BT
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,772
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I like this thinking! Now, what did I want when I was younger (apart from supercar exotica)? Rover P6 - a bit complicated. Ford Consul Capri - a bit expensive. Ford Zodiac Mk4 - a bit big. Vauxhall Viscount - a bit rare and a bit big. Tatra 603 - a bit rare and a bit big and a bit expensive. Ford Escort Mk3 - starting to get rare, but might get lucky. Triumph 2500S - another possibility, but a bit bigger than I was thinking. It's all part of the challenge! Try not to get too put off my complicity, if you break it down into simple enough terms you will eventually grasp the concept. Plus there are a lot of cool chaps on here all to willing to help split the complex parts of something down to a level that it's understood. I once went to view an old 930 911 covin thing in a barn in the back end of a traveller site in Biggin Hill, it was very good money and I foolishly turned it down for a multitude of reasons. That was about 4 years ago now. You know I kick myself weekly for missing that! Mk3 escorts seem to be still achievable, even if it seems properly stupid give it a look because you might just be surprised!
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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I think, on reflection, that the separate chassis thing is too limiting, although that's not to say if the right car comes up at the right time I wouldn't consider it. Still leaning towards an original Panda or similar, I think.
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I think that whilst a car is a good start, I'm inclined to say a Vespa or vintage 2 stroke motorbike as a beginning to mechanics and wiring, doesn't take up much room either.
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BT
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,772
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Could be a very good call, I learnt a lot repairing my old 2 stroke 250s acne I'd blown them to pieces. First ever engine I rebuilt, when you hit that starter and it fires up its such a good feeling.
I work with a chap who is restoring a 1950 something LD150, when he tells me the costs it makes my stomach turn, thinking paint jobs have cost me more than his whole restoration!
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ivangt6
Part of things
Posts: 776
Club RR Member Number: 132
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Last Edit: May 4, 2016 20:51:02 GMT by ivangt6
1979 Mini 1000 1972 Triumph GT6 2007 VW Golf GTi 1979 VW T25 Leisuredrive 1988 Range Rover Vogue SE
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If you want to learn and build confidence in your mechanical abilities, 1. Pick a car that floats your boat. In projects there will be challenges, so it has to be a model that interests you enough to envisage the end result, that you really crave to drive when it's done; 2. Pick an example that doesn't require a load of someone else's input. For example, don't pick one that needs a load of welding done if you're not looking to learn about welding.
Good luck.
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May 10, 2016 14:44:43 GMT
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It's nice that you're interested in learning how to maintain / restore a car.
I think the key thing is to pick up a car which is reasonably sound, it doesn't matter if it's scruffy but if it's a rotbox that needs £Thousands in welding & panels then you're off to a poor start.
Without knowing what era you're looking at:-
Classics benefit from cheap classic insurance, (you usually have to own an 'everyday' car so that the classic isn't your main or only transport). Pre-72 classics are exempt from road tax.
People have already suggested Morris 1000's - good car. Minis, (of the right age), are pricey. Austin / Morris 1100 / 1300. Austin Allegro
VW Polo / Golf.
Rover P6 (2000, 2200).
Ford Cortina / Granada / Sierra / Fiesta.
Beetles are simple but hold their price. Citroen CV2 is also a very basic simple car but getting rare.
I love the original Fiat 500 as a concept but Fiat production quality was always pretty dire with terminal structural corrosion being one of the main issues.
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BiAS
Club Retro Rides Member
Insert witty comment here
Posts: 2,230
Club RR Member Number: 147
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May 10, 2016 15:35:33 GMT
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My 2ps worth: As everyone has said, get something you want to drive at the end of it Teach yourself to weld (something about giving people either food or fishing tackle) Get something small enough to fit comfortably in the space you have, having to constantly move something to get access soon grows tiring. Small cars also have smaller parts (easier to store secretly in your house while you're doing something that requires their removal and will inevitably take longer than you'd planned). Make sure that there is parts availability for what you choose, no longer available is a phrase that you'll soon tire of hearing. If there's a Haynes Book of Lies/readily available workshop manual for your choice of project it will make your life easier. Teach yourself to weld (yes I've already said that but it opens up all manner of options when considering projects or modification)
For what it's worth I quite like Pandas and have owned a couple in the long distant past. From experience the Mk2 (with the one piece front side windows and the delta beam rear suspension) are better cars, less rusty on the whole and share some elements of running gear with the Cinquecentos and Seicentos.
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(car+wheels)-rideheight=WIN
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May 10, 2016 16:08:15 GMT
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I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the K10 Micra..... One of the easiest cars in the world to work on, most parts still available from Euro, Andrew Page etc, drive fantastic and can be mad to look brilliant.... There's been some real crackers in the readers rides section on here for inspiration..... Polo and Fiesta are good shouts, original Panda's are good fun, but can be tricky to find a good one... There's a late Peugeot 205 diesel on here for £300 at the moment, with a couple of minor faults. Looks tidy, and would be a brilliant little project. Was tempted myself, but due to lack of room for another car, plus the fact I'm thinning out my fleet and parts stash, I've decided to pass on it. Whatever you choose to buy, try and get something with minor faults that you can use to hone your repairing skills, nothing worse than buying something cheap cos it's got a major problem, only to lose the motivation to get it fixed and it sitting around for an age bugging you......
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'96 Volvo 850T5 x2, '97 Alfa 145 Cloverleaf '96 Alfa 155, '91 XR2i 2.0 Zetec (sold), '88 BMW 520i slug (sold), '81 Escort Mk3 Project, '68 Mk1 Escort Estate, Berlingo Parts Chaser.
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May 10, 2016 19:06:29 GMT
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If you buy a Panda, (or any Fiat), you definitely need to learn to weld!
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May 10, 2016 19:09:12 GMT
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If you buy a Panda, (or any Fiat), you definitely need to learn to weld! This ^^^^ applies particularly to Fiat and Ford products of virtually any vintage!!!! Ask me how I know
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'96 Volvo 850T5 x2, '97 Alfa 145 Cloverleaf '96 Alfa 155, '91 XR2i 2.0 Zetec (sold), '88 BMW 520i slug (sold), '81 Escort Mk3 Project, '68 Mk1 Escort Estate, Berlingo Parts Chaser.
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