Project Car Ideas?
Discussion
Hi all, first post on PH so be gentle with me :P
Im getting to the point where overhauling engines isnt realy satisfying me as much as it used to.
I was wondering what would be the best project car to get concidering im not a mechanic and everything i know is pretty much self taught, so basicly as basic as possible without being stoneage pedal cars :P
Thanks all!!
Im getting to the point where overhauling engines isnt realy satisfying me as much as it used to.
I was wondering what would be the best project car to get concidering im not a mechanic and everything i know is pretty much self taught, so basicly as basic as possible without being stoneage pedal cars :P
Thanks all!!
Just pick a car that you like and that you can find parts for BEFORE you start. I'm doing a 1989 mr2 and there are tonnes of forums dedicated to it so I have loads of knowledge and help at my disposal.
Things like MG B/BGT, Migit have tonnes and tonnes of spares around, maybe a little cult classic like a 60's VW. It all depends on budget and whatyou want from it. If you plan to make a profit then I'd pretty much forget about it I don't really think it can be done on your own.
Pick a car you like. Find if there is parts and guides easy to find. Find a car. Buy. Enjoy
Liam
Things like MG B/BGT, Migit have tonnes and tonnes of spares around, maybe a little cult classic like a 60's VW. It all depends on budget and whatyou want from it. If you plan to make a profit then I'd pretty much forget about it I don't really think it can be done on your own.
Pick a car you like. Find if there is parts and guides easy to find. Find a car. Buy. Enjoy
Liam
There are a few key components to working on a project car.
Welding
Painting
Mechanical
Electrical
If you can do all of the above then the world is your oyster. However, most of us don't have all skills together. Some of us are excelent mechanics but can't weld, others are great at welding but know nothing about electrics.
To get the best satisfaction you need to choose your project according to what you're good at.
If you can't paint and don't have a spare 3k handy for a professional paint job then don't choose a car that needs exterior body welding or paintwork. Maybe get something newer and less exciting to save yourself the bother of having to deal with paint and welding work.
Decide if you want to restore a car or if you want to track it and go fast.
Choose your project wisely and you'll enjoy it. Choose badly and it will ruin your life.
Welding
Painting
Mechanical
Electrical
If you can do all of the above then the world is your oyster. However, most of us don't have all skills together. Some of us are excelent mechanics but can't weld, others are great at welding but know nothing about electrics.
To get the best satisfaction you need to choose your project according to what you're good at.
If you can't paint and don't have a spare 3k handy for a professional paint job then don't choose a car that needs exterior body welding or paintwork. Maybe get something newer and less exciting to save yourself the bother of having to deal with paint and welding work.
Decide if you want to restore a car or if you want to track it and go fast.
Choose your project wisely and you'll enjoy it. Choose badly and it will ruin your life.
laam999 said:
Just pick a car that you like and that you can find parts for BEFORE you start. I'm doing a 1989 mr2 and there are tonnes of forums dedicated to it so I have loads of knowledge and help at my disposal.
Things like MG B/BGT, Migit have tonnes and tonnes of spares around, maybe a little cult classic like a 60's VW. It all depends on budget and whatyou want from it. If you plan to make a profit then I'd pretty much forget about it I don't really think it can be done on your own.
Pick a car you like. Find if there is parts and guides easy to find. Find a car. Buy. Enjoy
Liam
Thanks for the adivce i must admit i have always had a thing for MR2's since i first saw one.Things like MG B/BGT, Migit have tonnes and tonnes of spares around, maybe a little cult classic like a 60's VW. It all depends on budget and whatyou want from it. If you plan to make a profit then I'd pretty much forget about it I don't really think it can be done on your own.
Pick a car you like. Find if there is parts and guides easy to find. Find a car. Buy. Enjoy
Liam
No i know profit from restoring/project cars is extreamly rare unless its a mint job on a rare/classic care, it just for a general tinker to be fair.
thank you again
ejenner said:
There are a few key components to working on a project car.
Welding
Painting
Mechanical
Electrical
If you can do all of the above then the world is your oyster. However, most of us don't have all skills together. Some of us are excelent mechanics but can't weld, others are great at welding but know nothing about electrics.
To get the best satisfaction you need to choose your project according to what you're good at.
