I'm thinking about what my next car will be and, since having seen one of THESE am really tempted to get one.

It won't be until later this year, or maybe even early next year, but I was wondering what you guys think, and if you have any suggestions for something similar.

I know that Mrs. V keeps changing her mind from "it's really nice" to "it's horrible and fugly" with no middle ground, but I'll deal with that once I've bought it!

Thanks in advance for any helpful opinions or suggestions.

Personally, I think you'd be better off with your money in something much less ugly.
The wheels are too small on it. Much too small. They need to be at least 20" wired wheels.
What's your budget, if it's not a cheeky question?

You would look cool beyond belief, people would look at you as you drove past, not in the way they do when they think "Damned chavvy drum 'n bass" but in a "Oh my god look at that guy, he must be the don" way.

Pros:

- Cool
- Low insurance
- Suave
- Roofless
- Awesome

Cons:
- High maintenance
- Low MPG
- At a guess; no power steering, ABS, TCS, ESP
- Roof could get annoying in Britain's rainy climate
- Possibly a little too awesome

While I do like your ambition of getting a classic car, the only really true classic car for me would be an E Type Jaguar.

Mark

Guys, it's not a classic car. It's a modern motor, trying to look old.
It really depends on how it's been executed.
I'm not anti replicas at all, but to my eyes, it's a poor attempt to look classic, and it's not quite working.
YMMV, of course.

Hmm, XK120 I think.

John, what are you thinking? I don't like it at all.

Didn’t you do a site for a kit car outfit once?

Gad, that was decades ago. They were called Merlin, and were available as kits as well as finished cars. They were based on Ford mechanicals, if I recall.

That'd put Alex off right there.

Mark

Just found the Merlin owners' club site.

http://www.merlinoc.org.uk/index.htm

Sadly, they still try to link to the old site I had hosted on my Demon account. It's not there any more, and neither is the new one. I think the proprietor couldn't find funding for the production.

Merlin... not the prettiest cars either.

This is true. There seems to be a trend among these sorts of makers to hark back to Morgan designs of the 1930s, and they never quite pull it off.

Sorry John, this isn't the most positive thread really is it?
If I was to be looking at the 'recreation' type of car market, then I'd be putting money down on a Dax or a Sumo. Strong resale values, and a hoot to drive.

No it's not, which in my mind is a good thing. The last thing I need is a bunch of people agreeing with me just because they think it's what I want to hear.



I'll have a look at them, and if anyone else has any suggestions they area all welcome.

By the way, Prof - Don't know what the budget is and will look at each car on a case by case basis.

Mark - E type Jag? Yes, but I don't think I'd be able to afford it, (I will have a check though)

This is true. The problem is, these are officially modern cars, and as such are subject to modern car regulations on safety etc - this means, try as they might, they can't get that same look or feel. It's a compromise.

How much do these cars go for? The price list is a little vague: http://www.beaufordcars.co.uk/price_list.htm If the money's right, it might be worth considering getting a proper old car and throwing some cash at it to get it fixed up properly. I know someone that got an old Triumph 2000 fixed up for about £6,000 - classic motoring with modern reliability. Not quite what you're looking for, but you get the idea.