Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Your first car...Would you drive it today?

Bought my first car at the age of 16 with the intention to get it restored before I'd turn 18. That was a '67 Karmannn Ghia back in 1988.
Finally realized the Paint shop wouldn't get it finished until my 18th birthday so I went and bought a Volkswagen Beetle as a second car. Still at the age of 17.

Then owned a succession of air-cooled VW's and almost died in another Karmann when I hit a tree.
Went for a much safer car afterwards: A Volvo 122S, bought unseen over the phone when I was still hospitalized. It didn't had safety belts, though.


I wouldn't turn down a Volvo 544 or 121/122 as personal transportation for everyday use. Later Volvo's were rubbish.

Among the varety of cars I traded over the last 20 years are some I still sorely miss:
- a 1961 Facel Vega HK500
- the early Porsche 911S SWB I used to drive to university
- a much bemoaned Auto Union 1000Sp Coupe
- a BMW 3.0 CSL (bought with accident damage from a scrapyard in Switzerland 12 years ago for CHF 1.200,--)
- my Jaguar 3.8 S-Type manual - swore I'd never sell it. Needed the money so it went.

The Morgan's gonna stay in the family. Promise.

I think, the first car is like the first love... you never forget it.

My first car was a Fiat 127 and of course I would drive one today.

And if you are curious, what other cars (and motorbikes) I had in the past. There are all here (Under "My former cars")

Sunny greetings,
Ivo

My first car was a VW 1303S Beetle. My first scare, accident and full trouser moment (wet roundabout) all took place around this. I probably would not buy another but do look at them with a smile when I see them. Worryingly they are now in all the "vintage car" magazines which places me in the same place category.

My second was a Dolomite Sprint (I am with you on the speed and style Dave) I went motor racing in this and killed three of them over two years. I would buy one of these again and even looked at one on Pistonheads a few weeks back. I guess the Dolomite was breaking me in for the recent reliability of my Aero 8^(

Absolutely - I am madly hankering after an HK500, but frankly I'm a bit scared of them - killed too many people.

Latest C&SC has an article comparing HK and Bristol 410, and it mentions the HK500 chassis can twist so much it will crack the screen. Frightening..

Still want one though!

I thought there would be a gang of Mini 1st timers, mine was a 1968 Morris Mini Minor mkII de-luxe 998 cc, rot-box body but demon engine, it had 'wet' suspension like the works cars and I drove flat out everywhere, great memories of the winter of 81/82 with Ultravox on the tape player...
Mini was followed by mk I Escort [banger]
metro next [1st new car]
mkII Golf GTi in Mars red - fast but the metro handled better

wouldn't want to re-visit any of them .. too many cars I've yet to sample

for some reason I keep thinking about a 356 coupe, then again I was always a fan of Jenks/MotorSport mag

Me too! Sliding morgan type windows, a string pull cord to open the door, starter button on the floor.
Thought my 998 mini was quick, with a stage 2 head and a straight through exhaust until a SAAB 96 (? i think), a fat wallowy thing, came blasting past me! Had to move on to a 1275GT.
Would i drive it today? You bet.

I know this is a bit 'off the wall'but my seond( or was it third?) car was a Fiat 124 Special T.
Went like hell and was a good car
G

You had a WHAT????!!!!!!!

Long story. In about 1970 ( summer before University) a gang of us went down to the Venice Lido in a VW Camper.
This guy on the site next to us in Jesolo was a captain in the German army and he had one. Engine sounded great, and he kept passing us on the way home. I got back, we had a local FIAT dealer who was a mate of my father's, I persuaded the old man to let me try one, they struck a deal ( I never found out what) and I tootled off to University the following September in it.
Really good car- I suspect it was the air horns that really did it!!
G