Strategy Needed

[stuffedpike20]

I can't stand the 'incidents' with other drivers when I drive my Minor any more.
It does not happen when I drive my modern car.
I am thinking of mothballing my Minor.....just put a cover on it on the driveway, and take the cover off once in a while to look at it. Keep it as an asset, but not drive it any more. Put it up on bricks.
I have tried various strategies, but the incidents just wind me up too much.

[geoberni]

My Basil isn't a 'frequent driver' vehicle, but when out and about I don't get problematic incidents.
The most common thing is people not overtaking when they should, because they're too busy gaping.

I went out Wednesday evening to our Branch meeting, which is about 28 miles each way, 2/3 of it on dual carriageway.
So I had a 'modern' come up behind me while I'm doing about 50-55 on the dual carriageway, after about 5 minutes or more of admiring my rear view, it overtook quite slowly, taking at least a minute to creep past, before then zooming off at expected dual carriageway speed.

Out in daylight on regular single carriageway A roads, I regularly get a traffic build up behind because a flash SUV e.g BMW/AUDI/Merc has sat behind me at 50 when spaces in oncoming traffic have presented; they eventually often only overtake when another car has passed both of us....

I don't do commuting in city traffic, but what sort of thing are your 'incidents'....

[svenedin]

I drive my Minor at least 4 days out of every 7 and on the days I'm driving it I may do multiple trips. We have two cars, a modern powerful Audi which is my Autobahn mile muncher and the Morris for everything else. The Morris cheerfully transports my large German Shepherd Dog, does trips to the dump, supermarket runs, pleasure trips and whatever else we need. The only thing Morris doesn't do is long distance when I have to be somewhere in quick time such as work related trips "up North".

Although I didn't agree with it, there are a lot of 20 mph zones around my area and so the Morris is not a slow car on such roads.

On dual carriageways and motorways (I avoid motorways if practical) I just bimble along and people can easily overtake me in the same way they would overtake lorries.

I am definitely slow at junctions and roundabouts because I don't have the acceleration to pull out into small gaps. I also leave much bigger gaps to the car in front due to the antiquated brakes and I use engine braking going down hills. I do hold people up on single carriageway country roads because I just can't throw the Minor round corners or power up steep hills.

As I've said before, most other drivers are OK. There will always be very inpatient drivers and truly awful drivers whatever car I'm driving.

Don't mothball your car, drive it with pride and two-fingers up (metaphorically not literally) to inpatient drivers of modern cars!

What are the incidents you are having? I had an incident and I discovered that my brake light switch was failing. The brake lights were extremely dim until almost full brake pedal pressure was applied. This was dangerous and unreasonable to the drivers behind. The solution was to find a new old stock original brake pressure switch (the new ones are prone to internal arcing and early failure) and to fit LED stop/tail bulbs. These are instant on, use a very low current (so much reducing any arcing in the switch) and brighter. No incidents since.

Stephen

[les]

If you are serious maybe it’s time to sell, it will only deteriorate over time and be a constant worry just sat there, I’ve been thinning down my possessions for a while now, quite refreshing. Maybe my Minor might be next. Less is more !

[unclealec]

I commute most days in either my Minor or Riley, and have no incidents to report, unless you count one courtesy pass/wave down/stop to tell me that one brake light bulb had failed.

[Bill_qaz]

How sad letting other peoples behaviour stopping you driving your classic. Perhaps you have just stop enjoying it and looking for a reason not to use it or perhaps it the roads/traffic near you.
My local roads are 20,30 and 40,50 limits and I would never use a motorway and if possible avoid dual carriage ways. If people want to drive above the limit then just ignore them, you're are only holding up speeders.
I actually find most are more courteous when in the Minor than in my modern and its also a benefit being small to negotiate past parked cars and small gaps.

I would be interested to here what are these incidents that are fueling your drastic decision. Classic car prices are falling, if you are not going to use it sell it to someone who will.

[svenedin]

How sad letting other peoples behaviour stopping you driving your classic. Perhaps you have just stop enjoying it and looking for a reason not to use it or perhaps it the roads/traffic near you.
My local roads are 20,30 and 40,50 limits and I would never use a motorway and if possible avoid dual carriage ways. If people want to drive above the limit then just ignore them, you're are only holding up speeders.
I actually find most are more courteous when in the Minor than in my modern and its also a benefit being small to negotiate past parked cars and small gaps.

I would be interested to here what are these incidents that are fueling your drastic decision. Classic car prices are falling, if you are not going to use it sell it to someone who will.

I also find many other drivers are more courteous to me in the Minor than they are in my modern car. They will stop and let me out when they don't have to often with a beaming smile and a wave.

