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Newbie Seeks Daily Driver - oh, and hello, by the way!
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doctorwhen



Joined: 22 Jun 2010
Posts: 18

PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 5:28 pm    Post subject: Newbie Seeks Daily Driver - oh, and hello, by the way! Reply with quote

Afternoon, all. New poster, hello and all that.

I've been lurking for a while and there's obviously some dedicated enthusiasts on 'ere! I look forward to whinging about skinned knuckles and parts availability with you over the coming months.

I'm currently trying to scrape some cash together for an affordable daily runner: I've had the vintage wardrobe for years, and I've just moved into an old house - now all I need is the classic car to go with it. I'm looking for a daily driver, as I can't afford to run two cars. I need to jump in it and start driving it pretty much from the start.

My budget is about £3000, but if it means waiting for a bit longer for the right motor, I should be able to stretch it by another £500 or so.

I'd prefer it to be a pre-'73 (for the tax benefit), and a larger "gentleman's cruiser" type rather than a sporty coupé, so I've started looking at Rover P6s, Ford Zodiacs / Cortina (I prefer the Mk. 3 to Mk. 2), Vauxhall Crestas, Humber Sceptres or one of those lovely Austin 3-Litre beasts that look like an Allegro on steroids... that sort of thing.

Basically, I'm after some pointers as to recommended daily drivers where much of the day-to-day maintenance can be done with a hammer or a pair of pliers (!) without the use of a garage (something my new old house lacks).

I'm happy to tinker with electrics, but have little experience of springy, moving weld-able stuff! (But am willing to learn...)

I do have a "pet mechanic" who can help with complicated things, though, so it ain't all bad.

Oh, and... Given the costs of running a bigger engine, how well do these older cars cope with LPG Autogas conversions?
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22778
Location: UK

PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 6:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the forum!! Smile

How about something like an Austin Westminster?? big comfy old cruiser, wood and leather etc. A few of us on here are Volvo Amazon fans, so definitely one to consider, £3k would be a very tidy example of either!

Rick
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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7211
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the forum.

Although you don't want a small sporty thing it's worth considering a car that shares mechanicals with sporty things because spares will be easier to find.

Rick's suggestion of a Westminster fits this bill because of the big Healey connection.

Others might be Standard Vanguard, Triumph 2000 or 2500, Rover 3.5 litre.
There are probably others but I can't think of them off the top of the head.

Peter
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Macabry



Joined: 09 Jun 2010
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds like you have some nice cars in mind.....

My present daily driver is a '67 ford fairlane 4.8ltr.....very recommended.....and I would say the same of a lot of the american stuff, very comfy, very simple (simpler than they look) and good modern features....prior to this car I was using an '52 E494a Anglia....so it's a bit of a change.

At the end of the day I would advise you to choose a vehicle not just on it's looks or power but on it's parts availability......this is key...driving everyday means that thing WILL go wrong.....and there is nothing worse than having a driveway ornament that you can't get parts for.

A good rule to follow is: what was popular then and sold in numbers will be a good choice today.

Think of the Model A ford, 5 million built and you could still build one today with the great parts availability..... Cool

As regards performance, I reckon it is down to where you drive, urban Vs rural.....rural is more forgiving and requires less gear changes and stops and starts so you can get away with worse performance.

If I was starting out looking for a daily driver I would say your on the right track, but be prepared to get your hands dirty.....it is all well and good seeing the cult TV detectives and sitcom characters driving lovely classics.....but you don't see them fixin' 'em.....freezing their knuckles off a 2am trying to remove sheered bolts.. Laughing

And to be devils advocate, my choices:

Citroen 2cv (any year, earlier the better)
Ford Anglia or Pops any year
Ford Model A (seriously,they're great)
Mini
Moggy
Oxfords, Cambridges Westy's etc.
Rover P6..go V8...mmmm
Triumph Spity, Herald.....be prepared for work though
Volvo Pv544 and Amazons
And if you don't mind being deaf at an early age....Landrovers...they're fun too

This is a banal list I know, but the reason these are common cars is that they still work well....I will add more as they come to me.


NOT a VW beetle.....I 'ate 'em.....sorry

Good luck.
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Richard H



Joined: 03 Apr 2009
Posts: 2150
Location: Lincolnshire, UK

PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the forum!

Is the car to be garaged? A lot of old cars will quickly deteriorate if parked outside. I would suggest either a Humber Super Snipe or a Rover P4/P5/P6.

There was a tidy looking Super Snipe for sale in the For Sale and Wanted section recently - is it still for sale?

