What was the first classic car that you bought?
Discussion
Hard to be prescriptive. My first car was a 1964 Austin A40 Farina which I bought in 1977 in preference to something "modern" like a Mk II Cortina but I think I bought it more for price than classic.
I don't think I've ever bought a car BECAUSE it was a classic - I bought a VW Type 3 Variant in the 80s but mainly because it was £200. I bought a hand-painted 1972 Chrysler Valiant for £500 in the 90s but only because I fancied the V8 and I bought my 3rd gen Camaro when it was 12 years old because it was a Z28 and my 1981 Mustang because it was a Mustang.
I'm slightly philistine in saying I wouldn't pay modern car money for a classic as historically I drive powerful cars gently and underpwered cars to the ragged edge so I'm best kept away from them.
I don't think I've ever bought a car BECAUSE it was a classic - I bought a VW Type 3 Variant in the 80s but mainly because it was £200. I bought a hand-painted 1972 Chrysler Valiant for £500 in the 90s but only because I fancied the V8 and I bought my 3rd gen Camaro when it was 12 years old because it was a Z28 and my 1981 Mustang because it was a Mustang.
I'm slightly philistine in saying I wouldn't pay modern car money for a classic as historically I drive powerful cars gently and underpwered cars to the ragged edge so I'm best kept away from them.
My first car, given to me by my grandfather.
Lost my virginity in it.
Had my first 'off' in it.
'Barrel rolled' it off the Snake Pass in winter when it was closed for snow.
Covered it in ridiculous stickers.
Carpeted it with some off cuts of Axminster from father's potting shed.
Broke the transmission so had to run it in constand 4WD which was actually front wheel drive.
Sold to a bloke for c. £400 when I moved to London to chase the girls.
Now worth god knows what.
Miss her every day.
Lost my virginity in it.
Had my first 'off' in it.
'Barrel rolled' it off the Snake Pass in winter when it was closed for snow.
Covered it in ridiculous stickers.
Carpeted it with some off cuts of Axminster from father's potting shed.
Broke the transmission so had to run it in constand 4WD which was actually front wheel drive.
Sold to a bloke for c. £400 when I moved to London to chase the girls.
Now worth god knows what.
Miss her every day.
My first "big" 'bike was a '69 BSA Thunderbolt that I got when I was seventeen back in 1981 - nobody really considered it classic, all my mates into Jap' stuff just thought I was barmy for running an old Brit'.
After killing myself in a 'bike accident a couple of years later my parents persuaded me to get a car - a "nice Maxi" from Dad's mate. As soon as I passed my test I got shot of that and bought a lowered and tuned '69 GT6 Mk2 - it cost me three months salary just to insure... but at least I could just sit and look at it, and polish it until I'd saved enough to put some fuel in the tank.
Never really had a modern other than the Rover 414 that my parents gave me about ten years ago when I put my back out and couldn't work - in less than a year we were back in a Spitfire.
After killing myself in a 'bike accident a couple of years later my parents persuaded me to get a car - a "nice Maxi" from Dad's mate. As soon as I passed my test I got shot of that and bought a lowered and tuned '69 GT6 Mk2 - it cost me three months salary just to insure... but at least I could just sit and look at it, and polish it until I'd saved enough to put some fuel in the tank.
Never really had a modern other than the Rover 414 that my parents gave me about ten years ago when I put my back out and couldn't work - in less than a year we were back in a Spitfire.
t came flying down the road in a brown Datsun and into the back of it, writing it off. 
LotusOmega375D said:
Sorry, I know I've posted it before. It was 12 years old at the time and had done 21,000 miles.
Love it!!My first classic was a 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV. It was an import from South Africa and was thus solid, however it came with "off road" height front springs, presumably to stop the sump catching on all the crap roads. As with all my cars i then spent a load of money on it which I was never even close to recouping on sale. Dont have fond memories of this car.. was expecting something pretty special according to reputation GTVs have but found it's handling to be pretty underwhelming.
The first classic I bought was a deliberate choice. My wife needed a runabout for shopping and hated generic modern hatches, so I got her a Minor 1000 Traveller, full MOT for £500, back about '88. Huge fun, I drove it more than her.
I recently got tempted by a '68 MGB GT fully restored to good standards, but hardly used it. Sat in my garage and driven about 6 times in 18 months, battery constantly going flat, so I sold her to a better home. A real shock to the system when you're used to modern conveniences - so heavy on steering and dead-feeling brakes.
You really really need to want one, or don't bother.
I recently got tempted by a '68 MGB GT fully restored to good standards, but hardly used it. Sat in my garage and driven about 6 times in 18 months, battery constantly going flat, so I sold her to a better home. A real shock to the system when you're used to modern conveniences - so heavy on steering and dead-feeling brakes.
You really really need to want one, or don't bother.
Unemployed said:
MGB GT V8. Glorious car!
Seconded. Had a factory V8 with a Holley 390 and loved it. 
Thinking about it, I've probably driven more MGBs than any other car, I can't say I'm a great fan of the 1800 although I had one GT and put a Weber 45 on it and a bigger cam and that was fun.
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