Classic car daily driver?
Discussion
Lily the Pink said:
For a couple of years prior to retirement last year I was using a Porsche 944 for my 20 mile daily commute in all weathers. I think huge strides were made in the late 70s - early 80s in terms of reliability and resistance to corrosion. Some years earlier I used a Jaguar 420, which was a lovely car to be in, but very dated by comparison, and the service schedule was much more onerous.
Whilst 70's~early 80's cars were better at rust resistance than the cars that went before them, you've really got to be looking at late 90's cars onwards for real rust protection, especially once galvanised steel came into more common use (Audi and FIAT being two of the first manufacturers to start using galvanised steel in the 90's).Even prestige cars such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Jaguar from the late 70's~early 80's , are prone to horrific corrosion issues.
In BMW's case, they had a wonderful idea of applying a thick layer of almost rubberised under-seal to the undersides and wheel wells of their cars (which in the case of the wheel wells, was painted over with body coloured paint). Just looking at the under-seal, the cars appear to be solid, and in good order, but if you peel back the under-seal, you'll find moisture has been happily attacking the metal out of sight, leaving very little solid metal behind
(I found that out on my first BMW - a 1981 E12 520. It looked like a solid car underneath, until I took the under-seal off at the start of a restoration plan. The car was so rotten underneath the under-seal, a restoration just wasn't really viable, and the car was scrapped off)
Late 1990's cars can still rust, but it tends to be more cosmetic corrosion, rather than the structural corrosion found on 70's ~ 80's cars.
4rephill said:
Lily the Pink said:
For a couple of years prior to retirement last year I was using a Porsche 944 for my 20 mile daily commute in all weathers. I think huge strides were made in the late 70s - early 80s in terms of reliability and resistance to corrosion. Some years earlier I used a Jaguar 420, which was a lovely car to be in, but very dated by comparison, and the service schedule was much more onerous.
Whilst 70's~early 80's cars were better at rust resistance than the cars that went before them, you've really got to be looking at late 90's cars onwards for real rust protection, especially once galvanised steel came into more common use (Audi and FIAT being two of the first manufacturers to start using galvanised steel in the 90's).Even prestige cars such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Jaguar from the late 70's~early 80's , are prone to horrific corrosion issues.
In BMW's case, they had a wonderful idea of applying a thick layer of almost rubberised under-seal to the undersides and wheel wells of their cars (which in the case of the wheel wells, was painted over with body coloured paint). Just looking at the under-seal, the cars appear to be solid, and in good order, but if you peel back the under-seal, you'll find moisture has been happily attacking the metal out of sight, leaving very little solid metal behind
(I found that out on my first BMW - a 1981 E12 520. It looked like a solid car underneath, until I took the under-seal off at the start of a restoration plan. The car was so rotten underneath the under-seal, a restoration just wasn't really viable, and the car was scrapped off)
Late 1990's cars can still rust, but it tends to be more cosmetic corrosion, rather than the structural corrosion found on 70's ~ 80's cars.
I've just done some sill work on my 944 and found all the wheel wells to be liberally coated in this stuff and then painted body colour as you say. In fact I had to go through the stuff to remove the front wing ... took em forever. And the three locating bolts were completely covered. Zero rust where this had held, but the bottom area, where the had been exposed due to a break in this stuff, was rotten.
My car is an '89 and the sills were galvanised, but even this isn't 100% rustproof. The inner membrane had holes, but not many and I was able to put some plates in.
I have mostly been driving assorted clapped out classic cars as dailies on and off for the last twenty years or so. I usually have one modern shed (something about six to ten years old that I don't really care about), but according to whim I will drive whatever classic I have that happens to be nearly working at the time. My most loony spell was using a Jensen Interceptor as a daily in London and elsewhere for almost two years, a while back. I also drove it to the Abruzzo and back on holidays. It can be done, but all the factors mentioned above are real. You get on first name terms with RAC or AA blokes.
Internet at home has been off, BT Openreach have gone underground, so I'm compiling this when I should be working...
For perspective I'll be driving from Colwell, through Yarms, Shalfleet, to Newport, on the Cowes Road just past the prison, down Stag Lane. I leave at 7am and there's no-one on the road, done it in 19 mins.
Love them, but I want something with a bit more umph!
Oh b
ks to this I'm not doing anymore quotes.
Going to see something on 3rd Nov...
