bought the 6.3.
The 600 SWB will always be a car I would love to own when I win the lottery. My other half nicknamed it the death car after Martin related the story of an unfortunate chauffeur that lent over the boot lid whilst pulling the hydraulic boot release. The boot lid snapped open hitting him under the chin and breaking his neck.
He took me and the missus out in the 600 and then suggested I ought to have a drive. What a car. Its pace for such a large car was quite incredible and it shrank with speed. Handling was very impressive. You could barrel it through a roundabout and have the tail sliding on the way out. I was gobsmacked buy its ability, its technology and its presence and yet first built in 1963. A Shadow 11 is a lowly barge in comparison. Admittedly I bottled out on the eye watering repair costs of the 600 and bought the 6.3.
The 600 SWB will always be a car I would love to own when I win the lottery. My other half nicknamed it the death car after Martin related the story of an unfortunate chauffeur that lent over the boot lid whilst pulling the hydraulic boot release. The boot lid snapped open hitting him under the chin and breaking his neck.
David Sutton's Quattro Sport. I was shown round the 'garage' at Historic Motorsport then David said he had to pop home for something and to come along. We drove along lanes to his house then went to the village pub for a sandwich. He threw the keys to me and said "Drive us back!"
We'd never met before, he had no idea whether I could drive such a beast - it was on hand-cut slicks and the lanes were damp. I must have made a complete berk of myself trying so hard not to bin it whilst he chatted away. After we got back to Daventry he smiled and said "Bit of a handful, isn't it?"
We'd never met before, he had no idea whether I could drive such a beast - it was on hand-cut slicks and the lanes were damp. I must have made a complete berk of myself trying so hard not to bin it whilst he chatted away. After we got back to Daventry he smiled and said "Bit of a handful, isn't it?"
A Brabus Merc SL V12 - but not for the the reason one might think perhaps. The car was on european plates and when taken for a test drive (in the UK) the owner accordingly didn't concern himself about speed cameras, so was seriously 'unrestricted' in terms of speed. Oh and yes he apologised that he would have to 'take it easy' as he had had a 'blow-out' and it was on a space saver type tyre. Anyway it didn't stop him hitting 140mph! - But the car was unforgettable in a 'forgettable' way! - so accomplished, so comfortable, so quiet, so boringly like a standard Merc inside despite the upgraded upholstery - in fact the car was just boring, full stop, no sense of adventure using it!
A Bentley Continental R I test drove four years ago. It blew me away. Stupidly, I didn't buy it because the guy didn't seem interested in haggling and I didn't want to offend him, but I found out later he let it go for at least 3k less than I offered.
Anyway, we were in traffic during the drive when I spotted, coming the other way in her private-plated Disco, I girl I used to know. I was desperate to attract her attention so I could say 'look what I'm driving' but she didn't see me. Now that's what I call frustration...
Anyway, we were in traffic during the drive when I spotted, coming the other way in her private-plated Disco, I girl I used to know. I was desperate to attract her attention so I could say 'look what I'm driving' but she didn't see me. Now that's what I call frustration...
I always fancied a Virage Volante.
Found one for sale up in Glasgow, booked a baby sitter for the day, flew the Mrs & I up to see it. Drove 200 yards up the road and knew I didn't want to own it. Gutted.
One day I'll try one of the Vantage engined ones and see whether can rekindle the lust.
Found one for sale up in Glasgow, booked a baby sitter for the day, flew the Mrs & I up to see it. Drove 200 yards up the road and knew I didn't want to own it. Gutted.
One day I'll try one of the Vantage engined ones and see whether can rekindle the lust.
roscobbc said:
A Brabus Merc SL V12 - but not for the the reason one might think perhaps. The car was on european plates and when taken for a test drive (in the UK) the owner accordingly didn't concern himself about speed cameras, so was seriously 'unrestricted' in terms of speed. Oh and yes he apologised that he would have to 'take it easy' as he had had a 'blow-out' and it was on a space saver type tyre. Anyway it didn't stop him hitting 140mph! - But the car was unforgettable in a 'forgettable' way! - so accomplished, so comfortable, so quiet, so boringly like a standard Merc inside despite the upgraded upholstery - in fact the car was just boring, full stop, no sense of adventure using it!
I know what you mean. I owned a 1996 Brabus S Class with the 7.3S engine. It only got interesting once you hit 150mph on the drive back through Germany. If I lived in Germany I'd still own it. Porsche 959 without a doubt. I had to push for it though. It was at a dealer in Kent in 1999. I was buying a modern road Porsche and it was for sale with the same dealer. We struck a deal on mine and as I handed over my card I told him (with a wink) that I'd only go through with it if I could have a drive of the 959 
He thought about it for about 10 seconds and turned around to put his coat back on. We took it out for a good 30 minutes and it was completely astonishing. I had about 20 minutes behind the wheel, all on fast open NSL country roads. I've no idea what I got it up to (too busy actually concentrating) but the dealer knocked on 150 once or twice. Best day car shopping ever.
He thought about it for about 10 seconds and turned around to put his coat back on. We took it out for a good 30 minutes and it was completely astonishing. I had about 20 minutes behind the wheel, all on fast open NSL country roads. I've no idea what I got it up to (too busy actually concentrating) but the dealer knocked on 150 once or twice. Best day car shopping ever.
A test drive which really stands out for me. Beautiful sunny day. Gave a mate a lift to pick up his new TR6 only to find the dealer had discovered a a few niggles which they were still putting right and it would take most of the day. Driven 120 miles to get there so we weren't a about turn round. The dealer said take a couple of cars out while you wait. So we did 
Dealer was in the Cotswolds so some stunning scenery and roads.
