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I'm just very happy that I have a car that gets 35 mpg

Pretty damn good. My 04 Accord gets about 33, with what is supposed to be a fuel efficient engine.

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Originally posted by FredPuli: Yes, Ritz. What is it? A de Dion Bouton? Stanley Steamer? Darracq?

It is a beautiful Sunday morning here in Cheshire, and I have the luxury of a few minutes relaxation at the trypewriter, prior to gardening. You know your veteran cars, Fred (either that, or as Mrs. Ritzmar has just suggested, you simply 'googled' a few!) I remember reading about some vintage/veteran vehicle many years ago which had an elegant photo to match...I think it was German...might have been a vintage Benz...(I do not know my old cars at all) described thus: "Once, rather ugly, now strangely beautiful," which apt analysis was quite poetic and insightful.

No, I am afraid that N771 OBB is simply a little Vauxhall Astra, but it does the job very cheaply, quietly, unfussily & efficiently! I save a fortune with it. 47,000 miles on the clock when I bought it for £2000 six years ago, and just 89,000 now. I refuse to spend money on cars! Excellent hi fi, a small domestic cinema with surround sound, a beautiful, 100 year-old Schiedmayer piano,with a glorious tone, more books, CDs & vinyl than you can shake a stick at ...I need for nothing...

Although I suppose that a Bentley State Limousine might be rather nice...

With what you charge me I am surprised you haven't got one!

Too old fashioned Ritz. I would have one of these

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Originally posted by Jenny Roberts:
With what you charge me I am surprised you haven't got one!

I actually do have one of these, but can no longer afford to drive it to the filling station to put any petrol in it...

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Originally posted by Ritzmar:

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Originally posted by FredPuli: Yes, Ritz. What is it? A de Dion Bouton? Stanley Steamer? Darracq?

You know your veteran cars, Fred (either that, or as Mrs. Ritzmar has just suggested, you simply 'googled' a few!)

Sorry, but she is talking of someone who once owned a 1903 Renault, decades ago, and who used to get up early on a cold November morning to follow the Veteran Car Club run from Hyde Park to Brighton seafront We never entered, though a previous owner did.The casual conversations you get from those who do ( " It was an easy run,with only one minor problem en route. The big end seized outside Brixton" and the like) do tend to deter You need to be the kind of person who thinks nothing of being able to rebuild an engine at the roadside, to be a true Veterans' man. The ones you meet are all people for whom having an engine in bits is more fun that having it running a car!

Have tended to an interest in more modern machinery since. On the current 'possibles' list is a Citroen traction avant, sold in Britain as 'the light fifteen'.Nice to look at, but not the easiest vehicle to steer. It has the turning circle of a bus and having all that machinery over the front wheels doesn't help to bring lightness of feel. We do have quite a selection of ancient tractors and farm machinery here,only most of which were once used on the farm

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I actually do have one of these, but can no longer afford to drive it to the filling station to put any petrol in it...

Very nice Ritz.
I was wondering...next time I'm over, and I come to see you and Mrs Ritz, could you possibly pick me up from the airport in your nice motor car? You could always increase what you charge Jenny, if you need to pay for petrol for it.

(Sorry Jenny, I like his car. Hmmm....does he really have one? )

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Originally posted by FredPuli:
Sorry, but she is talking of someone who once owned a 1903 Renault, decades ago, and who used to get up early on a cold November morning to follow the Veteran Car Club run from Hyde Park to Brighton seafront

I had forgotten about the London to Brighton, Fred. I used to go with my Dad. One of the highlights of the year for the two of us. Does Prince Michael of Kent still enter?

Prince Michael is the Patron of the Veteran Car Club and connected with various other such motoring organisations. He certainly used to go on the VCC run every year, though he missed the 2001 run for some unspecified reason. Can't find his having been on last year's run though. (Now that I did google!)

He's had the use of a fine range of vehicles,as is only to be expected given his position. (Bet he's a pal of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, the scion of a great motoring family which created the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu,too )

Thanks. We used to go to Beaulieu too.
My dad never owned any expensive cars, he was just really interested in them. He trained as a mechanic while doing his National Service. His enthusiasm rubbed off on me, and, at a very young age, I could identify just about every car on the road, without seeing the badge. Then, later we went to Silverstone for the F1 races.
Later still, when I was working, in the police, and it was quiet, I used to drive the few miles over to Silverstone, and go around the circuit in the patrol car, in the dead of night!

Dg, I think Ritz is dreaming again

If he has, it's a Dinky toy!