Hi,

Just bouncing this off folk in case you have experience with these cars. I’m currently on a major savings drive, every penny a prisoner. Spare income is not massive however I’m managing to put aside a fair chunk each month with the aim that after two years of poverty I will have enough to buy a very good example of a vintage car at the top of the price range. I’ve always wanted a true vintage car, but they’ve always been just out of reach, although over the years I’ve wasted more than enough on many stupid project cars.

I’ve done quite a bit of research and the models I’m looking at are late model 1945 – 50’s Austin 10, 12, 14 or 18 (all are rather similar cars, just getting progressively bigger). Not too old like a pre-war car full of wood and fast enough (50 - 60 mph) that I’d feel I could drive it without causing massive tailbacks. All the various models are around the same kind of price, but it is a case of what’s going at the time and the condition it’s in as I’m not interested in scruffy cars no matter how original they may be. Really, I’m after a fully restored show worthy example and am going to be really picky.

I’m well aware these cars are in another league when it comes to maintenance i.e., absolutely constant never ending and that really appeals! the polar opposite to our Nissan Leaf . I’m also not shy from improvements though. First on the cards is seatbelts! 3 point in the back, probably just lap in the front as the door pillar is too far forwards. A heater is a must using an electric water pump, I’m not freezing my butt in any car and all round LED light swap including the headlights.

I’ve managed to get hold of an amazing ‘manual’ for the earlier pre-war models which only pushed me more away from getting one with a wooden frame! However, it was extremely useful.

Do you have one of these cars? Anything in particular that’s an issue or to be avoided? Comments welcome.

I think this tuype of car is quite simple to work on.
We have inherited (still to be collecyted) a 1937 singer 9 saloon, quite modern with OHC engine etc, and a 1963 vitesse convertible. Both from a friend who passed away last summer.

Anyway, I have done a few jobs previously on the singer. I am not convinced it is my cup of tea (and I would net feel bad about selling it in the future, our friend inherited it from a friend of his, wheras the Vitesse really was "his" car and will stay) However, with a set of Whitworth spanners and a hammer, they really are simple to work on, parts supply is often OK with the specialist clubs who are essential as they either make the stuff or will know where to find it.
Don't be afraid, it will all be fine. If that is what you really want. Prewar stuff is really cheap thesedays, I expect the postwar stuff will soon be dropping in value too.

Interesting idea which I too have considering for a while, as you say it's trying to get something you could drive safely in modern traffic. My experience is very little but I 3/4 built an Austin 7 special many years ago and realised that even though it was very light, performance was woeful and brakes non-existant. A friend has a Singer 9 Le mans, OHC, twin downdraught, hydraulic brakes etc. which I have driven, steering is vague, brakes work after a fashion, not relaxing to drive in traffic at 30 let alone any faster.
A Morrris minor quite appeals as it seems brakes etc can be modded fairly simply.
As stated prices have come down on older cars now, the market is probably driven by people wanting the cars they didn't have in their youth hence current crazy prices for 70s cars, GTis Escorts, Capris etc.

I don't have any first hand experience but have a major thing for Austin 10s so hoping you get one and post about it!

When I was a kid the family car was an Austin 16.
I don't have many specific memories of it other than it was roomy, comfortable and took a family of four plus luggage on holiday each year.
The chassis must have been quite strong as the towbar was some angle iron between the chassis rails and it towed an ex-military trailer, though
going up the bank in Felton over the Coquet was always a bit heart-in-mouth when fully laden.

Just to throw a grenade on the table - have you considered an MX5 as a project /weekend fun car?
I'm sure those of us who have gone to the dark side can wax lyrical for hours but they are very practical, reliable cars which are easy and cheap to maintain for not a lot of initial outlay.
Before her passing last year the better half and I drove our Mk1 to Italy and back for the previous ten years doing 2k miles round trips with few problems and enjoyed every minute, especially the fresh air motoring through the mountains part.

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Originally posted by pewe
Just to throw a grenade on the table - have you considered an MX5 as a project /weekend fun car?
I'm sure those of us who have gone to the dark side can wax lyrical for hours but they are very practical, reliable cars which are easy and cheap to maintain for not a lot of initial outlay.
Before her passing last year the better half and I drove our Mk1 to Italy and back for the previous ten years doing 2k miles round trips with few problems and enjoyed every minute, especially the fresh air motoring through the mountains part.

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I still have a memory of driving north on the A140, the mostly single-lane main road from Ipswich to Norwich. Coming the other way was an immaculate Austin 7 going flat out at around 40mph, with an ENORMOUS queue of cars and lorries behind it! None of those behind had the slightest chance of overtaking, due to heavy traffic going north...

Like Mr Whippy, I decided that if I ever bought a classic car it would have to able to do at least 60mph comfortably, preferably 70.

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Originally posted by pewe
When I was a kid the family car was an Austin 16.
I don't have many specific memories of it other than it was roomy, comfortable and took a family of four plus luggage on holiday each year.
The chassis must have been quite strong as the towbar was some angle iron between the chassis rails and it towed an ex-military trailer, though
going up the bank in Felton over the Coquet was always a bit heart-in-mouth when fully laden.

Just to throw a grenade on the table - have you considered an MX5 as a project /weekend fun car?
I'm sure those of us who have gone to the dark side can wax lyrical for hours but they are very practical, reliable cars which are easy and cheap to maintain for not a lot of initial outlay.
Before her passing last year the better half and I drove our Mk1 to Italy and back for the previous ten years doing 2k miles round trips with few problems and enjoyed every minute, especially the fresh air motoring through the mountains part.

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Whatever you decide you need to 'buy into' the classic car scene
I think some owners seem to enjoy tinkering with them more than driving them and I'm sure there's many owners who feel the opposite

I sold my MG last year after I'd had it a few years and done the show scene and had some fun with it, There was a chance to make a few quid which didn't hurt with the decision

I'd agree though with the comments that if its going to be used a fair bit (and any distance) you need something with decent brakes and a reasonable amount of performance

Personally I enjoy working on them more now than driving them

I purchased a 1932 Riley Brooklands complete rolling chassis, just needs a body - Riley made fascinating engines so have a look at this manufacturer.

It has a very good club, strong spares available and potential for a very powerful car, far more advanced than any Ford or morris, Austin etc.

The racing ERA’s used Riley engines!

Cheers for the comments. Quite a few years ago I went to an Austin owners meeting and was fortunate enough to get a long ride in a very old Austin 7 Chummy (soft top version), the car was just awesome in every way and although we never got above 40, it certainly didn’t feel slow any faster and it would have been scary. I’ve always loved the 7 but it is super small and more like a kid’s car or a big pram! The larger Austin’s are much more appealing and the styling of the cars from the 50’s tick all the boxes. They also seem to have enormous interiors especially in the back, although the boots are rather half baked usually housing the spare wheel and not much more.

One other thing I have been considering is to convert it to Autogas, it’s half the price, burns really clean (so none of the regular decoking) and all the troublesome regulations or complex engine management systems of modern cars just don’t apply. The only possible issue is maybe the valve seats will need hardened but from what I’ve read the engines are so low powered and using such a low compression ratio that valve additives are not required.

As for an MX5, more usable but just does not tick any of the boxes. Probably a sign of getting old but sports cars just don’t have much appeal anymore and I’m after a car that is totally hands fun to maintain and fun to drive, plus as different to a boring modern car as possible.

[Edited on 8/3/23 by Mr Whippy]

An old boss spent years restoring an Austin 7 Speedy. Now driving it, but still constantly tinkering and engine rebuilding.

Worth a fair bit I think and slow on the road. Like many of us though it's his hobby/passion. Now he's retired I suspect he spends even more time and money on it.

Be interested to know what sort of price range you're looking at, this sort of thing does somewhat appeal to me, hence my recent purchase of the JZR trike (tax & MoT free)

Prices seem to vary enormously, but probably largely due to chancers who think that any "barn find" is worth millions!

I doubt you'd find it was a money pit unless it was an exceedingly bad purchase in the first place

Have fun - you only live once!

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Originally posted by russbost
Be interested to know what sort of price range you're looking at, this sort of thing does somewhat appeal to me, hence my recent purchase of the JZR trike (tax & MoT free)

Prices seem to vary enormously, but probably largely due to chancers who think that any "barn find" is worth millions!

I doubt you'd find it was a money pit unless it was an exceedingly bad purchase in the first place

Have fun - you only live once!

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So...

You know how things change well I have already bought a car! yeah I know I was meant to save for a couple of years but I found it much more manageable just doing a personal loan. I was keeping an open mind on what model to get as I've found in the past being fixated on a particular one can be a bit blinkered so yeah its a Ford not an Austin.

The car I have gone for is a 1938, yes 85 years old or 1 year before WW2! Ford Prefect in kinda exceptional condition I think you'll agree. Not only that but it was owned by the technical editor of a large vintage Ford club who writes and checks all the "how too" for the club magazine articles, so he really knows his stuff, he has also got a large collection of amazing vintage cars. As I was wanting, this is a show winning car and the previous owner has even driven it to Portugal something I would not attempt. I was priced at the top but it's the best of it's type I have seen and I'm totally delighted with it.

Collecting it next Wednesday as we did not want to use it on roads with salt.

Very nice...

That looks like a really nice car. I suspect that whatever you paid will be less than the cost of buying a less good one and bringing it to that standard. I suspect you'll get quite a few admirers at shows once the weather improves.

Looks lovely!

I got my MGB for similar reasons. Won't be fast but very cheap to own and run and will last forever if I look after it. Should be OTR later this year.
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Thanks for the comments, its by far the nicest car I've ever owned. As said above, to get a cheaper project car up to this standard would easily be more than I paid and I simply don't have the time or resources to tackle such a thing, it took me 5 years just to restore the last Land Rover just to road worthy condition!

I'm certainly taking it to shows which is part of the fun but will drive it around a bit too. Insurance cost just £83 full comp and zero road tax, no MOT requirement with a not too bad 33mpg. Top speed is meant to be 60mph fat chance. It's a shame not more of these cars are bought since they are not expensive to own and spares seem to be very easy to get while no more costly than my old Fiesta.

I might even start doing some Youtube vids on servicing it as there's not much when I searched. Maybe will be the start of a new channel, that and my 3d printed ships??

The MGB looks not far away from being ready great summer cars!

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The MGB looks not far away from being ready great summer cars!

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