sonus
Europe
Posts: 1,386
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I'm looking for a new project as my MGB GT is no more.
I'm compailing a list of possible candidates. The requirements are:
RWD
preferably 2 seater, but 2+2 and 4 seaters are also considered
Possibilty to do engine swap to modern engine
Manual transmission
Lightweight if possible
no more than £15.000
Has to be good running order at price
Preferably or possible to convert to LHD
Pre 1984 or very close(30 years old to avoid tax when importing to Norway)
Currently I have the following cars on my list:
Lotus Europa
Lotus Esprit
TVR Vixen S1
Caterham/Westfield Super7
Westfield X11 (might not fit price range?)
Another MGB GT
MGC GT or Roadster
MGA
MGB GT V8
Lotus Elise
Lotus/caterham/westfield Super7
Lotus Esprit
FIAT X1/9
Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5
Fiat 600 Abarth Replica
Renault Alpine
BMW E30
BMW M3
Fiat 124 Coupe
Ginetta G4
Reliant Scimitar
Triumph TR4
Triumph TR5
Triumph TR3
Porsche 944 Turbo
Triumph GT6
Matra Murena
So are there any other that I should consider?
Which car would you get and why?
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Last Edit: Jan 22, 2014 7:46:11 GMT by sonus
Current
1968 TVR VIXEN S1 V8 Prototype
2004 TVR T350C
2017 BMW 340i
Previous
BMW 325d E91LCI - sold
Alfa Romeo GTV - sold
Citroen AX GT - at the breakers
Ford Puma 1.7 - sold
Volvo V50 2.0d - sold
MGB GT - wrecked by fire
MG ZT 1.8T - sold
VW E-golf Electric - sold
Mini Countryman 1.6D -sold
Land Rover Discovery TD5 - sold
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fred
Posted a lot
WTF has happened to all the Vennies?
Posts: 2,957
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Triumph TR6 surely ?
Proper beefy hairy chested mans 2 seater
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'79 Cossie ran Cortina - Sold
2000 Fozzer 2.0 turbo snow beast
'85 Opel Manta GSI - Sold
03 A class Mercedes
Looking for a FD Ventora - Anyone?
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TR6 or Spitfire 1500
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 Specialist Bodyshop & Fabrication Classic, Retro, Prestige & Custom Small Repairs to Concours Restorations Mechanical Work Vintage to Modern |
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thebaron
Europe
Over the river, heading out of town
Posts: 1,652 
Member is Online
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That is already a very long list already and you have a huge span of cars.
E30 M3 and Elise are not going to hit your 30 year old requirement.
A lot of the British sports cars would be very difficult to get hold of in LHD. Although the Triumphs probably are available in LHD.
I have to say it would be an Alpine (Early A310) for me from that list. You will get it in LHD, Lightweight, Race Heritage, GRP (I'm guessing that the roads can get pretty salty up there), V6 engined variations are reasonably good value at the moment, Engine swap/upgrade would be a great idea.
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Last Edit: Jan 22, 2014 8:19:27 GMT by thebaron
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andyf
South West
Posts: 415
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TR7 with a V8 conversion (or a TR8 of course). You could get a stunning one with your budget.
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1980 Triumph TR7.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,201
Club RR Member Number: 170
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What new sportscar?ChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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TR7 with a V8 conversion (or a TR8 of course). You could get a stunning one with your budget. If you can live with the low rent dashboard inside (sorry Andy, just my thoughts!), they are actually a great driver's car in a sorted form. For a car with a live axle they have a surprisingly competent chassis, allowing them to be competitive in some circles (I know that in the Future Classis they were competitive but that the reliability was an issue). I have pondered over getting one now and again. The 944 may have to be removed from your list. It will be within budget, but the earliest one was made in 1985 with them being made until 1991. There was not an awful lot of them made either. If the dates are not a huge issue you should get a lovely example with change to spare for your budget. (the earlier cars came with an LSD and an arguably stronger engine block alone with deeper dished wheels (due to the suspension suiting an earlier offset) where the car later cars had more power (Turbo S had had 250 with this being filtered down into the later cars made after 1988(ish). As much as I love MGBs (and I do lament your loss) I reckon it is always good to try something out different  . |
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andyborris
Posted a lot
Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.
