Here's one for you:

[scooters]

A mate of mine who likes older cars got in touch yesterday. He is planning his 40'th in 4 years time and has decided to do 8 guys, 8 cars, 8 countries, 10 days......budget per car is under £5k (he is obviously not one of us!) and the car MUST be a UK one and MUST be able to cruise for long periods at 80mph and MUST be from the 1970's.....here was my response:My conclusion is that your criteria essentially limit the choice to about 8 cars.....here's why...Firstly there is the issue of the technology available to car makers of the 70's. Recall that electronic ignition was only just coming in - engines were carb on the whole and in the days of very expensive and fragile turbochargers BL's and the few private makers only method to create power was by adding more carbs or by using 6,8 and 12 cyn power units. Add on top of this the petrol crisis of the period and you will find that there are very few cars with engines of this size. British, and indeed European car makers of the period met the desire for thrills by building lightweight sport cars with 1.2-1.6 twin carb engines with superb handling and response. High speed only really came along in huge luxobarges or in the decadence of the 80's. 70's diesels were rare and the cst and lack of turbos also means they are slow.Build quality of British cars of the era is also a major headache and although time has done for most - all except the very best examples will require continual fettling...don't forget that you have another 4 years so we will be dealing with 40 year old vehicles.I pulled the buyer's guide from 2 separate classic car mags (Classics Monthly, Practical Classics (probably the most accurate). Both of these mags, as you know are big exponents of 70's motoring. I then compared the parameters of the project to what would realistically work. Whilst plenty of cars of the period are capable of top speeds of 90-110 mph and certainly capable of hitting the 80mph - how many can actually cruise at that speed. 8 countries 10 days 80mph is demanding even on a modern vehicle - I'm guessing we would be clocking up between 2-4k in those days? Don't forget that we do not want to be spending time sitting on the hard shoulder waiting for the AA or under the car on axle stands replacing clutch plates. Whilst an element of both will be a part of the trip, if it becomes 4 days at Calais then I am sure we will begin to get a bit cheesed off.The ability for a car to cross such distances means it has to have serious legs...but also reliability to cruise at 80mph for long periods and come in under the £5k budget. Given the reliability issue we would be looking at condition 2 cars at least as condition 3s will probably have issues exposed at such speeds.anyway these are the ones we thought would be most likely to succeedUnder £3kMk3 XJ6 in Jag or Daimler form - decent condition 2 ones available for about £3 grand - straight 6 engine (V12 is too complex if things go wrong) this car will cruise at 80 on the auto route and has the legs for it - I owned a 1978 Daimler Sov last summer that cost me £400 and the only reason why I don't own it anymore is that it drank too much gas. I did 5 return trips between Edinburgh and London including Norfolk, lincs and shropshire.Reliant Scimitar GTE6A - a good one will set you back about £2.5-£3k. One of the only Grand Tourer's with the legs - we'd need to fit Kenlowe fans to ensure everything is cool but with their v6 ford essex 3 lt engines, comfort and room these are a great and cool choice - the rasp of the exhaust is especially niceFord Capri mk 3 3lt - Essex engine again, enough said - good choice and decent ones available under £3k (just)Ford Granada Mk1 or 2 - I would question the reliabilityRover SD1 3.5 V8 - minted one for 2.5k if it is minted it will be sorted - superb reliable engineRover P6 V8 - a very well sorted one available for £3kUnder £5kMGB GT V8 - enough said - great wee cars with serious legs - once again a Grand Tourer like the Scimitar - only problem is they are expensive £4.5k for a condition 2 one where as that would buy you a fully restored Jag or ScimitarPanther Lima 1.6 - not for us - we are too tall for it but a decent condition 2 comes in at £4k - mind you the suspension and the ride are primitive to say the leastRolls Royce SS? forget it - with our money you would get a dog...decent ones you are looking at £7-10kFrom the above list I would go for the Scimitar or the XJ6 - superb value for money and superb cars neither of which suffer from a 'cool' premium that you pay for Fords (thanks to Gene Hunt et al). Both are long legged, I have owned both, both allow travel in comfort, both are true British thoroughbreds and both are (relatively) easy to fix.Now if you were to lower the cruising speed to 70mph - well that opens a whole different and juicier selection and the world of Austin, Ford, Rover and Wolseley and has the benefit of 4 cyl engines rather than large ones - this doesn't necessarily save you on fuel with a 70's car but makes them easier and quicker to fix.As most breakdowns are related to cooling/fuel supply or electrics and as these cars have parts you won't find in the local equivalent of Halfords we will have to take much with us. The more complex parts (waterpumps etc we will have to take with us for professional mechanics to fit)Logistically we will have to carry the following for each car:trolley jackaxle standstools including hub puller, torque wrench, soldering ironparts: oil filter, spark plugs, HT leads, Dizzy Caps, points and condensers or a spare ignition module if electronic, fuel filter, oil filler cap, brake pads/discs, rotor arm, coil, light bulbs, extra spare wheel, fan belt, alternator, water hoses, cylinder head gasket, waterpump, spare shocks, spare wheel bearings, carb rebuild kitsconsumables: oil, rad weld, WD40, silicon lube, gasket glue, chemical metal, 10lts petrol, electric wire, fuses, spade connectors, coolant, water, carb cleaner, tinned airgazebo - oh yes - work in the shade! or loungedeck chairsif anything more serious is required we either courier out the part or AA time.sounds like fun! and 4 years to prepare the wives for giving passes for a 10 day away trip...