RedSwede said:
Only you can decide that
Good point!steveo3002 said:
stock pile some good quailty parts on the shelf for when you need them
Yes, I reckon its £500 on the shelf waiting. Including a spare wheel with a tyre mounted ready to go, plus a spare tyre, so when needed you have options.RedSwede said:
80s cars had moved the game on a long way, and would be infinitely more usable - something from Merc or BMW, maybe a W126 if you want a big saloon, 635CSI (rust!!) if you want rakish, would still have a chunk of that old car charm
Been there with E28's and R129's, fab cars, did some epic drives, Southampton to Tunnel and down to Lake Konstance in 1 day in an E28 520i was soooo comfy and relaxed. But my heart is in 60's cars.Riley Blue said:
13 miles each way, twice a day shouldn't put undue strain on a Mk2. It's only 130 miles a week, assuming a five-day working week, and it should easily cope with that provided you stay on top of maintenance. I'd happily do it in my Riley.
And indeed some days I work from home, we're talking 5k miles a year max.classicaholic said:
join the AA
Gave up with them after 20 years a while back, after it was sold to the French outfit, the value and level of service just got worse. Back in the 80's it was the only game in town. More recently been a breakdown cover refugee, but now with Aviva as we have all cars/houses etc with them. Here on Isle of Wight RAC have 2 vans which seem to cover us very well.Norfolkandchance said:
I think it depend on how critical arriving at a set time everyday is! If you have a job where being a bit late from time to time is OK then go for it.
I'm so vital I'm not sure if they even know when I am here....CRA1G said:
Doesn't Jacob Rees-mogg use a vintage Bentley as a daily.....
Bentley T1. Not vintage. As it happens I have a Silver Shadow in the garage, which is all but the same as JRM's. Puddles of Oil said:
Much more fun than driving a Eurobox!
Exactually!mike9009 said:
Hi Huntsman,
I use my 1982 VW T25 to commute to work occasionally, Ryde to Calbourne 'ish' (I think you are IOW based??) but only when I know the weather should be good. Headlights are terrible, wipers poor, crap blowers, no heated rear screen, no air con, no ABS and not as comfortable as my other vehicles. On a lovely summer's morning, it is great heading across the Downs in the van but a wet October morning in the dark with misted windows, no way.
I even doubt my Smart Roadster in today's weather.... again the headlights aren't great despite some other mod cons....
It just is not fun commuting in an older vehicle even on the island when the weather is rubbish, just makes the commute more stressful (for me!)
Mike
Waving from Newport! We should have a meet up, excitement on Sandown seafront next year with the IOWCC sprint. I use my 1982 VW T25 to commute to work occasionally, Ryde to Calbourne 'ish' (I think you are IOW based??) but only when I know the weather should be good. Headlights are terrible, wipers poor, crap blowers, no heated rear screen, no air con, no ABS and not as comfortable as my other vehicles. On a lovely summer's morning, it is great heading across the Downs in the van but a wet October morning in the dark with misted windows, no way.
I even doubt my Smart Roadster in today's weather.... again the headlights aren't great despite some other mod cons....
It just is not fun commuting in an older vehicle even on the island when the weather is rubbish, just makes the commute more stressful (for me!)
Mike
For perspective I'll be driving from Colwell, through Yarms, Shalfleet, to Newport, on the Cowes Road just past the prison, down Stag Lane. I leave at 7am and there's no-one on the road, done it in 19 mins.
crankedup said:
Was going to suggest a moggy! Great little car and very reliable for a vehicle of such age.
Had 4 moggies, Mogginton, Bottomley, Babar and Maureen!Love them, but I want something with a bit more umph!
Oh b
ks to this I'm not doing anymore quotes.Breadvan72 said:
I have mostly been driving assorted clapped out classic cars as dailies on and off for the last twenty years or so. I usually have one modern shed (something about six to ten years old that I don't really care about), but according to whim I will drive whatever classic I have that happens to be nearly working at the time. My most loony spell was using a Jensen Interceptor as a daily in London and elsewhere for almost two years, a while back. I also drove it to the Abruzzo and back on holidays. It can be done, but all the factors mentioned above are real. You get on first name terms with RAC or AA blokes.
Steve, the RAC man...nice chap.Going to see something on 3rd Nov...
Breadvan72 said:
Pics! Or it didn't happen (yet).
PS: Re Volvo Amazon - I second the Motion.
Acksherly, the car I am going to see is a bit of a silly thing, but suits me and my need. Until it breaks down, or needs a new chassis.PS: Re Volvo Amazon - I second the Motion.
But, I also think, an Amazon estate, would make a perfect everyday family car, plus, even the 240 estates are looking good now too.
Mrs H has an ageing Honda CR-V, its going to die, but say we bought a nice Amazon estate and put it into service as a daily, there'd be a period of some months to iron out the issues, but we could keep the CR-V in parallel for a little while just in case.
I though that Rees-Mogg's daily drive was a Lexus. The old Bentleys are probably an investment.
