Manky Monkey Motors

Saw this on the Basingstoke ring road this afternoon, being piloted by 2 young guys.
No idea what it was, but nice to see classics being used :)

A CAR   ???

It's a Morris  ;)

Oh really? Lovely looking little thing.
I love seeing them just being driven in normal traffic, rather than at a show. That's when I enjoy driving my truck most, just bimbling along in the traffic -when you do a lot of custom meetings you forget how much a hotrod or classic stands out amongst the hatchbacks & SUVs.

Morris Minor Duple Tourer . :)

"Duple" -what does that mean?

Duple were coach builders. Literally coach builders but they started off by making making "coach built" bodies for cars.
Early Duple cars could quickly be changed into a small van when needed, so were dual purpose, hence the name.

And towards the end they made the 425  coaches which were way ahead of the time  we ran them at boydons rear engined with Cummins L10 engines and a space framed chassis and body structure  in stainless  way far ahead of there time

Well I've learnt something new today :)
Finally some warm sunshine here today. I spotted the first sports car of Spring. One of my customers had his Maclaren out this morning.

And a big ol' Rolls Royce.
That number plate's probably worth more than my car.

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Skip it its ugly

That numbers probably worth 10 or more of your car Andy.

 ;D

 ;D
Yep, at last some nice weather. Had the roof down on the MX5 (trying to dry it out) and also took the trike out.
 It's about time.

Getting back to “Oldies out and about”.....................

There should be a fair few taking to our roads on Sunday 22nd as its the now annual Federation of British Historical Vehicle Clubs 2018 'Drive It Day'.

http://www.mankymonkeymotors.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=16636.0

Another of my customers this morning.

Continuing the rear engined theme, this nice Porcshe was lurking among the stalls in the Basingstoke market this afternoon.
Not sure why it was wearing a tea towel on it's head though.

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Proper 911, not one of those turbo nutter b****** fat arched things that everybody seems to love.

I totally agree Chris. The whale tail jobbies are nice enough, but I prefer something more subtle & understated.

I had a look when going past and it’s a 912. Still nice cars, the M.D. at work has one amongst a couple of other nice toys

I didn't know they went in consecutive numbers like that, in typically efficient German fashion. 911, 912. Is that the number of models they've made?

different models - 912 is the same body, but essentially runs a vw camper engine in 2 litre format, so end up being less desirable, but more affordable than the 911's

Interesting. Didn't know that.

Nice old Volvo Amazon & a collection of decaying motors at opposite ends of the same street in Fleet, Hampshire this evening.

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Bet the neighbours love them.  :)

Just what I thought :)

Spotted today resting in the sunshine. Never noticed this Riley before so perhaps a visitor. From a distance I thought the grill had extra metal on it but when I got closer I could see it was a felt grill cover.

Very nice. Shouldn't think he needed the cover in today's heat!

Mrs Stinkeys Favourite car.. 8)

My old science teacher had one, we used to clean it for him. His take was " when you grow up educated, you can have a car like this boy" Failed on both counts then  ;D ;D

Another Armstrong Siddeley belonging to one of my Postal customers. Gorgeous.

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They are a beautiful shape aren't they.

Very elegant.

What on earth happen to car design, there's no creativity any more 

I know what you mean. Did you spot Andy Saunders design at Beaulieu, using a Peugeot. Really beautiful, very curvaceous. Chevy Rick posted these pics.

Metropolis:

https://i.imgur.com/3pkrU64.jpg
 (https://i.imgur.com/3pkrU64.jpg)

https://i.imgur.com/FSwb1e8.jpg
 (https://i.imgur.com/FSwb1e8.jpg)

Breath takingly beautiful Bentley outside a local pub in Kingsclere, Hampshire this evening.

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Is that about 1920s? It really is something.  8)

Bet that knocked the owner back a penny or two.

Getting ready to be "out & about"............

A similar-era Bentley undergoing work at my pal Chris’ business Bespoke Bodywork in Church Crookham.

He & Dan have made up a wooden former for the mudguard which will then allow them to craft the metalwork into the lovely flowing lines of a Tourer.

