Something pre 78?
Discussion
I know, yet another what car but please bear with me.
Recently retired and relocated to Western Scotland, brought my current fleet with me -
TVR Chimaera
Caterham (1991 Crossflow I built myself 27 year ago
Volvo 940 Estate
Now the Volvo is a do anything vehicle, holidays, dogs, tip, shopping etc, a sort of up and coming classic(?) and poky enough to be useful
The TVR and Caterham are squeezed into a garage not quite big enough for two cars, I planned an extra garage once here but getting it built is another matter.
The TVR was used for a few weeks when the weather was better but over the last 3 years (while I was still working in Yorkshire) did around 2000 miles/annum
The Caterham managed 800 mile last year, mostly to Harewood Hillclimb and this year about 30 miles (to the MoT and one trial up the road).
The TVR & Caterham are costing around £1000 in tax, Insurance and MoT, in addition the TVR seems to require a regular injection of cash to keep it tip top. ( I can see another big bill in the next year or two).
So finally to the point of the thread:
If I sell both the TVR and Caterham and buy one pre 78 car what to get?
A convertible would be nice but not essential. With a wife, son, two dogs a two seater is often unusable but still an option.
Needs to be sporty enough to keep me interested, and preferably fixable at home. And preferably usable all year round without worrying too much about weather/salt etc although I'd keep it tidy.
Current thoughts in my narrow mind:
Lancia Fulvia (had one back in the 1980's paid £190 for it, not sure about spares availability and reluctant to pay about £12K for one)
BMW 2002tii (had one of these in the 1980's/90's, brilliant car but prices have really risen over the last few years)
Lotus Elan +2 (often hankered after one but these have doubled in price over the last year)
Volvo Amazon (I have a Volvo history, always liked to look of the Amazon but not sure about owning one)
Gilbern Invader S3 Another long term fancy
Scimitar GTC (not quite in the free tax/MoT)
Imp/Clan Crusader (had both in my youth and still a favourite)
Old Ford (Escort/Capri/Cortina) ( but the prices for these are now silly - would a South African import still be tax/MoT free?)
I've always liked the Stag but didn't like driving one and there are so many rust traps
Had my share of MG's and minis in my youth and don't want to go there again.
Was thinking Austin 7 Special but think I'll fall out of love with it in about two weeks.
Any one suggest anything I might have missed, I guess anything of that era is going to suffer corrosion worries and parts availability is down to specialist spares companies.
Recently retired and relocated to Western Scotland, brought my current fleet with me -
TVR Chimaera
Caterham (1991 Crossflow I built myself 27 year ago
Volvo 940 Estate
Now the Volvo is a do anything vehicle, holidays, dogs, tip, shopping etc, a sort of up and coming classic(?) and poky enough to be useful
The TVR and Caterham are squeezed into a garage not quite big enough for two cars, I planned an extra garage once here but getting it built is another matter.
The TVR was used for a few weeks when the weather was better but over the last 3 years (while I was still working in Yorkshire) did around 2000 miles/annum
The Caterham managed 800 mile last year, mostly to Harewood Hillclimb and this year about 30 miles (to the MoT and one trial up the road).
The TVR & Caterham are costing around £1000 in tax, Insurance and MoT, in addition the TVR seems to require a regular injection of cash to keep it tip top. ( I can see another big bill in the next year or two).
So finally to the point of the thread:
If I sell both the TVR and Caterham and buy one pre 78 car what to get?
A convertible would be nice but not essential. With a wife, son, two dogs a two seater is often unusable but still an option.
Needs to be sporty enough to keep me interested, and preferably fixable at home. And preferably usable all year round without worrying too much about weather/salt etc although I'd keep it tidy.
Current thoughts in my narrow mind:
Lancia Fulvia (had one back in the 1980's paid £190 for it, not sure about spares availability and reluctant to pay about £12K for one)
BMW 2002tii (had one of these in the 1980's/90's, brilliant car but prices have really risen over the last few years)
Lotus Elan +2 (often hankered after one but these have doubled in price over the last year)
Volvo Amazon (I have a Volvo history, always liked to look of the Amazon but not sure about owning one)
Gilbern Invader S3 Another long term fancy
Scimitar GTC (not quite in the free tax/MoT)
Imp/Clan Crusader (had both in my youth and still a favourite)
Old Ford (Escort/Capri/Cortina) ( but the prices for these are now silly - would a South African import still be tax/MoT free?)
