Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22786 Location: UK

I thought it might be interesting to put a hypothetical set of criteria together, and see what the readers here think might best fit the bill.

So, for the first subject, a handy little classic, engine upto 1 litre in capacity, ideal for town use and must be economical. Can have 2, 3, 4 or 5 doors. Spares supply must be reasonable, and not too extortionate to buy. With fuel costs as they are, this seems like a good one to mull over. Ideally it'd be pre-1973 and qualify for both zero rate tax and affordable insurance, again to keep the costs down.

What would you go for, and why?

Rick.
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peppiB · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:13 pm Post subject:

I already have one - my Morris Minor!! Although 1965 and should have a 1098 cc engine, mine has a 957 unit I rebuilt. It gets me around the city, and last week did a 406 mile round trip from Newcastle to Huntingdon on £40 worth of fuel (just over 8 gallons - near enough 50mpg) at an average speed of 60mph. Insurance for me in a high risk postcode (NE1) is £100 this year and any spare part is available off the shelf to either collect or have delivered next working day. Laughing

buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

Hi

A nice mini! Cheap spares, can be fuel effiecient or thirsty dependant on what you do to it!

Cheers

Dave

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7215 Location: Edinburgh

Sounds like you want to run this as every day transport. In which case that rules out most steel bodied cars of the era since they turn brown in the winter. Assuming it needs to be able to carry a reasonable load of junk that rules out sports cars.

My vote goes to a Reliant Rebel estate..

You could probably convert it to use Robin parts so there's no shortage of second hand (cheap) parts.

You have very little to worry about in the way of rot.

It will keep up with modern traffic holds the road well and is nice to drive.

Will do 60 mpg if driven carefully.

Hmm! Shocked

Actually, I'm getting cold feet, I don't fancy this,

Peter

Uncle Joe · Guest

Top choice has got to be an early Triumph Herald. Everything is available for them, and being the oversized Meccano set that they are, easy to work on and maintain. A turning cicle smaller than even a Smart makes for easy town use.

Other contenders would be a 2CV, and the T700 I'm collecting at the weekend. That is going to be my DD when its finished. As I've found out this week, its only a matter of knowing where to look for parts, and they are available.

poodge · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 687

Let out the secret,Uncle Joe,are you referring to a Glas Isar T700?Or a different T700?
Personally,I like the Austin A35 Countryman.Probably because my first two cars were an A30,and then an A35.But the Countryman,or even a plain van,is so much more practical than a saloon.
Or how about a Fiat Multipla?The original one,not the modern bugeyed monstrosity.You're a bit vulnerable sitting right at the front,though.And I don't know if they were ever made in RH drive.But it's the ideal town vehicle.Compact ,roomy,and small turning circle.
Or,for the francophile,a Renault 4,the hatchback version.For more room,they also sold the van,with higher roof,as an estate car with rudimentary side windows and a rear seat.It's modern incarnation would be the Berlingo,which I believe is also quite popular.
Then there is Holland's pride,the DAF 33 with "rubber band"transmission.Also available as a (very)basic estate.Better lay in a good supply of the belts though
That's enough to be going on with.
Laughing

Uncle Joe · Guest

Yes, thats the one that I am referring to. Air cooled 4 stroke boxer, front engine, rear drive, small enough for traffic and parking...easy on fuel...what more could you want?

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22786 Location: UK

There are two that I think would be contenders, the A40 Farina Countryman (handy having that lift up back window), so long as the body is ok (and I know someone who does repair panels anyway), plus all the easy oil bits lifted from the A35, but with better underbonnet access.

Or how about the Standard 10 Companion?? I've hankered after a nice one of those for some time now Smile

Has anyone mentioned the Renault 4 yet?

Interesting to see Reliants getting a mention - something about GRP doesn't gel Wink

with me though, I prefer steel bodied cars even though they like to disintegrate.

Rick
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peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7215 Location: Edinburgh

Uncle Joe · Guest

Still dont think that a Herald can be beaten in this category...whichever way you look at things, they beat the others. Dont forget that they come as an Estate as well...

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22786 Location: UK

Uncle Joe · Guest

Really Rick, are you moving the goal? Laughing

You did say 2,3,4 or 5 doors...

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22786 Location: UK

Uncle Joe · Guest

If I remember correctly, the australian ones had the Vitesse front as well. Maybe it should be a case of Mix'n'match? Laughing

PAUL BEAUMONT · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 1281 Location: Barnsley S. Yorks

It is easy to think of UK products here and the mini, Minor and A35 must be in the list, but there are a few continentals still worth adding to the list:
Fiat 500, NSU Prinz (or whatever the little one was called) or the later 2CV derivatives like the Ami. I guess it realy depends on what you want it for and how exclusive you want to be.