Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[tbird]

hi guys
new to the site.
new to classic cars too!!!

i need some advice and you hope you all can help me. i'm no mechanic but i understand the basics. my love of cars is aesthetic and the joy of driving. not tinkering.
my situation in life is such that i can afford a classic for the first time. however, i want a classic that i can actually drive. not every day but certainly regularly.

aesthetically (and due to boyhood dreams!!!) my favorite cars are jensens, late 60s mustangs, e-types, targas plus plenty more. its clear that these all have a decent engine in common.

however, the advice i crave is what classic suits an "unskilled" chap like myself with the desire to drive the car regularly.

any thoughts would be welcomed...

thanks folks

t

[Riley Blue]

Depends on your wallet. If the cars you list are within your means financially (and that also means being able to afford the insurance, fuel) then buy one and enjoy it.

If your funds are limited, a better choice of first classic would be one that is fairly simple mechanically so you learn as you drive and your wallet won't get emptied on a regular basis - owning a classic can be very expensive if you can't do some of the work yourself.

You'll enjoy driving whatever classic you buy, Morris Minor or Mustang - in fact a Morris Minor would be a good first car.

[Scotty]

Hi t,

First of all is knowing that you'll get many different ideas as to what is the best way for you to go - read them all, discard the parts you don't consider relative to your needs and keep the good information for future use.

The principal key for me, both from your needs and for anyone stepping into classic ownership is ...... avoid the 'there's only three of these cars in the world.' This almost certainly means parts will be impossible to get, let alone replacing day to day running parts if you're keen to use it regularly.

Do your homework - identify what you can afford, availablity of that vehicle, running costs and for me the most important - availablity of parts. If I use my last classic as an example, a 1952 Ford Anglia, there was many an occasion where I had to wait for a particular part to be re-manufactured, some of which took years to come around. Whereas now I own a 1957 Chevrolet where every part is available at the end of the 'phone and a debit card away.

Join the club which deals with your chosen car, regardless if you have one or not - sometimes internal adverts are just what you are looking for. Plus there's lots of advice about pitfalls, etc.

Finally, don't be dazzled by shiney paint and chrome, its what's underneath that's important. If you're not sure take someone with you who has experince in older vehicles, asking for help is a wise precaution. Try to keep in the back of your mind that this vendor is selling it for a particular reason, make sure it isn't because the car is a 'pup' and he / she can't get parts or its too big a job.

[lowdrag]

+1 Scotty. The most important thing is, as a newbie, to learn about the type of car you are thinking of buying from owners, so join the respective club. I am sure that I don't speak alone in saying that I learned this the hard way!

American cars tend to come with a cheap parts price compared to, for example, a Jensen or Jaguar. All cars have their pitfalls, but if an Interceptor is your thing, then (I am sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong) Cropredy Bridge Garage are the people to talk to. Frankly, none of the cars mentioned suit an inexperienced mechanic, so at the risk of being flamed why notsomething like and MG? Very simple.

Whatever, welcome to our world, and my final advice is to sit on your wallet a while and absorb lots of information during this winter.

[tbird]

riley- one of my biggest concerns is the expense of having to take the car to a garage for minor things that i'm sure most folk on here can do with their eyes closed. but i also beleive that a car is to be enjoyed and as you say, go out and buy one is kind of suited to me!!!

scotty- given what i've just said, i probably would be swayed too much by shiny paint. so i willd definitely be taking an experienced eye along with me to give the car a once over. do you know of any particular company that offers this service that is more specific to classics as oppose to the RAC checks available.

lowdrag- wise words. i am constantly on the prowl for info on the cars i like.

so thanks for the info so far guys.

t

[RobMoore]

Your needs seem a little conflicting here.
You want an expensive classic such as mustang or e type, yet abmitting you are mechanically challenged don't want the expense of taking to a garage....

If you cannot do then your gonna have to pay it's that simple mate.
So you either buy a car thats within your means and learn or you have deep pockets.
_________________

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

Triumph Herald (or Vitesse if you want something more flashy). Bonnet opens so you can see everything. Vitesse looks the part. Very useable easily maintained classic and a bit more exclusive than a minor, MGB or Ford Anglia

[Mog]

Come on Paul ! No mention of a Jowett !

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

Whitworth and BSF spanners would confuse a newbie!