Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
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doctorwhen

Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Posts: 18
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 5:28 pm Post subject: Newbie Seeks Daily Driver - oh, and hello, by the way! |
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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 Site Admin

Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22778 Location: UK
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peter scott

Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7211 Location: Edinburgh
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:11 pm Post subject: |
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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 _________________ https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
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Macabry
Joined: 09 Jun 2010 Posts: 4
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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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.....
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..
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
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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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 _________________ Richard Hughes |
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Fluffle-Valve

Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 521 Location: At my computer in a bungalow in Duston, Northampton.
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:16 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie Seeks Daily Driver - oh, and hello, by the way! |
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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"...
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.
They are plentiful and parts are cheap and easy to come by. _________________
Series 3 1972 LWB Truck Cab Pick Up. My daily drive. |
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Brian M

Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 783 Location: Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:37 pm Post subject: |
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Volvo Amazon - job done  _________________ Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk |
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doctorwhen

Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Posts: 18
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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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 Posts: 521 Location: At my computer in a bungalow in Duston, Northampton.
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:17 pm Post subject: |
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A Bi-plane? _________________
Series 3 1972 LWB Truck Cab Pick Up. My daily drive. |
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doctorwhen

Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Posts: 18
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:52 am Post subject: |
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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  |
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roverdriver

Joined: 18 Oct 2008 Posts: 1210 Location: 100 miles from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:09 am Post subject: |
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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. _________________ Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking. |
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doctorwhen

Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Posts: 18
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:23 am Post subject: |
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You could always have the best of both worlds, and drop the radial engine from an SE5 into a road vehicle of some sort...  |
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Nic Jarman

Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 1031 Location: Stoke by Clare, Suffolk
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:19 pm Post subject: |
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It's called an M18 Hellcat tank. With a Wright R-975 engine.  _________________ 1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush |
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Roger-hatchy

Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 2135 Location: Tiptree, Essex
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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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
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Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 3:51 am Post subject: Aircraft engine in a road vehicle.. |
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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
Cheers, _________________ Jon
1950 MkV Jaguar Saloon (On the Road)
1968 MGB
1959 XK150 |
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