Classic Cars

spadoosh

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Older cars are nowhere near as reliable as modern cars, and require much more maintenance.

I owned a 1967 MGB until two years ago and it never went more than a month or two without something going wrong and that was not being used on a daily basis.

It wouldn't be cost effective to try and use a pre 80's car as everyday transport or everybody would be doing it.

Possibly the most notorious car for break downs after TVR's, incredibly hard to get parts for (normally have to be imported) and the fact it wasnt used on a daily basis would mean it is more likely to have faults. Though a beautiful car!

Norman_Castle

incredibly hard to get parts for (normally have to be imported)

Not if you live in the UK.

pulliptears

lindopski wrote: »

I would take a look at the Practical Classics magazine as they have been going for donkeys years and have a lot of information on classics and their daily use.

I think that most classic cars will take up some of your time in maintenance, not only the obvious war against rust but also the general maintenance that a classic car requires.
Greasing parts will be common, more regular oil changes and general upkeep.
You wont ever struggle for parts for a Morris Minor but if you pick something a little more exotic you may have it laid up for months sourcing parts so have to keep that in mind.

The heaters will be a joke, and the lights will be like candles in a bowl but to be honest if you like the car you wont care, you wont be bothered that the world and his dog overtake you either.

to be honest in my 1999 rover the world and his dog overtake me as well, as I don't want to drive at 45 in the 30's.

The older cars have class and a style of their own, you can tell a Morris Minor from a Triumph Herald or an MGB GT.

I can't tell what is a Pug,Citroen,Astra,Fiesta or Fiat these days on the road - a bubble with wheels is all I see whilst driving around.

I wouldn't mind a Rover P6 for my daily driver and a Mk2 Jag for play but I will have lots more grey before I can afford to do that. 20 mpg if I am lucky most probably - oh lord

All very true, yet they do have a charm about them I think if I were to venture into Morris Minor owning again I'd look for one that had the drum brakes converted though, you really did have to think 5 minutes before stopping lol.

I recall once taking the children to school and a council van pulled out in front of me, I had no chance of stopping and was fortunate that nothing was coming down the road as by the time I had managed to stop I was alongside the van on the other side of the road. To say I was furious was an understatement, I'm not a morning person by a long stretch either so doing that on me at 8.30am was suicidal on all counts. I followed him on to the estate and pulled in behind him where I gave a very sheepish workman a rather irritated lecture on why you do not pull out on older cars. He was scarlet with embarrassment (not in the least as his workmates stood sniggering at the side of the van) and incredibly apologetic. Fairly safe to say he'll think twice before pulling out on anything not so modern again though

Speed humps were great fun though, hit them at the correct angle and I could make both kids bounce to the roof on the sprung rear seats It wasn't 'cool' though and I think the kids were amazingly grateful when I swapped it for a modern car as they got some stick for it.

almillar

I'd say a 10-15 yr old car would be cheaper and more convenient to run than something nearly 40 yrs old. You have to really want a classic to run one, don't do it for moneysaving. Buy an old unique Jap or German car instead for something slightly interesting, or a second hand Aygo or similar if you insist on paying no tax (or £35 maybe).

Gloomendoom

almillar wrote: »

I'd say a 10-15 yr old car would be cheaper and more convenient to run than something nearly 40 yrs old. You have to really want a classic to run one, don't do it for moneysaving. Buy an old unique Jap or German car instead for something slightly interesting, or a second hand Aygo or similar if you insist on paying no tax (or £35 maybe).

I'd agree with that. I have used my 1950's car as a daily driver out of necessity but it is expensive to run. It is thirsty and the servicing intervals are only 3000 miles.

IMHO running a classic just to save on the car tax is a false economy.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Yes a classic for daily driver is not an alternative, it is something for an individual, not cloned like their eurobox cars.

They require constant meticulous care and attention, the owners of which lavish with great pleasure, and then take great pleasure in showing the world they are not another droid sitting in their droids capsule.

Limey

I used to use my Mk1 MR2 (1987) as a daily commute of 75 miles (round trip)but as above it was pampered hugely and unlike most of the folks I arrived at work with a grin on my face. :cool:

It returned 30-35 mpg on a long run and was pretty damn reliable as long as it was well treated for rust.

I've still got the car but she's a garage queen at the moment.:rotfl:

pulliptears

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Yes a classic for daily driver is not an alternative, it is something for an individual, not cloned like their eurobox cars.

They require constant meticulous care and attention, the owners of which lavish with great pleasure, and then take great pleasure in showing the world they are not another droid sitting in their droids capsule.

Limey wrote: »

I used to use my Mk1 MR2 (1987) as a daily commute of 75 miles (round trip)but as above it was pampered hugely and unlike most of the folks I arrived at work with a grin on my face. :cool:

It returned 30-35 mpg on a long run and was pretty damn reliable as long as it was well treated for rust.

I've still got the car but she's a garage queen at the moment.:rotfl:

Its all so much more fun than arriving at work in your air conditioned 'drives for you' modern car where you often find yourself not remembering half the journey.

I do miss that.

Limey

Can't wait to get the old girl back on the road again, just got a bit of welding to do and she's pretty much good to go.

Here she is waiting for her turn on the rolling road:

pulliptears

Here's my boy, though like I say I think practically the time has come for us to part