[Closed] Classic cars

I guess there aren't many about.

Wonder why? 😛

At least it's of historic interest, one of the first Brit/Jap collaborations?

okay I can accept that as a reason for it's being considered a classic, but still can't get the image of my gran's rust bucket (of a car) being considered classic.

Anyone with an old car thinks they're sitting on a gold mine and you regularly see unremarkable cars advertised at hopelessly optimistic prices.

Someone somewhere will be a fanatic, and pay silly money. I'm always amazed at the 'owners clubs' that exist for shit cars.

edit: For example, I give you the Morris Marina Owners Club [url= http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c.weedon/index2.htm ]Marina Owners Club[/url]

This thing has been for sale for years. Same car, same advert, same price. It's become a running joke among Ford geeks.

[url= http://goo.gl/PtxxGB ]Lotus Escort[/url]

😯 [i]In the process of being re-commissioned[/i]

It's not even finished?

I was a bit amazed at a friend telling me his latest bargain/purchase was actually worth, but other adverts seemingly agree (original Mini Cooper)

original Mini Cooper

Yep, not cheap and never going to get any cheaper. If you want one you just have to bite the bullet.

I'm waiting to get my hands on the 205 GTi in my Dad's garage. 1.9, miami blue, non-sunroof, bog standard and unmolested. Not to mention criminally under-used.

God Almighty - I only got £400 for a mint Audi 90 quattro 20V. That is surely a proper classic.

Someone somewhere will be a fanatic, and pay silly money. I'm always amazed at the 'owners clubs' that exist for shit cars.

edit: For example, I give you the Morris Marina Owners Club Marina Owners Club

A lad I know is an active member of this club.

Its not even funny how enthusiastic he is about them.

If it was a 70's Honda or Royota I'd hump.

A BL/Honda creation? No ta

Even shit cars if concourse have a following.

For some collectors its less about the car and more about the originality.

Go to any car show and look for them - they are thw ones standing next to their covered trailer polishing the car thats never been driven...... They usually have their own plinth to put the car on and mirrors all round to show you how concourse and clean the underside is

Ah yes evoke childhood memories of Dads cars etc.

Not one owned by us but I always smile if I see a Datsun 120Y or Toyota Crown.

Depending on the age, but a well looked after car from before 1972 carries no tax, and would be very cheap to insure, provided the mileage is fairly low. Getting parts for more obscure ones is an issue, though. I see Triumph Heralds and Vitesse around from time to time; nice cars those, especially the Vitesse, with a 2.0ltr straight six.
For many, it's the rarity, when did anyone last see an early Cortina, or Anglia, or any old Hillman, like a Minx or Hunter?
The advantage with the Marina is that it's pretty much a Mortis Minor underneath, many parts were/are interchangeable.
For example, my old '54 Split-screen Moggie had a 1275 engine, Riley drum brakes and front suspension (King pins), a van rear-axle, along with Koni shocks and 5½x13 alloys

Last car to cary the triumph badge aswell as a early bl honda colaboration. Id like one but not for 2k ill stick with my spitfire.

I'd rather have a 52 reg Audi A6 estate diesel

I was told that a loose translation of Triumph Acclaim into German would be "Sieg Heil"...

I paid a lot of money for an old Mini Cooper S I sold it for an awful lot more 6 yrs later in worse condition 😀 No different to the money some people pay for retro bikes I guess, just a different.

I can sort of understand the 'classic' itch some people get. I am guilty of buying a TVR 350 (The Red Wedge) because I had beer, Ebay and Dancing on Ice was on TV.

I drove it for about a year and it was amazing. Scary, slow, sideways a lot but definitely memorable. Happily I sold it for a profit.

I can't imagine anyone buying that Triumph and if they did they won't sell it for a profit.

You can do alright if you pick the right car. My first car was a Capri 1.6 Laser. An absolute turd but a lot of fun. I gave it a hard life as you would with something that was already so shabby it didn't really matter if you occasionally went off-roading. It also gave me a lot of practice with the spanners and I learned everything I know about cars by getting it running every time it broke down. I also learned how to avoid accidents by catching oversteer absolutely everywhere.

