So... what car do you guys drive when not flying?

[OZDUCK]

I had an Austin A40 (aka my Alpha 4-zero ).

Don't laugh - who of you has had a car with a valve radio? I kid you not.

My first car in 1972, a 1961 Holden EK Special. It even had carpets and a heater - plus the compulsory rust holes in the floor. I sold it in 1976, for about $250, when we went to Europe on a 12 month "working holiday"

 

[JohnM]

My first car in 1972, a 1961 Holden EK Special. It even had carpets and a heater - plus the compulsory rust holes in the floor. I sold it in 1976, for about $250, when we went to Europe on a 12 month "working holiday"

An EK Special was what I got after the demise of the Alpha 4-zero .

 

[cambriamarsh]

I had an Austin A40 (aka my Alpha 4-zero ).

Don't laugh - who of you has had a car with a valve radio? I kid you not.

I've had a few cars without any radio until I put one in, eg 1956 FJ which I put a 6 volt radio into. Thems were the days!

 

[OZDUCK]

An EK Special was what I got after the demise of the Alpha 4-zero .

Actually, I just remembered that my EK was even more special than normal. Before I bought my car the old 138 C.I. Grey Motor in it had been replaced, legally, with a 149 CI Red Motor out of an EH. So the power went up from 75 BHP ( 56KW) to a raging 100 BHP (75KW). Actually, even though it was no GT the extra power did make my car a lot easier and more pleasant to drive than the "normal" sluggish EK .

 

[tgh]

Discussions along these lines sort out the old fogeys from the youngsters..
My first drive able car was an Austin A70 ute , it came as two ; one useable with a blown engine and one unusable with a good engine.
I remember dad telling mum that i had no idea at all what I was doing but was so bloody minded determined that I would probably make it in the end.

 

[JohnM]

Actually, I just remembered that my EK was even more special than normal. Before I bought my car the old 138 C.I. Grey Motor in it had been replaced, legally, with a 149 CI Red Motor out of an EH. So the power went up from 75 BHP ( 56KW) to a raging 100 BHP (75KW). Actually, even though it was no GT the extra power did make my car a lot easier and more pleasant to drive than the "normal" sluggish EK .

Too bad it didn't have the nice 179 donk plonked into it .

 

[tgh]

So what car did you all learn to drive ?
My first was a 1926 Essex Super Six, second was a 1929 Buick ( it had gggrunt) as I recall.
Dad would let me sit on his knee and steer, then use the clutch then the brakes and then change gears as my legs grew long enough.
Them were the days

 

[OZDUCK]

Too bad it didn't have the nice 179 donk plonked into it .

Agreed, my mate had an EH Premier sedan with the 179 in it plus the Hydramatic auto, leather upholstery etc. It was a lovely car to drive. (For the mid 1970's)

 

[JohnM]

Agreed, my mate had an EH Premier sedan with the 179 in it plus the Hydramatic auto, leather upholstery etc. It was a lovely car to drive. (For the mid 1970's)

My school mate's parent had one of those - in that nice shade of green. They certainly were a car to envy with that 'big' motor, bucket seats and leather.

 

[JohnM]

So what car did you all learn to drive ?
My first was a 1926 Essex Super Six, second was a 1929 Buick ( it had gggrunt) as I recall.
Dad would let me sit on his knee and steer, then use the clutch then the brakes and then change gears as my legs grew long enough.
Them were the days

I lived in a small country town at the time, so I had 'learned' to drive on my friend's farm from the age of about 12. I did my driving test with one of the two local police officers.

Can't remember what car I used as my parents had an automatic EJ Holden at the time (they should have waited for the EH ), so it wasn't that. I must have borrowed one or maybe the cop let me use his! It was all pretty casual and communal in those days.

 

[Deleted member]

So what car did you all learn to drive ?
My first was a 1926 Essex Super Six, second was a 1929 Buick ( it had gggrunt) as I recall.
Dad would let me sit on his knee and steer, then use the clutch then the brakes and then change gears as my legs grew long enough.
Them were the days

I don’t recall the year, but it was an early 60’s model Triumph Herald

 

[JohnM]

I don’t recall the year, but it was an early 60’s model Triumph Herald

They were a great little car. A mate of mine at uni had one and used to let me borrow it occasionally.

 

[tgh]

an early 60’s model Triumph Herald…….. young whippersnapper….
I did my driving test @ 18 with a Melbourne based driving instructor who was having flying lessons at home.
His car was a Morris Major Elite ; the local cops had become a bit picky and were spinning the local boys left and right but he took me through easily

 

[Cossie]

Dad bought another car and Zephyr that I inherited was in the carport, so even though I didn't even have a permit, my mate and I jumped in and drove round the block. Needless to say we saw a policeman on a motor bike, but fortunately he didn't stop us.
I had lessons after, but can't remember the instructors car.

 

[Antoallison]

The first car I bought was a second hand Mazda RX number ? can’t remember.

I am not that much of a car lover.. I usually refer to a car by it’s colour.

This particular one was red and the rotary engine was pretty zippy.

However it had quite a bit of rust, so when it rained the water would come in from around the rear window and boot. Little rivulets of water would run through to the front of the car when I went down a hill !

Not feeling it ?


My boyfriend at the time had an Orange Datsun 240Z.

 

[Milboo]

I had to leaf to drive the tractor and then the Mazda Ute (stick shift). Used to go up and down our long drive - and avoid hitting Apple trees. I graduated into a Morris Minor for learning. My first car (and I did my driving test in it) was a bright orange 1976 Vauxhall Chevette. Saw me through high school and part of my uni years.

 

[JohnM]

The first car I bought was a second hand Mazda RX number ? can’t remember.
My boyfriend at the time had an Orange Datsun 240Z.

Hmmm - both very tight in the back...

 

[Antoallison]

Hmmm - both very tight in the back...

I resemble that remark.
Convent school girl here, so tight in the back would only an issue for the amount of shopping one can get in.

 

[rogerkambah]

Another day in Porsche paradise.

 

[Philjbod101]

Volvo C70 convertible, navy blue with beige leather upholstery. Love this car! A pleasure to drive, especially during springtime and autumn in Canberra Australia. Great roads, minimal traffic, lazy Sunday drives in the sun with the top down to any of the local wineries for lunch; “with my best girl by my side“ views, food and (moderate amount of) wine, sitting in the sunshine, relaxing, listening to live music... probably the first car I’ve ever had that makes me glad to be alive!