!970's Roadsters

unfit2006

Hi,

I am thinking about purchasing a 70' Roadster. So far, I am considering from the usual line-up : MGBs, Midgets, TR4,5,6,7. Stag, Spitfire, Herald, Vitesse, Alfa Spider. I have owned 2 Midgets and an MGB GT in the past.
I would buy a rolling restoration project. Even some welding (sills,floorpans etc) would be ok. Would travel to UK for the right car, but all the better if I could locate one in Ireland.
So far, I am being drawn towards the Stag, TR6 (pricey) or Alfa.
Could I ask, what preference would you have for any of the above and why ??
Secondly, am I forgetting any 70's roadsters (not counting the real exotic stuff) that are DIY friendly and not costing the earth.

I would appreciate your opinions on this,

Thanks,

Unfit

corktina

Sunbeam Tiger or Austin Healey 3000 might fit your bill (maybe a bit more sixties but more fun than many on your list.

I'd go TR4/5/6 out of your list

Dades

Fiat 124 Spider!!



Great fun, easy to work on - and very unusual here.
All LHD, but not a problem anyone will tell you.

unkel

I'm surprised you're not suggesting a R107, Dades

corktina

he said Roadster not taxi...:D

unfit2006

Corktina, I looked at the Tiger and the Healys but they are out of my price range.
In reality, i would be looking at the lower end of the TR or Stag market and there are some fairly risky buys out there at that level.

The 124 option is something I hadnt considered. I had a 124 estate in my day and I remember it as a pokey old bus alright.

The Merc is just a little bit too much. (Too much what I cant exactly put a finger on) A fine car no doubt but just not my cup of tea.

Also, I discounted TR7s and X19s early on. I presume I was right ????

Any others that I am missing ?... TVR ..probably too pricey.

kev1.3s

124 spider gets my vote anyway try to get one without the ugly federal spec bumpers, I suppose that goes without saying cant think of any car that looks good with them.

Big Nasty

C3 Corvette Roadster

unfit2006

Had not thought of the USA options to be honest. One traditionally associates the roadster more with the European marques.Either way, my budget would probably not stretch to a Corvette.

Have looked at the 124 spider today on a few sites and I feel that the rear end of the car lacks definition. The front and side view is very distinctive but the back panel and light clusters let the car down a littlt bit in my opinion.

I seem to recall a Renault Caravelle for sale on some of the sites in Ireland not that long ago which I thought looked interesting. I also think that a few of the Pugs might have come out in soft-top also.

Big Nasty

unfit2006 wrote: »

Had not thought of the USA options to be honest. One traditionally associates the roadster more with the European marques.Either way, my budget would probably not stretch to a Corvette.

Have looked at the 124 spider today on a few sites and I feel that the rear end of the car lacks definition. The front and side view is very distinctive but the back panel and light clusters let the car down a littlt bit in my opinion.

I seem to recall a Renault Caravelle for sale on some of the sites in Ireland not that long ago which I thought looked interesting. I also think that a few of the Pugs might have come out in soft-top also.

What's your budget?

unfit2006

I am thinking in the region of €3,500-€4,000. I would consider a driveable project that will see off major restoration for a few years and would continue to be useable with rolling restoration/repair (panels, wings doors and mechanics) until then.
Or on the other hand I would consider buying something requiring more immediate and longerterm restoration and maybe buy a bargain basement Midget/Spitfire or something to do me for 2010

bijapos

BMW E21 targa conversion by Baur. Not a pure cabrio but a lovely driver all the same.

corktina

mazda MX5 possibly, but not Stag, thats not Roadster, thats a tourer (IMHO)...get a TR instead...(Not a TR7 though surely.

corktina

Morgan...how about a Morgan or a TVR?

Big Nasty

unfit2006 wrote: »

I am thinking in the region of €3,500-€4,000. I would consider a driveable project that will see off major restoration for a few years and would continue to be useable with rolling restoration/repair (panels, wings doors and mechanics) until then.
Or on the other hand I would consider buying something requiring more immediate and longerterm restoration and maybe buy a bargain basement Midget/Spitfire or something to do me for 2010

Better off spending as much money as you possibly can first off. This idea of a rolling resto usually ends up with you spending twice as much money on it in the long run.