Stephen

[stuffedpike20]

I posted an incident years ago titled 'What would you do? '. If you search 'Subaru' it comes up.
That was an extreme example.
The usual incidents are the usual incidents...tailgating of course, being pulled out on...stupid dangerous overtakes....people in front brake checking even though I leave a big gap.
EVERY time I take my Minor out there is something, no matter how short the trip.

I have always loved driving Minors, but I think I have had enough.

[Bill_qaz]

If its effecting you that much sell it, looking at it on your drive will just make you feel worse.
What happens when you drive your modern car?
Is it still happening but less stressful?

[myoldjalopy]

The only thing that bugs me is people who simply must overtake an old car, even when dangerous or illegal to do so. Other than that, I do get let out from junctions, thumbs up from pedestrians, admirers in car parks etc. And, of course, waves from fellow Minor drivers, though it is rare to see another these days.
Twice I have been stopped by a motorist - once because my rear lamp cover had fallen off and he had retrieved it off the road to return to me, and the other time because the driver noticed my door wasn't shut properly. I was glad of the interventions on both occasions.

[les]

Mixed views as would be expected but the choice is between putting up with the hassle you’re getting or getting shot, as I think just laying it up will only remind you. If you’ve had enough ————-

[myoldjalopy]

'Getting shot' Les? A professional assassin required, perhaps?

[stuffedpike20]

If its effecting you that much sell it, looking at it on your drive will just make you feel worse.
What happens when you drive your modern car?
Is it still happening but less stressful?

My Minor seems to be a magnet for every tailgater. I don't get that with my modern car.

I have always loved driving Minors...and my current one drives nicely. It Always makes me happy.....until....

[stuffedpike20]

I drive my Minor at least 4 days out of every 7 and on the days I'm driving it I may do multiple trips. We have two cars, a modern powerful Audi which is my Autobahn mile muncher and the Morris for everything else. The Morris cheerfully transports my large German Shepherd Dog, does trips to the dump, supermarket runs, pleasure trips and whatever else we need. The only thing Morris doesn't do is long distance when I have to be somewhere in quick time such as work related trips "up North".

Although I didn't agree with it, there are a lot of 20 mph zones around my area and so the Morris is not a slow car on such roads.

On dual carriageways and motorways (I avoid motorways if practical) I just bimble along and people can easily overtake me in the same way they would overtake lorries.

I am definitely slow at junctions and roundabouts because I don't have the acceleration to pull out into small gaps. I also leave much bigger gaps to the car in front due to the antiquated brakes and I use engine braking going down hills. I do hold people up on single carriageway country roads because I just can't throw the Minor round corners or power up steep hills.

As I've said before, most other drivers are OK. There will always be very inpatient drivers and truly awful drivers whatever car I'm driving.

Don't mothball your car, drive it with pride and two-fingers up (metaphorically not literally) to inpatient drivers of modern cars!

What are the incidents you are having? I had an incident and I discovered that my brake light switch was failing. The brake lights were extremely dim until almost full brake pedal pressure was applied. This was dangerous and unreasonable to the drivers behind. The solution was to find a new old stock original brake pressure switch (the new ones are prone to internal arcing and early failure) and to fit LED stop/tail bulbs. These are instant on, use a very low current (so much reducing any arcing in the switch) and brighter. No incidents since.

Stephen

I check my brake lights regularly.
I drive with my metaphorical two fingers up all the time. The car is so recognisable, I could not put two real fingers up....I could easily be found.
I know a lot of the problem is my own attitude...I can't suffer fools gladly, but I think there are more fools around now than there has ever been.
Using my nose, it is obvious that there are many more drugged drivers on the roads now too.

[svenedin]

I drive my Minor at least 4 days out of every 7 and on the days I'm driving it I may do multiple trips. We have two cars, a modern powerful Audi which is my Autobahn mile muncher and the Morris for everything else. The Morris cheerfully transports my large German Shepherd Dog, does trips to the dump, supermarket runs, pleasure trips and whatever else we need. The only thing Morris doesn't do is long distance when I have to be somewhere in quick time such as work related trips "up North".

Although I didn't agree with it, there are a lot of 20 mph zones around my area and so the Morris is not a slow car on such roads.

On dual carriageways and motorways (I avoid motorways if practical) I just bimble along and people can easily overtake me in the same way they would overtake lorries.

I am definitely slow at junctions and roundabouts because I don't have the acceleration to pull out into small gaps. I also leave much bigger gaps to the car in front due to the antiquated brakes and I use engine braking going down hills. I do hold people up on single carriageway country roads because I just can't throw the Minor round corners or power up steep hills.

As I've said before, most other drivers are OK. There will always be very inpatient drivers and truly awful drivers whatever car I'm driving.

Don't mothball your car, drive it with pride and two-fingers up (metaphorically not literally) to inpatient drivers of modern cars!

