Classic cars, vintage car information and motoring nostalgia

Welcome to Old Classic Car.

My first dabblings with classic cars occurred in 1985, when Dad proudly announced his acquisition - for the princely sum of £25 - of a very rusty, part-dismantled, Triumph Spitfire two-seater. Time hadn't been kind to the old car, and it needed a great deal of restoration. Work on it began straightaway. A couple of years later it was time for me to think about learning to drive. Mum's 1967 Mini estate was pressed into service, and provided me with many opportunities to tear around the locality, learning the ropes of driving and picking up tips on the maintenance of older vehicles.

It was at about this time (1987) that Mum took over a relative's 1960 Austin A40, usurping the Mini. The A40, while powered by a similar engine, was a very different car to drive compared to the Mini. However, I took (and passed) my test behind the steering wheel of the Farina Grey Austin and, once it had been passed over to me, became my first (roadworthy) classic.

A couple of years later, the aforementioned Spitfire was restored back to health and it, along with the A40, gave me great service. The ancient A40 remains with me to this day, although needs some restoration work doing to it, while the Spitfire went on to pastures new some twenty years ago and still survives. Since the late '80s I've owned quite a few classic and vintage vehicles, and it was this interest in motor-cars that led to this site being created.

The aim of oldclassiccar.co.uk is to explain in some detail the pro's and con's of running a classic or vintage car on a regular basis.
What to look for when buying an old car? How to spot the hidden rust? Who does drive old cars now and why? Why should I consider a classic car? When is it best for me to buy or sell a classic vehicle? Plus tips on restoration and how to find help with your rebuild project.

All this and more is covered in a series of articles that feature on this website. In addition there are hundreds of pages looking at automobilia, car shows, tips on choosing your next car, and how to avoid buying a wreck. Immaculate cars and scrapyard "finds" can all be found within these pages, along with information about old-style garages that still exist to this day, visitors' cars, historic motor race meetings, and many more aspects relating to the world of old cars, and related information. OldClassicCar has been running for many years, and is updated most days so please keep calling in, and help spread the word.

FEATURED SECTIONS

Spares Finder
Running now for several years, the free classifieds ad sections on oldclassiccar have proved very popular. There are sections for cars, motorcycles, trucks & competition cars. There are also sections for modern car & bike parts too. To have a look, click here for the old car parts section.

Classics Directory
A totally free specialists directory for any individual or company involved in the world of classic motorcars. If you offer a service to the classic car world, for example you rebuild engines, can restore tired interiors, or supply a particular type of component suitable for classics, add your details easily in the specialist suppliers and restoration section F.O.C.

Club Listings
Recent addition to the ever-growing oldclassiccar site is this new section for motor clubs that relate to historic cars & other vehicles. I've made a start adding club names into the relevant pages, but there is a long way to go. If you are involved with such an organisation, please please take a minute to submit its details on the page that best fits with that clubs objectives and aims. Find out more at the car clubs homepage, thanks.

Contact the author here if you have questions, 'oldtimer' spare parts I might like to buy, or cheap 1950s racing cars you want to sell! :-)

Gift ideas for anyone interested in motoring

Classic Of The Day, plus latest updates.

The Bond Equipe was a mix of Triumph running gear and (mostly) fibreglass coupe bodywork.

Most recent classic car parts ad ... 27 Jan 2012 ... Morris Marina >>>

	27 Jan 2012 Classic kart racing Collection of images featuring historic karts racing in the 60s
	27 Jan 2012 Healey Tickford 1951-on Healey and other old vehicles in London, 1954
	26 Jan 2012 W & J Smith garage 1954 invoice describing work done to Austin & Morris cars
	25 Jan 2012 Armstrong Siddeley 30hp Side view of an Armstrong Siddeley 30hp Open Tourer Continued....

	24 Jan 2012 Austin 10 Cambridge Post-war picture of a 1938 Austin Ten four-door saloon
	24 Jan 2012 Mercedes-Benz 170 Photo from the 1950s of a post-war Mercedes Benz 170S
	24 Jan 2012 Ford V8 update Head-on view of a 1937 Ford V8 in NY added
	20 Jan 2012 Ford Cortina Mk3 estate A visitor to the site sends in the story of his classic Ford Archive of previous updates....

How to use e Bay when looking for car stuff
A few people got in touch about how to get registered and use online auctions for finding old-school car information and parts, so I've written a brief ebay tutorial on how to get started - worth a read if you've not had a go at searching for new-old-stock or secondhand bits for your classic project. Used in conjunction with traditional autojumbles it can really help with finding rare items.

