Looking for Project "2" - but what?
Discussion
Hi, I’m looking for a project.
Quick car history – when I was a teenager, I ran VW Beetles and did quite a bit of work on them (mechanical and body, interior not so much) Through University I ran sub £50 bangers, nursing them along until they needed money, then scrapped them. Not long after Uni I was issued a company vehicle and hence “locked out” of working on them, so took to detailing. Roll forwards 20yrs of mending cars with a mobile phone not spanners.
Last May I bought myself a car to work on – it had a lot of electrical issues (fixed) and few body issues (fixed) and I have been detailing the engine (removing, cleaning , putting back) and ditto the interior, full re-dye etc . As unfortunately it was an “itch scratching” exercise, and a lot of wedge tied up in it, it has to go. (Gutted)
But.. I’ve got the bug now. I want another, and I want to be stretched a little more.
I want to do a more complete resto. But, I’m probably not ready yet for significant mechanicals, or body or welding – though I could learn.
I’m thinking MX-5, because they are cheap, and a blank canvas. OR, am thinking old Beetle – to recoup some “youth” (Oh, I should have mentioned my kids are teenagers, so this might be the L-plate car once done, as my daily is an Auto)
Both are chassis-ed cars, both are relatively simple tech ( I don’t want Canbus Computer controlled anything, if a “thing” doesn’t work, I want to diagnose and fix it myself) But, sadly, neither really “excite” me as a car. “Excite” is probably the wrong word, I’m looking for the satisfaction of starting off with a shed and breathing new life, not actually driving it – though that would be nice, but mostly it’d be a (re-)learning experience – and this would be a “stepping stone” project to something even more ambitious next time. (oh, I forgot – classic Mini is “Out” for reasons too boring to explain)
I haven’t really got a budget in mind (depends on what Project1 sells for) , say £2-3k purchase price, and the “spend” being , well, I could probably get away in spending another £2k per annum dribbling money at it under the radar…
I’m not really bothered about “profit” , but I would like to see a return even if its only paper value if we kept it (for as I said, the L-Plate mobile once done), or sold for what it stands me at (nearly, sum of its parts etc.) to finance project 3. But its for this reason a “kit” is probably out.
Any suggestions?
Sorry for the long post, but wanted to paint a picture of my experience and also what I’m after.
Quick car history – when I was a teenager, I ran VW Beetles and did quite a bit of work on them (mechanical and body, interior not so much) Through University I ran sub £50 bangers, nursing them along until they needed money, then scrapped them. Not long after Uni I was issued a company vehicle and hence “locked out” of working on them, so took to detailing. Roll forwards 20yrs of mending cars with a mobile phone not spanners.
Last May I bought myself a car to work on – it had a lot of electrical issues (fixed) and few body issues (fixed) and I have been detailing the engine (removing, cleaning , putting back) and ditto the interior, full re-dye etc . As unfortunately it was an “itch scratching” exercise, and a lot of wedge tied up in it, it has to go. (Gutted)
But.. I’ve got the bug now. I want another, and I want to be stretched a little more.
I want to do a more complete resto. But, I’m probably not ready yet for significant mechanicals, or body or welding – though I could learn.
I’m thinking MX-5, because they are cheap, and a blank canvas. OR, am thinking old Beetle – to recoup some “youth” (Oh, I should have mentioned my kids are teenagers, so this might be the L-plate car once done, as my daily is an Auto)
Both are chassis-ed cars, both are relatively simple tech ( I don’t want Canbus Computer controlled anything, if a “thing” doesn’t work, I want to diagnose and fix it myself) But, sadly, neither really “excite” me as a car. “Excite” is probably the wrong word, I’m looking for the satisfaction of starting off with a shed and breathing new life, not actually driving it – though that would be nice, but mostly it’d be a (re-)learning experience – and this would be a “stepping stone” project to something even more ambitious next time. (oh, I forgot – classic Mini is “Out” for reasons too boring to explain)
I haven’t really got a budget in mind (depends on what Project1 sells for) , say £2-3k purchase price, and the “spend” being , well, I could probably get away in spending another £2k per annum dribbling money at it under the radar…
I’m not really bothered about “profit” , but I would like to see a return even if its only paper value if we kept it (for as I said, the L-Plate mobile once done), or sold for what it stands me at (nearly, sum of its parts etc.) to finance project 3. But its for this reason a “kit” is probably out.
