Darkspeed
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,678
Club RR Member Number: 39
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Hunting UnicornsDarkspeed
@darkspeed
Club Retro Rides Member 39
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Its an interesting thread and I have tried to think if there has been any vehicles that I have ever been desperate to own that met the criteria of the examples cited and I am struggling. I did have a great want for a Caterham HPC - Ford BDG version but would have settled for a JPE. I picked up a Westfield SE project which was great fun, test drove a tuned 2.0L Zetec S3 Caterham which just did not live up to expectations and the HPC lust evaporated. I also had a want for a Ginetta G4 - then sat in one - and without even driving it that desire dissolved and I replaced it with a G27 V8. I own /have owned others unicorns - The Strato's fits that bill for many as did the ex-factory demonstrator G21 for its buyer. But I cannot think of anything that fits the "absolutely must have that" and prepared to move heaven and earth to obtain it. If there was ever anything that sort of got close it would be this. But now knowing how disappointing some cars are that you expect so much of - I think with this one it would be better to just not go hunting.
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Last Edit: Oct 7, 2020 21:28:31 GMT by Darkspeed
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"I don’t actually like muscle cars, I’d rather a proper hot rod or a 50s/60s stock car. But they’re pretty much all a hero you do not want to meet, like over the hill rockstars or RHD Porsches." Yes, although... I've only driven one Musclecar, and I only drove that car once. A '69 Charger, big block, 4speed, RT, unmodified, restored stock , except for wheels & tires. ( Yes... Orange , which was its original color... ) Belonged to a guy I used to work with. Since I'm into small nimble Euro racecars, I expected it to be a ridiculous barge. Maybe because my expectations were so low, I was pleasantly surprised. No, it didn't handle stop or steer very well, but the lazy effortless torque combined with the 4 speed made it a nice ride. And the soft vague suspension was right for it somehow. Not something I'd ever own, but I liked it a lot...
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,712
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Hunting UnicornsDez
@dez
Club Retro Rides Member 34
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"I don’t actually like muscle cars, I’d rather a proper hot rod or a 50s/60s stock car. But they’re pretty much all a hero you do not want to meet, like over the hill rockstars or RHD Porsches." Yes, although... I've only driven one Musclecar, and I only drove that car once. A '69 Charger, big block, 4speed, RT, unmodified, restored stock , except for wheels & tires. ( Yes... Orange , which was its original color... ) Belonged to a guy I used to work with. Since I'm into small nimble Euro racecars, I expected it to be a ridiculous barge. Maybe because my expectations were so low, I was pleasantly surprised. No, it didn't handle stop or steer very well, but the lazy effortless torque combined with the 4 speed made it a nice ride. And the soft vague suspension was right for it somehow. Not something I'd ever own, but I liked it a lot... I think a lot of it is down to the European idea of what a performance car is is very different to the ‘murican idea. A lot of it is down to our roads more than anything. I suppose the fact minis could compete with galaxies in the saloon car championships On fairly level pegging over here underlines the two approaches.
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"I don’t actually like muscle cars, I’d rather a proper hot rod or a 50s/60s stock car. But they’re pretty much all a hero you do not want to meet, like over the hill rockstars or RHD Porsches." Yes, although... I've only driven one Musclecar, and I only drove that car once. A '69 Charger, big block, 4speed, RT, unmodified, restored stock , except for wheels & tires. ( Yes... Orange , which was its original color... ) Belonged to a guy I used to work with. Since I'm into small nimble Euro racecars, I expected it to be a ridiculous barge. Maybe because my expectations were so low, I was pleasantly surprised. No, it didn't handle stop or steer very well, but the lazy effortless torque combined with the 4 speed made it a nice ride. And the soft vague suspension was right for it somehow. Not something I'd ever own, but I liked it a lot... I think a lot of it is down to the European idea of what a performance car is is very different to the ‘murican idea. A lot of it is down to our roads more than anything. I suppose the fact minis could compete with galaxies in the saloon car championships On fairly level pegging over here underlines the two approaches. Yes, absolutely. That same car would really suck on UK or Euro roads... Edit. I've driven an Italian car in Italy, a British car in the UK, a Dutch car in the Netherlands, and a American car in the USA. And they all made sense because they were all built in the era when cars were still built for the roads and type of driving of their countries. Maybe that is the real definition of a retro car ( or should be...)
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I think my Unicorn would be a Metro 6R4 but I'm never realistically going to get there. Building a repro would be good and thought about an Alfa v6 in the back but that would be 2wd. Chopped down Vitara floor pan maybe but that would be front engined. Really difficult to find the right engine and 4wd. Audi TT might be an option somehow?
