Replacing the Westfield with something classic....

Replacing the Westfield with something classic....

Author
Discussion

tortop45

434 posts

159 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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Why don,t you go in to smith,s when youve got 5 min to spare and have a good old look through all the classic car mags to find what you like ?.........

v8250

2,724 posts

210 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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Lordbenny said:
Link#1 is precisely the type of car not to buy. Super shiny on top, covered in black tar and filthy underneath. Walk away unless superb in the flesh.

Link#2 may be worth looking at but there are no under body pic, why? Plus, get rid of those gold coloured Minilite Reps and the cheepo' wooden steering wheel. Replace wheels with 15" on sensible profile tyres and add a leather Mountney or Mota-Lita.

Lordbenny

Original Poster:

8,575 posts

218 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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tortop45 said:
Why don,t you go in to smith,s when youve got 5 min to spare and have a good old look through all the classic car mags to find what you like ?.........
If I didn't have the Internet i'd think that was a fantastic idea...thanks anyway wink

Yertis

18,016 posts

265 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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Another notion is a so-called 'Git-fire', a GT6 with a Spitfire body. Simpler than a TR6, about half the price, fast, good handling, reliable very easy to work on, convertible, cheap, easy to obtain spares.

Much better looking than some of the other brands mentioned.

Lordbenny

Original Poster:

8,575 posts

218 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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v8250 said:
Link#1 is precisely the type of car not to buy. Super shiny on top, covered in black tar and filthy underneath. Walk away unless superb in the flesh.

Link#2 may be worth looking at but there are no under body pic, why? Plus, get rid of those gold coloured Minilite Reps and the cheepo' wooden steering wheel. Replace wheels with 15" on sensible profile tyres and add a leather Mountney or Mota-Lita.
Haha, I'm entering a whole new scene...the classic car scene...so, no Minilites eh? I thought they lend themselves quite well to MGs...I also really like steelies with hubcaps....am I allowed white wall tyres if I buy an Old English White car? Here's another couple I like...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1964-B-MG-B-MGB-1-8-Road...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1966-MGB-Roadster-/33136...

Lordbenny

Original Poster:

8,575 posts

218 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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Yertis said:
Another notion is a so-called 'Git-fire', a GT6 with a Spitfire body. Simpler than a TR6, about half the price, fast, good handling, reliable very easy to work on, convertible, cheap, easy to obtain spares.

Much better looking than some of the other brands mentioned.
I did seet this but no soft top and the Mrs wants something a little more comfy!

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C352517

zcacogp

11,239 posts

243 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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Tonsko said:
An Austin Healey 3000 would be a stormer, but wayyyy outside my price range smile



Oh my. cloud9

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C500633
Crumbs - I did Le Mans Classic last summer with a friend in one of those - looked identical to the one in the photo. I knew he took good care of it but had no idea it was worth that much!


Oli.

v8250

2,724 posts

210 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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Lordbenny said:
Haha, I'm entering a whole new scene...the classic car scene...so, no Minilites eh? I thought they lend themselves quite well to MGs...I also really like steelies with hubcaps....am I allowed white wall tyres if I buy an Old English White car? Here's another couple I like...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1964-B-MG-B-MGB-1-8-Road...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1966-MGB-Roadster-/33136...
Minilites are great, just not in blinged up gold. Plain silver is the gentleman's choice and ideally 15" with 185/15*65 tyres...no low profiles, they look crap and bugger up the road holding and handling.

Don't buy the white car. Ignoring the God forsaken white walls [only permitted on the other side of the Pond...] take a close look at the paint and bodywork. It's been bodged and has too much bubbling...I hate to think what's going-on on the near side sill, door and rear wing...though I have a fair idea.

The Brooklands Green [it's not BRG/Dark BRG...and Brooklands Green was not available on B's in 1964] car looks interesting. An early car with what looks like a good refurbishment, it's not a restoration as stated in the advert, subject to full inspection and photographic evidence. The nice thing about early cars is that they are a purer line and have a delicate driving style...though the rear suspension needs checking on this one wink

tonys

1,080 posts

222 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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TVR Chimaera - okay, it's a V8, or an older Ford V6 S1/S2/S3

cindydog3

158 posts

135 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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I note from your profile that you are on your second Westfield. Can't imagine a MGB roadster would do it for you! Back in the day I had 3 roadsters and 3 BGTs on the trot as I just loved them and even raced one of the roadsters in std trim. However when the Mk1 RS2000 came along that was the end of MGBs for me.Have had a couple of full race Midgets but since both were space frame cars bore little relation to the roadgoing example, other than back axle and drivetrain.

I too have a SEIW Westfield (pinto) but like you wanted something a bit more comfortable etc etc so added a TVR Griffith 500 to the stable 2 yrs back. Okay its a V8 but if you want to trundle along in 5th gear at 60/70mph not a problem and in my case 100% reliable. Westfield has sat at the back of the garage ever since.

