everyday classic?

[pennrolls]

Hi
I've been toying with the idea of running a classic car (70's or later) everyday. I'd love a series 2 jag, stacked headlight mercedes saloon, triumph stag, Volvo p1800 or Rover p5 coupe (all different I know!)
My drive is only 5 miles each way, so just 10 miles a day, with a longer run at weekends, and it would be parked outside at night, but under cover by day. I realise that this is just a short run, so thought an engine block heater could help to warm the car prior to my morning journey. I would aim to mitigate rust by taking it to somewhere like 'before'n'after' and washing the underside as best I can with a hose every weekend if driven through salt.
My query is, am I nuts?

[mossco]

not nuts at all! i have been running various 70's classics for years as my everyday car my porsche 928 does 50 miles a day and has done for the last year. i personally would go german, but that's simply due to me finding them more reliable everyday especially in the winter.

[pennrolls]

Thanks for the vote of approval. Do you think my rust mitigation strategy is a good 'un and also, will the engine block heater offset the issue of not doing big daily mileages (and therfore not gettign all the fluids etc nice and hot). I was always told to go for a 10mile min run in my old smokers, but they're weekend fun-things and not daily hacks.

[vixen1700]

Used my '67 Volvo 1800S everyday for years. Round the M25 and back each day throughout the year and it never missed a beat.

Servicing at an indie Volvo garage and in all that time it only ever needed an exhaust.

I'd love another to be honest.

[pennrolls]

did you leave it outside, or garaged Vixen? Did the body work suffer from driving it through the road salt?
Thanks

[moosetvr]

Used my Triumph 2.5PI as my everyday car for a couple of years doing 12,000 miles a year. Great experience and made driving fun again. Good car and cruises lovely at motorway speeds and was very reliable as I look after her well.
Keep up with the maintenance ( be over zealous if you can ), buy a good quality breathable car cover for storage overnight, and enjoy !!
Unfortunately doing 40,000 miles a year now and back in a boring modern oil burner.

[vixen1700]

Left out on the drive, as you can see.

They're made for winter. No rust at all on that car, built like a tank.

[Furyblade_Lee]

I'd have no problem using my '72 Scimitar every day for a short commute if I had to. It won't rust thats for sure!

[Whatty]

In the early 90's I ran a '72 BMW 2002 as a daily for a couple of years, reliable with reasonable fuel consumption and elegant looks.



Stupidly PX'd for a Renault

Where are you now LYE 227K ???

[AndrewW-G]

For the cost of most of the cars on your list your almost at the cost of a high mile early Spirit Lpg tank in the boot and almost the perfect daily cruiser

[Skyedriver]

Whatty said:

In the early 90's I ran a '72 BMW 2002 as a daily for a couple of years, reliable with reasonable fuel consumption and elegant looks.



Stupidly PX'd for a Renault

Where are you now LYE 227K ???

Me too 02 tii, which after a long time lost is back as a road rally car in the Berwick area it seems
But that was then and this is now.......

Edited by Skyedriver on Wednesday 30th September 22:20

[pennrolls]

I thought about a Spirit, but using a Crewe product everyday would probably take away the feeling of them being 'special'.

[richw_82]

Hi,

I've just started running a Series 1 XJ6 as my everyday car. Before that I was running a Series 3 XJ6 every day. I like using them, as it makes my drive to work more pleasant. I don't see why I should sit in some soulles modern car just because 95% of the rest of the country does.

Regards,

Ric

[TheD]

Triumph Stag/2500/dolomite. Saab 99/900

[pennrolls]

Thanks Ric
I'm hoping that an engine block heater will help me (although I don't know anyone who'se ever used one) and also the rust proofing will work too.

[braddo]

Go for it! I used my Alfa as my only car for a few years (didn't need to commute though) in London and it was parked on the street under a breathable cover.

I don't think you need to bother about a block heater - just always drive it gently during the week (since it won't get fully warm) and then take it for a decent drive on the weekends.

From my experience you definitely want to get a car with no rust, because daily use will accelerate any existing rust. Get a rust-free one though, get it protected properly, then keep it clean and you will you have a car that will last the daily drive very well.

Stacked headlight Merc gets my vote, by the way.

[A911DOM]

Many moons ago I used to use my 1968 Herald 13/60 conv for daily use, ungaraged and she never let me down.

The only problems were the throttle pedal occasional becoming disconnected (normally at a roundabout with a queue of traffic behind me ) and the heater wasnt up to much in the winter (dont try folding a crispy hood!!!)

Not exactly the sort of car you're looking at, but these oldies seem to be able to cope, providing you get a decent example to start with.

[//j17]

Practical: Yes. I've not owned a car built after 1974 for the last 15+ years and did over 15k in my Triumph 2.5PI last winter with no major issues.

Rust: Get it Waxoyled or similar every year and try give it a good wash every week (the extending attachments for watering hanging baskets make it a lot easier to hose down the underside).

If you see rust start to bubble through, fix it - don't leave it...which is advice I should really take myself

[vixen1700]

The thing with a P1800 now is, they're nowhere near as cheap as they used to be, so finding a good one could be harder and far more expensive.

[pennrolls]

I agree, they've really shot up in the past 3 years or so.