I've always loved these. I had an introverted and rather genteel piano playing neighbour who had a green one, the canopy part was green and white striped. As children we used to get her to drive us about in it, which she happily did. A lift to the park with a picnic on a sunny day, a trip down Regent Street to see the Christmas lights.

I think the menopause must've changed her significantly because I ended up having a screaming row with her as a teenager, when she falsely accused me of setting fire to her front door. That's the first time I went to a solicitor - an old guy who, for free, sent her a formal warning letter on my behalf. Carlton someone. I liked his logo.



I still can't see one without hearing Allo Allo style music and thinking of that vicious cow.

I've never been to Cuba. It would be nice to think that as engines become all clean and electric, we could just retrofit cars like this - and make more - so they can still be enjoyed (see also proper black cabs with suicide doors). I'd happily do so with my own car which is also a thing of beauty.

A shame the Camargue wasn't more popular. I think it's the best looking of the Rolls Royce range...

A little like a fish...

Why don't we see custard coloured Mercedes anymore? They used to be a popular shade.

I am a passionate lover of the whitewall tyre. Mine are kept spic and span by being semi-vigorously cleaned with a toothbrush.

That custom Buick is vile.

Vile or not it is distinctive, in keeping with the thread.

I've always liked browns, golds, and bronzes. It's a mystery to me why silver is so popular. I desperately miss my gold car which was written off through no fault of my own. I rarely sat in the back but it came with softly carpeted footrests, generous armrests, a magazine rack, and a decanter with two tumblers so it was always a treat to relax in the back (shoes off) when I was being driven. Also ideal for taking my grandparents on a day out, and to take my son to his first day at school. It met its end at the junction of a Croydon council estate.

Anyway, an attractive brownish bronze Maserati...

You don't see Robin Reliants anymore. I quite liked them. They added something to the gaiety of the nation.

Interesting adaption...

Is that a Merak?

Cool as it obviously looks, it's the least attractive car Maserati made in the '70s.

The Bora and Ghibli made it look like a Fiat Multipla.

I've always been terrified of American hearses. The thought of being in the back of one with those dreadful curtains and padded velvet walls makes me feel hot and sick. I can practically smell the chemicals and the cloying air freshener from this side of the Atlantic. The risk of having to be placed in one played no small part in my refusal to move there with my ex husband when he suggested it. I wouldn't even want to be driven to the airport for repatriation in one.



'Cultural differences in hearse designs'...

http://theothersideoffunerals.blogspot.com/2012/03/cultural-differences-in-hearse-american.html

Nightjar wrote:

Is that a Merak?

Cool as it obviously looks, it's the least attractive car Maserati made in the '70s.

The Bora and Ghibli made it look like a Fiat Multipla.

Quatro something? Quadro? Something like that.

Audi Quattro?

I'd like to see you behind the wheels of a Quattro menacing cyclists on a Portsmouth hard shoulder slip road.

A little fatty replete with full English breakfasts.

A white one I think.



You'd be wearing a white leather jacket and reflective aviators.

As he sprawled in the sh*t and crisp packet strewn bushes you'd bark from the open window "learn how to use that thing!" before roaring off in a cloud of toxic blue fumes.

Ultimately, it's all about the Citroën SM.

The greatest, coolest, wackiest car ever put into actual production.
Citroën bought Maserati and together they came up with this...

That Citroen is a very cool car, especially the back half.

I've never felt a desire to visit Royston Vasey Portsmouth.

I'm actually a very generous driver when it comes to cyclists and pedestrians (so often the latter myself). Unless they take the p*ss, like let's say, complaining bitterly about drivers after blindly sailing out into a roundabout of several lanes - cars, buses, lorries, and potentially emergency vehicles all converging on each other, all reliant for life and limb on nobody else acting like an entitled tw*t. I have it on good authority this is a frequent occurence in the Portsmouth area.

I once got off a nightbus to physically drag a bicycle out of the way. The rider was laughing in enjoyment (and gesticulating) at a whole bus being held up by him. I was on my way to a promising one night stand, and the driver very kindly opened the door to facilitate my solution. The rider wasn't laughing any more but most of the bus was. Those temporary traffic lights went from red to green and back again at least four times, so nobody can say a fair opportunity wasn't given.

My son claimed embarrassment when I offered gentle encouragement from my open window to someone in fluorescent sportswear, doing about 2mph down the middle of the Fulham Road, with countless cars and their increasingly irate owners building up behind my own vehicle. All I said was "come on you, get those little legs working faster, we're not all here for a sedate day out".

I would never drive a white car. I would wear a white leather jacket, but only if it was visibly the softest leather money could buy (or suede). I don't like the look and feel of stiff leather jackets.