What £30k classic convertible?

[Harry Flashman]

Right chaps. In my constantly evolving car needs, the Morgan Aero is becoming somewhat redundant. A very quick Caterham sees to my needs on track and Sunday morning blasts, and frankly the Mog is getting used less and less. Thus replacing it with a Ferrari or similar (last year's plan - I ended up buying a tricked-up Defender instead - no, I don't know why either) is not really what I am after. What I am after is something that replicates the Morgan's specialness. This is really about the noise, and the way it looks/feels. The Caterham has it absolutely licked on any dynamics whatsoever.

Also, as this is now genuinely going to be an occasional/summer only car, I would not mind the running costs of a classic convertible. Cheap insurance, and something to tinker with. I have secure underground parking, so no worries about outdoor storage etc.

I have had an MGB convertible before, and loved it - but I'd like something a few classes up, preferably with a nice V8 or decent sounding 6. Not a Triumph Stag (not exotic enough), TR6. The days of £30k Healey 3000s and E-Types are long gone. I would prefer a convertible, but a coupe will do if it is a real looker. Parts availability needs to be decent, rather than made-to-order nightmare (I have had enougg of that with the 2 Morgans, to be quite honest).

Prefer 60's/70's to 80's 90s. Thought about a Griff Special Edition,but running costs weren't sufficiently different to the Aero to make it worth changing - I'd just wish I still had the Aero. No, I'm after something a bit older...

All suggestions gratefully received.

Edited by Harry Flashman on Thursday 29th August 16:24

[Harry Flashman]

Oh my lord. Is the £30k E-Type 2+2 just inviting disaster? Ugliest of the Es, but still a lovely thing to my eyes...

Had no idea £30k got you into one.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...

[GadgeS3C]

TR5?

[Voguely]

Late 60s or 70s Corvette? 30k will get you a very nice one.

Loud as thunder (esp through side pipes) and certainly look special! Parts and maintenance are reasonable, as is insurance.

[kambites]

I looked at e-types a number of years ago and rust seems to be by far the biggest enemy.

[iva cosworth]

You mentioned Ferrari.

Is £30K enough for a 355 spyder ?

Or a 360 spyder ?

[iva cosworth]

Re read the OP,probably not classic enough...

[kambites]

If you shop around you might get a 308GTS for 30k; that's just about "70s".

[Vocal Minority]

Harry Flashman said:

Oh my lord. Is the £30k E-Type 2+2 just inviting disaster? Ugliest of the Es, but still a lovely thing to my eyes...

Had no idea £30k got you into one.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...

I take it back - I thought that looked expensive, but just looking through now and the market appears to be going absolutely bannanas.

To think my old man picked up a S1 FHC for £15k 6-7 years ago (has had about 8k spent on it to improve it) but is now a genuinely straight example.

Blimey.

Edited by Vocal Minority on Thursday 29th August 15:52

Edited by Vocal Minority on Thursday 29th August 15:53

[kambites]

Or it's only a four pot, but you'd get a lovely Lotus Elan DHC.

[kambites]

Vocal Minority said:

I take it back - I thought that looked expensive, but just looking through now and the market appears to be going absolutely bannanas.

To think my old man picked up a S1 FHC for £15k 6-7 years ago (has had about 8k spent on it to improve it) but is now a genuinely straight example.

Blimey.

I looked at E-types when I bought my Elise... they've at least doubled since then.

[The Wookie]

Would £30k get you into a decent late 60's/early 70's Mustang Fastback?

[soxboy]

How about something French or Italian, such as Peugeot 504, Citroen SM, Fiat Dino, Alfa Montreal, Maserati Merak (although I realise the bit about availability of parts is ignored).

And the fact that not all of these are convertibles.

[Gruber]

It would have to be a Pagoda Merc SL for me, at that price. A good 280 is way out of that price bracket now, but a good 230 should be manageable.

[IroningMan]

£30k goes a surprisingly short way on 60's stuff: would it get you a Pagoda-roof SL? It buys a lot of Peugeot 504, mind you.

A V12 DB7 is a nice place to be for the money, too.

[Harry Flashman]

Corvette – I just don’t like the mako shark late 60s/70’s Corvette. Too cartoonish. The earlier shape (as seen in con air) has prices going through the roof, sadly.

Ferrari 360/355. Nuts running costs – similar to the Aero 8. Nearly bought a 360 Spider last summer as a replacement for the Aero. Was not special enough to warrant leaving the Morgan, and was not a cheaper to run option either.

TR5 – not “big” enough. Too much the pocket Brit sports car, despite the looks. I’d rather have a V8 converted MGB roadster, if going that route – better looking, cheaper.

Pagoda SL is a FANTASTIC idea – no idea they were in budget?

[TinyCappo]

I will probably get told to go wash my mouth out here, but you can get a Tidy Datsun 260z for about half that! You will see a decent return on it over the next few years.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/d...

strap tripple webbers to it with some of the money you save and they are a riot!

[Dr Interceptor]

Beg and borrow another £20k, and have a Jensen Interceptor Convertible

[elephantstone]

MGA?

[Gruber]

Harry Flashman said:

Pagoda SL is a FANTASTIC idea – no idea they were in budget?

I'm not saying you'll get best of breed for £30k, but from a quick skim it looks like there are some to choose from.

The subsequent model - the R107 - is seeing quite a value rise at the moment. Not nearly as pretty as a Pagoda, but £20k should buy you a minty mint, low mileage 500 V8 version, and they're nice enough to mooch about it.