Usable everyday classic car left on street.
Discussion
I would like to look at a classic car that I can use on weekends and for trips in Europe.
However it will be parked on the street and that will be unfortunate and unavoidable as Im in central London and garages near me are rarer than rocking horse crap.
I have seen a nice MGB that I can get a hardtop for and was wondering if a 1966 car would take kindly to being parked on the street (ignoring people scratching/denting it) or if its going to suffer.
Looking at this one at the moment:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C643597
Budget is anything unto £15k or so, the car needs to deprecation proof and be able to survive on the street.
Convertible/Cab that I can get a hardtop is preferable, but anything goes.
An advice on the above or any suggestions?
Insurance isn't an issue as I have looked it up and its a reasonable £300 for someone that has no NCB as I gave up owning a car since moving to London and use zip car, however a nice road trip in Europe is what I want as next holiday, fed up flying everywhere and want to do it in a classic.
So over to you guys.
However it will be parked on the street and that will be unfortunate and unavoidable as Im in central London and garages near me are rarer than rocking horse crap.
I have seen a nice MGB that I can get a hardtop for and was wondering if a 1966 car would take kindly to being parked on the street (ignoring people scratching/denting it) or if its going to suffer.
Looking at this one at the moment:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C643597
Budget is anything unto £15k or so, the car needs to deprecation proof and be able to survive on the street.
Convertible/Cab that I can get a hardtop is preferable, but anything goes.
An advice on the above or any suggestions?
Insurance isn't an issue as I have looked it up and its a reasonable £300 for someone that has no NCB as I gave up owning a car since moving to London and use zip car, however a nice road trip in Europe is what I want as next holiday, fed up flying everywhere and want to do it in a classic.
So over to you guys.
My initial thought would be to buy a European car. Fiat Barchetta, or Lancia for example.
Why would I think this?:
Because if it breaks down in Europe parts might (hopefully) be easier to source.
Because if it breaks down at home and you need to import a part, you will have a shorter journey for the AA/RAC/greenflag to get you home.
But, if you have a good European recovery package and you can replace every hose, clip, the radiator and buy an unleaded converted car - you should only have to worry about bushes and electrics going awol on a journey.
Why would I think this?:
Because if it breaks down in Europe parts might (hopefully) be easier to source.
Because if it breaks down at home and you need to import a part, you will have a shorter journey for the AA/RAC/greenflag to get you home.
But, if you have a good European recovery package and you can replace every hose, clip, the radiator and buy an unleaded converted car - you should only have to worry about bushes and electrics going awol on a journey.
Being slightly biased here but Reliant Scimitar GTC. They are fiberglass so the body doesn't rot. Later ones have a galvanized chassis so should stand up better. I kept mine outside for 10 years with no major issues. I just used to make sure I drove it at least once a week. Most will have a hard top.
Any 40-50 yo car is going to deteriorate on the street. They weren't *that* well screwed together when they were new. However - if you can find a well restored one that is protected better than it was when new, you'll probably be OK. The ones to avoid are the already half-rotten ones that are being bodged from one MoT to the next, because they will dissolve before your eyes in a British winter. There are of course more ratty ones than pristine garage queens sporting new metal throughout and 3mm of underseal over everything.
Waxoyl and similar treatments are your friend. It should also go without saying that if you plan to tour Europe then you need the very best example you can lay your hands on, unless you are a mechanical whizz.
A more modern classic would be easier. 60's cars are great but I remember when I had a '72 Spitfire as a daily driver in the early 90's I spent more time mending it than driving it. I have every confidence that this will be the case 20 years on, and more so.
Waxoyl and similar treatments are your friend. It should also go without saying that if you plan to tour Europe then you need the very best example you can lay your hands on, unless you are a mechanical whizz.
A more modern classic would be easier. 60's cars are great but I remember when I had a '72 Spitfire as a daily driver in the early 90's I spent more time mending it than driving it. I have every confidence that this will be the case 20 years on, and more so.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
How about an MB 129SL? Not a 60s classic, but late-80s/early 90s retro-cool.
Comes with a detachable hard top, is fantastic for touring, and can take abuse.
Plenty of really good V8 500 SL within your budget.
Would be lying if I said I haven't been looking at a certain pher's 420 SL they currently have for sale at circa £16kComes with a detachable hard top, is fantastic for touring, and can take abuse.
Plenty of really good V8 500 SL within your budget.
Edited by CharlesdeGaulle on Tuesday 4th August 17:58
Du1point8 said:
CharlesdeGaulle said:
How about an MB 129SL? Not a 60s classic, but late-80s/early 90s retro-cool.
Comes with a detachable hard top, is fantastic for touring, and can take abuse.
Plenty of really good V8 500 SL within your budget.
Would be lying if I said I haven't been looking at a certain pher's 420 SL they currently have for sale at circa £16kComes with a detachable hard top, is fantastic for touring, and can take abuse.
Plenty of really good V8 500 SL within your budget.
