Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ellis]

One thousand pounds, £1000, even today is a substantial sum of money but in 1980 (37 years ago) it was a very significant amount although it would not then have bought you a brand new car.

Which classic cars could you have bought with that sum then?
Jaguar E types were even then in the £2k bracket for decent ones but Jaguar Mark 2s were not. Good condition 3.4s and 3.8s were £500 or so, less for an "S" Type or a Jaguar 420.
I have referred to this car previously when a farming family could not part exchange their 1967 E registered Jaguar 420 against a new Series 3 XJ6. The
dealership didn't want it. They bought the XJ6 and kept the 420 as an heirloom. The same family still owns it today.

However Morris Minors were "in vogue" then :

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First class condition cars were £1k and above, more for a convertible or a traveller. Perhaps Nurse Gladys Emmanuel's example in Open All Hours contributed to the desirability or the convertible in "Nuts in May".

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The Rover P5b, arguably one of most handsome cars built in the UK were by 1980 in the shadow of the "new" Rover SD1 3500. A Zircon Blue "H" registered example went through a car auction in Ewloe for £350 in September 1980. I was there at the time trying to buy an ex Fire service Ford Escort Mk1 van.

A J registered Austin 1300GT in great condition sold for £150 on the same day. Nobody wanted Ford Anglias, Mark 1 or 2 Ford Cortinas at the time. The new Ford Escort XR3 decimated the values of Mexicos and RS 2000s.

What did you buy or could have bought for a £1000 or less in 1980?
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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet