Classic car. Why do I even want one ?

[Smallfry]

Been thinking about this a lot just lately. I have had a few over the years, but I guess most of them were just "bangers" at the time, most memorable ones being Series 1 XJ6 and an XJ12, both SWB, A Sunbeam Tiger (scrapped) Opel GT, Datsun 240Z, Triumph Herald with a Rover V8, Opel Manta A, and a lot more mundane stuff.

Anyway, I also have a Rover P5B Coupe, which is the latest one, but has not been out of the garage for 16 years, so its a long time since I have driven a "classic" on the road, which begs the question .......... Do I even want one ?

I mean, whats the point ? What do I do with it when its running ? It conjures up visions of halcyon days of carefree motoring on sunny days with no traffic on out of town roads, blah blah. But the reality of that is more or less non existent, especially down here in the South East, too much traffic, too much concrete and signage etc. What exactly do I use it for ? You can't really do things like go to the seaside etc and leave it in a public car park, as more like as not, it will be damaged, nicked, or vandalised. Maybe I am just being paranoid, but it is not like a modern car, as you spend so much time and money "tittivating", investing some of yourself in it, I guess. To have it damaged or nicked seems much more personal. Then of course, there is the money pit aspect to consider.

Another thing for me, is that they must be kept indoors, as old cars do not fare well when left outside, and covers are not really helpful, especially in the long term, and sometime soon, I will have to lose the garage, as the house will have to be sold, and it will have to live in the garden for the foreseeable future. The garage BTW is at mums house, but she passed a long time ago now, and I have kept it on because of the vehicles (also have a Land Rover that stands in the garden) and the house has basically become a store for all the things I don't really want to get rid of, and have got no space here to keep them. Madness to keep the place on really, as its a drain financially, so realistically it should go.

So part of me says to let it go, and sensibly, and practically, I should, but I know I would never be able to afford another one, coupled with the fact that I have had it long time. It is also in better condition than most, which makes the dilemma worse. I could keep the Land Rover, because its more "me" and can live outside, although they are a magnet for thieves, or just get rid of everything ! But then I will be bored.

What to do, sigh. Sorry, just rambling really, but the bottom line is as I said, What really is the point of having a classic car ?

 

[ajlelectronics]

Anyway, I also have a Rover P5B Coupe, which is the latest one, but has not been out of the garage for 16 years, so its a long time since I have driven a "classic" on the road, which begs the question .......... Do I even want one ?

Irrelevant question, you have one.

I mean, whats the point ? What do I do with it when its running ? It conjures up visions of halcyon days of carefree motoring on sunny days with no traffic on out of town roads, blah blah. But the reality of that is more or less non existent, especially down here in the South East, too much traffic, too much concrete and signage etc. What exactly do I use it for ? You can't really do things like go to the seaside etc and leave it in a public car park, as more like as not, it will be damaged, nicked, or vandalised. Maybe I am just being paranoid, but it is not like a modern car, as you spend so much time and money "tittivating", investing some of yourself in it, I guess. To have it damaged or nicked seems much more personal. Then of course, there is the money pit aspect to consider.

Again a strange question, you get in it and you drive it just like you would with a monochrome eurobox. As for "money pit"; that's ridiculous. As a general rule classic parts are far cheaper than eurobox unique parts and far easier to replace.

Another thing for me, is that they must be kept indoors, as old cars do not fare well when left outside, and covers are not really helpful, especially in the long term, and sometime soon, I will have to lose the garage, as the house will have to be sold, and it will have to live in the garden for the foreseeable future. The garage BTW is at mums house, but she passed a long time ago now, and I have kept it on because of the vehicles (also have a Land Rover that stands in the garden) and the house has basically become a store for all the things I don't really want to get rid of, and have got no space here to keep them. Madness to keep the place on really, as its a drain financially, so realistically it should go.

Whatever gives you that impression? The only compulsion to keep them indoors is for agreed valuation insurance. Otherwise as long as the seals are in good nick, it will be perfectly happy outside.

What to do, sigh. Sorry, just rambling really, but the bottom line is as I said, What really is the point of having a classic car ?

Connected motoring. Something different, generally easier to maintain, attractive, no Big Brother overseeing you, enjoyment of motoring ( a nice auto gets over the traffic irritations), knowing that the value is going up and not down, free road ransom, sensible insurance costs, pride in driving something that you have a stake in and plenty more that you only get to understand once you ditch the monochrome eurobox fixation.

 

[Bobupndown]

Shame if you haven't got the storage space, classics outside are not ideal. But you'll regret selling them.
I have one, my old 61 year old Mini. It doesn't get a lot of use, 2 or 3 car shows a year, a few drives on sunny weekends, maybe 3 or 400 miles a year max but I just love having it. It doesn't cost much, tax and mot exempt, about £90 for classic insurance. The fact that its value is increasing is nice but of no relevance as I'm not selling it.
I actually am planning to have another, a series 2, 2a or 3 Landrover is on my wish list as a retirement present to myself in the coming years, an 88" canvas top will also be a nice thing to potter about in. Living fairly rurally in Northern Ireland the roads aren't too busy fortunately. Plan will be to leave one each to my sons, they can fight over who gets what.

 

[cheb]

Every so often I think about getting a classic van, Citroen H types catch the eye. Then I think of the noise when driving, a top cruising speed of about 50mph, the general comfort levels (look at the seats, draughty), the fuel economy and the running gear (brakes especially). Even more stupid is the idea of fitting modern running gear to an old van, all that effort for what?

I find driving a Series Landrover good aversion therapy, every six months seems to do it for me.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Every so often I think about getting a classic van, Citroen H types catch the eye. Then I think of the noise when driving, a top cruising speed of about 50mph, the general comfort levels (look at the seats, draughty), the fuel economy and the running gear (brakes especially). Even more stupid is the idea of fitting modern running gear to an old van, all that effort for what?

I find driving a Series Landrover good aversion therapy, every six months seems to do it for me.

A different matter though when you drive something of quality. Rovers, Jaguars, big Fords, Scimitars etc.

 

[zzr1200]

I can solve your predicament, I have the space and the time, plus I think the P5B.C is possibly the niceist classic to own.

So you can donate it to me, problem solved... pm me with collection details...

 

[cheb]

But I don't want a car. The only old cars that really attract me are wildly impractical things or way beyond what I could justifiably spend. Huge boat like Yank tanks or a Stratos.

 

[bricol]

I'm about to start the two day labour of removing the gear ox from my 33 yr old Lancia.
Intention is to get it refurbished so I can enjoy the few thousand miles s year I do in it without worrying it's about to go bang as it's rumbling a fair bit after 200,000.

For me, simply looking at it makes me smile, sat there, crouching, ready to put a bigger smile on a back road run. These days that run doesn't even need to be at 10-1/2 tenths to give me that grin. So it will be kept.

It lives outside, has done pretty much all of the 20 yrs I've owned it. Spares however - 30 yrs ago, a secondhand box for the one I had before cost under £400. Now they are over £4000.

Older cars don't half bring home how much your visibility around you has been reduced in modern cars with thicker (stronger safer) pillars, air bags etc.

 

[bricol]

But I don't want a car. The only old cars that really attract me are wildly impractical things or way beyond what I could justifiably spend. Huge boat like Yank tanks or a Stratos.

Ah . . .
I owned a Stratos replica for a while 20 odd years ago - very close to an original (panels are rumoured to fit) and it was interesting with a single car garage and a narrow drive.

And I daily drive a 16 plate Dodge Challenger I bought in Houston, on the Goodyear's tyres I had fitted in the US, which gripped fine over there, on anything other then bone dry roads here, it's like driving on ice - hilarious until you need to stop. There's on junction on my commute home where even on tick over, it will not pull away without wheelspin - the traction control is very very relaxed!

