Looking for a British classic convertible with 4 seats!

[anonymous-user]

RichB said:

Breadvan72 said:

irocfan said:

If a webasto helps meet criteria then can I nominate an MGB GT V8 or (possibly) MGC with said option?

Only if you have a yen for old fashioned (and I mean old fashioned when new) agricultural equipment masquerading as a car!

Cutting as usual and yet you parade a picture of a old Lotus from which bits would regularly drop off in your hands. Glass houses and all that old chap.

Yes, but at least it doesn't drive like a horse and cart!

[anonymous-user]

rare, stylish, easy to maintain, four proper seats

[spoodler]

Divisive, but then again so are some of the other suggestions... Bristol 412 - should still be out there within budget; four proper seats; wood, chrome, leather, Axminster and Wilton; simple rumbly V8; clever roof arrangement; surprisingly cheap spares; solid as a tank and... styling that will start conversations and divide opinion wherever you go.

[pacoryan]

plasticpig said:

I would be surprised if you could find a GTC costing anywhere near £20k. The one below is one of the best in the country and is up for £14k. A massive amount of work went into the restoration.

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/detail/motors/...

Sorry that was kind of my point - the budget would buy you a lovely GTC/Stag or XJ-SC but most alternatives are out of reach.

However, if the OP is quick off the mark....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aston-Martin-V8-Converti...

[plasticpig]

TR4man said:

That's interesting, can't remember the last time I saw one of those.

Is it "special" enough?

Hmm well I am slightly biased sine I own one. Obviously it doesn't have as much wood and chrome as a Stag and most would say it isn't as pretty. Performance is very similar but a Merc R107 500SL would blow both of them away on that front. What it does have going for it is rarity value with only 442 ever built and around 200 left on the road. I have met plenty of petrol heads who don't know what it is. Unlike the Stag it's a true GT car and can do well over 500 miles without filling up.

[//j17]

Skyedriver said:

Stag : Looked at them for years but the rust, regular timing chain replacement, and wifes perception that they are unreliable based solely upon experience seems to rule them out.

The v8 out of a Lexus will fit in a Stag engine bay. Popular swap in NZ/Aus...

[a8hex]

Skyedriver said:

Stag : Looked at them for years but the rust, regular timing chain replacement, and wifes perception that they are unreliable based solely upon experience seems to rule them out.

I thought the fragility issues of the Stag V8 had been worked around eons ago, you didn't have to use the BL spare parts that were made from second hand cheese.

[aeropilot]

a8hex said:

Skyedriver said:

Stag : Looked at them for years but the rust, regular timing chain replacement, and wifes perception that they are unreliable based solely upon experience seems to rule them out.

I thought the fragility issues of the Stag V8 had been worked around eons ago

Indeed.
Most of the problems that caused the issues that plagued them when new/nearly new were down to ste BL dealerships not knowing how to look after them properly (same with the Dolly Sprint)

[a8hex]

aeropilot said:

a8hex said:

Skyedriver said:

Stag : Looked at them for years but the rust, regular timing chain replacement, and wifes perception that they are unreliable based solely upon experience seems to rule them out.

I thought the fragility issues of the Stag V8 had been worked around eons ago

Indeed.
Most of the problems that caused the issues that plagued them when new/nearly new were down to ste BL dealerships not knowing how to look after them properly (same with the Dolly Sprint)

Some of the components, like the original time chain weren't up to the job either. Then there was the problem that the Stag engine was still smooth as silk some way after the red line, at least until it broke. Plus customers who would keep just putting tap water in the radiator. Most classic owners are more careful.

[Yertis]

plasticpig said:

Unlike the Stag it's a true GT car and can do well over 500 miles without filling up.

As an ex-Scim owner I can vouch for the long range, which is achieved simply by having an enormous fuel tank. IIRC it cost me about £75 to fill in 1992, which is more than my equally long range A6 Tdi costs to fill up now.

[RichB]

Breadvan72 said:

RichB said:

Breadvan72 said:

irocfan said:

If a webasto helps meet criteria then can I nominate an MGB GT V8 or (possibly) MGC with said option?

Only if you have a yen for old fashioned (and I mean old fashioned when new) agricultural equipment masquerading as a car!

Cutting as usual and yet you parade a picture of a old Lotus from which bits would regularly drop off in your hands. Glass houses and all that old chap.

Yes, but at least it doesn't drive like a horse and cart!

I remember going for a test drive in an Excel back in period, thinking of buying either that or a 924 Turbo. Heading up the M4 from SGT in Taplow the gear knob came off in my hand as shifted up from 4th to 5th. "Don't worry about that," said the sales lady. "Pass it to me and I'll screw it back on while you keep driving."

Needless to say I bought the Porsche...

[CAPP0]

js68 said:

rare, stylish, easy to maintain, four proper seats

That's lovely, esp in that colour. Many about?

