What Classic Car ?

[redgriff500]

EDITED (after seeing a few suggestions)

I find it incredibly hard and frustrating to keep my speed below the limits so I'm thinking about getting a Classic car where there will be a greater sensation of speed and / or its nice to drive even when pootling I'd like something unusual too.

So what should I consider ?

I don't do that many miles and already have (a much modified, 200+bhp) MX5 so I don't want something too sporty as that would ruin the exercise and I'm not selling my MX5 so a 2 seater convertible is out too.

I've just had a quick browse on a Classic Car site and the following "look interesting"

1963 Merc Fintail
1964 Volvo Amazon
1963 Sunbeam Alpine (only because it has a hardtop and seems to be 2+2 .

I'm thinking pre 1970 up to £7k that can be used everyday for short trips.

Edited by redgriff500 on Sunday 28th August 09:43

[RichB]

MGB or BGT...

[falkster]

Rover P5B or 1600E Cortina in aubergine.

[vit4]

Original Mini springs to mind, but I've got to suggest old Fords? Probably Escorts, although they probably won't meet the pre-1970 criteria. Certianly they're a sound investment, prices of 4-doors especially are on the climb (2-doors are already ridiculous!)

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C215676/

Well under-budget, literally endless scope for tuning and perfecting to just how you want it. Can make them anywhere from being simply an enjoyable drive to a truly mental machine. Fantastic cars, I know if I had the money there'd be one on my drive in a flash

[WhoseGeneration]

redgriff500 said:

I've just had a quick browse on a Classic Car site and the following "look interesting" I don't want something too sporty as that would ruin the whole point and I'm not selling my MX5 so a 2 seater convertible is out too.

1963 Merc Fintail
1964 Volvo Amazon
1963 Sunbeam Alpine (only because it has a hardtop and seems to be 2+2

I don't know what they go for now but perhaps a Volvo P1800S.
You'd be a saint in one of those.

[jagnet]

Daimler V8 250 - so eight cylinders, comfort, style and elegance yet shouldn't put your licence at too much risk. Much restoration carried out on it, and a veritable bargain for £6k. An equivalent Jag would be far more expensive.


Cortina Mk1 Estate - £6995 for practicality and style. 120bhp to play with so some restraint still required even in such an elderly conveyor of Ikea flatpacks.


Silver Shadow Mk1 - fractionally over budget at £7800, but nothing that a discreet display of old school ties couldn't overcome. Since a gentleman wouldn't dream of allowing himself to come to the attention of our finest, sir's license should remain well and truly intact.

[andy43]

jagnet said:

Cortina Mk1 Estate - £6995 for practicality and style. 120bhp to play with so some restraint still required even in such an elderly conveyor of Ikea flatpacks.

That's lovely. Thread winner.

[carsarecool]

andy43 said:

That's lovely. Thread winner.

Seriously? You'd enjoy driving this?

[jagnet]

andy43 said:

That's lovely. Thread winner.

More photos to drool over. Must admit that if I was in the market for another classic at the moment, that would be featuring on my must visit list.

[andy43]

carsarecool said:

andy43 said:

That's lovely. Thread winner.

Seriously? You'd enjoy driving this?

120 bhp handbuilt engine on bike carbs with rwd, while sitting in period racing buckets?
Compared to a Volvo Amazon or MGB?
Yep.

[carsarecool]

andy43 said:

120 bhp handbuilt engine on bike carbs with rwd, while sitting in period racing buckets?
Compared to a Volvo Amazon or MGB?
Yep.

Good point

[sawman]

how about something like this



http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2815171.htm

[Liquid Knight]

RichB said:

MGB or BGT...

Plus one.

I'd suggest my Rover but you'd have £6,500 change.

[Chicane-UK]

jagnet said:

Daimler V8 250 - so eight cylinders, comfort, style and elegance yet shouldn't put your licence at too much risk. Much restoration carried out on it, and a veritable bargain for £6k. An equivalent Jag would be far more expensive.

My dad has one of these. There is no way on EARTH I'd consider using it as a daily.

I appreciate this is pistonheads and common sense regarding motoring should generally be abandoned.. but... fuel economy is diabolical, the steering is the heaviest I have ever experienced and using standard shocks / springs, cornering needs to be phoned up and booked in advance.. on the flip side it's ever so pretty, quite comfortable, the brakes are good and it sounds magnificent

Don't get me wrong I enjoy driving it whenever I get over to see him - we take the car out along the back lanes in North Norfolk and it's glorious. But it's heavy, not very quick, and thirsty and I think it'd be a tiring car to use every day!

[andy43]

An almost total opposite to that Cortina, I'll throw in this.

Waft, 60's style. Spanish (portuguese?) box, but still lovely.

[lance1a]

Fiat 124 Spider......Lovely car. Your budget gets a really nice sorted one too!

[Alfachick]

Rover P6, V8 - lovely to waft about in.
Jag XJ6 - should be able to get a minter for that money
Hillman Imp (or derivative) - should get plenty of change to modify, and a bit different to the classic mini.
Triumph Spitfire - great parts availability, low so good sensation of speed
Alfa Spider - just lovely in every way

There is a huge amount of choice available for 6k. As always buy the best you can afford and keep up with the maintenance and it will be awesome.

[rovermorris999]

Chicane-UK said:

My dad has one of these. There is no way on EARTH I'd consider using it as a daily.

I appreciate this is pistonheads and common sense regarding motoring should generally be abandoned.. but... fuel economy is diabolical, the steering is the heaviest I have ever experienced and using standard shocks / springs, cornering needs to be phoned up and booked in advance.. on the flip side it's ever so pretty, quite comfortable, the brakes are good and it sounds magnificent

Don't get me wrong I enjoy driving it whenever I get over to see him - we take the car out along the back lanes in North Norfolk and it's glorious. But it's heavy, not very quick, and thirsty and I think it'd be a tiring car to use every day!

It must be one of the few without power steering then. You can move the wheel with one finger with pas. My father had one back in the 70's and it was our daily car. How on earth did we manage?
I've owned another since and prefer them to the equivalent Jaguar. The engine is lovely. As with most cars of this era, rust is the problem.
As a daily, I'd also consider a Rover P4 100 or any of the P4s as long as it had overdrive and the alloy doors. A 95 was a friend's first car when he was 18 and he used it for years with no problems. I've driven a 100 to Strasbourg and back for a wedding and it happily sat on the motorways at a steady 80mph and was very relaxing to drive.

[rudecherub]

since you've already an mx5 I guess you're after a tin top

Two seats or more..? GT6 offers good looks, but the rear suspension is tricky.

how about plastic

I'd recommend a Scimitar, the earlier rare coupe SE4 64-70 the GTE is from 68, get an early Se5 the interior is more robust than later a

A good handling car and practical. With your budget you'd get a very good one.

[Rouleur]

TR6 http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C237138