"We've researched a few cars to identify what they say about "the guy's" feelings about what he wants for a family future:"

I saw this at Goodwood when he pranged it in 2012. The thing's an utter monster.

Would not buy for $500.

In what order would you rank making an monster-MX-5/Miata, out of LS swap, rotary swap or turbocharged original engine?

Not cool Arden, although I can see why they've done it. Their usual trick of sticking honking great superchargers on Jags has been made redundant by Jaguar doing it themselves.

Yeah, I gathered that many would probably be different. As far as I can tell, the I6 is just an elongated Nord engine, but that's no guarantee. It's a shorter stroke for instance, so swapping in the Nord pistons would only net 2647cc. I'm not sure what capacity there is to overbore them either. I know it's not…

Agreed. One of my planned builds, if I ever get minted enough to do it, is take an Alfa 2600 Sprint, build Zagato bodywork onto it and rebuild the engine with a whole host of Alfaholics parts for the 2.0l Twincam (2.0l pistons to get 3.0l from the I6 etc.).

I absolutely fucking love these. I think a 2600 SZ, a Flaminia SSZ and an 8C Monza are the only dream cars I want that cost more than £30,000.

I was taken home from the hospital in an Alfasud. Not sure you can do much better than that :)

I've thought this for a while now. My preferred metrics are 1/4 mile if you want to include lauch characteristics, 30-70mph if you want real-world usage or 60-100mph (or 112/124mph) if you want racetrack performance. All apart from 30-70 are commonly found metrics (112mph is 180kph, and 124mph is 200kph).

I thought that as well, but you lose energy to heat converting the rotation into electricity, and the same happens when you convert it back. It might be feasible, but you wouldn't make as much power doing so.

It's tricky with older cars as there weren't really any set standards for measuring horsepower back then. Even as late as the mid 70s you could still run an engine with straight-pipes and open induction in an air-conditioned room and publish those numbers.

...I see what you did there :)

Tatra! Love these things, and love these classic reviews.

Oh cool :) I've got a Mk4 myself. Once I've finished restoring it (and putting a 2.5l PI I6 in there) I'll be taking pictures of it next to a whole host of not-so-small cars :)

Thanks :) they are gorgeous aren't they?

This is the one that gets me. Triumph GT6 next to an Audi TT. The TT is far from a big car, but it still dwarfs the little Triumph :)

I think either the Land Rover Series or the Jeep. Both brough utter utility and mobility to some of the most remote parts of the world, carried armies on their backs and put food in our bellies (by dint of thousands of farmers).

Perfect :) make that shirt and I'll buy it.

Thanks :) if I do get one I'll be sure to post it on Oppositelock