how did you get into "sports cars"?

M

mcbeee

Veteran
 Chestermere, Alberta
So here's the Question: How did you start into the "Sports Car" type of person that you obviously are (driving a Zed or similar) ??

I got it genetically, my Dad was a factory Jag mechanic working for Moss's garage in Luton, and I used to go play in all the E types and TR's etc in the showroom while he was working on Saturdays. Then over here,when I was in my teens, he worked for the Datsun/Mercedes/Volvo & Porsche dealers . The first cars I ever drove(not owned) were a Volvo 145, the second was a 240Z and the third was a Datsun 2000 (105mph in 4th gear with one more to go, wahoo...).All brand new. Well someone had to test drive them after pre-delivery inspection didn't they? All my friends were into NA Muscle cars like Boss Mustangs, Charger Daytonas, Super Bees etc so I was kind of the odd one out until my best friend got an MGB and another friend got a Spitfire. Now I wasn't the only one who knew who Stirling Moss was.... :lol:
 
When I was 10 a friend of my parents had a Jaguar XK-120 that I got to ride in a few time including about a 200 mile trip once.... :yeah:

I have been hooked on rag top roadster ever since.... :sweetheart:

My first roadster was a Jaguar XK-150s... :driving:
 
Nice start !! An XK-150s, I got driven home from the hospital in a Cream Cracker MG but I had no idea what that was, I was only a couple of days old at the time, but to start with an XK-150..in Taxsylvania to boot....my hat's off to you.
 
Actually I lived in Atlanta, GA at the time and I did purchase it used. My parents went ballistic... :telloff:
 
My Dad told me just one thing..."if you buy a Jag, I won't be tuning it, you're on your own."

Now he just smiles and says '"what are you driving now?"
 
Well I had a chrome bumper MGB roadster when I was young, at least until the floor fell out one day!

Later I worked for the brother of a very famous female classical musician.....he used to sometimes lend me his brand new Jaguar XJS V12 which I used to race up and down the A34 at high speed just to hear that engine - I swear when you put your foot to the floor it sounded like a Spitfire on full song, the most incredible thing.

Until I got nicked for speeding.... :oops: Fortunately they'd only followed me for a short distance while I was slowing down, I'd been doing 142mph just minutes before! And just to ice the cake, forgot to reset the trip computer which, as he told me later (chuckling thank god) included max speed. Oops!

But it got me hooked :thumbsup:
 
Yes, there's something about that low rumble, "burble" my Dad used to call it, that turns into the sound of big cat screaming when you step on the pedal that gets me every time.
 
at first i thought this thread was about literally getting into sports cars :oops:
i was wondering why ppl were talkin about old bangers..i mean retro sports cars :lol:
 
Actually , there is a correct way to get into a sports car. Drop your ass into the seat while ducking the head (if the top is up) then twist and scrunch everything else around 'til you're in. Try getting into an M any other way and you'll hurt something......

but that's not what this thread is about. :lol:
 
Woots said:
at first i thought this thread was about literally getting into sports cars :oops:
i was wondering why ppl were talkin about old bangers..i mean retro sports cars :lol:
Click to expand...

so what would you call a Morgan plus 8, or an original Cooper S. If you'd ever done 150mph in a modded Cooper S you'd probably do what I did, Sh*t a banger. :poke: Just kidding, the old bangers wouldn't hold a candle to most of the new stuff.... :lol:
 
Like most things for me, at a very early age, influenced by the movies...
Gumball Rally (the best IMO) - Ferrari Daytona, AC Cobra, Porsche 911, classic Jag / Aston IIRC
Cannonball Run - that black car, with the chicks in lycra
Smokey and The Bandit - moustache, hat and black Trans Am!
Condor Man - black 911s

Then the TV show icons...
Magnum PI
Knight Rider (ahem - I was young)
Hardcastle and McCormick - Coyote ?!

Drove and driven in some very nice cars (thanks to friends)... including driving my bosses 993 Turbo, realised a dream and made a Ferrari 360 seem slow!

Had a GSXR for a few years - knocked off once a year! Decided to give that up when the bike was written off, wasn't meant for me... bought the Z4! Never looked back* :driving:

*bit of a lie, I still do miss it some times, not just the speed, but the feeling of everything that's happening!
 
Not sure, really. Drove a 1.4 diesel Fiesta around for about 20 months before my brother asked me "Why don't you get a a new car?" and I thought about it for a while, and over the next few weeks became a little bit addicted to Pistonheads, Evo, Drivers' Republic, etc. And then bought an RX-8. Which was promptly sold again 3 months later. And the A3 that replaced it was again sold 3 months later.

Had the Z4 for 5 months now :lol:
 
So many years ago, a good friend of mine asked if I wanted to buy his 1959 TR3 roadster. One drive through the twisties and I was hooked forever. Later I moved up to a used 1962 TR4 then bought a brand new 1965 TR4, red with wire wheels, kept it many years and about a dozen cars later had to have the Zed. I have always been really fond of the TR3, many great memories. Wish I still had it.

TR3front.jpg

TR3grill.jpg
 
Social culture and my brother I think who is 15 years my senior. He's had a string of sports cars from my age now so think that influenced me alot. Porka 944, 911, 911 supersport targa, new 3series coupe back in 2000 when they came out, a race prepped ferrari 348 gts for the famous 328 challenge (amazing) and a few sl's. He's currently in the queue for the new merc sls due 2 years!!

Yes I think that's what got me into them!!

Jamie
 
lacroupade said:
Well I had a chrome bumper MGB roadster when I was young, at least until the floor fell out one day!
Click to expand...

"they all do that sir" :(

Don't know what actually made me want one but for ages I wanted an MG. When I was 23 I got a Midget, which turned out to be a dog, despite being low miles and reputable dealer. Gave up after 6 months. Few years later bought a TVR S2 (they still sound amazing) which I had for 9 years until someone wrote it off. :roll: Got my Z4 5 years later as it was more accessible than a TVR and love it :D
 
No glam story - I suppose turned 50, kids grown up and no need for 2, 4/5 seater cars and graduated from a series of hot hatches as second cars. Last being a 206GTi.

Latent reasons are my brother had an early Spitfire and I've done most sorts of motoring from 4x4's on and off road, hot hatches, rally cars, etc. So just wanted a change while I can and something that I can customise, mod and lavish attention on without it being a museum piece :driving:
 
My best mates dad took me and him to watch him participate in some closed road rallying... after that I was hooked :)

My first car was a 1984 Vauxhall Astra 1.4, but I only got that so I could save for my second car, which turned out to be a 1981 Guards red Porsche 924 with The Turbo alloys and "Sports Package" :D.

This evenntually fell apart around me, but from that point on, my insurance was always up in four digits until turning 25, with cars such as:

Nissan 200sx, 240z, 300zx, 350z (I owned all the Zeds at the same time after five years of collecting! just needed a 280zx to complete the set, but never found one :'()
Toyota Corolla AE92 with 4AGZE, MR2 mk1, Supra mk4
BMW E36 328i, E85 Z4 3.0i


I suppose at heart, I'm a jap car man, but the Z4 is making a very good job at converting me to European cars :)
 
Probably comes from getting a model of a Countach when I was a child. Have been into anything car related since really...
 
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