Looking for a British classic convertible with 4 seats!

[e21Mark]

I think the Vitesse is much nicer car than a Stag.

[MKnight702]

I'm still waiting for the answer to the most obvious question that has been asked.

If you love the Lotus Élan, why not look for an ÉLAN PLUS 2 CONVERTIBLE?

[SpudLink]

MKnight702 said:

I'm still waiting for the answer to the most obvious question that has been asked.

If you love the Lotus Élan, why not look for an ÉLAN PLUS 2 CONVERTIBLE?

I didn't know they'd ever done a convertible, but you're dead right. Here's one for sale at just the price the OP was after...
http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/lotuselan-for-sale...
Apparently the same car advertised here...
http://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C616039

Edited by SpudLink on Wednesday 15th July 08:55

[Philip0]

savski said:

Hello all,

Rather than having money in the bank earning low interest I think it's time to finally fulfil my life-long dream and invest in a classic! The tough thing is that there are not that many models that fit my requirements.......

Here is my must-have criteria:

1) British
2) Convertible
3) Enough space in the back for two little kiddies
4) Up to a max of £20,000 but would prefer to spend around £15k
5) Gotta be some chrome and wood involved so probably nothing after 1980 - preferably 60's / 70's

My dream car is the Lotus Elan Plus 2 but unfortunately it's not a soft top, and I would also buy an MGB GT Roadster in a heartbeat if only it had 4 seats.

What do you think, people - would love to hear your ideas and experience of owning such a car.

Thanks!

Alvis TD21 drophead coupe

Edited by Philip0 on Wednesday 15th July 15:01

[pacoryan]

Erm a functioning Alvis would appear to be around 100% over budget. Corniche too.

XJ-SC, Stag or GTC because... er... there are no other Brit 4 seat soft tops for under £20k. I ignored Morgans because I reckon the budget is a stretch and the rear seats (IMHO) are borderline functional.

XJC with Webasto is a good call, Elan +2 conversion may be as well, subject to quality of work.

Doesn't an Éclat Riviera have a huge sunroof?

Clutching at straws now...

[irocfan]

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

[sun.and.rain]

Not full convertible but . .
Sunbeam Rapier coupe (the early 70s pillarless Barracuda shape) with a full webasto-type fold back roof.

Rover P5B coupe or P6 3500S with same type of roof. Wind down the rear windows and listen to the V8.

Edit - beaten to it with webasto suggestion. It does open up the options list though.

Edited by sun.and.rain on Wednesday 15th July 15:33

[plasticpig]

Does no one check prices of these cars before posting? Decent Alvis TD21 DHC's cost a lot more than £20K. You might get a heap of bits to restore for £15k.

[smn159]

Surely this is the correct answer (OK, apart from the wood and chrome)

[MarshPhantom]

Philip0 said:

Alvis TD21 drophead coupe

Edited by Philip0 on Wednesday 15th July 15:01

Looking at £60k+ for a good one of those now I fear.

[MarshPhantom]

Not sure what the catch is here.

DB7 V12 Vantage Volante, £22500...

www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C405791

[plasticpig]

pacoryan said:

Erm a functioning Alvis would appear to be around 100% over budget. Corniche too.

XJ-SC, Stag or GTC because... er... there are no other Brit 4 seat soft tops for under £20k. I ignored Morgans because I reckon the budget is a stretch and the rear seats (IMHO) are borderline functional.

XJC with Webasto is a good call, Elan +2 conversion may be as well, subject to quality of work.

Doesn't an Éclat Riviera have a huge sunroof?

Clutching at straws now...

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/...

[anonymous-user]

MKnight702 said:

I'm still waiting for the answer to the most obvious question that has been asked.

If you love the Lotus Élan, why not look for an ÉLAN PLUS 2 CONVERTIBLE?

No such thing - just nasty cut jobs by after market characters. Lotus did not sell a convertible version of the car.

[anonymous-user]

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!

[Skyedriver]

Yertis said:

I've always loved Stags and wish I had got one of the ones I looked at instead of the TR6, it would have saved a great deal of matrimonial stress and got used alot more than the TR when the kids came along. Now that they've grown up and buggered off I'm looking at Stags once again.

Having considered all the colour options (and already owning a blue TR with the A-Type gearbox) I fancy a white automatic, the coolest option.

That voice from behind " We can't all get into that"

Still running TVRs but it is becoming a problem eve though I mostly drive alone.
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.

[RichB]

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.

[TR4man]

MarshPhantom said:

Not sure what the catch is here.

DB7 V12 Vantage Volante, £22500...

www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C405791

One catch - it's over budget

Another catch - looks like it has had some repairs to the front end (at least)

[TR4man]

plasticpig said:

pacoryan said:

Erm a functioning Alvis would appear to be around 100% over budget. Corniche too.

XJ-SC, Stag or GTC because... er... there are no other Brit 4 seat soft tops for under £20k. I ignored Morgans because I reckon the budget is a stretch and the rear seats (IMHO) are borderline functional.

XJC with Webasto is a good call, Elan +2 conversion may be as well, subject to quality of work.

Doesn't an Éclat Riviera have a huge sunroof?

Clutching at straws now...

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/...

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

Is it "special" enough?

[MarshPhantom]

TR4man said:

One catch - it's over budget

Haggle man.

[Mercky]

MarshPhantom said:

That looks like it was converted while you wait at Kwik Fit.