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A well-sorted Volvo P1800 would be the ultimate chick-magnet, me thinks.
Not too common, not a rice-cooker, bullet proof mechanicals, oodles of style and still somewhat affordable.
Would blow them there Beemers out of the water!
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[ 04-16-2004: Message edited by: rulle7 ]</p>
 
Catfood,

Some of the British saloons are more readily available than others...

- Unfortunately no Escort Mk 1's were ever sold here (at least of the European kind), I only wish... There are a few private import examples around North America but that's about it.

- Plenty of Cortina's around and good parts supply, I have lots of contact with Cortina owners and with examples for sale all over the continent.

- Rover P6's... they're around, Rovernut here on BCF is the resident expert on them and I believe parts supply wouldn't be too difficult

Any of the British saloons can be cheap to operate. However to restore one over here can be a little tricky as parts supply can be sporadic, but if you find one in decent shape cosmetically the mechanical parts can easily be found in most cases as many of them share parts with sports cars that are much more common over here.

And British saloons do have a strong following over here, our club - British Saloon Car Club of Canada - has over 500 members and is an active club. IMHO, a saloon car makes a great, interesting alternative to a sport car, and some of them can be set up easily as a nice sports saloon with decent performance.
 
I like the Volo P1800 idea. Cool car and fairly uncommon. As far as I'm concerned stay away from a honda, they are only good for blowing up in movies.

Cheers,
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Walter
 
If its a "chick-magnet" he's after, I can't imagine failing with a nice classic mini. The really cool cars attact guys, the cute ones attract girls. The old beetles can be fun in snow as well and always seem to turn girls' heads.

My CJ always attracted girls, but once they rode in it in the rain, even with the rag-top up, they were no longer impressed. Maybe it was all that water sloshing around the floor.
thirsty.gif
 
I would stay away from Beetles before 1970 and the Spitfire for a new driver as both of these have swing axles - go into a corner over your head and slam on the brakes and both will guarantee, at the minimum, the need for a large can of upholstery cleaner.

My first car was a 1970 Beetle, and I still think they are the best of the lot - trailing arm rear suspension, not the hateful Super Beetle and with a slightly larger, more powerful engine (1600cc).

Parts are relatively avialable and fairly cheap (not to mention that the electrical system works and they don't leak oil). The downside is that in Milwaukee, a Beetle is like a mobile, personal ice box. Given that they do not have a continuous supply of corrosion inhibitor emanating from the front of the vehicle (as do most British cars) most of the Beetles north of the Mason Dixon line have departed to Rust Heaven.

For a dry, summer car, a Beetle is easy to fix up, reliable (as opposed to a Fiat - they do not routinely set fire to themselves) and fun.
 
My Votes might also include:

2nd gen rx-7-much better chasis than first gen car

65-68 Ford Mustang v8 hardtop, If you can fine one in reasonable shape for decent money

Triumph TR-7, again if you can find the right car for the right money.

Chris
 
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