Why don't classics do more than 100K
Discussion
Also "clocking" was widespread in the 80's/90's. I had a neighbour who was a small time trader in Jags, bought a nice looking XJ6 4.2 at auction but it had 75k on the clock so he set about adjusting it. Got the speedo apart and a piece of paper in there had "Oh no, not again" written on it.
I've owned several classics, mostly old Minis and '70s Rovers, about half of which spent long periods 'in storage' bewteen previous owners, keeping the overall mileage down. It's quite common with Rover P5s and P6s, a lot of which were bought new as 'retirement cars' by old Colonel types and saw lower than average use. My P5B Coupe had four owners from new in 1970 until it was taken off the road in 1990 with about 85k miles on the clock, it sat in a wood shed until 2010 when owner number five bought it and recommissioned it, I think he did a couple of hundred miles before passing it on to the next bloke who spent almost two years restoring it, he did about four hundred miles until I bought it from him last year, since when I've done about a thousand miles or so.
No evidence that the mileage is genuine or not, but it would be nice to think that this isn't a misprint.
http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/mercedes-benz...
740k km!
http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/mercedes-benz...
740k km!
A lot of cars in the 60's and 70's did much lower mileage than now.
I remember when we used to travel from Oxfordshire down to my uncle in Wiltshire - a distance of 60 miles or so. My dad used to check the oil, plugs, water etc. and pack a tool kit. These days, we jump in a car and drive across Europe with less preparation.
I remember when we used to travel from Oxfordshire down to my uncle in Wiltshire - a distance of 60 miles or so. My dad used to check the oil, plugs, water etc. and pack a tool kit. These days, we jump in a car and drive across Europe with less preparation.
sunbeam alpine said:
My dad used to check the oil, plugs, water etc. and pack a tool kit. These days, we jump in a car and drive across Europe with less preparation.
True enough - my handbook has a list of things to check weekly, monthly and so on - none of this 10,000 miles or 12 months malarkey which I suspect is now replaced by variable servicing, long life oil and so on.sunbeam alpine said:
A lot of cars in the 60's and 70's did much lower mileage than now.
I remember when we used to travel from Oxfordshire down to my uncle in Wiltshire - a distance of 60 miles or so. My dad used to check the oil, plugs, water etc. and pack a tool kit. These days, we jump in a car and drive across Europe with less preparation.
Your father did what all drivers should do then and even today as recommended by all manufacturers. I did.I remember when we used to travel from Oxfordshire down to my uncle in Wiltshire - a distance of 60 miles or so. My dad used to check the oil, plugs, water etc. and pack a tool kit. These days, we jump in a car and drive across Europe with less preparation.
Back in the late 1960s-1970s, my job involved much travel. I covered high mileages and only when I tried to negotiate floodwater did my cars ever let me down. Five minutes with my handkerchief wiping dry the inside of the distributor cap had me mobile again. Distributor cap ... remember them? ...
... The only time I nearly had a DNF. It was rare to see stranded cars for any reason back then but, traffic volumes and individual sizes of vehicles and their complexity were smaller. It was always a pleasure to drive then. Bonus. Now when out and about I frequently see so called 'reliable' modern cars stranded on the hardshoulder or roadside. They maybe more reliable but, one thing is a certainty, there are more unreliable car users than unreliable cars. Not simply my opinion based on personal observation, but, AA/RAC and other call out rescue organisations stats confirm this.
TV programme showing Rescue Guy asking stranded Motorist to open bonnet... Had no idea where bonnet release is!.. Rescue Guy : How long have you had the car? A year! Still it was German and as everyone should know they are so reliable no need to check things.
How many car users know that failure to check and maintain a vehicle could invalidate your insurance in the event of an incident. Millyons I rekon ...
