Hello there...

Some of you might remember me (Proccy?)(most probably won't!) but I used to be regular on here, then for some obscure reason I sold my Coupe <snff!> and never really came on here after that.

However, after spending 2 1/2 years with a frankly mind numbingly dull Ford Focus (yep, still got it) I thought I'd venture back on here see how things are going....

Sad to say I've tried other forums, however they are either unbelieveably unfriendly, or so desperate that you're not allowed to critisise anything. Dull.

I thought that once you sell your Coupe, you can get over it, but no. To the extent i still have the phone number of the guy i sold it to (in Heanor) in the hope that should i be in a position to buy it back, i can call him and hope for the best...

Anyway - as you were......

Theres an awful lot of us that don't own coupes anymore but still find ourselves here so you're not alone there.
Welcome back.

Ditto, over 3 years without a coop now but I'm still here.

Sounds like I should be standing up at an AA meeting.

To be honest, i got myself convinced I was bored with it; went on to buy a 1975 MG Midget last year, so at least I have something to play with.

Problem is, whenever i meet up with mates and the conversation inevitable ends up about cars, I always go misty eyed about the Sprint Blue Beasty.

To which i get the question 'why don't you buy another?'.

Well, I spent alot of time money and love on that car - if i bought her back it would be like getting back with you ex; higher mileage than last tie, not as fresh, been played with by other people and no doubt somewhat looser than you remember

However, i do notice the price of 20VT's does seem to be on the floor at the moment - how did that happen??

I'm still here too. Not had a coop for a year now Must be somethign in the water, even King Pleb called back a few months ago!

I think if i had bought a half decent car to follow the Coupe it wouldn't hurt so much, but the gutless lack of power is painful!

The sad fact is that for bang for buck and looks you cant beat the Coupe, particularly as they seem shockingly cheap (mind you they did seem quite cheap when i sold mine; was gutted i sold it for so little).

At least the guy i sold it too seemed very genuine; previous owner of a 16v, 16vt and a 20v. Hopefully he's looking after it as well as i did.....!

Although hopefully not used to a better driver..

Chances are the back ends been done in now too

Welcome back Maxxxer

I haven't forgotten you. How could I forget someone who had a decent and gorgeous Sprinty?

Didn't realise it had been so long since you were on here last though

Thank you! Nice to be remembered!

I'm still at a loss as to why i sold it - think it was a combination of being due the service and belt change, being skint, and needing a tat hauler to get junk out of my new house down to the tip (in hindsight i could have used the wifes car, but then hindsight is a wonderful thing...).

Typical then that i got inheritance from my Nan a few months after i sold it, then a pay rise too - if I'd knwn they were coming I'd have kept it!

I guess now i have the Midget I'm at a crossroads; modify that (stick a tuned K Series 1.8 from an MGF in it, should be good to hit 60 in around 4-5 seconds) or junk it and buy another Coupe.
Only problem with the latter is getting it past the wife though....!

So have i mssed much in my absense then? I got married ast year - 1st anniversary and the end of the month. Other than that, not much has changed really....

Hi Maxxxer long time no see. The coupes prices have dropped to a all time low but it's the same old story, you get what you pay for.

Hi Maxxxer, good to see you back; you look different... is that an extra x?

Jim_Clennell, Porkypaul - Hello there! All the usual suspects i see...

Admittedly I recall Jap (think he left shortly before I did and got into Alfa's; not seen or heard from him since, but then I've not been on here) took an accident damaged 20VT LE in red and won best in show at the last Italian Car show i attended (2007?) over near Lutterworth/Hinckley.

So thinking I know my way around a 20VT, i could risk a cheap one and fix it up as i go along (and yes, you do get what you pay for, but if you now what to look for to begin with you have a bit of a head start maybe...?).

Jim - all the same; the Triple X, long before some bloke brought out a film with Vin Diesel in it. And no, it wasn't based on me....

...I have more hair

I remember you well enough Paul, good to see you back loitering with intent.......

It was your car that prompted me to get the Plus so i had the best car in Burton, then you sold it......you owe me thousands of £££££ the money i spent on that

Jap came back on last year, think he might have been tempted with another coupe? His LE was well tidy.

Hello Maxxxer!

Long time no see! Just do it. You only live once!!

Muhahaha! Glad to hear I inspired you Proccy! Ironically, it was your first green one that i saw round Burton years before i got mine that planted the seed for me to buy mine!

I sort of tested the water with the wife on getting another last night. Safe to say (in not so many words) its unlikely to happen soon

However, I will be sticking around this time; it's like a school reunion this (except that i actually like the people I'm talking to rather than being glad i left them behind....!)

Looks like I'll be modifying the Midget then; if i can achieve a smiliar power to wieght ratio I'll be happy with that; 1.8 K Series tuned to about 160bhp should help, given it weighs all of 700kg
(And I can probably get that past the wife...)

(And yes, back with a vengence with my excessive use of smilies....

oooh what I wouldn't give for a modified midget

I browse from time to time, got rid of my second Coupe nearly four years ago now. Still harbour a yearning for one though...

When i get round to taking some dcent photos I'll stick some up on the 'Other Cars' thread; its tatty but solid, useable and quite fun. Just a bit cold at this time of year...!

One of the reasons i sold up is that I'd been bagng on about having a classic as a weekend toy, but it was that or the Coupe; at the time, the I'd done all i fet i could with the Coupe, so it went. I do regret it, but grass is always greener i guess.

Still, with the assistance of a couple of mates (one who is in the process of fitting the turbo lump from a Suzuki Cappucino into a 1958 Standard 8, the other fitting a lift kit to a 1973 V8 Chevy pickup) i think the engine swap should be relatively easy

Having gone from the relative complexity of a Coupe to something which only has three fuses in its fuse box, its quite easy to trace faults and fix it....!

This does feel like an AA meeting now - 'Hi, my names Paul and I've been Coupe-free for 2 1/2 years now <applause>'....

Coupes are so cheap now, I think it is possible to get a half decent one for £1000 so long as you check it over.

I sold mine in 2006 for c.£3k ...... still visited the forum on and off for 7 years.... then after a hospital stay I thought, "life's too short" and bought another one on a whim (for £970), even though I shouldn't have really. Off to Motormech next week to get the cam belt done. For the money, mine seems in great condition, though needs a bit spending to get it how I want it.I just can't stop looking at it, and tinkering... it's just like any hobby. Since early Feb, I've only seen ONE other Coupe. Show's how rare they are getting.

Come on buy another one ... see it as an investment...... errrrmmmmm

Sold my last one about 8 years ago and I still visit here pretty regularly. Like you I still have fond memories of Coupes and find myself defending/recommending them when conversation turns to cars.

Fishy, you get a few drives and rides at track days to satisfy the craving. You've made me want a Westie.....

Thing is, I doubt you can get as much for your money in any other car, short of taking something light and sticking a bigger engine in (see my previous posts...!).

I still think it beggars beleief that prices for things like Saph Cossies are going through the roof (even for a thrashed, rough 4x4 you'd be lucky to pay less than £5k) yet Coupe's are barely selling and when they do they go for small prices.

Actually, if the current owner of my old car (R143 AAW) is on here, any chance of an update on her...(however if mods need me to remove the full reg no. please do so...)?

(Also my apologies for my abysmally poor typing; it used to be so much better the first time around, and it appears i have become slack and lazy in the intervening years..! )

That's because the forum police (Andrew & Neil) haven't been there to correct your slovenliness