Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22840 Location: UK

To someone thinking of buying an old, say 1950s/1960s, car for the first time, what advice based on your experiences would you proffer?

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

Research it and the spares situation very carefully, join the owners club, do not rush and buy the first one you see.

Get a the best you can afford but if its been restored find by who and ask for pictures.

Take someone with you who understands classic cars and knows the model you wish to buy if possible.

Do not begrudge spending money on parts - the prices you will pay are 2014 levels not the same price when the car was new!

Remember old cars require driver interaction and regular but easy attention to service checks and they do not take well to standing unused.

Finally unless you are keen DIYer or want learn how find out who will look after it and what the charges will be

Despite all this modern cars are far less enjoyable and expensive to own and run
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Rover P2
Rover P4
Rover P5 & P5B
Land Rover S2 & S3
Morris Mini Traveller Mk2

kevin2306 · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 9:46 am Post subject:

Try and get one that is used every week (every day if possible), buy off an enthusiast or forum such as this as opposed to a dealer.
Always take another set of eyes with you for a reality check. For a first car..buy on condition not promise.

Kev

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 12:21 pm Post subject:

Don't assume anything will be easy or cheap, don't reckon on being able to use the car every day (at least not for the first few years of ownership) and don't even think about doing any work on the car yourself unless you have a decent sized garage to do it in, at least not round these parts where it can rain virtually non-stop for months at a time.

Sounds harsh I know, but if someone is going to take the plunge into classic ownership it's far better that they do so with their eyes open. Otherwise, a few nuisance-value electrical gremlins, a slightly iffy carburettor and maybe a little bit of welding for an MOT pass could easily lead to disillusionment and a decision to cut their losses by scrapping it - and a basically sound car is gone for good.

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

Morris Minors are very good cars, all the bits are available and they're very easy to work on, so a good starting point and loads of fun. Round here there are quite a few with later 1300 engines and and about 75bhp on a rolling road, so they go well too.

Jeeves · Joined: 04 Oct 2010 Posts: 69 Location: Blandford, Dorset

I agree that Morris Minors are very good cars and would make a useful starter classic car, however, if a more powerful engine were to be fitted I think it should be borne in mind that such things as disk brakes, anti roll bars and similar equipment should be fitted.

No point in going at a reasonable speed if the roadholding/stopping is not up to standard.

roverdriver · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 10:13 am Post subject:

Start off with something relatively simple and small and that has been a popular car. Also something where both spare parts and advice are readily available. Morris Minor is a good candidate but so also are small Austins and Fords.
Small means that parts can be lifted and moved more easily, popular means that junkyard parts are more likely to be found.

Be prepared to study the chosen marque and try to understand model differences, as well as what parts might be interchangeable. D.I.Y is by far the best way to go- learning as you go along is invaluable for the future, but be cautious as you work, and don't start believing that you know it all.
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Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4287 Location: South Cheshire

It really depends on both the expectation and ability of the individual; I enjoy the restoration, driving them is a bonus!

So if the newbie wants something to drive, it's got to be simple and robust, they don't want something that is expensive and or time consuming to keep on the road...........there must be thousands of classics up and down the country in garages that needed a repair that couldn't be funded, so they sit for years deteriorating Sad

Dave

welder · Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 265 Location: North Warwickshire

I'd suggest the purchase of a MIG welder.

Oh, and a 4-post lift. Wink

Ian

Richard H · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2154 Location: Lincolnshire, UK

Don't buy an MGB, everyone seems to have one. Think outside the box, cars that don't have much of a following tend to be a lot cheaper to buy. Think Vauxhall Viva/Victor, Morris Oxford MO, Austin Devon/Somerset, Triumph Mayflower, Standard 8/10.
Look for a long-term previous owner, usually the car will have been looked after properly and will be a good-un. Contact the relevant owners club or join the forum/facebook page and ask for advice. If necessary post a link to the ad for a potential car and ask what to look for.
If the purchaser wants something in nice condition they can take to shows then a restored car is a must, but be warned, there are a lot of bodged restorations out there, full of filler hiding under shiny paint and chrome. I'd always go for an original, unrestored car over a restored one, although these can vary. It's usually obvious if the car has been parked outside long-term (rust bubbles on door bottoms/wings, faded paint, algae, worn and crazed paint on the roof), and these cars can often be money pits, unless it's something early with a separate chassis which are usually much tougher rot-wise! Something that has always been garaged with fewer owners is a much better bet for a first time classic owner, as they shouldn't have as much rot to deal with. On this subject, be wary of previous welded patches under a car. Very few people seem to do it properly, most just slapping a plate over so the rot continues merrily underneath, and will need to be done again in the near future.
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Richard Hughes

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

Simple: join the relevant owners club.
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

Penguin45 · Joined: 28 Jul 2014 Posts: 384 Location: Padiham

Learn to weld. It will need welding at some point. If it doesn't need it now, it will in the future.

P45.
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'67 Wolseley MkI 18/85, '70 Austin MkII 1800 The Landcrab Forum.

Rootes75 · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:43 pm Post subject:

Go for something simple, Morris 1000, Ford 100E type things I'd say. I also agree with getting and learning to use a MIG welder!

cmdted · Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 10:50 am Post subject: What car to buy for a Newbie

As said Morris minors are a good little car,but maybe something with a bit more punch,I have a 1958 Wolseley 1500,it is on the road 365 days a year, i dont own a modern car, i bought this one from Gloucester 5/6 years ago and jumped and drove it home 280 miles no problem they are a brilliant little car,35 mpg,4 doors and can keep up with modern day traffic no problem,spares,apart from metal body parts are easy to come by.Ted.P/S very easy to work and maintain yourself.They are also very reasonably priced

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

Or for even more 'umph' buy a Riley 1.5 which has the same engine as early MGAs and better brakes than the Wolseley. Spares (including body panels) can be obtained via the Riley Motor Club. I've driven over 800 trouble-free miles in my '63 model in the last month.
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5