I've always liked the Stag but didn't like driving one and there are so many rust traps
Had my share of MG's and minis in my youth and don't want to go there again.
Was thinking Austin 7 Special but think I'll fall out of love with it in about two weeks.
Any one suggest anything I might have missed, I guess anything of that era is going to suffer corrosion worries and parts availability is down to specialist spares companies.
Google [bot] said:
P1800?
Lotus Eclat/Elite
BMW 6-Series
928
XJ-S
Scirocco
260Z
Manta
Firenza
P1800 - Always a visual favourite, also the ES but understand they look better than they drive and the ES poss too much like the 940Lotus Eclat/Elite
BMW 6-Series
928
XJ-S
Scirocco
260Z
Manta
Firenza
Edited by Google [bot] on Sunday 17th June 09:42
Lotus Eclat/Elite - Elite and Eclat jarr a little, had an Excel and one of the best drives I've owned, all galvanised underneath but all post 78.
BMW 6-Series - Good call the 635 another visual favourite, knew someone with a red one 30 odd years ago, used to drool over it. Rust, usable?
928 - probably ruinous, again knew someone with one over 30 years ago was ruinous then...
XJ-S - boat not floated I'm afraid
Scirocco - sorry, doesn't do it for me, and not keen on FWD
260Z - interesting idea, did like the 240Z
Manta - cheaper than the escort option - had a Cavalier back in their day. Wife had the earlier 70's Manta years ago. Just thought - Opel GT???
Firenza - Used to navigate for a couple of lads in Firenza 2300, not something I'd considered, worth a look - usable every day maybe??
TooMany2cvs said:
"Utter hoot to drive" doesn't necessarily have to mean fast. All your boxes appear to be ticked by...
...and it might even prove useful in Western Scotland, too...
Good shout, and up here a useful tool!...and it might even prove useful in Western Scotland, too...
Drove a few back in the 70's turning circle of the Arc Royal and flat out at 55 (diesel)
Was reading Breadvan72 thread about the one he bought recently
The guy across the road is restoring one he found in a field down the road....
I had a Scimitar GTC for a few years.
Loved it, however they never look tidy, they are a factory built kit car.
I've considered most on your list, however I think for me I would:
1. Mini Moke for something fun in the sun, easy and simple to maintain, lid down, four seats, what's not to love.
2. Rover P5B for long distance if it's mint.
I wouldn't go for fun in anything with a roof to be honest, absolutely no point IMO sitting inside a classic, I'd love an amazon but why really??
Loved it, however they never look tidy, they are a factory built kit car.
I've considered most on your list, however I think for me I would:
1. Mini Moke for something fun in the sun, easy and simple to maintain, lid down, four seats, what's not to love.
2. Rover P5B for long distance if it's mint.
I wouldn't go for fun in anything with a roof to be honest, absolutely no point IMO sitting inside a classic, I'd love an amazon but why really??
vixen1700 said:
Lovely...But you certainly aren't going to lose it on a grey day, are you?
85Carrera said:
Heh! I looked at that a while back and loved it, if only I had the space.vixen1700 said:
85Carrera said:
Heh! I looked at that a while back and loved it, if only I had the space.Keep it stiff said:
A Series 3 LR has got to be a good shout.
How about an SD1?
The second series was better than the first although might mean waiting a could of years for it to become VED exempt.
Will look around at the S3, prefer looks of SWB but guess the LWB (with windows) more practicalHow about an SD1?
The second series was better than the first although might mean waiting a could of years for it to become VED exempt.
Drove a friends SD1 a bit back then, took it to Goodwood FoS (all the way from Tyneside) very nice drive but not sure I'd want one now, plenty power and comfort to go with the rust.
Another friend had a twin turbo one for a while, that was rather pleasant!
jeremyc said:
NO sorry NOI've had my fill of rust, sharp edges, not being able to access stuff and the bonnet safety catch in the top of my head thank you.
I've had about 6 mini over the years and the last, a Clubman with 1330, decent gearbox, uprated everything was a pain.
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff