Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Please note that it is not permitted to have referral links posted in your signature. Keep these links contained in the appropriate forum. Thank you.
https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2055940817/signature-rules
https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2055940817/signature-rules
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest
An Everyday Classic?
-
17-12-2008 9:55pm#1
Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
The Volvo's are very robust and reliable but with quite advanced mechanics, like front discs and double wishbone suspension. The B18 and B20 engines are bulletproof and capable of half a million miles without overhaul!! The Amazon can be a bit claustrofic for 'shorter' drivers, with high waistline, but the light steering and gearbox make well up for surprisingly ease of driving!How about the P1800? Are they as robust? I always associate old Volvos with being pretty bulletproof.
The P1800 is in fact an Amazon in a coupe styling, so it has the same qualities, plus the added bonus of a twin carb setup and electric overdrive! So same engine and running gear, etc. Won;t set the tarmac alight, but you sit on the floor and it gives you a great sporty sensation, they drive and behave a lot better than an MG. The P1800S I had, I enjoyed immensively.
Unfortunately, there is only one answer possibe, and this would go for most of the cars that I have suggested: YES, very difficuly to find good examples in RHD. 912's are identical in shape to the early 911's and the only difference is the engine. Also the difference in performance between a 912 (1600cc, 90bhp) and a 911T (which is the 'entry level' 911 that most people would start off with, as opposed to the more powerfull 911E and 911S, that are much more complex and expensive! A 911T = 2.0 flat 6, 115bhp) is surprisingly small, with the 912 being lighter than the 911T, and with 2 cylinders missing at the very rear of the car, making the weight distribution a lot betterWow, never realised there was a 912! I'd imagine they'd be difficult to find in RHD though? Or is that a stupid assumption?
. I have driven both and found the 912's handling better than the "T", with the only big downside that when you have to stop and wait at the traffic lights, there is no mistaking that deep rumbling 'Beetle' sound, wheras the T sounds a lot more 'potent'.
But why is RHD so important? You limit yourself to cars that have spent all their lives in the UK, so you would end up with cars that have undergone one or more restorations, which generally doesn't help. Driving a LHD is surprisingly easy, and you would have access to a wealth of cars that have originated in sunny climates, like California, South of France or Italy...
Indeed rust is the problem. See above, however if you would include LHD cars you would have so much more candidates available. I owned a 240Z for a while, and I loved it to bits. It has a 150bhp straight 6, silky smooth, and powerfull, with a slick five speed box like only the Japanese can make. A little cramped inside, and plasticy, but nevertheless a cracker of a car, and very reliable!Love the 240z. Just love it. It's like a Japanese E-type with a little more street styling. Is finding a good one difficult due to rust?
Very reliable, because in essence, they are a beetle. So no winter worries with coolant/antifreezeThe Karmanns are great as well - and if as bulletproof as you say then no doubt a great buy., The only possible drawback could be the frameless windows, letting in a bit of water if the rubbers are worn, but only in severe driving rain spells. But note, this goed for most older classics in that rubbers tend to shrink and can let in the odd drop of moisture during prolonged spells of rain, if a car is kept outside. If you have a garage, then all for the better!
Personally I am not a fan of MG's and Midgets. I think for the money they do not offer enough in performance and reliability. The only cars that bring out a smile on my face while driving them are the big Healy's, but on bumpy Irish roads I am always waiting on the next crash and bang of the exhaust against the Tarmac!Here's a quick question - Just looking at MGB GT's in classifieds etc, and there are MGB's, MGC's, MGA's, MG's.... what's the difference between them all?! I can't seem to make sense it.
- MG A is the old mid fifties Roadster, beautiful styling, not so practical.Quite expensive to buy. They came as a Fixed head coupe as well, but personally they are ugly compared to the sweeping beauty of the roadster.
- MG B is the normal 'MG' the peope refer to. Available a Coupe called the MG B "GT" or the Roadster, simply called MG B
- MG C is the MG B, but with the three litre straight 6 Austin lump squeezed in. Recogniseable by the hump in the bonnet. Powerful but dreadful handling.
- MG B GT V8. MB B with the 3,5 litre Rover V8. This started out as conversion by a British tuning company, quickly adapted by MG. Only for one year. To be preferred over the MB C, as the V8 engine is lighter than then 3 litre Austin 6 engine!!! and it is tucked away deeper in the car, imprving the handling, but it's still a bit of a handfull to drive...0 -
-
Did someone mention everyday classics? Well I am a bit of an expert on everyday classics - and am trying my hardest to have an everyday classic for each day of the week. :rolleyes:
My first every day classic was this - my 1990 Golf Gti Mk II 8v - trying to relive my yuppy youth,
Then I fancied a bit of French chic with my 1990 Peugeot 205Gti 1.6.
Then a bit of Italian flair with my 1996 Fiat Coupe 16V
Then I wanted some more Italian flair with my 2000 Fiat coupe 20V Turbo.
.. and from next week I will be driving in style in this - my 1994 Mercedes E220 Coupe sportline.
The basic thing with everyday classics is that they will always require regular tweaking and repairs - which is why I love them so much.
