Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Wooster · Joined: 23 Dec 2013 Posts: 43

I'm struggling with the age-old problem of finding a car I like within my budget. I'm after a late '30s saloon for under £8k. I'd like a sunroof and a good original interior. Call me a snob if you like but I'd like to avoid Austin, Morris and Ford. So far I've tried a '39 Singer Super 12 (good looking but horrible to drive), a '36 Vauxhall 14 DX light six (nice to drive but over-priced by owner) and a '38 Lanchester 14 Roadrider (beautiful to look at and to drive, but too many minor faults given the asking price).
I've been looking for about 6 weeks and there isn't a lot out there at the moment. '30s Rover P2s are just above my budget. I quite like Sunbeam Talbots and Wolsleys appeal because my Grandfather had one.
Suggestions anyone? And don't say increase the budget - it can't be done.
Cheers
Rich

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22841 Location: UK

There are some nice Standards around from that era, maybe a possible for the list? Standards and Vauxhalls from the late 30s don't have huge followings, so can usually be found within the budget your working to.

RJ
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Ashley · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 1426 Location: Near Stroud, Glos

No Standard was built to the quality of a Morris 8 Series 2 and few are as good to drive or as pretty IMO.

mid · Joined: 10 Jun 2008 Posts: 136 Location: Northampton

stumbled upon this while looking for a modern for my brother (dont ask me how...) i think this is an absolute bargain and if it was not 300 miles away and a ferry ride i'd be going to take a look..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201402252070014/sort/default/usedcars/model/p5/make/rover/quicksearch/true/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/page/1/postcode/hp234af/radius/1500?logcode=p

Ashley · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 1426 Location: Near Stroud, Glos

Agreed! rovers are really superb cars, not fast but beautifully made and very long lived.

Wooster · Joined: 23 Dec 2013 Posts: 43

That Rover is nice. It is exactly the kind of thing I am looking for. But as you say it's a bloody long way to go. The ad doesn't say what year the car is. Is it pre-war? I've looked at a view Standards at shows and I've not been impressed. To me (and I don't want to offend anyone here) they seem to lack quality.
I'm enjoying looking for a car but I am getting frustrated. If only money were no object....

Phil - Nottingham · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham

The Rover "P2" is a pre-war 12. Its interior is wrong but looks to be good value
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badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1480 Location: Netherlands

On the Wolseley forum there is a real nice 12/48 for sale. Not sure if this can be seen if you are not a member of the forum (which is free to register).

Celia the 12/48 has only done just under 300 miles since the last MOT.
There is much history with the car, service bills and restoration bills.
Celia is valued at £11,500 for insurance, member brought her for £8000 and spent £4500 on having the interior etc done on her.
Car is in the Lancashire area

Celia is now for sale at £7,500.
(Jul 2013 but the seller posted today that the car is still for sale)

http://www.wolseleyforum.com/index.php?showtopic=7201

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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

Wooster · Joined: 23 Dec 2013 Posts: 43

I like that. Are there any pics of the interior?

badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1480 Location: Netherlands

No. These are the only pics on the Wolseley Forum post.
If you want I can contact the seller for you? Or you can register to the forum and contact yourself.
_________________
a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

Wooster · Joined: 23 Dec 2013 Posts: 43

Thanks, I've just registered. My account doesn't seem to be active yet though. I hope the interior hasn't been re-trimmed.
Additional: I just PM'd the owner.

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire

£4,500 spent on the interior etc. suggests that it has.
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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22841 Location: UK

Very smart Wolseley.

As Wooster mentions "...I'd like to avoid Austin, Morris and Ford...", how much Morris found its way into this era of Wolseley, apart from the bodyshell, much of which was shared with the contemporary Morris 10/4 and 12/4 iirc?

RJ
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peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7219 Location: Edinburgh

I think the Wolseleys used OHV versions of the Morris side valve engines.

Peter
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Wooster · Joined: 23 Dec 2013 Posts: 43

I've been in touch with the owners of the lovely grey and blue Wolesley 12/48. It's been in storage for two and a half years and hasn't been started in that time. He's asking £7.5k for it. Seems quite a lot considering it needs trailering home and then re-commissioning. What do we think?