Your classic year
Discussion
So how did it all go for you?
Mine was up and down, fortunately more up than down in the end.
Early in the year I had a great time bashing around various rallies in the DS but then work hit the skids (I'm self employed) so it needed to go so I could spring for misc day to day stuff like mortgage, school fees etc. I waved her off with a very sad heart.
After that all thoughts turned to the little 944 to get it ready for the autumn/winter rallies. What I thought would be a few days of tinkering turned into an epic 200+ hours of prep. It was worth it though and I learned an awful lot about the car. It performed magnificently in a number of rallies, most recently LeJog in early December where it managed 2nd quickest out of 72 cars up the Rest & Be Thankful hillclimb amongst other gnarly challenges.
Then last week I ended the year with a bang by picking up a monster of a BMW, an E12 M535i, most would consider the very first M car available to the public. I've only put about 500 miles on it so far and it needs quite a few jobs attending to but I'm absolutely delighted with it.
Over to you lot, lets see some good stuff
Mine was up and down, fortunately more up than down in the end.
Early in the year I had a great time bashing around various rallies in the DS but then work hit the skids (I'm self employed) so it needed to go so I could spring for misc day to day stuff like mortgage, school fees etc. I waved her off with a very sad heart.
After that all thoughts turned to the little 944 to get it ready for the autumn/winter rallies. What I thought would be a few days of tinkering turned into an epic 200+ hours of prep. It was worth it though and I learned an awful lot about the car. It performed magnificently in a number of rallies, most recently LeJog in early December where it managed 2nd quickest out of 72 cars up the Rest & Be Thankful hillclimb amongst other gnarly challenges.
Then last week I ended the year with a bang by picking up a monster of a BMW, an E12 M535i, most would consider the very first M car available to the public. I've only put about 500 miles on it so far and it needs quite a few jobs attending to but I'm absolutely delighted with it.
Over to you lot, lets see some good stuff
Up: I got my Interceptor back on the road after 18 months in dry dock, and enjoyed some hoonage.
Down: I blew up the engine on my Matra Murena and had to sell it to my mechanic for not a lot, just after I had agreed a good sale price with someone else.
Down and up: I sold my Lotus Excel, but the buyer has done great work on the engine, which was tired, and it has a renewed lease of life in his ownership.
Neither up nor down: I sold my Lotus Elan for a reasonable but not spectacular price.
Up and down and up: I got my Lancia Beta back on the road. Then the clutch pedal went again. Then it was fixed. Then the head gasket went. Then that was fixed, and now it's hooning again.
Down: I blew up the engine on my Matra Murena and had to sell it to my mechanic for not a lot, just after I had agreed a good sale price with someone else.
Down and up: I sold my Lotus Excel, but the buyer has done great work on the engine, which was tired, and it has a renewed lease of life in his ownership.
Neither up nor down: I sold my Lotus Elan for a reasonable but not spectacular price.
Up and down and up: I got my Lancia Beta back on the road. Then the clutch pedal went again. Then it was fixed. Then the head gasket went. Then that was fixed, and now it's hooning again.
Breadvan72 said:
Up: I got my Interceptor back on the road after 18 months in dry dock, and enjoyed some hoonage.
Down: I blew up the engine on my Matra Murena and had to sell it to my mechanic for not a lot, just after I had agreed a good sale price with someone else.
Down and up: I sold my Lotus Excel, but the buyer has done great work on the engine, which was tired, and it has a renewed lease of life in his ownership.
Neither up nor down: I sold my Lotus Elan for a reasonable but not spectacular price.
Up and down and up: I got my Lancia Beta back on the road. Then the clutch pedal went again. Then it was fixed. Then the head gasket went. Then that was fixed, and now it's hooning again.
Well penetrate me with a large rubber chicken, Breadvan, I have got those Lancia mudflaps still in the garage, I completely forgot. I'll mail them out to you when I get back after NY.Down: I blew up the engine on my Matra Murena and had to sell it to my mechanic for not a lot, just after I had agreed a good sale price with someone else.
