Ideas for classic requested.

Bluehair

It's a friends 60th shortly and we have a budget of roughly €4k to play with it to buy him a classic car. I appreciate it's not much but the criteria is reasonably wide. Needs to be simple enough mechanically for him to tinker with himself and 'sporty'

My first thought was something MG but I'm very open to ideas.

CamperMan

Bluehair wrote: »

It's a friends 60th shortly and we have a budget of roughly €4k to play with it to buy him a classic car. I appreciate it's not much but the criteria is reasonably wide. Needs to be simple enough mechanically for him to tinker with himself and 'sporty'

My first thought was something MG but I'm very open to ideas.

ask your friend what classic car he likes!! then you have an idea...

wish I had friends like you ;-)

Whosbetter?

Ford Capris are always a good bet. Plentiful, parts easy to find.Good range of engine sizes,1.3-3 Litre. Roomy for a coupe and stand out in a crowd.
For 4k you should be able to pick up a fairly decent one.

CamperMan

I would still ask your friend what sort of classics he likes...

I would hate it if I got one of these as a present

L-M

Selling an Mg B Gt if you have any interest. It's in my sig. Very handy starter classic as parts are so easy accessible.

After that, Ford Escorts and the likes. It's hard to tell without knowing what they like. People have a huge variety in taste when it comes to cars.

CamperMan

Limerick man wrote: »

Selling an Mg B Gt if you have any interest. It's in my sig. Very handy starter classic as parts are so easy accessible.

nice MG B GT Limerick Man.....

L-M

CamperMan wrote: »

nice MG B GT Limerick Man.....

Not mine, cousins. Thanks though.

Bluehair

Funny thing is we can't ask him since his knee-jerk response would be to flip the lip that so much was being spent on him. He has spent a lifetime putting everyone else first and as his business is finally slowing down we figured he'd enjoy this as a new hobby.

He's always had a hankering for old british sports cars though like i said i'm open to ideas. If you could somehow ask him without him realising he'd doubtless answer Jaguar E-Type Short of a lotto win this weekend that ain't gonna happen!

I know he doesn't like the shape of the mg coupe which is a shame as i like them myself (sorry Limerick Man nice car though). Hence leaning the mgb roadster or maybe midget direction.

Ironically the UK classic car tax system (pre 73) means cars between that and 79 seem to fall within my budget (having looked around ebay for example).

Bluehair

CamperMan wrote: »

I would still ask your friend what sort of classics he likes...

I would hate it if I got one of these as a present

If we did I suspect he may not talk to us until his 70th

CamperMan

here is a nice car..

MG B GT

don't forget the commission Limerick Man

Bluehair

Whosbetter? wrote: »

Ford Capris are always a good bet. Plentiful, parts easy to find.Good range of engine sizes,1.3-3 Litre. Roomy for a coupe and stand out in a crowd.
For 4k you should be able to pick up a fairly decent one.

Has to be pre-79 (should have mentioned that) and I doubt Capris would be his 'style'. Thanks and keep the suggestions coming though it definately helps

chiefwiggum

what about a triumph spitfire...i'd feckin love one..i was looking there in the last few weeks and am sure ive seen some nice ones for under 5k..anyone givin away a free one feel free to contact me.....lol

CamperMan

seriously though, if I had €4000 to spend on a good British classic car then it would have to be an MG B GT, MG Midget, Triumph Spitfire or a Reliant Scimitar... (already have an MG Midget and the Scimitar arriving Sunday).

getz

Bluehair wrote: »

It's a friends 60th shortly and we have a budget of roughly €4k to play with it to buy him a classic car. I appreciate it's not much but the criteria is reasonably wide. Needs to be simple enough mechanically for him to tinker with himself and 'sporty'

My first thought was something MG but I'm very open to ideas.

how about the mini cooper [the old one] great fun i have had six

eamon234

+1 for the MGB GT great starter classic, more practical with the lovely Irish weather and easy to work on plus parts are very easy to get - just make sure there's no rust and try and get one with a Webasto sunroof - it's as good as a convertible!
Steer clear of the rubber bumper ones though (post 1975) they were made using cheaper steel and are more susceptible to rust.

L-M

CamperMan wrote: »

(already have an MG Midget and the Scimitar arriving Sunday).

