Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[buzzy bee]

Hi

I found that my isa has all of 0.8% interest, my savings account is no better, so thought I would look today for some more, better rated accounts. Booked an apointment at my bank, and rung about internet banking, as the 3 previous attempts have failed. Took me 20 mins to find the number to call! The internet banking, call centre said do exactly what I have done 3 times already, so they can forget that...

At least I can still go for my meeting in the bank, nope, they rung and left a message for that too, they have cancelled and prosponed my apointment for 1 week.

Just tried to do an account online through a leading savings account provider, spent half an hour filling in forms, at the end of which it gives no option to transfer existing funds into the account, even though it claimed transfers were allowed to open the account.

Majourly brassed off, and think it is time to buy something, I could get a good amount towards a steamer or a very nice early car. Any thoughts?

OOO I do get annoyed with companies where customer service is cr*p, both on the phone and there websites!

Off to look on ebay.

Cheers

Dave

[47Jag]

I know how you feel Dave. When I retired I put part of my pension lump into an investment ISA. We then watched as our £15K dwindled to £11500. It climbed back slowly but surely and as my big 70HHHH approached we decided to 'blow' it on a new car. I bought myself a used black Jaguar XF diesel. I knew I couldn't persuade SWMBO that the money would be better spent restoring my 47 Jaguar so I sold out to a bit of nostagia. My first car was a 12 year old black 1948 Jaguar back in 1960. I'm sooooooo henpecked I can feel a moult coming on.

Good luck with your search.

Art

[Rick]

So which cars, potentially, might fit the bill? saloon? tourer? 20s or 30s?

R
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[buzzy bee]

Hi

This looks interesting:- http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C172442/

Cheers

Dave

[Rick]

[Rick]

This caught my eye as a neat little puddle-jumper

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C175860/

This 7 looks to be in good nick, and would be a sound thing to put your £ into (assuming it is as good as it looks..), although maybe a vintage Chummy for similar £ is a better option?

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C137408/

I really liked the look of this but it wasn't listed for long
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C174062/

RJ
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[buzzy bee]

The trojan is by far the most interesting to me from those.

I tried a 7 a while back, and with my feet, found it quite awkward, so think they are ruled out unless I drop on one.

[Richard H]

Agreed with the A7, I find them hard to drive as well even though my feet aren't that big (size 11). It's just the pedals are so close together! My dad's thinking of selling his '32 RN soon as it doesn't get used very much and it seems a shame to have it just sitting in the garage.

I wonder if there are any steam lorries you could get within your budget? Failing that, the Trojan looks great. Or how about this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SINGER-JUNIOR-8hp-SALOON-1930-TAXED-MOTd-/260646229341?pt=Automobiles_UK#ht_1425wt_937

Local to you as well.
_________________
Richard Hughes

[Salopian]

The Trojan is terribly slow but good for trials due to the solid axle and low speed torque. The only engine where the conrods have to flex I recall and of course its a 2 stroke. The engine is under the seats not where you would think.
Quite honestly I think one would bore you rather quickly - almost too slow to go to your local for an evening pint unless you left home at lunch time.
Love to see them but not as an only Vintage car. They look what they were - cheap utilitarian transport. Be prepared to be asked if you made it yourself and I'm not joking.
There is much fun to be had and friends to be made with an Austin 7. The Austin 12/6 Kempton (and I owned one years ago) is a thirsty undergeared gutless wonder from the age of low geared 6 cylinder cars attempting to make gear changing not required too often before the invention of syncromesh.

Edited to add as Richard was posting while I was typing - The Singer is a quite underrated car but as all such slow however it is OHC and quite nicely engineered. Don't pay too much as the backup you get with an A7 is not there. Further if you are looking to at least get your money back look at the makes/models with a high percentage survival rate - that shows desirability and usually its the proper sporting cars that people want.
Always remember rarity does not equal desirability
My view anyway - your mileage may vary ----
_________________
Jonathan Butler
Alvis SD 12/50 1928 MG TD 1950

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Thanks for all the imput.

Steam lorry, forget that one, hehe Not a chance, I think if I were going to spend that much I would sooner get a nice house.

Austin 7's are a favourite, as are the early standard 10's, but they are both very tight to drive with size 13 boots on. The E83W is bad enough!

I like commercials, but then a motorcar with seats may go down well with some folk not a million miles from me, hehe. The singer was one I looked at a day or two ago.

Slow is another thing I am not bothered about, I drove at 25mph to Llandudno a year or to ago, and that was quite exciting, the engines I help with go quite slow, and the landy likes about 35, maybe 40.

Didn't know the Trojan was mid engined! Thats quite interesting, I like things like that, and it is quite early. The earlier the better in my eyes, solid tyres here I come! hehe

I have spent a good time this pm, looking about, still undecided, and not wishing to rush into anything.

Cheers

Dave

[Rick]

The pedals in the 30s Minors are very tight, centre throttle too, so I have to wear the narrowest shoes I can find

I reckon 10/4 Austins are a better bet than 7s in some ways, decent spares backup via the club and usual sources, and a useful bit more elbow room inside. The 32-34 chrome rads are my favourites.

The Singer is interesting, I've seen a few Juniors advertised and they're a nice looking motor. The local saloon is with a motorcycle dealer up near Northwich.

RJ

(added: Probably a bit modern for buzzy http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page.php/carno/106627, not that I'm biased or anything )
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[Rick]

Or for something a little earlier perhaps, a Singer 10/26...

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page.php/carno/97737

RJ
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[Salopian]

Yes Rick 10s are more roomy and the chrome rads as you say prettier but a 7 has the back up and is a similar performer or can be made so easily. The 10 is a bit of a slug but another car I had and enjoyed in the past.
I suppose it depends what you want - I need something fast enough to be of use over fair distances ( Regular trips over 100 miles) but if you want to attend local static shows which I am afraid I avoid then you need not bother about performance brakes etc. Some of Buzzys brief involved an element of investment in which case he needs something not just old but desirable.
The Singer is quite nice as is the Trojan but for my use no good at all however much I would like if finances permitted both in the shed. I doubt a Singer would be an easy resale and it seems the case that in real terms values of run of the mill prewar cars have not kept up with inflation over the last 20 yrs. There is now life in the market probably due to the negative returns on cash deposits the present inflation and poor interest rates but be careful not to pay too much for a lesser machine which will not hold its price in a challenging market.
Its the old problem - it costs as much to restore a low value car as an expensive one.
Anyway you should not ever expect to make money on your old car and if you do you are very lucky. Look at your wallet and go for the biggest engine you can afford in the prettiest and most desirable car you can find with reasonable club back up and go for it. Do remember soft tops are always more desirable.
An old schoolfriend rang yesterday - he has had an XK120 for years and had received an unsolicited offer for it around £40000 - so thats where the money is being made I suppose. Wish I'd kept my old E roadster 30 yrs ago - mind you it was rotten then.
_________________
Jonathan Butler
Alvis SD 12/50 1928 MG TD 1950

[Keith D]

The last words in the Trojan advert are "rare and trouble free"

They are certainly rare, but be aware that back in the twenties many garages had signs outside them that read "Sorry, no Trojans!" That would indicate that they were certainly NOT trouble free and even harder to fix properly!

I understand they were started with a rope like a motor mower. The stories of smashed knuckles against the firewall when they backfired are legendary. Definitely go for an Austin Seven rather than a Trojan!

Keith

[buzzy bee]

Sorry I am not wanting to look for Austin 7's due to their practicality for me, the only way is if I was to drop on one, but I can't see it being a long term motorcar for me.

Still unsure whether to go for something with seats or something commercial.