Pure talented artwork.

http://www.mankymonkeymotors.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=15105.0

interesting that! 8)

Cheers Tony, as I hadn't seen that thread.

Sorta qualifies as an oldie out & about.
I deliver to a car trader, who often brings home the more interesting stuff. His taste is a bit naff -lots of modern Mustangs, PT cruisers, modern "hemi" pick-ups etc, plus stretch limos & the like.
This 90s style street rodded Ford truck was on the drive this morning. Not my taste at all, but nice workmanship.

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Out for an evening walk in the Hampshire hills & this chap's just gone trundling by. If you've got it, use it :)

Half past 10 at night. I've just got back to my car after a long stroll across the downs. Stood admiring the night sky & tractor guy's just trundled past again.
That's proper hardcore vintage tractoring :)

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This 90s style street rodded Ford truck was on the drive this morning

That Ford truck, is a Chevrolet 3100 pre 50s Thriftmaster, the same as mine.

D'oh!

Easy enough mistake to make.

Well if anybody should know a Chevy ...  :D

Andy, the side view of the truck made me think of ice-cream. Must be the colours.

Lovely sunset to enjoy.

Perhaps that chappie on the tractor just goes around and around. That could have been his 20th lap while you were strolling on the downs! Maybe he is doing it to:

a) get away from the football or

b) get away from his wife.  ;D

He looked very happy trundling up & down the hill. Happiness is apparently a little grey Fergie :)

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New lands Corner in the Surrey hills this afternoon. A meeting spot for bikers -big carpark, nice cafe & great views.

This 1980s XS750 Yam' triple arrived while I was there. I've owned a couple of these & always liked them. Don't see too many with sidecars & leading link forks though.

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Yeah, I shake my luxurient locks out like that as I take off my crash helmet too  :-*

You could if you wanted too,unlike some of us  :'(

Here is an oldie from the late 40s early 50s out and about in the 1950s.

On top of the car are the wheels for the Silver Cross carriage pram that myself, my two brothers and my sister had as transport for our early years. Neither of us girls are born yet. The pram at this point belonged to my brother who is now 61 yrs old. The body of the pram is in the back, probably with my very squashed older brother next to it.  :D

My Mum thinks it was a Humber Hawk. I can't tell. It is hard to judge its length, as the original photo misses off a bit of the front of the car but going by the front wheel placement it does seem long. So is it, or could it be a Snipe or is it something else?  ???

Answers on a postcard please.

(http://i67.tinypic.com/30if4h4.jpg)

Rover P3? (seen at the Clandon Park classic show yesterday).
Whatever it is, it's fabulous!

Great pic..does it seem that some of us had a more colourful life although it was black and white ?

A couple snaps from Bespoke Bodywork to show how the Bentley's progressing.

Check out the quality of the finish by looking at the reflection on the part of the wing nearest the bonnet.......

That is rather lovely isn't it.

Love that curve.

Jenson Interceptor on my delivery today.
Did they have the louvred bonnet as standard?

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Lovely little Austin A35, (or is it an A40? What's the difference?), pulled up outside the shops at the end of my street this afternoon. Two lads in their 20s in it.
Lovely -it brightened my day :)

A35................

Ooo, wasn't there an a30 with non opening boot? How can you be sure morrag?

As a young man I coveted a Jenson..and spent many times riding around in a black A35 ( it said it on the tin ::))  scaring people with the loud backfire bangs it made when turning the ignition off and on  :D
Those two cars both look lovely

The main visual difference between an A30 and an A35 was the rear window size,the A30 being  smaller. I think the car with the non opening boot was the Standard 8 of the same era.

The pre Farina A40 was more bulbous in shape. Think of the Austin J40 pedal car. Always wanted a J40 to do up, but even in rough condition the go for silly money.

Easy(ish) guide to identify  the late 60's /early '70's Jensens.

Jensen also had an Interceptor back in the 1950’s, but 1967 sees a new model Interceptor, starting with the Interceptor I.

From 1969 – 1976 there was the Jensen Interceptor II and III running a 6276/7221cc V8. Single vents behind the front wheel, no louvres in bonnet.

