The Tyre Kickers - Classic Cars Jan 30, 2026

Midlife Crisis!

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Car

MG MGB

The MG MGB is a small, classic sports car from Britain that many people love for its fun driving experience. It became popular because it was affordable and stylish, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts. People often talk about it because it's a great example of a classic car that still brings joy to drivers.

Car

Datsun Z car

The Datsun Z car is a classic sports car from the 1970s that many people find fun to drive. It's often compared to the MGB, but many believe it's a better car overall.

Car

Triumph 2000

The Triumph 2000 is an older British car that was made in the 1960s and 70s. It's known for being comfortable and having a lot of space inside, which makes it a good option for classic car lovers.

Car

Alfa Romeo Spider

The Alfa Romeo Spider is a stylish convertible car that many people love for its looks and fun driving experience. It's a great choice if you want something that stands out.

Car

Jaguar Etype

The Jaguar E-Type is a classic car known for its stunning looks and great performance. If you can afford one, it's considered a top choice among classic car enthusiasts.

Car

Datsun 240Z

The Datsun 240Z is a sports car from the 1970s that many people love for its good looks and fun driving experience. It has a powerful engine and is not very common, so you won't see many of them at car shows.

Car

Fiat 127

The Fiat 127 is a small car made by the Italian company Fiat. It was popular in the 1970s and is known for being easy to drive and park.

Term

cut-off cam tail

A cut-off cam tail is a design style where the back of the car is flat or squared off instead of rounded. This was common in some cars from the 1970s to help with how the car moves through the air.

Term

straight six engine

A straight six engine has six cylinders lined up in a row. This setup helps the engine run smoothly and provides good power for the car.

Part

rocker cover

The rocker cover is a part on top of the engine that keeps oil inside and protects the engine parts underneath it.

Term

rust

Rust is what happens to metal when it gets wet and starts to break down. It can make cars weak and cause holes in them, which is why it's a big problem for older vehicles.

Term

heated rear windows

Heated rear windows are special windows that can warm up to get rid of ice or fog. This helps you see better when it's cold outside.

Part

dished steering wheel

A dished steering wheel is shaped like a bowl, which helps drivers hold on better and feel more connected to the car. It's often used in sports cars.

Car

Alfa Romeo Spyder

The Alfa Romeo Spyder is a convertible car from Italy, which means you can take the roof off. It's stylish and fun to drive.

Car

Alfa Romeo GTV

The Alfa Romeo GTV is a sporty car from Italy that looks great and is fun to drive. It's known for its unique style.

Term

rear wheel drive

Rear wheel drive means that the power from the engine goes to the back wheels of the car. This can help with handling and is often found in sports cars.

Car

Nissan 240Z

The Nissan 240Z is a famous sports car from the late 1960s and 1970s. It's loved for its speed and cool design, and many people still enjoy driving and collecting them today.

Concept

restomod

Restomod is when someone takes an old car and updates it with new parts or technology to make it better while keeping its classic look. It's a way to enjoy the style of an older car but with modern features.

Term

coupe

A coupe is a type of car that usually has two doors and a sporty look. They are often designed for style and speed rather than having a lot of space inside.

Car

Datsun Sunny

The Datsun Sunny is a car that Datsun made in the 1970s. It was known for being reliable, but like many cars back then, it often rusted.

Car

Datsun 120Y

The Datsun 120Y is a small car made by Datsun in the 1970s. It was popular for being inexpensive, but many of them rusted easily over time.

Term

boat tail

A boat tail is a car design that looks like the back of a boat, with a pointed and elegant shape. It makes the car look very stylish and unique.

Car

Triumph Stag

The Triumph Stag is a classic British convertible car that was made in the 1970s. It's known for its unique design and is a favorite among car collectors today.

Car

Triumph Dolomite

The Triumph Dolomite is a small car that was popular in the 1970s. It has a nice design and was known for being fun to drive.

Concept

restoration

Restoration means fixing up an old car to make it look and work like it did when it was new. This can include painting, repairing parts, and cleaning.

Car

Porsche 912

The Porsche 912 is an older sports car that looks a lot like the more famous Porsche 911. It was made to be a less expensive option while still offering great performance.

Car

Mercedes-Benz SL

The Mercedes-Benz SL is a fancy convertible car that looks really nice and is fun to drive. It has a roof that can go up and down, making it great for sunny days. People talk about it because it represents luxury and performance in a stylish package.

Car

Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger is a big car that looks sporty and can go really fast. It's popular because it has a lot of space inside for passengers and luggage, while still being fun to drive. People often talk about it because of its powerful engine and cool design.

Concept

average emissions

Average emissions is a way to measure how much pollution a group of cars produces together. Car companies need to keep this number low to follow environmental rules.

Car

Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris iA is a small and affordable car that's easy to drive around town. It's known for being reliable and good on gas, which makes it a smart choice for people who need a practical vehicle. People often mention it because it's a great option for city driving.

Car

Mercedes-Benz 280

The Mercedes-Benz 280 is a car from the late 20th century that is known for being very well made and reliable. Many people loved driving it because of its comfortable interior.

Car

Citroën XM

The Citroën XM is a big car made by the French company Citroën. It was known for its unique design and some cool features that were advanced for its time.

Car

Citroen Xm

The Citroen XM is a special luxury car from France that stands out because of its unique design and comfortable ride. It was made in the 1980s and 1990s and is known for having some interesting features that make it different from other cars. People talk about it because it represents a unique approach to car design and comfort.

Car

Bmw 5

The BMW 5 Series is a luxury car that is both comfortable and fun to drive. The older models from the 1970s are especially loved for their classic style and smooth handling. People talk about it because it combines a nice interior with good performance.

Car

Ferrari 308

Car

Dodge Magnum

The Dodge Magnum is a car that looks like a mix between a sports car and a family wagon, making it both stylish and practical. It's known for being powerful and fun to drive, which is why many people find it cool. It also has a connection to a famous TV character, which makes it even more interesting.

