Pre-1980 Reliable, Useable, Practical, Fun, Cool, Cheap Car

[philw696]

Anything pre 1980 is going to be a world of pain in February

Have you had an insurance quote for commuting yet , I insure a 97 MX5 fully comp for £98 but it's limited mileage SD&P only

What's happening in February Darren ?

 

[Wack61]

Cold and damp

I remember driving in 1979 , 50/50 whether it would start or whether you'd be looking at the bus stop hoping you'd make it to work

 

[Wanderer]

I remember winter mornings in bed, outside my Dad starting his Ford Sierra for work. The starter getting ever more weary until all there was was the solenoid click we've all experienced in our Maseratis ever not driving them for two days.

Because of my Dad's poor choice of cars and his general driving habits I have a fear of:

1. Flat batteries
2. Running out of petrol (dozens of times with my dad - 'loads left, Stephen!')
3. Conn rods poking out of the side of the engine. Dad didn't believe oil was either 100% necessary or needed changing.

Thing is he was a mechanic in the REME for his National Service! His claim to fame was snapping the only Bedford Ambulance engine piston ring left in Jordan (The country not former model).

 

[MrRMB]

alfa romeo spyder

Drove my '72 Spider to work most days in the last 2 weeks. Lots of compliments. Driving older cars you do realise how things have moved on and how much bigger new cars are. I'm at tyre level on a dual carriageway but keep up.

 

[zagatoes30]

I have been looking for something over here to duck the road tax costs so has to be 30 years old and the same names come up again and again and they are all what were premium brands in the day. Mercedes, BMW, Porsche etc. but you are right these have all moved pricewise and few are still cheap.

Merc Saloons can still be good value especially the less powerful versions and in the day the Irish loved them so there are a few around, an early W123 would fit your pre-1980 slot. Early XJ6s float my boat, before the BL bean counters started cost cutting and the downward spiral of quality that started to come in with the S2 versions. Mrs Z has found an off beat option, a Volvo 760 Estate. the one she has found is a 1988 version 2 owner last from 1992 to 2020 with 80k on the clock. In it's day someone must have ticked every option as it has electric seats (velour not leather), aircon, electric sunroof etc, etc, etc. It does look like it has been lost in time as everything even the interior is in almost perfect condition (as new).

 

[safrane]

Old Volvos do wear well... and look quite cool in a retro way.

 

[Nayf]

I’ve owned two W123s. Lovely old things but I’d say the four pots are best ignored and go straight for the six pot. Might be a little bit more juicy than the four cylinder but it does make the car a whole heap more interesting.
Still fancy a TE for a classic dog wagon… but the coupe is beautiful.

 

[zagatoes30]

I’ve owned two W123s. Lovely old things but I’d say the four pots are best ignored and go straight for the six pot. Might be a little bit more juicy than the four cylinder but it does make the car a whole heap more interesting.
Still fancy a TE for a classic dog wagon… but the coupe is beautiful.

TEs are rising quickly, there was a lovely restored version recently expensive but tempting

 

[Nayf]

TEs are rising quickly, there was a lovely restored version recently expensive but tempting

Yeah, a lot of the TEs were just thrown away/abused/abandoned, which means they’re much rarer than the coupes and saloons. A really nice one is around £20k now, though you can spend a lot more (and it’s not even a 280!).

1985 Mercedes-Benz 230 2.3 TE 5dr Estate Petrol Automatic | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230 2.3 TE 5dr Estate Petrol Automatic at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[philw696]

Don't think you will ever beat a 70's Coupé for Class and Style in my opinion.

 

[zagatoes30]

Yeah, a lot of the TEs were just thrown away/abused/abandoned, which means they’re much rarer than the coupes and saloons. A really nice one is around £20k now, though you can spend a lot more (and it’s not even a 280!).

1985 Mercedes-Benz 230 2.3 TE 5dr Estate Petrol Automatic | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230 2.3 TE 5dr Estate Petrol Automatic at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Thats was the one that was for sale a short while ago but it wasn't that price, pretty sure it started with a 2, off to find the advert

 

[Nayf]

Don't think you will ever beat a 70's Coupé for Class and Style in my opinion.

This was around £25k at The London Classic Car Show. Manual too.

 

[Geo]

Here’s my picnic car, cheap as chips but puts a a smile on my face.

 

[philw696]

A Great little GT in a lovely colour scheme too

 

[PaulCambio]

Here’s my picnic car, cheap as chips but puts a a smile on my face.

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I had an MGB GT many years ago. XTM280L in Harvest Gold. Wouldn't mind another one.

 

[Andyk]

Here’s my picnic car, cheap as chips but puts a a smile on my face.

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That is a pretty little car…

 

[CatmanV2]

Here’s my picnic car, cheap as chips but puts a a smile on my face.

View attachment 87508View attachment 87509

That's pretty!

C

 

[Wanderer]

Still hankering, cheap af and look well looked after.

 

[Wanderer]

Don't think you will ever beat a 70's Coupé for Class and Style in my opinion.

Yorkshire Ripper had one........

 

[philw696]

Yorkshire Ripper had one........

Which one mate I was reminiscing about my old Daimler XJC ?