Cafe Racers and a 'British' style for cars...

[randywanger_]

Jul 11, 2014 11:38:12 GMT HoTWire said:

This is basically what the Retro scene actually is... or at least what it started out as, before we discovered the delights of our foreign friends and people started trying to re-create them, from Berg Cup to Bosozoku, it has all been rather interesting, in fact rather more interesting than our own (European) heritage and what we can do with that in our somewhat twisted modified brains, but I'm feeling saturated by it and (as my very first paragraph observes) I think we're missing a trick,.. seems I'm not alone

I think on the whole, we are missing a trick. With the way owning a car is going in the UK, I hope more people will look for retro/classic cars for their 2nd play cars and from this more British car's will be reborn as parts may still be cheap and easy to find. No tax, cheap insurance, small and light with a modest engine... a lot of fun!

[EmDee]

Okay, just got back from Ebay and after discovering that a TR6 is (now) beyond my means (what happened - they used to be so affordable) I would now like to tell the world about how awesome I think they are in the hope that someone with more money than me can make it a reality.

Don't make me do a photoshop, use your imagination!

Also this.

[Rob M]

Jul 11, 2014 11:57:03 GMT adam73bgt said:

This thread has made me re think my wheel choice for the MG, maybe steels might be a way to go... Its also got me thinking of all the little touches you get on a british style car, like leather bonnet straps

I think the point is that you don't HAVE to go to steels to get the "look", on the contrary, a mint set of rostyles with their chrome polished to within an inch of its life, the bumpers ditto and the car lowered a bit so the standard sized rims sit nicely under the arches and a good fresh colour would look the bees knees. Blimey, throw in some smart chrome 60s style mirrors and you are talking smoking cool.
For me, this is really about clean lines and attention to detail.
There is an awful lot of modified stuff out there that has been done in a bish bosh kinda way, cut a coil or two off the corners, sand the flat paintwork down to the metal and lob a roofrack on the top with the obligatory 60s style suitcase and, viola, a weekends work to create a bit of "scene".
To be fair, a good paint job costs money, engine transplants/upgrades cost money and attention to detail has to come under the file OCD but, that's what you really need to do to achieve the kind of look most of us would love to see.
If you go to a car show and see a concourse MK1 Cavalier or HC Viva, for example, you are inclined to think WOW!!!!
All I'm pining for is a car just as clean but lowered a bit, polished a bit, souped up a bit, nothing that detracts from what it really is, you just make it that much cooler.
This thread has really got the old juices flowing, my Scimitar is going to be modified.................

[HoTWire]

I <3 Zeb Spot on.


Now someone lend me 10k : www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/681542288.htm




Also 'Heritage' interiors... leather, tweed, wood, details details details.

[adam73bgt]

Jul 11, 2014 13:33:37 GMT EmDee said:

'TR6' 'they used to be so affordable'

This makes me sad :/

Jul 11, 2014 13:44:40 GMT Rob M said:

Jul 11, 2014 11:57:03 GMT adam73bgt said:

This thread has made me re think my wheel choice for the MG, maybe steels might be a way to go... Its also got me thinking of all the little touches you get on a british style car, like leather bonnet straps

I think the point is that you don't HAVE to go to steels to get the "look", on the contrary, a mint set of rostyles with their chrome polished to within an inch of its life, the bumpers ditto and the car lowered a bit so the standard sized rims sit nicely under the arches and a good fresh colour would look the bees knees. Blimey, throw in some smart chrome 60s style mirrors and you are talking smoking cool.
For me, this is really about clean lines and attention to detail.
There is an awful lot of modified stuff out there that has been done in a bish bosh kinda way, cut a coil or two off the corners, sand the flat paintwork down to the metal and lob a roofrack on the top with the obligatory 60s style suitcase and, viola, a weekends work to create a bit of "scene".
To be fair, a good paint job costs money, engine transplants/upgrades cost money and attention to detail has to come under the file OCD but, that's what you really need to do to achieve the kind of look most of us would love to see.
If you go to a car show and see a concourse MK1 Cavalier or HC Viva, for example, you are inclined to think WOW!!!!
All I'm pining for is a car just as clean but lowered a bit, polished a bit, souped up a bit, nothing that detracts from what it really is, you just make it that much cooler.
This thread has really got the old juices flowing, my Scimitar is going to be modified.................

I probably didn't word my post perfectly, its more that I had largely discounted steels for my car, but in reality there are a few styles of steel that do really suit the look (rostyles included)


Actually speaking of steels. The Frontline LE50 fits the bill for this cafe/gentleman racer thing quite well, modern Mk3 MX5 running gear, and a nicely trimmed yet purposeful interior







Shame I'm even further from owning one of those than I am a TR6 though

[Rob M]

Ive just had a look at the pricing for one of those LE50s
Granted its a NEW car, as such, but I would be utterly astonished if you couldn't get that kind of look for an MG without having to sell a kidney on the black market.

