Classic cars for everyday use

[Griff]

These old Saab 96s have a certain strange appeal and could be used on a daily basis. Can't remember the last time I saw one though.

 

[dirtysanta]

It was basically the same car then, 'cos I think the Group B rally version was just a highly developed version of what was basically a pretty specialised road car.

Much like all the Group B cars really, since a limited production (200 units) version had to exist to make the car eligible:

Groub B cars give me half a thickun' .

 

[Lisarocket]

Had a few MGBGTs in my time, again very reliable and keep up with modern traffic. Fitted a Weber 45 on one of them instead of the boring SUs, and it made a real difference to the feel and sound of the car.

Had 2 V8s, a lovely original factory car in Damask Red with a Holley 390 carburettor which was a real lovely car, and a rubber bumper 3.9 conversion which was mad on the 1800cc axle then really boring once I'd spent the money on having a V8 axle fitted. Both were driven to work and were very reliable.

Don't think I could own another MG though.

I love my MG (1.8 BGT with overdrive). It'll be 32 in December

I drive it regularly. It's a great runner. It hasn't broken down for about 2 years (touch wood )
The only problem with it is the bodywork on it is totally fucked now...and i mean totally!!!
It's so bad that i've been told it will fail the MOT on the passenger door alone
I am so desperate to find a way of getting the bodywork done on it that i've entered for Pimp my Ride TWICE!!!
I am at the point where i may have to make the worst decision ever because i can't afford to sort out the rust I'll find out next week...
(((myMG)))



Anyone got 2 unrusty MG doors in their garage/shed/anywhere that they would like to donate to the cause...

 

[Griff]

I love my MG (1.8 BGT with overdrive). It'll be 32 in December

I drive it regularly. It's a great runner. It hasn't broken down for about 2 years (touch wood )
The only problem with it is the bodywork on it is totally fucked now...and i mean totally!!!
It's so bad that i've been told it will fail the MOT on the passenger door alone
I am so desperate to find a way of getting the bodywork done on it that i've entered for Pimp my Ride TWICE!!!
I am at the point where i may have to make the worst decision ever because i can't afford to sort out the rust I'll find out next week...
(((myMG)))



Anyone got 2 unrusty MG doors in their garage/shed/anywhere that they would like to donate to the cause...

It won't be the doors that let you down, but the dreaded sills. Always the first thing to look at when considering an MGB.

That''ll cost a fortune to be honest.


I can't believe this is still for sale:

http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=291477&page=1&pp=10

Lovely, and you could use it as everyday transport too.

 

[Lisarocket]

It won't be the doors that let you down, but the dreaded sills. Always the first thing to look at when considering an MGB.

That''ll cost a fortune to be honest.

I had the sills done about 3 years ago. It is actually the doors that's the problem now. The passenger door is so rusty it's bending out at the bottom and i haven't been able to lock it from the outside for ages becsuse the lock twists round

What will cost a fortune is the fracture that needs serious welding on the axle next to the front drivers wheel. I need to get that done, but i know that it's all i can afford to get done and the MOT is in January, so i've also got to sort out the doors too....

Please MTV. Pimp my ride...

 

[ICB]

My 200sx is hardly a classic but it's got 133,000 on it and has never missed a beat, never not started first time, has no significant rust, etc. cost me under £3,000 and is fast as something rather fast.

Anyway, not a classic, so in the absence of PoiE to plug the early jap kit

Datsun 240, yum

Honda S800, redline-tastic

Datsun 100a, cute

Toyota Celica 1600, tasty

'69 Skyline, rude

 

[Pie 1]

I ran around in one of these for 2 years when i was 21. It was a 1986 Turbo 2
in white. It cost be a couple grand in blown turbochargers cos i use to drive it like a hooligan but my journeys to work were significantly much more fun than everyone elses.

Mate of mine at Uni had a similar one to yours DS.
It was fucking spastic

 

[Roadkill]

There's an immaculate black Mk1 Golf GTi just up my street. I covet it every time I walked past.

My brother has had three of these, meanwhile:

Two of 'em have been heaps, but the second one was a gorgeous 1987 silver one with only 60k on the clock. Superb car.

