My next classic choices - Thoughts?
Discussion
I was at the recent NEC Classic Car Show and tried a few classics for size that might be on my next classic car radar. I thought I'd throw this out there for thoughts from the PH classic car collective.
First let me set the scene for background.
Me, age 48 long time classic car enthusiast, string of Triumphs starting me off. Mechanical Engineer by profession, and used to wielding the spanners and can tackle almost all jobs except painting. I'm originally from the UK but have lived in the US since 2004. I don't mind RHD cars over here, and I have 4 already.
Current cars are
1960 Daimler SP250, owned since 2007, good driver. Would sell to make room for the next car
1968 Triumph Herald 13/60 convertible, project, owned about 30 years, won't sell
1974 Reliant Scimitar, driver condition. Will sell
1984 Lotus Turbo Esprit, nice driver, probably will keep
1992 TVR Griffith 4.0, nice driver. Will sell
Previously owned, TR7, Vitesse, Dolomite, 2500S and XJS
Bit of a plastic theme going on at the moment.
I'm not in a rush to buy right now, but idly keeping my eyes open.
I am a sucker for the trad wood and leather British classic, and probably the left of centre/oddball British cars. Not a fast driver, not into modifying that much. Might do the odd track day. Its stiflingly hot and humid where I live for a few months in the summer making classic car driving something of an ordeal. Ethanol free petrol is available locally.
I don't buy my cars for investment, and I happily overlook shortcomings on them.
The cars on my radar that I might like some feedback on are as follows (and in no particular order)........
1) Rover P5b coupe - One of these has been on my list for many many years. I know you can get LHD versions from the continent which would be great, but how rare are LHD? Lovely old wafter that would be able to eat up the miles over here and turn heads.
2) Lotus Elan +2 - Beautiful looks, lovely looking interior. Available here in the US too. But what year/model would be recommended?
3) Gilbern Invader MK2 or preferably MK3 - Sat in one at the NEC show. Very nicely appointed, and with the Essex engine, a lovely soundtrack. Hen's teeth I expect
4) Jaguar XJ6 S1 or XJC - Just hear great things about how nicely they drive. Still a lot around over here and may be possible to find a rust free one. Are they on the cusp of not loosing your shirt if you restore one from a good base car yet?
5) Sunbeam Lotus - Put this on the reserve list simply because the interior is such a let down.
DREAM OPTION - Gordon Keeble, but these are rapidly spiraling out of my budget and would mean selling all my current cars and raiding the piggy bank I suspect.
Talking of budget, we'd be looking at up to 20-25k GBP which should get me a very nice example of all these listed or less.
Fire away
First let me set the scene for background.
Me, age 48 long time classic car enthusiast, string of Triumphs starting me off. Mechanical Engineer by profession, and used to wielding the spanners and can tackle almost all jobs except painting. I'm originally from the UK but have lived in the US since 2004. I don't mind RHD cars over here, and I have 4 already.
Current cars are
1960 Daimler SP250, owned since 2007, good driver. Would sell to make room for the next car
1968 Triumph Herald 13/60 convertible, project, owned about 30 years, won't sell
1974 Reliant Scimitar, driver condition. Will sell
1984 Lotus Turbo Esprit, nice driver, probably will keep
1992 TVR Griffith 4.0, nice driver. Will sell
Previously owned, TR7, Vitesse, Dolomite, 2500S and XJS
Bit of a plastic theme going on at the moment.
I'm not in a rush to buy right now, but idly keeping my eyes open.
I am a sucker for the trad wood and leather British classic, and probably the left of centre/oddball British cars. Not a fast driver, not into modifying that much. Might do the odd track day. Its stiflingly hot and humid where I live for a few months in the summer making classic car driving something of an ordeal. Ethanol free petrol is available locally.
I don't buy my cars for investment, and I happily overlook shortcomings on them.
The cars on my radar that I might like some feedback on are as follows (and in no particular order)........
1) Rover P5b coupe - One of these has been on my list for many many years. I know you can get LHD versions from the continent which would be great, but how rare are LHD? Lovely old wafter that would be able to eat up the miles over here and turn heads.
2) Lotus Elan +2 - Beautiful looks, lovely looking interior. Available here in the US too. But what year/model would be recommended?
3) Gilbern Invader MK2 or preferably MK3 - Sat in one at the NEC show. Very nicely appointed, and with the Essex engine, a lovely soundtrack. Hen's teeth I expect
4) Jaguar XJ6 S1 or XJC - Just hear great things about how nicely they drive. Still a lot around over here and may be possible to find a rust free one. Are they on the cusp of not loosing your shirt if you restore one from a good base car yet?
5) Sunbeam Lotus - Put this on the reserve list simply because the interior is such a let down.
DREAM OPTION - Gordon Keeble, but these are rapidly spiraling out of my budget and would mean selling all my current cars and raiding the piggy bank I suspect.
Talking of budget, we'd be looking at up to 20-25k GBP which should get me a very nice example of all these listed or less.
Fire away
P5B or XJ6 S1 would be my preferences.
No idea on LHD P5B availability though.
Funny old world, if I lived in the USA the last thing I'd want to own there would be a scabby old Brit classic
And as an ex-Sunbeam-Lotus owner, I'd be scratching it off the list for more than just any issues with the interior..!!
No idea on LHD P5B availability though.
Funny old world, if I lived in the USA the last thing I'd want to own there would be a scabby old Brit classic
And as an ex-Sunbeam-Lotus owner, I'd be scratching it off the list for more than just any issues with the interior..!!
