A what classic car, but with a bit of a difference

[6fire]

I'm currently restoring a GT6 Spitfire hybrid, but actually it might not suit my needs.

The wife and I used to get out and about on the bike all the time, and when I stopped biking I decided that a classic car would keep me entertained.

Now that my wife has just given birth to our first child, I think I could do with something that'll take the two of us, two kids (looking into the future a bit) and a small dog. I'm after a convertible. Budget of up to 10k ish. I'm fond of 1960's and 70's styling, much less so of 1980's 'style'.

Triumph stag is the obvious choice, but they don't really float my boat. Any other suggestions?

[longshot]

Sunbeam Alpine has a back seat of sorts or a Tiger ofcourse.
Reliant Scimitar

[niagra]

How about Jag XJ-S convertible?

[CraigVmax]

Merc SL?

[vixen1700]

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...

A little over budget, but how about a Karmann Ghia Convertible?

[saladin]

longshot said:

Reliant Scimitar

^This^



Not that I am biased

[tog]

How about something American? There's plenty of big four seaters to choose from, and some are surprisingly cheap. And given how big modern cars have become, many Yanks are not even as relatively huge as they once were.

How about this Dodge Polara? 8k complete with 7.2 litre V8



http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C229563

[Marquis Rex]

tog said:

How about something American? There's plenty of big four seaters to choose from, and some are surprisingly cheap. And given how big modern cars have become, many Yanks are not even as relatively huge as they once were.

How about this Dodge Polara? 8k complete with 7.2 litre V8



http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C229563

I have the Challenger sister to that car, which, if anything is smaller.

I used to use it daily.
I would get around 120 miles out of a tank. That's about 8 mpg (UK) even on long distance cruises

[anonymous-user]

Elan Plus Two cabriolet (converted by bodyshops in the 80s)? One for sale in Amsterdam (RHD car) on for 10K at present. Haggle to discount the air and shuttle/ferry ticket prices? If you don't like it when you see it, you had a trip to Amsterdam anyway.

As suggested above: Vitesse Mark II convertible? - best one in the world should be under 10K.

One of those little 70s drophead Pugs with four seats?

[tali1]

Marquis Rex said:

tog said:

How about something American? There's plenty of big four seaters to choose from, and some are surprisingly cheap. And given how big modern cars have become, many Yanks are not even as relatively huge as they once were.

How about this Dodge Polara? 8k complete with 7.2 litre V8



http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C229563

I have the Challenger sister to that car, which, if anything is smaller.

I used to use it daily.
I would get around 120 miles out of a tank. That's about 8 mpg (UK) even on long distance cruises

At least your mpg is brutally realistic -i'm getting fed up of people with V8s of all types getting 30mpg on a run - a Corvette 7.2 owner even claimed 34 mpg.

[anonymous-user]

Maximum, ever, ever, on my Interceptor II, is 16 mpg on a long and gentle run. 14 mpg prob more usual on the motorway. 6 to 8 mpg in town. 12 mpg if I hoof it out of town.

[Pat H]

Breadvan73 said:

Elan Plus Two cabriolet

Nooooo.....

I think that Christopher Neils were responsible for most of these acts of vandalism.

It was probably forgiveable when they weren't worth anything, but the thought of chopping up a +2 makes me wince.

I think that Lotus did an Eclat Riviera with a big glass roof.

Might be worth a look if the OP can compromise a little on the roof arrangements.

They are for nothing at the moment.

[anonymous-user]

I agree - but if one has already been done by some chop house in the 80s, and is not too floppy, maybe give it a go?

There was a yellow Eclat Riviera on the net for about 5K recently - looked OK ish.

Edited by Breadvan73 on Thursday 15th March 21:29

[anonymous-user]

10K for a Merc SL would not get a very good one, I think, but I am not sure.

What do people think of full length Webasto sunroofs? You see them sometimes on Plus Twos and other four seaters.

[vaguelyfamiliar]

How about a MK1 escort

MK1 Cabrio on ebay

[Steffan]

The Vitesse suggestion has to be worthwhile.

Not a bad car but get the last rear suspension mods which reduced the dreaded tuck in of the transverse rear suspension and fit a heavy roll bar to hold it down further.

Porsche 944 worth a look. Great cars with pretty solid galvanised floor and bits. 944 cabriolet quite outstanding car.

Sunbeam Tiger appeals to me as would a Triumph Stag or an MGC

So many cars, so little time to play. Have fun looking!

[anonymous-user]

To nail that rear suspension, stick some heavy shopping or a large corpse* in the boot of the Vitesse as well. Job jobbed.

• Hey, the dog's got to eat.

[Marquis Rex]

tali1 said:

Marquis Rex said:

tog said:

How about something American? There's plenty of big four seaters to choose from, and some are surprisingly cheap. And given how big modern cars have become, many Yanks are not even as relatively huge as they once were.

How about this Dodge Polara? 8k complete with 7.2 litre V8



http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C229563

I have the Challenger sister to that car, which, if anything is smaller.

I used to use it daily.
I would get around 120 miles out of a tank. That's about 8 mpg (UK) even on long distance cruises

At least your mpg is brutally realistic -i'm getting fed up of people with V8s of all types getting 30mpg on a run - a Corvette 7.2 owner even claimed 34 mpg.

I don't know of a 7.2 litre Vette .

I can believe the modern Gen-6 7 litre Vette getting around 30 may be a little more mpg on a run.
It's far far more modern than my antiquated Mopar. My mopars problem is agressive cam and badly set up carb and ignition. My old Porsche 928 5 litre V8 used to get 28 mpg on a run. The Vette, like the 928 is fuel injected, but much much taller geared, the engine has lower friction and the overall vehicle is lighter and more aerodynamic.

In town figures are something different however!

[tog]

Marquis Rex said:

I have the Challenger sister to that car, which, if anything is smaller.

I used to use it daily.
I would get around 120 miles out of a tank. That's about 8 mpg (UK) even on long distance cruises

Well he didn't ask for economy, just something that would keep him entertained, and a 440 might just do that

However that was just posted as an example of the sort of things that's out there really. I'm sure there must be some with smaller engines that might break into double figures for the mpg, or is that wishful thinking!

[NHK244V]

Crayford something or other ?
You'd get a Mk3 cortina for under that or a Mk2 for around that ?