I almost forgot. We have a milestone to celebrate... My Baby is ten years old today.
It's been a long and rewarding relationship... as far as cars go... even if I have considered trading her in for some Sweet Young Thang of late. But True Love wins out. For the moment.
Buck, she looks pretty good to be 10 years old! I think you would be making a mistake to let any pretty young thang, catch you eye over her!
ReplyDeleteAt least you already got her something sparkly last summer! She's one classy lady.
ReplyDeleteThat photo was taken the day I bought her, Dale. But she HAS aged well.
ReplyDeleteMoogie: Yeah a facelift (the re-sewed top) and minor reconstructive/cosmetic surgery (the new clutch and repainting the bumper) did wonders for the ol' gal. She's pretty frisky these days.
It looks like new. You must be a freak on the washing to keep it that beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Hornet!
ReplyDeleteHere's to another 10 years with the GH!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to the pretty girl in green.
ReplyDeleteA love affair with a car is so satisfying and rewarding.
It looks like new. You must be a freak on the washing...
ReplyDeleteIt IS new in the pic, Daph. You should see it as we speak... it's been two weeks since her last wash.
Lou, Anon, & Kris: Thank ya all!
Man, I think that's just a great looking ride. I almost had one a year or so ago, but somebody else was higher on the list. Missed it by that much.
ReplyDeleteYou've probably heard that a lot of the young testosterone-poisoned types think that Miatas are teh ghey - but guys our age see 'em for what they are, which is an Austin Healy Sprite that runs all the time and doesn't leak oil.
That one's a keeper, Bub. Good for you.
...guys our age see 'em for what they are, which is an Austin Healy Sprite that runs all the time and doesn't leak oil.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Rob, with a minor quibble. I liken it to my old TR-3 which is the same church, different pew. Except the Miata is water-tight (the TR's side-curtains and top FORCED me to wear rain gear while driving in the wet... water would even come in under the windshield!); it doesn't have Lucas, Prince O' Darkness electrics and the accompanying mysteriously blown fuses; and it doesn't have those damnable dual SU carburetors which went out of sync about once a week. Yeah... like a TR-3 except RELIABLE. And comfortable, too.
And I DO get tired of hearing "chick car!" or worse all the damned time. The car is a joy to drive... the six-speed shifts like the proverbial hot knife through butter, the brakes are superlative, and the handling is telepathic. I COULD go on... coz I love this car. It's too bad you missed getting yours. Keep your eyes peeled!
Buck,
ReplyDeleteA TR3! Far out, as we say.
Mine was red - and I also had for awhile an Austin-Healy 100-6, which my (now 45-year-old) daughter called "The Hilly" when she was still riding around in the jump-seats.
English cars were decidedly not designed for Texas, though, and the Healy particularly would overheat every time you saw a pretty girl, which is not to mention the virtual impossibility of keeping the carburetors tuned.
As far as Japanese cars go, I finally got rid of my '82 Toyota pickup, which tin-can piece of shit I drove for 5 or 6 years after my 528i finally kicked it in at 306,000 miles. What I just got is a 2001 Corolla, which has 135,000 perfectly maintained miles on it and is astonishingly quick and agile, as I've recently established a few times out in West Marin.
Power/power, AC, absolutely everything works every time. And I saved up the money living in a Senior Housing situation while getting by on Social Security.
Fuck a buncha old, y'know?
Ah... an Austin Healy 100!?! My next door neighbor at Boron AFS had one... a six cylinder IIRC, white over black. The thing was a garage queen (ALWAYS something wrong) but when it was running it was a beautiful thing moving down the road. I think those cars were the prettiest Brit sports cars ever.
ReplyDeleteAs for your Corolla... ain't it amazing how far the Nihonjin have come? I'm glad you like it!
re: "Fuck a buncha old, y'know?" Heh. That I DO! ;-)