Returning to the fold after... 30 years!
Discussion
Hi all,
Let me ramble a moment. I'm in my later 50's now, but when I was a younger man I had a 76 Camaro (6 pot) around 1983, and 1969 Mach 1 390 around 1984, and finally in 1988 I went to Florida and brought home a 84 Trans am with T tops.
Then sometime in the early 90's I got sensible, drove European cars and got on with a normal life. Meet the wife, bought a house had kids etc.
Got back into bikes, had a couple of Harley's, ran a Porsche 944, then a classic Audi cab, and now a 1998 Mercedes SL as a classic car alongside my daily drivers.
Now I'm thinking of getting back into a classic American car. Just waiting on a house move which I've told my wife must include a double garage to store such a classic (merc lives on the drive under a car cover in the winter, but its only a £10K car, and galvanized so not so precious)
Anyway.... I think my muscle car days are past me and I gravitate towards mid size cruizin' convertibles from the mid 60's period. Id have a budget of around £20K to £25K. Also I'd like something a little left of field, a Buick, Pontiac or Oldsmobile rather than Chevy or Ford. Saw a lovely mid sixties Parisianne convertible at an auction a while back, that would suit me perfectly.
Firstly can a decent car be bought for that price, I don't want a project, but I'm happy doing the day to day maintenance, and where would you put your money if it was you ?
Cheers
P.S. And yes I want another Harley to go with my Triumph Scrambler and Ducati Multistrada !
Let me ramble a moment. I'm in my later 50's now, but when I was a younger man I had a 76 Camaro (6 pot) around 1983, and 1969 Mach 1 390 around 1984, and finally in 1988 I went to Florida and brought home a 84 Trans am with T tops.
Then sometime in the early 90's I got sensible, drove European cars and got on with a normal life. Meet the wife, bought a house had kids etc.
Got back into bikes, had a couple of Harley's, ran a Porsche 944, then a classic Audi cab, and now a 1998 Mercedes SL as a classic car alongside my daily drivers.
Now I'm thinking of getting back into a classic American car. Just waiting on a house move which I've told my wife must include a double garage to store such a classic (merc lives on the drive under a car cover in the winter, but its only a £10K car, and galvanized so not so precious)
Anyway.... I think my muscle car days are past me and I gravitate towards mid size cruizin' convertibles from the mid 60's period. Id have a budget of around £20K to £25K. Also I'd like something a little left of field, a Buick, Pontiac or Oldsmobile rather than Chevy or Ford. Saw a lovely mid sixties Parisianne convertible at an auction a while back, that would suit me perfectly.
Firstly can a decent car be bought for that price, I don't want a project, but I'm happy doing the day to day maintenance, and where would you put your money if it was you ?
Cheers
P.S. And yes I want another Harley to go with my Triumph Scrambler and Ducati Multistrada !
Here's a couple of ebay ones - flab cars more than muscle cars, and maybe a little larger than mid sized:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295597464419?hash=item4...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204280041792?hash=item2...
Car and classic is worth a look too.
https://www.carandclassic.com/cat/17/
Welcome back - I returned after 32 years - it's a sickness we must learn to live with...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295597464419?hash=item4...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204280041792?hash=item2...
Car and classic is worth a look too.
https://www.carandclassic.com/cat/17/
Welcome back - I returned after 32 years - it's a sickness we must learn to live with...
Something like that Skylark would suit. As close to original as possible, small block V8, power steering and hopefully power brakes. A/C would be a bonus !
I just don't want to (or rather cant !) pay the premium for rare "top of range" models with matching numbers, big block engines and small production volume that the collectors chase after.
Prefer an everyday car that's in very good condition, but not so precious. Want to be able to drive and park anywhere and not get frustrated if it picks up a scratch along the way.
I'll keep an eye on the add's and hopefully go see some cars over the summer. I go to the Historic's auction regularly, but I'm a not a confident auction buyer. I think they sometimes fetch silly prices.
I just don't want to (or rather cant !) pay the premium for rare "top of range" models with matching numbers, big block engines and small production volume that the collectors chase after.
Prefer an everyday car that's in very good condition, but not so precious. Want to be able to drive and park anywhere and not get frustrated if it picks up a scratch along the way.
I'll keep an eye on the add's and hopefully go see some cars over the summer. I go to the Historic's auction regularly, but I'm a not a confident auction buyer. I think they sometimes fetch silly prices.
Late 60's Skylark coupe can be a nice 'left field' choice (if you can find one) - same basic body as intermediate sized Chevelle without all the Chevy faff and expense hopefully. People seem to overlook the larger engine options 'lifted' straight out of the larger sedans. Olds F85/Cutlass has some nice small engine options (excluding Rover used size)
pcn1 said:
Anyway.... I think my muscle car days are past me and I gravitate towards mid size cruizin' convertibles from the mid 60's period. Id have a budget of around £20K to £25K. Also I'd like something a little left of field, a Buick, Pontiac or Oldsmobile rather than Chevy or Ford.
The only issue with going 'left field' means rarer, and less parts availability than a Ford or Chevy.Picking up service items for a 1960's Olds/Poncho/Buick in UK is not going to be as easy as something powered by a SBC.
You'd want to make sure the motor on a 60's Olds, Buick or Poncho is in fine fettle, as an engine build on one will be a lot more than a Ford, Chevy or even a Mopar from same era.
Rag tops don't have the big price premium over here that they do in the USA, other than Caddy's, so you might find something in your budget.
Good luck in your search.
aeropilot said:
The only issue with going 'left field' means rarer, and less parts availability than a Ford or Chevy.
