[Vivace]

As a kid I thought that was my destiny - my initials are MG.

 

[73AlfaOEMOwner]

In the summer of 1973 I knew I wanted to buy a sports car early in 1974 before I graduated from the Univ. of Michigan and was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy. So I spent part of that summer visiting dealerships in San Diego and driving candidate cars. Since there was talk then about implementation of new rollover standards that would effectively ban convertibles, I really wanted a drop top. As I would be driving from Ann Arbor to Newport, RI after commissioning for my initial Navy training and then, hopefully, out to San Diego for my first ship assignment, I also wanted a new car so that it had a warrantee. Being an avid reader of C&D, R&T and Sports Car Graphic, I made my list of cars that were around my budget of ~$6,000. The Alfa Spider 2000, Porsche 914 2.0 and Jensen-Healy were the finalists. Corvettes didn't interest me and the MG and Triumph offerings were all too ancient. I considered getting a used 911 or XKE but, as I mentioned, I wanted a new car. After driving the 3 candidates I, obviously, picked the Alfa Spider ($5,980 with a dealer installed AM/FM stereo) that is now in its winter slumber in my garage. The 914 2.0 sounded like a VW (of course, it had a VW engine), the interior was pretty spartan and with the targa top it really wasn't a "real" convertible. The Jensen-Healy drove really nicely, especially with that 2L Lotus engine, but the build quality was really poor and the "safety" styling was uninspiring. So, in answer to this question, I guess I would have bought a 914 2.0 but I doubt I would have kept it as long as I have the Alfa.

 

[jayhunt]

In the summer of 1973 I knew I wanted to buy a sports car early in 1974 before I graduated from the Univ. of Michigan and was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy. So I spent part of that summer visiting dealerships in San Diego and driving candidate cars. Since there was talk then about implementation of new rollover standards that would effectively ban convertibles, I really wanted a drop top. As I would be driving from Ann Arbor to Newport after commissioning for my initial Navy training and then, hopefully, out to San Diego for my first ship assignment, I also wanted a new car so that it had a warrantee. Being an avid reader of C&D, R&T and Sports Car Graphic, I made my list of cars that were around my budget of ~$6,000. The Alfa Spider 2000, Porsche 914 2.0 and Jensen-Healy were the finalists. Corvettes didn't interest me and the MG and Triumph offerings were all too ancient. I considered getting a used 911 or XKE but, as I mentioned, I wanted a new car. After driving the 3 candidates I, obviously, picked the Alfa Spider ($5,980 with a dealer installed AM/FM stereo) that is now in its winter slumber in my garage. The 914 2.0 sounded like a VW (of course, it had a VW engine), the interior was pretty spartan and with the targa top it really wasn't a "real" convertible. The Jensen-Healy drove really nicely, especially with that 2L Lotus engine, but the build quality was really poor and the "safety" styling was uninspiring. So, in answer to this question, I guess I would have bought a 914 2.0 but I doubt I would have kept it as long as I have the Alfa.

Enjoyed reading your reply!

 

[66Sprite]

I own a Austin Healey Sprite and when it gets too hard to get into that I think I Triumph Stag might be on the cards.

 

[Aggie57]

I own a Austin Healey Sprite and when it gets too hard to get into that I think I Triumph Stag might be on the cards.

Where do you live? When I lived in Melbourne the local Healey Sprite club was very active, especially in sprints and club events. Great people, always fun to be around.

 

[jayhunt]

I own a Austin Healey Sprite and when it gets too hard to get into that I think I Triumph Stag might be on the cards.

What year? What do you like about it?

 

[Amphigory]

Had a Boxster S; blast to drive. Hated that the engine access made it a pain to work on (why else own a sportscar?). Ran and handled like crazy, solid quality car. Then the rear main seal leaked (2000 model year). Hassle with warranty. Every time needed dealer service the bills were multiples of 10 to the third. Things that I would like to do myself if I had easier access to the engine (and yes I did know how to get in there; just didn't believe I should have to engage in foreplay just to have fun with my car's engine.)

