Other modified classics - a la Eagle E-Types?

[AdvocatusD]

So, I love my classic Lancia but she can be a difficult thing. If not used regularly, all kinds of stuff happens and while it makes every ride an adventure, it can be a little annoying when you just want to go out at the spur of the moment. May be that is more of a reflection of my maintenance rituals, but there we are.

I absolutely love the classic look and "feel", but perhaps a little more reliability combined with the ability to work more easily with today's driving conditions would be my perfect combo? Slightly sacrilegious I know, but it works for Eagle and their lovely Jags.

Are there any other classic bodies hiding some more modern working underneath?

I'd love a classic Alfa and found these guys...

http://www.alfaholics.com/2012/12/octane-gta-r-9-p...

http://www.alfaholics.com/2010/07/alfaholics-produ...

Anything else similar that PH knows of?

[wemorgan]

I think there's a company in Banbury that restores Jenson Interceptors, but with new powertrain and suspension.

A similar thing is done to the MG B.

Edited by wemorgan on Saturday 24th August 12:12

[V8LM]

AdvocatusD said:

Are there any other classic bodies hiding some more modern working underneath?

Porsche 911.

[DonkeyApple]

For me this is the way forward.

I have reached the point where I just find new cars boring. I don't drive every day and can go for a week or two without driving. When I do drive I want to be entertained. Modern cars are just too anodised to have fun.

However, classics present their own issues. I have no desire to spend any time by the road side and not do I wish to worry about keeping the mileage low.

Modernised classics are the perfect answer.

They allow you to fit comfortable modern seating and modern reliable running gear but retain much of the original character.

One key area for me is the safety though. I currently have one project under way and may be setting off on another but they will have fitted in them some very serious cage work to protect the family.

[DanielSan]

Personally I'm a big fan of the Rocky Auto stuff from Japan, modernised X cars and old Skylines with either tuned original engines or more modern lumps swapped into them such as the Nissan RB or Toyota JZ engines.

Or for the fully hardcoore, a complete carbon body conversion

[V8LM]

KWE - http://www.kwecars.com/jaguar/index.php

[tgr]

I seem to remember there were some guys putting duratec engines into Lotus Elan 2+2 bodies to avoid the twin cam problems.

That was a rather good idea.

[CraigyMc]

Hrm. Singer Porsche fits this sort of request:

[PHuzzy]

V8LM said:

AdvocatusD said:

Are there any other classic bodies hiding some more modern working underneath?

Porsche 911.

Fair point.

[poing]

I love this kind of stuff, no downside from my point of view. Looking at those Alfaholics cars I think I just fell in love with an engine bay, this is how it should look!




I think there will be a bigger and bigger market for these kind of things. I would like modern reproductions of loads of cars, thinking about MK1/2 Escorts and Capris as well as those mentioned above. In fact I would make a point of picking one of the modern reproductions of a Porsche 356 or Spyder over the originals because I'd feel less guilty about driving it hard or in the rain etc.

[aka_kerrly]

Take a look at the number of mk1 and mk2 Golfs that are running modern 20vt/vr6 engines, mk4 golf/tt dashboard conversions and interiors.

Bloody great idea!

[e21Mark]

I'm in the middle of doing this with my 1982 BMW 3 series. The bare shell was blasted and the whole braking system, suspension and engine was updated. The engine used to be an 1800 four cylinder with about 90bhp, but is now a 24v 2.8 with around 240bhp and 75bhp shot of nitrous. I love the combination of 70's looks with modern day performance.

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[DonkeyApple]

Speed.deman said:

I suspect that the 911 comment was an attempt at comedy? If anyone thinks a 1963 911 looks anything like a 2013 991, other than the basic underlying theme, you need your eyes checked!





Each to their own of course, but I think those Rocky things are awful and a very different prospect from what OP is looking for.

Any "modern" XK120s out there?

There is definitely something there though.

My 2.9 yr old daughter has recently become car obsessed and without any instruction instantly new an old 70s 911 was a Porsche 911 even though she had only seen modern ones at that point.

The more amusing thing though was that she insisted for at least a month that Beetles were 911s.

There are clearly strong enough design queues for a sub 3 toddler to make them all out as 911s.

[AdvocatusD]

LOL. We're not actually debating that 911s don't look similar are we!? Of course they do, and to be fair to SD he makes that quite clear. We're talking old school body with newer mechanicals whilst still retaining originality. That means interior, etc.

For the avoidance of doubt, I have a "new" 911, so quite clearly it doesn't fit the bill I was contemplating.

[Pesty]

There are a couple of companies which make db4 zagatos out of db7

Not quite what the op was asking but similar I suppose

Just remembered isn't there a company that does this with lotus elans

Edited by Pesty on Saturday 24th August 14:28

[SteveSteveson]

DonkeyApple said:

The more amusing thing though was that she insisted for at least a month that Beetles were 911s.

At 3 she has worked out what most owners haven't, just a shame she got it the wrong way round

Wasn't there a company doing 205 gti's, and I'm sure there are several doing less PH VW campers and Beetles.

I think Aston Martin works service will do this if you are willing to pay...

[SiH]

tgr said:

I seem to remember there were some guys putting duratec engines into Lotus Elan 2+2 bodies to avoid the twin cam problems.

That was a rather good idea.

Yep, Spyder Engineering in Peterborough do that. They do a replacement chassis for the Elan and the +2 and can do a Ford Zetec engine upgrade too. I'd love one but then a marriage and kids came along so my priorities changed a little! I still keep my eye on them though and hopefully I'll be able to do enough man maths to take the plunge!

[DonkeyApple]

SteveSteveson said:

DonkeyApple said:

The more amusing thing though was that she insisted for at least a month that Beetles were 911s.

At 3 she has worked out what most owners haven't, just a shame she got it the wrong way round

Wasn't there a company doing 205 gti's, and I'm sure there are several doing less PH VW campers and Beetles.

I think Aston Martin works service will do this if you are willing to pay...

I found it interesting that to me there is almost nothing to visually link a modern Beetle to a modern 911but to a 3 yr old she saw something. I did find it very amusing.

[e21Mark]

Do 911 owners really deny there's a bit of Beetle in 911 DNA?

[Seek]

Pesty said:

Just remembered isn't there a company that does this with lotus elans

http://www.spydercars.co.uk/category/spyder-news/