poor mans garage
 

so, everyone has their dream garage, full of lotuses (loti?) ferrari's, an air-cooled 911, etc.

what about us poor guys?

i have a boxster - everyone calls the poor mans porsche.

i have a triumph gt6 historic race car - often called the poor-mans jaguar e-type.

so, what about italy? no ferraris, lambos, etc. even the alfas are getting big $.

but the maserati coupe has a ferrari v8 and can be found for small $.

and fiat? a spider abarth clone? or, ... a forced induction x1/9!?!?!?!?

what's the poor mans italian car?

I had a few X1/9's until lower back surgery made it difficult to fit inside, my first experience with mid engine cars :-)

Then I jumped to the transaxle Alfa Romeos which are awesome BTW

PS: Still have one 3.0 Alfa Romeo Verde and one Alfetta GT (wifey does not know about it ..)

And inside my garage about (6) Alfa transaxles, one 3.0 V6 engine and one Fiat Uno Turbo engine (for an X1/9 that never did..)

.

i read about how the uno turbo drops right in to the x1/9. problem with the x1/9 is that any that are not rotten are beat to crap. the alfettas are not going for crazy $ yet, but i guess you would really want the 6 cyl version.

if i can get a third car for the garage then i have an excuse to kick the gf's hellspawn audi out of there.

Had a Fiat 850 in my teens (the 70's), in my mind it was a mini Ferrari! It would be fun to have another, but they all seem to have rusted away! :cool:

Radium, actually you can find very nice (rust free) X1/9's in SoCal

I still belong to the X1/9 club and usually you can find nice X's in there, I love these cars but unfortunately no longer fit (also 10 years later does not help) ..LOL

https://xwebforums.com/forum/index.php

I don't have a garage..... so can I call it the poor man's carport?

At one time my dreams were complete.
I had a 1992 R32 Skyline GTR (smog legal conversion for CA). Plus a 1992 Mazda Miata with Garrett turbo, and methanol injection pushing just over 300 hp at the wheel.

Right now I have my 02 Boxster S, and 2017 Mustang GT.....

My early dreams.....
I would love to have my 1962 Triumph TR4 back or my 1967 GT390 Fastback Mustang.

As for Ferraris I don't have high standards LOL. I would love a Dino or 308.... Would those be the poor man's Ferraris?

Growing up, my father had 1964 Jaguar E-type and XK140DHC (lets see who knows what that means :p) I loved the E-type.... it was sex on wheels..... and thankfully to my father a car was just a car.... Nothing special. So I got to "drive" the E sometimes.... And I drove it LOL . Although, one day on a twisty road the E and I got our tails handed to us by a TR6!

As for other Italians.... I remember my dad having an early 70's Alfa Giulietta twin cam. It was boxy, 2 doors, and four headlights... I remember it being the coolest car ( I was kind of young) And then my older brother wrapped it around a fire hydrant ...... this hydrant would claim 7 more cars at my brother's hands.

I had one in the mid 80's, was a red one with the little black stripe down the door and I think it was a Bertone edition, if that was a thing. It had no factory seat belts and I think it was a 77. I got it for $500 and a friend of mine helped me fix it up (he and hus dad had one, and also a parts car).

Then had a Toyota Corolla hatchback AE86, that I gave away to a friend of mine when I moved to NC in 1996, I kind of wish I had kept that one...

Right now in the garage, just the 2000 Boxster S as a fun car. Soon be adding a 2009 base Cayman 6 speed.

PS: a nice example in WVA,(not related)

https://xwebforums.com/forum/index.php?threads/1987-bertone-fiat-x-1-9-for-sale.35396/

Please PM for the password to see larger pictures if you wish :-)
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Definitely Italian DNA thanks to Carrozzeria Ghia.

Not mine but I will own another one some day. (thanks in advance for any leads). Lowlights are a must....

http://i64.tinypic.com/34xizcj.jpg

When my kids are out of the house I want a garage big enough to install a lift. I'll take that over converting one of the rooms to a man cave.

I'll either have the same Boxster or a Cayman

go forth in style, sir ...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1959-fiat-abarth-zagato/

go for a tr5/250 for the extra 2 cyls and the 'better than tr6' styling.

goddam tom selleck, but 308/328's go for more than the 348. folks still not comfortable with 80's styling (yet; it will come). i think a 348 with the side slats deleted for a 355 look at 1/2 the cost is a semi-budget move.

we had a notchback ae86 when i was 16. mistake - rolled it within a month. insurance bought us a hatchback version to replace it. excellent automobile and i learned car handling the hard way in it (light rwd with some power. in the snow).

how goes the cayman quest?

well, if you take that approach then my gt6 is part italian as well - designed by michelotti. always had a soft spot for ghias. almost owned one a few times in my life.

well, if i do find myself in cali picking up up a nice x1/9 you'll have to come to grips with selling that uno engine. not many if north america. or that alfetta six ...

You know you all are speaking my language now, right?

When it comes to the lampredi twin Cam, I'm something of an expert. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1eb99a9869.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4f93a0dd9a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...298e7d8f70.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4af11044f2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4ad0c6781f.jpg

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i was waiting for you and the little scorpion to drop by!

I changed phones today..... can't find ANY of my images right now.......
Sunnuva.....

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I would not give a nickel for an Italian car. My garage has seen two MGB's that suck, one burned up on a date when I turned on the windshield wipers, a GT6 Triumph, a TR6, a lotus eland, a TR7, (junk), a corvette stingray, a C5 corvette Z06 that I raced for 7 years, (awesome), a 2000 Saleen, and now that I am about to be retired I own a 2000 S Boxster that I am still 50/50 about keeping.

Two of my customers had Ferrari's, each claimed they needed another as a back-up. My room mate in college had a 1970 alpha....never ran. We always used my TR6.

I like Porsche very much! Just not sure whether I want to keep the boxster or get a good used 911.

So having raced a corvette, (quit because I had a heart attack) I sold it and bought a bass boat that will do 80+ MPH on the water LOL, That's a rush!

Bought and sold my small dreams over the years. "65 Corvette fuelie. '89 3.2 Carrera Targa.

Pictures of my Stable, a couple of years ago.
 

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1552141745.jpg

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1552141780.jpg

I only have space for three (3) hobby cars in my garage.

Since this picture was taken:

1) Sold the X1/9 (I bought this car new in 1978) and replaced it with the Boxster S.

2) Sold the Abarth and replaced it with an Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti AWD (which is a wonderful daily driver, by the way)

And prior to this picture being taken:

3) Sold my 1979 Fiat Spider and bought the 308.

So, currently I've got the 308, the Boxster, and the Alfa.

DM

I had a 1978 X1/9 from 80 to 85 when I lived in Edmonton. Drove it year round for those years. I had it serviced when still in warranty at Devonian Motors, the Ferrari/Fiat dealer just off the downtown, not sure if they still exist. Anyway I found it comforting that the electrical switchgear in my $7,000 CDN X1/9 was the same as that in the $70,000 CDN 308 (both 1978 prices). Not sure if it cheapened the 308 or upped the value X 1/9. The electricals were the achilles heal of the little FIAT. That and rust. But what a joy to drive!

Well I think I told y'all the story of my boxster being the "consolation prize" to the F355 I had made an offer on, but didn't get.

I've been a fiat guy my whole life. I've owned British cars (classic and modern) American muscle, other Italians (Maserati), lots of German cars.... etc.

The boxster is car #74 for me. And we own 6 right now.

And this morning im going to look at a '69 stingray roadster. Don't tell my wife.

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amazing hey - the 308 looks lower than the fiat. pre-75 stingray convertible is also on the list - price hasn't gone sky-high on them yet. been trying to convince the gf to trade the audi in on a giulia as a way to round-out the eu trio.

This one's fun. My "abarth tribute" spider.

I was trying to sort the oil pressure gauge... so ignore that. Watch the tach. And hear those carbs. Hehe. Carbs were louder than the exhaust. I had ear plugs in the glovebox.

My wife wouldn't ride in it.

Edit: forgot the link! Haha

https://youtu.be/n9k_AOmCLZ8


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that does sound fantastic. all the cool kids go to triple webers on the gt6, but i can't quite get my head around going un-british on the car. currently has two big su's; thinking of adding a third if it will fit under the hood.

how about a tatuus formula continental?

Poor man's garage... ha!
If you lined up all my previous sports cars, thats about what you'd have:
'69 Triumph GT6+
'69 Fiat 124 Spider
'73 Porsche 914
'67 Mustang Fastback
'91 Miata

I did not, so (naturally!) I googled it. Oh my gosh, those are absolutely gorgeous!!
And? Utterly reliable, I have no doubt!!! :p:p:p
(I still want one!)

The XK140 was actually very reliable. My father raced it with HMSA and CSRG plus he took it to car shows. The only thing I remember is it ate up brakes likely yearly. But it is big and heavy.

The E-type..... er not so much... never raced it. And it was always in and out of the shop for oil leaks. This was not the cars fault though.... The shop owed my dad LOTS of money, and I doubt he was putting his best efforts into the E :(

I remember taking the E to a car show, and it died in a city called Stockton here in CA. For those that do not know Stockton... Think of the worst city for car theft, violence etc.... The gas station I pulled into made me put it into a garage and cover it. I was able to get a friend to drive three hours with a trailer to come get me.

Nice looking 308, I have a friend with one here. I drove it once, couldnt really fit in it well enough. Still nice lines though.

Fiat steel Ferrari heart
 

I bought my first X1//9 fresh out of college all the way back in '78 and always had at least one until after I bought my Boxster in '16. With their razor sharp handling and rev happy (if weak) engines they were always a joy to drive. I've found my Boxster also has these positive qualities as well as a more comfortable ride, air conditioning, cruse control, and about triple the power!
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1552425481.jpg
Oh, the bike in the photo is an Bianchi - does that count as a poor man's Italian vehicle??

cheers - dj

More X's

This picture was taken in front of my office about 15 years ago

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1552484547.jpg

I rented a Ferrari 308 GTS in Hawaii in 1986. I was not impressed in the least.

Slower than my '71 Firebird, much less comfortable, A/C was barely noticeable, the shift gate is pretty awkward.

I'm normally adverse to pictures of myself in forums like this..... 'cuz now I can't keep pretending to be the best-looking and fittest man on the forum.....

BUT:

My wife and I Spent an Epic 3-weeks in France two years ago..... and I insisted on "the best".
I'll admit that while this is not my FAVORITE Ferrari, it is as near-to-perfect as any car I've ever driven.
Yes, it's the "T".
And yes.... I did. Whatever it is you want to ask me: the answer is "Yes, I did".

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1552589128.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1552589165.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1552589199.jpg

The T is a great car!

Ok, ok, the question here is...

How do you manage to fit on the Boxter..??

Ha, ha, ha.. just kidding! Sorry but I could not help myself :p

pfft.. have you SEEN this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYB3Fx0a8-4

The answer is always yes? So you actually wore socks with sandals? :confused:

Yes.... I do, actually, wear socks with sandals. My kids hate it.... but my wife prefers it to the odiferous alternative.

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