Don't scoff; I had several Fiat 124's. Sheer pleasure to drive, sweetheart of a high revving DOHC engine, handled like crazy and a blast to wrench on. Double clutching was smooth and easy, no notchiness or having to pause between gears. Never a problem with the fabric timing belt (except the time I snapped off the tensioner bolt in the block using a new Sears torque wrench - my bad - had to pull engine to drill it out.) Rewarding all around except when electrical gremlins occurred. Parts cheap, easily obtained. Terrific selection of performance parts (remember Al Cosentino and his crazy catalogs?) No drama. I could pretend to be a master mechanic and a rally driver all in one package while reading Road and Track to follow the Grand Prix Circus each season. Books about Alfa, Tazio Nuvolari and Fangio and Ferrari. Monza. Nürburgring and Watkins Glen. Road America. A moonlit drive I gave to my first real girlfriend made me her live-in till she threw me out. In retrospect I dodged a bullet there! THANK YOU FIAT for the terrific memories of my youth. Stupid me; I dreamt I would own an Alfa spider some day (which I do now.)

Have also owned Jaguar XKE Series I 4.2 and XJ6 Series 3 as well as X1/9s, Lancia "Scorpion" and (please God kill me now) a Citroen SM. Oh well. Of these I wish I still had the XKE coupe although the XJ6 was an absolute pavement swallower in leather luxury as a freeway cruiser ("grace, pace and space") - when everything worked.

Citroen SM!!!
Hats off to you, sir. For all the wonderful cars I've owned, an SM was not among them. (I'm actually thinking of what will replace my 63 corvette...)
Marc

 

[Vivace]

I own a Austin Healey Sprite and when it gets too hard to get into that I think I Triumph Stag might be on the cards.

I have two friends here with bugeye's and a newer AH Sprite, 3 between them. They are tiny, the doors are like kitchen cupboard doors! I drove one to a college football game with about 8 people in and/or on it (chrome trunk rack).

I drove a Stag once (wanted one badly). It had a Buick 215 / 4 barrel swap. It sounded good...

I have driven an SM, at my high school lot boy job at a big Datsun dealer. The owner bought a BMW 3.0CS coupe and an SM, and I got to wash them and drop them off. The SM raises up on its hydraulic suspension when you start it. It rocks side to side when you rock the steering wheel - a self centering strategy. The mechanics had no idea how to deal with that car.

 

[66Sprite]

edit - sorry wrong spot, newbie getting used to forum layout

 

[66Sprite]

Where do you live? When I lived in Melbourne the local Healey Sprite club was very active, especially in sprints and club events. Great people, always fun to be around.

Hi @Aggie57, I think we've spoken before on the MGExp site when we were both rebuilding A series engines? I'm in Sydney and a member of the Sprite Car Club of Australia - we do social runs about once a month, some members race, it's a good club.

 

[66Sprite]

What year? What do you like about it?

Hi @jayhunt, mine is a Mk3 1966 model - the sophistication of windup windows and lockable doors! Most likeable feature is the dive - very direct and rewarding feedback, easy to maintain, basic exposed motoring. I said in another thread that it's basically a road registered go kart, it's tiny as @Vivace says and you wear it.

 

[John Ireland]

I'd go with a 1987 Maserati Biturbo Spider...fuel injection replaced the single carb and that cured many engine problems. The chassis was sloppy but it can be tweaked, and then you can drive around it's flaws.

 

[Threeducs33]

chrome bumper (let’s say 74) MGB! They are not the fastest but still a blast to drive

I had a '67 B concurrently with a '63 101 Sprint Normale. The B was fun but the Sprint was a much better car. I just bought a '59 Austin Healey 3000 project car that I expect will take a couple years to get on the road. I had intended to buy a '71 GTV but the hoarder who owns that would rather let it rust into the ground than sell it, or any of the other 100+ cars he has sitting out in the weather, they are too special to him. Really wanted that GTV.

