Classic Car Help

[Macleod1873]

Looking for suggestion of what would be a good first classic car for a 17 year old.

All feedback apprectiated.

Lewis.

[V88Dicky]

Shelby Mustang?

1970 Firebird 455?

Or if you're not into musclecars, what about an MGB of some sort

[williredale]

Depends what you like? Have a look through some of the classic car mags and see what catches your interest.


I have no idea what insurance will be like though...

[andy-xr]

I always wanted to get hold of an Allegro and do something silly with it.

On a related note, there's a chap up the road from me who has a mint looking Maestro, made me stop and ask him how and why he kept it on the road

[Macleod1873]

V88Dicky said:

Shelby Mustang?

1970 Firebird 455?

Or if you're not into musclecars, what about an MGB of some sort

I wish! Although I was sort of meaning cars that i would actually be able to insure.

[Rickyy]

Beetle!

It will certainly make you appreciate modern cars!

[Macleod1873]

williredale said:

Depends what you like? Have a look through some of the classic car mags and see what catches your interest.


I have no idea what insurance will be like though...

I'd consider anything really, hopefully i could get classic car insurance.

[carl_w]

Spitfire? GT6?
Alfa 105 Giulia? I think they did a 1300 GT Junior.

[V88Dicky]

Macleod1873 said:

I wish! Although I was sort of meaning cars that i would actually be able to insure.

Just kidding about the first two, but a little MGB is something to consider. Cheap, plentiful, and brand new parts available off the shelf. Not sure about insurance on it's mighty 1.8 engine though!

[davepoth]

carl_w said:

Spitfire? GT6?
Alfa 105 Giulia? I think they did a 1300 GT Junior.

They're really quite pricey now the bad ones have rusted away.

Morris Minor?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooBJ2Z2sZvo

[deeen]

I had a Spitfire at 17, Herald might be cheaper to insure, though?

[Edmundo2]

Modded Sunbeam stiletto
Midget
Ginetta G15
Mini Marcos
Spitfire/GT6
TVR S1 or S2

[swifthobo]

my mate bought a 1.3 spitfire it the summer reasonably cheap and great fun he says

[matthias73]

Spitfires are reasonable to insure, and about 2-4 grand for a decent one.

Check for rusty sills. And run a magnet around the bodywork to tell how much filler has been used.

I wanted one but couldn't find one that wasn't a large bill waiting to happen.

[1954etype]

Spitfire or Midget would be ideal. Very simple to work on and you'll have great fun with it.

[MattGTA]

Great stuff, OP. There are generations of cars to choose from and most will be brimming full of character and personality.

The fact you're 17 means you probably have a very different view of what a classic is compared with me. Remember - anything build before 1990 is going to feel alien compared with a modern car and you're best to have a good test drive before making a decision.

My choice - pick up a low mileage mk1 Fiat Uno for a few hundred quid on ebay and enjoy italian motoring at it's finest.

MG

[Fetchez la vache]

carl_w said:

Spitfire? GT6?
Alfa 105 Giulia? I think they did a 1300 GT Junior.

Blimey. I had spitfire & GT6 on my shortlist as my first car 20+ years ago, that takes me back. How cool would a 70's purple (don't know the real colour name) GT6 have been as a first car... .. wanders off reminiscing...

Has to be said, a clasic car with classic car related, Telematics insurance would be a hoot if such a thing existed.. Hell of a way to get round the expensive car insurance for the kids!

It's going to depend on budget, insurance and likes of the person buying it. What budget are we talking about OP?
I'd have loved a VW variant as a 1st car, but my "sensible" father made me go for the golf..

[mxspyder]

I have a Herald which I bought as a 17 year old - I did 12k a year in it for almost 3 years. It was quite possibly the most depressing three years of motoring I ever had. Reasons:

So cold in the winter the inside of the windscreen froze - A can of de-icer and a rag in constant use the whole journey!
So hot in the summer, you needed a water bottle to survive
LOUD - to the point of deafening on the motorway
Lousy handling and brakes
No fog light
Headlights were useless
I could go on..!

The worst part was if I wasn't lying on my back waxoiling/welding/waxoiling/welding... I was out with my mates who took the piss, and to be frank for all the reasons above - it wasn't exactly a Babe Magnet!

I love the Herald, and almost 20 years later I still have it. But, if I had my time again as a 17 year old I would go for something more mainstream like a Mini.

Edit to Add - I would also point out that the managing the rust on the separate chassis of a Herald/Spitfire/GT6 & Vitesse which is in constant use is a nightmare!

Edited by mxspyder on Tuesday 3rd January 23:00

[so called]

TVR Tasmin.
Can get them very cheep.
I gave a reasonable one away 2 years ago as I had no time.
Classic insurance, low road tax, reasonable spares prices.
Plastic body means polishes up real nice.

[dundarach]

Soft top landrovers

Four wheel drive
Convertible
Lwb seating for 11 mates and you
Tow anying
Class less
Cheap
Lots of spares and upgrades
Cool
Boys and girls like them
Invisible and won't get nicked
Dents scrapes and getting keyed only help things
Easy LPG options