If you can't paint and don't have a spare 3k handy for a professional paint job then don't choose a car that needs exterior body welding or paintwork. Maybe get something newer and less exciting to save yourself the bother of having to deal with paint and welding work.
Decide if you want to restore a car or if you want to track it and go fast.
Choose your project wisely and you'll enjoy it. Choose badly and it will ruin your life.
Luckily my dad is an old mechanic so he knows alot about car electrics that i dont know, i have my welding certs and i am a mechanical engineer (i know its not the same as a mechanic but its close in some respects) as for painting i do see a setback there as i didnt realise how much a pro job would be.Welding
Painting
Mechanical
Electrical
If you can do all of the above then the world is your oyster. However, most of us don't have all skills together. Some of us are excelent mechanics but can't weld, others are great at welding but know nothing about electrics.
To get the best satisfaction you need to choose your project according to what you're good at.
If you can't paint and don't have a spare 3k handy for a professional paint job then don't choose a car that needs exterior body welding or paintwork. Maybe get something newer and less exciting to save yourself the bother of having to deal with paint and welding work.
Decide if you want to restore a car or if you want to track it and go fast.
Choose your project wisely and you'll enjoy it. Choose badly and it will ruin your life.
Thanks for the advice mate
i dont suppose anyone knows the laws on takeing a car that techicaly dosent belong to anyone?
its been in a barn next to my house for atleast 12 years and the origional owner died and noone is claiming it, take it i cant just sneek round and nab it? :P
I'll through in a few car suggestions, but an idea of budget, era, purpose and what you like and dislike would be helpful as would more of an idea of your skills.
My suggestions include: Land Rover Series 2, 2a and 3, Morris Minor, MG Midget, MG B, MG Metro, Mini (Morris, Austin or Rover), an early MX-5, mk 1 MR 2, A kit car, a BMW E30 project, Austin A35, and Hillman Imp.
My suggestions include: Land Rover Series 2, 2a and 3, Morris Minor, MG Midget, MG B, MG Metro, Mini (Morris, Austin or Rover), an early MX-5, mk 1 MR 2, A kit car, a BMW E30 project, Austin A35, and Hillman Imp.
PH lurker said:
I'll through in a few car suggestions, but an idea of budget, era, purpose and what you like and dislike would be helpful as would more of an idea of your skills.
My suggestions include: Land Rover Series 2, 2a and 3, Morris Minor, MG Midget, MG B, MG Metro, Mini (Morris, Austin or Rover), an early MX-5, mk 1 MR 2, A kit car, a BMW E30 project, Austin A35, and Hillman Imp.
Budget and era hadnt realy thought about yet, probably only upto about 1-2k as im only 19 and insurance on my current car is still fisting me hard!My suggestions include: Land Rover Series 2, 2a and 3, Morris Minor, MG Midget, MG B, MG Metro, Mini (Morris, Austin or Rover), an early MX-5, mk 1 MR 2, A kit car, a BMW E30 project, Austin A35, and Hillman Imp.
Purpose is i need a hobby and i have always had an interest in cars but never been able to properly get stuck in, helped rebuild a couple of 1.25 ford fiesta engines wich got my taste back, then i saw PH and wanted to get an old project car to get knowledge up. There is no point in me going and getting an ultra modern car that costs a bomb if i need to start at the bottom and build up my confidence and skill is there?
Like and dislike, Jap cars :P but what 19 year old speed monkey dosent?! recently saw a few Morgans on one of there club days and fell in love with the "chitty chitty bang bang" look. I'm not realy too fussy as its my first one beggers cant be choosers right?
Skills include full Aerospace Engineering Apprenticeship (General Milling/Turning, scraping, hand fitting, basics in Mig/Tig and MMA welding, built my own sand/soda blasting tank, unfortunatly electics is my downside) not sure if thats what you ment when you said skills :P
Hope i havent waffled on too much there and thanks for taking interest
The car with no owner is an automatic mini not sure on wich spec though, amazingly doors unlocked but no key (coins found inside the car show dates leading upto 1994, i should have been a CSI :P )anyone know the laws on removing it? its in reasonable condition as its been covered from rain as its in a barn but unfortunatly she looks like a pidgeons toilet 
you can pick up a mint mk1 mr2 within uoir budget, I got mine for £250 and so far including casr and delivery I have spend £600 (new wings, windscreen, alternator, clutch, floors, bumper beam.
try imoc or mk1mr2 websites for sales, youcan pick them up REALLY cheap and I'm really enjoying working on mine
I would pick a car you like though if you don't like the car you'll lose interest and then never finish, I have a mate who has had a mini sitting in a garage for 2 years and one who has had a MG migit since he was like 9 and it's been left to rot since (his dad figured he's like to sdo it when he was older, he didn't)
Once you have a car you like finding one in repairable condition and withion budget should be fine.