But it has to be the most relaxing car I've owned - big power, enormous torque and happily cruises ignoring hills etc. it's a bit jiggly as it's a trac-pack version, but i get in after work, it rocks on the suspension in reaction to the V8 firing up and i start to relax . . . Quite a lot of the commute is window down in all weather's just to listen to whuffle from short shifting at low revs (it's a manual) or the ever increasing urgency to the exhaust bark if it rev it above 1500 up the gears - admittedly not too many of them as by third you are well into lots of points with three more to go

It's pretty rare these days that I get to work, or back home, tense and stressed from the drive

Find a way to do it - 5, 10 yrs time it might be impossible.

 

[cheb]

The Yank cars I'm thinking of are the ridiculous 50s and 60s things with fins on their fins.

I'm struggling to think when I last drove a car through choice, probably 20 years ago when I was doing bangernomics. I prefer driving my van to driving my wife's MX5.

 

[Erie Fred]

But I don't want a car. The only old cars that really attract me are wildly impractical things or way beyond what I could justifiably spend. Huge boat like Yank tanks or a Stratos.

"When you have time (and money) to spare....take to the air"......

 

[Memmeddu]

So what to say about

This is mine ....
FSM Polsky FIAT 126P
652cc , 2 cylinders, air cooled, rear mounted engine, transaxle 4 speed transmission, 1st gear is not synchromesh, rear wheel drive, independent suspension system, 512kg .
It is still work in progress but I dreamt about having one for many years.
And when I've finally found one, I've rushed to get it and ended up to get a scam, as it threw a connecting rod and I didn't know that.
Started hunting for parts .
I got it because it's the cheapest way to get into racing over here .
All 30+ years old cars don't pay property taxes .
I'm still figuring out what this one wants to become, if road going or strictly race car .
I have many parts to make a race car out of it, and I personally use them either way even if kept street legal.
Forged pistons, H beams rods, 105° camshaft, 4.5kg flywheel, Aprilia pegaso 650cc Mikuni carburettors, electronic 30kV ignition coil, Fiat 500 final ratio, upgraded brakes (combined with the flywheel, higher compression ratio, and the final ratio it will brake fast ).
Classic cars are something special and very personal, especially if you take one salvaging them from a scrap yard or soon to get there.
Just imagine it in Ferrari red...

 

[marlinspike]

I know. My resto has dragged on and on and whilst I used to enjoy the working on it and didn't mind that it wasn't drivable, now I'm worrying that when it's finished I probably won't even drive it much. I'm old now. I still love it but it is a concern that years of restoration will turn into driving once a month. And yet I spend hours looking at classics on ebay...

I would love an Opel GT btw.

 

[rcx132]

Been thinking about this a lot just lately. I have had a few over the years, but I guess most of them were just "bangers" at the time, most memorable ones being Series 1 XJ6 and an XJ12, both SWB, A Sunbeam Tiger (scrapped) Opel GT, Datsun 240Z, Triumph Herald with a Rover V8, Opel Manta A, and a lot more mundane stuff.

Anyway, I also have a Rover P5B Coupe, which is the latest one, but has not been out of the garage for 16 years, so its a long time since I have driven a "classic" on the road, which begs the question .......... Do I even want one ?

I mean, whats the point ? What do I do with it when its running ? It conjures up visions of halcyon days of carefree motoring on sunny days with no traffic on out of town roads, blah blah. But the reality of that is more or less non existent, especially down here in the South East, too much traffic, too much concrete and signage etc. What exactly do I use it for ? You can't really do things like go to the seaside etc and leave it in a public car park, as more like as not, it will be damaged, nicked, or vandalised. Maybe I am just being paranoid, but it is not like a modern car, as you spend so much time and money "tittivating", investing some of yourself in it, I guess. To have it damaged or nicked seems much more personal. Then of course, there is the money pit aspect to consider.

Another thing for me, is that they must be kept indoors, as old cars do not fare well when left outside, and covers are not really helpful, especially in the long term, and sometime soon, I will have to lose the garage, as the house will have to be sold, and it will have to live in the garden for the foreseeable future. The garage BTW is at mums house, but she passed a long time ago now, and I have kept it on because of the vehicles (also have a Land Rover that stands in the garden) and the house has basically become a store for all the things I don't really want to get rid of, and have got no space here to keep them. Madness to keep the place on really, as its a drain financially, so realistically it should go.