Don't expect to be able to drive an old car for six months without getting your hands dirty a few times - and you will need a good set of tools too.
0 -
-
Thanks and thanks for the alert - that what you get for 5:30am starts.
I should point out that I do have older classics but in my opinion cars older than 1990 are not going to prove suitable as everyday classics and in my opinion it would be a pity to subject rare older cars to the everyday rigours of everyday motoring. Just my 2 cents. 0 -
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!Join Date:Posts: 64857
The checkered interior was in other Porsches of the time (late 70s I think?) as well. I've seen it in 911s and 928s. The pattern is called "Pasha". Kinda groovy Lotus Elan turbo for sale:
https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/lotus-elan-turbo/38336785
My ads on adverts.ie:
0 -
No worries. I guess it helps being a classic car traderJeebus Paul, you're just an absolute fountain of knowledge! Thanks for the detailed reply, really interesting.
The model designation for Porsche 911's can be a bit confusing, so no need to feel embarrassed... All 911's were either a Coupe or Targa, until the Convertilbe was introduced in 1982. The early (pre-74) 911's generally came in 3 engine specs: the T's (where the T would stand for Touring), with approx 110-120bhp, the "E's" (Einspritzung=Injection) and top of the range "S" (Super or Sport, depending on who you're talking to) with 180-190bhp. The later models would normally have just 2 specs, SC and Carrera... but this is generalising slightly.Does the T stand for Targa, or did I make a really lame attempt at trying to sound like I know something?!
The difference in performance with these old 911's is quite large, and driving an "S" compared to a T is exhilarating, raw and sheer enjoyment, whereas a T can feel a bit underpowered. Although, we need to look at this in perspective: these cars are 30-40 years old, and even though they are quick even by today's standard, the WAY they deliver this to you is a lot more in your face, and you get the sensation of going fast while still at reasonable speeds, and this is the crucial element that is lost in these ultra fast sports cars nowadays, the likes of the Subaru's, M5's and modern Porsche's: to get that same sort of satisfaction of the feeling of going fast, you have to crank the cars up to insane speeds..... (rant over, just my 2 cents worth.)
It's a difficult generalisation to make, and i guess personal preference is a very important factor. Generally people go after cars that they admired when they were little, because their dad, uncle, neigbour had a car they would love to have owned then, and only now can afford. I guess growing up in Ireland or the UK would automatically mean a preference for Cortina's, Austins, Triumphs, Jaguars, etc.... simply because there was hardly and AlfaRomeo, Lancia, Volvo, BMW or Saab around. From my own experience, I found that Swedish and German built cars are just that bit more robust and the engines and electronics are better finished and protected, which means they keep up better in those harsh (i.e. wet!!!) Irish winters (make that Autumns!!).So, is it fair to say a lot of the old English manufacturers aren't as reliable as the Japanese/German/Swedish? Or would that be too generalising?
No, I just buy and sell themPaul, are you, in fact, a car?
I think that generally speaking, if you are looking for a classic to use on a daily basis, it is possible, but you will need to make sure that you know what you are going to get yourself into as you will be stepping back in time. If you choose wisely, and get your hands on a good car, it will be a mostly pleasant experience, but you MUST learn to get your hands dirty yourself, start to learn something about 'trouble shooting' so that you can easily recognise a potential problem, and be prepared to live with some of the lesser appealing things like bad heaters/no rear windscreen demister.
I think your first priority is not as much determine what model to choose, but ask yourself what you are after. It is purely a Tax/VRT/NCT exempt driver that has to be as reliable as possible, how much comfort are you prepared to give up for the sake of driving a classic car. Do you have a garage or not, what is your budget roughly, will you ever need to take passengers, how much of a distance to travel, etc. Once you've answered those, you can narrow things down a bit, as it's nice to dream about a 912 for example, but you will have to bring around 15k nowadays for a good one, and if your budget is only 5, that rules it out immediately.0 -
Advertisement
-
-
-
Nice! Your 924 is in great nick, mine needs a good t-cut and polish to get her looking like yours. I`m hoping to have her up and running over the net month or two.
Thanks for that - The laquer is peeling on the bonnet so no frontal shots
You know you have to bring her to Galway in April
The wiper is mounted to the screen. If you would have ordered the car without the wiper you got a big silver bung instead. I have heard of an urban myth which the owner of a 924 put loads of stuff in the boot and didnt think about the wiper motor promptly breaking the glass :eek:0 -
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!Join Date:Posts: 64857
The passenger side wing mirror only became standard in most cars since the late 70s / early 80s iirc, or even later in lower end cars
The driver side wing mirror is essential for merging from slip roads onto mainroads and for overtaking. The passenger side wing mirror isn't essential Lotus Elan turbo for sale:
https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/lotus-elan-turbo/38336785
My ads on adverts.ie:
0 -
-
-
Aye,my datsun 100A has a factory fitted radio,as had the 120Ys,dont think the fords of the time had cought up.it wasnt even as far back as the eighties, that a "Radio" was an optional extra !!!!! The mid/late seventies Japanese cars set the trend by fitting radio's as standard to their cars, which was picked up by European manufacturers...
0 -
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
Advertisement