Car

Renault Wind

The Renault Wind is a small convertible car that lets you enjoy the open air while driving. It has a special roof that can be adjusted to keep the wind from blowing too hard inside. People talk about it because it's a fun car to drive on nice days.

Car

Peugeot 308

The Peugeot 308 is a small car that is easy to drive and great for everyday use. It's known for being comfortable and good on gas, which makes it a popular choice for families. People talk about it because it combines practicality with a nice design.

Car

Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that many people recognize because of its unique shape and fast performance. The 1999 version is important because it introduced some new features that made it more comfortable and easier to drive. People talk about it because it's a mix of luxury and speed.

LIVE

Right, I've got a cup of tea.

Lovely.

It's wet, it's cold, it's winter, but we're here to relieve you of the bouldering and

kicking the tyres.

All things classic tyres.

Shall we just go for it?

Yes.

This is the tyre kickers, classic car chat with Max and Matt.

It's wet, it's cold and it's winter, but don't fear, we're here to alleviate the boredom

by kicking the tyres on all things classic cars.

And if you're bored, we're here to help you waste your money.

So how about buying a Zed car, a Datsun from the 1970s that looked like an MGB but was

a whole lot better?

The tyre kickers.

Also coming up, I've got a stag, so should I get the saloon?

Max really rates the Triumph 2000s, but I think it might just be more BL blandness.

Plus, if you're midlife, how about a quick car crisis?

What's the best classic when your hair gets thinner and everyone starts mumbling?

I said mumbling.

Dara, what'd you say?

Plus, we get your thoughts on poshed up cars and rusty old mercs.

It's all in episode 48 of the very nearly award-winning tyre kickers.

Now, if anyone is new to classic cars, Matt, what's the first car you would suggest for

them to buy?

That's pretty easy.

I'd probably go like MGB because it's sporty, it's fun, easy to own, maybe, what else, Alpha

Spider, what about that?

I mean, it's similar, but it's a little bit more stylish, pretty Italian flair or an

E-type.

I mean, if you've got budget for an E-type, it is the classic design.

Your turn heads, yeah, one of those three.

What about you?

Well, how about something with a nod to all three of those, the Datsun 240Z?

Now, before you start mowning, hear me out.

So there's a 70 straight six, there's a cam tail, and there's a front end next straight

from the MGB.

Now, I think these are really underappreciated.

They drive pretty well, they've got a lusty engine, they look great, and crucially, you're

unlikely to see another one at a Sunday morning meet.

Now, I'm going to win you over with this one on your screen now.

A 1972 manual five-speed 2.4, 25,000 miles, blue Datsun 240Z.

It's the classic coupé shape.

What is not to like about that?

I've got to say, I do like these.

You don't see that many around, as you say, on a meet.

What?

Well, a car from the 70s.

Well, it is a car from the 70s, but it's a stylish car from the 70s.

I don't know if I'd want to own one, we'll get into that.

These cars look like they're Italian-styled.

They're not Japanese-styled, are they?

Well, I mean, they are Japanese-styled in the fact that they nicked everything from

Italy and then designed it.

So I mean, it's a kind of pastiche, isn't it?

But it's a very good one, unlike bad pastiches.

This looks great.

I mean, I particularly like the cam tail on this.

I think that kind of cut-off end looks really good with a little kink spoiler at the back.

And it just brings the shape to an abrupt end and makes the the haunches, the rear haunches,

look really muscular.

Well, let's describe what we're looking at.

We're looking at a blue coupé.

It's very sort of Fiat 127, it's kind of like on the front, maybe Fiat Alpharee.

It's very Alpharee at the back, isn't it?

As you say, it's got that cut-off cam tail.

It's got the back lights that look like they could have come off a 70s Alfa.

They're quite big rectangular blocky lights, but they're sort of inset.

Crove bumpers, you know, it's got that real three-quarter coupé, 70s stretch coupé kind

of thing.

It's really nice from every angle, isn't it?

Yeah, it's a beautiful, beautiful car.

And actually, if you flick through these photographs, we'll just dodge the interior for the minute.

But if you look at the engine bay, you know, that straight six engine bay with a polished

rocker cover.

I mean, this looks really, really nice, isn't it?

Basically, they took everything from 60 sports cars that people liked.

Put it in a package that worked and started and stopped and was reliable and had long

service intervals.

And also, you didn't need to tinker with it every weekend.

You just got in it and drove.

And I think that was the kind of, that's an idea that they took the best bits from Europe

and took the best bits from Japan, put them in a car, and actually, these were cracking.

Apart from the fact they rust.

They were ahead of their time because these were biodegradable, weren't they?

You only had to leave them in the British kind of winter and you'd have holes in it.

I mean, that was the Achilles heel in these cars, weren't they?

And this is why people ran a mile from them.

Let's just ignore the rusting for the time being because, you know, you've got a five

speed box.

You did get quite a modern interior.

OK, now to modernize, it looks bland and plasticky.

But if you came from a kind of an MGB or a 60s sports car, this was a very, very modern

interior.

And you had stuff like heated rear windows and gauges and things that you just didn't

get in the 60s cars, suddenly in the 70s, Datsun was dealing up all these luxuries that

you would expect from a car, but not necessarily in a sports car.

It doesn't necessarily scream luxury or anything, but it does scream sportiness.

And I think if you look at that interior, you've got cowed binnacles.

Well, where do you see those?

Alfa Romeo's.

If you look at the steering wheel, it's a dished, nadi-style steering wheel.

Where do you see those?

You'd see that in an Alfa Coupe or a GTV or a Spyder.

And then it's got the three gauges on the dash, also recessed in binnacles.

Again, very Italian.

The whole thing sort of smacks of Italian.

The design is very Italian.

Why weren't these a bigger success, though?

I mean, were they expensive?

We've talked about that the R word rust.

There must have been something else going on.

Well, I think also in the 1970s, there was still quite a lot of resistance

to buying Japanese cars.

It took quite a lot of, I don't know, a change in buyer behavior to get over it

because people were quite patriotic about their 60s, NGBs and things.

