Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[tony63]

Hello all
I've been looking at classic cars for many years now, and next year I plan on buying one, I'm not after a perfect as I would like to do some work on it myself, so a project car will be what I'm looking at buying but not a full restoration job.
There's a few cars I fancy getting but would like advice on are parts available and are they good cars to get.

First up is the Humber cars but not the later square one, I like the curves etc on older cars, next car is hillman minx, also singer gazelle, and I also like the old morris minor.

Does anyone know much about these that could advise me on

Many thanks

Tony

[Rick]

Welcome to the forum,

A Minx or a Gazelle wouldn't be a bad idea at all, so long as you find one sound of body etc.

Parts availability is much better for the Minor though, so that'd be my choice from your list as a "first classic" buy. Late-1950s examples seem to be built from better steel compared to late-1960s onwards cars, so that's what I'd be looking at buying in your position.

The Wolseley 1500 shares much of the Minor's "chassis" but has the slightly larger (B Series) engine in it, they drive well but like the Gazelle etc, body parts are less easy than the Minor to find if you need them.

It may come down to budget, and what you turn up at the time, but with a Moggy you wouldn't go far wrong - so long as it's in decent condition to start with.

RJ
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[peppiB]

A Minor is a good starting place. Everything from a single bolt through to complete engine and every body panel is available ex stock from any of the several specialist stockists.

My other classic (which is actually cheaper to insure than the Moggy) is a Landcrab. It has the advantage of being more comfortable (I take mine all over the country) and nearly all parts are available through the club. Unlike many classics, prices for Landcrabs (Austin/Morris/Wolsely 1800/2200) haven't gone crazy. The B series engine shares many parts with the MGB

[tony63]

Many thanks for the info, will keep looking at the moggy's
If you think of any other cars that are as good as the moggy please let me know, I see my 1st humber hawk mk11 last month and fell in love with it, it's just looked so nice, but very big, the early 60s sceptre is very nice but not sure if parts are hard to get, I also like the old vauxhall victors.

[roverdriver]

Humbers are very nice cars. Our honeymoon car was a Hawk, and for a four cylinder machine performed very well on an extended tour. Other than that I have not had a lot to do with the marque, but would imagine that the usual U.K. rust problems would be a worry.

I have become a Rover enthusiast in more recent years and highly recommend them as very useable classics.

Having said that, the Moggie has lots of advantages as a first-time classic. Being small, it is much easier to lift off bits as needed, and as others have mentioned, parts availability is very good.

I once lifted the engine out of my father-in-law's Minor utilising a good chain, a length of 4" x 2" beam and an apricot tree. The beam was lodged into a fork in the tree, chain around the middle of the beam connected to the engine, and yours truly lifting the other end of the beam. When I had the engine high enough, FiL wheeled the chassis out from under.
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[Riley Blue]

Some good advice there. I'd definitely recommend a Morris 1000 as a first classic - easy to work on, excellent parts availability, good owners' club. As alternatives you might want to consider either the Wolseley 1500 or Riley 1.5, both of which have Morris 1000 underpinnings and are equally easy to work on. Though outwardly similar, the Riley is the more luxurious and has a bit more 'umph'. Spares are also easily obtainable, including panels (though pattern panels can be expensive) and there are also very good owners' clubs - the Riley Motor Club has its own spares operation.
Whatever you decide on, make sure it's the most rust-free example you can find and good luck in your search!

[tony63]

Thanks again, made me laugh about the tree engine lift lol
I also like the Riley but not seen many for sale, and the MM seem to be fairly cheap.

[Ironhead]

how about a Triumph Herald? good availability of parts,and simple to work on.

[gresham flyer]

As an owner and enthusiast of Rootes and Morris cars along with some others makes I agree.

The Morris Minor is a perfect car for the first time classic car owner/enthusiast.

Everything is available new for these cars. They are also easy to work on.

I would personally if only purchasing one vehicle go for the Traveller,it is such a versatile model.

Also when it comes to economics you will be spending the same amount of money repairing a saloon as a Traveller but the Traveller would be worth double at the end.

I have restored about twenty of these to date,so if you need any information do not hesitate to contact me.

I have just finished this 1961 example.

G.F

[gresham flyer]

As a Rootes enthusiast I would recommend the ...

Humber Sceptre MK 1.
Singer Gazelle.
Sunbeam Rapier.


All very useable cars in the modern age.

G.F

[Ironhead]

but..you've put the wrong wheels on gresham!

[gresham flyer]

[gresham flyer]

[gresham flyer]

[gresham flyer]