What`s the most useable classic car

[white_goodman]

Does anyone run a `classic`(40+ years old) as a daily. What do you think is the most useable classic (if any) that if in good mechanical condition, you could realistically run on a daily basis.

[crofty1984]

I'd say:
Mini
MGB GT
Reliant Scimitar
Rover P6

All pretty popular with lots of spares backup and common, proven powerplants.
Of course you'd have to look out for rust and dodgy electrics.

[Keep it stiff]

If you refer to the Classic Cars forum you will see a thread running at the moment on classics as everyday cars.

[longblackcoat]

Mercedes W123 - not quite 40 years old, but getting there - first introduced in 1976. Loads of parts available, and still nice to drive, albeit feeling very old these days

[steviegunn]

If you can find a rot free TR7, I ran one as a daily for over a year.

[white_goodman]

Keep it stiff said:

If you refer to the Classic Cars forum you will see a thread running at the moment on classics as everyday cars.

Cool, can you post a link.

[Pistom]

Lots of cars are quite useable at 40 years old but why would you want to use one daily? Unless it's your only car in which case, yes it's quite cool in a Berjerac, Morse kind of way. Although I don't think it's important for people to be murdered around you.

[sunbeam alpine]

I run various classics (Alfa/Mini/Sunbeam) - using them at least once a week through the summer months. I take a different car every day. During the winter (or at least when there's salt on the ground) I tend to leave them in the garage.

My choice for year-round use would be a mini or a MGB - parts availability and relative simplicity would make either a viable option.

MGB is an itch I keep meaning to scratch.

[Pistom]

The MGB is a good call in that it is easy to maintain but they rust in a complex manner. It would be interesting to hear from those who have used a B as a long term daily classic year round.

[Steffan]

steviegunn said:

If you can find a rot free TR7, I ran one as a daily for over a year.

If you can find a rot free TR7 you are a better man than I. IMO they do not exist. All rot some more than others. Fact of Triumph lack of QC when made just down the road from my old home years ago. There are no rot free TR7's.

[Steffan]

OP on topic I agree with the Mini and P6. I also rate the BLMC Wolseley/Riley 1.5's which are genuinely decent cars and up to modern traffic. Reliable engines and drive trains very driveable not silly money plentiful spares. I really think these are worth a thought.

[Faust66]

This question gets asked quite often... and I'll reply along the same lines as always.

You want a 40 + year old car that can handle being kept outside and used as a daily with no drama? A car with a decent level of rust protection, a good demister and a heater that puts modern cars to shame?

Got to be a Volvo Amazon.

Mine is my only car and I can see no point i getting something more modern (apart from a nice 2.8 Capri in black, maybe). Starts first turn of the key, has a reasonable turn of speed, it puts a big grin on my face every time I drive it and the insurance is stupidly cheap and there is no VED to pay.

Oh, and you get loads of positive attention and comments... it's surprising how many people let you out of side roads when you're driving a classic.

[Chaz9950]

crofty1984 said:

I'd say:
Mini
MGB GT
Reliant Scimitar
Rover P6r

All pretty popular with lots of spares backup and common, proven powerplants.
Of course you'd have to look out for rust and dodgy electrics.

Either you're high or drunk. Or you're on a vision quest?

I had one for a while - it leaked more than a seive, overheated like it was going out of fashion, let more water in than a sinking kayak, refused to start, refused to stop, rusted like I was washing it in salt.... I could go on...

Either they're rubbish, or I bought a lemon (highly likely )

[Chaz9950]

crofty1984 said:

I'd say:
Mini
MGB GT
Reliant Scimitar
Rover P6r

All pretty popular with lots of spares backup and common, proven powerplants.
Of course you'd have to look out for rust and dodgy electrics.

Either you're high or drunk. Or you're on a vision quest?

I had one for a while - it leaked more than a seive, overheated like it was going out of fashion, let more water in than a sinking kayak, refused to start, refused to stop, rusted like I was washing it in salt.... I could go on...

Either they're rubbish, or I bought a lemon (highly likely )

[rupert the dog]

sunbeam alpine said:

I run various classics (Alfa/Mini/Sunbeam) - using them at least once a week through the summer months. I take a different car every day. During the winter (or at least when there's salt on the ground) I tend to leave them in the garage.

My choice for year-round use would be a mini or a MGB - parts availability and relative simplicity would make either a viable option.

MGB is an itch I keep meaning to scratch.

Just looked at your fleet. Wow, Can I be you?

[rottie102]

My C3 Corvette is a usable classic, it was my only car for a while. If you need creature comforts, go American. It has power steering, central locking, air-con (although some idiot removed the compressor), electric windows etc.

But it will end up pissing you off and being much less special than it should be. Now, between last MOTs I only did 450 miles in it and every single one of them was special!

Edited by rottie102 on Monday 10th February 23:21

[Bullett]

I used to run a '69 Porsche 912 as my only car. Admittedly not for the commute (I used the train) but for everything else.
Very capable in modern traffic, ok you're not going to get a wardrobe in it but the weekly shop was no problem.

A 76 911 would be very tempting to me (they had galvanized bodies by then).

[steviegunn]

Steffan said:

steviegunn said:

If you can find a rot free TR7, I ran one as a daily for over a year.

If you can find a rot free TR7 you are a better man than I. IMO they do not exist. All rot some more than others. Fact of Triumph lack of QC when made just down the road from my old home years ago. There are no rot free TR7's.

I believe there are still some new shells around, so if the budget is big enough it's possible.

[buzzer]

Steffan said:

steviegunn said:

If you can find a rot free TR7, I ran one as a daily for over a year.

If you can find a rot free TR7 you are a better man than I. IMO they do not exist. All rot some more than others. Fact of Triumph lack of QC when made just down the road from my old home years ago. There are no rot free TR7's.

They do exist. My wife works with a woman whose husband has one that has NEVER seen a wet road. When I went to look at the car it was simply mint. Less than 3000 miles on it.

[S0 What]

Depends an what you do daily?

Merc 123
Cortina
Mini

Thinking of parts availabilty and reliability the Merc is a good bet but as with any old car they do rust and parts (decent parts !) are expensive, ive just lite resto'd one 5Pot diesel estate and starting another (4pot).
Cortina, choice is based on parts supply for the granada not being as expansive and the escort being way too expensive.
Mini, has to be in any list but they are rather scarey to drive nowdays as they are really REALLY mini in comparison to 90% of cars on the road today.

sportyish?
Stag
Capri
MGB GT
MG midget

Stag, i just love em and they are simply worth the effort/cost (biased)
Capri, good parts supply really out weighs anything else in this niche in my (admitedly) limited experiance.
V good parts supply for the MGB but the standard of them is questionable (lite resto'd a BGT 2 years back) and there fowsands of em on the road.
Midget, unloved and under valued with good parts and reliability but small.