But actually, when you got to the point of the Datsun, which is it worked

and it was reliable and I had that lovely straight six rear wheel drive.

Nice handling.

I mean, it had all the things to win people over.

There was still a bit of reluctance to buy Japanese

because people were sticking with home manufacturers.

But this is kind of the start of people buying cars because they were good,

not just because they were made down the road.

Yeah, it's very true, actually.

You do forget that.

I remember I'm not into motorbikes particularly, but I just remember growing up

and people sort of sneered at Japanese motorbikes at Kawasaki's.

They're going to look down their nose a little bit at them.

And now Japanese bikes are revered, especially from that time, the 70s and the 80s.

The thing I like about this is the rarity of it.

I mean, while you've been talking, I've been looking on how many left for a 240Z.

Have a guess how many there are licensed in the UK in 2025.

Oh, do you know, it's interesting because I saw a white one last year

and that's the first one I've seen for ages.

So I reckon there's probably, you know, 300, 400.

Yeah, you're bang on.

So for 2025, which is the last figures, 310.

Wow.

See, you just aren't going to bump into somebody else in another 240Z.

You know, it's highly unlikely.

Now, that one on your screen at the moment, that's quite expensive

because that's been kind of not rest-o-modded, but they've done lots of modifications to the engine.

That's 50,000 pounds, which is a lot of money.

That's, you know, it's almost five MGBs.

This next one on your screen has got the five-hole Wolfrace Alloys.

It's another blue one.

It's a 1973 240Z and this is up for 35,000.

Now, OK, you know, that's probably three MGBs, but it's half an E-type, isn't it?

Plus, you get the great ability to not see anybody else in the 240Z on Sunday morning.

And I think that's quite important because you're doing something different.

Yeah, it is different.

If you like your Alphas, have a look at this because you'll see, as I say, the design cues.

I'm looking at this one here.

It's in a dark blue.

So it's a dark blue coupe.

From the back, three quarters there, that three-quarter shot.

I mean, it just screams alpha coupe, doesn't it?

So if you're looking for something slightly different, these are, you know, they are worth a look.

As you say, I think probably we're starting to get into the reasons why they're not that popular.

They're not, you know, the prices are high for a good one.

And if you've got a good one, you're going to be one of 310 people who've got one.

So getting so many parts for it.

The engine might be OK with consumables, but once you stuck it, it's a trim and stuff.

Yeah, it's that trim, isn't it?

That interior, there's not going to be many of those around.

I do think a car that's too perfect, and we've talked about this in the past, you know,

cars too perfect, isn't much fun.

So having something one that's different, two, you're not going to see very many of.

And three, it's going to fill your days trying to find bits for it.

It is an interesting proposition.

But the only thing is, I think, is the price, you know, 35 grand.

You're into a lot of nice classic cars for that money.

And of course, the other thing is rust.

They did rust for fun, these.

And I think most 70s cars rusted.

But I do remember memories of, do you remember Datsun 120 Ys and Datsun Sonys?

And you'd see them driving around at the end of their life.

And there wasn't a panel that wasn't rusted and bubbles underneath.

I don't know what it was about these Japanese cars at the period.

Maybe it was cheap steel, maybe when they were imported into Britain,

they were stored in a kind of car park near the sea.

But my God, these things rusted.

And once they did rust, they kind of lost their allure

because nobody wants a rusty sports car.

I've got a bone to pick with you here.

This has got a cam tail.

I thought you didn't like cam tails.

You've said that the Alpha Spyder Series 2 is not not the car you picked,

because it's got a cam tail.

He's the point about this, though.

I don't like cam tails when there's a prettier tail on offer.

So, for example, for the Alpha Spyder Duetta with a boat tail,

which is one of the most gorgeous cars ever made,

then they made the cam tail for the Series 2.

I think they made a retrograde step because I really love that boat tail.

But actually, if it's designed from the start with a cam tail,

you know, a cam tail in your stag looks great.

A cam tail on the Triumph Dolomite looks great.

I don't mind cam tails per se.

I just think in the Alpha, there's a prettier one in the boat tail.

Well, I wonder what these drive like.

They drive very nicely.

They drive really nicely.

I mean, the later 260s and 280s heads are more powerful

and they drive really well.

But this is a fundamentally it's a real world drive sports car,

which is light and it's got a hundred and fifty brake horsepower.

So it's a really nice driving car.

The 260s and the 280s got a bit ugly,

but I think the 240Z is the best compromise and it's the prettiest.

Both of these cars have shots of the restoration

and both have got the car and a jig, you know, being sanded down

and resprayed and stuff.

I think you want to be buying a resto if you can

and you want to be seeing evidence of that resto because you say,

unless you're paying cheap money for this,

you're going to it's going to have rust on it somewhere, isn't it?

It's like the Italian cars of the 70s, you know, all or Mercedes SLs,

you know, those particular rusty cars like that.

All right, they need to go into it, says the Triumph stag owner.

They've never rusted, have they?

At least on these, you will see it, unlike the Mercedes, you know, where it's hidden inside.

All the time when you get those shiny sill covers and hide the rust underneath.

Don't take those off.

So I think you make an interesting proposition with this.

It's definitely an intelligent choice.

I think the thing that lets it down, apart from the rust, is the price, you know,

especially when we're looking at E-types of that price.

But I think this is probably, I'm guessing,

this is going to be a bit more fun to drive than an E-type.

And also, I think it's more reliable, you know, it was more reliable in period

and it'll be more reliable now.

You won't have your weekend ruined with oil leaks, it'll start every time.

You know, these things went rallying, they're really, really usable.

You don't have to spend all your time tweaking and fettling.

This is what I like about these.

You know, it's just about going to meet some being different.

It's episode 48 of the tyre kickers podcast.

And Matt, what have you been up to?

I should know because we went out for lunch this week.

But to be honest, I wasn't listening.

Well, since then, something amazing has happened.

I've managed to get the car out of the garage for the first time in, what, four weeks.

Hooray!