Good luck and let us know what you pick
Liam
edit: I also love morgans and the cheapest I have found one is £11k needing full restoration, I wouldn't waste anytime on that field
Also just to letyouknow how easy mr2 can be to work on, I have no mechanical skill, never welded before, I had changed a tyre.... once and I never even played with mechano when Iwas a kid (too complex lego all the way) and so far I have only needed help for someone to point out my starter motor (I had no idea what it looked like) and I was right about what I thought was. The car now has a fully rebuilt front, floors are being worked on, new clutch new alternator and after clutch getting a full brake service, it runs fine, justdoesnt stop very well :/
try imoc or mk1mr2 websites for sales, youcan pick them up REALLY cheap and I'm really enjoying working on mine
I would pick a car you like though if you don't like the car you'll lose interest and then never finish, I have a mate who has had a mini sitting in a garage for 2 years and one who has had a MG migit since he was like 9 and it's been left to rot since (his dad figured he's like to sdo it when he was older, he didn't)
Once you have a car you like finding one in repairable condition and withion budget should be fine.
Good luck and let us know what you pick
Liam
edit: I also love morgans and the cheapest I have found one is £11k needing full restoration, I wouldn't waste anytime on that field
Also just to letyouknow how easy mr2 can be to work on, I have no mechanical skill, never welded before, I had changed a tyre.... once and I never even played with mechano when Iwas a kid (too complex lego all the way) and so far I have only needed help for someone to point out my starter motor (I had no idea what it looked like) and I was right about what I thought was. The car now has a fully rebuilt front, floors are being worked on, new clutch new alternator and after clutch getting a full brake service, it runs fine, justdoesnt stop very well :/
Edited by laam999 on Saturday 4th June 17:02
laam999 said:
you can pick up a mint mk1 mr2 within uoir budget, I got mine for £250 and so far including casr and delivery I have spend £600 (new wings, windscreen, alternator, clutch, floors, bumper beam.
try imoc or mk1mr2 websites for sales, youcan pick them up REALLY cheap and I'm really enjoying working on mine
I would pick a car you like though if you don't like the car you'll lose interest and then never finish, I have a mate who has had a mini sitting in a garage for 2 years and one who has had a MG migit since he was like 9 and it's been left to rot since (his dad figured he's like to sdo it when he was older, he didn't)
Once you have a car you like finding one in repairable condition and withion budget should be fine.
Good luck and let us know what you pick
Liam
£600!!! :O Thats what i call a steal! thanks for your support and advice liam! it will be probably later in the summer as i have my degree course to finnish yet so il go on the hunt soon and see what deals i can get. Thanks again!try imoc or mk1mr2 websites for sales, youcan pick them up REALLY cheap and I'm really enjoying working on mine
I would pick a car you like though if you don't like the car you'll lose interest and then never finish, I have a mate who has had a mini sitting in a garage for 2 years and one who has had a MG migit since he was like 9 and it's been left to rot since (his dad figured he's like to sdo it when he was older, he didn't)
Once you have a car you like finding one in repairable condition and withion budget should be fine.
Good luck and let us know what you pick
Liam
Another vote for an old Landy
Or perhaps something like a mk3/4 Escort XR3/i or even a mk2 Fiesta XR2 that needs a bit of work to be available for a cheap price. I mention the 2 fords above mainly because they are at the point now where they are increasing in value due to depleating numbers
Or perhaps something like a mk3/4 Escort XR3/i or even a mk2 Fiesta XR2 that needs a bit of work to be available for a cheap price. I mention the 2 fords above mainly because they are at the point now where they are increasing in value due to depleating numbers
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