I need a Classic Barge

[Stelvio1]

I'm after a 4 and a half seat fhc classic car for summer days.

Earlier this year I had half a chance of an Espada which may have been ideal and has not totally gone away but which of the following are viable and which should be avoided? - my budget is £25k ish - I am extremely handy with the spanners, but not with bodywork.

Jensen Interceptor
Bristol 405/406/407
Alvis TD21
Lambo Espada
Jaguar Series 2

Astons seem to have gone into a separate price orbit

Or can anyone suggest possible alternatives??

Thanks

[85Carrera]

Jensen CV8 is fibreglass so as long as chassis is solid no bodywork issues

Fiat dino another option but more likely to have bodywork to be dealt with

[VetteG]

I suspect your budget is not big enough for an Espada so as the previous poster suggested go for a Jensen.

G

[graemel]

Bentley Turbo R

[slippery]

graemel said:

Bentley Turbo R

If the OP didn't want an FHC, I would be inclined to agree.

[Pickled]

V12 Xj-C/Daimler SII coupe. your budget would get an absolute minter with money left.

[tog]

Stelvio1 said:

Bristol 405/406/407

The 405 and 406 are quite different from a 407. 405 and 406 use Bristol's old 2-litre straight six (2.2 in fact in the 406), but the 407 was when Bristol moved over to the the Chrysler 5-litre V8. While the earlier cars are wonderful vehicles of the 1950s, given your other suggestions I suspect you'd be more satisfied with the extra performance of the V8. I'd also look at the later cars too, anything 407-411 and also the 603, which is much more spacious inside and refined than a 411. I drove this 603 a couple of weeks ago and it was a very impressive thing, slightly over budget but within haggle range! The same seller has a 411 in budget too.

[MrADC]

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C412363 - if you can live with LHD this should be top of the list...if you get one without any tin worm they are very strong mechanically, sound fabulous, handle brilliantly and only minor parts are a pain to source. In essense all the flair and panache of the Espada but far better looking and much less of a wallet melter!

And at a sensible price...

DC

[MrADC]

...and a full 4 seater with a decent sized boot. One of LJK Setrights favourite ever cars...if you value his opinion; as you cite a Bristol as a possible candidate you possibly do!

[85Carrera]

MrADC said:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C412363 - if you can live with LHD this should be top of the list...if you get one without any tin worm they are very strong mechanically, sound fabulous, handle brilliantly and only minor parts are a pain to source. In essense all the flair and panache of the Espada but far better looking and much less of a wallet melter!

And at a sensible price...

DC

Has to be a good investment too. I'm all for driving classic cars (had to up the limited mileage on the insurance in my TR4 in my first year of ownership despite living overseas) but as these are, for most of us, discretionary purchases I think we all like to see values increase, if only to defray the cost of ownership.

It was not much more than 10 years ago that the Ferrari Dino was not seen as a proper Ferrari and dirt cheap compared to current values. These share the same engine, have appeared on film (Italian Job, probably others too) so this is easily worth £25k of anyone's spare cash.

Provided that you use it and enjoy it, of course.

[Stelvio1]

Some super information there chaps - am warming to the CV8 suggestion - not a lot out there at the moment though - the Fiat Coupe looks a fair punt as most fhc were butchered, I recall, for their engines (what a waste) but lhd is a negative point..

The Espada option may be do-able if the current owner cuts a deal - it presently has a dead engine...body and underside is in damn good condition

[BobTurner]

What about one of the Mercedes coupes? SEb, SLC, SEC....depending on how much pace and how many creature comforts you want/ need. You'll probably get change from your budget too, especially if you go for an SLC or SEC.

[Stelvio1]

Reason for wanting a Classic Barge is for taking my grandkids out into the English countryside for an eventful and wow factor picnic - my other cars are just not suited for this....

[6750cc]

I would also be looking at something like this:

http://www.colbrookspecialists.co.uk/product_info....

Won't be the fastest or best handling option, but spacious, rare, appreciating and relatively simple mechanics.

Andy

[tog]

Stelvio1 said:

Reason for wanting a Classic Barge is for taking my grandkids out into the English countryside for an eventful and wow factor picnic - my other cars are just not suited for this....

Clearly a Bristol is what you need then - in some years gone by we've had a trophy at the concours for most stylish picnic! I don't think it was awarded this year but not sure why.

[johnfm]

There is a very cool, big black old Merc on ebay at the moment...a real 'Dictator Special'.

[S47]

Why does everyone consider merx,or BMW's, or Jags, or Audi's?
They are all OLD Repmobiles, Nuthin' stylish whatsoever about any of them
Hardly what you'd drive your grandchildren out in for a stylish summer picnic
Lambo Espada - Yes
Fiat dino - OK too
Plenty of other alternatives out there come on guys use some imagination