I'm new here though I've browsed this board from time to time for a while now.
This thread is not titled for any particular car because no doubt like many of you I have more than one. The bad news is that a few years of career turmoil and freelance work have left me with only my everyday car - a very nice but uninteresting in this context Polo 1.4tdi - in roadworthy condition.
So, where do I start...
As you'd guess from my username I'm a Herald owner. I have 3 complete cars and enough bits to make most of several others.
1960 Triumph Herald 948 saloon
I bought this car in 1995 and ran it until 2004 when circumstances forced me to take it off the road. It's "original" but a bit tatty and I'm sorry to say it's looking sorry for itself now as my disasterous attempt at a respray is starting to flake off. Having owned most Herald models over the years I'd say this is the best of them, the weedy little engine takes it to a flat-out 65mph but the 1950s drums and "interesting" rear suspension mean that it is a surprisingly lively package.
1961 Triumph Herald 948 coupe
When you find a Herald coupe you buy it. You wont find another one. This one had sat in a field for 10 years when I bought it in 1993 so it was in a hell of a state. I've done nothing to it except for putting it on blocks and indoors so it hasnt got any worse. It's the later ribbed roof version and it has the same 948cc engine as the saloon with a pair of dinky little SUs in place of the saloon's Solex. It had been somewhat customised but the all-important rear deck and coupe roof are intact.
1964 Triumph Herald 1200 convertible
This car was a mistake I bought in 2002. I have made two car buying mistakes in my life and this is one of them. At least it cost me very little:). Why the mistake? Well, for a start it's not a 1964 1200 convertible. I know the bloke who built it so I saw it take shape so I cant claim when I bought it I didnt know what it is. The chassis may come from a 64 car, anyway that's what the V5 says. The engine's a Spit 1300 one with an overdrive gearbox. The body tub is a saloon tub... with a Vitesse convertible deck welded in. The bonnet is a fibreglass one from a Bond Equipe. The paintwork is brush painted gloss house paint. Oh, and the chassis is rusty:) All in all a brilliant car to drive for a summer but why oh why did I buy it? Anyone want a Herald project?
1979 BL Mini 95
That's a mini 850 van to you and me. My car when I was a student. Hasnt turned a wheel in about a decade. Shell is surprisingly sound because it's held together with Hammerite and Waxoyl. I should do something about it but I cant bear to part with it. I am a hopeless case.
1981 Triumph TR7 dhc
The other mistake, circa 1999. Why did I think a TR would be a quick restoration for a summer or two's fun? Anyone want a TR7 project...
Over the time I amassed these cars I've driven a variety of others. A FIAT Panda, FIAT Fiorino, BL Metro, Freight Rover Sherpa Combi and VW Golf Mk1 have all been my daily ride at various times and I've had Herald 1200s and 13/60s as well. Of those the Golf left most impression which is why I now drive the last car on its platform, the Polo.
This thread is not titled for any particular car because no doubt like many of you I have more than one. The bad news is that a few years of career turmoil and freelance work have left me with only my everyday car - a very nice but uninteresting in this context Polo 1.4tdi - in roadworthy condition.
So, where do I start...
As you'd guess from my username I'm a Herald owner. I have 3 complete cars and enough bits to make most of several others.
1960 Triumph Herald 948 saloon
I bought this car in 1995 and ran it until 2004 when circumstances forced me to take it off the road. It's "original" but a bit tatty and I'm sorry to say it's looking sorry for itself now as my disasterous attempt at a respray is starting to flake off. Having owned most Herald models over the years I'd say this is the best of them, the weedy little engine takes it to a flat-out 65mph but the 1950s drums and "interesting" rear suspension mean that it is a surprisingly lively package.
1961 Triumph Herald 948 coupe
When you find a Herald coupe you buy it. You wont find another one. This one had sat in a field for 10 years when I bought it in 1993 so it was in a hell of a state. I've done nothing to it except for putting it on blocks and indoors so it hasnt got any worse. It's the later ribbed roof version and it has the same 948cc engine as the saloon with a pair of dinky little SUs in place of the saloon's Solex. It had been somewhat customised but the all-important rear deck and coupe roof are intact.
1964 Triumph Herald 1200 convertible
This car was a mistake I bought in 2002. I have made two car buying mistakes in my life and this is one of them. At least it cost me very little:). Why the mistake? Well, for a start it's not a 1964 1200 convertible. I know the bloke who built it so I saw it take shape so I cant claim when I bought it I didnt know what it is. The chassis may come from a 64 car, anyway that's what the V5 says. The engine's a Spit 1300 one with an overdrive gearbox. The body tub is a saloon tub... with a Vitesse convertible deck welded in. The bonnet is a fibreglass one from a Bond Equipe. The paintwork is brush painted gloss house paint. Oh, and the chassis is rusty:) All in all a brilliant car to drive for a summer but why oh why did I buy it? Anyone want a Herald project?
1979 BL Mini 95
That's a mini 850 van to you and me. My car when I was a student. Hasnt turned a wheel in about a decade. Shell is surprisingly sound because it's held together with Hammerite and Waxoyl. I should do something about it but I cant bear to part with it. I am a hopeless case.
1981 Triumph TR7 dhc
The other mistake, circa 1999. Why did I think a TR would be a quick restoration for a summer or two's fun? Anyone want a TR7 project...
Over the time I amassed these cars I've driven a variety of others. A FIAT Panda, FIAT Fiorino, BL Metro, Freight Rover Sherpa Combi and VW Golf Mk1 have all been my daily ride at various times and I've had Herald 1200s and 13/60s as well. Of those the Golf left most impression which is why I now drive the last car on its platform, the Polo.
Never driven a 948 but I like some of the quirky features that disappeared later on. 948 twin carb Coupe must be super rare 
