A few of my favorite things

Well, I am typing this as a thunder storm rolls in and the temperature suddenly drops. I am still riding at night and on the weekend, but rather than bore you with that, my mind began to wander to the things I really like.

As some of my friends know- I love to drive cars. Always have done even as a child. It's not about how I look to others, nor the "pose value". But it's how they make me feel when I drive one or look at it. Now in this day and age with mass hysteria of global warming taking place, cars will become anti-social ("Good"! I can hear Maalie say).

This year I tried really hard to drive a hybrid- I really did. They are AWFUL!!
I tried really hard to drive a GTi Golf- I really did! Trying to cut my carbon footprint. But I frankly cannot cope. I do 1500km a week!..... This is what I drive now and I feel better for it......




However mine is silver and like the one in the video is a "z" the last of its type. They are basically an American all alloy V8 either in a 5.7litre or 6 litre format. In the UK they are known as the Vauxall Monaro, In Germany they are known as an Opel Monaro. In America- Pontiac GTO. Australia- Holden Monaro. Monaro means "wind" in Aboriginal. ( NO- to you runcible folk- wind as in the trees......)




They are quite nice to drive. Powerful, and good on the open road. The car was designed in Australia. Australian cars are built stronger than the cars in the US or Europe, as our roads are rougher. We also like the way European cars handle and, as such, our cars are a mixture of American "muscle" with European steering and braking. This means that, although the car is "big" (the size of a 500 Merc coupe) it handles well, even in wet conditions.

Anyway, here are a few other "favorites"



Porsche 993


This is the last of the air cooled version. A strong little car with a bucket of power. Not easy to drive as the engine is in the back and as such means you either must come into a corner with the power "ON" or "OFF". A change of mind in the middle of a corner will result in a spin. I sold this car to my doctor who still drives it today.


Porsche 996

A softer car than the 993 and easier to drive too. Does not feel as well built as the 993 which has that "VW beetle" strength to it. I think they built these for the American market.



Chrysler Crossfire

This is a funny sort of thing- Designed by an Englishman for an American company, and using Mercedes running gear. I did not know whether to love it or hate it. Then I bumped my head on the roof- so I hated it....



Toyota Landcruiser 4x4 fire truck


PERFECT for summers here in the peak of the bushfire season- this one, even though over 20years old had only done 10,000km!!! drove like a "dream"......



1978 Nissan Patrol 4x4 swb wagon.

As a kid all I wanted was one of these, and I got one,and I bogged it. What theis photo does not show was the water went over the bonnet and it was never the same after that....



VW Passat Rooted!

Sometimes, when young I drove too fast. This is my VW Passat- rooted. But my friends could not stop laughing.....



And of course you all know just how much I live my Landcruiser troopcarrier!!

You see, for me- its about how I feel, the movement of the vehicle, how each one is just so different, just so pleasing. I love Riley 2 1/4 saloons, Triumph TR6, Valiants and Citroen DC Pallas too. If I could have a shed full of all these cars I would!

Global warming? Yes a real issue. But I am happy to pay carbon taxes to enjoy these vehicles.

:o)