What classic to resore?

garhelen

Due to me not doing much overtime at work at the moment I'm getting bored in t he evenings so I've decided to try and start resoring a classic
Trouble is, I dopn't have a huge amopunt of money to buy a classic I want so have ye any suggestions of cars you can get relatively cheap?
Not really concerned what type of car it is as its not too have something to do in the evenings

lomb

u know it wont be economically viable to restore something dont u? best buy something cheap and simple to begin with if u insist ie some old MG.

mike65

I'd go for something like a classic Austin Mini which is small, cheap and mechanicaly simple while parts are easy to come by. Just make sure its not shot through with body rot.

http://austinmini.howard81.co.uk/
http://www.vancouverminiclub.ca/adamsprogress.html
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/alan.gledhill/index.htm

From buy and sell - Austin Mini '92.Red, ideal for parts or restoration, 53k mls, needs some minor works, #500. Contact: buffini77@yahoo.com,087-6380026.

Minis (2).For parts or restoration, #700 ono, Macroom area. Contact: 086-3837535.

Mike,

garhelen

lomb wrote:

u know it wont be economically viable to restore something dont u? best buy something cheap and simple to begin with if u insist ie some old MG.

I know it isn't the most economical but it's something to keep me occupied in the evenings. Want something cheap all right Can't afford something in one big lump sum at the moment

Alfasudcrazy

I would go for a beetle - parts are easy enough to get and you should be able to sell it quickly afterwards if you get bored with it.
I have to say though that you saying you are not too particular about what car it is gives a worrying indication that you are not particurlarly interested in cars - a must for tackling any restoration job as its the passion that gives you the determination to go on.
Perhaps you should consider other options to occupy your time - night classes or something. Restoring a classic is something I (a complete car nut) would be very cautious about - far better IMO to buy a restored car and just keep tipping away with it - a lot cheaper and more fun

garhelen

Alfasudcrazy wrote:

I would go for a beetle - parts are easy enough to get and you should be able to sell it quickly afterwards if you get bored with it.
I have to say though that you saying you are not too particular about what car it is gives a worrying indication that you are not particurlarly interested in cars - a must for tackling any restoration job as its the passion that gives you the determination to go on.
Perhaps you should consider other options to occupy your time - night classes or something. Restoring a classic is something I (a complete car nut) would be very cautious about - far better IMO to buy a restored car and just keep tipping away with it - a lot cheaper and more fun

I am interested in cars, love messing with them Been messing around with them since I was young Just don't know what car I want to restore Beetle is popular But I have one of them already And am just waiting for a few bits left to finish it the a friends getting for me
Plus anything I do restore won't be sold, unless i would need money badly why spend hours fixiong it for someone else to enjoy. I'd give it to the father or someone in the family for driving round Sundays or something like that

Con9903

well I've always had a thing for MK1 golfs. Or get another beetle and turn it into beach buggy. however MK1 and MK2 escorts are turning a bit of profit, might consider looking that way.

camarobill

iv had a m2 escort up to last year,u wount go wrong with one of them id like the m1 golf more so as it would make a great daily driver

garhelen

I've been looking for a Mk1 Golf Gti for a while already Have had a bit of a problem finding one that hasn't been restored already Still I supoose I'll just keep looking

Silvera

My first choice would be a Beetle, but you already have one.

Next up, for simplicity, ease of restoration, parts availability...Morris Minor/1000.
While the MM might initially seem a bit 'fuddy duddy' it does have a certain charm about it - and a well restored one is a joy to behold !

I have restored/worked on a few MM's over the years, and they are great little cars.

After that -
Opel Manta
Mini (very cramped to work on tho!)
Ford Cortina
etc etc

.........or you could pick up an old 1980's car, as they are becoming rarer by the day !

ds20prefecture

garhelen wrote:

I've been looking for a Mk1 Golf Gti for a while already Have had a bit of a problem finding one that hasn't been restored already Still I supoose I'll just keep looking

How about a Citroën DS, or a 2CV? Or a Rover P6?

Whats handy about them is you can disassemble the entire car, body and all with a metric socket set and a phillips screwdriver. These cars all have unitary construction, where the body panels are not load bearing. Parts are readily available for all (although not quite as handy as a mini or beetle). They also mechanically simple and a great drive when they are right.

If you do restore either of the Citroëns to a good state, they're worth a few bob. Not that you'll ever recoup the entire cost of restoration, but that doesn't sound like what you're into anyway.

PS: I'll admit to bias: I have a '72 DS.

camarobill

garhelen wrote:

I've been looking for a Mk1 Golf Gti for a while already Have had a bit of a problem finding one that hasn't been restored already Still I supoose I'll just keep looking

theres one just on the market now www.vage.ie,cars for sale section its not a gti but looks good

Merrion

It's worth taking a look at the early LandRovers. No bodywork issues (its aluminum) but plenty of mechanicals and good fun cars to work on...

JohnBoy

the whole body isn't aluminium, the bulkhead is steel and I've put probably close on two man weeks into my bulkhead at this stage, on only one panel and it still needs another few hours to finish painting, my chasssis took probably a similar amount of time with the welder and heavy tools to get right.

the landy is like giant meccano, the mehcanicals are dead simple in it, the only issue is you need space cos the vehicle itself is quite big as are all it's sub assemblies, they're bloody heavy too

oh, and aluminium does corrode too, just alloy rust is white not brown.

but if you're up for the challenge and handy with a mig and grinder then it's a whole load of fun



went to post pics and nearly died when i saw what this thing used to look like

this is it half ways through the bulkhead

and a while later

and some more

And this is how it looked yesterday (yes it is hanging upside down)

some other pics
http://www.johnlanigan.com/images/lcat2/side_chopped.jpg

http://www.johnlanigan.com/images/lcat3/chassis150304.jpg

http://www.johnlanigan.com/images/lcat3/engine_out4.jpg