Bucko
07-15-2007, 12:58 PM
I've had my 44 year old Hillman back on the road for about a month now and I've been enjoying some classic motoring for the first time in two and a half years.
It's also the first time in two and a half years I've had a car instead of just Murdercycles.
For those that don't know what the hell I'm talking about, here's my '63 Hillman Super Minx:
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8730/hillman002zf3.jpg
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/2527/hillman003kk6.jpg
It's funny though, I feel less safe driving than I do riding. On a motorbike I feel like the road is a whole lot bigger and there is a lot more escape routes should it all go pear shaped while out and about.
It's winter here in Australia and I happen to have a car without a heater or windscreen demister, so a box of tissues comes in handy to see.
It's things like that which remind you of just how different old cars are.
I have one speed wipers, which the speed is exactly right to be either too fast or too slow for whatever rain I happen to be in.
The brakes aren't power assisted, so they are quite heavy. Passengers never feel safe due to no seat belts in the back. The starter solenoid has been playing up and the starter button (yes button, the key only turns on the ignition) doesn't always work, so sometimes I have to pop the bonnet and do a quick fiddle. Luckily I haven't needed the crank handle to start it yet (another thing you won't find in a modern car!).
It may sound like I'm complaining, but really I'm not. I love this car and I won't be getting rid of it ever. It's just such fun to drive and turn heads wherever it goes as it's so unusual.
This coming weekend I'm taking it on a nice 800 mile road trip to catch up with some friends and I'm quite looking forward to it. I have the CD player working again, so I'll be popping on some Doors and Led Zeppelin while I hit the back roads and head west.
The week after I will be doing another round trip of over 1100 miles as I head north to catch up with Cymae on the Gold Coast.
Should be great fun at a cruising speed of 60mph. It will do 80mph flat out, but you are really revving the engine, which I don't like doing on this old girl, so I'm happy to sit at 60mph and let everyone overtake me.
I'll make sure I take photos of my trips and where I end up.
It's also the first time in two and a half years I've had a car instead of just Murdercycles.
For those that don't know what the hell I'm talking about, here's my '63 Hillman Super Minx:
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8730/hillman002zf3.jpg
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/2527/hillman003kk6.jpg
It's funny though, I feel less safe driving than I do riding. On a motorbike I feel like the road is a whole lot bigger and there is a lot more escape routes should it all go pear shaped while out and about.
It's winter here in Australia and I happen to have a car without a heater or windscreen demister, so a box of tissues comes in handy to see.
It's things like that which remind you of just how different old cars are.
I have one speed wipers, which the speed is exactly right to be either too fast or too slow for whatever rain I happen to be in.
The brakes aren't power assisted, so they are quite heavy. Passengers never feel safe due to no seat belts in the back. The starter solenoid has been playing up and the starter button (yes button, the key only turns on the ignition) doesn't always work, so sometimes I have to pop the bonnet and do a quick fiddle. Luckily I haven't needed the crank handle to start it yet (another thing you won't find in a modern car!).
It may sound like I'm complaining, but really I'm not. I love this car and I won't be getting rid of it ever. It's just such fun to drive and turn heads wherever it goes as it's so unusual.
This coming weekend I'm taking it on a nice 800 mile road trip to catch up with some friends and I'm quite looking forward to it. I have the CD player working again, so I'll be popping on some Doors and Led Zeppelin while I hit the back roads and head west.
The week after I will be doing another round trip of over 1100 miles as I head north to catch up with Cymae on the Gold Coast.
Should be great fun at a cruising speed of 60mph. It will do 80mph flat out, but you are really revving the engine, which I don't like doing on this old girl, so I'm happy to sit at 60mph and let everyone overtake me.
I'll make sure I take photos of my trips and where I end up.