I’m done with vintage cars - not
Discussion
classicaholic said:
I had a 1930's Rolls Royce and I was surprised how little that cost to buy but it sold for even less a few years later - I think the market for vintage cars will get less and less as the engineers who can keep them running all disappear - I struggled to get things done on the roller and they take a lot of looking after, I do fancy another pre war car but my head says no!
I am still waiting for this, as a 36 yo engineer with a passion for older cars.pubrunner said:
My father had a couple of vintage Austin 12/4s, one similar to the car above.
He was friends with Val Biro for over 60 years - whom he met when Val joined the VAR; my dad is (I believe) that last living founder member (member no. 2) of the VAR, which was started up in 1958, at The Bear's Paw pub, near High Legh (Cheshire).
Oh nice, was he at the centenary in Leicester two years ago? He was friends with Val Biro for over 60 years - whom he met when Val joined the VAR; my dad is (I believe) that last living founder member (member no. 2) of the VAR, which was started up in 1958, at The Bear's Paw pub, near High Legh (Cheshire).
Different "Bear's Paw in Cheshire" but I was out with a mate in his 'roller on Friday on the way to Sandbach transport festival.
RDMcG said:
OP : your car looks lovely. It is a shame that we see so few pre-war cars in the road these days. I do not have the mechanical skills to be able to keep one but to see one on the road is just a delight. I wish you lots of great experiences.
Its a very nice car isnt it.On the topic of mechanical skills, I genuinely don't think vintage car takes any more skill than a classic car to run, or even a 20yo 'future classic' and if you go with something with good support such as an Austin 12 (or 16) then there is a good club atmosphere of members helping each other, as well a reasonable number of specialist for niche repairs.
They are really very easy to work on, and the only 'failure to proceed' I have had to date was when I ran the car out of fuel, which I sorted using the jerry can attached to the running board.
dhutch said:
rovermorris999 said:
crankedup5 said:
Recently treated myself to a tidy little Swift 12 ‘M’ open tourer of 1923 vintage. Proper little vintage with right hand gear change, central throttle pedal and rear brakes only. Side valve 1940cc 4 cylinder side valve. So a nice four seater ready for some Summer fun (if NHS mend me properly enough 
)
I will try and get a image up at some point.
An interesting car, I'd love to see some pics and hear more about it. )I will try and get a image up at some point.
Doing a bit of googling I came across this listing, which given the number of Swifts around might be the correct car? I think it sold in 2012 as well, when it was sporting an all cream 'wedding' colour scheme. Looks like a lot of fun and the brown over cream suits it well.
https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/23-1923-swift-...
One of my previous vintage cars was a Bayliss Thomas, I still regret selling that ten years on and although owned a number of similar cars never found the right one, until now
and although I had to pay a dealer premium I still consider it to be a bargain for the fun it offers.crankedup5 said:
Yes that’s the car that has found it’s way into my garage. Took it out for Drive it Day with my pals from the local A7 club and a very enjoyable day was had by all. Driving through the back lanes of Essex & Suffolk and the old girl didn’t miss a beat.
One of my previous vintage cars was a Bayliss Thomas, I still regret selling that ten years on and although owned a number of similar cars never found the right one, until now and although I had to pay a dealer premium I still consider it to be a bargain for the fun it offers.
Oh nice, its a very lovely looking car. The brown of cream suits it too.One of my previous vintage cars was a Bayliss Thomas, I still regret selling that ten years on and although owned a number of similar cars never found the right one, until now
and although I had to pay a dealer premium I still consider it to be a bargain for the fun it offers.Is the gear change a fairly conventional H-pattern, all be it on the right hand side? Rear brakes only like mine?
Given what we paid for a 1924 Austin H12 I would say the detailed price if fair, but it all depends on the time, model, condition etc.
I had a lovely day our Sunday in the Austin 12 with the Wirral classic car club, 20 or so cars, couple of Austin 7s, Morris 8, hard top Lotus Elan, lovely Volvo SE1800, even a 2cv! Cool but dry, with some sun.
dhutch said:
crankedup5 said:
Yes that’s the car that has found it’s way into my garage. Took it out for Drive it Day with my pals from the local A7 club and a very enjoyable day was had by all. Driving through the back lanes of Essex & Suffolk and the old girl didn’t miss a beat.
One of my previous vintage cars was a Bayliss Thomas, I still regret selling that ten years on and although owned a number of similar cars never found the right one, until now and although I had to pay a dealer premium I still consider it to be a bargain for the fun it offers.
Oh nice, its a very lovely looking car. The brown of cream suits it too.One of my previous vintage cars was a Bayliss Thomas, I still regret selling that ten years on and although owned a number of similar cars never found the right one, until now
and although I had to pay a dealer premium I still consider it to be a bargain for the fun it offers.Is the gear change a fairly conventional H-pattern, all be it on the right hand side? Rear brakes only like mine?
Given what we paid for a 1924 Austin H12 I would say the detailed price if fair, but it all depends on the time, model, condition etc.
I had a lovely day our Sunday in the Austin 12 with the Wirral classic car club, 20 or so cars, couple of Austin 7s, Morris 8, hard top Lotus Elan, lovely Volvo SE1800, even a 2cv! Cool but dry, with some sun.
Gear change is conventional ‘H’ pattern (thankfully) Yes rear brakes only working off the handbrake lever next to gear change. Also it has a transmission brake working off the foot brake. Central accelerator pedal of course with clutch on left and brake on right.
Pre war stuff, excluding the very top stuff, is price wise in the doldrums now. Nice time to buy and enjoy to the max!! Not so many of us pre war chaps on the road unfortunately, which means getting out more often
rovermorris999 said:
crankedup5 said:
Not so many of us pre war chaps on the road unfortunately, which means getting out more often
Soon to be one more. I'm actively looking for a Riley saloon, probably a 12/4 of some description. I've already joined the Riley Register.Congratulations on the Austin, it looks to be in great condition.
Could I suggest that when anyone is buying an ‘old’ car, think what you want to accomplish.
Is it to participate and compete in a specific type of event so must be eligible to a set of rules/preferences of a club?
Is it a car to simply enjoy pootling around in for leisure?
For example the VSCC have strict criteria for car eligibility for different events - so it’s worth focussing on what you actually wish to use the car for.
I have both eligible and ineligible vintage cars including two racing cars; but prefer to use them mostly for fun on the road when time permits, leisure driving. Slow being possibly more fun that fast
A local tour has been one of the best events entered with a great mix of entrants so that is the focus recently.
As life is so busy events (and clubs) have to be enjoyable.
Could I suggest that when anyone is buying an ‘old’ car, think what you want to accomplish.
Is it to participate and compete in a specific type of event so must be eligible to a set of rules/preferences of a club?
Is it a car to simply enjoy pootling around in for leisure?
For example the VSCC have strict criteria for car eligibility for different events - so it’s worth focussing on what you actually wish to use the car for.
I have both eligible and ineligible vintage cars including two racing cars; but prefer to use them mostly for fun on the road when time permits, leisure driving. Slow being possibly more fun that fast
A local tour has been one of the best events entered with a great mix of entrants so that is the focus recently.
As life is so busy events (and clubs) have to be enjoyable.
^^^^^^
Superb all round
I noticed a defect on my Swift whilst checking the road wheel nuts. I found a worryingly high number of them showing cracking. Six nuts to each wheel and half of which with cracks appearing.
After much searching I was pointed to a business that could possibly supply replacements, I am currently awaiting their quote for manufacture of a dozen wheel nuts.
They are a deep Acorn BSF 5/16, devilishly difficult to obtain. Such is the fun of vintage car motoring.
Superb all round
I noticed a defect on my Swift whilst checking the road wheel nuts. I found a worryingly high number of them showing cracking. Six nuts to each wheel and half of which with cracks appearing.
After much searching I was pointed to a business that could possibly supply replacements, I am currently awaiting their quote for manufacture of a dozen wheel nuts.
They are a deep Acorn BSF 5/16, devilishly difficult to obtain. Such is the fun of vintage car motoring.
GordonGekko said:
Congratulations on the Austin, it looks to be in great condition.
Could I suggest that when anyone is buying an ‘old’ car, think what you want to accomplish.
Is it to participate and compete in a specific type of event so must be eligible to a set of rules/preferences of a club?
Is it a car to simply enjoy pootling around in for leisure?
For example the VSCC have strict criteria for car eligibility for different events - so it’s worth focussing on what you actually wish to use the car for.
I have both eligible and ineligible vintage cars including two racing cars; but prefer to use them mostly for fun on the road when time permits, leisure driving. Slow being possibly more fun that fast
A local tour has been one of the best events entered with a great mix of entrants so that is the focus recently.
As life is so busy events (and clubs) have to be enjoyable.
Very nice.Could I suggest that when anyone is buying an ‘old’ car, think what you want to accomplish.
Is it to participate and compete in a specific type of event so must be eligible to a set of rules/preferences of a club?
Is it a car to simply enjoy pootling around in for leisure?
For example the VSCC have strict criteria for car eligibility for different events - so it’s worth focussing on what you actually wish to use the car for.
I have both eligible and ineligible vintage cars including two racing cars; but prefer to use them mostly for fun on the road when time permits, leisure driving. Slow being possibly more fun that fast
A local tour has been one of the best events entered with a great mix of entrants so that is the focus recently.
As life is so busy events (and clubs) have to be enjoyable.
For me it’s almost entirely run outs with my club pals (Austin 7) Superb back road runs in lanes and B roads, usually the destination involves a pub lunch. Also I really enjoy attending steam rallies, although these are seemingly becoming less available and further afield sadly.
RichB said:
I had great fun at Brooklands last weekend, I got roped into doing the autotests, my first time and the Lagonda is big old girl to drive in circles around cones, quickly! However, I won a trophy for the over 2 litre pre-war class so well pleased! 
That Lagonda is a glorious looking thing.Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff