1960's small automatics, ideally British
Discussion
My eldest is looking to buy a car next year. She's fifteen so she naturally wants something hot and sexy, but my view is that she should get something from the sixties. This is because of simplicity, low depreciation ( and performance ! ), no Road Tax, low insurance etc. I'd like something like a A35, A40, Audtin / Morris 1100 etc. However, I really think that an auto is best for her.
Can any advise or recommend any small British autos from that period ?
Can any advise or recommend any small British autos from that period ?
larrylamb11 said:
How about a VW Beetle semi-auto? Beetles are alleged to be some of the cheapest classics for youngsters to run and loads of (cheap) parts available so running costs low. Plus lots of club support etc.
The Beetle semi-auto is a nightmare and relies on flaky microswitch etc to (servo) control the clutch. Very few survive as a result, and also because the standard Beetle manual box is one of the nicest gearchanges anywhere - and very, very robust unit, too.Why do you think she won't be able to handle a gearchange? Young people are very quick to pick things up. very adaptable, and cope with new technology much quicker than us grown-ups. Have you seen her texting? AND women can multi-task (supposedly) so a pedal and stick will be nothing to her.
The only 60`s British small auto I can think of is a Hillman Minx Easy-drive.I bet you will not find one that works?? If I remember it had electro magnets??servo`s? all funny stuff.Column change,when you put your hand on the gear lever the "clutch" operated and you selected a gear.(Something like that).
I would stick to something simple and manual like a A35 0r Morris 1000.
I would stick to something simple and manual like a A35 0r Morris 1000.
nicanary said:
Why do you think she won't be able to handle a gearchange? Young people are very quick to pick things up. very adaptable, and cope with new technology much quicker than us grown-ups. Have you seen her texting? AND women can multi-task (supposedly) so a pedal and stick will be nothing to her.
+1The_Burg said:
A bit more 'modern' but a Vanden Plas 1500? Radio 4 on wheels.
An Allegro with real leather and walnut interior with a pseudo Rolls grill.
Wonderully odd ball things, had one as a loan car must be 20 odd years ago, hilarious.
No 17 year old girl would want to be seen dead in one of those.An Allegro with real leather and walnut interior with a pseudo Rolls grill.
Wonderully odd ball things, had one as a loan car must be 20 odd years ago, hilarious.
There was Rovermatic, but those are rather rare and probably expensive or broken by now.
I thought the taxi idea would be good, with all round vision, and a relatively high driving position, thinking safety here, as most 60's cars are on a much smaller scale to todays cars, not particularly small I know but easy to drive.
I thought the taxi idea would be good, with all round vision, and a relatively high driving position, thinking safety here, as most 60's cars are on a much smaller scale to todays cars, not particularly small I know but easy to drive.
unless you have a very special reason don't buy an auto, if she learns to drive and pass her test in it then she'll be stuck with autos
if she's capable of driving a 60s car then she'll be cable of driving a manual
a Mini would surely fit the bill and it can be from the 90s for price
I hope you'll be teaching her how to do all the driver's checks on it and simple servicing
if she's capable of driving a 60s car then she'll be cable of driving a manual
a Mini would surely fit the bill and it can be from the 90s for price
I hope you'll be teaching her how to do all the driver's checks on it and simple servicing
I did a very similar thing when my son was learning to drive, I bought a very tidy Austin 1100. To be honest though it turned out to be in such great condition that I ended up buying him a Skoda Fabia because I thought it would be punished too much by him driving it (like most old cars I'd taken a bit of a shine to it).
It now resides in my garage and doesn't really get used to be honest. Remember you will not be able to insure it as a "classic" for her either. So old cars dont really work out as cheap as you think for young drivers, plus no doubt she will want power steering, a stereo that you can plug your ipod into etc etc
It now resides in my garage and doesn't really get used to be honest. Remember you will not be able to insure it as a "classic" for her either. So old cars dont really work out as cheap as you think for young drivers, plus no doubt she will want power steering, a stereo that you can plug your ipod into etc etc
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff