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-   -   Classic Daily Drivers (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/australian-cobra-club/134526-classic-daily-drivers.html)

David Hodgson 08-31-2015 07:10 PM

Classic Daily Drivers
 
I've seen this car quite often, almost daily, over the last couple of years driving home in the afternoon peak hr traffic. Got me thinking that you don't see too many older cars any more, particularly rare classic's like this one, used as daily drives.

Thought I would start a thread on what classics you guys see being used as daily or somewhat regular drives. Get a pic or two if you can (otherwise it didn't happen) and tell us a bit about it.

Its a Borgward Isabella Coupe. Powered by a 1500cc 75HP 4cyl, they were built in West Germany between '56 & '62. This one is certainly no slouch in the traffic

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...a_2_Large_.jpg

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...Isabella_1.jpg

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...a_3_Large_.jpg


Here's a pic off the web

http://www.classicandperformancecar....36_969X727.jpg

Aussie Mike 08-31-2015 07:40 PM

Cool idea for a thread David.

Surfing YouTube the other week I saw an old episode of 5th gear talking about the growing trend of people in the UK using classic cars as company vehicles. Some good economic points especially given the tax laws in the UK.

https://youtu.be/He7CQ6kA5Iw?t=346

Zacson 08-31-2015 07:41 PM

1 Attachment(s)
I used this as my everyday driver for around 2 years! Factory 66 GT four speed. No P/S or A/C but loved every trip in it!

Rog246 08-31-2015 07:55 PM

Geez, my dad wanted to buy one of them when I was a kid but he decided against in favour for an Armstrong Sidderley 236-4 speed manual with a 4 speed overdrive !!
Driven smartly you could change gear seven times moving away from the lights, which used to freak out Holden drivers !! :LOL:

xb-60 08-31-2015 08:09 PM

Here's the ol' guy (he's definitely not an ol' girl!) up in the Flinders Ranges a while back.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...edium/Alfa.jpg

Was a daily driver until I changed work location and realized I'd probably kill him driving 60km a day in heavy traffic, so he's in honorary semi-retirement now.

Now daily driving a more modern car with air bags and ABS, I'm wouldn't be too keen to drive him daily. Best kept for fine, dry days.

He had heavy steering to start with, but now with bigger tyres and smaller Momo steering wheel, he's a challenge at parking speeds. By modern standards, also has a massively heavy clutch, a gearchange that's a challenge to master, and oddly, a very light accelerator. If I tried to sell him, my boys would have me committed (had him for 34 years now)

If it's been a heavy day, a short drive restores big smile!

Cheers,
Glen

Baz 08-31-2015 09:26 PM

In the late 1960's, I had a road registered stove hot EH which ran the quarter in 14.6. On my first run at the old Castlereagh Drag Strip near Penrith, I came up against a tame looking Hillman Imp. It was running standard size rims. Initially I thought that this was going to be an easy victory, but by the 200 yard markers, I was 50 metres behind. I tracked the car and driver down in the pits and established that he was running a supercharged 2.5 litre Borgward. That car went like greased owls s**t. My next run was just as humiliating if not more so. I went into the stage and my opponent pulled alongside. The ground was shaking from the enormous cam in this Ford Anglia Panel Van which was running a 7 litre supercharged hemi. That gigantic motor was located in the rear of the panel van with the blower intake was sticking out of the back roof. The panel van was running 2 foot wide, smoke producing drag slicks. The vehicle was painted iridescent purple with it's name 'Mother's Worry' air brushed down the sides. I'm glad I had a good look at the thing before the green light appeared as the next thing I saw was the drag chute unfolding about 100 yards in front of me and a time of mid 8's appearing on the E.T. sign. I blew a big end that day which really topped it off.

Baz

dhs.buckley 08-31-2015 10:32 PM

The old wb was my daily driver for the last couple of years, totaly original apart from the wheels, no air, no power steer, but a great exhaust note to listen to.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...c56f1bac16390f

My old man used his Ferrari 365 as a daily driver when he traded the family kingswood wagon on it in the early 80s, we still have it. again a great exhaust note but none of the mod cons.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...5601e8f692abf9

Donunder 09-01-2015 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Hodgson (Post 1361190)

Its a Borgward Isabella Coupe. Powered by a 1500cc 75HP 4cyl, they were built in West Germany between '56 & '62. This one is certainly no slouch in the traffic

One of my all-time favourite cars.

I had the chance once to buy one of the Borgward saloons but I was hanging out for the prettier TS Coupe at the time. The owner of the coupe suddenly swapped it for a Karmann Ghia and the saloon owner decided to keep it in the family for his son as by this time they were becoming scarce. He had one of those VW 1600 fastbacks that I could have bought but by this time Healeys were calling ... I still have hopes of getting hold of a TS Coupe one day.

I'm looking forward to seeing what this thread throws up. Should be interesting.

07cob 09-03-2015 04:13 AM

David

Great thread! Sorry - this is not exactly classic but it is *a classic*.

This was driven regularly around my area a few years ago. Was at Willowbank when I was there one time. Glad I didn't come up against it. 12.9 is a good time in an oversized housebrick. Is that helmet attached?!

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/v8NU.jpg

BJ's Snake 09-03-2015 05:38 PM

This beauty got me in the good books with my future Father in Law back when!

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...01_o_small.jpg


Cheers

Aussie Mike 09-03-2015 06:00 PM

If it's rocking don't bother knocking...

Krait 09-04-2015 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07cob (Post 1361531)
David

Great thread! Sorry - this is not exactly classic but it is *a classic*.

This was driven regularly around my area a few years ago. Was at Willowbank when I was there one time. Glad I didn't come up against it. 12.9 is a good time in an oversized housebrick. Is that helmet attached?!

Used to tow my rally cars with a long wheel base Nissan E20 powered by a 4.4 litre P76 donk, BW35 auto and 3.5 diff. Service crew loved it. Wasn't the greatest daily driver though.

David Hodgson 09-23-2015 03:43 PM

There an office refurb happening in one of our buildings and one of the chippies turns up in this Datto 1200 every day. No he's not off on holidays at the end of the day, that stuff on the roof racks is permanent. A surfboard, skateboard, suite case, jerry can and a toolbox.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...n_4_Large_.JPG

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...n_1_Large_.JPG

xb-60 09-23-2015 04:39 PM

David, that's a Galant 1400/1600, isn't it?

Cheers,
Glen

albanycobra 09-23-2015 08:38 PM

This thread has got me thinking of a classic daily, In Albany we don't have traffic lights or much traffic. Thinking XY or Mustang or XB Coupe would be cool

David Hodgson 09-23-2015 09:02 PM

Your right Glen. I didn't take too much notice when I grabbed the pic.

guye 09-24-2015 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJ's Snake (Post 1361621)
This beauty got me in the good books with my future Father in Law back when!

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...01_o_small.jpg


Cheers

OMG! Cool sidepipes! Where they live?

Donunder 09-24-2015 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guye (Post 1364095)
OMG! Cool sidepipes! Where they live?

They might still live in Queanbeyan. :)

David Hodgson 09-24-2015 03:20 PM

Panel van side pipes were always live guy. No need for fakes back then.

The real cool guys got these Thrush all alloy pipes.

The girls that got too much action got it too.


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9tLWdU8Nbb...0/DSC_0007.JPG

http://beforeitsnews.com/mediadrop/u...d9711a48e5a34.

BJ's Snake 09-24-2015 09:46 PM

Live alright
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by guye (Post 1364095)
OMG! Cool sidepipes! Where they live?

They certainly were live back then with no issues what so ever.

Cobra has live sidepipes now with no issues.....Yet!


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