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

[93fxdl]

Link to friends build thread, not been updated lately as an xjs project and the arrival of twins has slowed things down
www.scimitarweb.co.uk/sgwrs/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=23437
Ttfn Glenn

[Deleted]

^ Bloody hell. People who have all the knowledge and kit to just jump into something like that are amazing. I'll be following that thread with interest as I glue two bits of tin can together with super glue to make a pen holder.

Badly.

[wagoneer]

Take a look at this - it's a Seth post from a few weeks ago.

retrorides.proboards.com/thread/170923/best-lotus-7-ace-classics#.VBax6MKKVBk

If you can't be bothered, this is what the fuss is about:



This car is having major a influence on me and the direction I might take with my Westfield. Also, I saw a 1950s Ferrari 158 with John Surtees at the wheel racing at Goodwood, this was red with pale (baby) blue wheels. It looked spot on and made me want to bin the Woolfrace slots for some painted steels or even these:


Oh, so much inspiration! Keep this thread going, it's Ace!

[Deleted]

I think I need to persuade my missus to let me buy a midget.

Its not going to be easy, I only collect my Humber tomorrow.

[Maxxxer]

OK so i was directed over here by Tim, via the 'Introduce yourself' Thread.

I've read through the last nine pages, and I think I'm getting a rough idea as to what defines Cafe/Tea Racer/British style.

So tell me; does this qualify? I've not been aiming for anything in particular; just swapped out bits i didnt like for bits i did (for example, the flip front end was only done as the front wings were crusty, and it was a cheaper option than relacement front wings)...

(Obviously the Midget - t'other is Low Standards' 8...)

[hoopsontoast]

www.classicandperformancecar.com/features/octane_features/240448/octanes_top_ten_cool_cars.html

[marinanut]

Jul 21, 2014 17:11:27 GMT doobie said:

Can i add these wheels if Marinanut does not mind??

Eh? Where the heck was that? No, I don't mind (God I wish I'd kept that car now....)

[Deleted]

Marina Coupes, such an awesome looking car.

In the mid 80's when I was a wee lad in Brum, there was the big nationwide craze for CB radio after FM was legalised. Me and my old man used to drive around in his Datsun Laurel talking to people and arranging 'eyeballs'. We made friends with a bloke called Traveller who lived nearby. He had a customised coupe. Candy flake midnight blue, jacked up super high at the rear with everything chromed underneath, black tinted windows (rare back then) and massive American white letter tyres on really cool wheels (no idea what they were though, after all these years) and side pipes.

It was the first 'custom' car I ever had a spin in. I have no idea what performance mods it had but it was a fast old beast. I've always loved them since that early experience. I wish I had a pic of that car because it became the template for my automotive desires.

[goodoldluke]

Sorry if a repost but I thought this was a nice version of a proper old British racer giver treatment.

[Deleted]

Nice. I love the weird 60's number style on the doors especially. Gives it a vaguely manga / speed racer kind of feel.

[randywanger_]

That TR4 is a front runner in the JCCA (Japanese Classic Car Association) S65 race.

Looks like a Nissan Roadster.

[Foxy]

Supercharged healey?

[tdk]

Inspired by this thread (and others like it), my mate Dr Octane has launched a new website called Cafe Roadster. I think RRers might enjoy this ---> www.caferoadster.com/

[RetroWarwicK]

for it to work, the "british theme" need to transition to more modern cars. So, perhaps the "cafe roadster theme" applied to an MGF, modern jag F type etc.

[DiscoVolante]

Oct 1, 2014 20:54:45 GMT droctane said:

What a great thread. I've thought a lot about the 'Cafe' look; certain British classics have been nailing that look for decades. Minis on 10"s with race inspired grp 2 arches and decluttered Ashley Midgets do it for me.

[droctane]

Hello fellas
I couldn't let this brilliant thread die; the whole 'cafe racer transfer to classic cars' thing is something I'd been kicking around for a few years and this thread sort of crystalised a few ideas we'd had. Hence our humble new sister-site to MotorPunk called Cafe Roadster.
We're aren't inventing anything new, just trying to find a permanent home to the 'British Look' thread and a rallying point for those that like their classic British roadsters pared-down and pepped-up.
Any feedback would be great.
All the best
Darryl

www.caferoadster.com

[LDM-Mk2]

I have enjoyed reading this thread which has also had some really cool cars on it.

[Seth]

Just spotted this is an great photo thread by DarrenW. Yes, it is a race car but a road version would be excellent. Chunky tyres, cut bumper, cooling holes for oil cooler, bonnet latches, headlamp tape, off-white roundels etc.

[DarrenW]

Jul 6, 2015 21:06:46 GMT Seth said:

Just spotted this is an great photo thread by DarrenW. Yes, it is a race car but a road version would be excellent. Chunky tyres, cut bumper, cooling holes for oil cooler, bonnet latches, headlamp tape, off-white roundels etc.

You read my mind - as I posted that very pic I thought I must dredge this thread up and stick it here. Look at those tyres! Perfect.

[DarrenW]

I think this A50 is similar, too;


1956 Austin A50 LJY541 - Peter Blanchett - photo by Retro-Motoring



1956 Austin A50 LJY541 - Peter Blanchett - photo by Retro-Motoring

I really wanted to see it race because I was fascinated by the front wheel fitment. It's not that obvious in the pics I don't think but they sat so close to the front edge of the arch, the slightest lean under cornering load would surely have had them rubbing, but then they'd obviously have sorted that out... Sadly I never saw it run, not sure what the problem was.

Great British racer look to it though - the painted grey bumpers to match the wheels (would look even better with all the chromework done the same!) and the number plate letters directly on the cream paint in particular.