[SpudLink]

RichB said:

I remember going for a test drive in an Excel back in period, thinking of buying either that or a 924 Turbo. Heading up the M4 from SGT in Taplow the gear knob came off in my hand as shifted up from 4th to 5th. "Don't worry about that," said the sales lady. "Pass it to me and I'll screw it back on while you keep driving."

Needless to say I bought the Porsche...

Haha! Brilliant!
That's the kind of make-do-and-mend attitude that got Britain where it is today.

[Skyedriver]

a8hex said:

aeropilot said:

a8hex said:

Skyedriver said:

Stag : Looked at them for years but the rust, regular timing chain replacement, and wifes perception that they are unreliable based solely upon experience seems to rule them out.

I thought the fragility issues of the Stag V8 had been worked around eons ago

Indeed.
Most of the problems that caused the issues that plagued them when new/nearly new were down to ste BL dealerships not knowing how to look after them properly (same with the Dolly Sprint)

Some of the components, like the original time chain weren't up to the job either. Then there was the problem that the Stag engine was still smooth as silk some way after the red line, at least until it broke. Plus customers who would keep just putting tap water in the radiator. Most classic owners are more careful.

All of what you say is probably true BUT MY WIFE KNEW SOMEONE WITH ONE SO THEY ARE ALL UNRELIABLE ACCORDING TO HER, EVERY TIME I CONSIDER ONE

Actually I tried one out a couple of years ago and I was a bit uncomfortable with the alignment of seat/steering wheel/pedals

[anonymous-user]

CAPP0 said:

That's lovely, esp in that colour. Many about?

Unfortunately not - even the saloons are pretty rare. I ran a mint 2000E for a while and not unsurprisingly most of the uninitiated thought it American....

[MarshPhantom]

Been posted yet?

[anonymous-user]

SpudLink said:

RichB said:

I remember going for a test drive in an Excel back in period, thinking of buying either that or a 924 Turbo. Heading up the M4 from SGT in Taplow the gear knob came off in my hand as shifted up from 4th to 5th. "Don't worry about that," said the sales lady. "Pass it to me and I'll screw it back on while you keep driving."

Needless to say I bought the Porsche...

Haha! Brilliant!
That's the kind of make-do-and-mend attitude that got Britain where it is today.

The Dunkirk Spirit always comes in handy when smoking about in a Lotus, I find.

[CAPP0]

js68 said:

CAPP0 said:

That's lovely, esp in that colour. Many about?

Unfortunately not - even the saloons are pretty rare. I ran a mint 2000E for a while and not unsurprisingly most of the uninitiated thought it American....

I remember when I was a kid there was a batty old dear down the road who had a saloon. In hindsight, she was probably permanently pootled. One day, by the local shop, she clipped another car and the front wing rolled back exactly like an old-fashioned sardine can!

[varsas]

a8hex said:

aeropilot said:

a8hex said:

Skyedriver said:

Stag : Looked at them for years but the rust, regular timing chain replacement, and wifes perception that they are unreliable based solely upon experience seems to rule them out.

I thought the fragility issues of the Stag V8 had been worked around eons ago

Indeed.
Most of the problems that caused the issues that plagued them when new/nearly new were down to ste BL dealerships not knowing how to look after them properly (same with the Dolly Sprint)

Some of the components, like the original time chain weren't up to the job either. Then there was the problem that the Stag engine was still smooth as silk some way after the red line, at least until it broke. Plus customers who would keep just putting tap water in the radiator. Most classic owners are more careful.

I've had three Stags.

First one blew it's head gasket about a year after I bought it. Had the engine re-built.
Second one bought from a specialist. All arranged, phone call the day I was supposed to pick it up, it's not ready as it's blown a radiator hose. Turns out it'd blown it's head gasket, got my money back.
Third one had a rebuilt engine about 20 years/30k miles ago. Blew it's head gasket about 3 years after I bought it.

If further proof is needed that they do, indeed, still blow their heads the video of mine is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi0TlUwZK0A

Maybe I've been unlucky, but I keep hearing that all the problems have been solved and that any car you buy will be fine. It's almost as much of a cliche as their unreliability. For the avoidance of misunderstanding, I really like Stags and think the engine is lovely when it's working properly.

My suggestion:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rover-P6-open-top-unique...

(P6 V8 'convertible', allegedly factory. You'd need to budget for a roof)

Edited by varsas on Friday 17th July 19:24

[anonymous-user]

CAPP0 said:

I remember when I was a kid there was a batty old dear down the road who had a saloon. In hindsight, she was probably permanently pootled. One day, by the local shop, she clipped another car and the front wing rolled back exactly like an old-fashioned sardine can!

I bought mine from an old chap who'd had it from new and clearly starting using his gate posts to guide himself into his drive! I restored it, ran it for a few years and sold it about 15 years ago - recently came onto the market as completely original and unrestored - must have done a good job!