I had 2 years worth worth of motoring shenanigans and sold it on for £800. A clear 20% profit!

[i]sold it on for £800. A clear 20% profit![/i]

I bought the TVR for £2,900 and sold it for £3,900. I can't do the exact maths after a bottle of wine but it has got to be somewhere near 30%

We both enjoyed the cars and came out winners. We rock!

Chum of mine has an ancient, intergalactic mileage Volvo T5 that he swears is a future classic.

Sadly, it's not a custard yellow t5r estate, but a rather drab red saloon.

That said, I have an early 80s Mercedes that's pretty ordinary as a car, but it's been cherished all through life. I think it's beautiful.

I got laughed at for selling my Impreza and putting our extension at the time on hold to buy the Cooper S for £11k but it paid off when I sold it for £19k(which I still regret! Moving every 2yrs though with a classic in tow became untenable) , it was a bit special though and still rusted like any other Mini so probably for the best

Look at 1990s Toyota pick ups. Saw one which was described as being average condition 190k miles. Pushing three grand.

Well, as well as a W123 Mercedes, cockroaches and Keeeeef Richards, a Toyota pick up will survive the coming apocalypse, so seems good value!

cbmotorsport - Member
...For example, I give you the Morris Marina Owners Club Marina Owners Club

Don't laugh, I've been tempted.

I like the idea of a fixable car, and I'm not gnarly enough for a [s]tractor[/s] Land Rover.

hora - Member 
Ah yes evoke childhood memories of Dads cars etc.

Not one owned by us but I always smile if I see a Datsun 120Y or Toyota Crown

Have had both of those 'back in the day' Hora! The older Crown with the lights around the corners on the front, incredibly futuristic car in its day with regards to standard equipment spec.

My favourite 'classic' that I've owned were a Volvo P1800S and a MGA fixed head (not twin cam unfortunately). And several 50's Series I Land Rovers which were amazing fun 8)

Having said that, some of those vehicles weren't actually that old when I owned them 😳

Epicyclo, have a look at a W123. No fixing required. Ever! So overbuilt it's hilarious.

Re toyota hylux - average condition means just acraped its mot will need hideous welding repairs for the next

Those things rust worse than pre td5 discovery bodies- ive seen them rusting chronic in countries where no other bloody car has rusted!

Tell me if this a classic or not then

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1961-Unregistered-Ford-Thames-400E-Calthorpe-Camper-/141094453655?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item20d9e28197

And it is right that has never been registered as it's my old mans!!!!!

Tell me if this a classic or not then

Definitely a classic but what could you do with it?

Nice to look at but I prefer stuff I can use.

bookwyse - Member
Tell me if this a classic or not then

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1961-Unregistered-Ford-Thames-400E-Calthorpe-Camper-/141094453655?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item20d9e28197

And it is right that has never been registered as it's my old mans!!!!!

Awesome! Love that. Good luck with the sale

POSTED 8 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST
sharkattack - Member
Tell me if this a classic or not then
Definitely a classic but what could you do with it?

Nice to look at but I prefer stuff I can use.

What is stopping it being used?

The only thing stopping being used is the fact that it's unregistered, would need registering and then it can be.

We won't do it as we think it's worth more as it is. If it doesn't sell then we are going to redo the interior this summer. The old man is a cabinet maker so it will be done properly.

I remember going to the classic car show at the NEC a couple of years ago and seeing the Vauxhall Astra owners club. I nearly wet myself laughing.

The one in the ad looked like an ad for a garage that'll pass anything.

seeing the Vauxhall Astra owners club

When I got the chunnel over to France in the summer there was an MG owners club travelling over on the same train. problem was they were that batch of fisher price MG Rovers (ZT/ZS/Z?) and they all looked like Alan Partridge!

We won't do it as we think it's worth more as it is

That's what I was getting at. It's a beautiful thing (I love vans!) But personally I wouldn't pay over the odds for something that would halve in value as soon as I used it. Someone will though.

Vauxhall Astra owners club.

