My First Classic Car - Advice.
Discussion
Hello everyone,
I have a bit of a situation, and I was hoping ¬some of you could offer your advice or opinions.
I’ve been very happily running a Porsche Cayman for the past six/seven years. It’s been faultless and generally wonderful to drive. However, now I’m looking for something a little more involving and a little more special feeling.
I’ve seen that I can get a good Lancia Fulvia for around the same price as the Cayman is worth. Would I be an idiot to do this? Will the Fulvia always be in need of parts or repair? I have a FIAT Panda for the day to day stuff
The idea would be to keep it garaged up through winter and use it as a fun car in summer. I’m no mechanic, but I can do general maintenance and I know how to look after a (modern) car. For the record, I’ve never rebuilt a carburetor – nor do I really know how they work.
I really like messing around with small jobs in cars – tidying them up, cleaning them, general maintenance stuff. I could not, nor do I want to, rebuild an engine.
So would I be a fool to swap the Cayman for a Fulvia?
I have a bit of a situation, and I was hoping ¬some of you could offer your advice or opinions.
I’ve been very happily running a Porsche Cayman for the past six/seven years. It’s been faultless and generally wonderful to drive. However, now I’m looking for something a little more involving and a little more special feeling.
I’ve seen that I can get a good Lancia Fulvia for around the same price as the Cayman is worth. Would I be an idiot to do this? Will the Fulvia always be in need of parts or repair? I have a FIAT Panda for the day to day stuff
The idea would be to keep it garaged up through winter and use it as a fun car in summer. I’m no mechanic, but I can do general maintenance and I know how to look after a (modern) car. For the record, I’ve never rebuilt a carburetor – nor do I really know how they work.
I really like messing around with small jobs in cars – tidying them up, cleaning them, general maintenance stuff. I could not, nor do I want to, rebuild an engine.
So would I be a fool to swap the Cayman for a Fulvia?
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 28th October 12:18
Personally I think they are a fantastic looking car so no not foolish to swap.
I'm sure basic stuff you'll be able to do but more complex work you could entrust to a specialist just like you'd do with your present car no doubt.
There are loads for sale in Italy at reasonable price which may an idea and you can drive it back :-)
I'm sure basic stuff you'll be able to do but more complex work you could entrust to a specialist just like you'd do with your present car no doubt.
There are loads for sale in Italy at reasonable price which may an idea and you can drive it back :-)
Getting a classic is a bit like getting a dog, nice idea but need to go in eyes open with a view to how much work they really entail.
Caymans are a reliable (usually) modern car, and a Fulvia is a 40 odd year old plus Italian car, with all that comes with that.
Depends on your exposure to classics thus far, I can see the appeal but chances are it will be needy.
Even very nice looking cars of that age can be hiding a multitude of nasties, poor repairs, rust and loads needing doing so you really need to do your research and get pictures of pre restoration and stuff like that.
We have had a couple of original Fiat 500's so no stranger to old Italian stuff, had a 944 that looked very good but there was a lot of rot, that was a 1991 car so was only 23 years old when I had it.
Makes sense having a separate car, but personally I cant see how much more fun an ancient FWD Lancia with 80 hp will be compared to a modern Porsche that is regarded to be one of the best drivers cars of late ?
Caymans are a reliable (usually) modern car, and a Fulvia is a 40 odd year old plus Italian car, with all that comes with that.
Depends on your exposure to classics thus far, I can see the appeal but chances are it will be needy.
Even very nice looking cars of that age can be hiding a multitude of nasties, poor repairs, rust and loads needing doing so you really need to do your research and get pictures of pre restoration and stuff like that.
We have had a couple of original Fiat 500's so no stranger to old Italian stuff, had a 944 that looked very good but there was a lot of rot, that was a 1991 car so was only 23 years old when I had it.
Makes sense having a separate car, but personally I cant see how much more fun an ancient FWD Lancia with 80 hp will be compared to a modern Porsche that is regarded to be one of the best drivers cars of late ?
