Discussion
Plenty are tough enough if maintained. In the 60s/70's they were dailys, albeit the motorway network was not as well developed. In those days we would consider a 30mph average over a long journey would be about right
Something like an MGB GT has excellent spares availability, tough running gear and plenty of sensible uprades (electronic ignition etc)
Where they fall down is long motorway hauls. The cars will do it, but not in the same comfort as more modern stuff. Lights, wipers, seats, noise levels have all improved since then.
I've used 60's classics on a daily ish basis it can be fun. If I've a 2-300 mile winter dash to do I will take something more modern. In the 70's I would consider 150 miles as a long journey.
Something like an MGB GT has excellent spares availability, tough running gear and plenty of sensible uprades (electronic ignition etc)
Where they fall down is long motorway hauls. The cars will do it, but not in the same comfort as more modern stuff. Lights, wipers, seats, noise levels have all improved since then.
I've used 60's classics on a daily ish basis it can be fun. If I've a 2-300 mile winter dash to do I will take something more modern. In the 70's I would consider 150 miles as a long journey.
uhmmm, your obviously very new to this
admittedly in the vast minority but there are quite a few owners of classics that drive them two, three or even 7 days a week, perhaps like myself also use them for work, holidays, tours and club events (I've used various classics as dailies for 20+ years)
those that actually use their classics regularly know how to drive them as they were designed to be driven because this frequency of use brings full familiarity of what the car is capable of and with this regular use add regular full servicing and the car goes as good as it could or should go unlike most 'show' and little used cars
btw many cars during the 60s and pre-'73 had reflective plates, '72 cars particularly would have looked old fashioned when new if they had b&w plates on as a brand new car
also note that the cars sat higher than modern fashion with more wheelarch clearance to allow for the softer suspensions and tyres with more sidewall that current fashion
admittedly in the vast minority but there are quite a few owners of classics that drive them two, three or even 7 days a week, perhaps like myself also use them for work, holidays, tours and club events (I've used various classics as dailies for 20+ years)
those that actually use their classics regularly know how to drive them as they were designed to be driven because this frequency of use brings full familiarity of what the car is capable of and with this regular use add regular full servicing and the car goes as good as it could or should go unlike most 'show' and little used cars
btw many cars during the 60s and pre-'73 had reflective plates, '72 cars particularly would have looked old fashioned when new if they had b&w plates on as a brand new car
also note that the cars sat higher than modern fashion with more wheelarch clearance to allow for the softer suspensions and tyres with more sidewall that current fashion
"A mark one three litre Capri makes a very nice daily driver - aside from rust prevention there's not much to do or to go wrong.
Finding one for sensible money is becoming difficult though."
Don't get hung up on the road tax bit, it really does not matter a Jot on the whole scheme of running a classic. Its a nice bonus.
MK1 3 Ltr Capri as a daily ? Panel prices to break the bank, soft suspension etc.
(3 Ltr Capri owner)
Finding one for sensible money is becoming difficult though."
Don't get hung up on the road tax bit, it really does not matter a Jot on the whole scheme of running a classic. Its a nice bonus.
MK1 3 Ltr Capri as a daily ? Panel prices to break the bank, soft suspension etc.
(3 Ltr Capri owner)
bstark said:
For 6 months of the year or so my other half swaps between a '72 MG Midget and a '66 Fiat 500 as her daily driver.
Wouldn't fancy it in winter though...
why, both would be better than many modern with their oversized wheels and tyres and intrusive electronicsWouldn't fancy it in winter though...
both were built to be used over winter - the Midget at least should also have a very good heater and it's in a small cabin, soft top should be waterproof
I've used Spridgets through many winters, don't know about 500s but my wife's first car was a 850 coupe
the biggest problem with most classics is the previous and present owners
if you regularly drive your classic on reasonable length journeys all year round then you'll learn or relearn how to drive a car rather than being a passenger at the controls
I'm certainly not a good driver in a classic or modern but can easily manage winter in my one and only car for the past 6 years, a '73 Midget and managed previously in a '69 Midget and various over classics including a 2.0S Capri
Most of my cars have been classics, which I have used everyday in all weathers, including some pre 73 cars including
1961 rover p4
1969 MG MIdget
1971 Aston (a frequent car, but not an everyday car)
They were everyday cars once, and thy still can be. But they all need regular servicing. Most everyday cars spent one day a weekend with their bonnet up. Youll need to do the same. And put up with u ncomfortable seats, bad heaters, misting up windscreens, unsafe cars (what no seatbelts?? No crash structure?? No padded dashboard?? Hard perspex sunvisors? Slolid metal steering wheel boss, etc etc.
I love them, but be aware of their many shortcomings.
1961 rover p4
1969 MG MIdget
1971 Aston (a frequent car, but not an everyday car)
They were everyday cars once, and thy still can be. But they all need regular servicing. Most everyday cars spent one day a weekend with their bonnet up. Youll need to do the same. And put up with u ncomfortable seats, bad heaters, misting up windscreens, unsafe cars (what no seatbelts?? No crash structure?? No padded dashboard?? Hard perspex sunvisors? Slolid metal steering wheel boss, etc etc.
I love them, but be aware of their many shortcomings.
My 2002 daily driver that I use 24/7 in all weathers. I did a 400 mile jolly to Brecon and back last week, without any issue at all. Will happily cruise at 80 all day long.
I also have a touring.
A cheaper, but equally reliable alternative might be an e21? I'm just putting a 2.8 24v in this one.
I also have a touring.
A cheaper, but equally reliable alternative might be an e21? I'm just putting a 2.8 24v in this one.
Edited by e21Mark on Thursday 26th December 22:12
Nothing wrong with using a classic as a daily... as long as you accept that an older car will require more maintenance and/or tinkering than a modern - you also have to bear in mind that the fuel economy, interior noise and general comfort levels won't be up to modern standards.
It's all worth it though as every journey puts a smile on your face and people seem genuinely pleased to see old cars out and about.
I drive a 1970 Volvo Amazon as a daily and I'd recommend one to anyone who wants a decent usable classic car: reliable, quite nippy, free tax, cheap insurance, excellent de-mister and the heater is awesome.
What's not to like?
It's all worth it though as every journey puts a smile on your face and people seem genuinely pleased to see old cars out and about.
I drive a 1970 Volvo Amazon as a daily and I'd recommend one to anyone who wants a decent usable classic car: reliable, quite nippy, free tax, cheap insurance, excellent de-mister and the heater is awesome.
What's not to like?
t out of it & it took me FOUR YEARS to get it back after a garage stole it due to the insurance company going belly up.
other than normal driver checks once the car is fully sorted by full and proper regular servicing, maintenance and repairs then all days of the week you can be driving the car, there's no need to fiddle about with things for the sake of it or put up with any faults other than perhaps minor ones - which you can also get on many modern cars
bad owners usually lead to bad or unreliable, slow, poor handling, unnecessarily uncomfortable cars but it doesn't have to be that way - true classics are not up to modern standard in some areas and some classics have poorer areas than others but it depends on what you buy and want to use it for and your expectations
bad owners usually lead to bad or unreliable, slow, poor handling, unnecessarily uncomfortable cars but it doesn't have to be that way - true classics are not up to modern standard in some areas and some classics have poorer areas than others but it depends on what you buy and want to use it for and your expectations
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