The stack's been sat there while it's been snowing, raining.

I mean, the rain in the UK has been terrible the last few weeks.

It's been every single day.

But it was a three hour window.

I kid you not, it was a three hour window yesterday where it didn't rain

and the sun came out and I just thought, I'll get the old girl out.

Took a couple of goes just to convince her to get going.

But once it warmed up, it was fine.

So I went and did a couple of sort of tasks.

I thought I'll put some air in the tyres.

As I was filling the tyres up, though, Max, I noticed the date codes on them.

The front say 2013, which, you know, OK, is a bit of a back say 2003.

Oh, maybe I need to change those tyres.

Oh, yeah. It's interesting, isn't it?

Because when do you actually change tyres?

I think I was recommended every seven years,

but I know mine are at least nine years old, possibly 10 now.

And I'm thinking about getting it done next year.

But the trouble is, they've got loads of tread on and, you know,

both of us don't like spending unless it's absolutely necessary.

And I've kind of limped on with these, but maybe, you know,

maybe it would be a completely different car with new tyres.

Maybe it would feel like a sports car.

Yeah, well, don't get that far.

Yeah, I mean, it's a tricky one because it's past MOT with them last year.

There's no damage to the tyres.

Did you say they're in good condition?

They're good quality, they're continental.

They've got loads of tread on them.

They've also been changed in pairs and they're good.

But after I kind of knew that, I started with a bit more nervous

about sort of hooning the car a bit, which I should be or shouldn't be.

I don't know. Are they dangerous?

It's quite a long time for those bits of rubber to be sitting,

isn't it, 22 years or 23 years now?

But if it's past MOT, you know, it's not the damage on the sidewalls.

I mean, obviously, they're going to be harder, aren't they?

Less subtle than a new tyre.

I think I will splash on some new tyres.

And then I went down the rabbit hole on YouTube looking at new tyres for cars.

Because classic car tyres are a bit of a pain because you often can't get

the exact tyre, can you?

They mostly seem to be either van or taxi tyres available, isn't it?

Because those are the people who make that kind of circumference of tyre.

Yeah, exactly that.

Or you pay for the classic, classic ones, which, you know,

will make your eyes, your eyes go out still to the price.

I spent a lot on the Porsche 912 tyres and stuff

because you needed the red steams, I think it was.

And my God, they were expensive.

I mean, they looked ace because they were exactly kind of like the factory spec.

But I think it was 1200 quid for four tyres.

Yeah, I mean, the Michelins for the Stagger about 2000, I think it would buy a set.

Which is which is worth more than most of the car.

Oh, my God.

It's a tricky one with tyres because I think I will get them replaced

and I don't want to spend like that silly sort of money.

So I started looking around and there are some options.

But as you say, that the tyre sizes are a little bit, a little bit tricky.

I think, you know, and I think there is a sort of a trade-off.

But should I be worried about those 23 year old tyres on the back?

I probably should.

I remember when I had my old E-Tub and I was running on a tiny, tiny budget,

I would drive it from outside when it was wet into a dry garage.

And then you could get out and see the tyre patterns left behind.

And it was like a kind of Yeti footprint

because at no point was the whole tyre in contact with the ground

because they were so old and they must have gone so solid

that you could kind of see a bit of half tread and then a bit more tread

and then just a block.

So I do think it might be worth upgrading them for the summer.

We used to buy retrets, didn't we, back in the day?

And they still are a thing.

Yeah, because they were safe, weren't they?

Or partially worn, partially worn or retrets, you know.

Or just going to the scrapyard and buying some wheels and tyres off a wreck

and putting them on and just hoping they were better than yours.

Yeah, I think it is one of those things that is your connection to the road, isn't it?

So maybe, you know, for the sake of a few hundred quid, maybe we should do it.

Have you had the SL out the garage at all?

No, to be honest, I've seen the gritters

and then more gritters and then the more rain.

I did take it out between Christmas and New Year

and I took it and it was a kind of gap in the rain.

I had about three or four hours of dry.

So I did take it up and down the dual carriageway for about an hour, actually,

because I thought, you know, it does need a really good run

and it probably won't get one for a while.

But, you know, it's a murk, isn't it?

I'm sure it'll start again.

It's on a trickle charger, but it is those tyres.

I reckon, you know, the flat spotting thing.

I don't know when flat spotting starts, but probably about now, to be honest.

Do you overinflate them?

Because that's what they say to do, isn't it?

No, I should do.

There's loads of things I should do, but I just never get round to.

But it's no point at these tyres because they're old.

So I'll just go and change them, I think.

But I have bought over Christmas in the Halford sale, actually,

one of those little mini compresses, so I can now do my own tyre pressures.

So I'll become one of those anal people,

getting them within 0.001 PSI of where they should be.

Well, it's worthwhile investment, actually,

because it's now like 150 to fill your tyres up, isn't it?

So it's ridiculous.

If you can do it yourself, that's much, much better.

I think with our cars, I think we're pining for the spring, aren't we?

Because we have a lot of cars.

Yeah, I can't wait.

Talking about spring, we're obviously getting ready to go on YouTube

in a few weeks or so.

We've been working behind the scenes on that to try and get that going.

It's a lot more faff, isn't it, than doing this?

I wouldn't call that working.

We went for lunch.

We did, but the world derrites.

And then we said, do you want more to do, we'll get a set.

So yeah, it's coming soon.

In the next couple of months, we're building up to it.

Or just a favour from you guys, really.

It's going to really springboard if we can get your support early on.

So if you can go to our YouTube channel, which already exists,

which is called Tire Kickers Podcast, and can you just subscribe for us, please?

It takes two seconds.

It doesn't cost you any money, but the difference it will make to us is massive

because it will inject some life into YouTube and get us noticed

when we do put that first episode on.

So if you can go there and subscribe, please, Tire Kickers Podcast is where you'll find us.

You know, the awful thing about this, though,

is that we're going to have to see each other regularly.

Because at the moment, we barely see each other.

We just do this down a kind of 56k dial-up modem,

which has already gone wrong once this morning.

