My next resto project - a which car thread!
Discussion
I'm currently restoring a 1953 Matchless G9 motorcycle and am sort of on the final straight! I'm already thinking about my next project, which will be a car this time. I will have up to around £5000 for the initial purchase and my long list includes the following: (list is subject to being lengthened all the time!)
Austin Healey Sprite (Frogeye)
Datsun 240/260Z
Honda S800 Coupe
Lotus Elan Plus 2
Mini Cooper S Mk 3
Mini 1275GT (an early H/J reg)
Porsche 914/4
Renault 8 Gordini
Triumph Vitesse Saloon
Triumph GT6 Mk 3
TVR 3000M
There's only so much time I can dedicate to researching each individual model, so I thought it would be a sensible idea to get some thoughts from a general classic car forum. So any comments regarding driving, restoration costs/problems, parts availability etc would be great and hopefully I reduce my list down to a few favourites to concentrate on.
The general theme is 2 seater coupes but I've always loved minis and have owned several in the past. I'm also veering towards a chassis based car rather than a monocoque, mainly that "they" say that these are easier to restore!
I look forward to your comments.
Thanks,
Dario
Austin Healey Sprite (Frogeye)
Datsun 240/260Z
Honda S800 Coupe
Lotus Elan Plus 2
Mini Cooper S Mk 3
Mini 1275GT (an early H/J reg)
Porsche 914/4
Renault 8 Gordini
Triumph Vitesse Saloon
Triumph GT6 Mk 3
TVR 3000M
There's only so much time I can dedicate to researching each individual model, so I thought it would be a sensible idea to get some thoughts from a general classic car forum. So any comments regarding driving, restoration costs/problems, parts availability etc would be great and hopefully I reduce my list down to a few favourites to concentrate on.
The general theme is 2 seater coupes but I've always loved minis and have owned several in the past. I'm also veering towards a chassis based car rather than a monocoque, mainly that "they" say that these are easier to restore!
I look forward to your comments.
Thanks,
Dario
Well, it depends on what you are doing it for. Frogeyes are great Ive always loved them and they are very popular. More or less all the bits are available and there is plently of advice around. Also, if you wanted to sell later, you should have no trouble. There are not many running restos left around though. prices seem within your range pretty easily.
I have always hated the way that steel cars start rusting again as soon as your back is turned so I went with a TVR. Bodies are a doddle to restore (glass fibre) chassis are usually suspect, but new are available`and repairs are we within the skills of a good welder. Your TVR3000M would be a good bet. You can still pick them up for under 5k, running, but they are going to follow the Vixens up pretty soon. 5k will buy you a basket case Vixen these days but a reasonable M and the 3000M is newer, has a V6 and is a blast to drive. I think they are undervalued and as a bonus the parts are pertty easy to get hold of (mostly).
Minis are v. popular, but utter rust buckets. The shell is going to break your heart.
The Elan +2 (go for the S130) is an utterly beautiful car. The lines are fantastic, again well served for parts. For looks alone I prefer them over the baby Elan. Plastic car therefore no tin worm on the body, which is a big plus for me (although chassis is another matter). The "L" word does however, add a premium to the price of spares (even if they were made by Ford). If I could have afforded £12K I would have probably bought one over my Vixen (shh). Dont know what condition you are looking at for £5k, but I know when I was looking a good one was around £12k.
I have always hated the way that steel cars start rusting again as soon as your back is turned so I went with a TVR. Bodies are a doddle to restore (glass fibre) chassis are usually suspect, but new are available`and repairs are we within the skills of a good welder. Your TVR3000M would be a good bet. You can still pick them up for under 5k, running, but they are going to follow the Vixens up pretty soon. 5k will buy you a basket case Vixen these days but a reasonable M and the 3000M is newer, has a V6 and is a blast to drive. I think they are undervalued and as a bonus the parts are pertty easy to get hold of (mostly).
Minis are v. popular, but utter rust buckets. The shell is going to break your heart.
The Elan +2 (go for the S130) is an utterly beautiful car. The lines are fantastic, again well served for parts. For looks alone I prefer them over the baby Elan. Plastic car therefore no tin worm on the body, which is a big plus for me (although chassis is another matter). The "L" word does however, add a premium to the price of spares (even if they were made by Ford). If I could have afforded £12K I would have probably bought one over my Vixen (shh). Dont know what condition you are looking at for £5k, but I know when I was looking a good one was around £12k.
Edited by Astacus on Tuesday 17th July 19:37
Edited by Astacus on Tuesday 17th July 19:39
As said above depends on why - will you be wanting to sell on etc. Market for Minis for example is a well known quantity.
The Minis, Triumphs and Frogeye would probably be the easiest to restore as far as parts are concerned - practically everything for the Triumphs is available and spares supply for the other two is good (been awhile since I played with anything but Triumphs). They are all remarkably cheap and easy to live with once finished, club support is good and there are plenty of forums.
I'll leave it to others with more actual experience to comment on the others but at a guess I'd think old Renaults and the like could be a tad difficult to get spares for (MG and Triumph are like getting stuff from Screwfix - click on website,pay, two days later fit part!).
