What 30+yr car for charity event?

[PomBstard]

A few of us are looking at entering a local charity drive next year - 7 days on mostly dirt roads through NSW.

We’ll need a car which is big and comfy, as well as rugged with a bit of torque and we’d like the not necessarily obvious choice.

Oh, and must be at least 30 years old.

Local Holden and Ford contenders are already going up in price, much as European Fords are, so they’re mainly out. And we’re looking at other barges.

One of the best contenders is a W126 280/300SE/SEL. Are these really as rugged as internet lore maintains? What else would you consider? A V8 would be nice but reckon the six might be a bit easier on the maintenance.

We won’t be that far from civilisation that a Landcruiser is the only option, but don’t really want to get something known for water/dirt/bump problems.

This is the event we’re looking at…

https://www.variety.org.au/bash/events/variety-nsw...

[Keep it stiff]

How about an XJ6?

https://www.justcars.com.au/cars-for-sale/1978-jag...

[Old Merc]

Old Peugeot 505 estates are as tough as old boots, and the 505 Dangel 4x4 is just bullet proof. If you find one of these it will drive up the side of a mountain.


I think Peugeot`s are pretty popular down under. Try here https://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/index.php?forums...

Edited by Old Merc on Sunday 28th August 17:51

[Om]

Landcrab/Austin 1800? Assuming they are affordable?

[PomBstard]

Thanks for the suggestions…

XJ6 is a thought - looks cool, not sure how well it would go on dirt roads as it sits quite low - would need to adjust the suspension on whatever car anyway. Would you take one on several 100km of unsealed roads…??

Landcrab - don’t see many - I think I’ve seen 2 in 20 years…

505 is a good shout, and I’m familiar with Aussie Frogs, again just finding one.

So, no one so far prepared to back up the usual PH claim of old Mercs being indestructible?

[Rozzers]

Are Volvo’s affordable in your part of the world?

Used an 850 Estate in a European charity run a while back, wasn’t trouble free, but was readily repairable and robust. A friend bought it and used it for two years as a ‘truck’ to build his house, having removed all but the drivers seat and installed a heavy duty roof rack.

[PositronicRay]

PomBstard said:

So, no one so far prepared to back up the usual PH claim of old Mercs being indestructible?

I had an SL R129, despite the ground clearance it coped ok on UK farm tracks. It use to eat top mounts though.

[Old Merc]

PositronicRay said:

PomBstard said:

So, no one so far prepared to back up the usual PH claim of old Mercs being indestructible?

I had an SL R129, despite the ground clearance it coped ok on UK farm tracks. It use to eat top mounts though.

Of course I’m indestructible.

I own a R129 but I would not want to use it on dirt roads.
The old saloons are much better. Years ago I had a 1990 260E, nothing ever went wrong with it.

[PositronicRay]

Old Merc said:

Of course I’m indestructible.

I own a R129 but I would not want to use it on dirt roads.

Less than ideal, needs must.

[OutInTheShed]

Any tatty Rolls Royces about?

Might as well fail in style....

[Europa Jon]

An old Mitsi Shogun?

[Penguinracer]

Range Rover Classic...

[PomBstard]

Penguinracer said:

Range Rover Classic...

With its famed reliability…

As an update we’re thinking we might get one of the cars that have already been prepped and used in previous events - perhaps this one…

https://www.variety.org.au/bash/cars/car-max-limo/

Also chatting to someone on the weekend who has done a couple of these - better described as 8 days of debauchery masquerading as a charity event that raises a stload of money. Could be fun!

Edited by PomBstard on Thursday 15th September 23:23