 

[moose]

Our vehicles aren't super-old - my Golf is 17, our campervan is 28, but we really do have to look after them well, especially as we haven't got a garage. In winter, both are dried and covered nightly, and cleaned underneath on a ramp regularly. They both have a full service 3 times a year, despite not covering many miles.

It's a constant dilemma - do you keep them under wraps to preserve them, or do you get out there and enjoy - obviously we believe in the latter

<drools over Scirocco>

 

[dirtysanta]

Love Vdubs. Im currently running around in a future classic.... Corrado G60
like this

cant go wrong with Vdubs. Me and a mate (well my mates doing most of work and financing it) been building a Mk1 golf for almost a year. Its come back from a respray. Its got a grand of fully ajustable suspension but heres the killer. Mk3 gold 16v lump. Spent almost a £2000 on the engine. Should kick out about 240bhp when were done. The fucking thing only weighs 800kg. !!
If you want the math thats pretty much 290, count them, brake per tonne.

 

[stretchy18]

Currently driving a 1982 Granada 2.8x Ghia estate. 75k on the clock

It is fecking huge, but the most comfortable car I've owned. It's got electrical everything

I took it to get a service and I couldn't get away from the garage owner as he chinned away about it

Looks like the bodywork has been pulled through a hedge backwards but passes MOTS and starts every time

Soon to be chopped in for a van, sob, keep your peepers on ebay it'll be arriving there soon (Not a spam)

 

[19sixtysix]

I'm still driving my 1977 Austin Maxi.

No photos to hand but have a look at http://www.austinmaxiclub.org

 

[Mrs Magpie]

Is it just me or does anyone else think that cars built after about 1975 don't really count as Classic Cars? Maybe it's my age.

 

[citydreams]

My first car was the Morris Marina. Supposed to replace the Minor it had the turning circle of a tank. Classic car for being the epitome of British car manufacturing

 

[dirtysanta]

Currently driving a 1982 Granada 2.8x Ghia estate. 75k on the clock

Double

My old man one had a Cortina 2.3 Ghia saloon. twas fucking rapid. I loved those chunky alloys ford did for both the cortina and granada. Big solid disc with the 2in square holes round the rim.

 

[Nikkormat]

I used a Triumph Herald 1200 (fitted with a later 1297cc engine) for a couple of years, it was great for city driving but not really ideal for long motorway journeys. An overdrive gearbox would probably help.

My bro had a 2.5 litre Triumph Vitesse for the commute to work for two or three years and it was very reliable, but only did 15-25mpg depending on the traffic. He has a Hillman Imp now.

I have plans for another Herald one day.

 

[janeb]

Drove a 1965 Morris Minor Traveller for a couple of years back in the mid 80's, loved that car and did loads of long trips in it, pootling along at our own pace - called her Prudence - was gutted when I had to sell her (because the wood needed replacing in full and I was very broke at the time).

Only other car I've had that I've loved quite as much was an A reg saab 900 turbo - again drove it for a couple of years and only got rid once I'd lost 2nd and 4th gear (coped without 2nd for a few months) and my garage recommeded I not spend any more money on it.

But still believe very much in spending not a huge amount of money on an old high spec car and running it as long as possible - when my current car goes (K Reg Honda Accord Estate, not as high spev as I usually get but cost me 250 3 years ago and I've put 45k miles on it since then) am looking either to get an old style saab again or a merc, will see what's around at the time

 

[Dhimmi]

I prefer older cars, anything I had as a matchbox toy as a child I like. Tended to go for older cars but nowadays a lot of cars from before 1980 are just too unreliable, like me they're getting old now.

I suppose they are classic cars now...my maternal grandfather had a Hillman Imp

First mass production motor to have an aluminium engine block. Cutting edge tech then, but thousands of them suffered from cracked engines until Hillman got it right.

There's an immaculate black Mk1 Golf GTi just up my street. I covet it every time I walked past.

I've got one of these, lovely car in top notch condition.

Did have a Corsair, bought it from the original buyer, had all it's original paperwork including the 1965 receipt.

Oh the joy, but they can turn into a money pit.

