Check out my latest entries on the ClassicarGarage Youtube Channel. I purchased new software today to create wide screen photo video's and 1080p HD footage for internal use!
Latest entries: 1958 Jaguar XK 150 OTS, 1968 Jaguar E-type 4.2 Litre OTS (roadster), two 1965 Austin Healey 3000 models, 1964 Volvo P1800 S, 1938 Talbot Lago T23 cabriolet with bodywork by Figoni & Falashi and a gorgeous 1974 Alfa Romeo Giula GT 1600 Junior!
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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
1976 Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Litre coupe
Every time I see a beautiful Jaguar XJ coupe or it's sister the Daimler Sovereign coupe in perfect shape I feel the urge to own one... Driving a Rover P6 3500 V8 daily for almost 10 years now it feels like a proper 'upgrade'. Last July as I tested and photographed this Daimler I started to think about buying/owning one... again. This Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Litre coupe has it all; fantastic good looks, all the comfort I need, a manual gearbox, excellent roadholding, adequate power and speed, a large boot... and a tow bar as a bonus! I even like the colour sand yellow! Looking at all the details I daydream away about the beautiful front, those tiny yet elegant rear lights, the gorgeous chrome wheels, the brown leather interior and the twin chrome exhaust pipes... Why o why do I hesitate trading in my old Rover? Is the interior not snug and comfy enough compared to the Rover? Hmm could be. Is it the less appealing six cylinder engine opposite the tremendous and robust V8 the Rover has to offer? Yes, that is one reason... The most important reason is that I feel too young to own a Jaguar XJ or Daimler Sovereign coupe. The Rover P6 was advertised as 'the young mans Rover', other people around me laugh about it (Haha that's definitely not a young man's car!) but I can't help believing that kind of 1970'ies marketing talk... To buy or own a Jaguar XJ coupe/Daimler sovereign one has to be older than 42, or at least have some grey hairs to rave about. I have a feeling this story will be continued in about eight years... P.S. You do not have to remind me! Photo reportage, engine sounds and more information at: http://tinyurl.com/1976-daimler
See the magnificent chrome bright work and subtle details...
...the austere and comfortable interior
... and the beautiful lines. I would delete the aftermarket chrome wheel arch flares by the way!
1955 Austin Healey 100/4 BN-1
This fantasic Austin Healey 100 materialises the essence of the 'Big Healey's' and the thoroughbred British sports car. A beautiful fluent two seater roadster body design, a long bonnet, a large and powerful cast iron engine, and simple rugged mechanics. The classic British sports car in it's purest form. A car like this one was presented by Donald Healey at the 1952 Earls court Motor Show.Driving a Healey 100/4 BN-1 is quite an experience. The car feels rugged to the bone and you have to work hard shifting gears of the 3-speed manual gearbox with overdrive on 2 and 3. Not to mention the brakes and steering, they'll give you an exercise no gym teacher can match. This is not a car for SISSY's, it's a proper MAN's car! The 90 bhp four cylinder engine delivers massive torque and you feel it's pumping rhytm in your entire body. This car works all your senses, it gives so much thrills and impressions of speed, sound, cold, heat and smells of rubber, gasoline and oil that it overwhelms you. You are going to love it, inevitably! I drove this particular car twice, once in the year 2002 and now in July 2009. The experience was the same, tremendous, but: the price was up by 25% in 7 years! Photo reportage, engine sounds and more information at: http://tinyurl.com/1955-100-4
The 2660 cc. four cylinder engine. 90 bhp at 4000 rpm. Massive torque...
Rear side view of the 100/4. In front you see a red 1959 Austin Healey 100/6 BN-4.1971 Citroen SM
In the spring of 2009 I was surprised to be able to drive a Citroen SM in brand new condition at http://www.smithsveglia.nl/! What a delightful automobile, it drives as comfortable as nothing I experienced before. You sit deep in it and the futuristic dash is draped fluently around the driver. Driving the SM it feels like a sporty kind of limousine, as it is! The 170 bhp. Maserati V6 engine fits the personality of the SM perfectly. The car feels quite fast but it is certainly not a sports car. It's a fantastic GT or 'Grand Routier' and it is a shame Citroen does not build these kind of cars any more. In my opinion the SM is one of the most beautiful cars ever built! Full photo reportage, engine sounds and more information at: http://tinyurl.com/1971-SM
The interior is of a time less design, the SM handles soft and gentle, like driving a flying carpet.
The Maserati 2670 cc. V6 engine and the green 'pressure tanks' of the hydraulic suspension.
Save transportation of classic cars at Piet Mozes
Since the year 2009 Piet Mozes Restorations has a tremendous trailer to pick up and deliver classic cars safely. In the picture you see my TR 6 in this Brian James trailer as it was delivered to my home! thanks Piet! See also http://www.pietmozes.com/
Triumph TR 6 update (2)
In August 2008 my TR 6 was badly 'injured' during a havy hail storm. Ice blocks as big a chicken eggs battered the car with me sitting/driving in it! You have no idea how flexible a soft top is! I am glad it is made of strong PVC with fabric underneath since nothing came through! After the storm I saw hundreds of little dents and dings... The TR 6 was brought to Piet Mozes Restorations for immaculate damage repair. They took the car apart, pushed out the dimples and gave the car a perfect body job and magnificent new paint!
