Daily Driver photos

[Tinster]

I am most curious to view photos of "daily driver" old
Brit cars. I live in a remote global area and I see no
other old Brit cars except my own beat up TR6. My car is
only recently operational and not much to look at, compared
to the show car photos I have seen.

I would like to see some photos of BCF member's daily
driver cars. Not the show cars or trailer queens- I can
view them on the web. Just regular, operational old cars.
Interior, exterior, engines, whatever.

Please no Concourse photos- not what I'm looking for.

thanks,

dale- in Puerto Rico

 

[swift6]

This was my TR6 before its overhaul into the people choice show winner that it is now. Would take 800-900 mile trips in it quite frequently. This is just outside of Jackson Hole Wyoming, those big lumps behind it would be the Grand Teton's. When I pulled the stock, never rebuilt engine out it had just passed 150k miles and still ran very well with good compression numbers. That engine is actually sitting in the corner of my garage. The hot rodded engine now in the car was a spare/builder.

I also used to drive it to AND from track day events.

That was then, this is now...

 

[swift6]

This is my current DAILY driver. Just passed 140K miles. No major rebuilds of any sort. Still runs strong and is very reliable for me. I'm the third owner, second owner used it daily from 1982 (when he bough it with 10K miles until 1999. The it only saw about 1K miles/year until I bought it in 2005.

just over 10,000 feet in elevation...

this is at 14,134 feet elevation.

 

[aerog]

This was mine for several years but I need to put a new engine in it:

Ok, it isn't "real" but it's fun.

 

[Steve_S]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Not the show cars or trailer queens[/QUOTE]
I don't have any of those. All my cars get regular use. I even drive the old ones to work sometimes. I'll try to stick to the rules anyway and post only my two most driven.

The '65 MGB has been a daily driver most of its life, but is in the middle of a 2.5-year engine rebuild. Don't ask, long boring story.

This '67 MGB GT has been my daily driver for the past 3 years while working on the '65 B. When the B is done, these cars will probably share daily commuting duties on most days.

 

[Tinster]

As I suspected. Daily drivers are mostly pristine show cars.
Compared to these beautiful cars, my TR6 is a ragged out
klunker that should be sent to China on the next scrap steel
barge.

Thanks for the photos.

d

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Yeah, Dale, but it's YOUR "ragged out clunker", and you brought it back to life!

 

[bugimike]

Well, if you want to see a rabid klunker, I'd better post a picture of mine! Dale, how long ago did you live in Tequesta? You might remember her!! I did her over...mild restoration, mostly cosmetic...15 years ago. She was a daily driver till I blew the tranny a couple of years ago and has been sitting, crying for attention since! 10 years ago I commuted 80 miles a day from Jupiter to Delray on I-95 with her!

 

[DrEntropy]

I've used ALL of the cars in my sigfile as daily drivers at some point. This MGB ~will~ be a daily driver again soon (within weeks or a month, now) with the Elan to follow. Spider is now my daily.

 

[NutmegCT]

Doc - I had to laugh at that pic. How many of us have a garage that no longer has room inside for a car!

T.

 

[DrEntropy]

Ummm, I beg to differ, Tom. There's an Elan S-3 under that pile. Really. :smirk:

 

[NutmegCT]

LOL - yeah sure. If it's under that pile, it's a couple inches lower by now ...

Anything to improve the aerodynamics, eh?



T.

 

[DrEntropy]

Well, it's mostly ~behind~ th' pile, but I *swear* it'll be emerging soon. Y'all will get a laugh as I document that li'l process, certes.

 

[eejay56]

Here's mine 3 weeks ago. It tends to look a lot better in photos because you can't see the way the paint is pitted. It's definitely a 15 footer.

And here it is this morning.

 

[vping]

Well, it's mostly ~behind~ th' pile, but I *swear* it'll be emerging soon. Y'all will get a laugh as I document that li'l process, certes.

Been waiting Doc, been waiting.

 

[Dave Richards]

Yeah, Dale, but it's YOUR "ragged out clunker", and you brought it back to life!

Quite right.

Dale, now that you know some of the tricks of the trade, why not buy something in the 48 and let us help you look it over and get it home?

What's your pleasure? MGs, Healeys (big, or small), another 'rumph? How about a 120 Jag?

 

[eejay56]

I've got a 95% restored Spitfire I might be induced to part with.

 

[swift6]

When I did drive my TR6 daily I had another vehicle that would occasionally see use. Especially during heavy snow. During those times my TR6 averaged 10K miles/year while the other vehicle averaged 3K miles/year. During that time the paint was definitely a 20 foot item. The boot lid was a different color. The carpet was tan while the seats and the rest of the interior was black. When I drove it in the winter months I used a Red hardtop and it was often referred to as 'The Christmas Ornament'. Mechanically, the car was very sound. Visually, it needed a lot of help. I got compliments on it because I drove it everywhere, not on how it looked. Now it gets compliments on how it looks and sounds, not because I drive it everywhere.

My TR8, actually needs paint in some areas. The photos are deceptive (it helps that I know how to photograph it so the oxidation doesn't really show), the seats need recovering and new foam. Also need some new scrapers/waist seals on the windows. Its not perfect by any means and will not even be considered for awards regardless if its concourse or peoples choice. Mechanically, its in very good condition. Very much like my TR6 before its make over.

BTW, I currently only own two automobiles. Both are Triumphs. I don't have a 'modern' car to fall back on right now. This would worry some, but it works for me right now. :wink:

If you look closely, you can see some of the oxidation across the bonnet. I could also show a photo of just how bad it is. But I am a bit reluctant to do that because I hate the reminder. :frown:

 

[Steve_S]

As I suspected. Daily drivers are mostly pristine show cars.

My cars don't look nearly as good in person as in those photos. First, those shots were taken a few years ago when the paint was in better condition. Second, good lighting can make a wreck look like a trailer queen.

 

[Camshaft]

Here's my summertime daily. The rust holes are now covered by black duct tape. Someone stole a corner lens the first time I left it overnight in the parking garage.





I'm installing a CD player so that I can listen to Yazoo whilst driving, and then probably selling it to the first person who gives me $2500.