[garethj]

Where does it say in your mate's message that the cars have to be a certain age?Other thoughts - a Triumph 2500 with overdrive?

[scooters]

yes - MUST be 1970's as well

[scooters]

Where does it say in your mate's message that the cars have to be a certain age?Other thoughts - a Triumph 2500 with overdrive?

good call but given the 80mph cruising and the sheer distances we are looking at I would question it....mind you if he lowers the cruising speed to 70mph it would be a winner imho

[FredTransit]

Where does it say in your mate's message that the cars have to be a certain age?

I wondered that about age too. BTW we regularly do European runs in Mk2 transits. Loads of change out of 5K for one of them. None of my ambies cost more than a grand, and they all have less than 30,000 on them. Petrol prices aside, they are good to go anywhere. The pinto petrol and 5 speed or overdrive is very reliable, if you don't want a van, the last minibus (crewbus) we bought cost £400 and £150 to get through the test.

[scooters]

Where does it say in your mate's message that the cars have to be a certain age?

I wondered that about age too. BTW we regularly do European runs in Mk2 transits. Loads of change out of 5K for one of them. None of my ambies cost more than a grand, and they all have less than 30,000 on them. Petrol prices aside, they are good to go anywhere. The pinto petrol and 5 speed or overdrive is very reliable, if you don't want a van, the last minibus (crewbus) we bought cost £400 and £150 to get through the test.

that would be amusing - not sure if commercial vehicles are allowed but are minibuses commercials? I also suspect that I will be the poorest on the trip so could always live in the van!

[Rocket88]

I would add the following possibilities;Austin 3 litreVauxhall VentoraVauxhall Cresta [PC]In fact, the Ventora would be ideal.

[RedSparrow]

You could get a good TR7 for £2k.

[Tayne]

.

[scooters]

I would add the following possibilities;Austin 3 litreVauxhall VentoraVauxhall Cresta [PC]In fact, the Ventora would be ideal.

good call fellah!!I would like him to lower the cruising speed as I really want to take a BL Wedge...in beige obviously!

[VWPowered]

Triumph 2.5Pi Estate

[FredTransit]

Where does it say in your mate's message that the cars have to be a certain age?

I wondered that about age too. BTW we regularly do European runs in Mk2 transits. Loads of change out of 5K for one of them. None of my ambies cost more than a grand, and they all have less than 30,000 on them. Petrol prices aside, they are good to go anywhere. The pinto petrol and 5 speed or overdrive is very reliable, if you don't want a van, the last minibus (crewbus) we bought cost £400 and £150 to get through the test.

that would be amusing - not sure if commercial vehicles are allowed but are minibuses commercials? I also suspect that I will be the poorest on the trip so could always live in the van!

Mine is officially (on the V5) a bus, which is over 15 seats - 17 as it left the factory, but has no passenger seat as part of a hackney carriage conversion (includes handrails and a passenger entrance on the passenger front). So it's cheap tax too (£165)I am assuming you all have the 15 seat entitlement on their licences, as they will have passed the test before 1997.

[Mr Lobster]

Cars? I'd be tempted to get something not too rare, slightly better parts availability etc. Presumably comfort and boot size will be an issue too, so...How about Mk3 Cortina 2.0, Capri 3.0, assorted old Jags, Rover SD1?In terms of countries - any idea of the plan? I did Holland > Belgium > Luxembourg > France > Germany >Italy > Monaco a few years back, throw in a run along the south of France into Spain or Andorra and you'd be on a winner.