I'll show you mine if you show me yours:p

chiefwiggum

guessing no one has a free one for me then :rolleyes:

L-M

chiefwiggum wrote: »

guessing no one has a free one for me then :rolleyes:

You can have this picture for free:P

chiefwiggum

cheers buddy.........it'll have to do for now i suppose:)

carchaeologist

eamon234 wrote: »

Steer clear of the rubber bumper ones though (post 1975) they were made using cheaper steel and are more susceptible to rust.

They are cheaper to buy too though...good ones are still to be had if you are carefull.
Suppose ill be kicked to death for saying i kinda like these a bit...

but id probably never buy one..

How about a cortina for your friend?
A mk2 would be a good one maybe?

Mr. Presentable

Manta?

http://classiccarsales.ie/buy/view/Opel_manta_a_coupe/907

But seriously a Popular

http://classiccarsales.ie/buy/view/Ford_popular/91

CamperMan

nipplenuts wrote: »

Manta?

http://classiccarsales.ie/buy/view/Opel_manta_a_coupe/907

come on nipplenuts!!, I can't see a 60 year old driving that about.... it's more suited to a young boy racer

MorrisCooper

How's this man's back? Cos if it's not great, he'll struggle getting in and out of a Spitfire/MG.

How about something different that's sporty but based on a saloon and not terribly common. I'm thinking along the lines of a Sunbeam Rapier or a Ford Granada Coupe. Both are within your budget. The Rapier is based on the Hillman Hunter and the Granada's a Ford so no great probs finding mechanical parts for either. The bodies would have to be excellent though because panels would be harder to source than an MG or a Mini.

Billy

galwaytt

why get hung up on the pre-79 thing?

If the car is 'free', his only cost is some tax and insurance. Either way, small sums.

...in other words, he could buy all the 'cool' of a classic, without the aggro, by getting one of THESE

I've a 1990 one, it costs Eur 200 to insure w/Quinn (budled with House insurance).

Infinately the most sensible choice - proper comfort, PAS, brakes, hoods that don't leak. Unburstable engines, and peanuts to service.

Oh, and tons of them for sale in your price bracket.

Blue850

How about a Triumph Vitesse? 2.0 litre 6 cylinder, 4 seater


Heres one on ebay within budget

Dades

While some of the cars suggested in this thread might well be classics in some circles, I'd cry if someone bought me one.

If you are buying unseen - I would definitely go with the SAFE bet. And you can't get safer than an MG. Sporty, a definite classic, and easy to tinker with. The only this with your budget you'll probably be restricted to hardtops unless you go to the UK.

This looks like a nice runabout.

Bluehair

Thanks for the ideas all, the mx-5 is an interesting idea i never would have considered and as for that manta!

shawnee

Great idea ,however if it was my birthday , I would prefer if someone gave me a draft for 4k and the missus says on yer bike and choose yourself a classic car, and dont be in any rush. What fun I would have finding the one that I like. Cars are very personal and I really would prefer to choose my own.:D

chiefwiggum

shawnee wrote: »

Great idea ,however if it was my birthday , I would prefer if someone gave me a draft for 4k and the missus says on yer bike and choose yourself a classic car, and dont be in any rush. What fun I would have finding the one that I like. Cars are very personal and I really would prefer to choose my own.:D

thats true actually..i'd love to go out and buy my own..if the thing goes bang and hopefully it wont then he'll be left to foot what could be a hefty bill...on the other hand if he picks his own and it goes bang then you dont have to worry about it;)

speedy joe

in a casual conversation why not find out what he drove in the early seventies, his reply should give you a good starting point

unkel

Not so sure what can still be called sporty about most of the cars mentioned and this one is no exception



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napplechunks

Why does it have to be british ?

What about Citroen, Renault, Volvo or Saab, Better looking and more distinctive, everyone has a british classic, go the different path !:eek:

andy09

have sporty classic for sale in kilkenny, picture on kilkenny car club scimitar gte mechanically very straight forward to work on

chiefwiggum

what about a golf mk1 gti? getting more rare every day!!!!!!

Eric318

MGB gets my vote too. Also, the economy is on your side to get good deals...

CamperMan

napplechunks wrote: »

Why does it have to be british ?

What about Citroen, Renault, Volvo or Saab, Better looking and more distinctive, everyone has a british classic, go the different path !:eek:

because there easier to work and and parts are cheaper...