The Minis, Triumphs and Frogeye would probably be the easiest to restore as far as parts are concerned - practically everything for the Triumphs is available and spares supply for the other two is good (been awhile since I played with anything but Triumphs). They are all remarkably cheap and easy to live with once finished, club support is good and there are plenty of forums.
I'll leave it to others with more actual experience to comment on the others but at a guess I'd think old Renaults and the like could be a tad difficult to get spares for (MG and Triumph are like getting stuff from Screwfix - click on website,pay, two days later fit part!).
Thanks for the responses so far - keep them coming.
Just to confirm, I am not intending to make money from restoring a car, as it's a hobby to me. Having said that, I wouldn't want to spend 10k on a car that is only worth 3k when finished! Although I don't think any of my choices fit in that category.
Just to confirm, I am not intending to make money from restoring a car, as it's a hobby to me. Having said that, I wouldn't want to spend 10k on a car that is only worth 3k when finished! Although I don't think any of my choices fit in that category.
I maybe in a small minority but always loved the Porsche 914 and had a quick look on the Samba but alas no 914-6's for your money, only the 914-4. Great availability for the majority of parts and great web support. You also get to paint it in the fantastically loud "safety colours" so have, in advance of your decision, have added a link to help you choose the colour!!! http://members.rennlist.com/chuxter/914colors.htm
Lot depends upom what garage space you have available, and what you want to do with it after.
No point in doing a 2 seater if you need to transport kids etc
Min ( I have a Clubby) will be worse cond, than it looks and an S may be above your money already. And be careful there are a lot of "reshelled" and copies out there. Unless it is CORRECT then it's not worth anywhere near as much. Check rear lights sizes etc
Frogeye was always my fave car when I was 17 but I sat in one the other day and it felt very cramped inside. Not sureI would want one now although being small it would fit my garage.
Lotus (had an Elan) can be a treasure. Either beautiful or you want to bury it on a desert island
No point in doing a 2 seater if you need to transport kids etc
Min ( I have a Clubby) will be worse cond, than it looks and an S may be above your money already. And be careful there are a lot of "reshelled" and copies out there. Unless it is CORRECT then it's not worth anywhere near as much. Check rear lights sizes etc
Frogeye was always my fave car when I was 17 but I sat in one the other day and it felt very cramped inside. Not sureI would want one now although being small it would fit my garage.
Lotus (had an Elan) can be a treasure. Either beautiful or you want to bury it on a desert island
Parabola said:
Porsche 914/6. You never see them on the road any more. Such an interesting car. Values are starting to rise very fast too.
Unfortunately I think the boat has sailed on the 914-6; having had a quick look on the Samba, there are only two for sale, one at $28500 and one at $33000 plus the shipping costs etc. Plenty of 914-4 though, and I would buy the best one I can for the money but less available in Europealthough haven't had time to really look. Given the OP's budget of c£5k then it would be a good hunt to get a decent one. johnfm said:
On a £5k budget? No chance.
A fair to middling 1.7l runner is £5k, £8k for a reasonable import.
Lots more for a real 914-6.
You're right. I should have probably written 914-4 or 914-6 too. A fair to middling 1.7l runner is £5k, £8k for a reasonable import.
Lots more for a real 914-6.
I've totally missed the boat on a reasonably priced 912 too. When my friend & I first considered one in 2006, they were £6-8K ish. Now they're heading towards £20K!
johnfm said:
On a £5k budget? No chance.
A fair to middling 1.7l runner is £5k, £8k for a reasonable import.
Lots more for a real 914-6.
You're right. I should have probably written 914-4 or 914-6 too. A fair to middling 1.7l runner is £5k, £8k for a reasonable import.
Lots more for a real 914-6.
I've totally missed the boat on a reasonably priced 912 too. When my friend & I first considered one in 2006, they were £6-8K ish. Now they're heading towards £20K!
saladin said:
Got to be one of these 
not that I am biased 
I know of a pair going for £2900 in Scotland... one of which is running and has a minuscule amount of its MoT left...
Hahaha, I was scanning down the thread thinking 'no-one will have suggested one of these...' not that I am biased I know of a pair going for £2900 in Scotland... one of which is running and has a minuscule amount of its MoT left...
Most bits easily available - prices on the up (slowly) - very rare (only 300 ish produced) - very friendly and supportive club scene
This one is currently undergoing a rolling resto.
Edited by mrtwisty on Wednesday 18th July 22:24
I'm just starting an 8 resto but not a Gordini, going to be custom with @300 bhp/ton. Gordini's very hard to find now, an aquaintance of mine just sold his rhd one for 18k and a lhd one is worth 30% more. But you can still buy everything for them in France.
I'd go for the 240Z. Great shape easy to get parts for, good resale value, and Japanese cars - even from the 70's are still hugely reliable.
I'd go for the 240Z. Great shape easy to get parts for, good resale value, and Japanese cars - even from the 70's are still hugely reliable.
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