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  • Project suggestions

    My wife the other day suggested that once Lexurf Vii is all finished (still some interior bits and bobs to do plus some fiddling) I should get myself a car to do up myself. This got me wondering (and not just about what her ulterior motive might be!).

    What would be a good car for an inexperienced but reasonably practical person who is keen to learn be?

    Criteria are:
    Convertible, preferably tax free, easily accessible parts, easily sourceable parts, not too pricey.

    Looks and sound more important than performance, but relative ease of restoration probably most important of all.

    My dream cars are AC Cobra, Austin Healey 3000, or Jaguar XK120 but thinking MG or spitfire might be more realistic

    Any advice/ideas (including "don't do it for Gods sake!"!)

  • #2
    Maybe build a kit car?

    Most old 'project' cars are mostly welding and fixing rusty metal work. Which takes lots of experiance and no little cash to buy kit at the start to get anything you'd be happy with, then you still have to bolt everythnig back on.

    May as well ditch the boring bit, and just bolt new shiny bits together.
    4x4toys.co.uk - Keeping you on and off the road...

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    • #3
      MG <--- Don't do it for god's sake
      Spitfire <--- Don't do it for god's sake
      Bond Bug
      Do you know that, with a 50 character limit, it's

      Comment


      • #4
        You will laugh, but...

        An old CJ7 is very easy to work on.

        If you get a V8 one all the better, they are easy to convert if you don't.

        It's convertible ish.

        Looks good.

        It's not a wrangler

        http://cj7forsale.com/
        Last edited by slobodan; 27 September 2011, 09:44.
        Sent from the iPad you "lost"

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Albannach View Post
          MG <--- Don't do it for god's sake
          Spitfire <--- Don't do it for god's sake
          Bond Bug
          Only if it's one like this..................
          Attached Files
          " Time wounds all heels ".

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          • #6
            Originally posted by flounderbout View Post
            My dream cars are AC Cobra, Austin Healey 3000, or Jaguar XK120
            Is this the man who a few weeks ago was saying 'Escorts / Capris / Cortinas' are all rubbish suggesting MG / Spitfire?

            Good replica kits are available of all of those, particularly the Cobra.

            What about a Hawk Stratos? If I've ever got any spare cash when I've moved house, that's near the top of my list.

            Cutting steps in the roof of the world

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            • #7
              Hey Henry. Looks like this will prove to be a popular thread. I'm in agreement with Tony on the kit car angle. Avoid all that rust and crap, and give yourself the freedom to use more modern running gear and components. Buy an unfinished project and rebuild and upgrade it to your own spec. Do you know that the Cobra, Big Healy and the XK are all available in replica form. There are many others too. How about an early Porsche speedster. Easy build, Beetle running gear. How about a beach buggy. They're fun. Consider a hot rod. They do'nt have to be OTT and tacky, think classic 32 roadster. There's masses to choose from. Let your imagination run wild.............Good luck....Mick.
              " Time wounds all heels ".

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              • #8
                Yeah, I was going to suggest kit cars. I'd go for either a beetle or skoda estelle based one, just for the rear engine...

                Other than that, MGs or Triumphs are one way to go but they are a bit, erm, rubbish.

                Slightly more eccentric choices (my preference) might be:

                Peugeot 504 cabrio (very reliable, built until recently, surprisingly good looking)

                Mercedes R107 SL (looked cool in the 70s, the missus will like it, pretty reliable, made up until fairly recently)

                A late 60s Mustang (makes a cool noise, makes everyone look at you, designed and built by morons so not all that hard to fix).

                As it happens, I have access to all of the above (that's blown my pretence at knowing what I'm talking about) so can arrange for you to have a look and maybe a go in one if you're in the City.

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                • #9
                  Some wise words already. I can see the appeal of a kit car rather than a rust bucket - in fact yesterday I was looking at some Cobra replicas. I also came across some nice Speedsters and bugs, and a lovely Mustang.

