getting my hands on a classic car?????

[japgt]

how do i do it???

looked everywhere i can think of for cars for sale, looking for anything that is about to fall to pieces and wants full restoration from chassis up, something along the lines of a hillman imp etc, but not to bothered what it is in all honesty.

autotrader and pistonheads have nothing, ideally looking for a barn find that nobody wants so as cheap as possible to start with, but im aware that barn finds are hard to come by, especially as i dont know any farmers!!!!

anyone got any nuggets of information they wouldnt mind sharing with me on where to find that old classic that nobody wants???

thanks in advance

[williamp]

there are hoards of people searching for long-lost classics on behalf of dealers and auction houses, so you wont be able to stumble on something very interetsing...

..however there are lots of local car clubs around which you might want to contact. Or even Autotraders (the online search is hopeless for classics searching, but the magazines are ok)
You might also want to find local pub and get talking. people know people, and that person "might just sell". But forget farms- yor are more likely to find somehting in somes front garden/garage then a field these days

You could even look at the ads in supermarkets.
Or talk direct to the owners clubs, there is sually a project available somewhere (or the members know of one..)

Good luck- it wont be easy, but it will be great fun

[Doofus]

Seriously?

Look into the market prices for whatever you may be interested in. Considering that in your case that's 'anything', then look into the market prices for whatever you can afford.

Then halve it. Then buy the first car you see at that price. I guarantee it will need rebuilding.

But, TBH, if you're struggling with that, then a restoration might be stretching it...

[Spitfire2]

Owners club website classifieds.

Classic car buyer magazine - like auto trader for classics

Classic car mart - similar

Classic car weekly - weekly paper - lots of ads

EBay

All worth a look.

You would be well advised to research some models you are interested in bedore picking up any old car. Some are way easier to work on/get parts for than others

[Incorrigible]

Budget ??

Type of car ??

I've got a mate with a Chamois project if you like imps, I've got a few Triumphs that are going begging

[japgt]

well thanks for the replys so far, got the feelers out with a few people i know, keep buying classic car papers on a weekly basis just to get an idea on whats about and prices etc, ebay im not a big fan of to be honest but do keep having a gander now and again.

to be honest, im looking for something relatively easy to start with, something that you can get parts for without issue, heart is set on a hillman imp, but would settle for an old mgb, mini or triumph as these seem pretty easy to get parts for, plentiful about, and places advertising with parts both original and aftermarket. to be honest it is something to stick in the other garage and have some fun with, i have a young son who is car mad, and thought it might be nice to get something cheap and cheerful, that i could get him involved in along the way ( and prob end up finishing myself !!! ) just a bit of father and son time and something that we can both be proud of at the end with some luck.

what triumphs do you have going begging?? sounds interesting

[varsas]

I wouldn't 'settle' for something you don't really want. Especially with what you are doing, it's going to be a real struggle and it needs to be something you really want to keep you going.

Join the local hillman club, they should be able to sort you out with a good car. Lots of cars get sold through clubs without ever going to open market, especially in the kind of condition you want. The local professional hillman mechanic probably has a couple?

If you are just doing it for the love of restoring I'd go for an old Land Rover. Easy to find cheap in a poor state, but very easy to work on. Only gearboxes/transfer boxes and fuel pumps on diesels are expensive.

[//j17]

eBay is probably your best bet for this sort of thing.

Just from a quick browse...
Triumph Herald - £200/6 days to go/0 bids - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-HERALD-1200-GREE...

Reliant Scimitar - £102/8 days to go/4 bids - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1978-RELIANT-SCIMITAR-GT...

Sunbeam Talbot 90 - £50/8 days to go/8 bids - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1950s-sunbeam-talbot-90-...

[varsas]

Scimitar is a good shout. Separate chassis (I assume), ford running gear and very cheap. Only damage to the glassfibre body would have me worried. They should do one on Wheeler Dealers.

[sim16v]

You might not like it, but Ebay is a brilliant place to find the cars you want.

If i had the time/money'/space I could find at least 10 cars per day that I would be pleased to buy!

Gumtree is also pretty good, but it's difficult to narrow your searches down.

[japgt]

cheers fellas, i'll keep my eyes peeled on the various sites mentioned including ebay

[djt100]

I think you are looking at it the wrong way, How old is your Son, Get something he may want to drive when he's old enough and get get a nice cheap classic car policy. So go classic, but maybe 80's classic rather than something 60's/ / 70's that already sought after. Get a ratty(ish) but basically sound car to start with and you're be more likely to actually finish it. then you can both have some joy out of looking after it using it, and when the time comes your son will want it.

[Simes205]

Go buy, read and digest a copy of Practical Classics.

[y2johnny]

Top Marques incorporating Classic Marques?? Nice triumph Spitfire with light restoration work already started on it for just £1400

[onomatopoeia]

japgt said:

to be honest, im looking for something relatively easy to start with, something that you can get parts for without issue, heart is set on a hillman imp,

Can't believe I missed this. Register on The Imp club forum, http://forum.theimpclub.co.uk , even as a non-member of the club you can see the classified adverts and people do sell un-MOTed cars needing work. Pretty much all parts are available, including many remanufactured panels and repair sections if you're handy with a welder, and if you want it to go / stop / handle better there is still a thriving competiton element with upgrades possible in all areas of the car.

Mine :