What are the incidents you are having? I had an incident and I discovered that my brake light switch was failing. The brake lights were extremely dim until almost full brake pedal pressure was applied. This was dangerous and unreasonable to the drivers behind. The solution was to find a new old stock original brake pressure switch (the new ones are prone to internal arcing and early failure) and to fit LED stop/tail bulbs. These are instant on, use a very low current (so much reducing any arcing in the switch) and brighter. No incidents since.

Stephen

I check my brake lights regularly.
I drive with my metaphorical two fingers up all the time. The car is so recognisable, I could not put two real fingers up....I could easily be found.
I know a lot of the problem is my own attitude...I can't suffer fools gladly, but I think there are more fools around now than there has ever been.
Using my nose, it is obvious that there are many more drugged drivers on the roads now too.

I agree about the drug-driving. I usually drive my convertible with the top down and it seems pretty much everywhere I go I encounter the stench of cannabis. I went on a branch outing to Gatwick Aviation Museum last weekend. There was an Avro Shackleton Mark 3 on display there. This aircraft operated in a maritime patrol and anti-submarine role and as part of that role it was equipped with a "diesel sniffer". This equipment could detect the diesel fumes of a submarine operating its engines via a snorkel whilst submerged. The police should be using drug detector vans with electronic sniffer equipment! That reminded me of the Monty Python Fish Licence sketch and the cat detector van from the ministry of howsinge (sic)

Stephen

[geoberni]

I agree about the drug-driving. I usually drive my convertible with the top down and it seems pretty much everywhere I go I encounter the stench of cannabis. I went on a branch outing to Gatwick Aviation Museum last weekend. There was an Avro Shackleton Mark 3 on display there. This aircraft operated in a maritime patrol and anti-submarine role and as part of that role it was equipped with a "diesel sniffer". This equipment could detect the diesel fumes of a submarine operating its engines via a snorkel whilst submerged. The police should be using drug detector vans with electronic sniffer equipment! That reminded me of the Monty Python Fish Licence sketch and the cat detector van from the ministry of howsinge (sic)

Stephen

As often the case, the UK is following the same path as the USA...

When I was serving 'Queen & Country' in Nevada for 3 years, 2007-10, one of the guys I worked with lived next to a Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper, who typically spent his shift patrolling the I-15, the stretch of Interstate which runs North/South through the middle of Las Vegas.

This Trooper had told him that practically every Traffic Stop he did for a minor infringement would have a Drug Driving connection...

[les]

'Getting shot' Les? A professional assassin required, perhaps?

Yes does rather imply anyone deciding to abandon a Minor should be shot ! However perhaps I should have added——of it, to clarify!

[Pete Bags]

I'm sorry to hear that driving your Moggy is not the smile producing experience that it once was.

Am I right to think that it's the other, modern cars/drivers that are causing this? They believe you are 'holding them up?'

If so, have you thought about doing a few simple things to 'warm' your car up? I did, and for me it was the best thing - my smiles per mile have improved significantly!

My 1963 car has the standard 1098 engine in it, but putting a bigger carb (HIF44), LCB exhaust and servo'd disk brakes has transformed it. I'm not a racer at all, but now the car keeps up with modern traffic, and the improved brakes give a lot more confidence and stopping power. Looking at the car, you wouldn't know anything has been done, and it still returns 40mpg. Worth a go?

[ndevans]

I get tailgated in the modern as well (actually a 20 year old Micra dCI so not that modern). It just seems to be what people do nowadays-bully others out of their way. You see the same behaviour in other ways too, for example drivers pushing their way through past parked vehicles.
It's no better on two wheels either. I cycle to work on the Bristol -Bath railway path, and I am constantly being tailgated by a hero in lycra. My friend from the running club calls them lycra louts!

It just seems that bullying your way through life is part of the psyche of modern Britain. I don't think it's all drugs either, I think people are just getting ruder, less courteous, more arrogant. I think we've moved on from survival of the fittest, it's now survival of the most aggressive.

[stuffedpike20]

I'm sorry to hear that driving your Moggy is not the smile producing experience that it once was.

Am I right to think that it's the other, modern cars/drivers that are causing this? They believe you are 'holding them up?'

If so, have you thought about doing a few simple things to 'warm' your car up? I did, and for me it was the best thing - my smiles per mile have improved significantly!

My 1963 car has the standard 1098 engine in it, but putting a bigger carb (HIF44), LCB exhaust and servo'd disk brakes has transformed it. I'm not a racer at all, but now the car keeps up with modern traffic, and the improved brakes give a lot more confidence and stopping power. Looking at the car, you wouldn't know anything has been done, and it still returns 40mpg. Worth a go?

Thanks Pete
My car is fairly standard, but I fitted a 3.9 diff. So I don't really hold anyone up.
Standard drum brakes, and they work very well.