Quote from: killnoizer on January 06, 2023, 10:15:45 PMPut the first generation of the Renault Twingo to the selection,

The first Twingo was a clever car - had one (1st generation, just when they came out in the Nineties) for seven years and loved it for its versatility and simplicity. I really liked that the first ones had only one engine, a few (ugly) colors to chose from,and almost no options. Just the huge manual sun roof and/or an air conditioning. The early engine was lethargic and vintage, but reliable, and the wheels on the outmost corners of the hull gave it a surpiringly good handling (mine had wider wheels, though).

This boldness for simplicity is far out of reach these days - they rather sell you cars with tons of gadgets extras, but keep them behind a paywall and let you pay extra fees for using them. WTF?!

Quote from: NARSES2 on January 08, 2023, 01:15:26 AMMine and Jan's first car (She drove it, I paid for it, so it was ours  ) was an old Ford Thames van and it was surprising how many people you could get in the back of that 

I used to run a Mk 1 Bedford CF van in the late 70s, which a Triumph 2.5 litre PI engine in the back (It's a long story....) and I had a 3 piece suite in there too, arranged around the engine cover. It was a sort of mobile party.................. 

Quote from: PR19_Kit on January 08, 2023, 09:17:05 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on January 08, 2023, 01:15:26 AMMine and Jan's first car (She drove it, I paid for it, so it was ours  ) was an old Ford Thames van and it was surprising how many people you could get in the back of that 

I used to run a Mk 1 Bedford CF van in the late 70s, which a Triumph 2.5 litre PI engine in the back (It's a long story....) and I had a 3 piece suite in there too, arranged around the engine cover. It was a sort of mobile party.................. 

My aunty Maggie (no relation, just my Mum's best friend) used to take us all shopping in an Escort van.  Before the seatbelt laws came in, all us kids used to rattle around in the back on a thin mattress. We shared the space with a shopping trolley that she'd bought when a local shop sold up. You'd be arrested these days! 

Quote from: Mossie on January 15, 2023, 01:21:40 PM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on January 08, 2023, 09:17:05 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on January 08, 2023, 01:15:26 AMMine and Jan's first car (She drove it, I paid for it, so it was ours  ) was an old Ford Thames van and it was surprising how many people you could get in the back of that 

I used to run a Mk 1 Bedford CF van in the late 70s, which a Triumph 2.5 litre PI engine in the back (It's a long story....) and I had a 3 piece suite in there too, arranged around the engine cover. It was a sort of mobile party.................. 

My aunty Maggie (no relation, just my Mum's best friend) used to take us all shopping in an Escort van.  Before the seatbelt laws came in, all us kids used to rattle around in the back on a thin mattress. We shared the space with a shopping trolley that she'd bought when a local shop sold up. You'd be arrested these days! 

Been there, done that in my father's 80 something Chevy van, and before on road trips in Mom's 245 wagon/estate.  Its a wonder how any of us old enough to predate mandatory seatbelt laws survived to adulthood

Quote from: PR19_Kit on January 08, 2023, 09:17:05 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on January 08, 2023, 01:15:26 AMMine and Jan's first car (She drove it, I paid for it, so it was ours  ) was an old Ford Thames van and it was surprising how many people you could get in the back of that 

I used to run a Mk 1 Bedford CF van in the late 70s, which a Triumph 2.5 litre PI engine in the back (It's a long story....) and I had a 3 piece suite in there too, arranged around the engine cover. It was a sort of mobile party.................. 

If I remember rightly, the Bedford CF  could be had in the Australasian market with a 3.3 litre Holden  straight six engine.    I should imagine that , like your CF, it would travel fairly rapidly.

Quote from: Rheged on January 15, 2023, 01:50:45 PMIf I remember rightly, the Bedford CF  could be had in the Australasian market with a 3.3 litre Holden  straight six engine.    I should imagine that , like your CF, it would travel fairly rapidly.

They could indeed. I have a friend who has one with a Rover V8 in it too, and that's an ex-GM engine as well. 

Quote from: scooter on January 15, 2023, 01:49:14 PM

Quote from: Mossie on January 15, 2023, 01:21:40 PM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on January 08, 2023, 09:17:05 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on January 08, 2023, 01:15:26 AMMine and Jan's first car (She drove it, I paid for it, so it was ours  ) was an old Ford Thames van and it was surprising how many people you could get in the back of that 

I used to run a Mk 1 Bedford CF van in the late 70s, which a Triumph 2.5 litre PI engine in the back (It's a long story....) and I had a 3 piece suite in there too, arranged around the engine cover. It was a sort of mobile party.................. 

My aunty Maggie (no relation, just my Mum's best friend) used to take us all shopping in an Escort van.  Before the seatbelt laws came in, all us kids used to rattle around in the back on a thin mattress. We shared the space with a shopping trolley that she'd bought when a local shop sold up. You'd be arrested these days! 

Been there, done that in my father's 80 something Chevy van, and before on road trips in Mom's 245 wagon/estate.  Its a wonder how any of us old enough to predate mandatory seatbelt laws survived to adulthood

My older sister, 14 years my senior, drive an old VW Beetle back in the day. I remember curling up by the rear window, on top of the engine. Must have been five yo, max. Warmest spot in the entire car.. 

Quote from: Pellson on January 16, 2023, 02:33:47 PMMy older sister, 14 years my senior, drive an old VW Beetle back in the day. I remember curling up by the rear window, on top of the engine. Must have been five yo, max. Warmest spot in the entire car.. 

I remember fighting with my cousins over that rear cargo area in the Beetle.  Same with my friend's father's SuperBug

I've driven quite a few VWs when I was a trade plate driver back in 2010 but never a beetle.

I used to get shoved into the space behind the seats of a Triumph Spitfire.  I was a fully grown adult boy at the time.  They used to have to drag me out bodily,

This popped up in my Zuckerbook memories yesterday:

Quote from: zenrat on January 17, 2023, 03:20:38 AMI used to get shoved into the space behind the seats of a Triumph Spitfire.  I was a fully grown adult boy at the time.  They used to have to drag me out bodily,

Normally me and Jan used that space for our Doberman and she struggled. We did give a mate a lift in it once and he was about 6 foot. I think he walked with bent knees for about a week afterwards. Not so bad with hood up, but down. 

Quote from: zenrat on January 17, 2023, 03:20:38 AMI used to get shoved into the space behind the seats of a Triumph Spitfire.  I was a fully grown adult boy at the time.  They used to have to drag me out bodily,

My elder brother had one in the mid-seventies. He, and a friend if his, took me gravel road rallying in that once, me in the back. Dad was furious, but I had an absolute ball..
I still would like one, actually, but they're getting dead expensive, and I would most likely not be able to get it over the bumps up to my house..

Quote from: scooter on January 17, 2023, 05:12:36 AMThis popped up in my Zuckerbook memories yesterday:

My 850 Estate still is boxy, thank goodness. 

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Quote from: zenrat on January 17, 2023, 03:20:38 AMI used to get shoved into the space behind the seats of a Triumph Spitfire.  I was a fully grown adult boy at the time.  They used to have to drag me out bodily,

I had the same in the family Mini.  The back seats are not meant for a pubescent boy who's proportions are completely out of proportion.  The rear suspension wasn't up to much, I'd feel every bump simultaneously in my rear end, my knees and the top of my head.