 

[Threeducs33]

Gorgeous cars!

Though not a normal priced car.

 

[jayhunt]

Though not a normal priced car.

True

 

[rekmeyata]

Fortunately during college I worked on many European and British cars and experienced many as extended drivers. If the Duetto/Spider didn't exist, (keep in mind that I either owned, drove or worked on all of these) I would probably have either a Fiat 124 Sport Spider, Jensen Healey but the timing belts annoy me, or perhaps an MGA but it's a little too basic with side curtains and erector top, maybe a Peugeot 404C with the Pininfarina design similar to the Ferrari's of the day but they were anemic and slow. Jaguar E-types are fast enough but are outrageously expensive now. Sprigits are too small, Triumphs, MGBs felt antique. No if Alfa Spiders didn't exist, then the world would be just a little bit sadder.

I had a 1959 Twin Cam MGA, I loved the looks and loved that it was so archaic, it was extremely simple to work on, which was a good thing for me because the **** thing was always needing some sort or repair! I had to replace the wiring harness twice, but the second time I got smart, I went and got American wire and simply color matched it, and built my own harness, after that no more wiring issues. But everything and anything would break on it. Mine was red with a black interior, and chrome wire wheels, simply gorgeous to look at, just not to drive in it much. That body design is my all time favorite body design for any sports car from the 50's on ward till Alfa Romeo came out with the 4C, that car was stunning.

Technically the 4C is not a sports car, it is a grand touring car also known as a GT.

Now that I'm 73 years old, working on vintage cars is no longer my thing especially after having lower back fusion. I sold off the vintage sports car collection I had about 30 years ago and got into American classic cars, they had far less issues, then about 6 or 7 years ago decided to sell those as well since I was going to retire. The only interesting car I have now is a 2002 Lexus SC430. I don't touch the Lexus, I just let the dealership maintain it, but it's never needed any repairs unlike the sports cars I had.

 

[rekmeyata]

How about a Datsun Fairlady Roadster (2L of course)?

I had a 1963 Datsun 1500 Fairlady, the engine suffered from overheating due to a underperforming radiator system, and living in So California was not a good place for that car, but I remember that serial number though SPL00010, yup it was the 10th car off the assembly line. I had someone argue with me saying that the those lower serial numbers stayed in Japan, but my car had a left hand steering wheel, not right, which is what the L in SPL stood for. Anyway, I only had the car for less than a year and sold it due to parts scarcity and the over heating issue, with no after market radiators that would have worked better. That car was my first attempt at owning a vintage sports car.

The best Datsun sports car was the 2000 model, that one Datsun got all the bugs that plagued the 1500 out of it, and upped the horsepower to be better than equivalent British cars. The Datsun 1500 A series engine was a copy of the Triumph Spitfire 1500 engine. Mine had just one SU carburetor the next year they had two so they could compete with the Spitfire that had 2 SU carbs. Anyway, while perhaps not the best looking sports car on the market back then, the Datsun 2000 turned out to be very bulletproof, and for it's time was the most reliable and longest lasting car of any of those small type sports cars made by any country in the world. Today those cars cost around $40,000 which I think is absurd for such a car because they were tinny, very tight for a 6 foot tall person like me; but I think that kind of price for any of those type of sports cars is absurd, especially the British ones due to their horrid reliability.

 

[Aggie57]

Hi @Aggie57, I think we've spoken before on the MGExp site when we were both rebuilding A series engines? I'm in Sydney and a member of the Sprite Car Club of Australia - we do social runs about once a month, some members race, it's a good club.

Not me sorry; the only A series motor I’ve laid my hands on was in the front of our 850 Mini!

 

[Rgmaria]

Its understudy, the Fiat Cento Venti Quattro would be my choice.

 

[Rgmaria]

Fiat 124 Sport Spider, classic or Fiata.