New member with diverse taste...

[nimchimpsky82]

Hi all

I thought I'd do the decent thing and say hi. I've only just found this forum, which is surprising given that I've been interested in old and classic cars for several decades, and spend quite a bit of time on the internet -- although less so these days than in the past due to work and parental commitments.

Anyway, am here now -- but unfortunately not yet with any stories to share about interesting cars I own! I drive around in something boring but reliable and, you've guessed it, Japanese. However, after having searched for years, I now finally have a garage at my disposal, so feel confident and comfortable in looking for a classic car. I suppose that one of the reasons for joining this forum is that I'm hoping to find some buying advice, or perhaps even tips regarding particular cars for sale.

My taste, as the title suggests, is a bit all over the place... Price-wise I'd like to spend £5K-10K, and the good thing is that a lot of the things I like fall within this budget. I'm aware of course that the focus of this forum is British cars, but I'll come clean right away and say that I like a fair few cars from other countries as well... My list of main contenders is as follows:

BMW E28 or E12 (possibly E21 or 02)
Citroen CX series 1
Mercedes W123 saloon
Morris Minor convertible
Rover P6
Triumph Herald 1200 convertible (not too crazy about the 13/60)
Triumph Vitesse convertible
Saab 99 (an EMS would be nice; Turbos tend to be too high mileage at this price point)
Volvo 164

I might also consider a Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5/SE6 but especially with the SE5 I'd be concerned about getting two child seats for my sons in there, as I'm very tall myself. This is in fact also a worry with the Herald/Vitesse; less so with the Minor, which seems to be a bit more spacious. I also really like the Lotus Elite (Type 75/83; slightly odd, I know!), but again rear interior space would probably be a problem, and then there's their less than legendary reliability, parts availability and prices... Finally, I like Alfa Romeo Giulias and the bigger 1750/2000 saloons as well, but certainly good Giulias now usually go for rather more than 10K.

I'll leave it at this for now, and productively spend the rest of my late lunch break on some more forum browsing!

 

[NutmegCT]

Welcome to BCF!

That's quite a list of classics; I'd sure be happy with even just one of them. Remember that your 5-10K budget could get you a "rust bucket", a "hopeless case", a driveable but not likely MOT, or a low-end starter classic, etc. But all will need a good deal of work, unless you're one of the very lucky guys who knows someone who knows someone.

Do you do car work yourself? That will save a heap of sterling.

Good to have you with us
Tom M.
PS - I can't help wondering if there's a Noam Chomsky influence in your life.

 

[nimchimpsky82]

Thanks very much @NutmegCT. I can do a bit of work myself, and am keen to learn more. Some of these cars are clearly easier to learn and practice on than others! I'm not sure about the value of classic cars in the US, but in the UK 10,000 pounds will get you pretty decent examples of most of these. If that's not the case in New England, then perhaps you should consider a move to Old England

And yes, you're right in deciphering the reference to Chomsky, although I must confess I am less familiar with his political ideas -- which I know he is generally especially known for -- than with his linguistic theory!

 

[Brooklands]

Welcome to the BCF. I see that Tom already got through to you. He has purchased an interesting group of cars in the years that I have known him. You might wish to drop into some of the various forums for the different marques you have mentioned where the natives who spend their time there may be to give you more substantial leads. Hopefully you will be able to find the right fit, and then you will be able to post photos.

 

[nimchimpsky82]

Thanks very much @Brooklands; have already started that! Incidentally, I've not seen many examples of British classic cars on my trips to the US so was pleasantly surprised to find this forum.