Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

I fully agree and these are the things that always weigh in the favour of getting a bike when I think about it. I'll probably end up doing it at some point but it'll probably happen if/when we move back to the UK. Right now, without a garage I'm a bit stuffed.

A few reasons really, I'd like it to look as original as possible and rear engine would mean complicated ducting, ruining the interior and messing with the weight balance. I'm not sure I fancy having a high horsepower, short wheelbase, rearward balanced car built and driven by me because I'm completely untrained in both vehicle design and competition driving!

Bloody clean track car there and the closed deck engines are good for real big power.

I'm taking my scooby in for bodywork this week, was meant to replace the cracked* downpipe today but doctor says no strenuous activities for a while so it'll have to wait.

*Completely broken off at the turbo flange, no idea how that happened!

Alfa Romeo Spider. Late 80s/ early 90s. Gut the interior. Bucket seat. Rollcage. Add lightness...

This Rocket Bunny Rotary MX-5 is for sale in Ireland at the moment. Desperately want. Superb workmanship!

Pictures in the Speedhunters article are a bit old, up to date photos on owners Instagram.

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If you do the engine swap, can give you heads up on the easiest way to do it.

Still say that the best upgrade for the 650 engine is the panda 30 (italy only?) twin choke carb and cam. Increase of 5bhp....not bad when you start with 25.

Large. Love it. I don't know anything about cars really and am a rubbish driver. But...if I was going to stuff something into a tyre wall, I'd want something like that!

Fair enough. I thought this was going to be an eyeballs out track whip. So outside of the rolling chassis, what else you got?

126 wise, panda 30 head and twin choke carb.

Fiat 500/126 is a route that many have gone down.

Not too much: uprated brakes, some suspension bits, wheels, seats etc. Been chipping away at it when both the time and money on my hands to do so for a few years now.

@dammit are ratty 944 turbos interesting for a track car? Breaks your 4 cylinder rule but well balanced, and easily tuned. Although I have no idea about cost in the UK... Down ere they're bloody expensive!

Forester Turbo? Y not?

O, wait... Nah, that won't work... Or could it? 🤔😂

Something boring and sensible for my 2 kids to wreck :(

I'm sure they're good road cars but the only time i've ever driven one on a track the steering response / feel was hilariously bad, to the point i asked my friend who owned the car if it was broken (it wasn't)

Hah. I think the answer might be an early Boxster - I've already got a decent spare parts box, after all.

Early Boxster money:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/2004-bmw-3-series-3.0-330ci-clubsport-2dr/1320478418

Bugger:

A service with mobil 1 oil £249.72
Brake fluid change £59
Bleed nipple repair £148.92
Oil level sensor £117.36
Gearbox oil & filter £201.90
Drivers side torque strut arm £324.72
Mot £54.85
Total £1156.47

Always liked the look of these. Probably getting rare to find an original one now too.

924 close enough? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1iLdI6yZME

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F264041642595

Was going to suggest a left field suggestion of an e46 m3 convertible - as they are often supper cheap, then came across this for less than your next service.

Supper cheap? There is a risk that his next late evening snackette could be ruinously expensive.

Buy that, maybe change the diff esp for tracks with lots low speed corners, the one tyre fire gets old quick.

Now to anodise it purple #childofthenineties