Ideas for a sporty(ish) classic/vintage family car
Discussion
Hi all,
Welcome to my obsession, narrowing down the field to find the ideal classic car for local trips, club rallys and the odd longer road trip that can fit 2 adults and 2 young children (currently 3 and a half years old) and 18months and a reasonable amount of luggage.
This is the question that often entertains me in the twilight zone between kids being finally asleep and my own bedtime. And the philosophical debate in which my wife wants no part whatsoever. This isn't an imminent purchase, MS Excel says it's at least 2 to 3 years away.
My hypothetical budget is between 10k and 20k and the car would ideally have (even mild) sporty pretensions, be relatively straightforward to work on with good spares availability, happy cruising at 60mph+, not too heavy on petrol and be a saloon or coupe (with accessible rear seats). Oh and nothing flash, I have no delusions of grandeur. I use my cars a lot but very seldom wash or polish them.
The current state of the nation by purchase date is a 1956 Triumph TR3 (old faithful, rough and ready), a 1993 Mini British Open (1.3spi - my wifes, a car it doesn't feel special enough for me to enjoy and soon to be sold to finance some work on the house), a 1931 Alvis 12/50 Tourer (brilliant car but should have bought a saloon for practical reasons) and an incoming 1981 Land Rover SIII 109SW (a gamble, real condition unknown).
I've been lucky enough to own a two door Range Rover Classic in the past (3 door diesel, rust free and sold for peanuts before the values sky rocketed), a volvo 245 estate (great car) and a merc W123 estate as well (rusted through, destroyed my finances) and several series Land Rovers, Citroen GSA (weird and wonderful), early Renault 5 and my first classic was a Triumph TR6 (CP Pi). The best car I had that fits the bill was a Stag with Triumph V8 and Jag auto box, it was great with the hardtop on but too much a of a cruiser and a v8 is double the complications of a 4 pot with less space to work on it.
A Triumph 2500 saloon (pi or carbs) could be an interesting choice, or a Dolly Sprint but good ones are currently hard to find within my budget and it might be already too modern for me. I've always lusted after a Jag Mk2 but 3.4 and 3.8 models are too expensive and they are probably too complex for an amateur mechanic like myself to maintain.
A Porsche 912 is way over my budget, as is an Alfa 1750. A Lancia Fulvia 1.3 coupe is beuatiful but would it be too small for family use? Going back in time a Riley Kestrel would make a great companion to the Alvis, and as we're on the subject of rival marques an MG Magnette is a practical contemporary of the TR3.
PHs, over to you...
Welcome to my obsession, narrowing down the field to find the ideal classic car for local trips, club rallys and the odd longer road trip that can fit 2 adults and 2 young children (currently 3 and a half years old) and 18months and a reasonable amount of luggage.
This is the question that often entertains me in the twilight zone between kids being finally asleep and my own bedtime. And the philosophical debate in which my wife wants no part whatsoever. This isn't an imminent purchase, MS Excel says it's at least 2 to 3 years away.
My hypothetical budget is between 10k and 20k and the car would ideally have (even mild) sporty pretensions, be relatively straightforward to work on with good spares availability, happy cruising at 60mph+, not too heavy on petrol and be a saloon or coupe (with accessible rear seats). Oh and nothing flash, I have no delusions of grandeur. I use my cars a lot but very seldom wash or polish them.
The current state of the nation by purchase date is a 1956 Triumph TR3 (old faithful, rough and ready), a 1993 Mini British Open (1.3spi - my wifes, a car it doesn't feel special enough for me to enjoy and soon to be sold to finance some work on the house), a 1931 Alvis 12/50 Tourer (brilliant car but should have bought a saloon for practical reasons) and an incoming 1981 Land Rover SIII 109SW (a gamble, real condition unknown).
I've been lucky enough to own a two door Range Rover Classic in the past (3 door diesel, rust free and sold for peanuts before the values sky rocketed), a volvo 245 estate (great car) and a merc W123 estate as well (rusted through, destroyed my finances) and several series Land Rovers, Citroen GSA (weird and wonderful), early Renault 5 and my first classic was a Triumph TR6 (CP Pi). The best car I had that fits the bill was a Stag with Triumph V8 and Jag auto box, it was great with the hardtop on but too much a of a cruiser and a v8 is double the complications of a 4 pot with less space to work on it.
A Triumph 2500 saloon (pi or carbs) could be an interesting choice, or a Dolly Sprint but good ones are currently hard to find within my budget and it might be already too modern for me. I've always lusted after a Jag Mk2 but 3.4 and 3.8 models are too expensive and they are probably too complex for an amateur mechanic like myself to maintain.
A Porsche 912 is way over my budget, as is an Alfa 1750. A Lancia Fulvia 1.3 coupe is beuatiful but would it be too small for family use? Going back in time a Riley Kestrel would make a great companion to the Alvis, and as we're on the subject of rival marques an MG Magnette is a practical contemporary of the TR3.
PHs, over to you...
Edited by Willandflo on Friday 22 March 09:59
White-Noise said:
OP, how old would it need to be a classic for you? In the past in my mind I think 20 years was booted about but given this is for your own taste (not some definition!) what sort of age would you be happy with?