Online Autojumble!! Free Parts Ads
Just like at most vehicle shows, this site has a substantial autojumble section. The difference is that here it costs nothing at all to list surplus old car parts for sale, so if you have old bits cluttering up your garage or shed, why not pop a mention on the relevant page(s) within the classic car parts section? You can also Add a Link to your own site on these parts pages.
The latest free parts ad, placed 27 Jan 2012, is on the Morris Marina page. You can also view all ads for a given make, useful if you run a fleet of collectors' cars. Fans of old motorcycles, tractors and lorries haven't been forgotten, with sections for those also.

Contact Me
If you have something to say about this site, please email me.

Your old motors!
I'm interested in featuring stories about your car(s) - please email me the story of your vehicle, whether its on the road yet or in the middle of an epic rebuild, and see it featured on this site for other enthusiasts to enjoy. Memories of driving in days gone by, say in the 1960s or before, are also very welcome.

Car forum
The discussion forums have been revamped, to make using them more user-friendly. Talk about old cars, trucks, caravans, restoration and automobilia, plus pass on tips you've learnt while restoring, or having owned, an old vehicle.

Some of my own oldies..

The 1960 A40 that started all my problems :-)

A pre-war Daimler 15hp coupe, "as found".

Austin 7 special, off the road since 1959.

1934 Morris Minor, used regularly.

Air Compressors

Restoration of a classic lorry
Dodge Restoration diary
Historic & classic car restoration.

