MR2Don

Keep spotting, John, they're rare beasts now. Twice in the past I've done 1500 miles back up to Scotland and not seen one on the road in all that distance, although I did find about dozen of them at Chanonry Point - I'd stumbled across that year's "Highland Drive" without knowing it. They were just heading off, so no chance of a chat. Oh, and BTW - no dolphins!

Yesterday, in the parking lot of my local MOT/service guys. 'T' reg, so 1978-9, I think, silver Porsche 911, but with the flared arches and wide wheels. Coupe, not targa and the engine cover propped up with a length of wood! I'm not an expert on 911s, but would that make it an early 930? It's out of MoT, so probably in there for that and a bit of service. Not seen it around before.

Excellent diorama, only concern I would have is the size of the club hammer the mechanic is about to wield at the 'D', he seems terribly close to the front wing!

That, sir, is an extremely generous offer!

Not 'arf! Especially if it has four spots across the front and "Lancia Italia" across a matt black bonnet! Used to be one in Edinburgh in the '70s like that, but I'm not at all sure it was a real ex-works.

Double points for that one, John, double points!

Thanks, John, for mentioning the MR2. I could always "spot" mine one time!

Still exists, I bought one off EBay a couple of months ago. One of these days I'll get round to it, along with both of the Tamiya kits, the earlier Monte version and the later road going.

HOW MANY! Tops that Aventor I saw (q.v. Spot of the Day). Just watched the Youtubes - that car was tiny! People put v6s in MR2s, do you reckon I could wedge one of those in? Doubt it!

Very good and very informative. Up until now, I didn't know that the old Honda F1 had its engine in sideways!

It was also spitting and banging, so lots of overrun! I know it's not very "sporting", but why bother on that road, all you do is waste petrol. BTW, I'm not REALLY grumpy.

Bright yellow Lamborghini Aventador, 2018 vintage, going up the A12. Traffic flowing at 70ish, but it was revving pretty high, so I think he was just "making some noise" in 2nd.

Absolutely remarkable!

I read somewhere that the later 1800cc Group 4 ones, when Alpine were finding the competition getting a bit too strong, lightened the roof to the point where the crew could see through it! Dimension wise, they were about the same size as my MR2, a bit lower, but half the weight.

Likewise. A very useful nail file block is one that comes in a set of three from Poundland (provided they're still stocked, I bought mine over a year ago). Four sides, coloured - file, buff, smooth, shine.

Could be. I only got the briefest of looks, the orange is what I noted, but it may have been like that, I just said coachline to try to indicate. As I said, it's a twisty road, so I was concentrating on taking the corner and they just appeared out of the blue, usually it's Landie's or 4X4s round there! Two together, though - likely? This is rural Essex between two villages that you wouldn't visit unless you knew where you were. Looking at McLaren's site, though, one of their blues looks a good match and their front end looks more similar. Presumably the owner could "enhance" the blue with a bit of orange if they wanted. I suppose more likely in the UK and more likely to see two.

Not so much "spot of the day", but "quiz of the day". On the road between Wethersfield and Sible Hedingham, two large, low, wide and throaty what I can only guess at as supercars. Two of them in convoy. I was motoring on one way and them the other on a twisty road, so no chance to see badges or much else, but they were finished in a lovely metallic blue with, I'm sure, an orange coach line down each side of the bonnet. The sound was very much that of a decent number of cylinders. Anybody got any ideas? Are the colours a hint? Strange road to see two of such, nose to tail in convoy.

I saw an 'H' reg one, so around 1980, on Saturday, looked OK. Would that be Mk2, it looked like the original styling.

Yesterday near Copford, a "Del Boy" van, but in white and looking a lot cleaner and tidier! Today, purple TR6, opposite direction so just a quick look, but seemed well cared for.

Lucky man!

Now you're talking! Is that a kit or the real thing!!

Ah, an Ascona 400! Long time ago. One or two missing, though, which may not be available. Fiat Abarth 124 and Lancia Fulvia HF (showing my age here!), I'd like kits of them.

Huh! Would do me though, if I ever thought I could afford one! Why do some of those keep reminding me of Mk2 MR2s??

, although never owned one myself. Did have a pal with a '66 vintage 1275cc with 2" SU, though!

Or even the 2300cc in the rally prepared cars. I can remember SMT 1 and SMT 1M; followed SMT 1 down a Scottish byroad one time as it was on a road section between stages. Particularly noted the reg as it was my wife's initials pre-marriage.