I’m done with vintage cars - not

[aeropilot]

427James said:

aeropilot said:

Fabulous

Straight 8 I presume?

Yes - straight 8 - the big one for the Century at 320 cubic inches and a 3 speed box. Its lovely - bags of torque and light on steering. The art-deco touches are nice. Overall, its a really relaxing place to be.

I know someone with a '41 Buick Coupe.....but it's been given a '50's era Kustom look (and the S8 has been junked in favour of a mid 60's 425ci Buick Wildcat Nailhead V8) so no longer stock in the motivation department

[lowdrag]

A few friends have moved from post war cars to prewar cars recently. I am also wondering if it is time to sell the XKSS, which I use less and less, and perhaps go for an MG KN or whatever. After 40 years of Jaguars I yearn for something new. I have at the moment two Jaguars, both soft tops, and need something I can wander along in down the back roads, even if it is raining. Perhaps an Alvis is more my thing, or, living in France a Delahaye or a Delage. Comfort is now the thing as anno domini dictates. I have named but a few, and your input is requested. I'm a babe in arms here, but this took my fancy:-

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1231793

Are spares available? What to look for? I have no idea and would contact the club for expert advice before even considering a purchase, but it gives an idea as to where I am going.

[RichB]

crankedup said:

I’ve been waiting for another A7 to pop up in here, and what a cracker it is. Now tell me, is that mascot a Lalique by any chance?
How do you keep that bodywork looking so flawless?

Indeed, and how do you prevent the mascot being nicked!

[AMGSee55]

lowdrag said:

A few friends have moved from post war cars to prewar cars recently. I am also wondering if it is time to sell the XKSS, which I use less and less, and perhaps go for an MG KN or whatever. After 40 years of Jaguars I yearn for something new. I have at the moment two Jaguars, both soft tops, and need something I can wander along in down the back roads, even if it is raining. Perhaps an Alvis is more my thing, or, living in France a Delahaye or a Delage. Comfort is now the thing as anno domini dictates. I have named but a few, and your input is requested. I'm a babe in arms here, but this took my fancy:-

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1231793

Are spares available? What to look for? I have no idea and would contact the club for expert advice before even considering a purchase, but it gives an idea as to where I am going.

This is a left-field suggestion lowdrag, but how about a Peugeot 402? Personally I adore the shape, but accept they're a bit Marmite and maybe too modern for your purposes? There are I believe at least 2 specialists in France which can provide parts (can't remember who they are admittedly) and, from what I have read, they've got enough puff to hold their own out of town.

[aeropilot]

lowdrag said:

or, living in France a Delahaye or a Delage. Comfort is now the thing as anno domini dictates.

Delahaye....now your talking, but don't they usually have the ominous letters, POA attached to any that are for sale?

[ettore]

lowdrag said:

A few friends have moved from post war cars to prewar cars recently. I am also wondering if it is time to sell the XKSS, which I use less and less, and perhaps go for an MG KN or whatever. After 40 years of Jaguars I yearn for something new. I have at the moment two Jaguars, both soft tops, and need something I can wander along in down the back roads, even if it is raining. Perhaps an Alvis is more my thing, or, living in France a Delahaye or a Delage. Comfort is now the thing as anno domini dictates. I have named but a few, and your input is requested. I'm a babe in arms here, but this took my fancy:-

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1231793

Are spares available? What to look for? I have no idea and would contact the club for expert advice before even considering a purchase, but it gives an idea as to where I am going.

I’m no Alvis expert (clearly there are others here that are) but that looks like a nice car. I think it’s overpriced though - you’d expect to be able to get a Speed 20 or 25 saloon for similar money (much quicker) or a good 12/50 or 12/60 as per our other contributors.

I’ve always thought that they make a great prewar buy: they were good quality; sporting; nice to drive and relatively advanced. Good club (as well as the VSCC) and a decent spares supply (Red Triangle et al).

For that money you get a decent selection of quality prewar car. You’re pretty near Derby Bentley territory (saloon) - and they’re plain lovely!

You’re an experienced classic owner so most issues are the same - shiny cars with crap mechanicals etc. Originality is more highly prized on prewar cars generally and check the bodywork scrupulously - ash framing difficult if it’s rotten and panels are generally difficult to source.

[Mikebentley]

Some great cars on here. Wife’s uncle was the late Chris Compton of Compton’s of Welshpool Alves specialists. He taught me a lot about the pre war cars and when looking for my first classic 15 yrs ago steered me towards a small chassis Triumph due to the simplicity of construction. I now have my 67 Vitesse and 55 XK140 fhc and the latter is not dissimilar to pre war cars.

