Austin Healey Sprite

[Charles Morgan]

The grim reality is that a Fiat Barchetta or an MX5 will give you everything these classics can deliver, with just as much fun and character but with real go and reliability, for a fraction of the price.

I'm a great lover of classics, indeed I was out yesterday in my beautifully repainted and rechromed Allard, loving the sound of the flathead V8 and the cheers of the local peasants, but I can't see the point of spending a lot of money on something that really wasn't that great or rare when it came out.

Since getting my 127, I've become a sucker for a proper rorty revvy engine with hooligan exhaust rasp.

 

[219]

Why not look at an SL ?

You'd certainly get a reasonably nice R129 within the mentioned budget , probably be struggling to get a decent 107 .

Both are a bit more modern than I thought the OP was looking for ?

 

[moonloops]

The grim reality is that a Fiat Barchetta or an MX5 will give you everything these classics can deliver, with just as much fun and character but with real go and reliability, for a fraction of the price.

I'm a great lover of classics, indeed I was out yesterday in my beautifully repainted and rechromed Allard, loving the sound of the flathead V8 and the cheers of the local peasants, but I can't see the point of spending a lot of money on something that really wasn't that great or rare when it came out.

Since getting my 127, I've become a sucker for a proper rorty revvy engine with hooligan exhaust rasp.

Add in a MR2 MK2 Turbo for lots of fun, performance and thrills once you up the power a tad..

 

[Scott_F]

If I were looking at this type of car it would be Austin Healy 3000 or Triumph TR 5 or 6.

They are very different cars to the Sprite / Spitfire with prices to match:

Austin Healey 3000 MK 3 | eBay

 

[Scott_F]

Will, have a look at a Fiat Barchetta. Certainly convertible and curvaceous.. the best will cost you around £7K.

The Barchetta looks like a tub, the steering wheel is on the wrong side and it's old and Italian (always a worrying combination). I'd risk an MGF (for under £3k) before I'd touch a Barchetta.

From this era, the MX5 wins hands-down.

 

[def90cars]

I hate to say it but the MX5 is the small convertible to beat. Loads of fun, looks like a little Lotus (even the engine is a faux BDA) and reliable in all weather. Get a Mk1 with pop up lights and a 1.6ltr manual.

If you are hell bend on a English car then I would go MGB if only for the mass of spares and support and choice.

 

[brucemillar]

I hate to say it but the MX5 is the small convertible to beat. Loads of fun, looks like a little Lotus (even the engine is a faux BDA) and reliable in all weather. Get a Mk1 with pop up lights and a 1.6ltr manual. If you are hell bend on a English car then I would go MGB if only for the mass of spares and support and choice.

And you get a free hair dryer and scissors with every car.

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[Deleted member 37751]

If my memory serves me correct, Will has already owned an MX5.

 

[st13phil]

If my memory serves me correct, Will has already owned an MX5.

I think you're right.

The trouble with the Sprite / Midget is that (as Charles said earlier) they weren't really that good when they were new. They all leak so finding a sound one that isn't full of rot is a challenge, and if you have to work on the brake or clutch master cylinder you'll probably end up setting fire to the car and cutting your losses. If you must have one, at least go for a 1275 A-Series engine car rather than the horrible Triumph 1500-powered rubber bumper monstrosities.

I confess that I've never really been fond of the Healy 3000 with it's BMC lorry engine stuck in the front, but they seem to have achieved cult status and prices to match.

The Triumph TR6 is a nice car if you can find a good one.

Other than that, unless you have roughly double the budget you're looking at, it's back to an MX5.

 

[Charles Morgan]

If my memory serves me correct, Will has already owned an MX5.

That's why I mentioned it.

There is, to my mind, little point in seeking out the worst of British in order to deliver less than a cracking car available for much less. Cheap classic open top cars are generally horrible to start with, cheaply maintained (who in their right mind would spend multiples of the value of the car to get it up to scratch when it will still be worthless) and smelly. Will is far too young to get off on the tweed cap and driving gloves to ferry his lady wife to the Dog and Duck for a Sunday noggin.

