Suggestions for a cool looking restoration?

Shad0r

Hey,

My dad just set up a workshop at his place. He's got tonnes of space and every conceivable tool for mechanical and paint work. I was thinking about buying an old cool looking car and fixing it up so it looks and runs like new(er).

If I was living in the states/Canada I would probably buy something like an old Mustang...But in Ireland I'm not sure what my options are.

In terms of requirements:
Its gota be more than just cool looking in terms of reliability (once its running perfectly)
Its gota look cool, otherwise I'd be better off just buying a newer car
I'm 25 with two years clean record so preferably if I wasnt getting raped by insurance premiums that would also be good.

Anybody have any suggestions?

JohnBoy

so many options, where to begin.

I'm currently doing a 1964 land rover. one of the simplest most basic vehicles you can get. giant meccano is about the most accurate description. and it's still a big undertaking though.

biggest issue with it the size. everything is big and heavy, takes two people to lift an axle for example.

Can you weld? one essential piece of kit is a mig welder and lots of practice. for anything bar a landrover chassis an arc welder isn't gonna cut it. budget at least €500 for a mig, gloves, mask and a gas account. don't bother with little disposable bottles. I have a shed full of them, only wish I didn't get proper gas sooner.

Citroen 2cv is very easy and all parts are still available

Beetle probably comes next, then morris minor, then mini/escort.......

The list starts gettinglong at this stage as things start to even out.

mechanically they're all pretty much the same and fairly simple until you start getting into exotica.

bodywork is where the fun is (when I say fun, really I mean pain)

you need to think more about the type of vehicle you're looking for first.

Ford capri?

basically have a think about it. sports car (mg, triumph, spitfire etc) saloon car (mini, minor, beetle) off roader (land rover, jeep, toyota) and then go from there.

feel free to ask questions and I'll try and be of whatever help I can

BrianD3

I'd say for a first time restoration a vehicle with a separate chassis would probably be easier and more straightforward to work on than a unitary construction. The Land Rover as already suggested is a good example of a vehicle with a robust separate chassis.

If that's not your style, how about a Rover P5B Coupe. It looks really cool (IMO anyway) it's got a 3.5 litre V8, it'd qualify for classic tax and insurance, it's cheap to buy. I don't think it'd be that difficult to restore - the V8 is a relatively simple engine and the bodywork would be no more difficult than any other unitary constructed car. The big thing with these (after bodywork) is to make sure that the interior trim is complete and in reasonable condition because many interior fitments are hard to find plus it would cost you an absolute fortune to restore the leather upolstery if it was in bad nick. Actually this applies to a lot of classic cars with wood/leather interiors.

BrianD3

Interceptor

To start off, you don't mention that your dad has actually given permission to use his workshop, much less cover it in bits of Vauxhall Viva!!!!

The road to ruin is littered with the remains of well-intentioned projects - start with something simple that needs as little work as possible MercW123? early 3-series BMW or 2002i? Buy the UK mag Classic Cars For Sale and leaf through, look at the prices and see what your money gets you - you will find everything from Austin Farinas to Citroen DS's for small(?) money requiring very little work to make them usable. Pick a particular car and find out as much as possible about it, get insurance quotes and find out what living with one on a daily basis is like (I sold my Mini 'cos I couldn't bear to drive it long disances and I have to travel for work). I am currently looking for a Fiat X1/9....

Having stalled very badly on several early projects, I can tell you that not spending enough on the car to start with will cost ten times as much to finish the project.

Good luck - you won't find a more enjoyable hobby and there are lots of clubs and groups who will help along the way. (Pm me if you need Mini advice)

'ceptr

Merrion

Try a Triumph Spitfire or Herald.
Seperate chassis, huge availability of second hand parts, easy mechanicals, small car so easy to man-handle on rollers and the front-opening bonnet gives good access to all the bits.

Gary O Donoghue

Mark1/2 golf. Very easy to get parts and simple to work on. Endless amount of styling.

Shad0r

Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah my dad's cool, he'll be all for it. Not got so much as a clue about welding though...although Dad might, I'll have to ask him. If he doesnt I have a neighbour who does who I'm sure would help out, if it comes to that.

However was thinking more along the lines of finding something with a body thats in good shape, possibly needs a new paint job, and doing up the interior and fixing the motor if there is anything wrong with it.

Whatever the vehicle is (think I'll avoid the Land Rovers though...bit too big), it will need to be able to get me around once its done. Defo dont have the cash for a car and a hobby project...

An old VW Beetle had crossed my mind, because I was thinking that for parts they would be a safe bet, also they look pretty cool when painted up right. An old 3 series Beemer might also be the way to go although I suspect that parts for BMW, even old ones will probably run a few bob?

dahamsta

Old Minis are great, built like bloody Lego they are, and serious fun to drive. I had one as a project ten, fifteen years ago but I let it get away from me. If there was two of ye at it it'd be great fun. Failing that the Golf is a nice idea, those old MK1's and MK2's look lovely these days. I always wanted to do an Anglebox meself, or a Zodiac/Zephyr.

adam

JohnBoy

Shad0r wrote:

Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah my dad's cool, he'll be all for it. Not got so much as a clue about welding though...although Dad might, I'll have to ask him. If he doesnt I have a neighbour who does who I'm sure would help out, if it comes to that.

However was thinking more along the lines of finding something with a body thats in good shape, possibly needs a new paint job, and doing up the interior and fixing the motor if there is anything wrong with it.

Whatever the vehicle is (think I'll avoid the Land Rovers though...bit too big), it will need to be able to get me around once its done. Defo dont have the cash for a car and a hobby project...

An old VW Beetle had crossed my mind, because I was thinking that for parts they would be a safe bet, also they look pretty cool when painted up right. An old 3 series Beemer might also be the way to go although I suspect that parts for BMW, even old ones will probably run a few bob?

you'll have a bit of bother insuring a classic without also having another regular car insured. need only be a banger, but you generally need one.

I'd second the herald/spitfire suggestion for the same reasons as above. separate chassis is the job.

buy a few classic mags and see what you like basically