[adam73bgt]

Jul 11, 2014 14:13:29 GMT Rob M said:

Ive just had a look at the pricing for one of those LE50s
Granted its a NEW car, as such, but I would be utterly astonished if you couldn't get that kind of look for an MG without having to sell a kidney on the black market.

Hopefully I'll be able to achieve something as good looking and 95% as fast for a lot less

[randywanger_]

Okay, so although it's a 'rally car' it does have the original leather seats, carpet, wood trim steering wheel and sexy dash. From the outside, it looks like a nice tidy A40, under the bonnet it's had some work but not too crazy. This will be an awesome fast road car which I feel would suit the thread: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1960-Austin-A40-Mk-1-Deluxe-/331150135529?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d1a1610e9
Or have I missed the point?

[Mike]

This thread reminded me of this MG Magnette I saw at Silverstone a few years back, I think it fits the bill, lots of racing touches and a Merc engine under the hood IIRC.



I like the spotlights with grills on and the leather bonnet straps.

[pistonpopper]

A couple of cars spring to my mind, does anyone know this? lol...



I understand the patina thing, but i'd probably paint it. Or this, which i think is probably closer to the English Cafe Racer style if there was such a thing...



Again, i understand the patina thing, but i'd paint it! But both very cool cars.

[Rob M]

Jul 11, 2014 16:21:13 GMT randywanger_ said:

Okay, so although it's a 'rally car' it does have the original leather seats, carpet, wood trim steering wheel and sexy dash. From the outside, it looks like a nice tidy A40, under the bonnet it's had some work but not too crazy. This will be an awesome fast road car which I feel would suit the thread: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1960-Austin-A40-Mk-1-Deluxe-/331150135529?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d1a1610e9
Or have I missed the point?

I don't think you have, that A40 is a honey.
The only things Id do would be to make the interior more factory, but that would be nit picking, the car is cool.
Looking at that, I don't see why you couldn't do similar to an early Golf, even a Micra, the A40 is hatchbackesque, plenty of 80s tin is similar just not as sharpe edged.
The possibilities are endless really.

[Sophers]

Great thread

I'd like to think my Herald kit car is a little inspired?

[v8ian]

Does this fit the Bill, MGA, TR6 wheels, 4Age and Type9 box,

[adam73bgt]

That MGA is lovely

[Del]

Lose the screen

[Rob M]

Jul 11, 2014 17:12:45 GMT Sophers said:

Great thread

I'd like to think my Herald kit car is a little inspired?

Superb!!
I'm thinking ( coz I'm old) Ian Carmichael rolling up to a Hospital in it in a late 1950s British B&W film.
This country was ace in building specials, its not like modifying is a new concept, my Dad, bless him, was modifying his Mini back in 63 and his mates were tooling around in some serious weaponry ( for the day) like Wolseley 6/90s and Ford Pilots.
We are merely carrying on with a long established tradition.

[ToolsnTrack]

I think this theme could be applied with aplomb to an XKR.

Been pondering it all day... Can't find a decent example yet.

[Frankenhealey]

Jul 8, 2014 19:57:03 GMT @volksangyl said:

A British style, to me, would be a case of making the best of what you've got. Pristinely detailed engine that might not be about straight line power, but can hold its own on a twisty track. Paint in the stock colour to save money on a full respray. Interior kept basic, but not completely spartan so it still looks comfortable.

Something like this.

I think I may be in love.

[optimusprime]

Jul 8, 2014 13:38:11 GMT DarrenW said:

What do we have? Lots of fast and twisty back roads, especially in Wales and Scotland, with good sightlines and lots of challenges. Why aren't we building "our" equivalent of "German Look" on Beetles? Fast-road focused Rover P5s with loads of grunt, Heralds with attitude... Not track day cars, not even necessarily street-racers, but something stiff enough to handle well, with enough compliance and ride height to handle the bumps and potholes, power enough to be point-and-squirt entertaining between the corners, lots of torque but not heavy. Enough "luxuries" to make it daily drivable - no fixed bucket seats or roll cages, not stripped out (maybe even a bit of Wilton & Walnut, that's what the British did best) but thoroughly civilised

This.

Why limit the Cafe Racer style to small cars?
I'm thinking Humber saloons/estates, big Wolsleys etc etc, ok they won't be nimble like an MG or small triumph for example,but they can be improved upon,made to handle better and be a back road bruiser.

Triumph stag with aero screens?

[DarrenW]

Jul 11, 2014 18:34:38 GMT optimusprime said:

I'm thinking Humber saloons/estates, big Wolsleys etc etc, ok they won't be nimble like an MG or small triumph for example,but they can be improved upon,made to handle better and be a back road bruiser.

Humber Snipe in the style of the factory Mercedes SEL 6.3 litre hot rods in the late 60s/early 70s. Only British. Subtle, tasteful, luxurious, refined. Like the Bentleys of the 80s I guess.