Somebody Else needs a car

[Hosakawa Tito]

Rather conveniently, I live and work in the same place, so it'll mostly be used for getting around for social things. Though I'm no mechanic, I learn quickly, and there are plenty of people around in my profession who fix things for a living.

Unfortunately, I haven't the foggiest as to how much is reasonable to spend on this sort of thing.

The beauty of the cars from that era was their simplicity compared to the complex computer controlled ones today. Access to parts, tools, a work area, and a little help from mechanically inclined friends should do you nicely. I'm not too familiar with the Triumph or Austin Healey, but back in my teens a highschool chum used to drive an MG Midget Convertible, 1970 model I think. It was a fun car to drive, probably sipped petrol, not that we were concerned with that during the muscle car 70's.

Are these cars you're looking at still being driven or are they stored? I'd talk to some motorheads that are familiar with them and check on parts availibilty, especially things like carburetors, clutches, starters, distributors etc... stuff that wears out and can't be machined if unavailable. Prices will be dictated by how difficult it is to get parts. If it sounds like a deal that is too good to be true, it might be because a crucial part is unavailable and the guy is trying to unload his toy. Take your time and educate yourself a bit first.

My Dad was quite a motorhead and could fix just about anything. We rebuilt everything from lawn mowers to cars & trucks, carburetors, starters, etc... and what we couldn't rebuild he had a machinist friend manufacture for us. Those were the good old days.

Enjoy your new hobby!

[Reverend Joe]

Well, personally I would advise against getting an older car, although my experience is mainly US-based. If Toyota produces a diesel version of the Corrola, though (am I correct in thinking that diesel is the main fuel of choice in Europe? Heard that once...) I would really reccoment a new or recent Corrola, as at the moment they are one of the best cars being produced at the moment, with fantastic gas mileage to boot (I generally get 35+ mpg in the city in mine), and they have excellent company service records. Of course, if you are a real auto freak, age and maintinence shouldn't matter too much.

My Dad was quite a motorhead and could fix just about anything.

Your dad was a speed freak? Well, I guess it was fine, as long as there were no catalytic converters around at the time.