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British 4 door cars

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I did warn you that I'm a heathen /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Just so long as he doesn't get a Morris Marina or an Austin Princess.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The Herald might work if the kids are small - I had a convertible about 15 years ago, the only two good things I can say about it are that it has a great turning circle and I sold it for a profit. It accelerated like a Morris Minor, but the brakes were worse (I had them at the same time and we used to "race" them against one another /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif). The guy on this forum from LI that has one as his avatar has my greatest respect if it's not a Vitesse and he ever ventures out on the LIE in it. Of course it's only a 2 door so it violates the first requirement...

[/ QUOTE ]Hmmm, sounds like me. Yes, I do have a Herald generally capable of daily driving (albeit down for a clutch replacement at the moment). But if you're referring to my "East Nassau" address, that's in upstate New York near Albany, not on the island.

I've been on the LIE and prefer to avoid it in ANY vehicle. :smile:But my Herald, totally stock down to front drum brakes, can capably and comfortably cruise the Interstates @60-65mph, and has done so on any number of occasions, including my 2550-mile round trip to Minnesota; pretty much all of that trip was on the Interstate highway system.

Like any other British saloon of that size class, it is a bit limited in rear seat passenger room, although my sedan is much better there than are Herald convertibles. But it's still a two-door, so....
 
Sorry - I thought you were on LI - my bad.

You still get points for 87 S of Albany though. I have bad memories of commuting through rush hour traffic in London in the convertible. Made the VW Beetle and the 105E both look like good options at the time.
 
All of the suggestions are great. Don't forget an Austin FX4 Taxi or Hire car... four doors, lots of room, the front seats are a loooong way fron the back, in diesel form not to bad on fuel, certainly eye catching! T.T.
 
A "classic" for family use that should not be overlooked would be the old Morris Minor Estate wagon (Woodie)!
 
I knew of a Triumph 2000 FREE for the taking.
Needs restoration.Not perfect - but not horrible
either.I don't know if it's still there.
If anyone's interested,I can check on it.
 
I just bought a 53 Standard Vanguard, RHD, should be fun!
 
I'll put in another vote for a Cortina. I have a '68 4 door. Its pretty roomy. It has beaten every MG and Every Triumph in every Portland ABFM slalom Im have ever entered it in, and there have been more than a few. It finishes high among the minis as well. I would post the results from last time I rn it if I could post a pdf file.

Its reliable as an anvil. My dad drove it to Anchorage from Fresno. It has dual side drafts on it, and dynoed at 135hp (at the crank) It has run 16.8 at 80 in the quarter mile. The trunk is very large.

It gets about 25 mpg when I keep my foot out of the carbs, it will go down to 20 if I don't. Thats actually not much different from stock.

I like the way it looks, too. I think its in the "reader's rides" section of this forum.
 
I agree - but it could also have something to
do with the fact that I own a MKII & MKIII!
Are you going to make it to the Vintage Races
at Laguna Seca in October?
 
OK - I am going to jump right in here. I am a brand new member, and I am a woman. I have purchased (will be here in a couple of days) a Morris Oxford, 1952, "MO". It is a 4 door, bench seat, comfy, can get 3 kids in the back and a couple in front! And you can put the groceries in the trunk. Now, they are pretty rare in the US, but I would consider a Morris Minor - maybe she would like the convertible! I think they're pretty cool, and my car should get 30-35 mpg. Good luck!
 
Hi Sayles...

The Oxford MO is fairly common here in Canada, but I have heard of very few of them down in the States.

According to a book I have (Standard Catalog of Imported Cars), the Oxford MO was sold in the States but I hardly ever recall hearing of any down there.

You might want to network with the British Saloon Car Club of Canada - https://www.geocities.com/motorcity/7967, I know there a fair number of owners of them in the club.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I agree - but it could also have something to
do with the fact that I own a MKII & MKIII!
Are you going to make it to the Vintage Races
at Laguna Seca in October?

[/ QUOTE ]

I hope to, Doug. I just lost my job so theres an excellent possibility.

I don't know if I would drive the MK I up from So Cal, or the MK II down from Oregon.

Are you making it?

Did you buy a new Anglia?
 
I'm planning on being there.It'd be nice if someone
made up some T-shirts.They're honoring Bob Winkleman
this year (FF builder & English Ford guru from the 60's).
I've had my Anglia for a few years.It's "under - restoration",which means that I haven't done a thing to it
in a while.
 
Quote:
I just bought a 53 Standard Vanguard, RHD, should be fun!

Awesome! Can we hear more about it and maybe see a picture or two? I'll assume it's a late Phase IA.

More details, please!

Actually, it is an early Phase II. It is currently in transit cross country, but as soon as it gets here therre will be plenty of pics.
 
gsalt57tr3...

So what's the story on this Vanguard.

LHD or RHD? I don't think they sold Vanguard's in the States beyond 1950...

What kind of shape is it in?

There are a few Phase II's here in Canada, where the Vanguard was sold right up to the end of production, 1962/63, you should check into the British Saloon Car Club if you get the chance... And there is one more Vanguard in California that I know of, someone owns a Vanguard Sportsman in the Los Angeles area.
 
Here is the story on the Vanguard:

It was in St Louis MO, I had a guy from the St Louis Triumph club check it out. It is a RHD, purchased in England and brought to the States. There are 2 archive boxes of records that go with the car. Most recently, The original owner died and the daughter had it in storage for 11 years.

According the the guy I bought it from, she had taken it out of storage and entered it a show where it got second place. On the way home it broke down (they drove it both ways) and they had to rebuild the engine because there was 11 year old feul in it (We'll see what the records say). The guy I bought it from (an Alderman from the St Louis area) was in a traffic accident 2 years ago and is slowly selling off his cars because he can no longer drive. I am having it shipped to California now.

The VIN is V212098E, which puts it midway between Jan and May of 1953. The closer to March 14 it is the happier I will be because that way we will have both come off the assembly line at about the same time.

Again, it is RHD, 3 speed tranny with overdrive. It even has all the original tools. The only thing that seems to be missing is the left front bumper overrider, so if anyone has a spare rolling around, let me know.
 
Here is a Vanguard Phase II I saw back in 2001 in Ontario (LHD, for Canadian export), for the price the guy wanted I wouldn't be surprised if it's still there... https://www.flickr.com/photos/sherlock77/1529054/

And I believe another member of the British Saloon Car Club in Ontario owns one.

Hope you enjoy the car, in my opinion it has the most awkward styling of any of the Vanguard's made. But I also know that they are supposed to be very durable cars.
 
Sherlock-

Do you recall how much he wanted for the one in the photo?

Mine is in much better shape.
 
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