Classic Cars

[clivvy]

hey chaps, what with this being the "virtual pub", I thought I'd post about my latest "want".

So I have always liked classic cars. I love the style, the simplicity and history. I'm certanly not rich, and have no money, but I got to thinking about actually buying a classic car. As I need time to save up, I figured I'd start looking at what I want. Due to space and other factors, I realised that i want something fairly small and simple, easy for me to fix, and easy to squeeze onto the driveway (under a cover). I got a few ideas, what do you think?

Fiat 126
Fiat 500
Beetle
Datsun 100A
Honda Z600

colour doesnt matter, and it can be as ugly as anything I dont care because I like them all (especially the Datsun). I dont mind having to do a little restoration work, as this is an area I have growing interest. Welding would be my biggest issue, but I'm willing to learn.

so, any other ideas? cost wise, needs to be as cheap as possible but not a total wreck. I know its asking a lot, but i have seen a fair few classics reasonably cheap and in "good condition", especially the Beetles..As most of the cars I am interested in were built before I was born (JUST) I have no drivign experience of them, so if anyone has any history they can offer, I'd be most interested!

cheers chaps!

 

[rustic]

The old beetles were used a lot for kit cars, the floor pan was rigid and contained all the running gear. I think that the early Porches used a version of this floor pan as well.

But there are still lots of good examples around.

What about the Morris 1000 or the estate version of the same, with all that wooden trim.
I wonder if they could fail an MOT because of wood worm :nenau :lol :lol


I certainly liked the simplicity, but in those days you had to carry a tool kit around and know how to use it, as they were very temperamental.

I think they are nearly all petrol as well, so do your homework as some classics can't run on unleaded fuel, but can run with addatives added.


The car I always wanted, was the convertable Triumph Stag in white, :thumbs There are still afew around.

Regarding keeping it under a cover, I wouldn't have thought this was a good idea, you are trapping in moisture, a car port would be a good option or better a snug warm garage.

Maybe those covers which are like pram hoods which don't touch the car could be a better option.

 

[clivvy]

thanks Rustic, yes I agree that the older cars were temperamental. When I were a lad, we had a Vauxhall Chevette etc, never any trouble. Im hoping to get a decent and easy to fix example, so long as I can learn and understand the engine, I'll be fine. I'm liking the old Hondas and the old Fiats, because their engines appear really simple, and the electrics seem very straight forward too!

I agree about the cover point, thats kinda what I meant (car port style cover) as I have heard horror stories about trapped moisture and resultent rust/paint bubbling! I could PROBABLY get away with building a huge car port in the back garden where we have a car space...hmmm...now thats got me thinking.....

 

[makeitfit]

Of the cars you mention the Beetle IS the pits, fact They're so over rated and usually bodged body work all over and even if you get one that works they're like driving a broken milk float
The fiat 126 = more fun with a powered skateboard
The datsun is quite lively and probably more difficult to find than you'd think.
Fiat 500 , get the one with the race engine and the boot wont close
No idea about the others.
As a classic car family we can say one thing "Learn how to weld" :lol
When buying make sure you have read up big time on the pitfalls of the car you fancy and then dont be afraid to tear the thing apart looking for bodges, cause there will be some
Good luck :thumbs

 

[jims-terrano]

Like the idea Clivvy. My list would be along the lines of lots and lots!!! Reminds me of childhood.

Beetle
Moggy (Saloon or Traveller)
Capri
Escort MK1
Mini
Shuvit (for old times sake)
Landy

At the mo I'm looking at selling T2 and buying a Golf around 51 or 52 plate, the dashboards look so cool in blue:lol

Jim

 

[makeitfit]

We've got at the mo a right crusty MK3 cortina undergoing major surgery
My daughter's race tuned Herald 13/60, spitfire engine twin carbed and race exhaust etc :sly My son's MK2 fiesta , boy racered :doh
My ancient Dutton kit car escort based
Buying the wife an Alfa next week or two, they're as cheap as chips , so will have one for as long as it keeps going:lol

 

[clivvy]

We've got at the mo a right crusty MK3 cortina undergoing major surgery
My daughter's race tuned Herald 13/60, spitfire engine twin carbed and race exhaust etc :sly My son's MK2 fiesta , boy racered :doh
My ancient Dutton kit car escort based
Buying the wife an Alfa next week or two, they're as cheap as chips , so will have one for as long as it keeps going:lol

thanks for the tips makeit, much appreciated. I really fancy the Datsun, and as you say, NOTmany about. Ive seen one that needs welding nice and cheap, so id expect that to be a big restoration project! The Fiats look very simple indeed, so im very tempted, although for the money i could get a renault 5 Turbo which I at least have some minor experience with.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

I have had the classic car bug lately, I used to have a 126 bis when they were new and I loved it!

