Your First classic: DOING IT RIGHT
Meet sam, sid and tod. three college guys with a daily need for anything petrol powered.
Each car says something about the person that owns it. Whether it’s a relaxed surf wagon, a cheeky British classic or a stocky little Suzuki. We spent the day cruising around the south coast with nothing in mind but enjoying these cars in the sun.
Tod (left) - 1990 Suzuki SJ413, Sam (centre) - 1987 Lada Riva Vaz 2104, Sid (right) - 1984 Mini 'Mabel'
Sam's Lada is a lesson in turning something a bit fuddy into a worthwhile surf wagon. The roof rack, the wooden side wrap, the wheel caps, all considered additions that take this brick from the scrapheap of Russia's dull family runarounds and turn it into a properly cool estate. Sam's even put a Weber on the gutsy 1500. On the twisty bits the tiny wheels scrabble around a bit - there's a lot of hilarious body roll. Probably best keep things on the straight and narrow. None of it matters though because this car has a stereo, a massive boot and enough room for actual people.
Tom AitonIf there's one thing these chaps have taught us, it's how to enjoy the freedom a car can give you.
Sid’s Mini (Mabel) takes a mixture of approaches. It’s not covered in stickers like bits of the Lada. It’s got those cream leather seats (oooh) plus unique and mysterious purple metallic paint; sometimes it’s black, sometime’s it’s not. The one thing unsubtle about it is the exhaust: a centre-exit, dual piped raucous that announces Sid’s arrival before you see him. Nice.
Tom AitonThe Suzuki takes to the road like a squash ball rolling along a gravelly path.
The Suzuki, on the other hand, takes to the road like a squash ball rolling along a gravelly path. It’s got some real retro kudos though. Look at off-road Suzukis around today and in the back you’ll probably find a gingham rug and some Sainsburys shopping bags. In Tod’s car however, you feel like putting your arm out the window and turning up the music. Roofless, with chrome bars and some hardy scuffs all over, it’s a meaty chunk of fun that spits at the big 4x4 dogs before scrambling off to climb a hill, or wallow in some mud.
What’s clear is that each car takes a unique look at what owning your first classic is like. Separate... they are outlaws, but together they scream individuality and style. But what about keeping them going?
I've been the only one with a classic in my house-share before and it's a lonely venture. Mornings spent fiddling with faulty electrics while everyone else is in bed certainly lose their edge. Living in a city I felt like a mad person with a piece of junk that spewed out fumes at every red light. A romantic picture isn’t it.
The truth is classics can be hard work, but not when there’s people there you can share that journey with. As Sam, Sid and Tod will tell you, having that shared passion makes things just that little bit easier. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the secret sauce to owning your first classic, without wanting to drive it off a cliff.
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Comments (6)
awesome. just wish I could decide on my own classic
I really like this pic.
Lol Mike, that sounds familiar. Also, one of the guys is a car mechanic, so we usually let him do all the work.
It's Thursdays here that we go hang out in the workshop but it's mostly beer that gets finished rather than actual work. But some great plans get set out for the following days activities...
Great stuff 👍
Thanks Neils! Awesome that you guys are still making the time. It's definitely worth it!