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What to buy, the Triumph take?

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noKYtour

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Hi all,

I posted this in the welcome forum and Mickey suggested i try in the specific brand forums. I also asked it in the MG forum yesterday and have gotten some good replies in there. That being said I wanted to take a minute to say hello. I joined up because I'm thinking about getting a convertible to drive and tinker on and am trying to sort out what is best for me. As of now I think I am most interested in the MGB, Triumph Spitfire, and have also looked at a Fiat Spider 124 (obviously not British). I'm not exactly sure how to make go about making the decision so I thought I'd poke around here and see what I can find. Also, I want to make sure whatever I buy isn't a big pile of junk that gets me in way over my head. Regardless, I wanted to say hello and look forward to learning a lot more in the near future. Thank you for whatever thoughts and advice you might have.

Here's the link to the MG side of the discussion if you're interested in seeing what their take is. https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/u..._try#Post844505
 
noKYtour said:
...I joined up because I'm thinking about getting a convertible to drive and tinker on and am trying to sort out what is best for me. As of now I think I am most interested in the MGB, Triumph Spitfire, and have also looked at a Fiat Spider 124 (obviously not British). I'm not exactly sure how to make go about making the decision so I thought I'd poke around here and see what I can find....Here's the link to the MG side of the discussion if you're interested in seeing what their take is. https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/u..._try#Post844505
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Looks to me as if you've already gotten great advice. I can't really add much except to reiterate that you'll want to talk to folks who own the cars. You'll want to drive anything that intrigues you and perhaps get an opinion of that particular car from someone who owns a similar one as well as what it's like to live with that particular model for whatever length of time. You'll also want to reconcile yourself to the fact that if you like the basic philosophy but would rather have something more modern and carefree (in terms of maintenance, comfort, safety, all that good stuff), it's a Mazda Miata or similar "newer" car that you probably should be looking for. :driving:
 
Hi,

Having owned many British sports cars in the past 40 years, I can honestly say that the best of them all is a TR-3B. It may be pricey, but it is worth the expenditure.

Paul
 
All three you mention are excellent choices (if they are good examples) and can be had for reasonable money.

MGB -- I like the earlier chrome bumper models for more power, classic interior and better look.

Fiat 124/2000 -- Drove a 71 124 for many years as my daily driver, replaced it with an 81 2000 and drove that many more years. Unlike the MGBs, in this case I think the later cars are better. When they added the Bosch fuel injection to that DOHC engine they really perfected a great design. One drawback here (for me anyway) is that I really like club activities and there aren't so many of those for the Fiat drivers.

Spitfire -- IMO, this is THE under-appreciated and under-valued of the three mentioned. Here I like the look of the early examples -- not enough experience with the engines to comment on which year is best.

Whichever you go with my advice would be to get the very best one you can find. Even fabulous examples of these cars are still affordable and you certainly can't restore one for what a well-restored or nice original/survivor will sell for.
 
The big Triumphs. Plain and simple. I own a repair facility and because I'm the local British car guy, I get to work on all the older British stuff around here. I will also, occasionally sell cars off the lot and I can tell you I can't keep the big Triumphs around for very long and usually get stuck with Spitfires and MGBs for ever. Just too many of them. The MGs are tighter, but the TRs are stronger, faster, and built to driven.
 
I'll get blasted but leave the Midgets, Spitfires and TR7's alone. Not a good first LBC. You have a chance of at least getting your money back with most of the others.

Marv
 
Ok, you will definitely have to excuse my ignorance here but what are the bigger LBCs? Please don't tear me up too much!
 
What ever you buy if it's 30 to 40 years old, you are going to have to make more repairs and do more maintenance than you may expect after the purchase.
Figure a thousand to fifteen hunderd dollars the first year, a little less per year thereafter if you're lucky and don't drive it much. These cars are hobbys. Just like golf or fishing, you got to pay to play.
Go into this hobby with your eyes wide open and you'll enjoy the ride.
 
