Most reliable 40+ year old car?

[Acuity30]

If you had to daily an MOT/tax exempt classic car at least 40 years old, what would it be? I can't imagine there are many options which haven't rotted to pieces in all that time unless it's a rare garage queen

[Gary C]

911

Lots of spares and basically solid

[mike9009]

My 1982 VW T25 is pretty reliable. Well, as reliable as the more modern cars I have had.

Parts are still available quite readily and not horrendously expensive. A good load lugger and family transport. Not too rusty in the right places either.

Get the right one and it won't break the bank to purchase either.

[Nick Forest]

Gary C said:

911

Lots of spares and basically solid

+1

[Ambleton]

One of my pals used his e30 as a daily up until very recently. He's just taken it off the road and is turning it into a track special.

Seemed very reliable and in excellent condition, even though it's knocking on the door of 40yo.

[Piersman2]

It's crossed my mind to get something of this vintage to avoid all the shenanigans around tax and MOTs. For me I'd probably go for for as late a Jag series III or XJS or even a Range Rover possibly. The early P38s will just be coming into the 40 year bracket soon and a couple of years time it'll be the XJ40.

But the main buying criteria would be the soundness of the bodywork rather than anything mechanical. Parts for these old british built cars are in plentiful after market supply and relatively cheap... getting a rusty old bucket welded up properly would cost way more than the car in most cases.

So it's that garage queen you mention, pay a little more in the first place and then look after it mechanically.

[daqinggregg]

How about a bit of Americana, 40 years old next year.





1985 C4 Corvette – MANUAL £11,500

[TopTrump]

Vette is lovely but only LHD and that can make the most basic things a massive chore (payage/ tolls/ carparks/ overtaking/ junctions)

Aged well the C4, that looks handsome!

[kambites]

From my experience of running a car of that sort of age, rust is generally more of a concern than mechanical failures.

[Puddenchucker]

Mercedes W123 series?

[A500leroy]

Obvious answer if you can find one is a 1983 Hilux.

[MattsCar]

Merc 190.

Or some sort of boring Toyota that time has forgot about. Carina/Corolla etc.

[ARHarh]

Any car if maintained correctly will be as reliable as any other car, a neglected car will be a pain even if its 3 years old.

If it was me doing it I would choose something with good parts availability. So MG midget or MGB, Morris minor, Mini, Jaguar, Escort or Triumph.

[Dapster]

Puddenchucker said:

Mercedes W123 series?

Pick anything from a list of well looked after 80's Mercs

Edited by Dapster on Sunday 10th November 11:01

[Watcher of the skies]

Something simple and rugged like a Morris Minor or Volvo.
Failing that something like a Toyota.

[Hippea]

Mercedes 190e
Mercedes W123
Volkswagen Golf Mk1 or 2
Volkswagen Polo Mk 2
Nissan Micra K10

[RONV]

58 years old and used for over 30 years on tours to Europe twice a year.

[RSstuff]

A mk11 8v Golf GTi, those things go on forever.

[RONV]

[RONV]