Pictures of old or rare vehicles

[KemppiFrog]

A very nice Gordon Keeble came into the place where I’m working on the Rangie, I’ve never seen one, or even heard of these before. Sounded as good as it looked when it left! As we’re not allowed to photograph other customer’s cars so here’s a link to the owners club.

http://www.gordonkeeble.org.uk/index.html

Friend of mine had one in the late 60s. I didn't realise they were so rare at the time. When he sold it, said it was too expensive to run. Then bought an ally TVR with a 4.7 Ford V8!

 

[Blobber]

This was at a local show on sunday Ok perhaps not mega old or mega rare but anyone want a MK2 Astra van 1.3L with 81 miles on the clock! was bought new and then locked away, a lovely little thing if you've got 20K under the mattress

 

[dobbslc]

20k ?
For an Astra van!

 

[minimutly]

20k ?
For an Astra van!

Possibly with the detachable rear axles they used to be troubled with..
I was going to work one morning and a Cavalier had turned sharp left into the amusement arcade in Cardigan. Looking closer you could see bothe rear wheels skewed to one side under the car - driver must have thought the aliens were taking him sideways into the asteroid machine!

 

[DennisCA]

I'm interested in finding a Saab, a 99 or 900 likely. Always considered them ugly cars, but I'm coming around particularly on the 99s with the USA front.

Regular Saab 99

USA front:

I think these 80s Saabs are still doable as daily drivers, in summer anyway and in the countryside. Modern cars imo just keep getting worse, not better. Ads in the dashboard, subscription services to run features that should be permanent, locking you into expensive service with dealers. With an old Saab you got a manual how to service the car...

 

[Rannsachair]

I'm interested in finding a Saab, a 99 or 900 likely. Always considered them ugly cars, but I'm coming around particularly on the 99s with the USA front.

Regular Saab 99

USA front:
View attachment 402953

I think these 80s Saabs are still doable as daily drivers, in summer anyway and in the countryside. Modern cars imo just keep getting worse, not better. Ads in the dashboard, subscription services to run features that should be permanent, locking you into expensive service with dealers. With an old Saab you got a manual how to service the car...

I am a big Saab fan, have had most. I particularly like the 99 and 900, a 1984 900 16V turbo S was my alltime favourite car, fast, comfortable, reliable, well made. I sold mine with 185k miles on the clock and never had to touch the engine, gearbox or turbo bar maintenance.

 

[RWD3M]

On the subject of Saabs, anyone else see the 96 that the Bangers and Cash team bought and restored (on last night)? costing them circa £46k! Sold for £21 iirc. Someone got an absolute bargain.

 

[akdaka]

I am a big Saab fan, have had most. I particularly like the 99 and 900, a 1984 900 16V turbo S was my alltime favourite car, fast, comfortable, reliable, well made. I sold mine with 185k miles on the clock and never had to touch the engine, gearbox or turbo bar maintenance.

The same here, the 900 16V turbo S two door was probably the best car I ever had and still miss it now.

 

[droopsnoot]

On the subject of Saabs, anyone else see the 96 that the Bangers and Cash team bought and restored (on last night)? costing them circa £46k! Sold for £21 iirc. Someone got an absolute bargain.

I saw that. I don't think they've made an actual profit on anything they've done on that programme. The choice of specialists is a bit weird too - the Renault Clio was shipped off to a Lotus specialist, and the Saab went to someone who knows a lot about VWs. And invoicing.

 

[RWD3M]

I saw that. I don't think they've made an actual profit on anything they've done on that programme. The choice of specialists is a bit weird too - the Renault Clio was shipped off to a Lotus specialist, and the Saab went to someone who knows a lot about VWs. And invoicing.

They almost did on those two Choppers!

 

[Robotstar5]

I saw that. I don't think they've made an actual profit on anything they've done on that programme. The choice of specialists is a bit weird too - the Renault Clio was shipped off to a Lotus specialist, and the Saab went to someone who knows a lot about VWs. And invoicing.

I liked Derek's advice on one car they were considering "you buy it for £1.5k, spend £8k restoring it and we'll sell it for £4.5k"

 

[mechman]

My brother had a Saab 900 turbo. It was the biggest money pit he ever owned. If he had to drive any distance he used to hire a car as he couldn't trust the Saab. A few turbos and various other parts ( engine included) It caught fire while his partner was driving it, She was OK car was totalled. A blessing in disguised? no he said I really miss that car.