Dades

unkel wrote: »

I'm surprised you're not suggesting a R107, Dades

Much as I loved mine - it handled like a boat. Not something I would associate with the word "roadster".

unfit2006 wrote: »

Have looked at the 124 spider today on a few sites and I feel that the rear end of the car lacks definition. The front and side view is very distinctive but the back panel and light clusters let the car down a littlt bit in my opinion.

:eek:

IMO the 124 has one of the most beautiful rears ever!

Ballykine43

Hi Unfit, I'm a Stag man so a little biased.
They are a very comfortable cruiser but they can also move. Try a few cars before you buy. The midgets, spits and even TRs are small and very cramped by modern standards so you need to know that the fun will outweigh that. An MGB GT (The hard top) would cost a lot less than the roadster and still give you lots of fun. Its also a lot drier in the rain!

I can put you in touch with a drivable Stag, near Lurgan, that would be in your budget area, and another in Hillsborough that would be a fair bit dearer but require less doing to it. Or if you just want to see and sit in a Stag I'm sure we can find someone in the club near you.
PM me if interested.

Justjens

unfit2006 wrote: »

I am thinking in the region of €3,500-€4,000. I would consider a driveable project that will see off major restoration for a few years and would continue to be useable with rolling restoration/repair (panels, wings doors and mechanics) until then.
Or on the other hand I would consider buying something requiring more immediate and longerterm restoration and maybe buy a bargain basement Midget/Spitfire or something to do me for 2010

Don't think you'll get much of a TR for that sort of money, ones needing tidying go for £6000 plus. Sprite, midget or even an MGB could be got for your budget but don't expect it to be a drivable resto.

At Fermoy last year, even had room to drop a six cylinder under that GT6 bonnet, never asked the price:




Before, cost E4250



After, don't ask!

franksm

TR6 would indeed be right up your street, but if I were in your shoes I would go for a Spitfire. Put some rollbars in to stiffen it up (they look the biz too in the Spitfire), get some modern brake pads and tyres onto it and it'll be good for any weather and any amount of daily or occasional use !

unfit2006

A lot to think about there. Looking at a few 124 spiders going through ebay at the moment and to be honest they are a very nice looking car (except rear light clusters and the US rear bumpers). Also wonder about the positioning of that swith panel in the centre of the dash- or is it a radio blankplate ??
The E21 Bauer has always been a favourite and it is still a runner. as would be a Stag, TVR or MGB.
However, Ballykine43 raises a fair point in that one should ensure that the fun element of any car should outweigh the drawbacks associated. In terms of "smiles per mile" which you associate with open top motoring, I suppose you must factor in such things as poor fitting soft-tops, leaks,Irish weather and body flexing.
It is interesting to see the Elan plus 2 making a comeback in recent years against the almost untouchable Sprint,
The 70's saw some of the nicest FHCs selling side by side with their softtop cousins and often times the coupes were designed by some of the leading motor design houses in Europe but yet never achieved the recognition or desirability of the softtops.
I think I will cast my net a bit wider in this search and thanks again for all those opinions.

Unfit

COB MGV8

My vote would be a Mk 3 Midget (1275) (Have to say at this point that I own a Midget)

The Midget is cheap, easy to work on, has just about every part available off the shelf, and best of all is great fun to drive. I'm over 6ft and while its hard to get in an out of it, there's plenty of legroom once you're in it. You'll get a v. nice one for the sort of money you're talking about.

hi5

corktina wrote: »

mazda MX5 possibly, but not Stag, thats not Roadster, thats a tourer (IMHO)...get a TR instead...(Not a TR7 though surely.

True Roadsters come without side glass, rear window and roof.
Only for the hardy:)

http://wapedia.mobi/en/Roadster

TRNIALL

unfit2006 wrote: »

I am thinking in the region of €3,500-€4,000. I would consider a driveable project that will see off major restoration for a few years and would continue to be useable with rolling restoration/repair (panels, wings doors and mechanics) until then.
Or on the other hand I would consider buying something requiring more immediate and longerterm restoration and maybe buy a bargain basement Midget/Spitfire or something to do me for 2010

At the kind of money you are talking forget the TRs or Stag,to make them anyway decent you will have to spend a small fortune.Spitfire or midget should fit the bill and a decent one for the money you are going to spend,be careful though as there are some dogs out there.What part of the country are you in.

unfit2006

Hi,

Im in the Midlands.

