daily driver dilema...

[akku]

I currently run a 1965 Oldsmobile 98 as my daily. This is a 2 ton 7 litre monster some 19 feet long and near 7 feet wide. And its a bit shabby.

Its a nice drive though, so long as you don't have to park it anywhere small when you get where you're going, and can stand the 11-12 MPG thirst, and its not a really cold morning as it doesn't defrost.

So not ideal.

Compounded by the fact I already own a 1966 Buick LeSabre which is a very similar car, and I've already put a load of work in rebuilding brakes, steering, suspension and a full rebuilt motor for it.

And my wife is getting a little peeved at me taking her Celica loads of the time.

And I'm brassic.

Now I have a Vauxhall Ventora I'm nearing completion of. But thats a 3.3 straight six and is heavy on the steering and the clutch.

So do I put up with the Olds and finish the Ventora, run that and fix up my other projects or should I blow out the Olds, maybe get £1750 for it and drop some cash on something smaller, lighter and cheaper to run.

I have been in contact with a chap who has a 1973 Toyota Carina for sale, but it sounds like it might just be too much work to get it back on the road. But I do love the quirky early 70s Toyotas and Datsuns.

Theres a Hillman Avenger in the local rag for £100 ono spares or repairs and that has to be worth a look I guess... Not so exciting but I have fond memories of one when I was a kid being taken swimming in it and stuff.

And theres a Hunter on eBay with apparently 7000 miles from new... They don't ever seem to make decent money so its bound to be a bargain. And I have a soft spot for them....

Thing is I like fast/powerful luxury cars, not Minis or Imps or whatever, so I'm a bit stuck wanting good economy as well.

Hmmmm decissions? Suggestions?

[Dave Dorson]

lpg, used kit, fit yourself, get someone to certify

[Dave Dorson]

just noticed you are local to me, I have a fitter if you need one, and he can get it signed off for insurance.

[Revolution 9]

Something like this tickle your fancy?
cgi.ebay.co.uk/Volvo-164-Saloon_W0QQitemZ4629996346QQcategoryZ108797QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Alright the Douvrin engine isn't the hottest thing in the world but it's not too bad on fuel and it's reliable and easy to get bits for, and the car's very much retro, tax exempt and bloody comfy as well.

[mattblack]

revolution said:

Douvrin engine

...*COUGH* straight 6 in 164s...

[BenzBoy]

Hmmm, hard choice! I like my gas-guzzlers too - I just don't get on with small cars (my g/f says I "drive like a thug" in them!)
I had been looking for a smaller retro motor to nip around in whilst I'm working on the Benz... so I bought a 2.8 V6 Volvo
That said, I reckon a small, light retro motor with a revvy 100+BHP engine could make a nice change to your usual choice of transport.

[Lewis]

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4628306008

I regularly get 30mpg +

Excellent town and daily driver/m-way cruiser too!

Be fast though ;D

[rustingdeathtrap]

I'm having a similar dilema as the tax on my renault runs out at the end of the month and i cant justify spending any money on it.
I've got the horn at the moment for a nice jag. There going for peanuts on the bay and i really fancy swanning around like some kind of east end ganster.
Probably not much help really but thats where my heads at at the moment ;D

[tonycocacola]

^^^do it^^^
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[akku]

Jags are great. Mate recently picked up an absolute peach for peanuts. Like a ton in fact!

Unfortunately can't afford to fit LPG to the Olds, I'd need to sell it to get the money to buy the LPG stuff...

Volvo's nice, but can't imagine it being that good on fuel round town and £800 with no MOT seems heavy to me.

[Dave Dorson]

alistairk, I've seen LPG kits go for £50 used, can get it fitted cheap for you...

[Paul H]

mattblack said:

revolution said:

Douvrin engine

...*COUGH* straight 6 in 164s...

Fortunately it is indeed a straight 6 - the B30 (essentially 1 1/2 B20s)! It's an early one as well, so pre-Armco^TM bumpers. Looks like it has some nice wheels too! If only I wasn't skint.....

[akku]

cappuccinocruiser said:

alistairk, I've seen LPG kits go for £50 used, can get it fitted cheap for you...

Hmmm.... sounds more interesting.... Tell me more....

Although I know a guy who fitted one to a Buick with a 425 in it and he had quite some issues getting it running. Needed two discharge nozzles or what ever they are called in the end to feed the beast!

[Dave Dorson]

well my mate used to work doing this for a living, I'll chat to him to find out what you need, it'll be cheaper than the usual £800-1500 installation even using all new parts!!!

I'm guessing the car uses a big old carb of some sort?

if its a 4bbl, you may need a special collar for the system, but I'll check with him

Let me know your specs and I'll get back to you..

[spottedlaurel]

Starlet like mine? 5dr ones better value than the 3drs, and the 1.2 models don't drive like a small car. Cheap tax too (very few tax exempt J-cars around, sadly). Styling a bit too sensible though, perhaps?

Much as I like mine it'll probably be moved on soon - it's a brilliant little car and in an ideal world I'd keep it, but there's so many other old crocks I want to experience.

[akku]

CC- its got a Holley 4 barrel carb on it. Its a 7 litre V8. Its a 1965 Oldsmobile 425 big block. Has 10.5:1 CR as well...

[Dave Dorson]

right, should talk to my guy today, you got room in the back for a large tank?

[akku]

The boot is about 6'8" wide by 7' long by about 2' tall...

[bstardchild]

alistairk said:

The boot is about 6'8" wide by 7' long by about 2' tall...

Fark you can sleep two in there ;D

[autohausdolby]

alistairk said:

The boot is about 6'8" wide by 7' long by about 2' tall...

FTW!