Re: Comparisons

["Mark Battley" <m.battley@domain.elided>]

>> I love the idea of these "vintage comparison tests" and I hope they find more
>> opportunities to put enthusiast cars head to head, but I just hope any future
>> articles will have better matches between cars and more consistent reviewers.
>
>Not to carry this minimally-Alfa-contented thread too much further, but comparos
>such as Tony hopes for are a regular feature of my alltime favorite car magazine,
>the English "Classic & Sports Car." People with scant regard for any but the
>hairiest/raciest/newest machinery need not bother, as they'd seldom see anything
>of interest. However, those of us to whom a nice old crock is at least an object
>of affection, if not of desire, can spend a happy fifteen minutes or so
>contemplating the compared behaviors of, say, a Jowett Jupiter, a Singer Ten, and
>two or three other vehicles that were being sold at the same time to the same
>public. And yes, Alfas do show up there on occasion, as do other Italians. Always
>well-written, of course...

I write the occasional article of this sort for our local classic car
magazine (http://www.classic-car.co.nz/). The tests are fun to do, and it's
interesting to do the research and writing. However it can be a challenge to
find cars that enable a fair comparison to be made. Unlike a new car,
condition of the cars can vary greatly, from "well-used", to restored, to
modified. Which obviously can make a huge difference to how the cars drive.
The biggest hassle is always trying to coordinate a group of cars and
owners, and a photographer, and find a time that suits everyone. It's also
important to find a suitable venue that is good for photography, and for
driving the cars, ahem, appropriately... which varies, some drivers are
hoons, others aren't, and you need to assess this carefully. Probably the
most fun driving I had was with a Fiat X19 vs a first series MR2, with a
second series MR2 along as well. Those guys were keen on the cars being
driven enthusiastically.... :-))

In my view it is important for the writer to be very clear about the purpose
of the article, and the relative condition of the cars. I like to think that
I do my best to be fair, but it is always possible to offend somebody,
either by a subjective comment, or a "factual ambiguity". 

It's a great opportunity to drive some entertaining cars anyhow! I've driven
things from standard Triumph Herald and Beetle convertibles through to a
modified 1970 big-block Corvette (now that was scary!) vs a V12 E Type Jag.

I do try to include Italian stuff as much as I can!

Mark Battley
Auckland, New Zealand.

1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce
1989 Fiat Uno Turbo 
1989 Fiat Croma
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