"ugh, le boche" - Alternatives

[smiffy]

rather than create too much thread drift in the "Things you hear with the roof down" thread

and my comment;
"around 15 years ago in my old 5 series. Stopped at a junction in a village in Brittany.
An elderly Frenchman walked passed and said;
"ugh, le boche" and promptly spat on the bonnet, he then walked on."

followed by

My wife's father was Polish and was a prisoner of war in WW2. He would not have anything German or Italian in his house.

If one wanted to avoid a German built sports car, what alternatives do you all think are out there in direct competition to the Z3 or Z4?

It's just a thought, no I'm not thinking of changing,

 

[Grumps]

On design alone, an 60''s or 70''s alfa spider.

 

[pgunter]

@Grumpy But would the Alfa still be here in the numbers we have the Zeds in ? Electrics and Rust.. lol..

Thinking though that apart from those.. What would really be a replacement for my Z3... Volvo coupe.. no... Audi.. thats a German... Tr7 ? hmmmm no.. Tr8.. might be... Austin Healey.. out of my budget.. lol... Its a hard one..

 

[Grumps]

@Grumpy But would the Alfa still be here in the numbers we have the Zeds in ? Electrics and Rust.. lol..

Thinking though that apart from those.. What would really be a replacement for my Z3... Volvo coupe.. no... Audi.. thats a German... Tr7 ? hmmmm no.. Tr8.. might be... Austin Healey.. out of my budget.. lol... Its a hard one..

On those two things alone Paul I wouldn't buy one but on design they win hands down.

 

[zedonist]

Technically the Z3 is an American built car, probably the reason they cant go round corners...I bet the Z3 had multi link independent rear suspension when it got designed, and then the American Engineers got hold of it, couldn't fit an Atlas solid rear axle and leaf springs for dragging purposes and so opted for the semi trailing rear arms as second best instead...

I think you need to look at the Nissan 370Z roadster, certainly worth a punt and close to ///M power as you can get.

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Unfortunately most of the Alfa spiders rusted away on the boat bringing them to Britain, those that were left rusted away on the forecourts. Thats why they are so rare these days. MGB, Healey, Triumph TR. Modern, Mazda MX5 or Honda 2000S. They would be my choice, but we came to Zeds from MGBs so no Comparison Really

Mike

 

[t-tony]

rusted away on the boat bringing them to Britain

A tradition happily carried on by the Alfa Sud, brilliant little car, flat 4 boxer engine, cornered like they were on rails. Unfortunately there were made like Gremlins, you couldn't dare get them wet, they simply dissolved, like the Lancia Beta, and to be honest, anything produced in Italy around that time.

Tony.

 

[oldcarman]

The old Frenchman probably would have spat on the Italian cars also! JIM

 

[Grumps]

Technically the Z3 is an American built car, probably the reason they cant go round corners...I bet the Z3 had multi link independent rear suspension when it got designed, and then the American Engineers got hold of it, couldn't fit an Atlas solid rear axle and leaf springs for dragging purposes and so opted for the semi trailing rear arms as second best instead...

I think you need to look at the Nissan 370Z roadster, certainly worth a punt and close to ///M power as you can get.

Ugly as sin tho Zedonist. A good car tho yes, but designed in and out with their eyes shut!

 

[Grumps]

Now a Triumph TR6 I do like, but again rust being it's biggest killer, would I have one if the German stuff was ruled out? Yes!

 

[zedonist]

Then this is the only option in my mind:

 

[Grumps]

What about a Mustang? A 60''s one tho. I don't do new cars.

 

[hard top]

Then this is the only option in my mind:

Well, if you want to go without a soft top at all, one of these....

 

[Grumps]

Well, if you want to go without a soft top at all, one of these....

Is that an ariel atom h/t?

 

[zedonist]

I think I would prefer the KTM crossbow if we're going the complete topless route

 

[hard top]

Yep @Grumpy, road legal and built in Somerset.

 

[Grumps]

Yep @Grumpy, road legal and built in Somerset.

Bit to exposed for my liking but I see your thinking. Bet it's fantastic fun!

 

[hard top]

Bit to exposed for my liking

I think you would need to be wearing bike gear.

 

[t-tony]

I think you would need to be wearing bike gear.

Didn't the 3 amigo's do these on TG?

Tony.

 

[hard top]

Yep @t-tony, and the KTM I think.