Down and up: I sold my Lotus Excel, but the buyer has done great work on the engine, which was tired, and it has a renewed lease of life in his ownership.
Neither up nor down: I sold my Lotus Elan for a reasonable but not spectacular price.
Up and down and up: I got my Lancia Beta back on the road. Then the clutch pedal went again. Then it was fixed. Then the head gasket went. Then that was fixed, and now it's hooning again.
Love that E12 Benjj. Better rump than the 28 IMO.
Not sure I can contribute as yet to a thread like this, but
Up. I bought my E10 from a bloke in Milton Keynes who talked the car up something chronic, what with the work he's put into it. Turns out he wasn't lying, as the work has been done with genuine bits, so looks like I found a bargain.
Up. Not sure it is a classic, but my R32 skyline has gone in for some bodywork, and It'll be back to looking it's best.
Down, I still haven't started the resto on the E10, and my skyline has been gone ages, and I miss her!
Not sure I can contribute as yet to a thread like this, but
Up. I bought my E10 from a bloke in Milton Keynes who talked the car up something chronic, what with the work he's put into it. Turns out he wasn't lying, as the work has been done with genuine bits, so looks like I found a bargain.
Up. Not sure it is a classic, but my R32 skyline has gone in for some bodywork, and It'll be back to looking it's best.
Down, I still haven't started the resto on the E10, and my skyline has been gone ages, and I miss her!
Not much good stuff to report - just normal stuff! Good purchase with the Beemer btw ... that is lovely.
Put about 750 miles on the fastback (not enough I know) in 2013 but did make a decision to sell my daily Dodge truck and buy a decent 944 for everyday use. Done 2000 miles already since purchase and wonder why I didn't do it sooner - they really are the bargain of the decade ...
Put about 750 miles on the fastback (not enough I know) in 2013 but did make a decision to sell my daily Dodge truck and buy a decent 944 for everyday use. Done 2000 miles already since purchase and wonder why I didn't do it sooner - they really are the bargain of the decade ...
Good choice with a 944, with a bit of love they can go very well indeed.
However, go into it like this:
1) I will not make any money on this.
2) I will spend like Zha Zha just keeping it running.
Those tow points covered they're a real winner. Mine goes like stink now and the refreshed and rebushed suspension makes the turn in savage.
Olly22n is selling a superb 113k mile turbo at the moment for around 5k, werll worth a look.
However, go into it like this:
1) I will not make any money on this.
2) I will spend like Zha Zha just keeping it running.
Those tow points covered they're a real winner. Mine goes like stink now and the refreshed and rebushed suspension makes the turn in savage.
Olly22n is selling a superb 113k mile turbo at the moment for around 5k, werll worth a look.
That M535i is stunning.
My year was up and down. I sent the integrale away for restoration. It's going to be gone for what looks like the best part of a year.
It will be totally uneconomical but needs done, I am the only person to blame for its ruinous condition.
I was fed up not having something special to act like a hooligan in so bought an Elise. With the Elise there was no point running the MGF, so I took it off the road. Acted like a hooligan for a few months before wrapping the Elise into a lamp post a few weeks ago.
So now, at the end of the year, I'm reduced to the old CLK. 4 cars, 1 road worthy. Bit of an anti-climax. Which has started me off looking at the classifieds again, for something a bit more classic and special.
My year was up and down. I sent the integrale away for restoration. It's going to be gone for what looks like the best part of a year.
It will be totally uneconomical but needs done, I am the only person to blame for its ruinous condition.
I was fed up not having something special to act like a hooligan in so bought an Elise. With the Elise there was no point running the MGF, so I took it off the road. Acted like a hooligan for a few months before wrapping the Elise into a lamp post a few weeks ago.
So now, at the end of the year, I'm reduced to the old CLK. 4 cars, 1 road worthy. Bit of an anti-climax. Which has started me off looking at the classifieds again, for something a bit more classic and special.
Our Morris Traveller 'Moggington' had a new back axle (rotted case) and new springs, he then did a 5 day tour of Brittany from St Malo up into Normandy and home via Cherbourg, drove Mrs H to work everyday. In autumn he had a new wiring loom, removed the disc brakes, replaced with drums and a few other bits too.
My E28 520i 'Stinky2' sat forlorn on the drive for 8 months until I sold the Honda 2 days before a fortnight road trip...washed and polished, he passed an MOT and then proceeded to drive from Southampton to Lake Konstance in a day, via Interlaken and home. Averaging 30mpg all the way. He's just had the head off to replace valve stem seals and is now to be sold. His moment of glory was jump starting a 13 plate Passat in a campsite in Switzerland.
'Stnky1' remains forlorn in the pigshed. This is a cause of much sadness.
The E type was sold unfinshed, I couldn't ignore the value any longer. Big chunk off the mortgage.
The Keeble remains untouched, but I've committed to Benjj's track day so I need to get busy.
My E28 520i 'Stinky2' sat forlorn on the drive for 8 months until I sold the Honda 2 days before a fortnight road trip...washed and polished, he passed an MOT and then proceeded to drive from Southampton to Lake Konstance in a day, via Interlaken and home. Averaging 30mpg all the way. He's just had the head off to replace valve stem seals and is now to be sold. His moment of glory was jump starting a 13 plate Passat in a campsite in Switzerland.
'Stnky1' remains forlorn in the pigshed. This is a cause of much sadness.
The E type was sold unfinshed, I couldn't ignore the value any longer. Big chunk off the mortgage.
The Keeble remains untouched, but I've committed to Benjj's track day so I need to get busy.
The W124 was removed from a 5 year sleep in a barn! Four new Continentals got a 12 month ticket. Has since had all fluids changed, front ball joints and ARB bushes and is driving well. Covered 1,000 miles in the past six weeks it's been back on the road. There's a vacuum leak to attend to next year. Fuel consumption at 27mpg seems poor to me for a 2.3 petrol driven sedately.
Scirocco daily covered 12,000 miles without incident which I think is respectable for a 1985 car! 1,251 miles completed in under 22 hours as it did John O'Groats to Lands End to Liverpool! Other than three or four oil changes, I had the (diesel) injection pump recalibrated which got the MPG into the mid 50's day to day, more on the motorway. Currently letting water into the boot and the handbrake needs adjustment.
Elise has done the usual 2,500 miles. Cost peanuts this year. Next year it'll need new tyres and brakes all round which will be £1,000. Throttle cable seems to be stiff so that will probably need replacement.
Driving down to Italy next summer. Need to decide which of the above will make the journey with me
Scirocco daily covered 12,000 miles without incident which I think is respectable for a 1985 car! 1,251 miles completed in under 22 hours as it did John O'Groats to Lands End to Liverpool! Other than three or four oil changes, I had the (diesel) injection pump recalibrated which got the MPG into the mid 50's day to day, more on the motorway. Currently letting water into the boot and the handbrake needs adjustment.
Elise has done the usual 2,500 miles. Cost peanuts this year. Next year it'll need new tyres and brakes all round which will be £1,000. Throttle cable seems to be stiff so that will probably need replacement.
Driving down to Italy next summer. Need to decide which of the above will make the journey with me
It's been a busy classic year for me. I got stuck into the restoration of my Alfa 2000GTV, which I was hoping would be in paint by now - but is a long way off:
I had an epic trip in the Elise to the Spa Classic followed by a bit of driving in the Eiffel mountains to the Nurburgring and then a Lotus-on-Track trackday at Zolder (which is a great track):
I had a few good days out in the Elan:
and accidentally bought an MG on ebay - which I've been using every weekend for the past few months and surprised myself by really liking it:
Roll on 2014..
S..
I had an epic trip in the Elise to the Spa Classic followed by a bit of driving in the Eiffel mountains to the Nurburgring and then a Lotus-on-Track trackday at Zolder (which is a great track):
I had a few good days out in the Elan:
and accidentally bought an MG on ebay - which I've been using every weekend for the past few months and surprised myself by really liking it:
Roll on 2014..