McJohn, I had quite a few company cars during the late 60s and 70s and the picture you paint isn't the one I lived through. A new car delivered with a seized gearbox, a Triumph that wouldn't exceed 35mph - the dealers tried to intimate "tight engine - needs running in" - but it was a duff carb. I also seem to remember that many people changed their cars after two years if they could since cars became unreliable after 25,000 miles. The guarantee was one year or 12,000, whichever came first. But I've been driving my E-type for many a year, and in all that time (over 100,000 miles which is the point here) I have definitively broken down twice, both a long way from home on the continent, and both times when the dynamo bush let go and destroyed the commutator. Yes, fuel pumps gave up, fan belts went, the carbs needed gaskets from time to time and other minor things, but anyone who knows old cars carries, I'm sure, spare parts in the boot in case of emergencies. I even have a spare in-line brake light switch and oil pressure sender, such is the quality of modern replacements. That being said, the modern SU pump is both positive or negative earth and has no points, being solid state, so maybe that's something that might now stand the test of time.
lowdrag said:
McJohn, I had quite a few company cars during the late 60s and 70s and the picture you paint isn't the one I lived through. A new car delivered with a seized gearbox, a Triumph that wouldn't exceed 35mph - the dealers tried to intimate "tight engine - needs running in" - but it was a duff carb. I also seem to remember that many people changed their cars after two years if they could since cars became unreliable after 25,000 miles. The guarantee was one year or 12,000, whichever came first. But I've been driving my E-type for many a year, and in all that time (over 100,000 miles which is the point here) I have definitively broken down twice, both a long way from home on the continent, and both times when the dynamo bush let go and destroyed the commutator. Yes, fuel pumps gave up, fan belts went, the carbs needed gaskets from time to time and other minor things, but anyone who knows old cars carries, I'm sure, spare parts in the boot in case of emergencies. I even have a spare in-line brake light switch and oil pressure sender, such is the quality of modern replacements. That being said, the modern SU pump is both positive or negative earth and has no points, being solid state, so maybe that's something that might now stand the test of time.
Also had company cars during that period. When not allowed to chose my own, was supplied with Fords and Vauxhalls. Both needed expensive repairs which included needing new steering racks @: 60,000 ( Vauxhall ) and half engine ( MKII Escort ) @ 40,000. Neither left me stranded though. When allowed to chose, BMC product I used ~ both company and my own ~ when subjected to the same level of company use/abuse, did not need any stuff like that. Apart from the floodwater in the Distributor, which was a simple DIY roadside fix and soon on my way, never had a cause to call roadside rescue services. I've had AA/RAC membership with most of those cars plus many since and never ever had to call them out.
My good lady has always had AA with "get you/car home" if unable to fix cover with me as additional cover. Card always in my wallet. Never used it. She did once when on Holiday in the lake district years ago. A stone passed through the radiator of her Rover 620ti and she and her friends were brought home on a flatbed as AA unable to fix. Easy fix for me as I had a good spare.
As when driving about in your old Jaguar, when driving any of my MGs and Rovers ~ all are now old 10-20-30 years old and rising, I also carry a few spares .... just in case. Sod's Law means that not to do so, would ensure a roadside breakdown. Well known fact.
My son recently returned from a trip to Brasil, is getting his 207,000 mile Rover 620ti ready for another mainland European trip. He has absolute confidence in the car as he's done similar trips many times in the past. With a seventeen year old car showing 207,000 miles I would not be so confident. I drove the car yesterday. Drove fine but even so, in his position I would use one of his other cars. We shall see.
Luck of course does play a part in these things. However, as I'm sure you know, there's more to it than just luck.
I've lifted this from another forum
"What I am about to relate I have keep secret thinking its only me. Here goes. I was driving my Ford Taunus 2.0 GL up the riverbed to my farmhouse and had calculated that I would reach 100.000 km on the way. How, I still do not know, I looked down and, mierda, 100.001. Before despairing, I went in to reverse and went down the riverbed and, si, si si, it was going backwards. One km later I savoured the moment and continued on up. I stopped again, and repeated the operation and had it not beeen for Paco el Panzon, who met me in reverse and asked "Que Pasa?" I do not know how many times I would have passed the 100.000 km. There. I´ve said it now."
