Classic car conundrum

Guy

Member
Messages
1,999
Late next month a friend and I are travelling in convoy from the UK to St Tropez and then on to Mallorca via Barcelona. He‘ll be in his soft-top 1968 series II Landie, and I’ll be in my soft-top 1973 series III Landie. Does that count? (Obviously no where near as glamorous as doing it in an AH 3000 or an E Type.)

To the OP, if going for a convertible, I’d chose the AH over the Jag.
Ewan, that is simply masochism!
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,512
Think I'm in agreement with that.
Having done the whole of New Zealand in a classic Mini Cooper and again in a Range Rover Vogue I know what I preferred more.
I agree, Mini Coopers are awesome little cars :D
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,071
Late next month a friend and I are travelling in convoy from the UK to St Tropez and then on to Mallorca via Barcelona. He‘ll be in his soft-top 1968 series II Landie, and I’ll be in my soft-top 1973 series III Landie. Does that count? (Obviously no where near as glamorous as doing it in an AH 3000 or an E Type.)

To the OP, if going for a convertible, I’d chose the AH over the Jag.

Ferry from Toulon is good option, about 1/2 price of Barcelona.
 

Guy

Member
Messages
1,999
We'll not be rushing. Plenty of stops on the way in Champagne, Burgundy, etc!
Plenty of anaesthetic provided then! I suspect it is just prolonging the pain. Most road trips have their element and why they are much better than sitting on a plane. Some good photo ops for Pic of the Day....
 

allandwf

Member
Messages
10,958
Getting back on topic, I don't think you will feel much difference in the driving experience of any of them, so would be buying on looks. Personally I'd keep the TR.
 

schell70

Member
Messages
313
Go for the Healey, I've driven 3 E-Types over the years and I can honestly say that whilst the engines are lovely they were really awful to drive. Maybe they wern't setup right but I really didn't like them. My 73 MGB GT is more fun!
 

Doctor Houx

Member
Messages
791
You have to remember that these are old cars and the engineering even older but that is the charm for me.
Everyone today is used to modern high tech cars which even high performance are easy to drive and cover long distances easily.
As a mechanic for over 40 years I know what I now prefer to be working on to finish my career.
The first time I drove an E type it was not up to my expectations but boy it was Cool.
All old cars have their faults and can be improved or modified as to what you feel you want the same with any car.
For me the smell and mechanical noise are the real charm's along with looks that make them stand apart.
Driving a proper Classic down to the South of France is what it's all about.
Totally agree Phil. The other knock-out punch for these era cars for me, is that people like you will keep them running long after every ICE with complex ECU’s may end up as static exhibits because the manufacturers have all moved onto EV’s and no longer stock the electronic parts needed when they break. I think this is 10 to 20 years away, but carbs, points etc will still be no problem then
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,113
Totally agree Phil. The other knock-out punch for these era cars for me, is that people like you will keep them running long after every ICE with complex ECU’s may end up as static exhibits because the manufacturers have all moved onto EV’s and no longer stock the electronic parts needed when they break. I think this is 10 to 20 years away, but carbs, points etc will still be no problem then
That's why I treasure all my Imperial tool kit along with tuning gear too oh and a length of heater hose those who know will understand.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
I do love the look of the e-type but although still a well liked car in recent years they seem like they’ve lost a bit of sparkle as the main attraction due to some of the generation who remember them new no longer with us. The new generation seem all Porsche 911’s and Fast Fords as the must-have cars. Poor old MG’s seem like they’ve dropped right down the pecking order for anyone under 50.

That's so true
A was in my late teens when I bought my Stag in '86. Many in the owners club at that time where in their 40's or older, and are now dead. Even the mx5 is well over 30 years old for the first generation.
Not many are interested in cars prior to their birth.
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
Love looking at an E Type but just that bit too old for me.

By BiL has one and he and my sister went to Italy or South of France in it. They got part way, it broke down and needed trailering back to the UK.

I think 80's is the oldest I'd go as anything older seems to push the boundaries for me as to what is reliable enough to use without being too frustrating.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
Love looking at an E Type but just that bit too old for me.

By BiL has one and he and my sister went to Italy or South of France in it. They got part way, it broke down and needed trailering back to the UK.

I think 80's is the oldest I'd go as anything older seems to push the boundaries for me as to what is reliable enough to use without being too frustrating.
Reliability is sadly down to sub standard parts availability. When I rebuilt my Stag in the early 90's fortunately many parts were old new stock. Many now are reproduction to a price not a quality, and may be okay for a run to the local pub, but that's it.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,113
Second that Mike I would rather file clean a set of points that fit new unless they are NOS.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,113
I've actually put some ignitions back to points with some of the junk electronic ignitions out there.
Did it very recently on a Renault 16 that broke down in the village.
 

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,102
I've actually put some ignitions back to points with some of the junk electronic ignitions out there.
Did it very recently on a Renault 16 that broke down in the village.
That was convenient for you, I take it the EMP module is working well.... ;)

*EMP = Electro-Magnetic Pulse - watch No Time to Die...