Sporty Classic Saloon for Touring

[mph]

I'm off to the classic races in Angouleme next month. The problem is the last time I was in France was in June this year. We got caught in the freak rain while driving on the motorway in an open top classic and it wasn't pleasant. It hasn't put me off at all but I'm travelling with an older friend and he's reluctant to repeat the experience.

Going in a modern car isn't an option for me so I'm thinking that maybe it's time to have a classic saloon or coupe in my garage.

The candidate must be able to cruise at 70+ and have some credibility. Also must be ready to go and not require any major work.

I'm very much a Jag fan but a decent Mk2 is too expensive and it's difficult to find a good S type or 420. I also like the Alfa 105 range but I'm not sure if they are "classic" enough. Any suggestions gratefully received, preferably with a link to a car for sale. Budget would be up to 20k

[johnvthe2nd]

Alfa 2000 GTV 105. Very classic, great car. I'll look out for you at Angoulème!

[plasticpig]

If you like MKII's then a Daimler V8 would be well within budget.



http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...





Two proper 60's grand tourers.

Jensen CV8

http://www.carandclassic.com/car/C96515/




Bristol 409

http://www.carandclassic.com/car/C156359/

[ewenm]

Classic american, LHD, ready to go and lots of change:
1969 Mustang Mach 1

[chrisispringles]

What about some old Americana like these:

Chevy Camaro: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1882223.htm

Chevy Corvette: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1871972.htm

Pontiac Firebird: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1517702.htm

Ford Mustang Mach 1: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1956858.htm


There is also this. It wouldn't be a sesnible choice but I would give you my eternal respect if you did get it:

Aston Martin Lagonda: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[Huntsman]

Early Rover P6 V8?

Or Rover P5?

[JakesterUK]

The Mustang gets my vote..

[mph]

Huntsman said:

Early Rover P6 V8?

Or Rover P5?

Good choice.There's a nice looking P6 on E-bay at the moment.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, quite a few I hadn't thought of.

Some of the American stuff looks very interesting and I can appreciate it, but I don't think it's for me.

Also considered a Jensen Interceptor (I used to own a CV8) but the fuel consumption puts it out of the frame.

[braddo]

I'd the say the Alfa Giulia saloon is definitely a classic sporting saloon, although the styling can seem quite utilitarian. That said, the boxy styling is aerodynamically efficient so they are apparently quieter at speed (and quicker) than the equivalent GTV. There don't seem to be many for sale though.

What about a W109 Mercedes? This one is very expensive but gives you an idea. Up to £20k would get you into a nice 3.5 V8 or even a 6.3.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1909157.htm

[Huntsman]

mph said:

There's a nice looking P6 on E-bay at the moment.

The P6 body shell is quite complex, you need to look very carefully for rust.

The S1 P6 with the aluminium slat grille is much more charismatic that the S2 with the plastic egg crate grill, S1 badged as the 3500. Very nice but few and far between. I've had 2 and they are a lovely drive.

[A911DOM]

Triumph Dolly Sprint / GT6 or 2500 PI etc?

Volvo amazon?

Porsche 912 / SC / 3.2 / 928...

Choices choices

[SB - Nigel]

Some sporty and others not quite so (some already mentioned);

Jag XJ or (old) S type (cheaper and better than MkII possibly),
Daimler 250,
Triumph 2000, 2500,
Rover P5B, P6 (3500 or 3500S - manual), SD1 (Vitesse),
Wolseley Six, Austin 3 litre (large land crabs),
Vanden Plas 3 litre and 4 litre R

[tog]

How about a convertible saloon for 18k? Comes with hard and soft tops.

"Dark red coachwork with new black leather interior. Rebuilt, enhanced engine with 4 speed lock-up gearbox for greater economy. Drives well; has some paintwork blemishes."



http://www.amjblow.co.uk/stockdetails.asp?Category...

[lowdrag]

No idea of the price these days, but "off piste" I've always lusted after a Gilbern Invader. Maybe impossible to find anyway. But what's wrong with an MGCGT? Great cruiser, long legged and fits the bill I reckon. Under-rated too. A series 1 Golf GTi? Triumph 2.5 pi? Oh dear, we are going to confuse you!

[SlipStream77]

Elan 2+2

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1938241.htm

Is there any reason you're not looking at E's?

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1936396.htm

[Electron]

You should be able to get a really good Invader - Mk II or III well within budget.. best thing is to put a Wanted Add on the Club Forum (http://gilbern.co.uk)

Electric windows, two speed wipers, very well appointed but then I am biased :-)

Funnily enough I went to get petrol for the lawnmower at the garage in St Privat right out in the sticks in the Correze and was confronted by a LHD French Rover P5 manual (straight six) being rebuilt !! It's one of five owned by the local doctor.

Jensen Healey hardtop could be another curve ball ....

[ewenm]

Volvo P1800?

[SB - Nigel]

Sorry I missed the budget but you could get top notch examples of all the ones I suggested and save loads of money

What about a soft top with a hard top - TR4/5/6 or Stag

MGC GT as suggested or MGC with hard top (if available)

Ford Capri

just though MGB GT V8

[velocemitch]

Alfa 1750 GTV if you can find one, or 2000GTV if you can't.
This ones certainly classic enough in my book. Have a look in members cars lounge for some more shots.

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...

[mph]

Fantastic response and yes I am getting confused !

E-types are out as they are generally over my budget unless I went for a V12 coupe. I have an S1 fhc but it needs restoring.

The MGC GT is a car I've always liked the look of but never driven. A possible.

Volvo 1800, another I've liked, but I would imagine the performance is marginal for long distance touring ?

TR4,5,6 etc with hardtop - I really fancy a proper saloon or a coupe rather than a convertible.

I do like the Alfas. This one looks nice but has been for sale for a long time, maybe a year, could it be the colour or the price ?

http://www.alfaholics.com/cars_for_sale_menu/road_...

I've just heard of a really nice jaguar Mk2 3.4 that's coming on the market, I should get the details early next week.

Also considering going back to have another look at the XJ12 coupe I saw last year.