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Sept 10, 2013 0:56:11 GMT
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I've been wanting my gf to feel involved in my obsession with cars and recently she's been showing some real interest in the older variety. That started, as some of you may know, with the Nissan Figaro. Perfectly cute, perfectly retro and I was dying to challenge myself to find a set of wheels that 'worked' on one. Anyway, that match was quickly shut as she found out it was an automatic and explaining that there's nothing actually wrong with automatics proved rather difficult. A couple of days ago I got a text saying she chased an awesome looking car down the road so she could take a picture! She loved it! ... and more interestingly and importantly it was... a Hillman Minx! Brilliant. Old British Classic. I've always had a soft spot for the british cars of that era and also knew that they all had a very definite style about them, that I could use the entire range to choose from. I'm down to two simple cars. Hillman Imp or a Triumph Herald, (convertible??) I'd love to hear some thoughts on the Herald, particularly about the soft top (they sometimes look rather saggy?), as it must be moderately water tight to retain it's attraction (she won't like getting dripped on too much) but I have my optimistic hat on and reckon the pro's of a soft top herald over a saloon will massively out weight the con's. I know parts are going to be readily available and also that they may need some fettling to fit. Looking at sub 2k, but hoping for one that's failed it's MOT on a couple of easy jobs with a full service on brakes etc budgeted for. As penance for a request of this nature, I hereby offer up a plethora of Triumph based automotive porn! (and GOD yes I'd love that TR-4!!!!!!!)  Many thanks guys!!!!    YES PLEASE!    |
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Last Edit: Sept 10, 2013 0:57:16 GMT by Diabolu
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craig1010cc
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,993
Club RR Member Number: 35
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Sept 10, 2013 7:34:13 GMT
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What about a hard top'd one with a webasto roof on it, best of both worlds?
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Sept 10, 2013 7:41:17 GMT
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I am a triumph man, but I would take a Dolomite 1300/Toledo over a Herald any day. Or an Imp.
My experience if the Herald (13/60) is that they are not actually that great to drive, IMO.
An Imp is more like a go-kart and can be quite easy to modify/fix the standard issues that it came with, and a Dolomite/Toledo is much more refined than the Herald even in the 1300/Toledo guise.
The only good thing about the Herald is that you can lift the whole bonnet and sit on the front wheels while you are fixing any engine issues.
With Imps, you have a wide variety of types with the various makes (Hillman, Sunbeam and Singer) and body styles ('Saloon', Coupe, Van etc).
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Sept 10, 2013 9:17:38 GMT
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One thing to bear in mind with Heralds is that they 'do' lift-off oversteer in a BIG way. Not a problem if you're aware of it and compensate, but it'd come as a big shock to anyone used to driving safe modern cars.
Clearly I'm biased towards the Imp, but I think it's one of the most 'modern' to drive out of the cars of it's era - slick gearbox, light direct steering, and relativey 'safe' handling.
Whatever you're looking at, watch out for rust - both Imps and Heralds hide it very well. If you're going to look at an Imp, give me a shout and I'll send you a run-down of what to look for to avoid buying a car with filler and shiny paint hiding loads of rot and cover sills...
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Sept 10, 2013 9:17:49 GMT
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I do like a Herald but I'd have to plump for the Imp if I had a choice of both... I just think they look a little sharper and they're certainly a tad more unique!
Having said that a period perfect Herald is a beautiful looking thing...
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***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
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Sept 10, 2013 9:43:56 GMT
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What about a MKI Golf Cabriolet ?
Paul H
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Sept 10, 2013 9:56:33 GMT
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Not had my Herald for long, but what I can say is that with a sub £2k budget, you should be able to find an MOT'd soft-top in good, usable daily condition with relative ease. I suppose the most important thing to look out for is rust, on the chassis especially - don't bother if it has botchy repairs.
I can imagine an Imp being easier to drive, as others have said, so perhaps more suitable for a first time classic owner who doesn't know what to expect? & probably just as easy to work on as a Herald, which is simples, even for me with hardly any mechanical know-how! Although I have looked at Imp's before, & I can imagine you could get a Herald in better condition for your money.
Plus, if the suspension on the Herlad is to be a deal-breaker, for £150 you can get a kit to change to the later type suspension, and that's that sorted. Plus parts like disc brakes from the 13/60 are transferable onto earlier cars.
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,521
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Sept 10, 2013 10:12:46 GMT
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One thing to bear in mind with Heralds is that they 'do' lift-off oversteer in a BIG way. Not a problem if you're aware of it and compensate, but it'd come as a big shock to anyone used to driving safe modern cars.. Scaremongering, I tell thee! My experience is that you have to do something silly or intentionally provocative for a Herald to suffer from what every magazine article ever written will scream about (except the period road-tests which were very praiseworthy!) . The driving/handling habits of any old car would probably concern a modern car driver. Axle tramp anyone? Their most likely worry will be the brakes especially if they are the sort of driver who tends to leave it til the last moment. In that case they will have to learn to adapt their driving style or they will have a crash. A Herald with discs (as any 13/60 would) is pretty good compared to others of the era. Diabolu, I suggest that having got yourself a nice shortlist, you go and look at any Herald or Imp you think looks to be what you are after. Check either thoroughly for rust issues so you know what you might have to deal with. If you look at a Herald convertible its best to make sure it really is a convertible and certainly not a saloon with the roof unbolted. I would imagine the ownership experience of either car, as a 'first classic', will be much the same.  |
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Last Edit: Sept 10, 2013 10:16:58 GMT by Seth
Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable. |
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Sept 10, 2013 10:15:11 GMT
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I dare say a Spitfire would be a better buy than a Herald convertible as well, unless you need the rear seats.