So it's going to be quite unusual because we'll be able to see each other.

So I'll be able to see you doing your last-minute homework on chat GPT.

And you'll be able to see me rolling my eyes.

Well, yeah, and me putting a face at what you're talking about.

Well, people will be able to see actually us like being incredulous

of what the other one is talking about.

It'd be nice, actually, I think.

We're going to obviously pick a subject, I think, per episode and really get into it.

The bonus, if you listen to this on audio or can continue on audio,

you'll just be able to watch our ugly mushes on YouTube at the same time.

So hopefully you'll find you'll also get to see the cards.

You said that was a bonus.

I think we should ask for clarification from the audience.

Is that a bonus?

Can I put one of those confession screens between us?

So like talking to a priest, I don't have to look at you.

Forgive me, Father.

I have seen I've been looking at modern cards on auto-trading.

Don't forget, you can find us at the TireKickers UK on Instagram

and the TireKickers on Facebook.

Right, lots of chat about our topics from the last show.

Now, thanks for all of your contact and those who've been involved in our socials.

Yeah, Andrew Field Blades picked up on our feature about the poshed-up cars

like the Allegro Vandempla, those sort of things.

He says we should have mentioned the Mini Brooklands Max.

Oh, yeah.

And also, and he's an obvious one.

It's a bit more modern, but I'd forgotten about this completely,

the Aston Martin Signets.

I think Aston had to do this because there was some kind of European ruling

that you had to have a kind of average emissions from your fleet.

So because they're all V-12s, they decided to get some kind of like tiny car.

What was it?

Oh, is that the story of this?

Yeah, I think it was like a Toyota IQ.

It's like a tidal thing.

I've got one here.

I'll throw it up on your screen.

I mean, it essentially looks like, you know, in modern era,

it's like a tiny Toyota Yaris with a huge grill and an Aston Martin badge on it,

which I think they weren't cheap, were they?

Oh, it looks like a smart car from the side.

It's so tiny.

It's like a door.

It's like a door and, you know, and that's it.

I tell you what it is.

It's awful.

It is terrible.

And then you go inside and try to make it a bit Aston Martin-side by

essentially leather trimming up, stitching up a little shopper Toyota.

It's an odd one, isn't it?

I do remember these at the time that Aston tried to convince people

that you'd basically have your V-12 in the garage

and you'd use this for running around.

But yeah, it just looked like an idiot.

I mean, it's such an, you know, it's a very small car to begin with,

but it just is made a lot worse by putting big car features on it like that grill.

There's not many of these around.

Look at the price on it.

Look at the price.

How much is it?

I'm waiting for you to discover it.

I can't find it. Hang on.

Back to advert.

Hang on. Click, click, click, click, click.

What?

39,000 pounds.

40 grand for essentially a mini, a super mini that's got leather seats

and an Aston badge on it.

I mean, I think you'll buy in the rare, the rarity of that.

But I mean, I don't know if I'd put that on a plinth and look at it from a sofa.

I think that's embarrassing.

And we were talking about Mercedes 123s as well in the last show

and what great cars they are.

Daniel McMurtry says he had a 280 saloon back in the day around the turn of the century.

And he absolutely loved it.

He said the interior was incredibly well made.

And he said the full speed auto was great as well.

He says much better than the Borg Warner slash boxes of the time.

He does say, though, mime is a rotter around the rear floor pan and wheel arches.

He said he got some fun.

I couldn't afford to have it fixed properly.

So I swapped it out for a Citroen XM.

Now, that's the problem with it.

It's the Achilles heel of the 123, isn't it?

Rust.

Well, you just find those chrome rear wheel arch kind of like eyebrows

and put them on there and it keeps the rust hidden for about another two years.

Now, we claim the 123 was possibly the best car ever made.

But this is Alan 74 on Instagram isn't so sure.

He says it's the second best car ever made.

The W124, he says, the car that came afterwards, perfected even further.

I do see that because I think the W124 was a better car.

But did it look quite as Mercedes?

If you have a 123 with that big grill in your rear view mirror,

that is Mercedes design language for, you know, for another 30 years.

The W124, it just looked it was a bit more rounded.

It just looked a bit more bland.

I don't want to say that because it's a Bruno Sacco design,

but it wasn't quite as Mercedes as the W123.

Yeah, the wind tunnel started getting involved.

It felt, didn't it?

And I think the 123 still got that kind of feel of a classic car.

And then after that, the cars that came after it just got smoothed out

as the years went on.

So the 123 is an interesting proposition.

It's a car that you can run, rely on and use,

but it's still got that kind of classic kind of feel about it.

So I'm still put my money on the 123, I think.

I mean, Dempsey 8617 agrees with the 123.

He says it's pure class.

Christopher Stevens 892 as well says, I quite agree with you guys.

It was probably the best Mercedes ever and one of the finest production saloons.

We also had a great review from Gentles Garage since the last show.

He's the guy we've spoken about before with that great orange 1970s BMW 5 series.

Well, he's put some really nice words on our Apple review page.

So thank you very much.

It really does help us stand out from the crowd, and that is much appreciated.

Yeah, if you want to leave a review, please do.

The link is on our Instagram bio, and that really helps us as well.

Also, a nice note on Facebook, Max from Mark Palmer down in Cornwall in the UK.

Mark says that he's really enjoying the show and hopes that we might do a live version of this soon.

We did that at the NEC.

Do you remember? I remember looking on a sea of backs because people had turned their chairs around to look in the opposite direction.

I don't think that will happen.

We started and the crowd went mild, didn't it?

He does suggest that we do it from his local pub in Cornwall, and he's buying as well.

So podcast from a pub, now there's an idea.

So as we were just saying, in the last episode, we talked about 50 years of the Mercedes W123,

which got me thinking, maybe I could get a W123 and then have a set with my Mercedes SL.

But then, of course, my R107 SL was based on the W114 stroke W115 series, so I probably have to get one of those.

Yeah, OK, great. Could you get on with it?

