Amazon, P6 or left field choice?
Discussion
crankedup said:
Another 
for the amazon, robust, style, easy keep up with modern traffic, mechanical and body spare parts at very moderate prices. I am lucky enough to own a 1968 model, surprise surprise.
I was hoping you'd pop in, youre liking the Amazon? for the amazon, robust, style, easy keep up with modern traffic, mechanical and body spare parts at very moderate prices. I am lucky enough to own a 1968 model, surprise surprise. It'll be cheap and scruffy, live outside, used most days.
crankedup said:
^^^^^^^
Thanks for interest, haven't had too much chance of driving the old girl tbh. Attended to a few minor issues and today it is having a towbar attached. When I have driven it always starts easily once the carbs are primed, loads of space and very comfortible, cruise all day at 70mph with the overdrive in its lovely. No regrets buying.
Thanks.Thanks for interest, haven't had too much chance of driving the old girl tbh. Attended to a few minor issues and today it is having a towbar attached. When I have driven it always starts easily once the carbs are primed, loads of space and very comfortible, cruise all day at 70mph with the overdrive in its lovely. No regrets buying.
I think I have homed in on either a 4 door Amazon, must have overdrive, or an early P6 slushbox or later 3500s, maybe a 2200TC. Defo not any 2000, or any 4 pot slushbox.
SAAB 96?
P5BNij said:
I must have been very lucky with mine then!
Stiffening up the front end on these is fairly easy - there's a 3500S knocking about that has had a Rangie 3.9 dropped in and the squashy bits beefed up to make it handle a little more serenely. The great thing about the P6 is there are still plenty about compared to many other saloons of the period, with around 327,000 built the survival rate is very good. Most are 2000s or 3500s, 2200s are quite rare as they were only built from late '73 to early '77.
There's one running a 4.6!! Off to see a 3500S on the weekend, its has a 5 speed box too.Stiffening up the front end on these is fairly easy - there's a 3500S knocking about that has had a Rangie 3.9 dropped in and the squashy bits beefed up to make it handle a little more serenely. The great thing about the P6 is there are still plenty about compared to many other saloons of the period, with around 327,000 built the survival rate is very good. Most are 2000s or 3500s, 2200s are quite rare as they were only built from late '73 to early '77.
One of the things I like about the P6 is the wobbly ride, I certainly won't be stiffening one!
sjc said:
Went browsing after reading this thread ...for sale already ?
http://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C839095
Ah, er yes! Not told Mrs H yet who is bound to say 'I knew you'd sell it', she's usually right!http://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C839095
Um, I really just don't need it! Between our sensible family car, my other stupid cars and cycling to work its just pointless! I got a bit over enthusiastic when browsing car ads!
Edited to add a bit more detail, part of me wishes I'd bought an Amazon, as I've had two P6's before, another part of me knows I just don't need it. Also, really, the other fly in the ointment is the Rolls. I really really want the Rolls on the road, the Rover beer token would pay to get the Rolls done. If I did the Rolls myself, it needs about £1k, no bother, but I'm short of time what with toddler Huntsman and all 31ft of proper Huntsman, boating season round the corner, and, who needs a P6 and a Rolls?
My mental illness manifests itself as stupid car buying.
Edited by Huntsman on Sunday 19th February 21:29
Escort3500 said:
Mr Tidy said:
Hunstman, it isn't mental illness it is Man Maths at its best!
Exactly. It's a fact that you can never have too many cars 
I got to 9 cars and 3 boats before she said anything.
Anyway, the Manta thread is eating away at me....
So, I bought a P6, it didn't last long, relocation to Isle of Wight loomed, had to have a clear out and the P6 went in favour of a van to help with the move. In fact, I sold all cars and Lambrettas except the Rolls.
Result is that I 'need' a car again....
Classic. 4 seat. Suitable to do auto tests. Love to do JOG type events with my boy one day. Goodwood members sprint.
SAAB 96 - like this idea.
Gilbern Genie or GT - only concern here is hidden chassis rust.
Scimitar SE4 - like the styling
Volvo Amazon - think this is the favoured option but feels terribly sensible.
Citroen DS - auto tests? wobbling about?
Jaguar MK2 - Daimler with manual box if I could find one.
Rover P6 - not again, no good to auto test? Too cumbersome?
Jaguar XJ6 - not sporting enough
Jaguar S type or 420 -
MG Magnette - maybe?
Opel Manta - nice!
Result is that I 'need' a car again....
Classic. 4 seat. Suitable to do auto tests. Love to do JOG type events with my boy one day. Goodwood members sprint.
SAAB 96 - like this idea.
Gilbern Genie or GT - only concern here is hidden chassis rust.
Scimitar SE4 - like the styling
Volvo Amazon - think this is the favoured option but feels terribly sensible.
Citroen DS - auto tests? wobbling about?
Jaguar MK2 - Daimler with manual box if I could find one.
Rover P6 - not again, no good to auto test? Too cumbersome?
Jaguar XJ6 - not sporting enough
Jaguar S type or 420 -
MG Magnette - maybe?
Opel Manta - nice!
aeropilot said:
Aahhh......didn't spot the Amazon on the list.
Being rwd, and as much as I like Saab 96's, I'd also go for the Amazon as well....especially if a two door could be found. There was a guy on here a while back that bought a rare 122S and sold it as pre-war was more his thing and he just didn't gel with it.
No prob with doing autotests, rallies, sprints and anything like that with an Amazon either
It was Crankedup that had the Amazon?Being rwd, and as much as I like Saab 96's, I'd also go for the Amazon as well....especially if a two door could be found. There was a guy on here a while back that bought a rare 122S and sold it as pre-war was more his thing and he just didn't gel with it.
No prob with doing autotests, rallies, sprints and anything like that with an Amazon either
Yes, its true, I regretted not buying one last time, but where have they all gone? With little one a 4 door would be better.
Horsetan said:
BMW 635CSi (May '82 onwards)?
Might I also respectfully suggest two or three left-field saloons?
VW K70L or K70LS (if you can find one; there were only 800 RHD cars brought to the UK 1971-75)
NSU Ro80
Citroen CX. Series 1 (chrome bumpers) is purer; Series 2 (plastic bumpers) had somewhat better rustproofing.
BMW too new. I have a long history with E28's so kind of been there.Might I also respectfully suggest two or three left-field saloons?
VW K70L or K70LS (if you can find one; there were only 800 RHD cars brought to the UK 1971-75)
NSU Ro80
Citroen CX. Series 1 (chrome bumpers) is purer; Series 2 (plastic bumpers) had somewhat better rustproofing.
VW K70 - wow, that is left field, I'll have a look.
RO80 - bit of a risk with the engine?
Citroen - too new for my tastes.
Edited by Huntsman on Monday 27th November 11:32
mph said:
Did you enjoy the Rover P6 ? They're currently on my shortlist for an "everyday" classic saloon.
I've had 3 P6's. Four pot 2000TC manual was quick but hard work. 3500 auto with PAS was just fabulous. 3500S with a 5speed SD1 box was a lot quicker than I expected, bloody shifted!Perfectly useable everyday.
838HNK said:
No chassis rot on this Genie - turned it over and checked ..
I'd like something a little more ready to run...aeropilot said:
Autotesting a DS could be an interesting exercise....
Mind, you that goes for everything else on that list apart from the Saab, Volvo & Gilbern (and possibly the Scimitar)
Exactly, I'd love a DS, wanted one for years, but no good for Autotesting.Mind, you that goes for everything else on that list apart from the Saab, Volvo & Gilbern (and possibly the Scimitar)
I think an Amazon is where its at.
v8250 said:
I bought a 2 door Coupe with webasto earlier this year, a car that had only been driven to/from the MOT station for the past nine years.
Have been slowly fixing all the little faults of a little used old car...brakes, back end, fuel lines, dropped in a new 4speed O/D 'box, stainless steel exhaust, new 20mm lowered suspension, a few new poly bushes et al...it's a standard B18 with single Zenith, a Princely 75bhp and top speed of 79mph, but, this old girl has brought more smiles per mile than many a car I've owned, past and present.
and have recently bought and rebuilt these lovelies within matching inlet and exhaust manifolds that I'll install between Christmas and The New Year
Anyway, purpose of message is that an Amazon is one of the very best kept secrets in the classic car world...they're brilliantly stylish, genuinely tough as old boots and have the most wonderful finger tip driving style. As per Faust, above, do join the forum as the knowledge base is tremendous and the guys/girls are uber enthusiastic for the model. Good luck 'Hunting'
Was that from M and M Automotive? I enquired about one very similar today that appeared on a web search, but its sold.Have been slowly fixing all the little faults of a little used old car...brakes, back end, fuel lines, dropped in a new 4speed O/D 'box, stainless steel exhaust, new 20mm lowered suspension, a few new poly bushes et al...it's a standard B18 with single Zenith, a Princely 75bhp and top speed of 79mph, but, this old girl has brought more smiles per mile than many a car I've owned, past and present.
and have recently bought and rebuilt these lovelies within matching inlet and exhaust manifolds that I'll install between Christmas and The New Year
Anyway, purpose of message is that an Amazon is one of the very best kept secrets in the classic car world...they're brilliantly stylish, genuinely tough as old boots and have the most wonderful finger tip driving style. As per Faust, above, do join the forum as the knowledge base is tremendous and the guys/girls are uber enthusiastic for the model. Good luck 'Hunting'
Not sure it would suit tests or endurance rallies, but I would find the estate handy.
So here is my thought process.
Amazon makes sense. Lots of good reasons, sensible 4 pot engine, simple, spares availability good. Would make sense to spend less on a saloon, see how I get on, if all is good, then switch to an estate.
The left field choices....
The Scimitar SE4 has the advantage that lifting the body off the chassis is easier if welding ever needed, but the straight ones probly not so good on engine parts availability.
The Gilbern and Peerless, harder to find, both hide many chassis tubes with grp and both suffer rot, its hard to know in both cases how good the chassis is which presents a risk. (Been there with a Gordon Keeble)
Amazon makes sense. Lots of good reasons, sensible 4 pot engine, simple, spares availability good. Would make sense to spend less on a saloon, see how I get on, if all is good, then switch to an estate.
The left field choices....
The Scimitar SE4 has the advantage that lifting the body off the chassis is easier if welding ever needed, but the straight ones probly not so good on engine parts availability.
The Gilbern and Peerless, harder to find, both hide many chassis tubes with grp and both suffer rot, its hard to know in both cases how good the chassis is which presents a risk. (Been there with a Gordon Keeble)
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