From 69 – ’71 Jensen FF (Ferguson formula) four wheel drive, with a 4” longer wheelbase, 6276cc V8 . Easy way to identify is that it has a pair of vents behind the front wheel, no louvres in bonnet.

From ’71 – ’73 there was the Jensen SP with the 7212cc V8, and this is the model with the louvres in the bonnet.

From  ’74 – ’76 the Jensen Coupe, 7212cc was also available.

 ;)

Racing A30s & A35s

http://www.hrdc.eu/academy.html

http://www.moto-build.com/academy_mbr.html

A40 ish  ;D

Nice.

Right! this time I hope this works - been trying to post these pics for ages but the technology keeps beating me.  It's a Bentley I think?  It was at a local garden centre.

Very nice!

As mentioned, A30 had a small flat rear screen, whereas A35, had a larger, curved 'jobbie'. Also correct re. Standard 8, similar in look, but no opening boot, rear seats folded down for access, I had both back in the day, at different times.....Morrag

At the recent Stoke Hill steam rally.

Sold my A30 (Nellie) not long ago. Still got lots of bits and pieces to sell that I collected along the way, including a brand new visor.

Here's a bit of Nellie. You can see how small the window is, that's if the snake doesn't put you off!

Aha. You sneaky thing Andy, you posted that very informative pic while I was typing this post.  :P

Austin A40 Somerset.

Isn't that A40 a cracker, who said we couldn't make sought after motors back in the day, affording them? well that was something else ??? ???

my big, elder, brother had an Atlantic convertible, huge black thing. Handled like a bus too.
 

I know, but talk about making a "statement" :D :D

You just want to get in it on a sunny day and drive. Looks in very good condition. Lovely.   8)

Lovely bull nosed Morris outside Sainsbury's in Cheltenham this afternoon.

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Not Waitrose? Surely a classy car like that deserves Waitrose.  :) 

That's nice

Cheltenham wasn't as classy as I expected at all. I'd been to the vintage sports car club hill climb at Prescott Hill & was on my way home. I thought there'd be lots of nice Georgian architecture to look at, like Bath, but all I found was a very soulless, dismal town centre.
Saw this on my way out of town.

Depends which part you drive through - I was there a couple of weeks ago heading to a VW show on the racecourse, and I saw some lovely buildings!

I don't like Cheltenham 

2 completely unconnected oldies in the space of 5 minutes in my local Halfords carpark this afternoon.
First was what I assumed was a Lancia.
It's actually a "Bitter". A mid 80s German car. Never heard of them before. 3.9 litre automatic. One of only 30 right hand drive ones imported into Britain. Only 10 still on the road over here.

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Then as I came back out of the shop this '53 Chevy pulled in. I don't think I've seen it before, but it's local. The owner's a member of newly formed club The Booze Cruisers, or Boozingstoke Cruisers, not sure which. A bit cliche rockabilly for me -they're all flat caps & turn-ups, but nice enough. He's recently sold his Pop -I thought I was the only one in Basingstoke! :)

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Saw this gorgeous Austin Maestro this afternoon, just around the corner from me. It had several Cornwall stickers in the windows.
I've owned 2 of these, both this same red, & loved them. Really spacious, comfortable cars to drive.
Unfortunately 1 was written off when I hit a milkfloat, (no, I wasn't racing it), & the other was written off when I hit a Badger -it didn't do the Badger much good either.
Maybe not a classic -yet, but when was the last time you saw one? Made my day :)

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They have actually been designated as a 'Modern Classic' by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs.  I loved my Maestro and would have kept if I'd had room to keep another vehicle that wasn't roadworthy (it was having carburettor problems which are difficult to solve because the carbs aren't available or weren't when I had mine.).

A mate of mine used to run one and had another in bits in his garage. He would swap all the MOT failure parts to get it through, and then take them off again and put them back in storage. It passed for years! I suggested he kept the good parts on and refurbish the parts he'd removed. I was met with the words 'don't be so bloody stupid'. ::)

He stripped the car in his back yard, then cut the body in 2 to get it on his trailer to take to the scrap yard.