[aeropilot]

ettore said:

For that money you get a decent selection of quality prewar car. You’re pretty near Derby Bentley territory (saloon) - and they’re plain lovely!

Here for example....

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1063119

[lowdrag]

ettore said:

I’m no Alvis expert (clearly there are others here that are) but that looks like a nice car. I think it’s overpriced though - you’d expect to be able to get a Speed 20 or 25 saloon for similar money (much quicker) or a good 12/50 or 12/60 as per our other contributors.

I’ve always thought that they make a great prewar buy: they were good quality; sporting; nice to drive and relatively advanced. Good club (as well as the VSCC) and a decent spares supply (Red Triangle et al).

For that money you get a decent selection of quality prewar car. You’re pretty near Derby Bentley territory (saloon) - and they’re plain lovely!

You’re an experienced classic owner so most issues are the same - shiny cars with crap mechanicals etc. Originality is more highly prized on prewar cars generally and check the bodywork scrupulously - ash framing difficult if it’s rotten and panels are generally difficult to source.

I am really putting my toe in the water at the moment. The value of the XKSS seems to have soared, despite the current world problems, with two modern LHD ones having sold in the USA at $480,00 and one older one (like mine) on sale at $500,000. The ownership of the car is starting to worry me greatly, and I would be far happier with something far less valuable and at the same time the kids mortgages paid off. Parting with the car would be hard, but the decision has to be made I fear. I once drove a Speed 25 and was much impressed, but with the E-type still being here - and never sold after all these years - I need something with a roof over my head.

[RichB]

lowdrag said:

...perhaps go for an MG KN...

I parked up net to an MG TC and got chatting the owner. I was always an MG chap in my youth and always fancied a T-Type. A friend of mine raced a TC and I turned down a TD to buy my first MGA instead. I asked the owner if I could si in his car and I struggled to fit in. I was amazed by how compact it was inside. I don't know how big or tall you are but those pre-war MGs were small!

[Mikebentley]

The Alvis cars were built very well and there are some lovely elegant body styles. If you sell your Jaguar you will always have great memories and hopefully selling at the top of the market will mean being able to help your kids and grandchildren out too. The new car will mean more new memories too.

[Julian Thompson]

What a brilliant thread - there are some absolutley beautiful cars on here. I keep reading how soon anything pre 1980 won’t be desirable as the generations change but I have to echo the sentiments of some of the other posters - the new cars available are of no interest to me with a very few exceptions, and instead I find myself learning and becoming more and more interested in these wonderful machines from the past. Would need a bit of a garage clear out to indulge through

[Julian Thompson]

RichB said:

427James said:

This is quite possibly the nicest looking thing I have seen in years.

Thanks James...

Agree. Bloody marvellous that

[lowdrag]

Now this is something I could really like!

https://www.prewarcar.com/310723-original-1939-alv...

[aeropilot]

lowdrag said:

Now this is something I could really like!

https://www.prewarcar.com/310723-original-1939-alv...

Indeed, that's lovely.....I'd give it garage room

[Mr Tidy]

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread.

Some stunning cars on here, and it's really interesting to read about the central throttle, right-hand gearchange and non-synchro gearboxes!

It must be really relaxing to trundle around in something pre-war focussing on the journey instead of getting to the destination.

[RichB]

aeropilot said:

lowdrag said:

Now this is something I could really like!
https://www.prewarcar.com/310723-original-1939-alv...

Indeed, that's lovely.....I'd give it garage room

Very nice. The modern seat belt stalks are totally incongruous.

[aeropilot]

I'd love something like this 1933 V12 Cadillac.......not exactly expensive either compared to other makes of the era.

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/cadill...

[dhutch]

aeropilot said:

ettore said:

For that money you get a decent selection of quality prewar car. You’re pretty near Derby Bentley territory (saloon) - and they’re plain lovely!

Here for example....

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1063119

Lovely cars I'm told, fell in lover when I saw a cream Vanden Plas tourer in Delhi while working overseas for JCB, due for renovation in a shop full of timber framed cars.

Seriously pretty looking!
https://www.bradfieldcars.com/cars/1936-bentley-4-...

[dhutch]

lear said:

crankedup said:

lear said:

I 1931 so right on cusp, but vintage in every respect;

Alvis ?

You’re spot on - Alvis TL 12/60 “Beetleback”. Bit easier from the front!
It’s indeed a lovely drive and quite sporting in the handling department. Plenty of ‘elbows out’ understeer available on tap...

Very nice, and a fun colour too.