Everyday Classic
Discussion
I want to hear from people who use their classic as an every day car/daily driver.
What do you drive?
What kind of engine?
What kind of fuel economy do you get?
What's the yearly mileage in said classic?
Do you commute to work in said car- if so how far?
Who looks after the car- you-or someone else?
What do you do about rust?
Is rust even a problem?
just interested mainly, that who in the face of new cheap cars all over is eccentric enough to use an old car as every day transport....
What do you drive?
What kind of engine?
What kind of fuel economy do you get?
What's the yearly mileage in said classic?
Do you commute to work in said car- if so how far?
Who looks after the car- you-or someone else?
What do you do about rust?
Is rust even a problem?
just interested mainly, that who in the face of new cheap cars all over is eccentric enough to use an old car as every day transport....
I've had a 1972 Alfa GTV as my only car for about 3 years. Based in central London, parked outside under a (breathable) cover, used for everything (tesco trips, track days) but commuting. I can't recommend one highly enough, as long as you buy one in really excellent condition to begin with so that all you need to do is look after it and won't break down or rust.
2 litre petrol, 3-4000 miles a year, as low as 15mpg burning around town, maybe 25-30mpg on motorway, i can't do much beyond oil changes so a specialist does most of the stuff.
Rust is starting to become a problem but this is because of the condition I bought it in - I should have bought a restored one instead of a 'solid original' one, as I've only spent the different in price on repairs anyway. The rust repairs I'm having to fork out for would have happened regardless of my using it as a daily drive.
Properly maintained (there were some niggles when I bought it), it has been faultlessly reliable, including track days and a couple of 700 mile rain-soaked weekend trips.
Shameless plug time - very, very few classics can match a Guilia Alfa's combination of engineering, style, performance, practicality and value. Oh, and popularity - everybody loves them!
Brad
2 litre petrol, 3-4000 miles a year, as low as 15mpg burning around town, maybe 25-30mpg on motorway, i can't do much beyond oil changes so a specialist does most of the stuff.
Rust is starting to become a problem but this is because of the condition I bought it in - I should have bought a restored one instead of a 'solid original' one, as I've only spent the different in price on repairs anyway. The rust repairs I'm having to fork out for would have happened regardless of my using it as a daily drive.
Properly maintained (there were some niggles when I bought it), it has been faultlessly reliable, including track days and a couple of 700 mile rain-soaked weekend trips.
Shameless plug time - very, very few classics can match a Guilia Alfa's combination of engineering, style, performance, practicality and value. Oh, and popularity - everybody loves them!
Brad
Marquis_Rex said:
I want to hear from people who use their classic as an every day car/daily driver.
What do you drive?
What kind of engine?
What kind of fuel economy do you get?
What's the yearly mileage in said classic?
Do you commute to work in said car- if so how far?
Who looks after the car- you-or someone else?
What do you do about rust?
Is rust even a problem?
just interested mainly, that who in the face of new cheap cars all over is eccentric enough to use an old car as every day transport....
Hello Rup, how the hell are you?What do you drive?
What kind of engine?
What kind of fuel economy do you get?
What's the yearly mileage in said classic?
Do you commute to work in said car- if so how far?
Who looks after the car- you-or someone else?
What do you do about rust?
Is rust even a problem?
just interested mainly, that who in the face of new cheap cars all over is eccentric enough to use an old car as every day transport....
I did use this every day, and it is surprisingly economical for a 5 litre, although it's running KE-Jet which explains the economy.
Totally and utterly reliable and bloody quick for such a big car, but so refined as well.
Do you still have your 323 and did you ever get it to run with port throttles?
Marquis_Rex said:
I want to hear from people who use their classic as an every day car/daily driver.
What do you drive?
What kind of engine?
What kind of fuel economy do you get?
What's the yearly mileage in said classic?
Do you commute to work in said car- if so how far?
Who looks after the car- you-or someone else?
What do you do about rust?
Is rust even a problem?
just interested mainly, that who in the face of new cheap cars all over is eccentric enough to use an old car as every day transport....
