Practical Classic Wanted
Discussion
Hi all,
Any suggestions for me please? I've reached the stage in my life when I can realistically think about purchasing a 'weekend' car, for enjoyment. Have any of you got any ideas? Here's what I'd like:
1) Realiability - engine and body not to rust away on me
2) Free RFL
3) Capable of the occasional long trip to a car show in summer
4) Enough room for 2 people, plus medium-sized dog
5) Decent looks - I know they're in the eye of the beholder, but I hate Stags & 1970s TRs
6) Budget of £12K absolute tops
7) I want to fettle it, not restore it. £12K includes getting it spot-on
8) RHD would be essential unless it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
9) I wouldn't do loads of miles per year, so fuel consumption's not a worry
Cars I've thought about: I've always loved Europa S2s, G21s and Marcoses, but they're only 2-seaters. Wouldn't rule them out though. I thought about a Scimitar (pre 1975), but they're a lot of turds out there. Perhaps a P5B Coupe or 1800ES?
I'm strangely drawn to GRP due to the lack of rust, but a well-protected metal body would be fine.
For the last 40 years I've admired Gordon Keebles, but sadly they're way out of my league now. On the plus side, their high worth means that they'll be well looked after, unlike Interceptors.
Thanks for looking. I'd love to hear from you!
Any suggestions for me please? I've reached the stage in my life when I can realistically think about purchasing a 'weekend' car, for enjoyment. Have any of you got any ideas? Here's what I'd like:
1) Realiability - engine and body not to rust away on me
2) Free RFL
3) Capable of the occasional long trip to a car show in summer
4) Enough room for 2 people, plus medium-sized dog
5) Decent looks - I know they're in the eye of the beholder, but I hate Stags & 1970s TRs
6) Budget of £12K absolute tops
7) I want to fettle it, not restore it. £12K includes getting it spot-on
8) RHD would be essential unless it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
9) I wouldn't do loads of miles per year, so fuel consumption's not a worry
Cars I've thought about: I've always loved Europa S2s, G21s and Marcoses, but they're only 2-seaters. Wouldn't rule them out though. I thought about a Scimitar (pre 1975), but they're a lot of turds out there. Perhaps a P5B Coupe or 1800ES?
I'm strangely drawn to GRP due to the lack of rust, but a well-protected metal body would be fine.
For the last 40 years I've admired Gordon Keebles, but sadly they're way out of my league now. On the plus side, their high worth means that they'll be well looked after, unlike Interceptors.
Thanks for looking. I'd love to hear from you!
If you remove (2) from the list: sorn it during the winter, 6 months tax in the summer and you have a vast list, for an extra £80 odd per year. Even if you look at more modern classics from the 80s and 90s, the list is huge. 944? 968? 928? XJS. XK8. Lotus Excel. 6 series. reliant scimitar.
I would actually say the recent history of any classic is more important than how reliable they were when they left the factory. So in that regard, the world is your oyster.
I have spent a lot of time making changes to make the car more practical and reliable. E.g. Electronic ignition, electric fan, updated lighting with relays etc. Do not assume that a concourse original car will be reliable. Buy something that is in some form or regular use. Most important is that whatever you choose gives you a good feeling, and balances out any hassle and money it will cost (because they all do).
GRP is good for piece of mind if you don't have a garage. Having said all that, my start point would also be a Volvo P1800 or 2 door Amazon (dog on rear seat). I have owned a few classics and been in to them for years and I have now come around slowly to realising the Volvos are the most desirable, understated, timeless, good value and bomb proof out there....
I have spent a lot of time making changes to make the car more practical and reliable. E.g. Electronic ignition, electric fan, updated lighting with relays etc. Do not assume that a concourse original car will be reliable. Buy something that is in some form or regular use. Most important is that whatever you choose gives you a good feeling, and balances out any hassle and money it will cost (because they all do).
GRP is good for piece of mind if you don't have a garage. Having said all that, my start point would also be a Volvo P1800 or 2 door Amazon (dog on rear seat). I have owned a few classics and been in to them for years and I have now come around slowly to realising the Volvos are the most desirable, understated, timeless, good value and bomb proof out there....
Edited by alolympic on Sunday 19th October 08:46
Thanks for the replies so far. Whilst Jag V12s are cheap, their complexity scares the carp out of me. I love the old Mark X or 420Gs, but they're a bit too big for my garage. I like the look of an Amazon, being similar (well, to me anyway!) to a P5B. I was looking on line at Amazon estates and have to admit, they're my type of car, but quite rare. Seems like a few people on here know a lot about them. There aren't many about on my budget, but perhaps I should learn to be more patient.
Andy Allenton said:
Thanks for the replies so far. Whilst Jag V12s are cheap, their complexity scares the carp out of me.
But look at it! If I had the room I'd buy this myself: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...This may fall foul of your LHD rule, but it really is a minter and hardly run in. Couldn't find a RHD one but I searched quickly - there may well be a few around.
Just the thing for a summer lollup in the countryside.
http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/mercedes-benz...
Just the thing for a summer lollup in the countryside.
http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/mercedes-benz...
Andy Allenton said:
Thanks for the replies so far. Whilst Jag V12s are cheap, their complexity scares the carp out of me. I love the old Mark X or 420Gs, but they're a bit too big for my garage. I like the look of an Amazon, being similar (well, to me anyway!) to a P5B. I was looking on line at Amazon estates and have to admit, they're my type of car, but quite rare. Seems like a few people on here know a lot about them. There aren't many about on my budget, but perhaps I should learn to be more patient.
Nice Amazon estate that's been on sale for a while...http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C438426
Couple of decent looking saloons on ebay as well at the moment.
You could do a lot worse when looking for a daily classic: reasonably nippy, handle quite well, don't rust anywhere near as much as contemporary cars, they have an epic heater/demister and, well, they are just great cars (even when you have skinned knuckles after spending the weekend fitting uprated dampers and 30mm lowering progressive springs...).
I wondered about Gilberns until I finally saw one in the flesh last year. Whilst it may be a capable car, those boxy looks don't do it for me. So far I'm most drawn to a couple of cars, at opposite ends of the spectrum to each other: an Amazon estate or a Europa S2. Well, that is until I discover a long-lost Gordon Keeble! Funny how looks are so subjective - I prefer the look of the S1 & S2 Europas to the cut down TCs.
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