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

No advice on swapping the smart car for a twingo?

I previously restored a DS from barn find to concourse condition, including a complete overhaul of the suspension. An SM is slightly more complicated and the engine is..... Strange but nothing that couldn't be done.

Also just.look.at.it.

EDIT All hypothetical anyway as I can't buy it.

I took out breakdown cover recently with Start Rescue, who are currently 2nd just behind the AA in the Which? recommended breakdown providers (which is based on surveys of real experiences - i.e. how long did you have to wait at the side of the road, did they fix it etc.).

They do 16 days for £41:
https://www.startrescue.co.uk/breakdown-cover/european

And you could get 15% off with the code MVC58481599A

However, I just tried to test that code with my registration number and apparently my 2006 Civic isn't eligible, presumably because it's too old, so you might have the same problem.

You could have a play with this which is recommended by MSE but bear in mind the cheapest ones all get terrible reviews:
https://www.comparebreakdowncover.co.uk/moneysavingexpert.aspx?utm_source=paidonresults&utm_medium=9250&utm_campaign=breakdown&a_aid=POR-9250&porc=xDmctsyndlkpEbnpGdyAHzCxyCovtkc

4 the AE86 Fanboiz

just curious. purely a curiosity. not buying anything.

if I was looking for a newer car that can rip over dirt roads and handle all kinds of crap thrown at it while being fun and quick when on pavement what comes to mind?

Subaru XV STI in a 6 speed would be the perfect theoretical example. Doesn't exist.

any other thoughts?

You are talking to some who loves the hydraulic citroen system, and knows far too much about rebuilding the BX system that anyone needs to know... Still say that the system is really well thought out and the issue, in the Uk, was lack of knowledge, as well as lack of parts. Have had to go to the local Calais dealer to get parts before, as citroen dealers sometimes could not get parts from France.

SM mechanical parts are difficult to source and expensive last time I was sensible about buying a cheap SM.

Still want a C5 with hydraulic system.

I can obviously imagine this being driven around in the USA on the way to or from some badass crime, and jumped over rivers by the likes of those Duke boys, or even being thrashed across Australia Mad Max style. But it made me proper LOL today as it looked so out of place in a quiet leafy suburban street near Wimbledon.

The ones that are the same car?

Its my understanding that the SM's suspension pretty similar to that of the DS and that the only real.difference is the pump.

I don't have any experience working on the SM but from what I know I'd be most afraid of working on the engine. What with it being adapted from a masarati V8 to a "Citroen" V6 in a matter of weeks presumably with the liberal application of le angle grinder.

Is anyone on here a member of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club, and would be willing to order some books from their website for me? As my usual research libraries are closed at the moment, I need copies of some of the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust publications for a project.

jumped over rivers by the likes of those Duke boys

Discovered this a few days ago and thought it was bonkers. According to Jonny, the driver, his neck took about 7 years to fully recover.

https://youtu.be/pUnlVTWJJf4

Tried to buy a reanult 4 that was from a trade in from a car dealer, and wouldn't sell it to me as it had to go to auction ( I thing as he wasn't clear) suspect it is part of the scrappage scheme. Seems a pity as it looked in good nick.

What a divot, landing a battered old Sierra like that he's lucky his neck works at all.

I just looked it up and apparently during the 6 years of filming the original Dukes of Hazzard TV show, they used between 250 and 350 Chargers, of which only 17 survived.

They created such iconic images though....

The golfer Bubba Watson owns the original General Lee that he paid $112,000 for, and he removed the confederate flag from the roof in 2015, which caused much frothing on the interwebs apparently.

Are they?

Is the twingo 3 a smart car...oh that is why the twingo 3 is rear engined rear wheel drive?

My smart is a 04/05 low mileage, as the engine broke. Looking at a facelifted mk1.

EDIT: Looked at the difference in value second hand.... Thought twingo was worth more, am wrong.

There are so many stories, even how to identify the cars and what year and which engine is fitted in each episode. Then the story of flying a plane over areas to find cars to buy.

EDIT: I thought the confederate flag was cool, because of this TV show. Never knew, at the time, what it meant.

I just bought this...
Pick up on Sunday
Needs the Pallas body embellishers put back on at some point 😎👍🤙🏾

4 Attachments

he removed the confederate flag from the roof in 2015.

Pity they didn't in the movie, rather than just trying to make it the subject of a lame-arsed joke.

Mmmm. Wafty. Nice.

Has it got a webasto sunroof?

I just read somewhere TV land stopped showing re-runs of the TV series because of the flag, don't know if that's true tho.

And @johnnettles2 score! Happy birthday.

Enjoy it. I still miss mine, despite it being slow and wallowy it never failed to put a smile on my face when I drove it.

I just read somewhere TV land stopped showing re-runs of the TV series because of the flag, don't know if that's true tho.

It's a fucking terrible television show full of awful stereotypes and misogyny. It has not aged well. The flag is simply one of many crimes.

Haha fair comment.

The car still looks good though.

I'm not sure if it's webasto - it folds back / concertinas like one and is electric!

Many thanks :) hope the bits got to you ok and sorry for the delay!
I'll put some more pics up when i collect it.