Well some of this you already know What do you drive?
What kind of engine?
What kind of fuel economy do you get?
What's the yearly mileage in said classic?
Do you commute to work in said car- if so how far?
Who looks after the car- you-or someone else?
What do you do about rust?
Is rust even a problem?
just interested mainly, that who in the face of new cheap cars all over is eccentric enough to use an old car as every day transport....
Volvo 164.
3 litre straight six, OHV, two valves, bathtub combustion chamber, twin Stromberg 175 carbs. BW35 automatic transmission.
Gets about 20mpg. Doesn't seem to make a lot of difference how hard I drive it. (Volvo Amazon - four-pot version of the same engine - was the same but got about 30mpg.)
Do between 5 and 10k a year. Don't commute but if I did I wouldn't hesitate to use the car for it.
Do all the work myself.
Have had to weld some rust... but it isn't much of a problem, it's a Volvo
jith said:
Marquis_Rex said:
I want to hear from people who use their classic as an every day car/daily driver.
What do you drive?
What kind of engine?
What kind of fuel economy do you get?
What's the yearly mileage in said classic?
Do you commute to work in said car- if so how far?
Who looks after the car- you-or someone else?
What do you do about rust?
Is rust even a problem?
just interested mainly, that who in the face of new cheap cars all over is eccentric enough to use an old car as every day transport....
Hello Rup, how the hell are you?What do you drive?
What kind of engine?
What kind of fuel economy do you get?
What's the yearly mileage in said classic?
Do you commute to work in said car- if so how far?
Who looks after the car- you-or someone else?
What do you do about rust?
Is rust even a problem?
just interested mainly, that who in the face of new cheap cars all over is eccentric enough to use an old car as every day transport....
I did use this every day, and it is surprisingly economical for a 5 litre, although it's running KE-Jet which explains the economy.
Totally and utterly reliable and bloody quick for such a big car, but so refined as well.
Do you still have your 323 and did you ever get it to run with port throttles?
Looks like I'm in the USA now and BTW me and Jonna_Rex broke up. She never did get that 2002 BMW and my E21 is getting totally rebuilt/refurbished at a place in Holland.
I havent had time to pursue the 3.1 litre M20 project with mechanical injection. I had some adaptors made with mate S50 M3 port thorttles to the 2 valve M20 cylinder head and I have a Porsche 2.4 S mechnical Bosch pump and was trying to aquire a Mercedes S class one also as it has bigger diameter distributor pistons. I've also well versed myself with rocker arm cam profile design- with an eye to lubrication and wear also, but havent had time to exercise this. But since buying and using my Dodge as an every day car, I've been consumed by that. I intend that my BMW and Porsche join me sometime in the future.
BTW you're totally right- American women are nuts!
That Mercedes is very nice
Did you know that the R107 560 SL type are much cheaper and usually always in far better condition here than over there or Germany? I'm realising how rusty my BMW was, by some of the cars here. Series 1 XJ6 Jags with no rust at all, incredible.
Unfortunately, due to project/work changes, I'll most likely be moving up north to snowy country and will have to get some kind of truck as an every day car
I'm actualy thinking about this myself
currently I do about 30K a year in commuting, mainly motorway/A roads but an option to jump off early and do teh last 15 on B's
currently drive an LPG powered V70 T5. I've owned many classics in my time and always used them for commuting although it was usually only 10 -15 miles each way back then. examples are Mk1 1300GT escort, MGB GT 1963 Zephyr 4, Mk1 2 litre Vitesse, etc
I was thinking along the lines of a Stag or TR6 again LPG'd(for economy due to mileage)but working on it not losing £1K pa plus £200 tax and normal running costs I reckon with no depreciation I can throw about £2K pa at keeping the car in decent nick. I also have a couple of motorcycles for those days when it won't go and even can car share if its a real problem.
currently I do about 30K a year in commuting, mainly motorway/A roads but an option to jump off early and do teh last 15 on B's
currently drive an LPG powered V70 T5. I've owned many classics in my time and always used them for commuting although it was usually only 10 -15 miles each way back then. examples are Mk1 1300GT escort, MGB GT 1963 Zephyr 4, Mk1 2 litre Vitesse, etc
I was thinking along the lines of a Stag or TR6 again LPG'd(for economy due to mileage)but working on it not losing £1K pa plus £200 tax and normal running costs I reckon with no depreciation I can throw about £2K pa at keeping the car in decent nick. I also have a couple of motorcycles for those days when it won't go and even can car share if its a real problem.
