Vixus
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| posted on 17/4/06 at 10:27 AM |
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Classic Cars - Buying Guide?
I've just been reading up on buying my own car. I never realised how many pitfalls there are for one to trip into. 
With older classic cars this will be especially important, since they have been on the road so long and may have undergone many restorations and the
like.
So I wanted to know if there's a good guide out there that leads you through the safe purchase of a classic car. I've always preferred
them over a newer car, they're cheaper and you get a much more interesting vehicle.
I want my first car purchase to be a good classic, like a frogeye.
So, how about this guide? History checks and all that? 
{ e = mc something ~ processed meat ~ dA }
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Mike R-F
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| posted on 17/4/06 at 01:05 PM |
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The biggest problem with most older cars, particularly of Frogeye vintage, is RUST. Even restored examples suffer to one degree or another. After
looking at bodywork, consider trim both exterior & interior. If you want a complete car, missing trim on rarer cars can be a complete pain.
Mechanically speaking, most older cars from the period you mention are a breeze to work on, no troublesome fuel injection, no ABS, no 'leccy
windows etc. Bearing in mind this forum, my suggestion to any newcommer would be to consider a glassfibre car. I've got a SE5A Scimitar, Gilbern
Invader, Peerless GT & had a Rochdale GT, all of them were considerably more usable than any of the metal classics I've had &
their's added kudos from most of them being rarer. Consider an ELVA, CLAN, Berkely, Rochdale and many of the other evcellent glassfibre options.
(including a Lotus 7 or Elan)
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 17/4/06 at 01:23 PM |
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I think it was a guy called Lyndsay Porter who did a restoration guide for Midgets and Sprites , may be worth looking at as it points out all of the
parts of the car that are likely to need attention. HTH
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Vixus
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| posted on 17/4/06 at 04:51 PM |
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Yeah, rust... it's something all cars (ok, ok, metal ones!) have to fear. Where should one check on such a car?
{ e = mc something ~ processed meat ~ dA }
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 17/4/06 at 05:31 PM |
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Betwwen the front and the rear of the car, in short everywhere!
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britishtrident
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| posted on 17/4/06 at 05:54 PM |
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The bigest problems is the load of twaddle talked by the guys who write for some of the classic car mags.
Fogeyes fetch silly money for what really wasn't that good a car, of the post war British volume sports cars the only two that are fairly safe
bets are the MG T types (particularly the TD and TF) or the MGB.
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Vixus
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| posted on 17/4/06 at 08:29 PM |
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Yes, but the fact is I like the car for what it is. It's something unique that I find aesthetically pleasing.
Feel free to point me to any cars that would be good cheap, first-car classics.
{ e = mc something ~ processed meat ~ dA }
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Triton
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| posted on 17/4/06 at 08:33 PM |
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Mini
My Daughter has taken over production of the damn fine Triton race seats and her contact email is emmatrs@live.co.uk.
www.tritonraceseats.com
www.hairyhedgehog.com
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907
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| posted on 17/4/06 at 09:02 PM |
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Magnets; wonderful things.
Paul G
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 17/4/06 at 09:26 PM |
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Would that be the MG Magnette Paul?
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Lawnmower
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| posted on 18/4/06 at 04:22 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Vixus
Yes, but the fact is I like the car for what it is. It's something unique that I find aesthetically pleasing.
Feel free to point me to any cars that would be good cheap, first-car classics.
Depending on your age, when you passed your test, and if its your main car (i guess it will be), and where your live, insurance will be the main
hurdle you will come across.
Anywhere you cant easily see, get to etc is where the rust will be. if its difficulkt to get somewhere, change a part etc etc, assume it hasn't
been done.
Check out Classic car weekly (newspaper), or the various classic are mags about.
try a triumph dolomite, lada, hillman minx, or other equeally blandish mass produced cars with crap engine.
btw I have a series 3 landrover for sale, 2.25 litre engine, tops out at 70mph!!!
for a more modern car, try a 1991 mazda mx5/eunos, lots of character, common enough for spare parts, easy to fix when they break (inc cambelt, i
should know).
Check out owners car clubs, in back of the mags etc, more active the club, better support etc there is, any monthly meets near you?
check out the classic car shows when they come about.
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