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Sept 10, 2013 11:45:07 GMT
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heruld - do it
unless nice gt6 natch
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2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
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Sept 10, 2013 12:09:21 GMT
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heruld - do it unless nice gt6 natch For £2k I doubt you would get anything but a complete restoration on a GT6 or Vitesse, lovely engines though! |
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,786 
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Sept 10, 2013 12:13:00 GMT
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Yes, I'm biased, but I'd say Herald. They're sooooooo damned easy to fix and parts are available from everywhere! Cheap to  That said, I nicely sorted Imp is a lovely looking thing. I'd be hard pushed to note any real difference in 'comfort' between a Herald saloon or Imp, but the soft top is a different matter. If it's not been recently replaced, budget for a new roof. Also look carefully at the roof/window gaps. They can be pretty poor on tin tops, let alone a rag top! As previously said, look for rust. EVERYWHERE. Mecahnical issues are no major problem. Loads of stuff available second hand or plenty of new repro stuff about, but shop around for quality rather than price |
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Sept 11, 2013 14:45:18 GMT
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I had an E reg Hearld 12/50 as my first car...back in 1983! I think for ease of maintainence there's little to beat it. The engines are pretty simple and reasonably robust. I did go through a 3 or 4 gearboxes, but what do you expect for a 17yo trying to emulate his dad who used to go rallying!! In the end I could change a GB in 40 mins from drive up to drive away!
As has been said, the handling will be VERY different to a mondern, but aside from 'on the limit' they got reasonable reviews at the time.
Just out of interest, what will the car be used for? Is it going to be a local runabout or intended for a 50 mile m-way daily commute? I don't know if I'd want to use one day in day out amougst high speed modern traffic...
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barrett
Part of things
Plastic cars with metal doors BEST
Posts: 390
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Sept 11, 2013 21:54:43 GMT
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I've no experience with Imps, but I reckon you'd be hard pressed to find a better 'starter cla**ic' than a Herald, and you can get a really nice tin-top for the price of a project Imp. If you're set on a convertible you'll be paying more and I'm not sure the extra cost is worth it for the sake of leaks/ weird matted hair. One thing worth mentioning, without wishing to sound in any way misogynist or patronising, but Heralds are probably the easiest car in the world to drive, so if your missus is unsure about using a '60s car as a daily she shouldn't worry at all. I am the world's worst parker, but put me in a Herald and I'm pulling off lighting-fast reverse park manoeuvres all over the shop, like that Russ Swift bloke but not in a horrible Mini. They're great fun to drive, get loads of positive comments from non-car people and are easy/cheap to fix. I really, really, really miss driving mine and I wish it was fixed so I could take it for a spin right now, having reminded myself how great it is.  heralds! by barrogance, on Flickr Do it! |
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Somebody find me a Watling. £££ waiting! (Seriously, I want a Watling. Help me plzzzzz)
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Sept 12, 2013 0:00:29 GMT
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The longer I think about it and look at them the more I'm loving heralds, especially the idea of lowering it just a little. I didn't know they had roofs that were removable so that's definitely an option over a soft top. The deciding factor may well be which I find first, but I loooove the look of a herald with the roof folded down. There's just something about that rear quarter that looks epic without the roofline. Anyway, she will be using it as a daily, but only for toddling around town etc. very unlikely to drive any distance, regularly at least. Thank you for all the feedback. I decided that after the Galant, every project car i had would have pars readily available haha. No more ordering from Japan or australia. Really looking forward to getting one, only downside is she's set on having purple seats... Hmmmmmm maybe I can persuade cream with purple piping Post up some inspiration if you have them |
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tenman
Part of things
m00000000000
Posts: 899
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Sept 12, 2013 11:05:59 GMT
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get some seats out of a Skoda Rapid  ... they are nice and purple...  bout the best piccie I have of my old Rapids seat... |
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RWD Fanatic...
2003 BMW 320d Wagon (getting old and boring)
1996 Mini Kensington (SWMBO's)
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Sept 12, 2013 16:10:15 GMT
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You can get a full length webasto sunroof in a tin top herald if youre unsure about a full convertable.
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Koos
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Sept 12, 2013 19:22:10 GMT
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don't the convertibles have different chassis? i don't think you can just unbolt the roof or it gets all wobbly, could be mistaken its been a LONG time since heralds were daily drivers.
I had a vitesse, i think they may be more of a cause of the scary handling stories than the heralds, stupid yoof in worn out car with heavy 6 pot at the front equals brown trousers quite often when it rained.
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Sept 12, 2013 19:50:59 GMT
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don't the convertibles have different chassis? I don't think you can just unbolt the roof or it gets all wobbly, could be mistaken its been a LONG time since heralds were daily drivers. I had a vitesse, I think they may be more of a cause of the scary handling stories than the heralds, stupid yoof in worn out car with heavy 6 pot at the front equals brown trousers quite often when it rained. The Chassis is exactly the same between the saloon and ragtop, the CV body is a bit better braced to make up for the missing roof and there are secondary catches on the doors to stop them flying open on bends (I'm not kidding, take the roof off a saloon and try some spirited cornering!) Genuine convertibles have CV on the back end of the commision number, It is quite possible to bolt the back tub from a convertible onto a saloon chassis and make an ersatz car, if done well, only the comm number will give it away. (its not quite that easy but almost) Unbolting the roof from a saloon is possible but not advisable. Plus the roof is too big to carry around with you in case it rains! Steve |
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... they are nice and purple...