My current daily drive (and only car)
I've used many classics as daily drives all year round including work mileage, weekend and continental tours and rallies
I've found regular use makes them more reliable and great driving oppitunities can crop up any time
I do the very simple stuff but mainly the car is looked after by Northampton Motorsport
See my Profile for more details of my previous classic daily drives, my annual mileages on each car range between 3,000 to 12,000 as a lot of times I was using more than one car or even classic at a time
The Midget will also again be on the Sporting Bears Dream Rides at the NEC (14-16 November) see http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Im currently using my '72 MGB GT as my everyday transport. I get about 26-27mpg i reckon. It was fully restored when i bought it but had only done just under 20k in 7 yeats and the lack of use threw in some early teething problems. Cars like to be used, not sat in a garage.
I also used my '75 midget for a year as my daily driver and did just over 15k in it in the year with no issues at all. In fact the nearest it came to a breakdown was having to give the startermotor a knock at le mans after beeing in heavy traffic in extremely hot weather the day before. other than that, it ran like clockwork. I took it off the road to strip and become a car i could use for hillclimbs, its now a stones throw away from being back on the road under its own power.
You can use a classic everyday and survive, but just buy a good one to start with otherwise you'll be in breakdown hell and it will put you off classics for life.
SB-Nigel - Lovely midget! I really enjoyed using mine everyday, made the commute to work bearable. (about 20 miles each way)
I also used my '75 midget for a year as my daily driver and did just over 15k in it in the year with no issues at all. In fact the nearest it came to a breakdown was having to give the startermotor a knock at le mans after beeing in heavy traffic in extremely hot weather the day before. other than that, it ran like clockwork. I took it off the road to strip and become a car i could use for hillclimbs, its now a stones throw away from being back on the road under its own power.
You can use a classic everyday and survive, but just buy a good one to start with otherwise you'll be in breakdown hell and it will put you off classics for life.
SB-Nigel - Lovely midget! I really enjoyed using mine everyday, made the commute to work bearable. (about 20 miles each way)
neilr said:
Im currently using my '72 MGB GT as my everyday transport.
neilr said:
Cars like to be used, not sat in a garage.
neilr said:
You can use a classic everyday and survive, but just buy a good one to start with otherwise you'll be in breakdown hell and it will put you off classics for life.
neilr said:
SB-Nigel - Lovely midget!
Thank you, the photo flatteres it cosmetically but it goes well now after 15 months of regular use all the minor (and hgf) problems are sortedHello All,
I used my Rover P5B every day in London traffic during 2007, clocking up 14,000 miles in a year, changed contracts and had to get the train; so it was tucked up for a year - now back to a commute by car, so its been brought to the front again. Great fun and much more of an “event” than the modern car. I get about 17mpg on LPG.
Only downside is when it’s left out in the rain, its’ never been restored so you can hear it rusting if you listen carefully...
Cheers,
Steve H
I used my Rover P5B every day in London traffic during 2007, clocking up 14,000 miles in a year, changed contracts and had to get the train; so it was tucked up for a year - now back to a commute by car, so its been brought to the front again. Great fun and much more of an “event” than the modern car. I get about 17mpg on LPG.
Only downside is when it’s left out in the rain, its’ never been restored so you can hear it rusting if you listen carefully...
Cheers,
Steve H
Shed_Jensen said:
I used my Rover P5B every day in London traffic during 2007, clocking up 14,000 miles in a year, changed contracts and had to get the train; so it was tucked up for a year - now back to a commute by car, so its been brought to the front again. Great fun and much more of an “event” than the modern car.
