wendywooh
Part of things
muttley on tour.....
Posts: 36
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 13:54:59 GMT
|
Hi all
I have been lurking about for some time now but only recently joined up, at present i do not drive but for the last few weeks i have really wanted to start learning about retro cars and how they work etc so am now the love is growing . I have been thinking that it was about time i got myself my own project rather than learning on my husbands cars so now i feel is the right time to look for a project.
I would be looking for an auto at first
I really like the look of the chevette and i have found one that has no engine or auto box so am really looking for advice on weather this would make a good 1st car and how easy it would be to transpplant and engine and an auto box into the shell and what sort of engine/box would be suitable.
it will need to be a relatively cheap base car and one that is easy to work on as i will be learning as i go, so will be asking a lot of questions as this will be a huge learning curve and not one that many females go through.
i will find some piccies for your trouble later ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
|
|
Still learning to drive but on the lookout for the perfect retro...
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 14:03:39 GMT
|
Not a bad choice..... easy to work on and a fair choice of engines and transmissions to go with it. What you need to do before considering which engine/box combination to go for, is give us an idea of what you are planning to do with it. Are you looking for a performance car, an economy car, towing car etc etc. Also... will insurance be a problem if you fitted a small block chevy for example? ;D
|
|
'71 Arrocuda.... '71 Sunbeam Rapier Turbo (The Grim Rapier).... '63 Hymek D7076..... Audi GT5S
|
|
wendywooh
Part of things
muttley on tour.....
Posts: 36
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 14:15:33 GMT
|
Not a bad choice..... easy to work on and a fair choice of engines and transmissions to go with it. What you need to do before considering which engine/box combination to go for, is give us an idea of what you are planning to do with it. Are you looking for a performance car, an economy car, towing car etc etc. Also... will insurance be a problem if you fitted a small block chevy for example? ;D first thing i guess is that it will need to be an auto as that is the license i will be aiming for in relation to engine i am looking for reliability first and economy second, performance is not top of the list however i would like something that sounds good. (nice and grunty would be good) insurance should not be a problem as i am older than 25
|
|
Still learning to drive but on the lookout for the perfect retro...
|
|
andyf
South West
Posts: 415
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 14:35:01 GMT
|
Chevette would be a good choice but as it is your first car I would probably be more inclined to go for a running car that you can drive around a bit rather than a project that needs an engine.
Other choices would be Viva (did they do autos?), Escort Mk 1 + 2 or even an early Fiesta.
Naturally your choices are more limited with just autos, but good luck with whatever you choose.
|
|
1980 Triumph TR7.
|
|
kabman
Part of things
Posts: 348
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 14:47:30 GMT
|
I am looking for reliability first and economy second, performance is not top of the list however I would like something that sounds good. (nice and grunty would be good) insurance should not be a problem as I am older than 25 How about a Nissan PAO? Most are autos. Reliability - check economy - check performance not top of list - check (with a bonus star for auto version) sounds good - hmmmm, maybe not cheap insurance - check
|
|
|
|
wendywooh
Part of things
muttley on tour.....
Posts: 36
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 14:50:44 GMT
|
Chevette would be a good choice but as it is your first car I would probably be more inclined to go for a running car that you can drive around a bit rather than a project that needs an engine. Other choices would be Viva (did they do autos?), Escort Mk 1 + 2 or even an early Fiesta. Naturally your choices are more limited with just autos, but good luck with whatever you choose. it will be a while before i am driving so would like a project to do up and learn on, if need be we have an retro auto that i could use in the meantime if i do start to drive before finishing my project
|
|
Still learning to drive but on the lookout for the perfect retro...
|
|
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 15:17:30 GMT
|
As a first project you really want something thats not rusty, mechanical stuff is easy with some advice, engine transplans are pretty simple on older cars there is however one stumbling block.
My ex learned to drive in her 30's and wanted a classic, however despite being older she could not get specialist insurance until she had been driving for 3 years so although we could have insured her, most policies would have been very limited as to cover for an older car should be have to make a claim.
In the end she spent a few years driving a mk2 Astra auto and when her insurance came down and she qualified for specialist cover we got a mk1 escort auto for her.
Get a quote before you choose a car, and check what the policy covers, no good spendinga few grand on a project and then finding out you cant get agreed value cover, as an example when my 24v Cortina caught fire the insurance company offered "book value" at first which was about 300 quid, eventually they coughed up 3 grand, but you have to be with the right company for that.
|
|
Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
|
|
Lawsy
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,615
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 15:30:27 GMT
|
pop up, insurance isnt an issue, I've got multicar, specialist insurance, all with specialist company etc etc and we've already asked if wendy can be added to the policy as an additional driver, and as long as she has a license that isnt provisional then no worries.. they wont touch whilst on a provisional tho
as to projects, I quite like the idea of a chevette, but have agreed to keepout of this, I've had too many projects - I'll be helping work on it where I can and if needed, but ideally this will be Wendy's car and wendy's projects, therefore I've said I'll take a backseat with little input
i'm just pleased to say my wife wants a project and fancies doing something..
So as a question, lets say we go down the chevette route, would an engine and box form something a little more modern drop in, of course with some work to mounts etc etc, but can anyone forsee any great issues?? This would also be a no rush project and may take a couple of years to sort it out and get road worthy, in meantime if wendy passes the slamtana is an auto and we work close so the commute will always be in 1 car for both of us anyway..
