Advice on a owning a piece of Motoring History
Advice on a owning a piece of Motoring History
Author
Discussion

Gargamel

Original Poster:

16,297 posts

288 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all

Right as there is moaning about a lack of car threads - here is a question for the collective

I am looking to buy a Car that must represent motoring history, the budget goes to £30k. A open top or convertible is preferred - strictly sunny Weather - though if it tracks well thats all good.

Need be reliable, or even cheap to maintain as long as it will hold a reasonable value.

Example - Aston Martin DB2 mark 3

Looking for some sort of wow factor

Spoonman

1,085 posts

288 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
How 'bout an AC Ace? You'd get a nice, useable one for that money.

Or what about an E-type 3.8 or XK120/150. Oh hang on, you said reliable...

Gargamel

Original Poster:

16,297 posts

288 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
Oops that should have read needn't be reliable

Ie doesn't have to start on the button every day
but I guess mechanical quality is required

iguana

7,328 posts

287 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
Pre '74 (ie non impact bumper) 911 targa. You could get a sweet 2.2 or 2.4 T or E for that cash although for RHD the 2.4S is getting rather stupidly expensive- worth the extra tho

Had great fun in a '72 Targa with a 2.7RS engine in. Only worth £20k ish and obiously not as firm as a coupe but a great giggle none the less and 210bhp in under 1000kg still is pretty nippy.

Chris_N

1,232 posts

285 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
How about a Pagoda roof Merc 280SL?

Stylish, practical, reliable, able to hold its own in modern traffic, rock solid residuals. Depends what you mean by history - but even a bit of rallying success IIRC.

And before you ask, no I'm not trying to sell one!

Chris

ultimapaul

3,949 posts

291 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all


Right as there is moaning about a lack of car threads - here is a question for the collective

I am looking to buy a Car that must represent motoring history, the budget goes to £30k. A open top or convertible is preferred - strictly sunny Weather - though if it tracks well thats all good.

Need be reliable, or even cheap to maintain as long as it will hold a reasonable value.

Example - Aston Martin DB2 mark 3

Looking for some sort of wow factor




You ask all the easy questions don't you!

Slightly off the wall, but what about .......

Merc SL?
911 Cabriolet?
Cosworth RS500?
Mini?
Model T?
Dino?
Countach?

trackdemon

13,390 posts

288 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
Ferrari 308. No question. Proper useable car, proven mechanicals (watch out for rust though)... £30k should by a very nice one. Ideally a '77 Fibreglass Carb model...

joospeed

4,473 posts

305 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
AC3000ME Turbo.

mannginger

10,228 posts

284 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
Slightly over budget - but just look at it! I want this car!!

www.racecarsdirect.com/cars/details.asp?id=4130&cat=0

deltaf

1,384 posts

284 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
How bout a nice Sport Quattro?
If your really lucky you might even be able to find a convertible done by Treser, now that would be rare!
Downsides to the trese one, is its ugly as sin.

chrisx666

808 posts

288 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
ZR1 Corvette? 405HP Lotus-designed 32v V8, holder of the world speed endurance record for many years (24 Hours Endurance @ 175.885 MPH for 4,221.256 Miles).
Probably better known in the states but available in the UK for 20-30K.

Bodo

12,557 posts

293 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
Jaguar E-Type S1 3.8 DHC or XK range
Porsche 356 Cabriolet
Mercedes Benz 280SE Cabriolet (W111)
Aston Martin V8 Volante 30k?
Fiat Dino 2.4 Spyder
MG TC

Bodo

12,557 posts

293 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
Or this one, the dog's gonads of French motoring history weird, but interesting!

Simonelite501

1,440 posts

295 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
Ultimapaul said, Countach. Totally agree, motoring history at its best., but £30,000 may not quite be enough.
Trackdemon said, Ferarri 308. Again, another fine choice but for £30,000 Hamilton cars have what appears to be a mint 328GTB which to my mind would be a better bet.

littlegearl

3,139 posts

284 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all
i saw for sale about 2 months ago Relaint Scimitar #4

so thats the 4th one ever built, it used to be owned by the factory, probably a press car or something - that would mean it has motoring history!!!

it was only £800 if i remeber correctly, but not in A1 conditions, but that still leaves you £29,200 to get it running top notch!

gnomesmith

2,458 posts

303 months

Monday 20th January 2003
quotequote all

Spoonman said: How 'bout an AC Ace? You'd get a nice, useable one for that money.

Or what about an E-type 3.8 or XK120/150. Oh hang on, you said reliable...


Last Ace Bristol I looked at was around £50K, I've seen them for much more but not much less.

No reason why any of the Jags should be unreliable unless they've been serviced by an idiot.

Gargamel

Original Poster:

16,297 posts

288 months

Tuesday 21st January 2003
quotequote all
This is a joint purchase with me old man, I am thinking he is looking for british cars probably
I'd prefer the rari natch - but ....

I know he has looked at Rover coupes from the 50's as well and the cheaper tr3 tr4 types - but I am thinking sixties supercar - what do Muira's go for
or a ghibli ?

willdew

2,138 posts

291 months

Tuesday 21st January 2003
quotequote all
Easy, an Alfa SZ

http://users.skynet.be/alfaromeo/pics/alfasz.jpg

Although I recon a TVR Tuscan also fits the bill. Might not be old - but I'm sure it'll be a piece of history.

>> Edited by willdew on Tuesday 21st January 08:47

Podie

46,649 posts

302 months

Tuesday 21st January 2003
quotequote all

Gargamel said: what do Muira's go for
or a ghibli ?


Thought you wanted reliable!!!

tvrslag

1,198 posts

282 months

Tuesday 21st January 2003
quotequote all
Couple of suggestions for you and your Father.

Jensen Interceptor convertible.
Alvis TD 21 Convertible.
Austin Healy 3000 mk111.
Ford Mustang convertible (mk1).
Aston V8 convertible (vantage probably to expensive).
TVR griffith (the original one).