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New guy with a tough question -- Can anyone give

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Joe_Quinn

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me suggestions for a classic British car (preferably a convertable sports car, but Ok if it has to be a coupe) that would hold four people -- two adults and two young daughters (8 and 10)?
This will be my first Classic car and it doesn't have to be completley restored. I know this is almost impossible, but I have to believe that there has to be another car manufactuter (other then Austin Heally) that produced a realitively inexpensive 2+2.

My prioce range is modest (up to 10,000 but woul like $5,000 to start.)

I would really like to stay with a British Classic, however, if you have any suggestions on other makes and models from different countries (eg. Fiat 1200, etc) I would appreciate that as well. It's been a very frustrating search for the right car for me and my family!

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Joe
 
Joe, first let me say Welcome to BCF! The BEST site on the internet! :laugh:

As for a car suggestion - it's not a convertable but it makes a fun family car - classic Mini Traveller. That's how we got ours - had to hold 5 of us, be able to carry my massage table, get good gas mileage and be reasonably priced. I got it for $4K. Might a Mini work for you? Watch BringATrailer.com and "Other Makes" on eBay Motors Collector Car section. Also, the "regulars" here are always finding interesting cars, they may be able to spin something your way! :smile:
 
Welcome, Joe...how about an older Jaguar XJS from the '80's?
 
Easy one, Joe - Triumph Stag! Couple of them on ebay now, and they are still undervalued.

And welcome to the Forum! Keep us posted on your quest...
 
A couple of British cars that would be pretty rare in the USA would be Bristol (407, 408, 409, 410 from the early 1960s through the early 1970s) Similarly, some of the Jensen models from the era- the 541, CV8 and Interceptor should meet your needs for four person transport. None of these were exported to the USA in any number except the Interceptors and those suffered very badly from rust. Gilbern too might be considered, but they're rare and even less likely to have traveled so far.

The one car that most plainly fits your specification and may be readily available in the USA is the Ford Capri... but that's hardly going to seem very "British" since it was imported in fairly larg-ish numbers at the time it was made.
 
Your's is a tough question.

The big Healeys and some Morgans come to mind, but they can cost the earth these days.

Some TR-3s and TR-4s "technically" have a tiny occassional back seat, but I would not recommend them for anything bigger than a small dog (and don't get me wrong...I love these TRs. But not for 4 people).

Or a Triumph Herald soft top might suit you.

Personally, I'd start looking at sedans (saloons) or a coupe'.

The first thing that comes to mind is a classic Mini. And there are plenty of variations such of Riley Minis, a Wolsley Mini, a Mini Clubman, etc. Note that the "new", non-classic versions built by BMW are often called "MINIS" (all caps).

Other Brit saloons such as the Cortina or Anglia could be good choices. Nice, simple, durable cars (and the later Anglias are the "Harry Potter" cars, so that would be a big hit with your kids).

Or an MG Magnette.

I am a big fan of post war Austin saloons. I just bought an Austin A-35 (like the van in Wallace and Gromit.....again, your kids may know it). But these may be too old and slow for your puposes. The Austin A40 is a bit bigger and nicer for road use, but again, quite slow.
There seems to be plenty of London taxis for sale right now if you want to go that route.

Oh, and Welcome!
 
How about a 1969 or 1970 Rover 3500S high compression 3.5 litre Rover V8 with automatic, AC, power steering, leather seats, power windows, 4 wheel disc brakes......a nice ride and still at an average price between 2K and 5K and the same goes for the 1980 Rover SD1. Both are real roomy and a nice long distance cruiser.
 
Hi Joe,

"Welcome" to the wonderful world of "LBCs" (Little British Cars) on the "BCF".

I just may have what your looking for?? Mine is/will be an "Austin America" circa 1971.

They are a 2 door Sedan. This one is an Automatic. Comfortably seats 4 people.

What are you looking for; A "Project" or a "Driver"? I have to guess with the $5 - $10K figure; You`ll looking for something to get in and go right now. Correct?

Check out this site to view a car. www.austinamericausa.com:

Best Wishes,

Russ
 
Russ....I believe the only places that originally got the 2-door Sports Sedan were North America and South Africa.....everywhere else only got the 4-door.....think I read that somewhere.
 
Thanks JamesW. given they are rare, can I assume that spare parts are also going to be difficult to acquire in the states?

BTW, I completely agree with your assesment of the Ford-Capri - great car, but way too Fordish.

Also, sorry for the reply position -- I can;t figure out how to reply to someone's responce so it appears just under it.
Joe
 
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts (and welcomes). I now have a number of hopefuls to research.

Again, I'm sorry for the placement of this reply (at the bottom). I can’t seem to figure out how to respond to individual replies so that it shows up just under your response. Any advice on that front would be very much appreciated.
Thanks again for a myriad of ideas.
Joe
 
Joe, don't worry about the placement of the response, that's the way it works, last post is at the bottom. Given your constraints and price range I might venture another possibility, how about an MG Magnette? You should be able to find a nice example in your price range and they're nice little cars for the family as well as carrying the MG nametag. A lot of the running gear parts are interchangable with the MGA so are available from the usual sources.
 
MG1100...great car for 2 adults & a couple of kids...real sporty little sedan.
 
Joe_Quinn said:
Thanks JamesW. given they are rare, can I assume that spare parts are also going to be difficult to acquire in the states?
Click to expand...

These use American (Chrysler) engines so those bits should be fairly easy to obtain.

I think that a lot of the other mechanical stuff was sourced from major suppliers to the large British manufacturers so that too shouldn't be too hard. Wher it does get tricky are the trim, sheet metal, glass and other bits specific to the cars. SOmetimes the oddest things are the worst to find- like the glovebox knob on a Big Healey- kind of inconsequential but unavailable as a reproduction and no one thought to keep them when the cars were being broken up for parts so they're rare as hen's teeth.

So it really depends on what problems a car has.

If you find a car that interests you I've found the best thing is to join the owner's club, read as much as you can and then talk to the members about the cars- and maybe get a free ride or two....
 
Thanks again James. I've been looking for the "just right" car for some time now. Unfortunately, either my finances or convertable sports car taste gets in the way.

And, yes I agree the car-club is the way to go. Hopefully, I'll find a car that's close enough to meet the close inspection of my two daughters:smile:.

I appreciate your help and will be checking in with this site for additional thoughts. It's a fantastic site!
Joe
 
I would suggest a Triumph Herald or Vitesse. Both 4 passenger, available in convertible or coupe, old, get good or better fuel mileage, fairly good parts availability and are great buys right now. Two sport coupes that would fit the bill are the triumph GT6 and MGB/C GT.
 
What about an MGB-GT? I never really surveyed the rear seat in one but they would seat a couple of youngsters in the back, wouldn't they? And, he would have a car that's desirable to many if he wanted to sell it later.
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Joe,
You may want to find a local club that covers multiple marques. I joined the British Car Club of the Lehigh Valley , and there a lot of different types of cars among the membership. Since Yardley is not too far away, you might want to join us for one of our monthly meetings.
 
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