My friend Mr Cattle of Classic Car Project Shop and before that Eclectic was standing at the entrance to his workshop when an MGB came into the workshop opposite on the back of a truck. I asked if they got a lot of business, to which he replied, yes, all MGs and all on the back of a truck.

 

[Stratman]

Many years ago an acquaintance bought a Healey 3000 and then made an excellent job of replacing the lorry engine with a Rover V8. To give an idea of the care and detail that went into it, he had a new boot badge cast to read 3500 instead of 3000.

He took it to a big Healey owners club event, where a chap called Donald Healey showed a keen interest in it and was very complimentary about the conversion.

Sorry to go off topic, it must be the firemen

 

[Bellow]

 

[Deleted member 37751]

One example of a fibre glass special at £8,750 Marcos Mantula Coupe V8 For Sale (1989) on Car And Classic UK [C524676]

I've heard of Marcos before but never seen one and all I can say is wow, where have you been all my life?

The Marcos in the link looks a beauty, yet strangely TVR-esque, what's the deal with them? Any good?

*trots off to read up on Marcos*

 

[Charles Morgan]

Perfectly good cars, usual formula of V8 in light body.

The only kit car you have to check for death watch beetle though.

 

[Stratman]

Think of them as a TVR without the reliability

 

[Ted]

Think of them as a TVR without the reliability

But with the panel gaps...

 

[C43AMG]

The grim reality is that a Fiat Barchetta or an MX5 will give you everything these classics can deliver, with just as much fun and character but with real go and reliability, for a fraction of the price.

I'm a great lover of classics, indeed I was out yesterday in my beautifully repainted and rechromed Allard, loving the sound of the flathead V8 and the cheers of the local peasants, but I can't see the point of spending a lot of money on something that really wasn't that great or rare when it came out.

Since getting my 127, I've become a sucker for a proper rorty revvy engine with hooligan exhaust rasp.

Lots of Photo's Charles

 

[C43AMG]

But with the panel gaps...

And the RAC/AA following

 

[grober]

I've heard of Marcos before but never seen one and all I can say is wow, where have you been all my life?

The Marcos in the link looks a beauty, yet strangely TVR-esque, what's the deal with them? Any good?

*trots off to read up on Marcos*

The early cars used a marine ply chassis glued together with aircraft glue. [ Hence Charles' death watch beetle comment ] This yielded a very strong light chassis. However due mainly to production costs later big engined cars had a conventional steel ladder chassis AFAIK. Like many of these small sports car companies they were always struggling to keep going due to lack of economy of scale. Mechanicals were in the main all derived from mainline manufacturers.

Wooden Chassis


Here's the SP on the wooden chassis.
Untitled 1

 

[PXW]

That's why I mentioned it. There is, to my mind, little point in seeking out the worst of British in order to deliver less than a cracking car available for much less. Cheap classic open top cars are generally horrible to start with, cheaply maintained (who in their right mind would spend multiples of the value of the car to get it up to scratch when it will still be worthless) and smelly. Will is far too young to get off on the tweed cap and driving gloves to ferry his lady wife to the Dog and Duck for a Sunday noggin. My friend Mr Cattle of Classic Car Project Shop and before that Eclectic was standing at the entrance to his workshop when an MGB came into the workshop opposite on the back of a truck. I asked if they got a lot of business, to which he replied, yes, all MGs and all on the back of a truck.

True, there are many unreliable MGs out there! But if the OP is after something classic-ish a decently restored B isn't a bad option - had my MGB roadster for a bit over four years now, fully restored, heritage shell etc. Cost of restoration is estimated at around 18k, FMV about 12-13k and I'd happily take 10-11k for it. It passes MOTs without advisories, cheap as chips to run/maintain/insure and actually pretty reliable - it fired first turn this spring after a five month layup over winter. I confess I did have 123 ignition put on it, which helps a lot.

As I think I posted a couple of months back I am now considering a change, but not because there's anything particularly wrong with the car, just that I might fancy something different now.