I'm thinking, who else is stupid enough to complete a set of classic cars, which obviously makes me think of you.

So have you ever considered complimenting your choice of triumph stag with a four door, in particular,

the brilliant range of triumph 2000 and 2.5 saloons from the mid 1970s?

No. Well, mainly because I haven't got the space.

Secondly, because I'm not stupid.

And thirdly, I'm not sure what another BL.

However, a lot of the styling on my stag got used on the triumph 2000 saloon, didn't it?

Influenced. In fact, the 2000 I think came out slightly before the stag and it nicked the design.

They sort of like nicked from each other.

I don't really want one, but you sort of brought it up and said that I should maybe think I should want one.

Why so? Well, I think if you're a true triumph person, you need one.

It was designed by Michelotti.

So that's also the Herald, the Spitfire, the TF4, the TF5, the stag, the Dolomite and a surprisingly long production life

from 1963 to 1977.

So these were six cylinders, four speed manual, front discs, rear drums.

But it's the looks of these I really like.

Here's one for sale. Interestingly, the only one I could find.

Now, this is in Rosset Brown.

So it's like a bullseye show here.

This is the color you could have had if you'd stuck with factory colors on your stag.

Well, if the guy you'd had my stag hadn't resprayed it, this was the color it was.

And Russet Brown, as is probably my least favorite color.

Let me interrupt. Look on picture six on the flanks.

It's got the BL badge that I bought you for Christmas.

Look at that, which we'll be going on my stag eventually once I get it cleaned.

It is a good this color.

This it really is a turn off Russet Brown, isn't it?

It is a yucky color.

And I can see why the guy resprayed mine in a sort of metallic rather than this.

It doesn't make the car look good.

These aren't sexy cars anyway.

Oh, I think they are quite sexy.

I think they're quite good.

Yeah, because you've got your BL brainwashed.

That's why these are pretty drab shopper cars.

Says the owner of a BL car.

These are drab shopper cars that have got, you know, no, you can't say that.

They're really nice.

These try two thousands of really nice cars.

You know, they've got the front of your stag.

So from the front, they are your stag.

And they've got that great kind of saloon body with a cantile at the back.

I think this is a really gorgeous design.

Yeah, this is this is kind of got a lot of stuff that jars with me.

I mean, it's got it's got mini light wheels on a mud flaps and it's in Russet Brown.

It doesn't make the car look good.

But I think from the front, as you say, it starts off well

because it's got the stag, you know, double headlights and the the the indicated cluster.

And then it's got those little bulges on the bonnet as well.

And then as you sort of look back down the car, it just goes into blank.

And then you get to the back and the cam tail again, a cam tail.

I don't think you like cam tails and we get to the back and the cam tail.

It's just dull. It's just really dull.

Where's the where's the stag has got the that sort of echo of the front?

It's got that kind of oval mess.

This is just slabbed off the back and it just is boring.

It looks really boring.

Let's get to the interior, but that's even more boring.

If you notice, it's got a tartan blanket on the back seat, which kind of gives you

the idea of the market it's aimed at.

Yeah, where's the travel suites in the metal round tin?

It's just I can't see that board.

You show me a dollar, Mike.

Yes, the Triumph 2000, not so much.

OK, well, I'm going to raise you.

Let's let's leave the Triumph 2000 behind.

Let's go to the Triumph 2.5, which you could order with the letters P and I

with a badge on the rear pillar showing you put your fuel in under pressure,

not just dribble it in like an old man.

Well, under pressure some of the time, of course, it used Lucas fuel injection,

which was apparently a modified windscreen wiper motor.

Running at high pressure, 110 psi.

And surprise, surprise, it failed a lot, especially in hot countries.

But if you ignore that, here's one for sale in France.

It's a wreck. OK, it's a restoration project.

Are you being serious?

That's not a relatively good looking car.

I mean, this, as you say, it's a restoration.

This is more of a cry for help.

This one, I mean, it's sad.

I think you should answer that, I think you should buy this and restore it.

It's in France somewhere having to cry on its own, basically, on on

Roastar wheels, which I don't think were what did they come with it?

Roastar. I think if you went for the budget one, you got Roastar wheels here.

Oh, yeah, actually, they're they're off of the Mark one stag ones, aren't they?

I mean, this has got rust on every panel, it's white.

It's the chrome looks like it all needs replacing.

It's got a tinge yellow headlights, which are the only interesting thing about the car.

It's on French plates left and drive.

It's white, it's different shades of whites, 50 shades of white, this thing.

And it is a heap and this just needs to go in the crusher max.

This is not that I can't see how you would see this as appealing.

Who'd want to restore that and why?

There's so few of them around.

I mean, basically, lots of the mustaches rusted and got thrown away.

Also, I think the injection was so unreliable.

They actually replaced it with carbs afterwards.

And then you've got the 2500 s and the TC, the twin carb in 75,

because the fuel injection was so rubbish, they put carburetors back on it.

This car just needs an injection from the vets, really.

I mean, it's just it's just a point now where it just needs to be quietly tapped on

there and said you've had a good life off you go.

I realize I've lost this one.

So why don't I move on to this one?

Now, you could actually have a complete set.

You could have your stag.

You could have a saloon and you could have the estate.

They made an estate version of this as well.

So you could have all three poking at you underneath the covers in your garage.

I think the estate is a really good looking car.

Plus, it's really practical.

Look at this. It's on your screen now, the 2500 injection.

So OK, it will be rubbish, but it does look nice.

And the estate, I mean, that's a perfect family car for you, a family man.

Oh, it's got a sporty front and a frumpy back.

It looks like it's had lipstick on a pig.

You know, it's not really a nice looking car, is it?

And it's not like it's thought through.

The front looks like it's like going somewhere.

The back looks like it's like a dog that doesn't want to walk any further.

You know, there's not that many examples around.

So I am on a bit of a sticky wicket here.

But if you just look at the front and then you think this is an estate car,

it's got all the things in when you go for your family picnics.

It's probably got another rug in the back as well.