 

[Roadkill]

I'm still driving my 1977 Austin Maxi.

No photos to hand but have a look at http://www.austinmaxiclub.org

A car I've a strange soft spot for...

Tbh I quite fancy a go in an All-aggro too, just to see if it's as bad as people say!

 

[Spion]

My first car was the Morris Marina. Supposed to replace the Minor it had the turning circle of a tank.

Tanks can pretty much turn around within their own length. You meant oil tanker???

 

[Spion]

Have owned.

Austin 1800
Ford Zodiac Mk II
Ford Corsair
Ford Granada Mk II
A couple of Sierras

Got an 84 Merc 280e now. Possibly the best put together car I've ever owned. Just contemplating spending a few quid on it. It's pretty solid so might be worth keeping going. Anyway, I couldn't bear to lose it

 

[djbombscare]

ah I've always fancied one of these meself.

but my favs have always been and always will be the good ole dubs. Bugs and split screen vans in joint 1st place with a Mk Golf Gti in 2nd

Other than that it would have to be old ford pops, anglias, and willys coupes. Full old roof chopped street style.

Just for extra credit my parents kept one of these on the road for donkeys years and they had it since 1969.

It was finally traded in for a Skoda Estelle believe it or not in 1987 when we moved down to Devon. My mum loved it sooooooo much and in her own words it never missed a beat. Always sailed through MOTs etc. Mind you I think there's a bit of reminiscing going on when she talks about it


to keep it fun and let you all have a guess to see what ya think it is.

I'm sure someones gonna go oh thats. . .

 

[Giles]

I used a Triumph Herald 1200 (fitted with a later 1297cc engine) for a couple of years, it was great for city driving but not really ideal for long motorway journeys. An overdrive gearbox would probably help.

My bro had a 2.5 litre Triumph Vitesse for the commute to work for two or three years and it was very reliable, but only did 15-25mpg depending on the traffic. He has a Hillman Imp now.

I have plans for another Herald one day.

I've had my Herald for around 17 years now. I got a rebuilt engine in it years ago - still a 1200, but with the cylinder head modified to allow use of unleaded petrol.

Mine is too old (1961) to easily accept the overdrives fitted on the later ones, which is a pity.

I've had a few bits done to it to make it a bit more useable - disc brakes on the front to replace the shite original front drum brakes. And an alternator instead of the old dynamo, so no more flat battery every few weeks.

As you say, not a car for long trips on the motorway (although I used to drive it from Lincoln down to Kent and back when I was a student) but nice for short trips.

Giles..

 

[Giles]

I would really like a Vauxhall Cresta PA, but there are very few of these around now, owing to the way that old Vauxhalls used to rust away.

Giles..

 

[Griff]

ah I've always fancied one of these meself.

I had a P5B Coupe years ago and absolutely hated the thing. It looked absolutely lovely, but kept on over-heating, the fuel would eveaporate especially on motorways, leaving you to cruise to a stop on the hard shoulder and it would eat auto boxes as if they were going out of fashion.

Fuckin' thing.

 

[Griff]

I'm sure someones gonna go oh thats. . .

A Moskovitch.

 

[Roadkill]

ah I've always fancied one of these meself.

I quite fancy one of those too, although I have had the mad idea of swapping the V8 for the 5.0-litre version out of a TVR and doing a bit to the brakes and suspension to cope with the power.

I bet it'd be a bit but too.

 

[Pie 1]

I drove past a house just outside Zurich yesterday - obviously a British car nut - with a black cab for sale, couple of MG's and a couple of old Rovers including this one in metalic sky blue (with weird forgien twin round headlights):

I was tempted for a few seconds until I came to my senses and rememberd 70's 80's Leyland/Rover build quality

 

[ICB]

Saw a mint SD1 Vitesse around Newbury way a few weeks back, I've an unaccountable fondness for them.

 

[Griff]

Saw a mint SD1 Vitesse around Newbury way a few weeks back, I've an unaccountable fondness for them.

Saw a lovely silver one round Saffron Walden the other week, it did look & sound nice. Can't really put a value to a really good one, maybe £4-5k.