                  As for MGs and Spitfires, I know they are objectively crap - but I quite like the idea of a little convertible runabout (and I like their looks), and there are so many tatty (and even quite decent) ones knocking about for no money (I guess mostly because people like me think it would be fun to restore one, and then run out of money, space, enthusiasm or spousal support in short order!). But I suppose the problem is that unless you are sufficiently skilled (and I don't pretend to be) to a) pick the right one and b) do lots of welding etc then they could just end up being a money pit.

                  On my way in to work this morning I saw not one but two beautiful Speedsters. One looked like the genuine article too. Perhaps its a sign?

                  I almost bought a Cobra replica a few years ago - went down to a place near Basingstoke that has masses of them. They were pretty amazing, although the wife thought they were a "bit noisy..."

                  So now I have two problems. What to go for, and how to cover up the financial outgoings from SWMBO...!

                  Sancho - 'ow come you have access to all the above? And yes I'd love to come and have a gander at some point - a very kind offer indeed!

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Sancho View Post
                    Mercedes R107 SL (looked cool in the 70s, the missus will like it, pretty reliable, made up until fairly recently)
                    .
                    Ooo ooo ooo, what about a 190SL? Droooooolllll.
                    Anyone want to lend me £50k?
                    Last edited by flounderbout; 27 September 2011, 12:22.

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                    • #11
                      I've looked at a few speedsters.....so much going for them in the looks dept and the cheap parts with the huge beetle fan base. For me the Chisiel replica is the best and I think it has the official thumbs up.

                      My only problem is that it is a beetle and I am not a beetle fan....having said that I could overcome my dislike if it looks like a speedster.

                      I know two places close to where we live that have these cars already built for sale.....pretend you want one....have a test drive....then that will make your mind up and cost nothing...
                      .... Which was nice.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by flounderbout View Post
                        Ooo ooo ooo, what about a 190SL? Droooooolllll.
                        Anyone want to lend my £50k?
                        I've got a 220SE coupe (W111) you can have for £15k. It's just being retrimmed, could do with a respray, the interior wood replacing and a new stereo...
                        Attached Files

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by flounderbout View Post
                          Sancho - 'ow come you have access to all the above? And yes I'd love to come and have a gander at some point - a very kind offer indeed!
                          I have access to all of these:

                          http://www.classiccarclub.co.uk/classics.asp
                          http://www.classiccarclub.co.uk/future_classics.asp
                          http://www.classiccarclub.co.uk/modern_sports.asp
                          http://www.classiccarclub.co.uk/utility.asp
                          http://www.classiccarclub.co.uk/motorcycles.asp

                          How? I used to have some money, now I have an old Mercedes...

                          If you just want to look at them, you can go up there anytime for a poke around. If you are interested in seeing what any of them are like, I can flutter my eyelids, show a bit of leg and probably take you out for a spin (I'd have to drive) in any that are there, working and not already booked.

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                          • #14
                            OK, so looks like I may have to have a visit to these guys

                            May have to save some pennies first, and also better get rid of the third Surf and finish off LVII.

                            How gorgeous is this though...

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Sancho View Post
                              I have access to all of these:

                              http://www.classiccarclub.co.uk/classics.asp
                              http://www.classiccarclub.co.uk/future_classics.asp
                              http://www.classiccarclub.co.uk/modern_sports.asp
                              http://www.classiccarclub.co.uk/utility.asp
                              http://www.classiccarclub.co.uk/motorcycles.asp

                              How? I used to have some money, now I have an old Mercedes...

                              If you just want to look at them, you can go up there anytime for a poke around. If you are interested in seeing what any of them are like, I can flutter my eyelids, show a bit of leg and probably take you out for a spin (I'd have to drive) in any that are there, working and not already booked.
                              Wow - that XK150 is stunning. I'd be happy just ogling... How about you show me around one day and I'll buy you lunch?

                              Comment

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