early 80`s I was a mobile mechanic,
one family cars I looked after was a series 3 (a)?
bright yellow short wheelbase petrol.
I knew it inside out after a while.
its owner wanted to use my volvo estate one weekend,so left me the use of the yellow landie to tow my trailor with banger & tools/wheels & stuff all in/on it.
to be honest I did`nt like the feeling of the steering wheel in my belly,
nor it being juicy and slow, but made towing all that weight behind me so - so easy in the very muddy pits....
finished with all that mobile mechanics (and racing) in mid to late 80`s when I started to drive cabs (taxis)
fast forewards to 3 years ago, and a mate here on the coast was letting go of his faithfull disco 200tdi,
but he still kept his old series diesel.
so my first thoughts after about 30 years inbetween were,
oops, bounces around a bit through the lanes, is it the steering or the shocks?
what gear lever do I use, the last one driven had 3, why just 2?
I spent 3 months under my disco 2 years ago doing "welding"
I jet wash underneath reguarly, done it yesterday again, and just check for the leaks and stuff.
(parking in the same spot marks out your leaks!)
my disco has its faults, but I can just get in it and go anywhere with ease.
I am diebetic and am waiting for a new right knee,
but find the disco easier to drive than my daughters KA
(I cant feel the pedals in a KA) - a discos pedals are just "there"
Its black, shiney, and my "only driver" and I cover the windows in this nice sun we got, as it turns into an oven quickly when parked up.
I even showed it in a recient classic vehicle show a few weeks ago,
as my entry was not ready to show!
sorry for the l o n g story,
but "thoughts you had during yours first drive" etc.....
No 2 landies are the same,
mine is now part of me...lol
at nigh on 65 years of age, I can do just what I want, drive/ride just what I want,
but my disco is MINE.....lol