There's a problem with 80s cars and that's the electric gizmos. They aren't the sophisticated, super-reliable modern digital devices of today. Instead, there's a sack of unreliable Bosch relays and numerous fuses, distributed in different boxes around the car. They can work wonderfully, but when they don't it's all very painful.
There's a problem with 80s cars and that's the electric gizmos. They aren't the sophisticated, super-reliable modern digital devices of today. Instead, there's a sack of unreliable Bosch relays and numerous fuses, distributed in different boxes around the car. They can work wonderfully, but when they don't it's all very painful.
Huntsman said:
But, I also think, an Amazon estate, would make a perfect everyday family car...
If you do decide to go for an Amazon, feel free to give me a shout if you want any advice - I've run a 2 door (133) as my only car for the past 9 years, as well as restoring & upgrading it at the same time.Excellent cars, and I love mine...
4rephill said:
Even prestige cars such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Jaguar from the late 70's~early 80's , are prone to horrific corrosion issues.
Ha, you want to watch a naughties Merc rust. Good thing you used to get a 30 year corrosion warrantee on them, but notice they don't do that any more.
Choose a Sunbeam Alpine, you know it makes sense. My family use these three, my youngest son's blue one had it's MOT today and it passed for the seventeenth consecutive time (with no advisories either). Not bad for a car with 160,000+ on the clock.
These lovely old cars are made to drive, not polish and they easily live with modern traffic speeds. If you get one you will thoroughly enjoy the experience.
Puddles of Oil said:
Choose a Sunbeam Alpine, you know it makes sense. My family use these three, my youngest son's blue one had it's MOT today and it passed for the seventeenth consecutive time (with no advisories either). Not bad for a car with 160,000+ on the clock.
These lovely old cars are made to drive, not polish and they easily live with modern traffic speeds. If you get one you will thoroughly enjoy the experience.
Nice to have three in the family.
Puddles of Oil said:
Choose a Sunbeam Alpine, you know it makes sense. My family use these three, my youngest son's blue one had it's MOT today and it passed for the seventeenth consecutive time (with no advisories either). Not bad for a car with 160,000+ on the clock.
These lovely old cars are made to drive, not polish and they easily live with modern traffic speeds. If you get one you will thoroughly enjoy the experience.
That's a great fleet. These lovely old cars are made to drive, not polish and they easily live with modern traffic speeds. If you get one you will thoroughly enjoy the experience.
I've always thought the Alpine looked so much better than the MGB - great choice!
Peter3442 said:
I though that Rees-Mogg's daily drive was a Lexus. The old Bentleys are probably an investment.
There's a problem with 80s cars and that's the electric gizmos. They aren't the sophisticated, super-reliable modern digital devices of today. Instead, there's a sack of unreliable Bosch relays and numerous fuses, distributed in different boxes around the car. They can work wonderfully, but when they don't it's all very painful.
I was at an event and JRM rocked up in his old blue Bentley. It was a fair old way from his gaff but admittedly a lovely summer evening.There's a problem with 80s cars and that's the electric gizmos. They aren't the sophisticated, super-reliable modern digital devices of today. Instead, there's a sack of unreliable Bosch relays and numerous fuses, distributed in different boxes around the car. They can work wonderfully, but when they don't it's all very painful.
You're correct about 80s cars electrickery. The one thing that worries me about the Quattro is the first/second gen electronics. Some sensors etc just aren't available anymore. Bulb for the dashboard? That'll be £20, imported from the US where a Corvette happened to use the same component.
Still, it all adds to the fun...
I'm trying to use the TR6 as a daily at the moment. It takes a bit of adjustment. I'd forgotten that (compared to any modern car) the thing needs driving, like a horse. Only really happy when being driven with spirit. Needs to warm up, has good days and bad days, makes odd noises, worrying until you get used to them. I spent a couple of hours examining the rev counter on Monday, only to discover that the strange rev-related buzzing noise was actually coming from the choke knob.
Yertis said:
I'm trying to use the TR6 as a daily at the moment. It takes a bit of adjustment. I'd forgotten that (compared to any modern car) the thing needs driving, like a horse. Only really happy when being driven with spirit. Needs to warm up, has good days and bad days, makes odd noises, worrying until you get used to them. I spent a couple of hours examining the rev counter on Monday, only to discover that the strange rev-related buzzing noise was actually coming from the choke knob.
My Riley also has foibles, the latest being when I'd been trying to persuade the nearside headlamp to show main beam; sometimes it would, some times it wouldn't. I'd resorted to wiggling under-bonnet wiring and disconnecting and reconnecting connectors which solved it, so I thought. The first time I drove it afterwards the electric fan didn't cut in. After I parked in the garage the engine continued running, even with the ignition off and the key removed. The only way I could kill it was by flicking the fan over ride switch under the dash to 'on'. I really must sort it out.
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