Any suggestions?
Sorry for the long post, but wanted to paint a picture of my experience and also what I’m after.
Not if the kids are going to learn in it.
MX-5 has a monocoque and not a separate chassis last time I looked...
If you want Beetle simplicity in a sportscar that learners can drive a Spitfire isn't a bad bet. Nor is an MX-5 but the learner loading might be epic.
Would a Mk1 Driver slip under the Insurer's radar?
Failing that, Saab 900 GLS.
MX-5 has a monocoque and not a separate chassis last time I looked...
If you want Beetle simplicity in a sportscar that learners can drive a Spitfire isn't a bad bet. Nor is an MX-5 but the learner loading might be epic.
Would a Mk1 Driver slip under the Insurer's radar?
Failing that, Saab 900 GLS.
pacoryan said:
Not if the kids are going to learn in it.
MX-5 has a monocoque and not a separate chassis last time I looked...
If you want Beetle simplicity in a sportscar that learners can drive a Spitfire isn't a bad bet. Nor is an MX-5 but the learner loading might be epic.
Would a Mk1 Driver slip under the Insurer's radar?
Failing that, Saab 900 GLS.
Ref MX-5, sorry that might have been terminology, I've seen "body off" photos leaving a central beam with suspension and engine retained.. and so I quite liked the idea of splitting it into sub-projects easily. MX-5 has a monocoque and not a separate chassis last time I looked...
If you want Beetle simplicity in a sportscar that learners can drive a Spitfire isn't a bad bet. Nor is an MX-5 but the learner loading might be epic.
Would a Mk1 Driver slip under the Insurer's radar?
Failing that, Saab 900 GLS.
"Learner" is only really "in play" because both me and herindoors drive autos - but I do suppose I need to consider insurance costs, if its to be used for that. I'll have the craic with my broker, it might still be do-able with L-plates if not once they have passed.
A mate is doing a Spitfire, I should go check it out. Thanks for the prompt. We've exchanged stories on how much we are both enjoying what we are doing, though never seen each others cars. (probably because we both, when nearing a stage of completion, and hence the window is open for allocation of new chores, by others, quickly remove some significant parts requiring further "garage time")
I nod towards the idea of a Golf GTI , though personally prefer the aesthetic of the MkII - but it does tick boxes and I did miss the whole 80's hot hatch thing driving Beetles at the time and then boring company euroboxes afterwards.
Had a 99GL for a bit once. Not really my thing. (But on the plus, I was the middle car in a 3car rear-ending accident once , the other 2 were written off, but spit on the corner of a hanky was enough to restore the Saab - so would be safe for the L-platists)
Hmm... thanks for the ideas. More to think about.
There is no end of choice via eBay (I should know to my cost) and I'm still not quite sure of your requirements so here's a list:
Opel Monza - this would be a very serious restoration; it's auto too which is a shame
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OPEL-MONZA-Barn-Find-/25...
Mercedes 380SLC - even your wife will like this (not I it's current state though) but rust/parts costs are going to be an issue here I'd have thought (would be my choice though, loads on eBay currently)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1982-MERCEDES-380-SLC-AU...
Land Rover Series III - endless options and parts are available
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1983-LAND-ROVER-series-3...
Opel Monza - this would be a very serious restoration; it's auto too which is a shame
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OPEL-MONZA-Barn-Find-/25...
Mercedes 380SLC - even your wife will like this (not I it's current state though) but rust/parts costs are going to be an issue here I'd have thought (would be my choice though, loads on eBay currently)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1982-MERCEDES-380-SLC-AU...
Land Rover Series III - endless options and parts are available
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1983-LAND-ROVER-series-3...
jellypig said:
I nod towards the idea of a Golf GTI , though personally prefer the aesthetic of the MkII - but it does tick boxes and I did miss the whole 80's hot hatch thing driving Beetles at the time and then boring company euroboxes afterwards.
Mk2 is better in every way - dynamics, safety, comfort, refinement. It could almost be a modern car, they are that well made. I've owned three.But I still own the mk1. It's become a cliché, but it really is as good as the hype then and now make it out to be.
In standard form, it's lack of weight plus telepathic, delicate, no-PAS handling are IMO unbeatable.
It will always be worth something, it will always make everyone else smile at you, and classic-status insurance is embarrassingly cheap (for me anyway).
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