Classic Daily Drivers

David Hodgson · #1 (**permalink**) 08-31-2015, 06:10 PM

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

Here's a pic off the web

Aussie Mike · #2 (**permalink**) 08-31-2015, 06:40 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 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-31-2015, 06:41 PM

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 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-31-2015, 06:55 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 !!

xb-60 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-31-2015, 07:09 PM

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

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 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-31-2015, 08:26 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 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-31-2015, 09:32 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.

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.

Donunder · #8 (**permalink**) 09-01-2015, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Hodgson

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 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-03-2015, 03:13 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?!

BJ's Snake · #10 (**permalink**) 09-03-2015, 04:38 PM

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

Cheers

Aussie Mike · #11 (**permalink**) 09-03-2015, 05:00 PM

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

Krait · #12 (**permalink**) 09-04-2015, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07cob

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 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-23-2015, 02:43 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.

xb-60 · #14 (**permalink**) 09-23-2015, 03:39 PM

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

Cheers,
Glen

albanycobra · #15 (**permalink**) 09-23-2015, 07:38 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 · #16 (**permalink**) 09-23-2015, 08:02 PM

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

guye · #17 (**permalink**) 09-24-2015, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJ's Snake

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

Cheers

OMG! Cool sidepipes! Where they live?

Donunder · #18 (**permalink**) 09-24-2015, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guye

OMG! Cool sidepipes! Where they live?

They might still live in Queanbeyan.

David Hodgson · #19 (**permalink**) 09-24-2015, 02:20 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.

BJ's Snake · #20 (**permalink**) 09-24-2015, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guye

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!