131mirafiori forum

Forum member Graham (http://www.131mirafiori.com/smf/index.php?action=profile;u=39974)  from Classics & Cabriolets (http://www.classics-cabriolets.co.uk/)  extended an invitation for me to visit them at their premises in Essex, so I went and spent the best part of a day with proprietor Paul and Graham ogling their lovely classics. They are still waiting for some special cars to arrive from Italy but there was still plenty there to keep me interested and keep us chatting for hours. I'd like to thank both Paul and Graham for making me feel  so welcome and an extra thank you to Graham for all the cups of good coffee  ;D

A small selection of photos below and the rest can be seen at http://s1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff477/TheoKyriacou/Classics%20and%20Cabriolets/?albumview=slideshow (http://s1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff477/TheoKyriacou/Classics%20and%20Cabriolets/?albumview=slideshow)

(http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff477/TheoKyriacou/Classics%20and%20Cabriolets/P1110473.jpg)

(http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff477/TheoKyriacou/Classics%20and%20Cabriolets/P1110479.jpg)

(http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff477/TheoKyriacou/Classics%20and%20Cabriolets/P1110480.jpg)

(http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff477/TheoKyriacou/Classics%20and%20Cabriolets/P1110486.jpg)

(http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff477/TheoKyriacou/Classics%20and%20Cabriolets/P1110494.jpg)

(http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff477/TheoKyriacou/Classics%20and%20Cabriolets/P1110499.jpg)

Thanks Theo, You, as are all the members on here, are more than welcome any time, T'was horrible standing around all day talking about cars like that ;D.
Hopefully we will see you soon to collect the Lancia eh??  ::) G

You should have given me a call Theo ...and did you pop into Marks ?

I didn't know your days are as "free" as mine are lately Jason.
I was planning to visit Mark on the way back but in the end I spent most of the day there and was in a bit of a hurry to get back.

Did you take the blue Super for a spin Theo?

Is this a new role as a roving car reporter?  :)

The only car I took for a spin was my Gamma  ;)
I didn't want to put any temptation my way as I'm terrible at resisting temptation   :-[ I was scared I'd buy any car that I drove  :-\ ;D

Some really lovely looking cars there Theo. 8) I am sssssooooooooo tempted by the blue Super, it looks like a genuinely straight car  ;D Shame the steering wheel is on the 'wrong' side  ;D ;D ;D

You're well able to handle LHD Si. It could be your alternate 3MA car for the continental trips. ;)

Could be Kev - but the other thing that plays a part in my decision making process is that I can't afford it either!  ;D

For the sort of trans-Continental motoring we do on 3MA I'm not sure that a 1600 is big enough, even in Twin Cam form - considering the sort of speeds that we usually travel  ;D. It would always be stretched, whereas the 2000 never seems to be so.

I rather like the 130s too but my garage just isn't quite wide enough  :D

I'll let Theo have the Lancias. 8)

I dunno Si.

I took my 1400TC on 3 trans European trips and it was never found wanting on the long motorway hauls easily matching the cruising speeds of your Abarth and Theo's tuned 2000. It was quieter and smoother than a Sport not to mention more economical. It was responsive and peppy around town too. That small TC engine was a real eye opener to me. I do miss it.  :-\

I can't comment on the 1600TC not having driven one much. :)

The small Twin Cam's are very good power wise:) My old 1600/TC was never off the fast lane on the motorway when I had it. One day I done 600kms on the motorways, what fun that was ;D and it was so good on fuel :)

My 1400/TC is not far off the 1600/TC, the 1400/TC pulls better in top gear I find and it would cruise at 120kms all day long and use very little fuel. It will stay close to any 2000/TC with out having to drive it hard.

I would not part with my 1400/TC for a 2000/TC ;D I wish in Ireland 131's came in smaller 1300/1400/TC engines over the OHV's & OHC's.

Poor Kev you still miss the white 1400/TC :'(

Well done on the new Super 131 Simon back in your garage again ;D I hope you don't miss it Kev like the white one ?

Thanks Chris. :)

All you need now Simon is a S3 131 and you will have all the 4 door saloon's S1, S2, S3 :)

Glad you like em folks, as i said anyone is welcome to stop by for a cuppa  :) Reference the 131. The eagle eyed ones amongst you will of spotted the lack of a badge in the top of the gear knob, anyone got a replacement? Sorry Kev, looks like the 130 Saloon is off to Lebanon as of today but we are on the trail of two more we have been told about ;D G

Nice to see these pictures, great to see all those classics around. Graham, don't buy all the cars I am also looking for ;)
So Simon, now we share the same type of 131 for the 1st time?

Yes Albert, looks like we do!  8) ;D

Great, you will restore it? I love the colourcombi!

Oh sorry your a man of leisure at the mo    8) thought it was last weekend ' ;D