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SORN
by OldSkrote - 31/07/25 02:07 PM
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Forums34
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Aug 24th, 2023
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,823 Likes: 81
Talk Morgan Guru
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OP
Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,823 Likes: 81 |
Classic open tourer? Triumph Spitfire (separate chassis, so keeping it for a long period should not be a major problem rot wise) - I ran a 1500 model for a while (under 1549cc so road fund license is cheaper) MG Midget Of course, the ultimate, would be an earlier Mog 4/4  You DID ask! Pre '73 would be zero rated road fund (at least for the moment - I wonder, with little hope, whether the rolling 25 year limit will return). (I could still 'B' tempted by an MGB GT, with overdrive, as a daily driver. SWMBO seems to be attracted to Boxsters though...  ) I like the Spitfire, always have. The problem seems to be finding a reasonable one. The Midget is too small - I am 6'3" after all. Boxster is too modern and despite being a brilliant car, I've ruled it out.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,823 Likes: 81
Talk Morgan Guru
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OP
Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,823 Likes: 81 |
4/4 Sports must be the cheapest way to enjoy top down motoring, if you bought one last year it is still worth what you paid, to enjoy open air motoring for little outlay then forget all the usual [ex BMC/BL] suspects and go XJ-SC /Convertible
A Morgan would be the obvious choice but I do not want the financial outlay. Even if it holds the value, it still means ring fencing the money up, which is something I am trying to avoid. XJ is still too modern feeling.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,823 Likes: 81
Talk Morgan Guru
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OP
Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,823 Likes: 81 |
Classic open tourer?
Triumph Spitfire I know I'm cheating here because of the 'open top' requirement but if could stretch a point then I wouldn't say no to a good GT6 with a sunroof. Come to that, if I could find one which hadn't succumbed to the dreaded rot I'd take the Triumph Vitesse with that same big engine. G It has to be a soft top, otherwise each and every time it is sunny, I know the Aeromax will win the 'what to drive' decision. 
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,823 Likes: 81
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,823 Likes: 81 |
Superb suggestions guys - please keep them coming. DaveW has been a great help with MGB advice and at the moment, the surplus of reasonable MGBs seems to make a Roadster the most obvious choice. Chances are I'll buy something and then it will rain all summer  
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,434 Likes: 183
Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
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Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,434 Likes: 183 |
If that's the case, please wait until next year. At present this year is going quite well (famous last workds...) 
Graham (G4FUJ)
Sold L44FOR 4/4 Giallo Fly
'09 Gen2 MINI Cooper ragtop
'90 LR 90 SW
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,827 Likes: 4
le Asbo du Bling Talk Morgan Addict
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le Asbo du Bling Talk Morgan Addict
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,827 Likes: 4 |
This is what you want  £5500 For sale Simon the only problem you'll have if you go the classic route is that you'll need to be prepared to fettle on the car on a regular basis. It won't be a case of jump in a go. Having looked at this I'll have to show it to SWMBO
Slowly going green
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,823 Likes: 81
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,823 Likes: 81 |
Simon the only problem you'll have if you go the classic route is that you'll need to be prepared to fettle on the car on a regular basis. It won't be a case of jump in a go.
I have considered the above point and it is the one reason why I would (a) need to buy a car that has been restored / taken care of or (b) seriously consider an early MX-5 or perhaps an MG RV8. I know the RV8 wasn't considered to be a brilliant car but I understand a lot of if was down to too soft handling.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,871 Likes: 168
Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
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Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,871 Likes: 168 |
RV8 = bouncy ride, and high seating position. Windscreen frames rot from the inside. Electrics now a bit unreliable. Some parts very expensive. eg rear light lenes something like £200 last time I looked.
Would I have one? Maybe. But three versions of green very hard to sell. Most other colour options uninspiring, except Black, Oxford Blue and Red. All interiors are creamy beige.
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,434 Likes: 183
Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
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Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,434 Likes: 183 |
Had you been a bit quicker you could have had my black MX-5 1.8! How do you 'know' that any classic has been properly restored, without a photo record? Even then I should think it's not guaranteed. A classic (Rover) Mini would also do me (apart from having 4 seats...) despite last hight's 5th Gear crash 'test'. Cheers,
Graham (G4FUJ)
Sold L44FOR 4/4 Giallo Fly
'09 Gen2 MINI Cooper ragtop
'90 LR 90 SW
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,190
South Wales Correspondent Talk Morgan Expert
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South Wales Correspondent Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,190 |
RV8 = bouncy ride, and high seating position. Windscreen frames rot from the inside. Electrics now a bit unreliable. Some parts very expensive. eg rear light lenes something like £200 last time I looked.
Would I have one? Maybe. But three versions of green very hard to sell. Most other colour options uninspiring, except Black, Oxford Blue and Red. All interiors are creamy beige.
PLUS: front cross members prone to rust; finish on the 'orrible one piece casting alloy wheels can be dodgy ( it's the dummy rivets guv'nor) ON THE OTHER HAND: 3.9 litre Vee8 190BHP at 4750rpm; 234lb/foot@ 3200rpm Could have been a great car if those bin-clearers at the Rover Group had kept their hands off and they'd spent even a little bit of R&D money on it.
GLLHG
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