Classics that don’t rust?
Discussion
How old? I'm well into my 80s/90s stuff, and there are plenty of modern classics to be had from Japan. Not necessarily Japanese cars either, they have quite a few interesting Euro cars such as Passat W8s, Volvo V70R/850R, BMWs, and any other thing you can think of.
The Japanese modern classics are great, you can get something like a Legacy GTB for just 3-4k, and you can easily find them looking like literally new underneath. Fast Hondas are still out there, but getting rare and expensive both here and in Japan. Impreza, Evo, Skyline even?
Most Japanese imports come in very very good condition, so if you import something, get it properly rust proofed (cavity wax and stonechip, not just Barry down the local garage with waxoyl and a brush) it should be fine for many years. If you avoid using it when the roads are salty the body should last forever pretty much.
The Japanese modern classics are great, you can get something like a Legacy GTB for just 3-4k, and you can easily find them looking like literally new underneath. Fast Hondas are still out there, but getting rare and expensive both here and in Japan. Impreza, Evo, Skyline even?
Most Japanese imports come in very very good condition, so if you import something, get it properly rust proofed (cavity wax and stonechip, not just Barry down the local garage with waxoyl and a brush) it should be fine for many years. If you avoid using it when the roads are salty the body should last forever pretty much.
Jaaack said:
How old? I'm well into my 80s/90s stuff, and there are plenty of modern classics to be had from Japan. Not necessarily Japanese cars either, they have quite a few interesting Euro cars such as Passat W8s, Volvo V70R/850R, BMWs, and any other thing you can think of.
The Japanese modern classics are great, you can get something like a Legacy GTB for just 3-4k, and you can easily find them looking like literally new underneath. Fast Hondas are still out there, but getting rare and expensive both here and in Japan. Impreza, Evo, Skyline even?
Most Japanese imports come in very very good condition, so if you import something, get it properly rust proofed (cavity wax and stonechip, not just Barry down the local garage with waxoyl and a brush) it should be fine for many years. If you avoid using it when the roads are salty the body should last forever pretty much.
Yep, the critical thing with Jap. imports is to get them 'undersealed' as JDM vehicles very rarely have much if any protection from the factory - for cultural and cost reasons the average Japanese buyer doesn't buy second hand (over 3 years old you're looking at between £900 and £2,300 every 2 years for an 'MOT') so nobody has much interest in them after that.The Japanese modern classics are great, you can get something like a Legacy GTB for just 3-4k, and you can easily find them looking like literally new underneath. Fast Hondas are still out there, but getting rare and expensive both here and in Japan. Impreza, Evo, Skyline even?
Most Japanese imports come in very very good condition, so if you import something, get it properly rust proofed (cavity wax and stonechip, not just Barry down the local garage with waxoyl and a brush) it should be fine for many years. If you avoid using it when the roads are salty the body should last forever pretty much.
Lotus Excel is a good call - robust chassis and plastic body. If our bloody car policy would change I would grab that nice white one from UKSC's and use it as my company car. The later ones had a good reputation for reliability.
A 928 is a mix of galvanised and aluminium. At least while you are worrying about the flexplate, you won't worry about the bodywork
A 928 is a mix of galvanised and aluminium. At least while you are worrying about the flexplate, you won't worry about the bodywork
Edited by Castrol for a knave on Friday 15th May 17:52
Early Marcos and Moggies (Morgan). They don't rust. They rot!
And rust in the case of the Morgan as the wood (ash) was the frame, not the chassis.
A few of the Costin efforts were wood, but racing cars.
Can't think of anything else not using steel.
If you want a rare classic that really won't rust and all wood (there was one only I think?) built in 1989.
You couldn't make this up.
German designer by the name Friend Wood(!) built a car (3 wheeler) out of 'wood'.
I remember it looked out of this world.
Apparently it would do 90 mpg (gallon!).
Wood said he constructed a male mould from chipboard formers and softwood laths to the shape of the body shell.
On to this mould he stapled and glued three layers of 1.5mm mahogany veneers, The process took over 600 hours and 20,000 staples, the latter were pulled out when the glue was dry.
And rust in the case of the Morgan as the wood (ash) was the frame, not the chassis.
A few of the Costin efforts were wood, but racing cars.
Can't think of anything else not using steel.
If you want a rare classic that really won't rust and all wood (there was one only I think?) built in 1989.
You couldn't make this up.
German designer by the name Friend Wood(!) built a car (3 wheeler) out of 'wood'.
I remember it looked out of this world.
Apparently it would do 90 mpg (gallon!).
Wood said he constructed a male mould from chipboard formers and softwood laths to the shape of the body shell.
On to this mould he stapled and glued three layers of 1.5mm mahogany veneers, The process took over 600 hours and 20,000 staples, the latter were pulled out when the glue was dry.
Occasionally cars turn up which have been so meticulously maintained or restored that rust prevention has been properly addressed and the answer is possibly to buy more on condition than on the narrow selection of cars that you prefer. It's not easy as many have lovely shiny exteriors, some even have new interior trim etc but have unseen problems in the body or underside that are just waiting to erupt. It's not really down to specific makes or models but the way in which they've been preserved or restored. Unfortunately the price usually reflects condition but paying more usually pays off in the long run (always aware that there are many overpriced, shiny bodged up money pits out there)
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