In a message dated 19/01/98 11:57:08, you write:
<< Subj: Re: mailbox is full of WHAT
Date: 19/01/98 11:57:08
From: hiu06f@bangor.ac.uk (Johnny Storm: International racing car driver)
To: GuyotLeonF@aol.com (GuyotLeonF)
Hi Leon, happy xmas, new year, 3rd after epiphany etc, etc!
Piling up the spit with all my gear to Bangor each hols is becoming all
a bit too much like hard work. I have decided therefore to get something
a bit more sensible and practical. Not too sensible mind, the aquisition
of a Vitesse has therefore become an idea. Anything in specific to look
out for?? I do have the TSSC buyers guide for the GT6 and Herald so I can
plunder the relavent points from either? I have heard horror stories of
large fuel consumption, but I'm used to that anyhow?
Depends on what you call 'large fuel consumption' in fact a Vitesse in a
normal
state of tune can easily achieve 25-30 mpg without difficulty.
Herald buyers guide for body/chassis tips will suffice,GT6 for the six
cylinder mechanicals.
In my opinion,you should head directly for a 2-Litre Mk.1 Vitesse (67-68).
That way you get the power and brakes of the two litre car, c/w the simple,
read cheap to maintain swing-axle rear suspension, which holds no horrors if
maintained in good working order, and of course, you can always improve it by
fitting one of John Kippings Heavy-Duty swing springs a la Spitfire 1500.
If you can find yourself a 2-Litre Convertible at a good price, so much the
better, but they are getting quite difficult/expensive to locate now, and the
Convertibles are invariably rustier due to water ingress.
The Vitesse is a much more satisfying car to own than a Herald, as it has
some power, but nowhere near as easy to drive/handle and certainly nowhere
near as sensible! Be prepared to learn how to drive again! (I certainly did).
The handling characteristics, aka tendency to understeer, are much more marked
than say: your Spitfire.
Contrary to popular belief, and probably because I am only ever seen in my
Herald and sometimes my Vitesse, I am not anti-Spitfire, in fact, I have owned
about 25 of them, in the mid-1980's, but I always preferred my Herald for
reasons almost certainly practical.
Know of any gems for sale?? A saloon is good as it will be cheaper(??) but I
sure would miss a soft top when it gets nice ( well if...).
Not at the moment, I'm afraid, no-one has offered any lately, but keep
looking around, and don't buy one anywhere near London, because they are
usually overpriced near the metropolis...as you might expect.
They should be much cheaper in Wales?
see you at Stoneleigh????, Johnny
>>
Sorry Johnny, I'll not be at Stoneleigh this year, I'm working that day, still
trying to pay for my Vitesse resto' :-) but don't let that put you off
any...
How about the South of England Meet on 10/11 May 98 at Leatherhead.
(I'm flying back from South Africa on 8 May).
Kind Regards
Leon
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