British car owners loved to tinker with their cars. That was part of the joy of ownership. Triumphs, MG’s, and Jag’s were in constant need of minor repairs that any enthusiast could do. Problem was, when they were imported to the U.S. owners brought their cars to mechanics for most repairs……and that cost money!!!
Had a friend rebuild a Jaguar ‘Salon’(pronounced ‘Saloon’) painted it British Racing Green(cost him a fortune) then a hurricane came along and he had to do it all over again. Finally, sold it for about $5000.
With British cars, you just need to take a traditional approach -It was traditional to threaten my MGA’s starter with the factory supplied knock-off hammer.Swinging it around while cursing in Welsh helped, too.
Owned an 88 Sterling once, I drove the dealership courtesy loaner as often as I drove the Sterling while it was under warranty. Lucas, Prince of Darkness and the reason the Brits drink warm beer, electronics, Austin Rover carriage [don’t] work. Lexus motor and transmission — the only parts of the car with any reliability.As someone else said of their British car, it always needed something.
gammaguy almost 9 years ago
And the wing (fender) doesn’t crumple, it crumpets.
clayusmcret Premium Member almost 9 years ago
When the tea bag deploys, instead of black eyes on impact you get a caffeine buzz.
J Short almost 9 years ago
…and the electronics don’t work half the time.
PoodleGroomer almost 9 years ago
THe true curse of British car repair and rebuilding was having Whitworth thread nuts and bolts getting lose in the SAE spares.
Egrayjames almost 9 years ago
British car owners loved to tinker with their cars. That was part of the joy of ownership. Triumphs, MG’s, and Jag’s were in constant need of minor repairs that any enthusiast could do. Problem was, when they were imported to the U.S. owners brought their cars to mechanics for most repairs……and that cost money!!!
IndyMan almost 9 years ago
Had a friend rebuild a Jaguar ‘Salon’(pronounced ‘Saloon’) painted it British Racing Green(cost him a fortune) then a hurricane came along and he had to do it all over again. Finally, sold it for about $5000.
Rwill almost 9 years ago
Brits don’t have collisions, they have prangs. Or so I heard.
Plods with ...™ almost 9 years ago
I have a comment about the deployment, but I don’t want to get sidelined again.
cubswin2016 almost 9 years ago
It must have been an Austin Healey.
Kirk Barnes Premium Member almost 9 years ago
And them damned BSA threads….
ellisaana Premium Member almost 9 years ago
With British cars, you just need to take a traditional approach -It was traditional to threaten my MGA’s starter with the factory supplied knock-off hammer.Swinging it around while cursing in Welsh helped, too.
stephenf almost 9 years ago
Own a British car you also have to own a British mechanic. Except for a Morgan. Then you also have to own a British carpenter.
neverenoughgold almost 9 years ago
I had a “foreign” car once! It was a Dodge truck made in Canada…
Bandusia15 almost 9 years ago
My God, Gaunt! You know I love you, but I have seen this poem reprinted like 17 times today! ENOUGH!!!
mklange Premium Member almost 9 years ago
Jim Kerner almost 9 years ago
Those tea bags don’t deploy unless it’s 4 O’ Clock.