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Decisions, decisions... I don't know
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Norfolkandchance
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 8:20 pm    Post subject: Decisions, decisions... I don't know Reply with quote

Well at the suggestion of UJ to start a thread on my potention future clasic car, and what to get -here goes.

Would be second car, to Vx Zafira and mainly a weekend car when kids are not around. I have nothing set in stone other than parts availability has to be good, and insurance reasonable. So if anyone can offer suggestions or dismiss a car - please do.

Austin A35 or A40
Moggy Minor - I lvoe the sound of those engines!
Consul-Capri
herald or vitesse
Rover P5???
Fiat 500

I detest Beetles

At 17 my first car was very nearly a mint Viva, registered the year I was born 1968 but the owner backout and could not part with the car at the last minute. I have always had a soft spot for them which was re-ignited when I worked for Sir Jack Brabham for 10 years at his Vauxhall showroom. We have the Brabham Viva club donw on our forecourt on weekend and it was fabulous to see them all lined up and Sir jack had a great time. We had a BBQ on the forecourt and fed everyone Kangaroo burgers.

anyway back to the topic. This is my starting list, so any suggetions guys?
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Rick
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 8:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Seems like a good list to start with!! I'd be inclined to start off with anything that has good parts supply, so most of yours would fit the bill. The Rover is a big old thing - do you want a large comfy (thirsty-ish) car, or something smaller? as a 1st classic the A35 or Moggy Minor would be a good choice - easy to get bits, some good club support, and good ones won't break the bank to buy when compared to many cars. Eg £2k would buy a very nice A35, but only an average P5 Rover for instance.

I don't know much about Fiat 500s, but again you'd be wise to buy the very best example you can afford, rather than a slightly down at heel car and planning to improve it. Let someone else pay to get a ropey car into decent condition!!

I'm sure others will have their views Wink

Rick
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Uncle Joe
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, its not a bad list.

To spin on it a little. The Consul Capri might be a little difficult to get hold of.

I personally like the Triumph Herald / Vitesse, mainly because I have a soft spot for Triumphs, and the Vitesse brings back a lot of memories. Update an early Herald with the 2.5 6 cylinder...they come as convertibles too!

Though I do like Rovers, mostly P4's but also the P5B, I would avoid the P5's because if I remember correctly rust can be a pain to repair. If it was a big 6 cylinder car I was looking for, I might be tempted to go for something like a Valiant...more economical, and possibly the most reliable 6 cylinder ever.....

Fiat 500's? Now we are talking a real car! If you can stand a left hand drive one, whizz down to Italy, somewhere like Modena, and get a rustfree one for peanuts....

UJ
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XL391
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If I remember correctly, did I read you would like a two seater convertible? How about a Sunbeam Alpine? Engine and mechanicals shared with all the sixties Rootes saloons, cheap to insure, better looking, nicer to drive and far more individual than an MGB and good parts supply.
Very Happy
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Rick
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

How long ago was the Jack Brabham meet organised? just curious, and way OT naturally Smile

As for a starter classic, I've always had a soft spot for 1950s Rootes-mobiles like the early 50s Minx. Am not sure about parts availability (are parts shared with later Series Minxes?) but if you had a good 'un to start with, hopefully you'd only need service items anyway Smile

Rick
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Norfolkandchance
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 9:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rick,

That meet was about 8 years ago now. The dealership closed Dec 1st 2000, boo hoo. Sir Jack was made an offer for the land that he could not turn down and I dont blame him either. none of the staff did-he was/is the most fantastic bloke I have ever had the pleasure to meet. We had to call him jack not Mr Brabham, not Sir jack but plain Jack. He came to the dealership on the day it closed and said goodbye to all the staff. A true gent, and lady brabham is a hoot, a real joker - such a great woman!

I so miss working for him, I was there 9 years and loved everyday. i was in the Sales Department, isold cars to disabled people adapting them to their requirements, now I am just a pen pusher for volvo. Great product, and great dealership I work at, but my heart is just not in it the way it was at Brabham's.
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Uncle Joe
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Volvo? Great product? Have they started making PV's, Duetts and Amazons again? Laughing Laughing Laughing

UJ, with tongue firmly in cheek!
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Norfolkandchance
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Uncle Joe wrote:
Volvo? Great product? Have they started making PV's, Duetts and Amazons again? Laughing Laughing Laughing

UJ, with tongue firmly in cheek!


Oh I wish, I would be first in the queue for a P1800...

We are eagerly awaiting the New V70 & XC70's to arrive, followed next year by our rival for the X3 called the surprise, surprise XC60. I hate BMW's, I just find them so boring and uncomfortable to sit in. Each to their own I guess.
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Mytocon
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Errm...

HB Viva? They're getting difficult to find, but are still cheap as chips to buy. You can build a Brabham rep if you need to (you've obviously got the right contacts! Wink ) but they're a lovely little starter classic in their own right!

So, starter for 10, what was my first car (on the road)? Clue it was white (with a snazzy black vinyl roof) SL90, registered in April 1970, in Luton and I was too poor for a Victor... Laughing
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Uncle Joe
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Really Norfolk, you shouldnt use german swear words on the forum... Laughing So I guess you know my opinions of certain cars... Laughing

If Volvo really wanted to make a winner, they should do a 2008 Duett....and about 500 yards from me now, is the nicest P1800 you could imagine.....

UJ
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Norfolkandchance
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Uncle Joe wrote:
Really Norfolk, you shouldnt use german swear words on the forum...


I do most humble apologise for swearing on the forum and being so new and all ... I will recite 10 Hail Mary's. Dont like said German brand myself either and got told off on my modern car chat website for putting them down.

Uncle Joe wrote:
about 500 yards from me now, is the nicest P1800 you could imagine.....


Gimme, Gimme, Gimme - pretty please......
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Rick
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

how about a <whisper> BMW 2002? they don't attract the same crowd as your wally in a modern 3 series, and drive nicely too by all accounts! parts availability isn't shabby either

Rick
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Uncle Joe
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Glad that you whispered that Rick..... Very Happy

After thinking about this, maybe as others have suggested, one of the Rootes group cars, say a pre Hunter range Rapier...

To add a bit of America in the topic, a 1950 Studebaker Champion?

UJ
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Rick
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Whats the spares situation like with Studes??

The late 50s Sunbeam Rapiers are nice agreed, find a rot-free one and it'd be a stylish little runaround

R
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Uncle Joe
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

On the Rapier, I would possibly have gone for a later one, with the 1592 engine, or even the early 1725 if they had them, cant remember.

Stuchamp can answer this better than I, but from when I was looking for a Stude last year, the spares situation seems pretty good. Althogh I think that generally speaking, spares do tend to be easy to get hold of for American cars, unless they happen to be called Lincoln.....

Will admit though, if I still lived in the UK, I think I would go for a british classic. Shocked

UJ
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