Classic Cars- Bangers costing Cash

Owdgit

Member
 Warrington Cheshire
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Well, I've sold my Z4 and am looking for a classic car with no fancy electronic gadgetry so I can actually work on it myself.
Currently on my lookout list are a VW Karmann Ghia Coupe or a MK2 Jaguar. Bit of a difference I know but it's a start.
The Jag is because it was a car my dad had in British racing green and I always loved it.
I also like the old Citroen DS.
Trying to keep a sensible sub £15k budget.
Any thoughts?
It's needs to be something I wouldn't be too afraid of taking on forum get togethers.
I've already been looking for a sticker saying "My other car used to be a Z4'
 
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Always been a Jag fan (I had 5), I've always fancied a mk 2 or a mk 10. I had a Daimler super V8 for a short while (4 seater), there's only a handful left now and two of them had been owned by the late Queen. I would think getting parts for mk2 would be easier than your other two choices. I would love something like Ian Callum's mk2 restomod
 
Now I have almost finished turning a Z3 into a 'classic car' and, presumably due to my age I have started getting very interested in 'cars from my childhood' again.
My most wanted is a 1972 Toyota Celica 'flatlight' purely because it was our family car when I was a small child. I absolutely loved that car. It was so unusual in the 1970s when everyone else had Ford Cortinas, Escorts or Austin Maxis and have yearned for one for the past 20 years.

Problem is they are very rare (especially the flatlight as they changed the lights after only around 2 years), therefore if you can find one they have been restored and are very very expensive.

The others on my 'wishlist' are a TVR wedge (I know but I love 'em) or a TVR Chimera, a Stag manual, a TR7 (with a V8), a Dolomite Sprint, a Scimitar SE6 GTC convertible (again I know). I would take a mk3 Cortina 2000E in purple aswell and a Rover P5B coupe.

If I can find some cheap storage (ideally part of a farmer's barn) I would happily put £50k into 2 or 3 classics and keep them for tinkering with.
 
I've always had a soft spot for 60s Jaguars too, although I remember being very impressed with my uncle's Daimler V8 as a youngster. The Daimlers seem to be a bit cheaper than MK2s as well.

It isn't just parts availability with your other 2 suggestions, I really wouldn't fancy trying to DIY a Citroen DS with all their hydraulics!
 
Classic cars are a thing I know a little about having owned over 40! (Based on the assumption that a classic is something older that’s both cherished and used appropriately )

Chris, I fear you’d be near the lower end of the market for both your choices with the inherent problems the buying cheap brings. A half decent jaguar or ghia would be £20k plus. Both cars are difficult to restore and desirable keeping costs high. A pal in my car club just sold his mk2 for well in excess of £30k. The almost identical Daimler however would be within reach.
 
I should stop looking, the budget keeps slipping, love the look and sound of this


This seems a bargain if you ignore the poor American repair


And another


Nice

 
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The others on my 'wishlist' are a TVR wedge (I know but I love 'em) or a TVR Chimera, a Stag manual, a TR7 (with a V8), a Dolomite Sprint, a Scimitar SE6 GTC convertible (again I know). I would take a mk3 Cortina 2000E in purple aswell and a Rover P5B coupe.
I found a Stag manual for you, £30 on ebay, but you can have the picture for free.
 

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I should stop looking, the budget keeps slipping, love the look and sound of this


This seems a bargain if you ignore the poor American repair


And another


Nice

Chris, the jaguar is the 240 with slush box. Slower than a slow thing at a slow things convention! They hid rot particularly well too.
 
Definitely a better option than the 240. Not a classic dealer so they’ll have little idea about what they have despite what they may claim. Proceed with caution. If you move on it please get someone knowledgable to check it before you buy. I’ve worked on one and viewed another with a pal. Grim! I’ll find a buyers guide for you.
 


Interior retrim will cost £5000, engine rebuild the same, gearbox about £2000. Proceed with caution. Bodywork ££££
 
At £15k I wouldn’t be looking at Jags, watch out for TVRs tubular chassis corrodes. Let’s assume you want a car with no road tax so pre 86.
Spend the cash on a restored vehicle, you will have plenty of niggles and minor trouble but major stuff should have been done

Plenty of sporty hatches and saloons, MGB, Midget, Spitfire, Alpine, no experience of VW so cant comment
I am thinking about an older classic to replace Z4, a TR4 at £15+20k with overdrive has appeal.
 
2 potentials.
A rare MGC looks sorted

And a sorted looking Karmann Ghia coupe


Both fairly open to offers, the only problem is they are both darn sarf.
 
I must admit I was seriously tempted by a TR4 a couple of months ago. At £18k it was at the sweet spot and didn’t seem to want for anything. The owner was a tinkerer and the car was loaded with unnecessary bits and bobs that needed removing. Digital speedo, odd isolators, sequential cooling fans. A beautiful looking car but I decided it would be in direct competition with my green toy. Hence the Z purchase. No conflict here.
 
2 potentials.
A rare MGC looks sorted
I know someone who has a very expensive, restored MGC. I think he paid over £30k for it a good few years ago. I was impressed until I drove in it. It was no better than an MGB in my opinion.
It was still gutless, just a bit noisier and gutless.
 
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