If you keep your eyes and ears open you may be fortunate enough to acquire a Griff within your budget, as I did. NB chassis condition is paramount.

Good luck with your search.

mark387mw

2,174 posts

266 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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So it's not tax free, but how about a Morgan 4/4? No V8's in this one http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C559475


Finlandese

540 posts

174 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Alfa Spider 'coda tronca'. As long as the body is good, they are bulletproof, and the parts availability is perfect. Lusty twin cam, double Weber engine with five speed transmission and four disc brakes. 0-60 in 8.8 sec, top speed about 120 mph. A beautiful, usable car that is starting to appriciate.

Edited by Finlandese on Saturday 20th December 10:48


Edited by Finlandese on Saturday 20th December 10:50

nta16

7,898 posts

233 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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whatever car you're looking to buy I'd always suggest test driving a few good mechanical examples of the particular model/year to see how well they could or should go

you'd certainly want to test drive a 948cc Frogeye as you may find it too slow (but it should still be a delight to drive) - there are conversions with the later larger engines fitted though, still less practical for use than a Mk3 (or Mk4) Spridget

as MGBs and to a lesser extent Spridgets are probably the among the most written about classics there are plenty of books and info on them but I'd be a bit wary of 'internet/pub wisdom', I'd advise you to invest in a relevant reprinted copy of the original Driver's Handbook before even test driving as it will tell you so much about the car and you'll then know more about it than many long term owners (an example of contents below) - https://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogu...

personally I'd never buy a MGB or Spridget with wire wheels as they're too much hassle and I don't just mean the cleaning

shiny bright red examples with chrome wire wheels of either car I'd always be cautious about, nothing wrong with Minilite copy wheels though (but steel with chrome hub caps look great)

leaving any car laid up for long periods does it no favours and especially with classics, no need either as there are many dry and even sunny driving opportunities during late autumn, winter and early spring with many better than in summer (Spridgets (should) have a very good heater too)

I'd allow for servicing, maintenance and repairs in my budget as most owners do not fully and properly service the car which is especially important with a low mileage or little used car

as soon as possible after purchase I do a full and proper 36k-mile service/check up done in stages in between driving the car frequently on reasonable distance journeys to get used to it and sort out any wrinkles, prevent some future problems and to enjoy driving it whilst learning what the car is capable of and to get it nearer its full potential


Edited by nta16 on Saturday 20th December 07:26

Lordbenny

Original Poster:

8,575 posts

218 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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I do like the sound of a Griffith I always remember sitting in one at he London Motor show when it was released alongside the Honda NSX and lusted after one from that day. I am worried about buying a car that's at the bottom of my price budget, this one foe example http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t... would need plenty of work to get it up to my standards (I like my cars to be tip-top). Decent ones are £20,000+ by the look of it with petrol about to hit £1 a litre maybe a V8 could be an option now!

Daggsy

892 posts

251 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Lordbenny said:
I do like the sound of a Griffith I always remember sitting in one at he London Motor show when it was released alongside the Honda NSX and lusted after one from that day. I am worried about buying a car that's at the bottom of my price budget, this one foe example http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t... would need plenty of work to get it up to my standards (I like my cars to be tip-top). Decent ones are £20,000+ by the look of it with petrol about to hit £1 a litre maybe a V8 could be an option now!
You certainly wouldn't regret buying a Griff.
Outrigger replacement on that one is £1500 + vat (ish)

dai1983

2,902 posts

148 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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After seeing one of these in the flesh I would find it hard not to get one of these if I were in the market:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C517878#

i know its a coupe and no interest to you but I don't care!!!

vixen1700

22,669 posts

269 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Lordbenny said:
I do like the sound of a Griffith I always remember sitting in one at he London Motor show when it was released alongside the Honda NSX and lusted after one from that day. I am worried about buying a car that's at the bottom of my price budget, this one foe example http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t... would need plenty of work to get it up to my standards (I like my cars to be tip-top). Decent ones are £20,000+ by the look of it with petrol about to hit £1 a litre maybe a V8 could be an option now!
How about this beauty then? http://www.hiltonandmoss.com/cardesc/tvr-griffith-...

smile


Edited by vixen1700 on Saturday 20th December 11:34

benjj

6,787 posts

162 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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My 13k would go on one of these:

Porsche 914/914-6
Alfa 1750
Lancia Fulvia 1.6S
Mercedes 190 Cosworth
BMW 2002Tii



Lordbenny

Original Poster:

8,575 posts

218 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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vixen1700 said:
That's is lovely, a couple of grand outside my budget but has got me thinking now! Sell the Westfield and save the pennies for a few months....I'm sure there will be plenty coming onto the market in the spring.

Lordbenny

Original Poster:

8,575 posts

218 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Yes, I am looking at 914's too! I think that not having my heart set on a certain make/model is a good idea, if something comes up that is clean and good value and meets my requirements I will buy it.