I did a photo shoot years ago for Total Vauxhall magazine featuring the even more niche Astra Bertone Owners Club. Exciting stuff I can assure you!

There are an awful lot of those Triumph Acclaims still running around in good condition.

They must have made them too well (or they were all bought as retirement cars)!

Me I have a Renault 5 Monaco and an old Renault 4.

[img] [/img]

[img] http://www.renault4.co.uk/forum/useralbums/img_1153_1167-jpg.1033/standalone?embedded=1 [/img]

It's funny the cars you see on eBay. Once found a bog standard Mk 1 Nissan Micra up for about £3k.

I can understand why people would buy them. There's a few shit cars I'd happily buy myself. But the prices are insane. Would be interesting to know if any of these cars actually sell.

I'd love my old Vauxhall Nova 1.4 Merit+ now.
It was absolultely mint even with 70k on the clock and a great simple little car.
Sold it for £1k when it was 10 years old.
I'd pay that for it now to buy it back, if it was in the same condition.... but that was 10 years ago.

Running a classic car is a moneypit that will siphon the cash from your wallet faster than a dodgy nigerian money transfer, however saying that i still throw money at my 30yr old MK2 Golf but i love driving it and for some reason i'm always let out at junctions with a thumbs up whilst complete strangers come up to me and start talking bout the time they owned one and how it was the best car they'd ever owned etc...etc.

Unfortunately a month ago i reversed into a post at work whilst avoiding a forklift and staved in the rear quarter and light cluster area - DOH!, and seeing as there's a few rust patches and bodywork issues i've decided to just get on with it and replace a few panels and give it a respray. 3 years ago i spent £4k replacing everything running gear/suspension/braking wise with original VW parts or sensible upgraded parts along with engine work and extensive welding underneath so there was never really any doubt as to what i was going to do with it.
It's getting complete front valance ,sills, both rear inner wheel arch & outer wheel arch, full rear panel up round lights and lower rear valence, both door skins, new front grille, new bumpers front & rear and a full windows out respray in original Aztec Grey metallic.

A mate is doing the bodywork and another mate is doing the paintwork so hopefully it'll be back on the road by the end of February, and i'll be getting it revalued for insurance purposes as it's only valued at £3500 at the moment and i'll be more bloody careful in future.

I don't like driving modern cars, a mate has got the new Golf GTI and yeah it's a very capable car and very nice inside with the ambient lighting but i just feel "blah" when i drive it, my little 16v golf makes me smile every time i pop the throttle or drop down to 2nd or 3rd to overtake.

[img] [/img]

I join the club by buying a 71 vauxhall viva sl90 and it has the high top wings as a project the plan for my money is to, go all out and have a full leather interior after rebuilding and blue printing the engine (that is running fine at mo) and refinishing the body (after repairs) in the same gloss blue that silverline tools use with cream race stripes ow yeah 70's pimp ride lol. I only paid £680 for her with an mot and free tax

Wish I still had my Renault LeCar 2 turbo. Haven't seen one in years and it went like stink while looking like a normal Renault 5 at a glance.

Guy at work paid £800 for a Datsun 120Y, drove 300 miles to collect it (unseen) and uses it daily to commute. Even he can't explain the attraction!

It's funny the cars you see on eBay. Once found a bog standard Mk 1 Nissan Micra up for about £3k.

I can understand why people would buy them. There's a few shit cars I'd happily buy myself. But the prices are insane. Would be interesting to know if any of these cars actually sell.

The value might be about something other than desirability. In film and TV for instance we're often having to find period cars, so they need to be new or newish looking, but ordinary cars for that era. It tends to be the rare and collectable models that survive, but they're no good - you end up with a scene that looks like a classic car parade rather than traffic. So finding unfavoured models that don't look unduly old and rusty, and haven't been added to or altered, or even just reliable and street legal is quite difficult.

So the price asked for might not represent desirability - more a speculative 'we have one of these, nobody else does and if you need one this is what it'll cost'.

Lots of cars from my childhood are now becoming classics and I quite fancy them. Stuff like a white RS Turbo which was always an Essex hair dressing car in my mind has started to pop onto the want radar.

