Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22838 Location: UK

During a quiet moment, I was pondering about the worst-condition car(s) I've owned. The Model Y was probably in the most dire condition of all (salvage rights to that one cost all of twenty quid), but I knew that was a parts car from the outset.

What has been your worst condition classic/vintage car? ie not one purchased for parts from the outset, but bought either as a runner or with a real hope of getting it roadworthy once again?

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

47Jag · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:08 am Post subject:

My 1947 Jaguar 3 1/3 litre. I thought that I would have it running within a year Rolling Eyes

When I bought it the worst thing that I thought that had to contend with was the siezed engine. Not only was it seized but it had a cracked head and a damaged block. However it is the body that really shocked me and given me the most headaches. The PO had newspaper stuffed in every rusted orifice which has only compounded the rust problems.

Art

stuchamp · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 546 Location: Iowa, USA

1947 Studebaker Champion.
Lot of body rust, front & rear fenders, trunk floor and lid.
Basically everything behind the rear glass needed replaced.
Doors and floors were very good though.
Original engine was junk but the car came with a later year replacement.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22838 Location: UK

For me, in terms of viable projects, the (big) Dodge was probably in the worst condition, followed by the first E83W pickup (now in buzzy's fleet) and maybe the Saab 95 van, both of which were badly rotted when found. In fact bad rot seems to be a theme of many of my buys, the Mk3 Spitfire acquired via dad in the late 1980s was also rotten as a pear, but somehow made it back onto the road and still survives in the midlands somewhere Smile

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

bob2 · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 1728 Location: Malta

I haven't owned lots of cars, 7 in all and 4 of them I've still got, but the worst was a clubman estate, cause although roadworthy, it had lots of filler everywhere (most covering rusty areas), smoking engine, brush painted doors but I still had 2 years use out of it!!
It then donated some parts to other minis and I recouped the purchase price by selling some of its parts!!

clan chieftain · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2041 Location: Motherwell

Probably the "General Lee" marina coupe fom the marina owners club. This car was at the Classic car show at the SECC in Birmingham and got rave reviews. So it came up for sale and I bought it for £650. It was delivered by Danny Hopkins one of the editors of Practical Classics at the time and I picked it up at Abington services on the M74.
Horrors when I got it home. I could see daylight through the front footwells and both rear spring front hangers were rotten. Cost me an arm and a leg to put it right as I dont weld or paint but it was worth it. I then passed it over to my son (generous dad ) who has since put new wings on it and had it completely resprayed. In May I fitted a brand new gold seal A Plus engine and it runs like a dream.
_________________
The Clan Chieftain

roverdriver · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:04 am Post subject:

In late 1971, a friend and I found this car, or more accurately the remains of this car on a derelict farmlet in New Zealand. It had been stored in a shed that had burned down very many years earlier, and was completely overgrown with vines. The front axle was missing, but the whole engine, gearbox and diff was there. The chassis broke in half as we moved it. There were a few odds and ends remaining of the body and one side-lamp. Here is a photo after recovery.-

I left New Zealand in 1972 and the Napier became the property of my friend, who later sold it on. Eventually is was bought by another enthusiast who not only restored it to beautiful condition, but participated in the International Rally earlier this year. The car was imported into N.Z. for use as a taxi, so the restoration reflects this.

_________________
Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.

clan chieftain · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2041 Location: Motherwell

Thats amazing.You would never believe that is the same car. A small fortune must have been used to get it like that but its been worth it. Well done. Cool

_________________
The Clan Chieftain

clan chieftain · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2041 Location: Motherwell

Nothing done today but yesterday was glorious. Why is it when the weather is fine and you want to do a bit to your car the wife wants to go somewhere and it knackers up your day. If this weather persists I think I might just buy a Dukw. I remember years ago when I was a children there were a couple of Dukws down at Ayr beach and you could go a run in it. Wonder what happened to them??
_________________
The Clan Chieftain

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4880 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi m e

Take a trip to Liverpool,
http://www.theyellowduckmarine.co.uk/
or London
http://www.intotheblue.co.uk/excursions/london/tours/dukw-tour/?gclid=CPrh0szMt7ECFc8KtAodXmAAvg

There is also one in Boston, but unfortunately it is Boston Mass not Boston Lincs. Laughing

_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

Scotty · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 883

1972 Citroen Dyane - bought for something to do on my days off, scared the life out of myself as I went around the first corner, fixed it, sold it to another masochist and bought a 1952 Ford Anglia as I reckoned it'd be easier to fix!

I live and learn.

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4880 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi Scotty
Seeing your link for riverside reminded me that you are connected there.
How about suggesting that they get a DUKW and run a sightseeing service in it, then marina estate wouldn't have to travel so far to relive his schooldays.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

clan chieftain · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2041 Location: Motherwell

Superb idea Idea

Anybody on here restoring one???
_________________
The Clan Chieftain

Scotty · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 883

roverdriver · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 11:12 am Post subject:

At the risk of continuing the skew of this thread, a DUKW is something that I would find very handy.

We live on a dead-end road on the 'wrong' side of a narrow river. Most of the time, the river is quite benign and stays within its banks, but seven times last year and so far 3 time this year, it has not only flooded over the banks, but covered the bridge to such a depth that access and egress is impossible. The last flood was the highest since we have lived here (22 years) and was seven feet deep over the bridge.

Still it keeps the visitors away, and we always have plenty of provisions on hand for the week that we wait for the waters to subside.

I had thought of building His and Her rowing boats and storing them in our front paddock. Then we could rightly claim that we have ferries at the bottom of our garden!
_________________
Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.