Posts: 2,174
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sonus
Europe
Posts: 1,386
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TR7 with a V8 conversion (or a TR8 of course). You could get a stunning one with your budget. If you can live with the low rent dashboard inside (sorry Andy, just my thoughts!), they are actually a great driver's car in a sorted form. For a car with a live axle they have a surprisingly competent chassis, allowing them to be competitive in some circles (I know that in the Future Classis they were competitive but that the reliability was an issue). I have pondered over getting one now and again. The 944 may have to be removed from your list. It will be within budget, but the earliest one was made in 1985 with them being made until 1991. There was not an awful lot of them made either. If the dates are not a huge issue you should get a lovely example with change to spare for your budget. (the earlier cars came with an LSD and an arguably stronger engine block alone with deeper dished wheels (due to the suspension suiting an earlier offset) where the car later cars had more power (Turbo S had had 250 with this being filtered down into the later cars made after 1988(ish). As much as I love MGBs (and I do lament your loss) I reckon it is always good to try something out different . Never really liked neither the TR6/7/8 unfortunatly. I've got a lead for a Daimler V8 powered TVR Vixen S1. It's above budget, but one that I might stretch for. The MGB/Cs are probably too emotionally taxing to get considering the circumstances. BMW E30 M3 is probbaly to expensive and too new. A clean E30 with a larger engine can be spproved here in Norway based on a early Hartge version which had 300+BHP. Porsche 944 has always been a favorite of mine and they are getting reasonable here in Norway. Triumph GT6 is a possibilty, but what can be done (has to be done) to the rear suspension? |
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Current
1968 TVR VIXEN S1 V8 Prototype
2004 TVR T350C
2017 BMW 340i
Previous
BMW 325d E91LCI - sold
Alfa Romeo GTV - sold
Citroen AX GT - at the breakers
Ford Puma 1.7 - sold
Volvo V50 2.0d - sold
MGB GT - wrecked by fire
MG ZT 1.8T - sold
VW E-golf Electric - sold
Mini Countryman 1.6D -sold
Land Rover Discovery TD5 - sold
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Jan 22, 2014 10:20:14 GMT
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I may be being a little biased but I'd definitely suggest getting any of the MG's excluding the B GT, as you've already had one. It's easy to think the B and C Series are more or less the same, but to me there is such a vast difference in both models.
The MGA is a possibility, however, if you're looking for something more power that's something the MGA seems to lack, in my opinion.
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MGB GT, Jensen Interceptor (ex Mike Yarwood)
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,201
Club RR Member Number: 170
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What new sportscar?ChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Jan 22, 2014 10:45:41 GMT
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The two suspension setups I have seen people use in a GT6 are the RotoFlex (which has been made into a CV jointed system via various people) in addition to the swing spring. From what I can tell the Swing Spring is the most reliable although the Rotoflex is meant to be superior in how it is meant to work (it uses a lower arm as a locating member rather that the halfshafts themselves as on the Swing axle and Spring setups. A C is meant to be quite a different beast to drive in comparison to the MGB, so I guess you could include that but it is always nice to try out something else, especially if as now you have a few memories to cherish. A GT6 is a lovely thing to drive do have a great sense of occasion about them but (I may be in the minority here) they are a little more unrefined when compared to their monocoque rivals IME (my MGB was a less rattly place to be when compared to the GT6 I went in and my own Spitfire). Stag? They may not be an acquired taste but they are quite a modern drive for what they are and should tick almost all of your boxes (possibly not as sporty as some other cars). The TR5 can be taken out of your list. At least in the UK they are now commanding near Healey money from what I have seen (around £30k+) for something in good order, with even a TR250 not being miles away in price surprisingly. I was going to suggest the TR6 which is in essence near enough a restyled TR5 until I saw your post above:). I shall not like the Esprit and Elise have my attention in your list of cars . Elans are lovely but whether you can get one within the budget in good enough condition is another question . |
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Last Edit: Jan 22, 2014 10:47:23 GMT by ChasR
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Jan 22, 2014 10:49:15 GMT
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Could you get a 240 or 260Z for that?
Why? Because they are legendary. And if you get bored you can always stuff some RB running gear into it!
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Jan 22, 2014 10:51:46 GMT
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Jensen Healey
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gn3dr
Part of things
Posts: 391
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Jan 22, 2014 11:33:56 GMT
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BMW E24 - modify with M engine
Porsche 944
Jaguar XJS - modify with XJR engine or just get a V12 one.
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Paul Y
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,948
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Jan 22, 2014 12:07:14 GMT
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Porsche 911.
P.
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Jan 22, 2014 12:59:59 GMT
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If it were I, a Volvo P1800 would be top of my list... Oh, and really sorry to hear of the fire by the way. Really bad luck  |
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Last Edit: Jan 22, 2014 13:02:24 GMT by alolympic
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Jan 22, 2014 13:51:22 GMT
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3.0 911 post 76 pre 85
europa with modern engine and complete rewire would be within budget??
fox mustang?
simca 1000 with modern engine
alpine sounds nice tho
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2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
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Jan 22, 2014 14:07:15 GMT
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See if he'll take £15,000 for this? |
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Jan 22, 2014 15:47:35 GMT
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Porsche 911, if your getting it from the UK you may be able to get a LHD cheaper.
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Jan 22, 2014 15:49:30 GMT
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Wow! That Mazda Cosmo thing is absolutely gorgeous!!
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Jan 22, 2014 16:03:07 GMT
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Hi Sonus, off your list I own an Esprit (the 2.2 turbo) & a Fiat X19. Both are brilliant fun to drive, the Lotus obviously much, much quicker & far better handling, but it cost ten times the price of the Fiat.
I love the X19, it is fantastic fun & on a decent day with the roof off, it is brilliant. Well worth a look for the money.
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