I’ve been told that I was born in the wrong decade. Everything from music to cars were better in the 60s and 70s, at least in my view. But it is my love of vintage cars that makes me wish I’d been a young adult in the 60s or 70s. Classic cars, anything manufactured between the mid-to-late 50s right through to the late 70s, in particular, inspire me. The design details, the relative simplicity of the mechanical engineering, the immediacy of the driving experience…
So, I aspire to one day own a collection of classics – space, $$$ and my wife (Evelyn) ;-), permitting. I’ve had one classic, which I’ve since parted with, and I am now on the hunt for my next one. As I already spend an inordinate amount of time trawling the ‘www’ for just the right one, I figured I’d make the hunt a tad more interesting for myself with this chronicle of my search.
Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to your views, comments and opinions, whether they be about my experience, or your own.
You can find me elsewhere at www.thomsonstudio.com or my sketch blog.
Follow-me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/thomsonstudioF1 and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thomsonstudio.
Evelyn Says:
So, I married a man who was born in the wrong time. Sigh! No matter what I do, I can’t seem to steer him towards a new (modern) car. “A 2010 Passat CC,” I suggest, “sleek lines, beautiful design…check out that back end…just lovely, don’t you think?” Alas, no bite. I’m no car buff, but I like my modcons. Who doesn’t? Automatic door locks, a must have basic, built-in GPS (another must have, I think), fuel efficiency, power steering… the list goes on…self-parking, the ability to speak to your radio, or open the boot with your foot…
But, a man lusting after vintage cars is no vice. Jay Leno put it well in this episode of Top Gear. “I only have one wife… and 150 cars. Wouldn’t you prefer your man coming home reeking of transmission fluid, rather than cheap perfume?”
Well, I agree Mr. Leno. So rather than oppose this whimsy, I’ve opted to take part in the search. My thoughts will be peppered throughout this blog. But, I do hope Bruce doesn’t come home “reeking of transmission fluid either.” 😀
Kicking Vintage Tyres 
I have a good looking Skoda Felicia from 1960, red convertible, 4 speed manual. Made in Czechoslovakia – the country does not exists anymore….can send you photos
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Hi Steven – a 1960 Skoda??? Wow. That’s unusual. It’s not quite as sporty as what I ultimately would like, but it’s a super-interesting car – please do send me some pics at katanbruce@gmail.com – I’d appreciate it – thanks – cheers – Bruce
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Hi, Bruce. I wanted to send you photos of my Skoda Felicia, but katanbruce@gmail.com does not exists according to gmail. Can you give me another email?
Sincerely,
Steven
“Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently:
katanbruce@gmail.com
Technical details of permanent failure:
The email account that you tried to reach does not exist.”
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ooops – sorry – katanabruce@gmail… “blush”
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Bruce. Your sketches are very interesting, from sometimes crude and quickly drawn, it appears, to great detail. I love em. Your admiration for 50’s – 60’s classic European cars places you in quite a group of the world’s population IMO. Your list is very appealing, but if you haven’t looked at my favorite, or if you have, I suggest your revisit the Sunbeam Alpine. The originals are great fun to drive, much less expensive to the Tiger (more on that in a minute) and were ahead of their time in design. The lines are beautiful (I’m partial…yes). AND, if you want a real driving experience, look into an Alpine that’s had the Mustang II V6 conversion. Talk about get up an go, and in most cases it’ll run circles around the Tiger. And one would be in your price range. Do yourself a favor. Check out the Alpine. Wish you had some sketches of one…
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Hi Dennis – Thanks so much for writing, and for your kind words and suggestions.
I agree with you on the Alpine – I’ve loved these ever since I was a little kid – some of this had to do with my seeing “Dr. No”, in the mid 70s and thinking that both Connery and the car were cool beyond belief. I do have 2 small problems with the Alpine; One is that my wife doesn’t fancy them – feels the tail fins are too much – so I have some sales work to do there – the other issue is that they are fairly rare in my neck of the woods – especially in January. I’m hoping that one will pop up for sale in the spring so I can go look at it… in the meantime, if I get the time I’ll do a sketch of the alpine for my other blog – caught in my headlights – but don’t old your breath – I have a ton of marking to do for this week… “sigh”.
Thanks again – cheers- Bruce
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Thanks for commenting Bruce. There are two camps on fins. Some Piners can’t live without them and feel it’s the only years to own. I’m sort of in the middle. I’d have one, if I had the room, and like you…..the little lady has a say. The misses and I have an agreement; I don’t ask her what she spends on haircuts, coloring, beauty supplies….and she doesn’t ask what I spend on my Sunbeam. Works well!!!! I personally have a 1965, with the less prominent fins. To each his own I say. The important thing, and our organization’s motto..”Keep em on the road.”
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