MAIN MENU Classic car articles, stories and memories
Introduction	An intro to Classic Cars & feedback on this website
Contact Me	Get in touch here if you have anything to ask or add in to the site
Classics Blog	Formerly the garage diary - now the oldclassiccar forum/blog
Classic Regalia	T-Shirts, Mugs, Adult & Children's Clothing and wallclocks +
Site Search	Search for specific vintage & classic car info using this site tool
Articles & tips on choosing, buying and running an antique automobile
Advertising	Low cost advertising opportunities for vintage car businesses
Asbestos & classic cars	Handling clutch and brake lining materials on older cars
Barn Finds	Classic cars discovered in barns, sheds and outbuildings
Car Accessories	Popular bolt-on accessories and optional extras 1950s-1970s
Car Restoration	How to go about choosing a company to restore your car
Car security	Taking steps to prevent scummy types 'removing' your old motor
Car Show Prep.	Tips on avoiding humiliation at classic car shows!
Classic Cars FAQ Pt1	Page 1 of the most frequently asked old car questions
Classic Cars FAQ Pt2	Page 2 - more motoring FAQs answered at oldclassic car
Dealing with RUST	Preventing rust, and knowing where to find it
Disadvantages of old cars	Most owners will admit that older cars can have downsides
Driving a '50s classic	Tips on how to approach driving a classic car!
Find a Car	Let oldclassiccar help find your old car or bike!
Ford Specials 1950s	1950s homebuilt Ford 10 based Specials & kitcars
How to buy a classic car	Advice on how to find and buy classic cars
Insurance	An online quotation for old car insurance policies
Laying up a car	If you're laying up your car for some time read this first
Looking after your car	Advice on looking after a car whether old or new!
Modified Cars	Thoughts on modifying older cars to suit modern roads
MOT Preparation	Ideas & tips to help your MOT test go more smoothly
Moving a Car	Advice on how to move an old car
Old Registrations	Some notes on getting an old registration number back on your motor
Period Tuning Co's	Go-faster parts by Nordec Superchargers, Speedwell etc
Popular Classics	Introduction to some of the most popular motors preserved in the UK
Registration Numbers	600+ page index of car registration letter codes & dates
Research the History!	Tips on delving into your car's motoring past
Restored or Unrestored?	The choice of buying a fully restored, or unrestored, car?
Running old cars daily	Running and maintaining a daily use collectors car
Save money !	10 top tips to cut your motoring costs
Selling classic cars	Advice on how best to sell classic cars inc online!
Storage facility	Undercover storage for cars trucks + caravans in England
Towing car trailers	Advice on how to tow a loaded car trailer safely
Types of classic car	Choose from sports or saloon car, or even trucks!
Vintage Cars	Motoring prior to WW2, inc. the book Motoring For Women from 1925
Where to buy a car	Ideas for finding the car of your dreams!
Why buy a classic?	Social, financial and other benefits to driving old cars
Winter Preparation	Handy information on preparing an old car for winter
Workshop safety!	Things to do and not to do in the garage!
Your Stories	Tell everyone about the classic(s) that you own!
More Articles	More articles relating to motoring & classic vehicles
Old motors I've known and owned since 1987
My classic cars	Photo Gallery & stories of my cars & trucks 1940s +
Disasters Part 1	Classics that bite back - my Spitfires didnt always run to plan..
Disasters Part 2	Big engined Jaguars & BMWs, & a truck that left an indelible mark
Disasters Part 3	The wheel definitely fell off this 1950s wagon - fun with an A40
Disasters Part 4	Mature leggy Swede has chance 'meeting' with young sporty German
Dream Garage	What would I fill my perfect garage with?
Living with a hoarder	My other half has her say on my collecting habits...
Web Design	If you want to get your Classic Club or Business online read on..
Photographs, Images and Postcards of classic cars in UK, USA + more
Car Photographs	Photos of old cars taken at specific events, eg motor races or carshows
Modifying Car Photos	Ageing car photos to make them look old or "in period"
Old Car Photos	Motor-car pictures 1920s-1960s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Photo Image Archive 1	Vol 1 Pre-war vintage car photos at UK classic shows
Photo Image Archive 2	Vol 2 1940s car photographs, taken at various shows
Photo Image Archive 3	Vol 3 1950s classics, photographed at some events
Photo Image Archive 4	Vol 4 1960s vehicle image archive (450+ pics in all)
Photo Image Archive 5	Vol 5 1970s classics, displayed at several meetings
Motoring postcards 1	Rare original old cards showing yesterdays' cars
Motoring postcards 2	And a further selection of pre - 1970s images
Mystery Cars (identified)	Many cars and vehicles shown in old photographs that need identifying
Classic Motorcycles	Some early images of motorcyclists & motorbikes in Britain
Old garage buildings	Photos of surviving garages in the UK 1930s - 1960s
Period advertisements 1	Retro motoring adverts for companies & garages postwar Britain
Period advertisements 2	A second page of adverts showing old car and lorry manufacturers
Scrap Cars & Junkyards	Photos of abandoned cars & olde worlde scrapyard wrecks
Street Rods / Customs	Hot rods, street rods, and customs with the NSRA (USA)
Old cars, tools and memorabilia wanted & for sale
Classic cars on sale	The unique sales service offered at Pedigree Automobiles
Classic car Tool Shop	Find top brand restoration tools & equipment at low prices
Collectors cars on e-Bay	Have a look at the classics up for auction today in the UK, USA etc
Motor Memorabilia	Surplus & rare classic car repair data, handbooks etc
Wanted - old car or van	I am interested in buying an original unrestored van, pickup or car
Find the spares you need for your preserved vehicle
Car Parts	FREE Old Car Parts Ads online swapmeet / autojumble
Automobilia	Post your automobilia sales and wants right here
Finding spares	Locating classic car spares & other useful bits
Motorcycle Parts	Classic Motorcycle Bits
Toy Ads	Place vintage toy-related ads on this noticeboard
Tractor Parts	Parts ads for collectable tractors, Fergies, Cropmasters etc
Truck Parts	Advertise bits for classic vans trucks and lorries FREE here
eBay Tutorial	Step by step advice and tips on using eBay to find vintage car parts
Other unusual transportation things to collect
Automobilia Collecting	Collecting items related to historic automobiles
Book Reviews	Due shortly, a section with reviews of old & new motoring books
Books & Literature	Advice on collecting car-related books, brochures, ephemera etc
Car Collectables	Automobile-related papers, ephemera, badges, artwork etc
Car Games	Motoring games and puzzles to collect
Childrens Car Books	Old kids annuals and books that feature motoring artwork on the cover
Classic Aircraft	Spotting old aircraft & airliners during the 1970s
Classic Estates & MPVs	Interesting van-based MPVs & people carriers of the 1940s - 1960s
Classic Lorries	Advice on buying, owning & maintaining an old lorry
Gadgets & Tools	Useful motoring gadgets, tools, accessories & garage equipment
Historic Caravans	Various classic caravan & period camper articles & buying information
Magazines	Some of the best known motoring mags from years ago
Motoring Humour	Funny car-related postcards, comics, cartoons inc Russell Brockbank
Motoring Records	LPs and singles featuring road & racing car sounds
Motorsport Collecting	Collecting old motor racing memorabilia, posters etc ..
Pedal cars	A look at vintage and classic pedal cars - Tri-ang, Pathfinder, J40 etc
Petrol Pumps & Oil Tins	Petroliana - petrol pumps, 2 gallon fuel tins, oil cans, enamel signs etc
Racing Programmes	Tips on collecting old motor race programmes
Road Maps	Old roadmaps, atlases and motoring guides
Road Signs	Road signs and road furniture from the early 20th century
Toy Cars	Photos and information on collecting Dinky toys, tinplate toy cars +
Trading Cards	Motoring-related cigarette & trading cards since the 1930s
Trailers	The delights of collecting & towing early trailers
Vintage Bicycles	An introduction to collecting old bicycles and other cycles
Vintage Vans & Pickups	Things to think about if you plan to get a classic van, inc. ice cream vans
Motoring Nostalgia
Country Garage Diary	Extracts from a fascinating workshop journal in 1932/1933
Dads Motor Memoirs	UK Motoring memoirs and nostalgia from the '60s on
More Memoirs!	Recollections sent in by another youthful driver in the 1950s
National Archives	Public information films (1940s/50s) featuring transportation
Your Memories	Your car recollections feature in the Motoring Memories Project
FREE items and classic-related services
Car Museums	Please send details of your favourite museum to feature in a new guide
Club directory	Launched April 2005 a brand new car club directory
Forum	Forum for automotive talk and discussion
Free stuff	Free buyers guides and screen history sheet for use at car shows
Press Releases	Send me your show or club press release and I'll feature it
Screensavers	Several screensavers available featuring a variety of classics
Specialists	A free directory of specialist suppliers and businesses
Wallpaper	Loads of vehicle pics suitable for PC & Mac desktops
Advice guides on buying restoration tools & period accessories
Mig Welders	Advice on choosing the right Mig Welder for your project
Old Car Radios	How and where to buy a suitable old radio for your elderly motorcar
Storage ideas	Solutions to lack of storage in the car owners garage or workshop
Specific used car buying advice
Austin A30/A35	Buyers Guide for these popular Baby Austins
Austin A40	Some pointers when buying the A40 Farina saloon
Ford 100E	Advice when looking at the Ford 100E Popular, Anglia and Prefect
Jaguar XJ40	Things to look out for when looking at used Jaguars XJ40s
Jaguar XJ6/12	Choosing the 1968- Jaguar XJ6 & XJ12 Series One, Two, Three
Volvo 120	Purchasing advice for fans of this classic Swedish motorcar
Modern motors machines and future classics
Part 1: Sportscars	Modern classics, eg Mazda MX5 (Miata), Dodge Viper, XJS, BMW Z3 ..
Part 2: Performance	Golf GTi, Peugeot 205GTi, Audi Quattro, M3 BMW ..
Part 3: Family cars	Ford Sierra, 900, Skoda Rapide, 4x4s ..
Part 4: Luxury cars	Jaguar XJ6 / XJ12, Mercedes, Rolls Royce, Cadillac ..
Part 5: Best forgotten!!?	Hyundai, FSO, Polski-FIAT, Talbot, Austin, Datsun ..
Modern Cars	A new classified service for more modern car parts
Motorcycle ads	Service for anyone wanting to sell or who needs modern bike bits
Van & Truck ads	A free noticeboard to advertise commercial vehicle parts
Historic Motor Racing related information
Goodwood Circuit Revival	The historic Revival race meeting in Britain
Goodwood Festival Speed	An introduction to Goodwood's Festival of Speed
Jaguar XJ Racing	Read about racing classic XJs in the JEC challenge
Maserati 250F	An intro to the famous 250F GP car from Maserati
Oulton Park	Notes about the origins of this 1950s Cheshire racing circuit
Race Car Classifieds	Ad service for owners and fans of vintage racing cars
Race car transporter	Rebuilding a 1940s Dodge used to carry pre-war supercharged Alfa
Racing car artwork	Original drawings and watercolours of '30s racers
Shelsley Walsh	Photos from the 100 year anniversary event in Worcestershire
Fun stuff on British, American etc vintage and classic automobiles
Caption Comps.	No prizes just a bit of fun - Caption Contests No.1 and No.2
Childrens Story time!	A story about a vintage Morris Cowley from the 1920s
Motoring Glossary!	An offbeat glossary of British motor-related terms
Online Resources	An eccentric mixture of links for classic car drivers
Video Footage	Vintage & classic car video footage including on-board action
Browse a few more of my own webpages
Car websites	Links to other vintage car websites eg Pedigree Automobiles
Other sites	Sites not related to motoring
OldClassicCar welcomes visitors from all countries
As well as classic car fans from the English speaking countries (USA, Canada, Australia etc), OCC attracts visitors from most countries across the globe, so a welcome to some of them here:
automobili classiche Italia, klassische Autos Deutschland, voitures classiques France, klassieke auto's Holland, klassiske biler Danmark, Classic autot Suomessa, κλασικά αυτοκίνητα Ελλάδα, Fornbï¿½lar Iceland, gluaisteï¿½in clasaiceach Ireland, karozzi klassiċi Malta, klassiske biler Norge, carros clï¿½ssicos Portugal, klassiska bilar i Sverige, and not forgetting our neighbours ceir clasurol Cymru!