Jim Warren <jimwarren (AT) OMITblueyonder (DOT) co.uk> wrote

is:

Worth getting:
Triumph Herald/Vitesse - decent cars with good spares support
Hillman Imp - unloved by many, but I have owned two and I got on with them
OK.


OK if virtually rust free:
Austin A40 - Mechanical spares OK but body parts difficult
Vauxhall Viva - but the HB rather than the HA. Ideally SL90
Morris Oxford - also consider Magnette and 4/72


Worth considering, and not on my original list:
Cortina - I had a MkI and hated it, but MKIII might be OK
Mini Estate/Countryman - I didn't include a mini because they are a bit
small (especially the boot). Hadn't considered the variants though, and
they might suit. Also 1100 if virtually rust free.
Morris Minor - I drove one once, and found at least one of the
pedals/seat/steering wheel distances uncomfortable for me however I adjusted
the seat. Could stand it for short journeys though. There have been a
couple stolen round my way, so would need a top quality anti-theft gizmo.


Don't touch:
Standard Vanguard/Ensign
Singer Gazelle/Hillman SuperMinx


Interesting suggestion, but no thanks:
MGBGT - not enough room in the back
Land Rover/Range Rover - Could be fun, but I was really looking for
something smaller - for car parks with smaller spaces. There is also an
active anti-4x4 environmental gestapo around here and it might get keyed.

I had heard of a cheap Vanguard, but have come to the conclusion I won't
bother going to look at it. But there are enough ideas for ones worth
owning to keep me quiet for a bit. Thanks all.

Jim

Why don't pensioners like you do us all a favour and just get the bus, in
this way the roads won't be clogged up with
wankers like you driving at 24MPH everywhere?...Just a thought, hope this
helps.

Jim Warren wrote:
Since I didn't see it anyones' replies I am left curious about whether
there is any interest in the Triumph Dolomite and Sprint. I remember
being very excited about the Sprint as a schoolboy at its launch in
1970(?) but have seen or heard much since.

(Of course a quick google reveals an owners club, so they must still be
about)

Peter



--
www.amey.org.uk

In news:5aimprF2pasl8U1 (AT) mid (DOT) individual.net,
Peter Amey <pnanews (AT) amey (DOT) org.uk> wittered on forthwith;
I quite like the ol' Dolloposhite Sprint.

--
Pete M - Using the Scouse Side of the Force -
Golf GTi Mk2 2.0 8v
Wood and Pickett Range Rover V8 Turbo
Golf GTi Mk1 (For Sale)
OMF#9

Currently listening to The White Stripes

Well, I've been musing too.

Although my driving instructor had a Herald, my dad had a Standard Ensign in
which I passed my test. Not the asthmatic 1600 ( or more like 1670cc? Jim)
but the "proper" 2138 cc one. It went like stink in a straight line, but
handled like a Morris Marina!

The Herald based cars are basic, also are a little twitchy, rust like hell,
but are easy to fix. After spending several hundred pounds, my son sold his
1200 saloon( his first ever car) after 5 years of ownership, four years ago.
I think it has now been scrapped. He's now on his second Spitfire!

I've sadly also owned 5 Imps ( including a Sport and a Husky). They will
still have clutch, water pump, throttle cable and occasional head gasket
failures. Great to drive in their time, but sadly unreliable.

I now own a Dolly 1850 Auto. Bought it on eBay 3 months ago for less than a
grand and took part in a Classic Rally last weekend. Finished 3rd in class
( crap navigator) and I love it. Time to put it away however, and get out
the Stag for the Summer. (Anyone want to buy my TR7? See the next topic).

One garage owner in these parts drove one Morris Oxford after another. They
all rusted too. Latterly, he had a Volvo 144. I used to have an Amazon. Now,
this was too heavy for my wife to drive at the time, so my brother in law
acquired it. It's in bits somewhere, but you can buy good ones and they are
reliable. One of these would be my first choice!

At the end of the day, you buy what your dad did, knowing what'll go wrong.
Otherwise, go for safety and purchase something a little more modern, like a
Golf Mk1 GTi or an early Porker ( 944s are cheap) or a Mk 1 Escort. You can
use one of these every day and it will be great fun?

Ken

1981 TR7 2 litre DHC
1976 Dolomite 1850 Auto
1974 Stag Auto
2006 Rover 75 CDTi Auto
2003 Mini Cooper Auto
2004 Hotpoint Fridge

In article <vOidnQ0jv_G7j9jbRVnyvgA (AT) bt (DOT) com>,
Ken Forrest <ken.forrest (AT) btinternet (DOT) com> wrote:
The 'beauty' of the smaller engine was the economy. It had the same
gearing as the Vanguard - and won the Mobile economy run on several
occasions. The later larger engined version was simply a stripped out
Vanguard. An anti-roll bar helped the handling enormously. Still dreadful,
though.

--
*A snooze button is a poor substitute for no alarm clock at all *

Dave Plowman dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.