[monaghana]

I bought an old mk4 Austin Healy Sprite when I was about 19 ('79). It had the same engine as the 1275 GT mini. I can't remember if it was fast. The drivers door wouldn't open and so you had to climb in with the top down. When you changed gear the back end whipped sideways. Found that one of the U bolts on the rear axle had no retaining bracket. When it came time to sell it I took it to local car auction. Bidding went to 150 pounds. Auctioneer said 'you'll not get much more than that son'. I said no thanks paid the fee and took it home. Next auction day when the sun was shining I entered it again with the roof down and the cover buttoned down got 350 pounds and later sold the hardtop for another 20.
A few years back I bought an old Lotus Eclat. Not too pretty to look at, but that was a fast car.