"What I am about to relate I have keep secret thinking its only me. Here goes. I was driving my Ford Taunus 2.0 GL up the riverbed to my farmhouse and had calculated that I would reach 100.000 km on the way. How, I still do not know, I looked down and, mierda, 100.001. Before despairing, I went in to reverse and went down the riverbed and, si, si si, it was going backwards. One km later I savoured the moment and continued on up. I stopped again, and repeated the operation and had it not beeen for Paco el Panzon, who met me in reverse and asked "Que Pasa?" I do not know how many times I would have passed the 100.000 km. There. I´ve said it now."
dartissimus said:
I've lifted this from another forum
"What I am about to relate I have keep secret thinking its only me. Here goes. I was driving my Ford Taunus 2.0 GL up the riverbed to my farmhouse and had calculated that I would reach 100.000 km on the way. How, I still do not know, I looked down and, mierda, 100.001. Before despairing, I went in to reverse and went down the riverbed and, si, si si, it was going backwards. One km later I savoured the moment and continued on up. I stopped again, and repeated the operation and had it not beeen for Paco el Panzon, who met me in reverse and asked "Que Pasa?" I do not know how many times I would have passed the 100.000 km. There. I´ve said it now."
Compleat and utter bulls"What I am about to relate I have keep secret thinking its only me. Here goes. I was driving my Ford Taunus 2.0 GL up the riverbed to my farmhouse and had calculated that I would reach 100.000 km on the way. How, I still do not know, I looked down and, mierda, 100.001. Before despairing, I went in to reverse and went down the riverbed and, si, si si, it was going backwards. One km later I savoured the moment and continued on up. I stopped again, and repeated the operation and had it not beeen for Paco el Panzon, who met me in reverse and asked "Que Pasa?" I do not know how many times I would have passed the 100.000 km. There. I´ve said it now."
t ! owned over 20 cortinas and NON of them had a speedo that worked that way, neither has any car i've ever owned come to that but cortinas and taunuses i do know very well and that is bull st.My Alfa 1750 GTV is showing 55,000. But I take that to be 155,000. It only has 5 windows on the odometer!
Mileage on many classics is completely meaningless: both my Alfa's have been completely rebuilt, including the engines. So it doesn't make a lot of sense to judge it on its mileage.
Mileage on many classics is completely meaningless: both my Alfa's have been completely rebuilt, including the engines. So it doesn't make a lot of sense to judge it on its mileage.
MGJohn said:
sunbeam alpine said:
A lot of cars in the 60's and 70's did much lower mileage than now.
I remember when we used to travel from Oxfordshire down to my uncle in Wiltshire - a distance of 60 miles or so. My dad used to check the oil, plugs, water etc. and pack a tool kit. These days, we jump in a car and drive across Europe with less preparation.
Your father did what all drivers should do then and even today as recommended by all manufacturers. I did.I remember when we used to travel from Oxfordshire down to my uncle in Wiltshire - a distance of 60 miles or so. My dad used to check the oil, plugs, water etc. and pack a tool kit. These days, we jump in a car and drive across Europe with less preparation.
Back in the late 1960s-1970s, my job involved much travel. I covered high mileages and only when I tried to negotiate floodwater did my cars ever let me down. Five minutes with my handkerchief wiping dry the inside of the distributor cap had me mobile again. Distributor cap ... remember them? ...
... The only time I nearly had a DNF. It was rare to see stranded cars for any reason back then but, traffic volumes and individual sizes of vehicles and their complexity were smaller. It was always a pleasure to drive then. Bonus. Now when out and about I frequently see so called 'reliable' modern cars stranded on the hardshoulder or roadside. They maybe more reliable but, one thing is a certainty, there are more unreliable car users than unreliable cars. Not simply my opinion based on personal observation, but, AA/RAC and other call out rescue organisations stats confirm this.