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,832
Club RR Member Number: 174
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Hunting Unicornsstealthstylz
@stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member 174
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You just need to sort the vitara. Best car you’ve ever owned. That was very much a "single" me car though. It was my daily but I wasn't doing the commute I am now. It was funny for basically posing round in but I don't really have the time or inclination to do that now.
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Not really a Unicorn, but the end result would be something that was drawn on all my old maths books etc my plan is this shell [GRP] Running this engine [Audi ASN NA v6] mid mounted on an Audi 0B3 FWD gearbox [just look at how close the driveshaft is to the flywheel] With RX8/ late MX5 based suspension on a home brewed chassis There are loads of challenges, but it'd be awesome. Biggest stumbling block is the cheapest shells are around 3k, and I'd want to chop it up with wider arches and cooling apertures. So it would take some brave pills to jump into on my pathetic budget, but as I'm nearly 50 I need to pull my finger out swiftly or I'll be too old to get into something so low I have a plan like this using this or the similar Audi V8 and transaxle, but transplanting it into an 80s Skoda Rapid. It's been on the "one day maybe" back burner for years, having been formulated when you could buy a solid Rapid for a couple of hundred quid. I fear i've missed the boat now with a base car costing in the thousands!
Steve
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I think my Unicorn would be a Metro 6R4 but I'm never realistically going to get there. Building a repro would be good and thought about an Alfa v6 in the back but that would be 2wd. Chopped down Vitara floor pan maybe but that would be front engined. Really difficult to find the right engine and 4wd. Audi TT might be an option somehow? Surely an MGF is the obvious way forward?
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I have a plan like this using this or the similar Audi V8 and transaxle, but transplanting it into an 80s Skoda Rapid. It's been on the "one day maybe" back burner for years, having been formulated when you could buy a solid Rapid for a couple of hundred quid. I fear i've missed the boat now with a base car costing in the thousands! Steve
A few years ago I was annoyed at myself for all these old cars (mainly Skodas) sitting around I was never going to get round to, and oodles of spares I'd never need. Now that spares are unobtanium and so are decent bodies, I'm really glad I didn't have the time to "clear out" some of the "junk" I had which is now premium sought after junk!
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Not really a Unicorn, but the end result would be something that was drawn on all my old maths books etc my plan is this shell [GRP] Running this engine [Audi ASN NA v6] mid mounted on an Audi 0B3 FWD gearbox [just look at how close the driveshaft is to the flywheel] With RX8/ late MX5 based suspension on a home brewed chassis There are loads of challenges, but it'd be awesome. Biggest stumbling block is the cheapest shells are around 3k, and I'd want to chop it up with wider arches and cooling apertures. So it would take some brave pills to jump into on my pathetic budget, but as I'm nearly 50 I need to pull my finger out swiftly or I'll be too old to get into something so low I have a plan like this using this or the similar Audi V8 and transaxle, but transplanting it into an 80s Skoda Rapid. It's been on the "one day maybe" back burner for years, having been formulated when you could buy a solid Rapid for a couple of hundred quid. I fear i've missed the boat now with a base car costing in the thousands!
Steve
But the AUDI donor is cheap atm 🤔
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I think my Unicorn would be a Metro 6R4 but I'm never realistically going to get there. Building a repro would be good and thought about an Alfa v6 in the back but that would be 2wd. Chopped down Vitara floor pan maybe but that would be front engined. Really difficult to find the right engine and 4wd. Audi TT might be an option somehow? Surely an MGF is the obvious way forward? It’s how to make it 4wd though? If I was sticking with rwd then it would have to be a v6 in the back to at least get the noise!
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skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,546
Club RR Member Number: 11
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Hunting Unicornsskinnylew
@skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member 11
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Another inspiring thread. Loving the 34.
I'm not sure i have a semi realistic Unicorn car (aside from an F40) I think the problem i face is i just love cars too much. And i partially blame this site for feeding me like a crack dealer for years. Now nothing is off limits, uncool, or potentialess. Sadly the more i realise that my ambition and desire do not match up with my physical health or my time. Or money actually. Having spent the majority of this year overseeing a small extension and kitchen rebuild money for fun things is lacking, as is time, as is health (skin on my hands/fingers is made of paper. wet tissue paper. split central:( ) I guess by the last few threads i've been reading, this time and current climate has given people opportunity to slow down, take stock and assess. And then push forward with clarity and determination. I envy those of you who have been in a position to do this. I wish i had a lockdown to get myself and my car life back in order and condensed. Yet on the other hand i am fortunate to have a job and be working day in day out. Swings and roundabouts i guess.......
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Surely an MGF is the obvious way forward? It’s how to make it 4wd though? If I was sticking with rwd then it would have to be a v6 in the back to at least get the noise! Come on, guys! Surely the answer to 4wd and noise on a budget is clear!? MGTF VVC in the back and MGTF VVC up front as well!!! Gearshift, throttle and clutch will be interesting, but not impossible. Not sure what two VVCs would sound like? Lotus rocker covers for a bit of motorsport kudos?
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ToolsnTrack
Posted a lot
Homebrew Raconteur
Posts: 4,117
Club RR Member Number: 134
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Hunting UnicornsToolsnTrack
@overdrive
Club Retro Rides Member 134
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My unicorn is this: Almost exactly that. Colour, trim, the lot. 2 factors have made it elude me, despite it always being my ultimate car. Firstly, the budget. Even as a kit, how much you put in determines a LOT on how much it puts out. I could lash something up with a rover V8 and a basic kit, but it would look wrong, feel wrong, and be wrong. It needs a thumping big block, proper wheels and at least a half decent well designed kit to be based on. Secondly, me. My discipline. I am glad I have never ventured into one before as I'd have neither the knowledge nor commitment to see it through. Even now, I don't know that, but I do have a plan.The Locost build I am starting is for a car I have always fancied, but it is the build ITSELF that is the objective. If I complete it and finish with a proper car, I have proven the few thousand invested will bear fruit, and I'll feel a lot more confident in my ability to go for the unicorn. Often its not the finding of the unicorn, its having the ability to find it yourself...
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craig1010cc
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,993
Club RR Member Number: 35
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Hunting Unicornscraig1010cc
@craig1010cc
Club Retro Rides Member 35
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It’s how to make it 4wd though? If I was sticking with rwd then it would have to be a v6 in the back to at least get the noise! Come on, guys! Surely the answer to 4wd and noise on a budget is clear!? MGTF VVC in the back and MGTF VVC up front as well!!! Gearshift, throttle and clutch will be interesting, but not impossible. Not sure what two VVCs would sound like? Lotus rocker covers for a bit of motorsport kudos? Mgf is a good choice, has the right wheelbase and track. Engine wise, kv6 should go in easily enough, as does a t16.
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Are you suggesting that a 5 litre, 48 valve, mid-engined and four wheel drive Metro is possible?
I don't think you need to worry about the wheelbase etc, as IIRC MGTF is based on metro subframes?
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perf
Part of things
Posts: 35
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LHD Anglia Estate. Very rare in Sweden. About 15-20. I got one after a couple years.
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I started writing a post this morning, then got distracted! Whenever I get a new student in my class, I always ask them what their favourite car is. It gives me an idea what they're into and what sort of person they see themselves as - when a 15 year old wants a black Range Rover with black windows, you know they'll be trouble... Thing is, I can't answer the question myself. I'll always have a Cal Look Beetle, and I may well have owned my unicorn and let it go with my '51 split. I'd love a '32 Ford roadster, a proper Jon Golding or Jerry Denning style one, although an A couple also appeals. From the days of bunking off primary school with my dad to go to watch the Group B rally cars, a Peugeot 205 T16 would do nicely, and I've always fancied a Bullitt '68 Mustang and an AC Cobra. There are just so many possibilities for so many different purposes. As the old joke says, I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure...
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1968 Cal Look Beetle - 2007cc motor - 14.45@93mph in full street trim 1970-ish Karmann Beetle cabriolet - project soon to be re-started. 1986 Scirocco - big plans, one day!
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Not really a Unicorn, but the end result would be something that was drawn on all my old maths books etc my plan is this shell [GRP] Running this engine [Audi ASN NA v6] mid mounted on an Audi 0B3 FWD gearbox [just look at how close the driveshaft is to the flywheel] With RX8/ late MX5 based suspension on a home brewed chassis There are loads of challenges, but it'd be awesome. Biggest stumbling block is the cheapest shells are around 3k, and I'd want to chop it up with wider arches and cooling apertures. So it would take some brave pills to jump into on my pathetic budget, but as I'm nearly 50 I need to pull my finger out swiftly or I'll be too old to get into something so low I love that. I came very close to owning a real 356 a few years back and have always hankered after one since. But I feel a stock one would be massively disappointing given it just a mildly fancy beetle. You plan sounds great. It's partly for the improved dynamics, but also for cost, i'd want at least 200bhp/tonne and can do that and more for around 1K of audi engine and box, to get it out of a beetle engine would be thousands and 20mpg, with poor reliability. \Beetle suspension was canny for 1940, but not now, so this all kinda makes sense
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,832
Club RR Member Number: 174
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Hunting Unicornsstealthstylz
@stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member 174
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I was having a good think about this the other day. There is something I've always wanted to build and I've even got the shell and engine do it, but it's so immensely impractical and would probably result in a instant ban from the road.
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