Me out and about ? ::) ;D well I am an oldie ?

:) When I was a teenager I had a 650 Triumph Bonneville. A mate who lived in the next street had a 650 BSA. Apart from the engines they were virtually identical. They never seemed to both be on the road at the same time, so we often swapped wheels, fuel tanks, lights etc.

I had one too but I did think mind was more rounded on the hatchback. Did the models vary much? It is a while back. We had to leave it at our old house in Wales when we moved. It wasn't brilliant when it was left there but months later, after we sold the house, my nephew opened the doors, let out the rainwater and drove the very mouldy car to the scrap yard. Shame because while she was used all the while, she was a great drive. 

No there was only one body shape for the Maestro, just the level of trim varied according to whether it was an Austin or an MG.

I worked in an British Leyland garage, and one of the cars we used as a run around was a MG Montego. Really only a Maestro with a boot. But this one was the Turbo version,should have seen the face's of the boy racers around Reading when this family saloon beat them away from the lights. ;D ;D ;D

My mother in law had a 1300 maestro, we used to joke about having to disguise ourselves if we drove it.
Whilst saying this, I thought it was a really solid car to drive, way better than the later rover 25/200 (the early 200 based on the shared honda concerto platform was pretty good).
Once you sussed out where the light switch was hidden the maestro was a fun drive.

I don't remember that?

Saw all these in Christchurch, Dorset today.

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ooooh, I do love a gypsy, not as old as mine though

:)

Mines older again, aircooled  ;D

(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s336/dr-big750/Yellow%20Dubmachine/054_zps7838c01f.jpg) (http://s509.photobucket.com/user/dr-big750/media/Yellow%20Dubmachine/054_zps7838c01f.jpg.html)

:) Can anyone beat that?

oooh, I do like an aircooled - CT or CU ?

Came to me with a ct 1600 but was under powered so I fitted a 1.9 diesel, from my old golf that got written off.

Still underpowered then?

It's not bad, after adjusting the fuel screw to give a small amount more fuel, and adjusting the govenor it pulls like a train and does not smoke.
Can cruise at 65 or 70 no problem, and loads of torque which the aircooled lacked.

Dorset ..the land time forgot? ::)

Triumph ...Toledo?
I learnt to drive in a Toledo but this looks a bit bigger than I remember. Belongs to a guy doing some local garden work.

You most likely learnt in the later ones which came out in the 70s ? My boss had a new one,mustard yellow  :-\

Yeah I learnt in about '79/80.

2000

Ohhh, explain the governor bit..  I'm about to turn the fuel up on my current 1Y lump

Pm'd you.

Nice little Mini Clubman belongs to the same guy as the Triumph 1200 & regularly hauls a trailer full of gardening equipment.

Little red Corvette belongs to a customer on my Postal delivery. He was busy polishing it for the Teddy Bear toy run in Sussex tomorrow. He also owns a Cadillac.

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  :-* :-*

He must be in HUGE dept ? :D

Lunatic's recently acquired '54 Chevy, outside his workshop this afternoon.
It used to belong to Scottie the Hotrod haulier & runs a 2 litre diesel taxi engine.
It's definitely in need of some TLC, but Loon has big plans for it. I'm hoping to hitch a lift in it down to the Boxing Day classic meet in Romsey, Hants in a couple of weeks time.

Spotted this lovely RE (Royal Enfield), dating from around 1930 parked up in this morning’s 1 degree chill, the engine steaming from the drizzle, with the owner supping a cuppa, getting some warmth back in.

The owner had recently bought it from the previous owner, and said he'd only just got back on the road. The last time it was on the road was around 1953 according to the tax disc.

Brrrrr

That's gorgeous!
Lovely to see oldies still in use.

One of my customers on my Postal delivery had this parked on his driveway this morning. He bought it in Devon a couple of weeks ago. Runs a Camaro engine & front suspension/steering with air bagged rear.

If it’s the same one I was looking at on eBay, it was serious money.