My first thoughts are to buy something small, as it will be easy to store, transport and move about to work on it. :thumb2

 

[clivvy]

I have had the classic car bug lately, I used to have a 126 bis when they were new and I loved it!

My first thoughts are to buy something small, as it will be easy to store, transport and move about to work on it. :thumb2

exactly what I want to do :thumb2

I do fancy a 126BIS, and tehre are a few about at reasonable prices. Of course what ever classic I buy, I wont expect any where near MINT, just want it to be easy enough to restore, rather than a rust bucket with nackered engine!

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

exactly what I want to do :thumb2

I do fancy a 126BIS, and tehre are a few about at reasonable prices. Of course what ever classic I buy, I wont expect any where near MINT, just want it to be easy enough to restore, rather than a rust bucket with nackered engine!

By the way i agree with above posts, I wouldn't touch a beetle with a barge pole!

The BIS had a water cooled engine (was it 704cc?) as opposed to the 650 air cooled that went before. The engine was so compact they had no oil filter But they did go well and felt roomier than you would imagine for such a small car. Bear in mind than none of the body panels from the earlier 126 are interchangeable with a BIS and they didn't make them for all that long, it might have some bearing on finding parts :thumb2

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

http://cars.uk.msn.com/features/photoviewer.aspx?cp-documentid=158560788&ocid=today#image=1


have a look at that bunch of unlikely classics, even an odd Nissan/Alfa collaboration

 

[larson]

hilman imp

 

[jims-terrano]

http://cars.uk.msn.com/features/photoviewer.aspx?cp-documentid=158560788&ocid=today#image=1


have a look at that bunch of unlikely classics, even an odd Nissan/Alfa collaboration

Errr yuck I hated those. Cherry Europe (920) They were utter crap and I can not believe there are any still on the road.

Jim

 

[laurieash]

Hi i did the same a few years ago the wife always wanted a moggy 1000 Traveler thats the one with wood at the back, driving past a village one day and there was one parked on the roadside for sale.rang the number it was £700
plus another one for spares,so done the deal, got them home did all the welding filling.ajusting torsion bars,( same as terrano) rubed all the paint work down and used broken glass on the wood work to get all the old varnish off.spent two months doing it up, and it past test first time :thumbs the wife ran it through the summer,loved it we went on days out, lots of looks and good coments.come winter wife say carnt live with that the Heater is crap the windows always steam up. so the love affair was over with the moggy.put on ebay £2200:lol
so all was not bad the guy that won it loves it. Laurie.

 

[4wheel]

Triumph Spitfire. Avaiable at reasonable prices,easy to work on,spares available.Known issue with rear suspension easily sorted,can be stored in large bin bag.

 

[clivvy]

hmm..more to add to my list! I'll do some research. I know OF the Spitfire, but nothing about it, just what it looks like! So ill look into that too.

 

[Terranical]

hmm..more to add to my list! I'll do some research. I know OF the Spitfire, but nothing about it, just what it looks like! So ill look into that too.

Triumph Herald with a sporty body & twin carbs - best buy is the later 1500cc (first ones were, I think, 1200cc.

 

[glenbo]

thanks Rustic, yes I agree that the older cars were temperamental. When I were a lad, we had a Vauxhall Chevette etc, never any trouble. Im hoping to get a decent and easy to fix example, so long as I can learn and understand the engine, I'll be fine. I'm liking the old Hondas and the old Fiats, because their engines appear really simple, and the electrics seem very straight forward too!

I agree about the cover point, thats kinda what I meant (car port style cover) as I have heard horror stories about trapped moisture and resultent rust/paint bubbling! I could PROBABLY get away with building a huge car port in the back garden where we have a car space...hmmm...now thats got me thinking.....

the breathable car covers are fine,they cost a bit more but are worth it,i got one of my mk1 escorts covered by one for the past two years and its fine,which ever classic you buy you cant beat plugs and points instead of electronic ignition,if i had the money a 68 shelby mustang:naughty

 

[clivvy]

agreed, if I had the cash id love a Mustang!

I looked some Triumph GT6's on ebay, then I saw some TR7 V8's which got me thinking,,,,

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

agreed, if I had the cash id love a Mustang!

I looked some Triumph GT6's on ebay, then I saw some TR7 V8's which got me thinking,,,,

Is it me or is this getting out of hand, from 126 to TR8 - calm down Clivvy :augie