No more vintage cars for me.
Discussion
Having enjoyed vintage cars for 15/18 years I have now decided to move into a classic car or van. Decided to look at the Austin A30/35 saloon or estate. Limiting my budget to around 5k and would hope that I can land a half decent example for that money. Having owned a saloon about 50 years ago this will be a nostalgia trip and hopefully good fun.
Other than the usual rust these little cars seem to be an easy car to keep going. Famous last words.
Any comments or advise welcomed.
Other than the usual rust these little cars seem to be an easy car to keep going. Famous last words.
Any comments or advise welcomed.
GoodOlBoy said:
Perhaps I'm confusing you with someone else, but didn't you go through this before and end up with a Volvo Amazon, only to find you didn't like it and wanted a Vintage car again. ? 
Yes, going through change is difficult, I sold the amazon feeling it didn’t offer the right experience for me in terms of driving pleasure. Went on to buy a 1928 Humber 14/40 saloon, hankered over for years. Sadly that car was a disaster in all ways for me, have ended up with selling it feeling dejected, nothing but trouble and expense. I now realise that the pleasure was overtaken by the pain. I understand that when I purchased the volvo I was at a crossroads in my car affections, my road is now focused. Unfortunately for me I tend to go through this type of process of not being absolutely sure until I have been through the pain of unceetaintenty.Don’t expect anyone to understand this, my wife certainly doesn’t !
You're a helluva man for changing your mind cranked up!!
Let me give you a bit of guidance. When I were a lad my dad was a builder and I used to love going out to the sites with him during the school holidays.
He had one of these:
https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2014-0...
This was an absolutely cracking machine and was fitted with the engine from the Austin Healey 100/4. I remember one afternoon in the summer bowling along the Inchinnan straight with 2 cast iron baths, copper piping and bags of cement in the back and the speedo needle touching 90 MPH! Bloody marvellous machine and that one in the ad looks stunning.
You'll love it!
J
Let me give you a bit of guidance. When I were a lad my dad was a builder and I used to love going out to the sites with him during the school holidays.
He had one of these:
https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2014-0...
This was an absolutely cracking machine and was fitted with the engine from the Austin Healey 100/4. I remember one afternoon in the summer bowling along the Inchinnan straight with 2 cast iron baths, copper piping and bags of cement in the back and the speedo needle touching 90 MPH! Bloody marvellous machine and that one in the ad looks stunning.
You'll love it!
J
Edited by jith on Thursday 15th February 23:40
What do you use the car for ?
Attending shows, regular transport, longer trips ?
Although not the most dynamic of cars, the Rover P4 would be on my shortlist. Plenty of charm, quality that is second to none, and the later cars are well capable of 70mph cruising if needed.
I'm looking out for one myself.
Attending shows, regular transport, longer trips ?
Although not the most dynamic of cars, the Rover P4 would be on my shortlist. Plenty of charm, quality that is second to none, and the later cars are well capable of 70mph cruising if needed.
I'm looking out for one myself.
Edited by mph on Friday 16th February 08:25
The older I get the more of a nightmare I have become with changing cars. The pick-up is fabulous, but I have set a budget well below the price. I think I enjoy tracking the cars down, find it a nice challenge, perhaps I should have been a dealer 
Car will be used for shows, club outings mainly.
Car will be used for shows, club outings mainly.
lotus72 said:
....or even a pickup?
Lovely thought, but way out of budget:-http://car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=2781
What a lovely little pick-up.
The last A35 I owned was when my wife and I were courting, saving every penny we could for a house deposit, as you do/did.
I bought the A35 during 1969 for £40. complete with four bald tyres and it used more oil than petrol. But it was 100% reliable. 80 mpg oil and 40mpg petrol
Gave the car to one of my brothers after I got married.
The last A35 I owned was when my wife and I were courting, saving every penny we could for a house deposit, as you do/did.
I bought the A35 during 1969 for £40. complete with four bald tyres and it used more oil than petrol. But it was 100% reliable. 80 mpg oil and 40mpg petrol
Gave the car to one of my brothers after I got married.
crankedup said:
What a lovely little pick-up.
The last A35 I owned was when my wife and I were courting, saving every penny we could for a house deposit, as you do/did.
I bought the A35 during 1969 for £40. complete with four bald tyres and it used more oil than petrol. But it was 100% reliable. 80 mpg oil and 40mpg petrol
Gave the car to one of my brothers after I got married.
You got yourself in a muddle with the numbers there.The last A35 I owned was when my wife and I were courting, saving every penny we could for a house deposit, as you do/did.
I bought the A35 during 1969 for £40. complete with four bald tyres and it used more oil than petrol. But it was 100% reliable. 80 mpg oil and 40mpg petrol
Gave the car to one of my brothers after I got married.
How about a Morris Minor van or pick up?
Due to this thread I have been reminded of the Reliant Robin pick up conversion I once saw. Something I had managed to banish from my memory, until now. Thanks, as they say "What has been seen, can't be unseen".
I think that's a good excuse to go & dig out the Port before retiring for the evening.
Carry on.
I think that's a good excuse to go & dig out the Port before retiring for the evening.
Carry on.
I enjoy reading your posts but often question your slightly obscure vintage car choices. It is often better to buy a vintage car with a decent owners club who have good expertise, support and spares (such as a Riley, Austin or Alvis). I realise they are more expensive but hold their value after the initial purchase.
I learnt to drive in an A35 Van when it was under 20 years old. I can see the appeal in that they are cheap and simple to maintain, but top speed was a frightening 55/60mph, the brakes didn't work at all, just slowing the car slightly and the clutch was like a switch (on/off). The rear and side view out of the van was poor so a Countryman conversion would provide better visibility.
If you want to drive at 30/40 mph around country lanes they're fine, but personally I would look for one with upgraded midget front brakes. A35's are also quite popular so I'm sure you will be able to sell it in 6 months when you go back to a decent vintage car!
Good luck
Rob
I learnt to drive in an A35 Van when it was under 20 years old. I can see the appeal in that they are cheap and simple to maintain, but top speed was a frightening 55/60mph, the brakes didn't work at all, just slowing the car slightly and the clutch was like a switch (on/off). The rear and side view out of the van was poor so a Countryman conversion would provide better visibility.
If you want to drive at 30/40 mph around country lanes they're fine, but personally I would look for one with upgraded midget front brakes. A35's are also quite popular so I'm sure you will be able to sell it in 6 months when you go back to a decent vintage car!
Good luck
Rob
RobMk2a said:
I enjoy reading your posts but often question your slightly obscure vintage car choices. It is often better to buy a vintage car with a decent owners club who have good expertise, support and spares (such as a Riley, Austin or Alvis). I realise they are more expensive but hold their value after the initial purchase.
I learnt to drive in an A35 Van when it was under 20 years old. I can see the appeal in that they are cheap and simple to maintain, but top speed was a frightening 55/60mph, the brakes didn't work at all, just slowing the car slightly and the clutch was like a switch (on/off). The rear and side view out of the van was poor so a Countryman conversion would provide better visibility.
If you want to drive at 30/40 mph around country lanes they're fine, but personally I would look for one with upgraded midget front brakes. A35's are also quite popular so I'm sure you will be able to sell it in 6 months when you go back to a decent vintage car!
Good luck
Rob
I learnt to drive in an A35 Van when it was under 20 years old. I can see the appeal in that they are cheap and simple to maintain, but top speed was a frightening 55/60mph, the brakes didn't work at all, just slowing the car slightly and the clutch was like a switch (on/off). The rear and side view out of the van was poor so a Countryman conversion would provide better visibility.
If you want to drive at 30/40 mph around country lanes they're fine, but personally I would look for one with upgraded midget front brakes. A35's are also quite popular so I'm sure you will be able to sell it in 6 months when you go back to a decent vintage car!
Good luck
Rob
back to a vintage car.Seriously thanks for input, spotted a Countryman for sale on car and classics, reading the ad’ leaves me in two minds though. One of those drive and improve cars, or otherwise called constant money pits.
Thought back over my vintage cars that I have enjoyed over the past 16 years or so :
Austin 12/4 saloon
Morris bullnose tourer
Bayliss Thomas 11/22 (wish I kept it)
Austin 7 swallow saloon
Vauxhall 20/60 saloon
Humber 14/40 saloon
Vauxhall 14/40 saloon
All pre 1930 cars, the most problematic was the Humber, pleased to see the back of that! On the whole enjoyed experiencing the different cars and that is what the hobby is all about for me
Maybe should have kept the Volvo Amazon GT
Edited by crankedup on Tuesday 20th February 11:56
crankedup said:
All pre 1930 cars, the most problematic was the Humber, pleased to see the back of that! On the whole enjoyed experiencing the different cars and that is what the hobby is all about for me
Maybe should have kept the Volvo Amazon GT
Ford Pilot V8 perhaps....?
aeropilot said:
crankedup said:
All pre 1930 cars, the most problematic was the Humber, pleased to see the back of that! On the whole enjoyed experiencing the different cars and that is what the hobby is all about for me
Maybe should have kept the Volvo Amazon GT
Ford Pilot V8 perhaps....?
crankedup said:
aeropilot said:
crankedup said:
All pre 1930 cars, the most problematic was the Humber, pleased to see the back of that! On the whole enjoyed experiencing the different cars and that is what the hobby is all about for me
Maybe should have kept the Volvo Amazon GT
Ford Pilot V8 perhaps....?
Small, neat little runabout sounds like you are looking for a daily use car rather than a car that is nearly 60 years old.....!
Small in size I can understand if garage space is an issue, but I'm assuming that isn't the case, given the size of the vintage stuff you've had in the past.
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