I've just seen the first advert of the motor bike that I bought last year describing it as a 'modern classic'. In 5 years time I'm might actually make a profit on it, with what the rebuild is costing me!

Me I have a Renault 5 Monaco and an old Renault 4.

PePPeR

Did the 4 in the picture, throw itself off that straight bit of road on account of it's woeful handling? 😛

I remember driving one, a long time ago!

I like the 5! Def an appreciating classic. I would really like a 5 turbo, but they all got molested by the Max Power lot. Cool cars.

Sobriety - what did you buy?

I live in hope that my Suzuki RF900 will fit the 'modern classic' category. Fits the criteria ie. not far behind a 'blade in terms if performance and .......errrr........ unique styling. It's a Katana for the 90's 😉

Lots of cars from my childhood are now becoming classics and I quite fancy them. Stuff like a white RS Turbo which was always an Essex hair dressing car in my mind has started to pop onto the want radar.

Ten years ago you couldn't give them away. Try getting one now....

somafunk you will have to put up pics of the Goof when it is finished. I miss my '88 Oak Green but it was rotten and I was skint. Replacing it with another that is half decent is £3k upwards.

[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Golf-Gti-16v-Mk2-in-Oak-Green-Metallic-1991-RESTORED-/141161550075?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item20dde250fb ]This is rather nice[/url] but out of my budget.

You get the same opinions on Retrobike - people wondering why other people hanker after low to mid range old bikes - in this case cars.
It's not always about the power or handling or looks or rarity. Sometimes it's because your dad had one and everytime you sit in it it makes you feel great and bring back good memories. Those feelings are strong enough to make people spend many times the value of a car making it look and drive like new.
Other people just love working on cars, solving problems, finding parts, barely matters what car it is, normally it's just what they can afford.

Wish I still had my Renault LeCar 2 turbo. Haven't seen one in years and it went like stink

Was that the one with a turbo lag of about two days?

Used to regularly see Renault 5 GT Turbos in hedgerows on bends round our way, presumably as a result of enthusiastic driving and the Turbo Surprise.

"Other people just love working on cars, solving problems, finding parts, barely matters what car it is, normally it's just what they can afford."

waves - my 15 year old car(non classic) got driven into last week and without batting an eyelid i phoned a breaker and got the bits to fix it for 75 quid - try doing that with any modern monocoque car. (wing, indicator , and wishbones)

and im in the process of rebuilding (long game) land rover ninety from 1987 - was to be turned into an off road slag but ive been advised against it as it is a classic already and in ok condition.... i have a disco i can use for offroad slag instead.

Love the Renault 4, think Renault are planning a retro re-release in a year or two like the Mini and Fiat 500.

My dad had a Renault 5 Gordini Turbo when I was a lad and I fondly recall how fast it went; all my mates were impressed.

Bit of googling shows it actually did 0-60mph in 9 seconds and a top speed of 116mph so around the performance of a diesel Mondeo in fact.

Oh well, rose tinted spectacles I suppose.

Sobriety - what did you buy

A 1996 Aprilia RS125. It's an Italian import and a complete bitza, as it turns out, it's a mix of RS125SP and standard components, and having emailed aprilia, they have no idea what it should be either!

Oh well, rose tinted spectacles I suppose.

Performance is relative to what else is available though. It was a legitimately quick car in its day when nothing much would keep up with it.

A Sierra Cosworth was obscenely powerful and a bit controversial at the time. Now you can buy a Renault Clio with more power.

Remember how much of a fluster the Lotus Carlton caused? It would be blown into the weeds now by some mid range German saloons.

My brother's Alfa Giulia GTA produces 160bhp at 7800rpm and weighs less than 800kg.

Top speed isn't brilliant in modern car terms but the acceleration is phenomenal 🙂

MG Maestro turbo would be a nice classic to have and still give cars a run for their money today- of you have the arms for the torque steer that is to keep it out of a hedge
Shame it fell out the ugly tree

w.r.t. the 205 1.9 referenced above -- surprised there are any left to be honest, they too seemed to have an affinity with hedges and ditches, how I never totalled mine I'll never know - I did get air on a blind summit on the A84, by Callander, to realise with horror the road then swung right, and that turning the wheel in mid-air had little effect..