Edited by CharlesdeGaulle on Tuesday 4th August 17:58
The 944/968 is a good shout too and I would also consider a Delta Integrale which, although a good one will stretch the budget, will be every inch the practical classic
Funny. I live in Central London and have just about identical requirements to yours. A 944 fits my needs very well indeed, although it's worth spending money on a good one and spending more money on keeping it good. There's no such a thing as a cheap Porsche ...
Earlier ones rust less but are getting older. They are a little slower, with smaller engines but are lighter and have more communicative suspension geometry. Later ones are heavier but better appointed inside. 2.5 Lux is all you really need on modern roads. 2.7 is quicker as it has more torque. 2.5'S' is unloved and needs revving to get the (good) performance out of it, 220bhp and 250bhp turbos are getting pricey but can be modified to make them very quick cars indeed. The 3.0'S2' is probably the best all-rounder and the one I chose.
Earlier ones rust less but are getting older. They are a little slower, with smaller engines but are lighter and have more communicative suspension geometry. Later ones are heavier but better appointed inside. 2.5 Lux is all you really need on modern roads. 2.7 is quicker as it has more torque. 2.5'S' is unloved and needs revving to get the (good) performance out of it, 220bhp and 250bhp turbos are getting pricey but can be modified to make them very quick cars indeed. The 3.0'S2' is probably the best all-rounder and the one I chose.
ClaphamGT3 said:
Du1point8 said:
CharlesdeGaulle said:
How about an MB 129SL? Not a 60s classic, but late-80s/early 90s retro-cool.
...
Plenty of really good V8 500 SL within your budget.
Would be lying if I said I haven't been looking at a certain pher's 420 SL they currently have for sale at circa £16k...
Plenty of really good V8 500 SL within your budget.
I had a 500 SL, and am now thinking about getting an XJS. Depends how old a classic you want I guess, but you need to be realistic about attrition if it needs to live on the street in town.
http://www.charlesironside.co.uk/
There is a lovely 129 series SL500 in black on here @ a smidge under £15K. For some reason you can't link to individual cars??!
This chap is absolutely top money on all his cars but he has a good reputation
There is a lovely 129 series SL500 in black on here @ a smidge under £15K. For some reason you can't link to individual cars??!
This chap is absolutely top money on all his cars but he has a good reputation
2Btoo said:
A 944 fits my needs very well indeed, although it's worth spending money on a good one and spending more money on keeping it good. There's no such a thing as a cheap Porsche ...
Earlier ones rust less but are getting older. They are a little slower, with smaller engines but are lighter and have more communicative suspension geometry. Later ones are heavier but better appointed inside. 2.5 Lux is all you really need on modern roads. 2.7 is quicker as it has more torque. 2.5'S' is unloved and needs revving to get the (good) performance out of it, 220bhp and 250bhp turbos are getting pricey but can be modified to make them very quick cars indeed. The 3.0'S2' is probably the best all-rounder and the one I chose.
That's all good info - I bought an early 944 a few months ago, and it is a really great little car. I bought the one I did because it's (just) old enough to be eligible for historic rallies, but I'm using it as a daily driver, partly to shake down any issues but mainly because it's so good to drive. My biggest problems have been with the electrics; it's an early 80's design when relays and ECUs were becoming more prevalent, so there are lots of different relays for example scattered all over the car. If I weren't constrained by the date of manufacturer I too would probably go for a 3.0 S2. There are of course cabrios of some models, but I have no experience of them. One word of warning : depending on the area you live in you might want to avoid easily removable Porsche-labelled parts such as door handles and hub caps, which are very popular with some in the VW community.Earlier ones rust less but are getting older. They are a little slower, with smaller engines but are lighter and have more communicative suspension geometry. Later ones are heavier but better appointed inside. 2.5 Lux is all you really need on modern roads. 2.7 is quicker as it has more torque. 2.5'S' is unloved and needs revving to get the (good) performance out of it, 220bhp and 250bhp turbos are getting pricey but can be modified to make them very quick cars indeed. The 3.0'S2' is probably the best all-rounder and the one I chose.
DonkeyApple said:
The 80s SL has suddenly become quite popular in Hampstead. Seeing more and more parked on the street. 80s 3 series convertibles are also becoming more popular. As are 2CVs, which while superb, I suspect even a die hard, pro yogurt weaver would struggle to use on continental trips.
I've got a 2cv with an uprated engine from a Citroen Visa, in which i have managed to get the speedo needle all the way round. It's a lovely car to potter around with the roof off.I think to take one round Europe you would need to be about 20 with time on your hands and not a care in the world. Or be a bit mental.
desolate said:
DonkeyApple said:
The 80s SL has suddenly become quite popular in Hampstead. Seeing more and more parked on the street. 80s 3 series convertibles are also becoming more popular. As are 2CVs, which while superb, I suspect even a die hard, pro yogurt weaver would struggle to use on continental trips.
I've got a 2cv with an uprated engine from a Citroen Visa, in which i have managed to get the speedo needle all the way round. It's a lovely car to potter around with the roof off.I think to take one round Europe you would need to be about 20 with time on your hands and not a care in the world. Or be a bit mental.
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