Not a fool at all, but they're very different cars. What do you generally use the Cayman for? As that can be a big deciding factor on whether a classic is more suitable. Classics generally require a bit of tinkering or a good mechanic that you know. Also to consider is that generally the older car takes a little time to go somewhere, rather than just jumping in and blasting off.
That said, if it were me, I would be swapping.
That said, if it were me, I would be swapping.
I had 2 Fulvias back in the 80's - one for spares!
Lovely little things to drive. Dual personality - treat it gently and it's an economical cruiser, but get it into the power band it becomes a howling beast (for a 1300 anyway!). The engine note is addictive when it comes on the cam, but economy will plummet.
They handle wonderfully, with lovely controlable sideways action on chocolate button tyres.
Electrics can be iffy, with poor earth's abounding.
Someone once told me that you had to strip the dashboard to change the heater matrix - I didn't believe them until I had to do it!! It's another common issue. Forget about screen demist other than the middle of the windscreen - the vent is in the centre, so don't be surprised if it has a couple of bits of tape to direct the air to the side. With the bonnet scoop for air, it gets a fair bit of pressure in there, so you can float a sponge screen cleaner mid air, using the aforementioned demist vent, adjusting it's float height by going faster or slower. I had some boring motorway journeys in those days!
We won't talk about rust. It's a Lancia. It will fall apart.
Do it. It will get under your skin and you'll remember it fondly forever.
Lovely little things to drive. Dual personality - treat it gently and it's an economical cruiser, but get it into the power band it becomes a howling beast (for a 1300 anyway!). The engine note is addictive when it comes on the cam, but economy will plummet.
They handle wonderfully, with lovely controlable sideways action on chocolate button tyres.
Electrics can be iffy, with poor earth's abounding.
Someone once told me that you had to strip the dashboard to change the heater matrix - I didn't believe them until I had to do it!! It's another common issue. Forget about screen demist other than the middle of the windscreen - the vent is in the centre, so don't be surprised if it has a couple of bits of tape to direct the air to the side. With the bonnet scoop for air, it gets a fair bit of pressure in there, so you can float a sponge screen cleaner mid air, using the aforementioned demist vent, adjusting it's float height by going faster or slower. I had some boring motorway journeys in those days!
We won't talk about rust. It's a Lancia. It will fall apart.
Do it. It will get under your skin and you'll remember it fondly forever.
It would depend if you have a specialist near by to where you live and if your can afford the ongoing maintenance costs, Porsche ownership will not be cheap so you should be ok.
The main thing will be that you want to go out in the Lancia and it will not start and you have to go in the Panda Instead, if you can live with that then you will ok.
The main thing will be that you want to go out in the Lancia and it will not start and you have to go in the Panda Instead, if you can live with that then you will ok.
Have you driven a Lancia?
I’ve got experience of older vehicles and there is a huge difference in driving experience and driving style.
Old brakes require braking to be planned more and with no electronics to assist a lock up is easy to achieve especially as the older cars are significantly lighter.
I suggest you have an extended test drive in one and if you like it then go for it but you might find you need the acceleration and braking of a modern sportscar.
I’ve got experience of older vehicles and there is a huge difference in driving experience and driving style.
Old brakes require braking to be planned more and with no electronics to assist a lock up is easy to achieve especially as the older cars are significantly lighter.
I suggest you have an extended test drive in one and if you like it then go for it but you might find you need the acceleration and braking of a modern sportscar.
Funkstar De Luxe said:
Hello everyone,
I have a bit of a situation, and I was hoping ¬some of you could offer your advice or opinions.
.............................now I’m looking for something a little more involving and a little more special feeling.......................................The idea would be to keep it
garaged up through winter and use it as a fun car in summer.
.
Depends on your budget, but for me its a TVR all day long. I have a bit of a situation, and I was hoping ¬some of you could offer your advice or opinions.
.............................now I’m looking for something a little more involving and a little more special feeling.......................................The idea would be to keep it
garaged up through winter and use it as a fun car in summer.
.
Edited by Funkstar De Luxe on Monday 28th October 12:18
I drive a V8 Chimaera and the power and noise is addictive.If you doubt me, go and drive one.............you wont regret it. Seek advice from the TVR forums on what to look for if you want to buy.
p.s click on my user name to see what feels special to me every time i drive it.