Saw the same round our way with cars in hands of fishermen, the Buckie roadside would be rather littered after weekends with a procession of Opel Mantas, Escort XR3is, and whatever was the performance car of choice for well-off young males. Lethal.

Now you've done it, wwaswas, spoken the name of my all time love. Goes off to [url= http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/1/ ]

the 205 1.9 referenced above -- surprised there are any left to be honest, they too seemed to have an affinity with hedges and ditches

Which is why it's staying bog standard! They've all been crashed, stolen, modified, turned into track slags and had engine swaps. The price of nice clean, original ones has been on the rise for years.

I'm a firm believer in modernised classics and engine swaps but this one is too good for that. Especially in Miami blue with a half leather interior.

Don't have any pictures but it looks exactly like this;
[img] [/img]

And while we're on the subject, this was my last one;

[img] [/img]

2.9 24V Cosworth engine and just about every upgrade possible. Hit the limit of the 60's designed chassis really. It was ballistic in a straight line and loads of fun but was a handful everywhere. Used to get minced in the twistys by pretty much anything. This car was my 'keeper' but I lost my storage and it came down to Capri or Van. Van won. Probably the only sensible decision I've ever made when it comes to vehicles.

I'm done with Capri's now though. Next toy will be completely different.

stavromuller, my brothers turned out quiet shiney when he had it restored;

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

That 205 is lovely. And the Capri isn't too shabby either.

Now I'm not an Alfa fan. But that one ^^^ gives me a bit of a twitch in the trouser department, if you catch my drift. 🙂

I know of an XR3i Cab in white and a 205 GTi 1.6 in met blue both for sale from the same lady owner - both unmolested.................

Ive had some nice cars in the past.

[img] ~320x480[/img]

[img] ~320x480[/img]

[img] ~320x480[/img]

Glory days,.....

Both of my cars cost peanuts to run (didn't cost much either the Renault 4 was the cost of 1 months payment on a BMW 320d touring payment) they don't depreciate like stones, people like talking to me about them where ever I stop and are both very reliable.

Cbmotorsport, If the rear chassis is buggered or tracking is out a 4 can be a handful but mines fine especially as it's running on mk1 Renault 5 Gordini alloys with 165 tyres.

And while we're on the subject, this was my last one;

Oops. Sorry, I'll clean that up.

I did get air on a blind summit

I used to have a 1.6L MkIII Escort. Once followed a black Citroen AX on the run-up to a hump-backed bridge. I dropped right back to allow him time to sod off, then went "right then" and trod on the loud pedal.

Got all four wheels off the floor, only to discover as I came over the crest that the AX was still at the bottom of the bridge, making a meal of turning left into a side road. Turns out, steering and brakes don't work too well when your tyres are attached to fresh air, despite what computer games would have you believe.

I landed with full lock on, bounced sideways onto the opposite side of the road. Spun the wheel the opposite way, landed and bounced a second time to end up in a mostly straight direction. The AX progressed sufficiently through his manoeuvre to allow me to miss it by about a foot. Ground the car to a halt and collected my wits, the Citroen sauntered off. I think the driver was utterly oblivious to the Ford Pinball behind that had nearly landed in his boot.

Happy days. (-:

This thread makes me miss my crapri 2.8i sooo much 🙁

This is for sale near me

[url= http://goo.gl/yQVUIH ]Rally Escort[/url]

Nicest Escort on Ebay for what I want. If I had a regular income I'd have visited him by now. It's been up for ages as well so he might be flexible on price. I can dream anyway...

I might look into trading in that very expensive custom built pinto engine for a duratec. Not bothered about racing regs, would rather have the better engine. While I'm there I'll have a respray thanks.

I have very fond memories of the classics I've owned looking back, they all had their quirks and character which my very bland modern estate just doesn't have.