I think that's a really good car.

Think of the set, the stag, the saloon and the estate.

I'd rather not.

What was going on at the back as well?

What were they thinking?

Because they've got this big expanse of space here

and then the world's tiniest cluster of lights, which is just odd.

Yeah, it just looks horrible.

And then these sort of 70s estates have this all this kind of design thing

at the back where they had this huge back clear window,

didn't they? Mass expanse of glass that didn't rebalance the horror.

You could see everything around these really light cars.

If you're sitting in the back as a passenger, you actually get to see everything.

I'd want privacy glass in this so that nobody saw me in it.

And when you get into the interior, it's got the bit I don't like about my stag,

which is in is the interior and it's just really frumpy and horrible

and cheap wood and nasty.

This one's got a aftermarket wooden steering wheel.

Which is which is which has paid even worse.

Am I feeling there's going to be no sister car for your stag in the garage?

Well, that is true.

I think probably I've got to say the stag is probably the only British

land product I'll ever buy.

I don't think I'll have a handker for another one.

I don't I don't think I'll handker for another stag after this even.

And you know, British cars, we've talked about this before that there is a massive

lost lost opportunity wasn't there in the 70s.

They could have been brilliant, you know, in the bones of them were good.

But then they're just the the cheaping out of the design and the lack of kind of,

I don't know, the Italians had a bit more confidence in design, didn't they?

They would be a bit more out there that this wasn't a kind of Italian design.

It was a Michelotti design.

So it does have hints of Italy.

It started in Italian design and then it's obviously just gone through the BL

boardroom, isn't it?

The stuff that would have made these cars great got cheaped out.

I think, you know, they didn't have the confidence of the exterior.

They gave to Michelotti and he did a great job with them.

I think if I got you a triumph 2000 saloon in the right color with your

stag, that would look great.

People would walk past the garage and say, wow, what a cool collection.

What's he doing driving them?

Episode 48 and now, Max, we've got to face up to facts here because we're

around the time of our life when when things stop working, our carburetors,

for example, get blocked, fluids start to weep and our suspension doesn't

quite bounce like it used to from the factory.

Speak for yourself, Matthew.

I flew through an MOT last week.

Just a couple of advisories here at worn discs and occasional backfiring.

Yeah, at our age, it's all about getting thrills on the cheap wherever we can.

So we were wondering what was the best, best classic car we could buy for our

midlife, you know, a car that will stave off the grim reaper and convince people

that we've still got it.

Now, I have the answer.

This is the car that will make people believe we were born to the beat of

brick pop. It's Thomas Magnum's Ferrari 308 GTS.

This car is so cool.

It's a time machine taking us back to when cars were fun and did skids and also

collapsed horribly in a crash.

Look, a Ferrari 308.

I think this is the perfect midlife classic.

It's red, it's convertible, but it's a target so that the wind won't blow your

toupee off. And I just think it's got that feel of, oh, I'm still young.

You know, I can still do it.

I can still keep up with the kids.

I'll show you how to dance.

That kind of feeling that we all get that we get to a certain point.

And I just want a bit of excitement, a bit of life.

And what's better for that than a red Ferrari?

These are starting to look good now, aren't they?

They're aging really, really nicely.

I mean, really nice.

I have the thing with Ferraris, they do sort of start to look a bit all the same

to me, but this one, I think it is a midlife crisis.

I can't think, I can't not think of him in a tash in it, though, driving this about.

But I think it's got a nice look to it, hasn't it?

It's got, it's got those rounds, rear lights on the back.

It's got the pop-up headlights on the front.

And I wonder what the prices are on this, we'll get into those.

But, you know, are they affordable Ferraris?

Could you, I mean, or do they, you know, need oil from the Peruvian Mountains,

Italian Mountains to run?

Oh, 60 grand this one is.

Yeah. And the V8s are OK in these, actually, because it was quite a tried and tested

engine at this point.

I think the 308s are really good cars.

They've been kind of stuck in the same sort of 60 to 70,000 pound price bracket

for quite a while.

So I think that's, it's maybe a good time to buy.

And it's just a perfect midlife crisis car.

I mean, what is better than this?

What would it be like to drive?

Because I'm riding the aching joints and things.

These are quite hard work, aren't they?

The GTSs are awful because they've got the most terrible scuttle shake in the world.

I drove one once and the wheel was shaking in my hands as we went around a corner.

But the GTBs, the ones with the roofs, OK, they're not quite as good for your midlife crisis.

But they are really nice driving cars.

You know, they're not particularly fast, got a great V8 and they handle.

I think 308s are the next big thing.

There's still probably a few of them around, so they're not going to be that expensive.

But once people get into these and realise how good they drive,

I think 308s are really one to watch.

I mean, if you're having a midlife crisis, you need stuff a bit more power assisted.

I mean, the perfect old man's car has got to be.

Mercedes-Benz 107.

No, Mercedes 107.

Trumpstag.

If you get into that time in your life where it's all a little bit difficult,

you know, to change gears and turn the steering wheel, then look at this one, Max.

It's a suit you down to the ground.

It's a red 1989 300 SL.

I mean, that's almost a perfect car for you.

It's always the same as the one you've got.

I think it's interesting here because we have actually hit upon as two gentlemen in their mid 50s.

We have actually hit upon in our cars virtually perfect midlife crisis cars, isn't it?

Because I'm just going to look at a Trumpstag here.

There's a 1976 Trumpstag and I think Minerva Blue.

What could be better than taking out your significant other of 30 or 40 years in a Trumpstag?

It's just smells of the 1970s, smells of the past, perfect for a kind of retro trip.

Hands up and being honest about this.

You know, this is one of the reasons I did buy this because, you know,

it's got power assisted steering and it's an automatic and it's easy to drive around it.

Doesn't mean that I don't hanker after something like a Healy or something like that,

where I have to work it a bit more.

But, you know, when you get to a certain point in life, you know,

the effort of driving an old car, it is an effort, you know,

unless you're going and I was thinking with my my last car, my Sunbeam Alpine,

I probably only go about half an hour, 40 minutes before I kind of had enough

and I wanted to get out and stretch my legs and go and have a beer or go and do something

and then drive it back.