Shop about and try things out. I would ask yourself what you are wanting from a Fulvia: is it driving fun? looks? classic experience of maintaining/fixing? car shows?
I’m not long in to ownership of my first sort-of classic. Old Peugeot 104 with supposedly 72bhp from the factory... it’s quite sprightly and huge fun to drive, so what on paper might seem slow can still be fun.
I’m not long in to ownership of my first sort-of classic. Old Peugeot 104 with supposedly 72bhp from the factory... it’s quite sprightly and huge fun to drive, so what on paper might seem slow can still be fun.
Hi
I have been running ‘older’ vehicles for some time. I am not a mechanic, but will cover the basic servicing requirements. (I refuse to touch brakes, for example....)
The costs are not terrible especially if you take depreciation into account. However the rewards/ satisfaction/ pride of driving an older vehicle is great.
All my vehicles are over ten years old, the oldest being 38 year old. They have all been fine and with regular servicing/ attention have been very reliable..... and if one does breakdown I have another to keep me going....
Mike
I have been running ‘older’ vehicles for some time. I am not a mechanic, but will cover the basic servicing requirements. (I refuse to touch brakes, for example....)
The costs are not terrible especially if you take depreciation into account. However the rewards/ satisfaction/ pride of driving an older vehicle is great.
All my vehicles are over ten years old, the oldest being 38 year old. They have all been fine and with regular servicing/ attention have been very reliable..... and if one does breakdown I have another to keep me going....
Mike
I have run 60's or 70's cars since 1981. I don't have experience of lancias but have a lot of experience of "British leylands finest" which may be a bit different in experience. Back in the 80's they were just old and in regular use. things you will find if running one regularly today. If buying one now it will take some recommissioning as in my experience any classic car that is sold will have had very little use for the last few years and therefore parts will fail when you start to use it. This is fine if you are prepared for it. To keep an old car reliable you need to use it often, service it often and fix anything that breaks as soon as possible. You will need to change your driving style as 40 year old tech is not as good as modern stuff. You will not be able to pop to the local motor factors for parts so they are difficult to use as daily transport, but that is just an excuse for more than one 
You will need somewhere dry to keep it as old rubber seals are not that good at keeping water out, these can be changed. Rust will always be an issue unless you keep it perfectly dry and only use it when it is dry and warm.
Right now i only have an old 1970 land rover , having sold the rest of my classics over the last few years. The land rover is used at least 4 days a week and is utterly reliable, in that it will always start and get me to where i want to be. But I still need to fix it often, mostly only silly things but they still need to be fixed. This week it needs a new hub seal, which will no doubt mean new brake shoes as well. a few weeks ago the overdrive lever refused to move, so needed plenty of oil and wiggling to free it off. These are just typical of the sort of thing that will crop up.
That being said I still prefer to drive an old car most of the time. And I do enjoy fixing them. I have 2 other cars 1 12 years old and the other 11 years old, these need far less looking after.
Buy one but be prepared, the first few months may not be easy. Oh and buying petrol will always take longer as some will come up and say "my dad had one of those" or "i passed my test in one of those"
You will need somewhere dry to keep it as old rubber seals are not that good at keeping water out, these can be changed. Rust will always be an issue unless you keep it perfectly dry and only use it when it is dry and warm.Right now i only have an old 1970 land rover , having sold the rest of my classics over the last few years. The land rover is used at least 4 days a week and is utterly reliable, in that it will always start and get me to where i want to be. But I still need to fix it often, mostly only silly things but they still need to be fixed. This week it needs a new hub seal, which will no doubt mean new brake shoes as well. a few weeks ago the overdrive lever refused to move, so needed plenty of oil and wiggling to free it off. These are just typical of the sort of thing that will crop up.
That being said I still prefer to drive an old car most of the time. And I do enjoy fixing them. I have 2 other cars 1 12 years old and the other 11 years old, these need far less looking after.
Buy one but be prepared, the first few months may not be easy. Oh and buying petrol will always take longer as some will come up and say "my dad had one of those" or "i passed my test in one of those"
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff