Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rob]

When i'm back from Uni this summer, i'm thinking of doing my driving licence and buying a car for the summer period. Instead of getting something like a bog standard second hand Corsa or Fiesta, I was wondering if anyone could reccomend an affordable British classic car? Hopefully something fairly reliable, or easy to fix!

Cheers, Rob

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

Depends how exclusive you want to be and how much time you want to spen fixing it. In your position I'd opt for a Morris Minor or a REAL mini.
Both are fairly well sorted in terms of spares.

[Rob]

Not a bad idea actually, I quite like the look of the grill on the Mini vans, as well as the rear doors. Haven't seen many for sale though (although searching for mini vans normally ends up with Bedford Rascals etc!)

[Red Riley]

Without any axe whatever to grind (and sorry all you Mini fans), I would strongly recommend a Minor rather than a Mini as they are absolutely conventional and in most ways far easier to work on. Whilst neither are strangers to rust, Minis do have a habit of rusting in inaccessible areas, not quite such a problem on Minors. On the other hand, they may be generally more expensive to buy and from that point of view a Mini may be preferable. So you pays your money and you takes your choice.

[Rick]

Mini vans are getting pricey, I guess it depends on your budget? until recently I'd not really thought about Moggies much, they are still fairly numerous and I think I was taking them for granted, but when I drove one for the first time, it drove so well that I couldn't believe the basic design had first appeared in 1949 (albeit in sidevalve form). As a 'gentle' introduction to classic car driving on a regular basis, with their reasonable affordability and great spares backup, you wouldn't go far wrong (just don't buy a rusty one!).

Other possibles include Herald, A40 Farina, A35, 105E Anglia, or maybe a Minx, all of which are viable options as a first classic.

R
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[spike]

Get a triumph toledo better than Minnor and a lot less common than a mini. I picked mine up for a measly £350 Taxed and MOT'd. Patrs back up is great and everything is easy to work on.
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[Chimpchoker]

[Rick]

Or instead of a Toledo, how about the fwd Triumph 1300? they are definitely rare now and were quite nicely spec'd inside if I remember right?

R
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[Red Riley]

[Rob]

After doing some research, I think i'm dead set on a mini now - what's the least I can expect to pay for one on the road? I'd be repainting it anyway so paintwork wouldn't really matter to me

[ukdave2002]

Hi Rob

I like Minis having owned several of them over the years. A mini really is one of these cars where you have to balance what you pay for the car and what you are prepared to spend on maintaining it. Mechanically you could probably fix anything (with used parts) for less than £50 and a day of your effort. Body work is a different matter, over the years I have welded corroded area's on every panel including the roof! The only exception being the bonnet.

On the plus side the panels are very cheap but obviously need welding in to place. There are some very good guides on buying Minis that tell you where to look for corrosion, but you would be well advised to take someone with you who knows Minis armed with a good corrosion prodding tool! As long as you understand what work will be required on the car it can be reflected in the price. If you have access to someone who can weld (sorry am making the assumption that you can’t!) you could get yourself a bargain.

The first mini I bought had corrosion where the front of the rear sub frame attaches to the car, I naively didn’t spot it, and it was a real pain to repair 1) because of the amount of dismantling involved to get at it and 2) the repair sections have to be welded in very accurately, otherwise the rear wheels can be out of line with the front. Funnily enough I bought the car after my first year ant Uni.

Buzzy will have a better idea than me of what you get for your money these days. You wont be disappointed with a Mini , but make sure you get the right car!

Dave

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

My experience with minis is a bit out of date, but from memory the worst jobs that they present you with are:
1. the gear box. Make sure that a prospect does not jump out of gear and does not emit high pitched noises. Getting at the damned thing is a day's (hard) work
2. The steering rack. These are usually robust, but if you have to change one it will keep you entertained for a few hours! Check for stering play
3. Rear radius arm bearings. Today service exchange arms are available but changing them is a bit of a nightmare. Make sure that there is no rock on the arms, before the MOT man does!
I would avoid a hydrolastic one too as pump ups are pricey these days.

I too had a countryman in my second year at uni. Upgraded to an 1100 for the final year.
Glad to hear a young person is conversant in which end of a spanner does what and isn't afraid to use them. Get one bought!

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