I wouldn't look, I wouldn't look to do long journeys in it.

This, however, you know, last year, I made said,

do you want to meet for lunch and Sussex?

I said, yeah, do it.

And I drove there and back and I was never sweaty back.

And I didn't get there all frazzled.

There is an argument as well.

When you're knocking on a bit and I'm looking at you, you know,

you do need these sort of power assisted things to do.

I mean, it still doesn't remove the the old carness of it.

You still got enjoyment, don't you?

But you still not quite so hard work.

Yeah, because when I had that 1966 Porsche 912, I put on an extra big exhaust on it

and it was needed double the clutching through the five speed gearbox.

And it was a dog leg gearbox and the steering was a bit heavy.

And actually, I'd be thinking, oh, wow, this is just such hard work.

And that's why I've kind of melted into a Mercedes SL, because it is comfortable.

It's easy. It doesn't take a lot of hassle to keep it going.

It doesn't break down for starters, which is always a good thing

when you're trying to relate to a car.

And there is a kind of like midlife crisis car that you want it to be sporty.

You want it to be fun, but you don't want it to be hassle

because there's enough hassle in life as it is.

So I'm going to suggest to you another one.

If you look on your screen now, this is a 1999 Porsche 996 911

convertible. Now, we're getting into modern classics here,

which I know automatically you'll just disagree with me.

But actually, this is £18,000 and it's a Porsche 911.

It has all the kind of hallmarks of a midlife crisis car, but for £18,000.

And these 996, you know, they're really cheap.

They drive nicely. This is a manual, so it's not the awful Tiptronic.

I think this is a great midlife crisis choice.

Yeah, it is. It just doesn't really excite me enough.

It should do me. I think these 2000 cars are great.

I mean, this is on the cusp of 2000, but this little bit of a car

are a load of bang for your buck, any of these sorts of cars.

And they're modern enough to use and have a bit of legs to use.

They're modern enough to use as a weekend car, but I think it is a weekend car.

I don't think it's a classic.

I will disagree on this, but it doesn't.

I don't think that's going to excite me enough, to be honest.

I'd rather go for this next choice, which is this MGB.

OK, this is a classic midlife crisis car, isn't it?

If you buy an MGB, you were screaming, help me to everybody around.

Well, you are. Is it a midlife crisis car?

No, I think I think the Porsche is more a midlife crisis car.

I think if you if you were to rock up, you know,

meet your friends down the pub and you turn up in a 9-11,

20 or 9-11, they'd be like, OK, it's just still.

Yeah, look at him. He's still trying to think he's cool.

Whereas an MGB, it's sort of I think you just get a little pat on the back

and a bit more sympathy, don't you?

Yeah, and somebody would offer you a seat.

Here, sit down. It's been a long journey.

Is it you've been tired or was it your hips?

Talking about this, obviously, you know, a lot of MGB drivers,

you know, a lot of classic car drivers are in their 80s and stuff,

and they're not moaning about it.

It was only us that's moaning about it.

And we're softer. We're too soft for this.

But it's got soft hands, haven't we?

We're working in radio.

Never done a day's work in our life. That's why.

So, yeah, I'm an MGB.

I'm not going to fit in an MGB.

I just stick the headsticks out the top and I just can't, you know,

the wheel rubs my legs and that sort of stuff.

But I would happily have an MGB, as I've said before.

I think there are... I've got nothing bad to say about MGBs.

I think...

No, I haven't.

I mean, apart from those loads around,

when I was looking for an example for an MGB to put up,

there's eight pages of them for sale,

which is good because it gives you loads of choice

and it keeps the price down.

But it's also bad because virtually everybody else has got one.

And that's my big problem with MGBs.

I really like them, but it's like kind of, I don't know,

magnolia paint or beige carpets.

It's just too easy to get into one.

Yeah, I think you're being too...

You've got to have a perspective.

Everybody hasn't got an MGB.

You could probably name...

Probably how many people do you know with an MGB?

You don't.

It's when you drive up to a car meet.

Well, yeah.

In your town, how many do you see?

I mean, I see one or two buzzing around.

I don't see that many.

You know, relatively, they're still rare, aren't they?

There's a car, but not many people have a classic car.

Going for an MGB is just a bit too easy.

It's a bit too civilian.

It's the one that kind of like non-classic car people would choose.

And that's probably my only problem with it

because I really like them.

But it's just a bit too common.

That's amongst car people, isn't it?

That's why everybody...

That's the only people who hang around.

I don't meet real people.

I don't want to meet real people.

True.

I still think it's cool.

I think I still think there's an argument for a really, really nice MGB

in your garage.

I think you're going to pop the garage door up

on a really nice restored MGB

or a really pristine original one,

and you're still going to smile, aren't you?

I think it probably, for midlife crisis cars,

it's the runner up.

I think the number one has got to be the Triumph Stack.

Well, if the flat cap fits, I've got to wear it, I suppose.

Well, you'll be delighted to know that that is it for this episode,

but coming up next time...

Remember the car-based van,

the saloon that was stripped of every extra

and had a big van body grafted onto the back.

We look at our favourite vans made from cars.

And we'll discuss the classic car you'd never own.

What's too awful that you would never, ever buy it or park it on your drive?

That's all ahead in the next edition of the highly, yes, highly commended

awards-nominated podcast that is The Tire Kickers.

We should have won, Max. We were robbed.

See you next time. Bye.

All yours.

Oh, we've got to... Oh, we've got to...

Oh, we do more. Oh, I thought we got to the end.

Yeah. No, no, no.

I thought we finished.

No.

Okay, here we go.

You wish.

Well, I've got somewhere better to be.

Aren't your parents coming around for lunch in about 10 minutes?

Yeah, they are.

0:00

39:45

Midlife Crisis!

Alfa Romeo Spyder

Porsche 912

Citroën XM

About this episode

Original notes