Pre-mid 1970s really or at least with a design harking back to the 60s or earlier (like the Landy)Interesting that the Italian cars are the top recommendation here. A friend has a lovely Fulvia Saloon that he drove back from Italy a few years ago and he's looking to sell. It's too early for me but I've been meaning to take it for a test drive all the same
Bonus points for cars under 1.4m tall as I should be able to squeeze them under the TR when I can finally affford a 4 post lift (with drip tray of course). The closer to 1.3m (4ft3) the better!
No bmw 02 series fans?
Keep the suggestions coming!
davepen said:
Ah fantasy car collection, great game, not helped by Robin Lawton's website.
First concern is how is SWMBO going to transport kids etc, do have a modern tin car too, or is it the Landie?
Second is which clubs, which events? The 12/50 is great in that it gets you into the Inter Register events and the VSCC, which is often an invited club. Also the Register for bits and the AOC if you like to lunch.
Mine doesn't have side screens, so one has to dress for the weather. Some people fixed kid's car seats in the rear, even of A7 chummies, although many of those kids are now driving, and winning. However - SWMBO may prefer a saloon.
An Italien car seems a like a great excuse for a "Back home". Same reason, but different budget for an Alpine Ghost or Chain Gang Nash to do a raid.
There is a tendancy to collect cars, have one for each purpose, and end up with a gargae full of broken cars. Perhaps those who just have one car that does everything are more sensible, so sell everything and increase the budget...? How much is an Alvis Speed 20 Saloon, although that can mean bigger bills to repair anything.
I see someone mentioned a XJ6, I learned to drive in Mum's MkII Jag, which appear to suit all budgets - caveat emptor there's a reason the Sweeney trashed them in the 70's - they were rotten.
Dave gets it! I find it interesting to play fantasy garage by use. We both have modern cars for the daily grind so practicality is not a prerequisite.First concern is how is SWMBO going to transport kids etc, do have a modern tin car too, or is it the Landie?
Second is which clubs, which events? The 12/50 is great in that it gets you into the Inter Register events and the VSCC, which is often an invited club. Also the Register for bits and the AOC if you like to lunch.
Mine doesn't have side screens, so one has to dress for the weather. Some people fixed kid's car seats in the rear, even of A7 chummies, although many of those kids are now driving, and winning. However - SWMBO may prefer a saloon.
An Italien car seems a like a great excuse for a "Back home". Same reason, but different budget for an Alpine Ghost or Chain Gang Nash to do a raid.
There is a tendancy to collect cars, have one for each purpose, and end up with a gargae full of broken cars. Perhaps those who just have one car that does everything are more sensible, so sell everything and increase the budget...? How much is an Alvis Speed 20 Saloon, although that can mean bigger bills to repair anything.
I see someone mentioned a XJ6, I learned to drive in Mum's MkII Jag, which appear to suit all budgets - caveat emptor there's a reason the Sweeney trashed them in the 70's - they were rotten.
I live in France and the prewar car scene is not nearly as accesible or eventful as in the UK. Most of my driving is just getting from A to B but in a fun car. Static car meets aren't really my thing and I've very rarely done a club rally but hope to do more when the kids are a bit bigger if they enjoy it.
The Stag was my effort at compromise but it isn't fun for the rear passengers top down above 30mph so I decided to sell it and buy the Alvis instead. The 12/50 is still hellish for captive rear passengers at speed but great for a short slow jaunt to the beach or next town in warmer weather.
I can't post photos or links yet as I'm a PH baby but will do so as soon as my permissions are granted.
The Elan +2 is a great shout. Lightweight, elegant and lowslung. Just what I'm looking for. Thanks!
I really need a couple of extra parking spaces and a couple of extra bank accounts. A Riley Kestrel with 6 Light body really speaks to me but I think they're out of my league.
davepen said:
Mine has an Auster Screen, which helps. My Brother-in-Law has a VdP Speed 20 tourer, where the windscreen folds down for added effect. But handy for Angolueme or Le Mans.
I've got an Auster as well but the wife feels like she's trapped in a glass box with it up so it's a no go.No more carnet or restrictions for cars on classic plates here now thankfully, that ended years ago.
soxboy said:
Et voila
Thanks. We had a couple of 504 estates when I was a kid and we lived in the uk. One of them followed us over to France and survived another few years before being taken away for scrap but happily was found driving around Morocco years later.I just showed a picture of a lotus elan to swmbo: "is that a toy car?" and then a 30s Riley saloon : "I don't like it". She likes the Landy, when asked about the Alvis she replied : "bof".
I've been in the garage changing a leaky wheel cylinder on the TR as well as a weeping clutch master cylinder. It is so easy to work on, I love it.
Wahey, I can post photos and links!
My old land rover dormobile, the car I regret selling the most.
Another ex, a beautiful Stag
Recently gone to a new home, volvo 245 with roof tent!
The current crop with just enough space to squeeze in the landy
And I have to finish rebuilding the back brakes before tomorrow.
My old land rover dormobile, the car I regret selling the most.
Another ex, a beautiful Stag
Recently gone to a new home, volvo 245 with roof tent!
The current crop with just enough space to squeeze in the landy
And I have to finish rebuilding the back brakes before tomorrow.
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