Well done Steve you should put this on Show us your daily drives - I put thisSB - Nigel said:
I bet this is a VERY rare current daily drive
and this is my neighbour's son's third in a row Rover P5B daily drives (going back 10-15 years(?) beyond my poor memory)
Its not even garaged over night let alone over winter!
and this is my neighbour's son's third in a row Rover P5B daily drives (going back 10-15 years(?) beyond my poor memory)
Its not even garaged over night let alone over winter!
Edited by SB - Nigel on Tuesday 18th November 14:40
Marquis_Rex said:
I want to hear from people who use their classic as an every day car/daily driver.
What do you drive?
What kind of engine?
What kind of fuel economy do you get?
What's the yearly mileage in said classic?
Do you commute to work in said car- if so how far?
Who looks after the car- you-or someone else?
What do you do about rust?
Is rust even a problem?
just interested mainly, that who in the face of new cheap cars all over is eccentric enough to use an old car as every day transport....
1884 W123 Merc 230E - pics in seperate thread.What do you drive?
What kind of engine?
What kind of fuel economy do you get?
What's the yearly mileage in said classic?
Do you commute to work in said car- if so how far?
Who looks after the car- you-or someone else?
What do you do about rust?
Is rust even a problem?
just interested mainly, that who in the face of new cheap cars all over is eccentric enough to use an old car as every day transport....
2299cc fuel injected 4 cyl, petrol
20 - 35mpg
5k
Use it for pleasure only
I do some stuff - my mechanic mate does the rest
It's rust-free, and kept under cover.
Rust can be an issue but not as yet;)
Shed_Jensen said:
Hello All,
I used my Rover P5B every day in London traffic during 2007, clocking up 14,000 miles in a year, changed contracts and had to get the train; so it was tucked up for a year - now back to a commute by car, so its been brought to the front again. Great fun and much more of an “event” than the modern car. I get about 17mpg on LPG.
Only downside is when it’s left out in the rain, its’ never been restored so you can hear it rusting if you listen carefully...
Cheers,
Steve H
That's a lovely car.I used my Rover P5B every day in London traffic during 2007, clocking up 14,000 miles in a year, changed contracts and had to get the train; so it was tucked up for a year - now back to a commute by car, so its been brought to the front again. Great fun and much more of an “event” than the modern car. I get about 17mpg on LPG.
Only downside is when it’s left out in the rain, its’ never been restored so you can hear it rusting if you listen carefully...
Cheers,
Steve H
However just thinking about the rust upsets me.
The way my old BMW went in the UK was horrible and there was little I could do about it as it had set in.
Cars over 25 years old can be brought to the USA with little or no bother- my friend was selling a 3.9 litre P5B-I toyed with it as a daily driver but then I thought it would just be difficult to get parts for the car here and no one knows what they are here. Better would be to have had one when I lived in Germany....would have got ALOT of respect out there
Marquis_Rex said:
I want to hear from people who use their classic as an every day car/daily driver.
What do you drive?
What kind of engine?
What kind of fuel economy do you get?
What's the yearly mileage in said classic?
Do you commute to work in said car- if so how far?
Who looks after the car- you-or someone else?
What do you do about rust?
Is rust even a problem?
just interested mainly, that who in the face of new cheap cars all over is eccentric enough to use an old car as every day transport....
Ok, here are my partiicularsWhat do you drive?
What kind of engine?
What kind of fuel economy do you get?
What's the yearly mileage in said classic?
Do you commute to work in said car- if so how far?
Who looks after the car- you-or someone else?
What do you do about rust?
Is rust even a problem?
just interested mainly, that who in the face of new cheap cars all over is eccentric enough to use an old car as every day transport....