Andrew Mace said:
"Little": Triumph Spitfire, Austin-Healey Sprite, MG Midget
"Bigger/Medium": TR2-8, MGB, Austin-Healey 100/4, 100/6, 3000
"BIG": Most anything Jaguar, Aston-Martin and a few others
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Thanks for sorting those out. I'll likely be out of the big category simply because of price.
 
Join a club, or two, and talk to the members. Go for a ride or better yet, a drive. Learn what to look for when buying the cars.
Buy what you like.
 
I don't disagree about the small medium big list, but your own size and shape enters into it too. A TR4-6 has pretty good leg and head room but is narrow, The Healey is wider, but the 100/4 at least is a little short on headroom with the top up (though not that big an issue for most as these are now fair weather cars). The MGB is decently roomy all around, but I had a slightly short and roundish guy (not hugely big by any means) drive my old MGB and he said he just didn't fit. To be blunt some people have an issue with belly/steering wheel clearance.

You might want to try them on for size before you buy. If you have been driving trucks and SUVS your whole life any of these cars will feel tiny. If you have had some smaller cars maybe not so much.

Also, although you already said it is not in your range, Jag E-type is a slightly bigger car, but no bigger in the cockpit than an MGB or TR, the big six takes up a bit of the extra space.

Oh yes, a bit of a diferent animal, but if you find the cars a bit small the TR7 is bigger in the cockpit, but much less vintage in feel. Since you mentioned a Fiat 124 you might also look at an Alfa Spyder, lots of them still around.

I have had MGs Triumphs and Austin Healeys, and driven the other cars mentioned here. Pick the one that strikes your fancy, either from the driving experience or looks or both, if you were in the market for practical you'd be looking at used Tauruses and Corollas and Subarus and such.
 
Thanks glemon. I'm average height and "American weight" if that makes sense. I'm working on going to see a Spitfire this weekend now and hope to see an MGB this weekend too. I'll definitely keep the fit factor in mind.
 
glemon said:
I have had MGs Triumphs and Austin Healeys, and driven the other cars mentioned here. Pick the one that strikes your fancy, either from the driving experience or looks or both, if you were in the market for practical you'd be looking at used Tauruses and Corollas and Subarus and such.
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And yes, this car is definitely for fun, not practicality.
 
If you are avarage height and weight (I think I am in that ballpark too, 6'0" 205) Fit shouldn't be too bad in either one. Have fun and report back, if you are thinking Spitfire or MGB there are still a good number around, so pick a good one. Report back here with your findings, you'll get plenty more advice.
 
Geo Hahn said:
Whichever you go with my advice would be to get the very best one you can find. Even fabulous examples of these cars are still affordable and you certainly can't restore one for what a well-restored or nice original/survivor will sell for.
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Geo hit it right here -- I made this mistake when I bought my first LBC (A TR4). Rusty with a tired engine. Had I waited even 6 months more to save a bit more money I would have been able to afford a car in much better condition. Wound up selling that TR4 for a loss as it was just way more work than I wanted to put in or could afford.
 
Well, now that you've been bombarded with input...

Drive 'em all; one of 'em will speak to you.
 
noKYtour said:
...I'm thinking about getting a convertible to drive and tinker on and am trying to sort out what is best for me.
Click to expand...

I know I'm going to get lambasted here, but why not consider a Miata. An LBC that you only have to "tinker" on will most likely have to be a restored vehicle, or an original that is in very good shape. Either way, it won't be cheap, whereas a couple of thou can get you a nice, drivable Miata.

I own both a TR3 and a Miata, and all the tinkering I do on the Miata is only to upgrade stuff and normal maintenance. The TR3 took me four years and $16k worth of "tinkering" to get it into shape.

Whatever you decide on, as mentioned above, get the best that you can afford. If it is an LBC, I'm partial to TR's...the "big" Triumphs.
 
Go to a British car show and ask for some rides in people's cars. Most car guys will be flattered to give you a ride, some will even let you drive.
 
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