21 grand. It didn't sell so he made an offer. Door locks don't work & it's had a cheap paintjob, but looked solid enough.

Not as bad as it was up for, but still a chunk of change.

A new paintjob would be good anyway - I don't think the orange suits it.  It takes away fron seeing the truck itself.

What colour do you reckon Bobbi?

Though not a std. Chevy commercial colour Matador Red looks good on the 57 or from the std colours, Oriental Green (close to a certain Pop colour).

Green! Everything should be green! :)

Something like this - not dark blue or light blue......

Not just any green, but “purest green”   ;D

:)

Another Postal customer working on his mid 70s MG.

Lovely condition Moggy Minor in Dorset this afternoon.

The definition of “Oldie”,  “Vintage”, “Veteran”, “Classic” and “Historic” seems to mean different things to different folks, so lets add some numbers and see what’s out there.


If the definition of old is around 80+ years, then the following may be of interest.

The SMCC / Sunbeam Motorcycle Club (for pre-war bikes from any manufacturer), and the VSCC / Vintage Sports Car Club.
Both have social and motoring calendars as can be found via the links, below.



The VSCC / Vintage Sports Car Club is principally for pre-1931 cars, but also includes events for post-vintage (1931 – 1941) cars, and some specialist slightly more modern cars.
https://www.vscc.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/VintageSportsCarClub


If you want older still, then the SMCC have a couple of events for motorcycles that are all pre-1915, that’s at least 105 years old.
2019 Pioneer Run Sunday March 24th
2019 Summer Pioneer Run Sunday 25th August

http://sunbeam-mcc.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/SunbeamMotorCycleClub/
http://www.mankymonkeymotors.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=17020.0
http://www.mankymonkeymotors.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=17021.0
http://sunbeam-mcc.co.uk/events/the-pioneer-run/




...and even older still, the veteran car run from London to Brighton is for pre-1905 vehicles, so they’re at least 115 years of age!
2019’s run is Sunday 3rd November

https://www.veterancarrun.com/home
http://www.mankymonkeymotors.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=17020.0


VSCC
https://www.vscc.co.uk/



The FBHVC / Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs may be worth exploring in respect to the political (small p) aspect of owning/using historic vehicles..

http://fbhvc.co.uk/

Useful info Tony.   :)

When I had my Maestro and belonged to the Maestro and Montego Owners Club, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs designated the Maestro as a "Modern Classic".

Nice Beetle cabriolet in Christchurch, Dorset this afternoon.

In other words it was an old car, in modern times...
10 years earlier it would have been a design masterpiece...
Drove ok though.

Guess who’s been on youtube....................  ::)

Found this 1976 ‘documentary’ when the 'oldies' were at the scrap yard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spIjeuoL8rY



Footage from days gone by...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZJ8Xmm0cXA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtJa8F7NmcI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOiUWaNicws

Proper cars :)
I'm watching a box set of The Sweeney at the moment. So many great vehicles!

One of my customers had one of his pair of Armstrong Siddleys out today.
Lovely, lovely cars.

Hope he didn't get them cold? ::)

I've been watching a few progs or films lately where it's been an added bonus looking at the cars.

On the  Syfy UK channel there is currently the remake of Project Blue Book. The cars are just great. Late 40s and 50s cars. I loved the original project blue book. This one is okay but the cars and the clothes really add to it.

I've watched all the series so far of Endeavour (I only got into it recently). The prog about Endeavour Morse's early days in the police. 60s cars. Not as exciting as above though. Would love to know what the car was that Charlie Thursday (played brilliantly by Phil Daniels of Parklife, and Quadrophenia fame) visited his brother in. Looked flash. The episode was the Cartouche (series 5 episode 2). Searched for info but I can't find out.

JJ  :)

I've just bought series 6 on DVD.

Think you'll find it is a 1962 Dodge Dart (440?) with some wider-than-stock wheels.

Cheers Tony for that.  8)
I tried all that I could think of in Google. Even found a site where someone records all the cars in each episode but this episode wasn't covered. Great clip too. Sorry I hadn't thanked you earlier but I haven't been on MMM for a while.
JJ   :)