Picking up service items for a 1960's Olds/Poncho/Buick in UK is not going to be as easy as something powered by a SBC.
You'd want to make sure the motor on a 60's Olds, Buick or Poncho is in fine fettle, as an engine build on one will be a lot more than a Ford, Chevy or even a Mopar from same era.
Rag tops don't have the big price premium over here that they do in the USA, other than Caddy's, so you might find something in your budget.
Good luck in your search.
Agree that parts availability over here is much worse.Picking up service items for a 1960's Olds/Poncho/Buick in UK is not going to be as easy as something powered by a SBC.
You'd want to make sure the motor on a 60's Olds, Buick or Poncho is in fine fettle, as an engine build on one will be a lot more than a Ford, Chevy or even a Mopar from same era.
Rag tops don't have the big price premium over here that they do in the USA, other than Caddy's, so you might find something in your budget.
Good luck in your search.
But, everything I need comes from Rock Auto, OPGI, Old Buick Parts etc. sure, shipping is a bit more, but I always tend to bulk buy some consumables at the same time so I have some stock. I'd ordered from Rock Auto on Saturday and had it on my doorstep Monday. Likely won't cost much more parts wise than ordering SBC parts from UK once the stores have added the american tax, and UK convenience fees....
For reference for your search, my 67 Riviera was about £22k all in to purchase, ship, register. Shipping might be a little cheaper now, as I shipped during the covid times when container freight costs were going up, and if you can get it on a Ro-Ro on the east cost you'll pay pennies in comparison.
Sometimes its hard getting parts for a 25 year old European car, so I'm not expecting parts for a 60's American car to be easy.
But the big thing between my last ownership experience which ended 1990, and today's is the internet. Today you can be a detective and track down the items you need.
Like I said in my first post, gotta get this house move sorted first and have the garage to keep it in ! Mean while just look at a few cars and see what my money can buy me.
But the big thing between my last ownership experience which ended 1990, and today's is the internet. Today you can be a detective and track down the items you need.
Like I said in my first post, gotta get this house move sorted first and have the garage to keep it in ! Mean while just look at a few cars and see what my money can buy me.
pcn1 said:
Sometimes its hard getting parts for a 25 year old European car, so I'm not expecting parts for a 60's American car to be easy.
But the big thing between my last ownership experience which ended 1990, and today's is the internet. Today you can be a detective and track down the items you need.
Like I said in my first post, gotta get this house move sorted first and have the garage to keep it in ! Mean while just look at a few cars and see what my money can buy me.
Prices are definitely falling, But the big thing between my last ownership experience which ended 1990, and today's is the internet. Today you can be a detective and track down the items you need.
Like I said in my first post, gotta get this house move sorted first and have the garage to keep it in ! Mean while just look at a few cars and see what my money can buy me.
General lack of money at the lower end means less buyers
And dropped values,
So waiting forced or otherwise is a good idea!
Loads of abject pooh currently available is another sign it’s sliding , chancers wanting to get out as quick as possible,
As for importing a dollar is king so your money won’t go as far, and there’s a huge number ready cars in the US
And a huge number of turds!!
Beware,
20k will soon buy a ok usable car,
And Rock Autos will supply 85% of what you need at sensible money,
Body parts are a completely different animal
Most are absolutely crap and cost a fortune to send
AMD are pretty much the only place worth doing business with!!
You will need a Big garage!!!
newsatten said:
And Rock Autos will supply 85% of what you need at sensible money,
Body parts are a completely different animal
Historically I would use Eklers for my Vette bits and pieces (when exchange rate was resonable) - haven't used them for a long while.....but seemingly like so many other suppliers more lately they seemed to get some unfavourable remarks from American users. I've used Summit Racing for lot of stuff (up and to Covid) - they were good for all performance items and surpringly some specific earlier Vette items. And yes, Rock Auto are really quite good and very competitively priced......but, like Summit you'll try and buy a shed load of bits in one hit........but can get caught out if the items are split over several warehouses and you'll get stung for carriage from each warehouse. Unfortunately Rock doesn't offer 'performance' brands and items which limits things for me. Some of our UK based specialists can often surprise you in what is actually stocked in the UK......Customville (local to me) often have some really rare items on the shelf. Body parts are a completely different animal
roscobbc said:
Historically I would use Eklers for my Vette bits and pieces (when exchange rate was resonable) - haven't used them for a long while.....but seemingly like so many other suppliers more lately they seemed to get some unfavourable remarks from American users. I've used Summit Racing for lot of stuff (up and to Covid) - they were good for all performance items and surpringly some specific earlier Vette items. And yes, Rock Auto are really quite good and very competitively priced......but, like Summit you'll try and buy a shed load of bits in one hit........but can get caught out if the items are split over several warehouses and you'll get stung for carriage from each warehouse. Unfortunately Rock doesn't offer 'performance' brands and items which limits things for me. Some of our UK based specialists can often surprise you in what is actually stocked in the UK......Customville (local to me) often have some really rare items on the shelf.
Yes agree, it’s annoying when you get a call and have to pay import duties before they will deliver!Academic for me now, so no bother
I recall making a seriously big mistake some 10/12 years ago buying a repro all aluminium DeWitt's radiator in an attempt to keep the then new 'stroker big block cool in my Vette. Even then it cost me £450 all-in to buy and have shipped over. Stupidly once 'landed' in the UK to save time (or so I thought) I opted to collect from one of the 'sheds' adjacent to Heathrow.........bad move. It cost me an extra £50 to do that, didn't save any time and would have delivered the same or next day as part of the £450 paid!
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