Had a Nova GTE, a Renault 5gt, my beloved beetle and most recently a rusty Mk2 Golf GTI(small bumper).

Maybe I need to scratch the veedub bug itch again. Damn I enjoyed that car.

That 205 is lovely! I owned a g reg sorrento green 1.9Gti with full dark grey leather interior and it was absolutely gorgeous. Sadly sold in 2005 without an engine for £900! But something I always regret as I've never seen another one.
I'm hoping my current car becomes a future classic: mk2 focus RS. Bearing in mind the next one is going to be a 2 litre 4 pot I think these are holding their value well at the mo, and I've no intention of getting rid!

205 1.6 GTI here, traded in after 18 months for a 1.9 -- holy moley, it was fun (while it lasted, got nicked after near 3 years ownership), sad to see it go.. certainly made trips to the hills interesting and quick.. graphite, F reg . replaced it with my mate's battered Mk. II Golf GTI, absolutely indestructible, and v reliable..

PePPeR

Did the 4 in the picture, throw itself off that straight bit of road on account of it's woeful handling?

I remember driving one, a long time ago!

Points and laughs at PePPeR. There is NOTHING good about a Renault 4! My dad was given one, given, for free! Gave it to me and I swapped it for a Austin 1300 cos it was so utterly crap.
An Acclaim is more of a classic! I had 2 of them - one was £1200 the other £600. The £600 was rusty and silver and went like the clappers. The expensive one was off an old boy, looked brand new but didn't go. Twin carbs, easy to look after. £2750 is a good price.
(Joke!) 😆

somfunk - ref. MkII GTi:

start talking bout the time they owned one and how it was the best car they'd ever owned etc...etc.

That's me! I wish I'd never sold my Mk2 (8v, big bumpers) - nothing I've had since has been as good including the Porsche, Audis TT and 90q20V, and probably the Mk7 GTI I'm considering wasting my money on when the TT's sold (asap).

If that's yours in the pic, I am jealous. I might start looking for a mint 16V in Oak Green. What are the chances?

Used to regularly see Renault 5 GT Turbos in hedgerows on bends round our way, presumably as a result of enthusiastic driving and the Turbo Surprise.

My Mk II Golf GTI (8v, biggish bumpers, B reg) was abused for most of its long life, the two previous owners (whom I both knew) stayed in Aberdeen so it was immersed in salt.. It had been crashed before I got it, however it went everywhere (incl tour of Europe), I reckoned it was on its last legs at 110 000 miles, sold it to a colleague - it caught fire (!) - but still kept running for another couple of years IIRC..

It didn't have power steering, the windows leaked like a sieve, the headlights were shocking; but I'd still probably have it over the 205 ultimately..

There's just something about a MK1/Mk2 golf that gets under your skin, along wi the grease n' oil that gets ingrained into your fingers 😀 .

Back in the mid 80's at Oban High school i used to sit on the wall across from from the VW dealership and have my lunch, i was only 14 at the time the 16v came out but as soon as i saw it in the showroom i made a promise to myself that i'd have one.

At the risk of being a car bore 🙄 ...... 192bhp, 172lb/ft, rev limiter set at 7900rpm 1.9 ABT tuned 16v engine conversion, Quaife diff, Bilstein shocks/Eibach springs & anti roll bars, uprated brakes (still not up to modern standards though), fully polybushed, custom 4-1 manifold and 2.5" Jetex exhaust.

It needs set up on the rolling road again as goes out of tune over time so i guess i'll be taking it up to Star Performance at Kirkcaldy once it's rebuilt - it can be very thirsty on fuel - sub 20mpg is easy but if i keep it under 2000rpm and 55mph i can get 33mpg. Not the most practical of cars but sod practical, i still get a kick when i drop it into 2nd/3rd and blat past most things on the road. Only 30bhp less than the new MK7 GTI but it's carrying 300kg approx less weight around so it's quick off the mark.

Nice interior (for it's age anyway) as well.

[img] [/img]

Here's one for the Capri lovers, just a 1.6 but it's had 90hrs of bodyshop prep work and paint work to get it to this standard.

[img] [/img]