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What next?
sebastiaan - 12/3/13 at 07:39 PM

After our little adventure (http://locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=176133), I now now longer have a seven and am looking for a new toy.

Since building the seven 8,5 years ago, things have changed quite a bit and I no longer have the time to complete a huge project. This means I'm looking for something that can be used almost right away, but that will also allow for some tinkering and upgrading along the way.

Because me and SWBO have both taken a liking to the classic regularity thing, the new toy should be:

* LHD (I'm in Holland!)
* 1976 or older
* quick-ish
* a nice steer (I know it won't come close to the seven, but still...)
* cage and racing seats + belts are a bonus
* a relatively sound investment (I know, it is a toy, but it would be nice if we could sell it on after a few years and not loose an arm and a leg...)
* small-ish so it fits my modest garage and leaves some space to work on the car if I want.

So far, the search seems to focus on Alfa's, and the GT Junior in particular. Who's got a better idea?

Budget is around 9k€-ish...

Help me spend my insurance check!


[Edited on 12/3/13 by sebastiaan]


Westy1994 - 12/3/13 at 08:06 PM

Sorry about the crash Seb, I was up until that point enjoying reading your reports, classic rally events have certainly caught on these days, as for the car choice next thats a tuff one as so many to choose from, being British I would go for a Triumph or MG but the Volvo Amazon seems a popular car to go for as well. I think with any car however the damage you sustained with the 7 will not be much different to any other car hitting a tree, the only bit is parts may be better available for a 'off the peg' classic.

Whatever you choose I hope you have fun anyway, keep us posted.


theconrodkid - 12/3/13 at 08:26 PM

mx5


scootz - 12/3/13 at 08:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by theconrodkid
mx5


Not many pre-1976 MX5's going around!


Benzine - 12/3/13 at 08:32 PM


sebastiaan - 12/3/13 at 08:57 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Benzine



Tought about that - a lot - but it just doesn't float my boat. Lost of work required to make it decently rapid as well, but they are bomb-proof. Which (given my current driving record ) might come in handy.

Any other* suggestions?

*note that I am avoiding any and all discussions including MX5's


Ninehigh - 12/3/13 at 09:10 PM

Not entirely what you're looking for but:

ebay linky

Worth having a look for inspiration


austin man - 12/3/13 at 09:11 PM

Austin A35 with a 1275 midget engine fitted just like the one in my Avtar (was only a 1098 but went like the clappers )


matt_gsxr - 12/3/13 at 09:12 PM

TR4 or TR6 (searching UK ebay for LHD is fun). You what you really need is item number 271165187657


Westy1994 - 12/3/13 at 09:17 PM

AustinMan reminded me of a car I know of thats available.

A 1959 Riley 1.5, engine now a 1.8 'B' Series as is the gearbox, rear susp modified, reports are that was a rally chase car back in the day. I have some pics somewhere if you are interested, only catch its Right hand drive.


iank - 12/3/13 at 09:24 PM

Alfa Spider if you can find a decent solid one in your price range.

Something like http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C369082


I predict a Riot - 12/3/13 at 09:26 PM

Perfect


sebastiaan - 12/3/13 at 09:35 PM

lots of good suggestions there!

E-type: nice find, but to dear already and in need of quite some elbow grease....

Thanks for the ebay link as well; that should get me through the working day tomorrow

Would a mk1 escort be available within budget?


dimlaz - 12/3/13 at 09:40 PM

Hi
Due the taxis rising here in greece classic cars are very cheep!!
Try this site!
http://www.car.gr/classifieds/cars/?offer_type=sale&category=&make=&model=&variant=&price-from=&price-to=&so=dm&or=d&a mp;registration-from=%3E1900&registration-to=%3C1980&rg=&mileage-from=&mileage-to=&engine_power-from=%3E150&engine_power-to=&a mp;engine_size-from=&engine_size-to=&fuel_type=&exterior_color=&significant_damage=&hi=&modified=&doors=&number_plate_ ending=&gearbox_type=&drive_type=&euroclass=


MikeR - 12/3/13 at 09:57 PM

What about an old BMW?


Volvorsport - 12/3/13 at 10:51 PM

theres one of the biggest classic volvo suppliers in netherlands ......

volvo 240 was produced from 1974 .... you could appendix K a 242 NA but it would probably cost 30k in euros...

all the turbo stuff fits in a 240 lhd fairly easy - so you could end up with something quite rapid ...

me , i would have an amazon - with a 2litre B20B you can 230hp out of them , but you have to spend money .....

you can supercharge them too......

oh what about the 142 aswell.........


sebastiaan - 14/3/13 at 06:38 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
What about an old BMW?


That might just be a good suggestion. A 2002 might just fit the bill. Agile(ish), simple, rugged, not too big. Hmmmm....

quote:
Originally posted by VolvoRsport
Volvo stuff...


The Volvo's just do not float my boat, even the older ones. Sorry.... Although you do see a lot of them on the regularity events as they are near bomb-proof.


sebastiaan - 14/3/13 at 06:42 PM

What do we think of this:




Any good? It's got new FIA approved seats and belts, 6 point cage, uprated springs, dampers, brakes and all the rally-specific gear we need. Seems like a nicely built car to me. 'bit expensive though, at €11.500,-


parkiboy - 14/3/13 at 07:01 PM

What about this, I know if I didn't have a 7 it would be right up my street!

eBay Item


sebastiaan - 14/3/13 at 07:11 PM

quote:
Originally posted by parkiboy
What about this, I know if I didn't have a 7 it would be right up my street!

eBay Item


That looks really cool! Not too sure about the dairy-bend cage though, and I guess *every* scrutineer on the planet would say "no, thank you" to something like this on a classic event


parkiboy - 14/3/13 at 07:22 PM

How about a standard hillman imp then? Cracking cars, I used to go watch the historic classic car club races and they were very competitive


sebastiaan - 27/3/13 at 07:16 PM

Right, after driving myself crazy looking at lots and lots of different cars (Damn you, Interweb ;-)) I've bought this to run for a few months whilst I figure out what I really want.







Great fun! It's a '71 car fitted with an LSD, 2 litre engine with twin 40's and a mahoosive 30mm (!) front anti roll bar. Had some minor niggles to sort out but she's running great now.

Although I did not want to believe it at first, these things are real driver's cars. Especially when lowered and fitted with decent dampers (Koni's) and the big ARB there is lots and lots of feedback through the chassis and steering.

O, and it self-centres as well!


adithorp - 27/3/13 at 08:24 PM

Nice!

Have you seen Jim Gibletts turbo'ed
Alfa?


sebastiaan - 27/3/13 at 09:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
Nice!

Have you seen Jim Gibletts turbo'ed
Alfa?


O yes! Just as controversial as mine was when it was first painted mart black. With a wall-paint roller!

It looks a lot better though, and with that engine I suspect it goes well, too!


RK - 27/3/13 at 09:58 PM

i have always loved those alfas. Good choice!