S..
Away from the cars, my year has been pretty s
t.
However, I have been very lucky in that a chap I know asked me to navigate on a really easy, quite relaxing rally recently - which was fun.
And I managed to purchase a fairly cheap Lotus Elan +2 - though I expect it will have to go in the spring due to non-car related problems referred to above!
So, overall a good classic car year.
t.However, I have been very lucky in that a chap I know asked me to navigate on a really easy, quite relaxing rally recently - which was fun.
And I managed to purchase a fairly cheap Lotus Elan +2 - though I expect it will have to go in the spring due to non-car related problems referred to above!
So, overall a good classic car year.
Sad to hear that John?...
My classic year has been relatively quiet. I've spent hours and hours in the Garage cutting, grinding and welding on my Alfa 1750GTV, but I'm still 6 months away at least from a working car. The 2000 GTV has clung on working reliably but hasn't had much use and really needs a freshen up now. Mechanically it's improved massively with a swap of the steering box and a new set of Trailing Arm Bushes.
This is the first year since 2006 I haven't driven on a Rally in either of the Alfa's, though I have navigated on two Classic events (and at least 16 in modern cars). The 2000GTV did one Grass Autotest with disastrous results after the Tyres I had on the back were declared illegal so were swapped for what amounted to being slicks!.
If you count the first shape Fiat Panda's as classics, I've spent a fair number of hours trying to keep one of those on the road for my daughter, then assisted with buying another when it seemed a lost cause. The first one is actually probably better than the second one, so I'm not finished yet with those two.
My classic year has been relatively quiet. I've spent hours and hours in the Garage cutting, grinding and welding on my Alfa 1750GTV, but I'm still 6 months away at least from a working car. The 2000 GTV has clung on working reliably but hasn't had much use and really needs a freshen up now. Mechanically it's improved massively with a swap of the steering box and a new set of Trailing Arm Bushes.
This is the first year since 2006 I haven't driven on a Rally in either of the Alfa's, though I have navigated on two Classic events (and at least 16 in modern cars). The 2000GTV did one Grass Autotest with disastrous results after the Tyres I had on the back were declared illegal so were swapped for what amounted to being slicks!.
If you count the first shape Fiat Panda's as classics, I've spent a fair number of hours trying to keep one of those on the road for my daughter, then assisted with buying another when it seemed a lost cause. The first one is actually probably better than the second one, so I'm not finished yet with those two.
My Morris Minor was dragged out of the barn, 7 years after going in. Currently being given some love by a fellow MMOC member.
My old man's Saloon has soldiered on this year, with the extra speed vents
in the front wings. Will be coming off the road for work in 2014 (hopefully)
One of the Morris vans is being restored at the moment, that is heading in the right direction and looks vaguely van shaped now.
Another Morris van was dragged out of the barn with my mog and is now sat under a sheet, somewhere safe. The third van is sat waiting for its turn in a workshop.
A very good year indeed.
My old man's Saloon has soldiered on this year, with the extra speed vents
in the front wings. Will be coming off the road for work in 2014 (hopefully)One of the Morris vans is being restored at the moment, that is heading in the right direction and looks vaguely van shaped now.
Another Morris van was dragged out of the barn with my mog and is now sat under a sheet, somewhere safe. The third van is sat waiting for its turn in a workshop.
A very good year indeed.
Breadvan72 said:
Up and down and up: I got my Lancia Beta back on the road. Then the clutch pedal went again. Then it was fixed. Then the head gasket went. Then that was fixed, and now it's hooning again.
It's been a crap year health-wise for both of us but we've had the best year yet in the Riley with weekends in Scotland, Shropshire, Suffolk and Northumberland. Unfortunately I haven't got around to starting work on the second one (just as I hadn't last year and the year before) but hey-ho, one day....
Here's a gratuitous photo from the land of the thistle.
Here's a gratuitous photo from the land of the thistle.
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