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
7.2 litre "RB" Big Block wedge head, 4 barrel 750 CFM Holley, 11.3:1 CR etc etc
originally 13 mpg (UK), the 15 mpg when ignition was sorted-now an average of about 16-17 mpg including long distance now that the carb is better. When I get rid of that 'drag race' stupid 3.91 rear end and fit a six speed manual I'm hoping to breech the 20 mpg barrier -futher fettling with the AFR ,primary and secondary jets
I'm not doing more than 10,000 miles a year, and the weather here is great
Mine is a daily driver- weird getting used to the foilibles of a carbureteur again
I do most of the work myself
Rust is scarecely a problem here
SInce owning the car I've changed the lifters to higher revving ones, 3/8th cromoly push rods,
Harland-sharpe high ratio needle bearing rocker arms, changed out the radiator for an aluminium fabricated one, and changed the rear wheel bearings
7000 rpm, 500 Bhp here we come
Q: What do you drive?
A: 1973 Triumph 2000
Q: What kind of engine?
A: Currently: 2.5 straight 6 on twin HS6 carbs. Swapping to 3.0 Stag V8 when time/money permits.
Q: What kind of fuel economy do you get?
A: ~30MPG on a run, low to mid 20s around town.
Q: What's the yearly mileage in said classic?
A: Varies depening on where I'm working but ~12,000 since April.
Q: Do you commute to work in said car- if so how far?
A: Yes. I'm a consultant so where I'm commuting to varies but at the moment 84 miles/day.
Q: Who looks after the car- you-or someone else?
A: Generally I maintain the car but don't have the facilities for anything major so have to drop it in to one fo the garages I trust for welding, etc.
Q: What do you do about rust?
A: Sweap it in to the corner? Not too much of a problem (at the moment) but treat with Bilt Hamber Deox-Gel and paint.
Q: Is rust even a problem?
A: No - just the holes it leaves behind.
Q: just interested mainly, that who in the face of new cheap cars all over is eccentric enough to use an old car as every day transport....
A: What are these new cheap cars your referring to? Point me to a big, comfortable, motorway mile munching car with a 2.5L engine that cost £2000 to buy, £0 per-year on road tax and (comparitivly) nothing to buy parts for?
A: 1973 Triumph 2000
Q: What kind of engine?
A: Currently: 2.5 straight 6 on twin HS6 carbs. Swapping to 3.0 Stag V8 when time/money permits.
Q: What kind of fuel economy do you get?
A: ~30MPG on a run, low to mid 20s around town.
Q: What's the yearly mileage in said classic?
A: Varies depening on where I'm working but ~12,000 since April.
Q: Do you commute to work in said car- if so how far?
A: Yes. I'm a consultant so where I'm commuting to varies but at the moment 84 miles/day.
Q: Who looks after the car- you-or someone else?
A: Generally I maintain the car but don't have the facilities for anything major so have to drop it in to one fo the garages I trust for welding, etc.
Q: What do you do about rust?
A: Sweap it in to the corner? Not too much of a problem (at the moment) but treat with Bilt Hamber Deox-Gel and paint.
Q: Is rust even a problem?
A: No - just the holes it leaves behind.
Q: just interested mainly, that who in the face of new cheap cars all over is eccentric enough to use an old car as every day transport....
A: What are these new cheap cars your referring to? Point me to a big, comfortable, motorway mile munching car with a 2.5L engine that cost £2000 to buy, £0 per-year on road tax and (comparitivly) nothing to buy parts for?
Please can you give warning when you are intending to post things like that. I nearly just filled my keyboard with 2nd hand tea!
Now can you please answer the question about depreciation for the benefit of all the modern car drivers out there. The next question is about ride quality.
Dad used to have a Mk2 Triumph 2000. Lovely car, dark brown with a brown interior, can't remember the year on the plate, all I can remember was that it was ORO ???? prior to that family transport had been a 1958 Humber Hawk which really was built like a brick out house.
Now can you please answer the question about depreciation for the benefit of all the modern car drivers out there. The next question is about ride quality.
Dad used to have a Mk2 Triumph 2000. Lovely car, dark brown with a brown interior, can't remember the year on the plate, all I can remember was that it was ORO ???? prior to that family transport had been a 1958 Humber Hawk which really was built like a brick out house.
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