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 15:36:23 GMT
|
You could always look to something like a Triumph Dolomite, an 1850HL in particular: (Was a 1500HL, the red one, but effectively the same barring the engine You can usually find a project one for a few hundred (if that), and a working car with test for about 500 - but it'll need some work. There are bargains to be had though! Automatic - Check! Economical? - They'll do 40mpg when set up well, remarkably! Enough power to dice with modern traffic and motorways - Check! Comfortable, well equipped interior - Check! Excellent parts support? - Check! Excellent club support? - Check! Easy to work on? - Check! They have great little autoboxes and a nice torquey 1.9, so they're no slouch and they're absolutely beautiful to drive when they're in good health They're also very reliable if correct - my 1850HL only stopped once in 3 years of continuous driving - and we got it going at the side of the road You can even find tax exempt ones if you look long and hard enough - they are just known as 'Dolomites' though, and come with the same 1850 engine and autobox as the later 1850HL
|
|
Last Edit: Jun 30, 2010 15:42:03 GMT by Lewis
|
|
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 15:48:28 GMT
|
Dolly is a damn good idea. All standard is always best when it comes to getting classic or normal insurance for first time drivers. Not too racey to scare 'em to death... but enough poke to make driving pleasureable. Definitely one of BL's better 70's designs..... and a little more luxurious than yer average Chevette!
|
|
'71 Arrocuda.... '71 Sunbeam Rapier Turbo (The Grim Rapier).... '63 Hymek D7076..... Audi GT5S
|
|
|
wendywooh
Part of things
muttley on tour.....
Posts: 36
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 15:54:07 GMT
|
think that the triumph dolomite is a bit tooo manly looking for me
|
|
Still learning to drive but on the lookout for the perfect retro...
|
|
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 16:00:13 GMT
|
I don't wish to be rude, but why would you be 'aiming' for an automatic only licence? Unless you have a physical disability which prevents the use of both arms and/or legs it is far better to have a proper licence even if you then choose to drive autos only.
Back on topic, if the Dolomite is a bit butch, Toledos are a little cuter and offer similar choices of driveline and parts interchangability. Automatic Minis are also good and can be excellent buys as they are usually owned and pampered by pensioners so tend to be cheap and in good condition.
|
|
|
|
Steve
Posted a lot
Making progress in small, easy to handle chunks of awesome
Posts: 2,030
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 16:01:17 GMT
|
Dolly's are good fun Wendy I had a 1850 done up as a Sprint replica for 6mths and after a little fine tuning it was prob one of the best cars ive ever had! Really sad when i had to sell it Also, just as a side note........they did do a Viva in auto in various engine sizes Steve
|
|
|
|
wendywooh
Part of things
muttley on tour.....
Posts: 36
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 16:04:07 GMT
|
I don't wish to be rude, but why would you be 'aiming' for an automatic only licence? Unless you have a physical disability which prevents the use of both arms and/or legs it is far better to have a proper licence even if you then choose to drive autos only. i have chosed auto as i have had driving tests in the past and failed due to not getting on very well with gears , i want to get on the road so the auto option is the only way i will get on the road at the moment. i love cars as people who have met me will know and sometimes it kills me that i can not drive them so the auto option it is. what does a toledo look like then ??
|
|
Still learning to drive but on the lookout for the perfect retro...
|
|
wendywooh
Part of things
muttley on tour.....
Posts: 36
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 16:04:39 GMT
|
Dolly's are good fun Wendy I had a 1850 done up as a Sprint replica for 6mths and after a little fine tuning it was prob one of the best cars ive ever had! Really sad when I had to sell it Also, just as a side note........they did do a Viva in auto in various engine sizes Steve have you got any piccies.
|
|
Still learning to drive but on the lookout for the perfect retro...
|
|
Steve
Posted a lot
Making progress in small, easy to handle chunks of awesome
Posts: 2,030
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 16:06:06 GMT
|
have you got any piccies. I'm at work at the mo so no pics but will try and dig out a couple when i get home
|
|
|
|
wendywooh
Part of things
muttley on tour.....
Posts: 36
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 16:08:59 GMT
|
have you got any piccies. I'm at work at the mo so no pics but will try and dig out a couple when I get home sounds good to me
|
|
Still learning to drive but on the lookout for the perfect retro...
|
|
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 16:10:02 GMT
|
Mini Metro A-series Manta Cavalier Mk1 DisAstra Carlton Stag Cortina Prelude CRX (Yes there are a few auto mk2's out there) Chevy Astro AMC Pacer
There's a few ideas, but the list could go on for ever.
|
|
'83 GTM Coupe. 4A-GE Powered '00 GTM Libra Auto. Ick. '71 Detomaso Pantera. Current Resto '89 GMC Safari Tow/Kip bus '05 SAAB 9-3 Daily '71 Siva Moonbug. Not even contemplating resto yet.
|
|
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 16:15:19 GMT
|
And here's my mate's Toledo in Sakura?? stylee - main difference is a shorter back end,
|
|
'83 GTM Coupe. 4A-GE Powered '00 GTM Libra Auto. Ick. '71 Detomaso Pantera. Current Resto '89 GMC Safari Tow/Kip bus '05 SAAB 9-3 Daily '71 Siva Moonbug. Not even contemplating resto yet.
|
|
|
|
Jun 30, 2010 16:18:53 GMT
|
I have chosed auto as I have had driving tests in the past and failed due to not getting on very well with gears ... Hmm. I did wonder. I have very string views on that so will say no more as it will probably upset you and possibly others. Anyway, Toledo. Fourth result on google images is a lady driver I happen to know in her car.
|
|
|
|
|