The Surveyor said:
What you're actually after (even if you have never heard of them!) is a Peerless of Warwick GT... 
I’ve had a monthly dose of info about these things through TRAction magazine for about thirty years, and I still can’t decide whether I like them or not. They look like a 1950s Hong Kong generic toy ‘sportscar’ made real. 
I'd be keeping that!Thanks for the comments to date.
Peerless/Warwick - Yep, I know what they are. Not keen on the looks of them to be honest and I'm more of a later 60's into 70's style guy.
I have since found out that 9 LHD Gilbern Invader MK3s were made for the Dutch market, hmmm good luck finding one of those, but you never know.
Already had an Jaguar XJS, so that itch is scratched.
Jensen Interceptor - Absolutely, but I think my budget puts me in the lipstick on a pig territory or a bit of a fixer upper money pit. Quite a few around over here.
I brought the Griffith over earlier this year under the US 25 year exemption rule, but I'm not feeling the love for it.
If I keep my Herald convertible and Esprit, that covers the top down and sporting angles, leaving a slot for a wafter, so maybe the P5b coupe and XJ6 S1 are the choices. Lots of XJs over here though and I like something that stands out a bit. I must say a grandiose Jaguar 420G/MK10 catches my eye from time to time. Not so much the S-Type or 420 though.
I've really liked the Scimitar, but the build and material quality leave a bit to be desired. Possibly a prime candidate for a resto-mod, but that would be a money-pit. Thinking Nissan 350/370Z running gear and AC.
Peerless/Warwick - Yep, I know what they are. Not keen on the looks of them to be honest and I'm more of a later 60's into 70's style guy.
I have since found out that 9 LHD Gilbern Invader MK3s were made for the Dutch market, hmmm good luck finding one of those, but you never know.
Already had an Jaguar XJS, so that itch is scratched.
Jensen Interceptor - Absolutely, but I think my budget puts me in the lipstick on a pig territory or a bit of a fixer upper money pit. Quite a few around over here.
I brought the Griffith over earlier this year under the US 25 year exemption rule, but I'm not feeling the love for it.
If I keep my Herald convertible and Esprit, that covers the top down and sporting angles, leaving a slot for a wafter, so maybe the P5b coupe and XJ6 S1 are the choices. Lots of XJs over here though and I like something that stands out a bit. I must say a grandiose Jaguar 420G/MK10 catches my eye from time to time. Not so much the S-Type or 420 though.
I've really liked the Scimitar, but the build and material quality leave a bit to be desired. Possibly a prime candidate for a resto-mod, but that would be a money-pit. Thinking Nissan 350/370Z running gear and AC.
Wood and leather British classic? My first thought was Rover P5B or Jaguar XJ6 S1.
Rover P5B was not exported to the USA, but the earlier P5 was. However, P5 might feel a little underpowered.
LHD figures for Rover P5B were 402 coupés and 437 saloons. Holland was one of bigger LHD markets. LHD production fell substantially from 1970 - end of production in 1973, 152 saloons and coupés, evenly split, over three years.
LHD for P5 was 2958 MK1 & MK1As , 1,550 MK2 saloons, 483 coupés, 385 MK 3 saloons & 165 MK3 coupés. Anorak now off
LHD P5s /P5Bs occasionally come on the market in Europe, but not very often.
Jaguars are far more common (ie popular, not 'common'
) in the USA than Rovers . What about a Series 3 Jaguar , sold well in the USA . After 1982/3 quality was much better.
A couple of LHD Rovers:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/40/p5b/
Rover P5B was not exported to the USA, but the earlier P5 was. However, P5 might feel a little underpowered.
LHD figures for Rover P5B were 402 coupés and 437 saloons. Holland was one of bigger LHD markets. LHD production fell substantially from 1970 - end of production in 1973, 152 saloons and coupés, evenly split, over three years.
LHD for P5 was 2958 MK1 & MK1As , 1,550 MK2 saloons, 483 coupés, 385 MK 3 saloons & 165 MK3 coupés. Anorak now off
LHD P5s /P5Bs occasionally come on the market in Europe, but not very often.
Jaguars are far more common (ie popular, not 'common'
) in the USA than Rovers . What about a Series 3 Jaguar , sold well in the USA . After 1982/3 quality was much better.A couple of LHD Rovers:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/40/p5b/
Tonys - Wow, thanks for the stats on LHD P5b production. I asked on a Rover stand at the NEC show and got a blank look. I've seen a couple for sale in the Netherlands. One recently sold that looked excellent. Dealer was asking about 20k GBP. I would've thought 15-20k should get you a good one?
Rolls & Bentley - Yes, in moments of madness I thought owning at least one in your lifetime could be fun, but then I get cold feet at the thought of if something when wrong.
Once I sell one or two of my current cars, then the search will be on. I think it'll be the P5b coupe in LHD as choice number one.
Many thanks again for your input.
Rolls & Bentley - Yes, in moments of madness I thought owning at least one in your lifetime could be fun, but then I get cold feet at the thought of if something when wrong.
Once I sell one or two of my current cars, then the search will be on. I think it'll be the P5b coupe in LHD as choice number one.
Many thanks again for your input.
This is a very good Rover P5 /P5B forum, part of the Rover P5 club. There are several members from Holland/Germany/France etc with LHD P5Bs.
You might get some tips and pointers if you sign-up.
http://roverp5.proboards.com
You might get some tips and pointers if you sign-up.
http://roverp5.proboards.com
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