Edit - http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8806
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Fluffle-Valve



Joined: 30 Dec 2009
Posts: 521
Location: At my computer in a bungalow in Duston, Northampton.

PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:16 pm    Post subject: Re: Newbie Seeks Daily Driver - oh, and hello, by the way! Reply with quote

doctorwhen wrote:
I look forward to whinging about skinned knuckles.

I need to jump in it and start driving it pretty much from the start.

I'd prefer it to be a pre-'73 (for the tax benefit).

where much of the day-to-day maintenance can be done with a hammer or a pair of pliers (!) without the use of a garage.

I'm happy to tinker with electrics, but have little experience of springy, moving weld-able stuff! (But am willing to learn...)

I do have a "pet mechanic" who can help with complicated things, though, so it ain't all bad.

Oh, and... Given the costs of running a bigger engine, how well do these older cars cope with LPG Autogas conversions?


All of the above sounds like you need a "Land Rover"... Wink

I have one and it'll soon be running on LPG. They run fine on LPG, if the exhaust valves have been converted. Any old motor will need to have the valves done for LPG.
You will also find a very good one for your three grand. Possibly on a Galvanised chassis and already converted to LPG, although a 200TDI diesel fitted will be better. Smile

They are plentiful and parts are cheap and easy to come by.
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Brian M



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 783
Location: Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

PostPosted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Volvo Amazon - job done Very Happy
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doctorwhen



Joined: 22 Jun 2010
Posts: 18

PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 2:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Heh - thanks for the advice, folks!

I've not come across the Westminster before, but now I've had a look, some of the later model Westminsters are rather tasty. Certainly on the list now!

I have considered Land Rovers, too, but though my new old place is slightly countrified, it doesn't really need a 4x4: Most of my journeys are urban, followed by regular weekend motorway drives. Plus, it'd be hypocritical of me, seeing as I'm regularly swearing at (albeit modern) road-tanks...

I do love old Landies - perfect for the inevitable Zombie Apocalypse - but they're currently low down the list as the missus isn't too keen on draughty high-step vehicles!

I will be honest and admit I have a soft spot for 70's Beetles, but they aren't on the list as it's almost impossible to fit an English longbow in them (I've tried) - yes, that's one of my considerations, so that rules out Minis as well! Plus, I'm a big (read "wide") lad and probably wouldn't fit into some of those smaller Pops & Moggies.

I'm definitely getting warmer towards the P6s every time I see them... running a 3.5L V8 worries me a bit, but I'm definitely attracted to disc brakes and power steering, and they do look awesome... almost as awesome as P5B Coupes, which are also "on the list".

And, sadly, the car will not be garaged, so perhaps I ought to be looking for something fibreglass like an SE5a?
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Fluffle-Valve



Joined: 30 Dec 2009
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Location: At my computer in a bungalow in Duston, Northampton.

PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A Bi-plane?
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doctorwhen



Joined: 22 Jun 2010
Posts: 18

PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fluffle-Valve wrote:
A Bi-plane?


Now that would be awesome although I prefer the Sopwith Camel despite it's dodgy handling... but no, a Reliant Scimitar SE5a of course Very Happy
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roverdriver



Joined: 18 Oct 2008
Posts: 1210
Location: 100 miles from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There is nothing wrong with a Rover P6b as a daily driver. Been there and done that! They are reliable, handle brilliantly and are comfortable. Spares seem readily available even here in the antipodes.

We do have one great advantage here in Oz though. It seems that a lot of cars that survive well here are subject to metal moth in the UK.

Having said that, I use P4's most of the time, and have a SE2 (that's a fuel injected Oz spec. SD1) for some of my touring.

Finally, I would imagine that the Hispano Suiza engine of the SE5A might create a spare parts problem even if you located a fibreglass clad specimen.
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doctorwhen



Joined: 22 Jun 2010
Posts: 18

PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You could always have the best of both worlds, and drop the radial engine from an SE5 into a road vehicle of some sort... Shocked
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Nic Jarman



Joined: 05 Oct 2008
Posts: 1031
Location: Stoke by Clare, Suffolk

PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's called an M18 Hellcat tank. With a Wright R-975 engine. Cool
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Roger-hatchy



Joined: 07 Dec 2007
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There was an SE5 for sale on the Essex classic site last Feb
£1950 was the asking price.
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JonV2



Joined: 02 Jan 2010
Posts: 38
Location: Melbourne Australia

PostPosted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 3:51 am    Post subject: Aircraft engine in a road vehicle.. Reply with quote

Probably best to stick with a radial engine, as other types of aircraft engines don't work out so well.....

http://www.darwinawards.com/darwin/darwin1995-04.html
Laughing

Cheers,
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