A Facel Vega HK500. A thing of utter beauty and surprisingly easy to drive for an early 60's car.
ISO Griffo. Great noise and great styling and straight line speed but surprisingly difficult to drive compared to the HK.
Dealer was in the Cotswolds so some stunning scenery and roads.A Facel Vega HK500. A thing of utter beauty and surprisingly easy to drive for an early 60's car.
ISO Griffo. Great noise and great styling and straight line speed but surprisingly difficult to drive compared to the HK.
I was in the motor trade in the 1980's selling Jaguar and I once I drove a Lister Jaguar 7 litre XJS with a manual gearbox in about 1989. It was so fast with a wonderful refined howling bellow from the exhausts, touched 160 mph on a main road but then thought I better slow down, the car was still pulling. A very fast car even now but especially so in period, a lot faster in acceleration than a Ferrari Boxer 512 that I drove at around the same time. At Mann Egerton we also had the Lotus franchise within the group and I also remember how fast and good the Esprit V8’s were to drive.
two
first , went from Essex to arse end of wales to drive a chimera with speed six conversion and respray into trophy blue.
On the test drive it kept dying. i knew it was the fuel pump and the guy was frustrated as he had spent all week getting it ready.
I (having owned a few TVR's) wasnt bothered and offered him the asking price minus the 100 quid for a new fuel pump - it was a great price.
He refused stating he wouldnt take less than the asking- I looked at him and said it will cost you more than 100 quid to have it replaced!!!!
he refused to budge so I left minus a car and an 8 hour train journey home.
Second- the Porsche 911 I bought recently off ebay.
Went to the guys lock up and wow-
a couple of ferraris, a few porsches, couple bentleys inc continental GT, a bespoke Escort MKII with a cossie turbo engine, TVR chimera, Range rovers, and the most amazing fully restored Comitti boat. - The refurb cost nearly 200k alone!!!!
first , went from Essex to arse end of wales to drive a chimera with speed six conversion and respray into trophy blue.
On the test drive it kept dying. i knew it was the fuel pump and the guy was frustrated as he had spent all week getting it ready.
I (having owned a few TVR's) wasnt bothered and offered him the asking price minus the 100 quid for a new fuel pump - it was a great price.
He refused stating he wouldnt take less than the asking- I looked at him and said it will cost you more than 100 quid to have it replaced!!!!
he refused to budge so I left minus a car and an 8 hour train journey home.
Second- the Porsche 911 I bought recently off ebay.
Went to the guys lock up and wow-
a couple of ferraris, a few porsches, couple bentleys inc continental GT, a bespoke Escort MKII with a cossie turbo engine, TVR chimera, Range rovers, and the most amazing fully restored Comitti boat. - The refurb cost nearly 200k alone!!!!
When I tested my 400c.i. Bristol we managed to run out of fuel and coast to a halt across a driveway. As it was far too heavy to push, the seller wandered off to fetch a can of fuel. Moments later Pam Eyres (she of the dodgy poetry) appeared in the drive wanting to go out. On explaining the situation she promptly stuck her car in 4wd and went out across the ditch and grass verge...
Test drove a 1926 Delage limo, all seemed fine until the rear offside wheel came off! Luckily the commission based dealer was at the wheel at the time of this mishap. Damaged the rear of the car fairly significantly as we were moving along at about 20mph at the time, could have been worse as we had been bowling along at 40mph just a few minutes earlier.
No I declined the purchase.
No I declined the purchase.
Just Where Do I start ??? Just so many .
Ok, not in date order but the Black Bubble arched Escort Twin Cam in Twickenham circa 1983, then the first 3.0 CSL that I rode in , a rusty but very quick Polaris Silver car , courtesy of Corry BMW , circa 1985 ( i can still vividly see and hear him as he screamed / puled up outside Harrow Tube Stn. Should have bought that CSL !
Then KJU 736L , a Fjord Blue 3.0 CSL in Reading 1986 ish.
Then in 1983 , a ride in Paradigm Enginerings Race TR 6, god that red 6 was quick !!
Then July 2001 , Sarasota Florida, the So Original , 69 Daytona Yellow Stingray that bought and I shipped back to Essex ( God I Still miss that car so much )
Then August 2007 and a 96 Griff 500....... F me, so fast , my eyes bled....I bought it on the spot !!
Ok, not in date order but the Black Bubble arched Escort Twin Cam in Twickenham circa 1983, then the first 3.0 CSL that I rode in , a rusty but very quick Polaris Silver car , courtesy of Corry BMW , circa 1985 ( i can still vividly see and hear him as he screamed / puled up outside Harrow Tube Stn. Should have bought that CSL !
Then KJU 736L , a Fjord Blue 3.0 CSL in Reading 1986 ish.
Then in 1983 , a ride in Paradigm Enginerings Race TR 6, god that red 6 was quick !!
Then July 2001 , Sarasota Florida, the So Original , 69 Daytona Yellow Stingray that bought and I shipped back to Essex ( God I Still miss that car so much )
Then August 2007 and a 96 Griff 500....... F me, so fast , my eyes bled....I bought it on the spot !!
458 last year in Swindon. 3 miles, pulled by police , who then blamed salesman for telling me to 'boot it', which he did. Got away with it, how I will never know.
Was with a friend who te drove a 928 at Porshe UK meet in early 90's near Abergavenney. He put I through a fence and rolled it twice. All out ok, 928 ended up as exhibit in Reading as example of how strong the car was. Pics on the web somewhere.
Was with a friend who te drove a 928 at Porshe UK meet in early 90's near Abergavenney. He put I through a fence and rolled it twice. All out ok, 928 ended up as exhibit in Reading as example of how strong the car was. Pics on the web somewhere.
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