 

[Mick Annick]

I liked Derek's advice on one car they were considering "you buy it for £1.5k, spend £8k restoring it and we'll sell it for £4.5k"

My old boss had a similar story, bought an Aston Martin DB4 barn find at a factory auction for £80k, Aston works manager says would you like to leave it with us for the resto? Boss says OK, how much? - about £150k says the man, and value when it’s done says boss? About £120K…

He did the deal, it took them 18 months to finish it, changed the colour from burgundy to silver, interior colour change, electric windows, aircon, though it got me three visits to the works and some very good lunches, when all was done he drove it around Newport Pagnell for 20 minutes and said he didn’t like it - sell it for me please. It went to a German guy for around £400k who spent a shedload restoring it…

 

[Smallfry]

My old boss had a similar story, bought an Aston Martin DB4 barn find at a factory auction for £80k, Aston works manager says would you like to leave it with us for the resto? Boss says OK, how much? - about £150k says the man, and value when it’s done says boss? About £120K…

He did the deal, it took them 18 months to finish it, changed the colour from burgundy to silver, interior colour change, electric windows, aircon, though it got me three visits to the works and some very good lunches, when all was done he drove it around Newport Pagnell for 20 minutes and said he didn’t like it - sell it for me please. It went to a German guy for around £400k who spent a shedload restoring it…

This is quite common actually. A lot of people have this rose tinted idyll about owning a "classic" car. The open country road, no traffic, a step back to a bygone age where everything and everybody was lovely etc. They have the impression that the old car is better to drive and more comfortable.
The reality is that most of them are "difficult" to drive and not user friendly and slow by todays standards, and todays road users do not have patience or take into account the poor brakes. They are used to their modern vehicle, and it becomes a massive shock.

 

[Bobupndown]

This is quite common actually. A lot of people have this rose tinted idyll about owning a "classic" car. The open country road, no traffic, a step back to a bygone age where everything and everybody was lovely etc. They have the impression that the old car is better to drive and more comfortable.
The reality is that most of them are "difficult" to drive and not user friendly and slow by todays standards, and todays road users do not have patience or take into account the poor brakes. They are used to their modern vehicle, and it becomes a massive shock.

This is all true, it's all fine on a summer's day on an empty back road when its running well. That is exactly where I tend to drive my Mini and try to drive it only on nice days. A wet winter's day would be just miserable and take the pleasure out of driving an old car. Also you need to be handy with the spanners, there's always something needing fixed or adjusted. I did a head gasket replacement on mine over the weekend but if you had to rely on garages for everything the costs would be off putting. I like being able to work on it myself but with no pressure to fix any problems immediately as its not needed to go to work on Monday.

 

[Smallfry]

I had several Minis back in the late Seventies. I really loved them. And hated them. Could get the engine out in twenty minutes as I had so much practice.

I went all over the place in them. When I see them now, they look so tiny and vulnerable.

 

[DennisCA]

This is quite common actually. A lot of people have this rose tinted idyll about owning a "classic" car. The open country road, no traffic, a step back to a bygone age where everything and everybody was lovely etc. They have the impression that the old car is better to drive and more comfortable.
The reality is that most of them are "difficult" to drive and not user friendly and slow by todays standards, and todays road users do not have patience or take into account the poor brakes. They are used to their modern vehicle, and it becomes a massive shock.

Unfortunately newer cars suck so much that I rather deal with those issues than get suckered into the running scam that is a new car. Really does make me worried about the fact that todays new cars will be tomorrows used cars that people like me usually buy. If they're this bad when new, what about in 15 years.

 

[bricol]

I had several Minis back in the late Seventies. I really loved them. And hated them. Could get the engine out in twenty minutes as I had so much practice.

I went all over the place in them. When I see them now, they look so tiny and vulnerable.

I saw one coming towards me on road in Olympia, Washington USA - if you thought one looked tiny and vulnerable in the UK . . .

 

[Smallfry]

I saw one coming towards me on road in Olympia, Washington USA - if you thought one looked tiny and vulnerable in the UK . . .

I can only imagine ! were you driving your Eldorado ?

I saw a 1950s American car on the road here yesterday. Not familiar with all the models, but was a lovely thing. Did look big on our small country roads.

I can see the attraction, but over here when its cold dismal and raining, and in not so nice surroundings, they seem out of place.

 

[RWD3M]

I had several Minis back in the late Seventies. I really loved them. And hated them. Could get the engine out in twenty minutes as I had so much practice.

I went all over the place in them. When I see them now, they look so tiny and vulnerable.

We have one now and have just completed a 1400 mile touring holiday round Ireland.

Without a doubt, the best car for the trip! An absolute hoot!