I dont mind buying something "in it's sins" that would see out this Summer and then maybe start to tackle one side of restoration over the Winter and so on. Dont fancy buying the "finished" article only for it to bubble in 12 months and then to have to cut sills and wheel-arches out of it with a start-from-scratch rebuild.

Would still consider Stag or TR project. However a B, Midget or Spitfire would want to be VERY tidy for that money.

unfit.

vincenzolorenzo

Stag all the way! My father bought one 5/6 years ago in London as a restoration project. It had an MOT at the time (how I don't know) so we drove it back. Feckin savage road trip! Anyway brought it home and started stripping it down. mechanically it was sound but it needed loads of welding and patching. Got there eventually but twas a big enough job. Its a lovely car to take out for a spin on a fine day, and the sound off the engine is just pure deadly. As i'm sure you know already be very wary of the cooling system. They were renowned for overheating back in the 70s but a lot of the problems have been solved by enthuasiasts over the years

mister gullible

Hi unfit,
I still have my spitfire for sale. If interested I can give you some details. I'm looking for a series III landrover instead.

galwaytt

hi5 wrote: »

True Roadsters come without side glass, rear window and roof.
Only for the hardy:)

http://wapedia.mobi/en/Roadster

Balls !

'Roadster' implies use on the road - that's where you'll find the MX. All the other's you'll find in the garage (for years to come....)....or on the back of a tow truck. A lot.

3k would buy a fabulous MX that will never need fixing. It's the car the Brits always wanted to build, but couldn't figure out how.

Mine is 20 yrs old this year, and there's zero rust, still on OE paint.

hi5

I couldnt agree more

Probably the best car I've ever owned.

ikb

Hi unfit, All,
For the money mentioned Late rubber bumper roadster, Clean Mgbgt (with webasto... Lets be honest it rains alot here). Any spit... The pros are (as mentioned by others) you can get all and any parts. The Stag is probably a more desirable car, if troublesome and prone to overheating...4000 yo yos is only going to get you into the rat end of that game. Sunbeam Alpine, Daimler Dart..Same as... and parts are harder to get.If you want unusual or upmarket, it comes with a penance..Spring is here (and looking promising), For me, Id buy a good MGB, enjoy whatever summer we get, then fettle away the dark evenings.
Get out and enjoy it while you can.
P.

unfit2006

Thanks All for what is undobtedly very sound advice. Ultra reliable MX 5 ,
good vfm late MGB Roadsters and GTs, or Spitfire.
I figured that Stags and TRs would not come along in much servicable condition for under 3.5k.
Now leaving aside any last strands of sanity that I thought I possessed, I am contacting this guy tonight to discuss this car which he is selling and depending on what I hear, might travel over to take a look at it ... what do you think ... be honest ... I dont insult easily !!!


I am referring to the blue Alfa Spider at the start of the listing :


http://www.classicalfa.com/cars/1978%20Alfa%20Romeo%202000%20Spider%20Veloce.html

ikb

Jez man, looks fine, RHD also, moneys right. And by the sound of you your not scared of a mig... If ya got it round 2K ... how bad. BE CAREFUL. not to let the heart rule the head.. Tin worms a ba$tard with those, So look well. Super car to drive (I have had the privilege)
Take someone along who has no vested interest......... Then buy it anyway (Ha Ha).. Best of luck (fits all your criteria...etc)

Ballykine43

Sanity doesn't really come into play with Classics.
The Alfa has Passion by the bucket load.
But the price surely tells you it is going to break your wallet and then your heart.
There is a 77 left hooker on their listings for half as much again. Sanity might suggest you have a look at it too, just to compare values.
Do you know anything about the mechanics, suspension etc of an Alfa?
Go on, have a look, try desperately not to buy, and then tell us about it.

Green with envy.