[garethj]

Whatever you get, as long as your budget runs to a new carb, distributor, radiator, clutch with a compression check to make sure the engine's got all its piston rings, you'll make it fine.New parts above: £500"Big" service - gearbox oil change, new plug leads etc: £150Drive around for a month beforehandAlmost any big '70s car will do the journey with that preparation as long as it's not a dog to start with.

[Pete-M]

The P6B I sold a few months ago for under a grand was 100% reliable while I had it, and I don't know why you're questioning the reliability of a Mk1 or Mk2 Granada.As long as they're serviced by people who know WTF they're doin', they'll be reliable - the Granny more so than the P6, in my experience.

[FredTransit]

One thing about the Mk2 (and therefore pinto) transit, you will struggle to find a decent one that's S or T reg, but then again not in your budget. How about a pop top camper? More of those survived, the diesel is York flavour, not as good as the later DI but a good one is very reliable. Also Mk1 campers are about.

[scooters]

yup - not questioning the reliability of the cars more the drivers!these guys aren't shitters, are used to modern tin and will be unlikely to be able to a/drive these sympathetically and b/fix them when they break!which is why I'm erring the side of caution.I'm not sure the others in the party, with the exception of my mate, know what they are letting themselves in for!

[Spottedlaurel]

I saw little/no mention of Japanese cars. A Laurel/240K/280ZX would be up to that, so long as it had a manual ‘box to give it 5th (auto’s from that era were 3-speed only). My ’79 240K would cruise at those speeds quite happily and it got taken to Norway a couple of times.I wouldn’t say Cedric as it’d be a struggle to find one, and I don’t think a Crown from that era would be brilliant either. They’re fun for wafting around but not ideal high-speed cruisers.When I used them as daily drivers even my Violet 160J (which also did a European trip) and 180B were capable of cruising like that. I’m sure a Celica 2.0 would be more than up to it as well.Getting a 5th gear/overdrive is critical.I don’t think being strict on Condition 1/2/3 or whatever matters. I’d be keener to buy whatever turns up that has been in regular use, not a pampered show car that has just been used to trundle out to the pub and local shows. As Garethj rightly suggests, a good shakedown period with putting the car into everyday, unsympathetic use will be essential.

[Rod/b]

Car must be British...

[scooters]

mate - if we were allowed to take non british cars then I'd buy my neighbours Volver 245!

[Spottedlaurel]

[504GL]

My suggestion, a Peugeot 404. Sure it's not British but take the Pug badges off, put some miscellanous British car manufacturers badges on, invent some name for it and you're sorted. Plus it looks British anyway.

[seth]

You wouldn't need a V8 MGB. An ordinary one would be perfectly capable of running all day at 80 in OD top.How about a Marina TC :wink:ALso 8 countries isn't too bad. There's an occasional long weekend 10 country run put on by Club Triumph.

[AnthonyG]

I'd be tempted to get something with a large engine so it's not too stressed at the 80mph. Is this a number that your mate picked out of the air or is it the top speed in many European countries?

 

I'd prefer to do it in a 6 cylinder Mercedes of that era, but a well sorted (and used regularly before the run) Jaguar, Ford V6 or Rover V8 should be fine.

 

If the criusing speed is lowered to 70 mph than there are plently of 1800 -2 litre cars - Capris, Cortinas, Rover and Triumph 2000s, Dolomite 1850s, Wedge Princess's etc, plus the MGB and TR7.

[AnthonyG]

My suggestion, a Peugeot 404. Sure it's not British but take the Pug badges off, put some miscellanous British car manufacturers badges on, invent some name for it and you're sorted. Plus it looks British anyway.

Just say it's an A60 Austin Cambridge/Morris Oxford - they looked similar enough!

[scooters]

he read my email and his soluton is to extend the budget to 10 grand!!none of my cars is worth remotely that so I think I will buy a Scimitar next year and spend 3 yeas sorting it!

[warren t claim]

Would an early Vauxhall Royale or Carlton count as british? What about a Magnum/Firenza?

[garethj]

he read my email and his soluton is to extend the budget to 10 grand!!

10 grand splurged on a 10 day jolly? I'd expect plenty of hookers thrown in for that, and they'd better not be put off with a Marina TC.

 

I've done a few long rideouts on my motorbike, and hammering down the motorway at 80 (or even, slightly faster on my ZZR1100) is boring. Twisty roads is where it's at for an interesting trip IMHO

[Milford Cubicle]

Allard Clipper.

[Gompo]

Is a constant 80mph in a Transit advisable? The first thing that came into my head was something either Essex or Pinto powered, most of which has been mentioned.I cant remember if you said whether it had to be standard? You could probably easily pick something with a more modern and potentiallymore reliable lump; and better suspension/brakes etc to cope.