So part of me says to let it go, and sensibly, and practically, I should, but I know I would never be able to afford another one, coupled with the fact that I have had it long time. It is also in better condition than most, which makes the dilemma worse. I could keep the Land Rover, because its more "me" and can live outside, although they are a magnet for thieves, or just get rid of everything ! But then I will be bored.

What to do, sigh. Sorry, just rambling really, but the bottom line is as I said, What really is the point of having a classic car ?

I hesitate to call my 1980s Suzuki Jeep a classic, it's more of a "saved historic car". Running costs are higher than they used to be but still affordable. It's nice to drive a car without power steering every so often, the kids enjoy it, so I keep it.

 

[dobbslc]

What really is the point of having a classic car ?

If I had the money I'd do it just to pizz off Khan and drive it through London with some two stroke oil in the petrol tank for that authentic classic haze

I have and old 1996 Toyota Surf that I absolutely love driving, a "practical classic" if you like. Tax, fuel and insurance are high cost but Fxxk it you only live once.
If only I could afford a 40 year old Landcruiser to avoid all the ULEZ and road tax etc.

 

[frank horton]

my old Commer *1934* towed my 6.5m caravan to Crete OK......owned and used it for nearly 40 years....often commuted in it when I lived in the UK just for fun....sliding doors and opening wind screen.....
us at a truck stop in N italy.....

plus this 1928 Citroen isn't finished yet but will be used for the bread run and trips to the coast in the very near future.....

sell em.....Never.....
wont mention the 2 Indian m/cycles and 2 collectable tractors I brought here n stashed.....
PS, I drove a late 1940's Morris J type right across America......
stuff newer cars......they r just a convienence, like ur m/phone......

 

[Smallfry]

I know. My resto has dragged on and on and whilst I used to enjoy the working on it and didn't mind that it wasn't drivable, now I'm worrying that when it's finished I probably won't even drive it much. I'm old now. I still love it but it is a concern that years of restoration will turn into driving once a month. And yet I spend hours looking at classics on ebay...

I would love an Opel GT btw.

Exactly this, except I have fallen out of love with mine, but thats probably through not doing anything with it. It is also cluttering up my life and stopping me selling the house, because I don't want to leave it outside.

I bought the Opel GT from a mate who had to sell and needed the money quick. I really liked driving it, even though it wasn't quick, the auto didn't help, although it did help with it being LHD. Was rusty though, and needing a LOT of money and time spending on it. I sold it when someone offered me four times what I paid for it. Wish I hadn't now, but hey ho ! Its one of the two cars I wish I still had. The other being the 240Z. I often wonder what became of them, but looking at the DVLA website, the 240Z has not been taxed since the 80s, so it has probably gone, and the Opel is no longer shown. Scrapped, exported, or number plate change ? Who knows.

 

[cheb]

I've never been attached to any vehicle I've owned, they've all been sold or scrapped when the time was right.

I'm the same about anything I own, offer me the right price and I'll sell it. It's only stuff.

 

[Domdom]

A P5B has pretty much the same running gear as the P6B. The engine can be made super reliable with electronic ignition, fuel injection, electric fuel pump and an oversized aluminium radiator, all readily available.
The gearbox would be a Borg Warner, reliable enough but if you wanted more relaxed cruising it can easily be replaced with a ZF mechanical 4 speed.
I would cheerfully drive such a car to the south of France without worry, it’s a really sensible daily. And the comfort levels are beyond any modern thing. Yeah, that’s what I’d do.

 

[marlinspike]

You could always swap it for a more useable modern classic. The early mk1 Golfs are tax and MOT exempt now, so are the early Escort xr3's. Mitubishi FTO's don't take up much space, or a reliable Celica. It might reignite your interest.

If, and it's a big if, we get another classic it will have to be tax and MOT exempt and something where the parts are cheap and easy to get. I enjoy the resto bits but I'm at the stage now where I want to order a new ignition barrel and key for £20 to arrive tomorrow, like you can with a 50 year old Beetle, not pay £100 or trawl ebay.