TV programme showing Rescue Guy asking stranded Motorist to open bonnet... Had no idea where bonnet release is!.. Rescue Guy : How long have you had the car? A year! Still it was German and as everyone should know they are so reliable no need to check things.
How many car users know that failure to check and maintain a vehicle could invalidate your insurance in the event of an incident. Millyons I rekon ...
Cars might have been reliable then, but it took an awful lot of work to make them reliable. You had suspension joints to grease, brakes to adjust, points to adjust. Cars like Cortinas needed void bushes every year for the mot, Maxis needed aeroplane mounts every year for the mot. Remember when cars needed the wheel arches filling after just a couple of years, or the bottoms of doors sorting etc etc.
Ok so you see a few modern cars broken down, they are far more numerous than the old days, and far more complex!
My last 2 cars were chopped in with north of 200k miles on them, and no obvious defects, my current Golf estate is from late 2008 and has 145k on the clock. Give it a wash and a hoover and it looks great. I'm not sure you could say that for and 60's or 70's car without spending a large wad of money on P45, aluminium mesh and rattle cans!
I think many are falling into the trap that i am climbing out of on a regular basis.
25 years ago = 1989
30 years ago = 1984
40 years ago = 1974
50 years ago = 1964
Many 'classic' cars ,25 years or older, have done lots more than 100k.
To many people,including me,these are just cheap old bangers.
To many of us cars after about 1968 are just the second hand cars from our 20's or 30's.
25 years ago = 1989
30 years ago = 1984
40 years ago = 1974
50 years ago = 1964
Many 'classic' cars ,25 years or older, have done lots more than 100k.
To many people,including me,these are just cheap old bangers.
To many of us cars after about 1968 are just the second hand cars from our 20's or 30's.
eccles said:
I can't help but think your rose tinted specs have seen a lot of use!
Cars might have been reliable then, but it took an awful lot of work to make them reliable. You had suspension joints to grease, brakes to adjust, points to adjust. Cars like Cortinas needed void bushes every year for the mot, Maxis needed aeroplane mounts every year for the mot. Remember when cars needed the wheel arches filling after just a couple of years, or the bottoms of doors sorting etc etc.
Ok so you see a few modern cars broken down, they are far more numerous than the old days, and far more complex!
My last 2 cars were chopped in with north of 200k miles on them, and no obvious defects, my current Golf estate is from late 2008 and has 145k on the clock. Give it a wash and a hoover and it looks great. I'm not sure you could say that for and 60's or 70's car without spending a large wad of money on P45, aluminium mesh and rattle cans!
Ah, crappy days.Cars might have been reliable then, but it took an awful lot of work to make them reliable. You had suspension joints to grease, brakes to adjust, points to adjust. Cars like Cortinas needed void bushes every year for the mot, Maxis needed aeroplane mounts every year for the mot. Remember when cars needed the wheel arches filling after just a couple of years, or the bottoms of doors sorting etc etc.
Ok so you see a few modern cars broken down, they are far more numerous than the old days, and far more complex!
My last 2 cars were chopped in with north of 200k miles on them, and no obvious defects, my current Golf estate is from late 2008 and has 145k on the clock. Give it a wash and a hoover and it looks great. I'm not sure you could say that for and 60's or 70's car without spending a large wad of money on P45, aluminium mesh and rattle cans!
Halfords detailing section was a tin of Simoniz and some T-Cut.
It was more about getting all the holes filled up for MOT time
johnxjsc1985 said:
A 40 year old car is unlikely to have much of its original mechanicals in many cases all will have been replaced.
I question that. I had a 43 year old car until recently, with records for most of its life. Its engine, carburettor, gearbox and most of its suspension parts were as fitted when new. It had had new front brakes, and other things, but was essentially the same machine that had left the factory late in 1969.Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff