1930’s-1940’s

[vulgalour]

3 hours ago, somewhatfoolish said:

Are the rear windows tinted? Ghetto. It's a short step from there to full pneumatic suspension and all that frippery.

They're not, I don't know why they look like they are there.

I actually just popped in to mention moths.  Moths are a bugger because a lot of the upholstery and headlining is wool, as is some of the padding.

[Matty]

As if by magic this pops up on eBay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126861884292?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Nfyj1rFKQzy&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=svwv9r4orxa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Good value @alf892 or too much?

[alf892]

36 minutes ago, Matty said:

As if by magic this pops up on eBay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126861884292?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Nfyj1rFKQzy&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=svwv9r4orxa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Good value @alf892 or too much?

Good value as long as you are ok with the trim…….a nice usable car.  I’m not really one for perfection……..I like something I’m not afraid to use as intended
 

If you were to do the trim you would never see the money again. That is a standard saloon so six window and probably tops out around 8k. That said you could probably pick up some secondhand hand seats and do something nicer with the door cards for not a lot to give it a nicer feel.

[SiC]

1 hour ago, Matty said:

As if by magic this pops up on eBay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126861884292?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Nfyj1rFKQzy&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=svwv9r4orxa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Good value @alf892 or too much?

I saw another very similar on eBay last week. Iirc £4300 starting bid and finished with no bids.

I guess the pool of people wanting these sorts of cars is diminishing at an ever faster rate. It's kinda why I haven't jumped on one yet as I can't but help feel prices will continue to sink on this vintage car. 

In some ways I think we (us millennials) maybe one of the last generations to fully comprehend WW2 and WW1 while having an interest in it. Apart from school history, there was plenty of people still around when we were growing up in the 80s/90s that were involved in the war in some way - including most of our grandparents. Makes it feel much more real speaking to personal family experiences than just being read from a book/TV show. Whereas those born in the 00s are far more unlikely to have any of that. Thus the appeal of having something that survived the war, won't have quite the same fascination. Imo anyway. 

[Matty]

7 minutes ago, SiC said:

I saw another very similar on eBay last week. Iirc £4300 starting bid and finished with no bids.

I guess the pool of people wanting these sorts of cars is diminishing at an ever faster rate. It's kinda why I haven't jumped on one yet as I can't but help feel prices will continue to sink on this vintage car. 

In some ways I think we (us millennials) maybe one of the last generations to fully comprehend WW2 and WW1 while having an interest in it. Apart from school history, there was plenty of people still around when we were growing up in the 80s/90s that were involved in the war in some way - including most of our grandparents. Makes it feel much more real speaking to personal family experiences than just being read from a book/TV show. Whereas those born in the 00s are far more unlikely to have any of that. Thus the appeal of having something that survived the war, won't have quite the same fascination. Imo anyway. 

What sort of things are you considering/ short listing?

[eddyramrod]

1 hour ago, Matty said:

As if by magic this pops up on eBay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126861884292?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Nfyj1rFKQzy&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=svwv9r4orxa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Good value @alf892 or too much?

I think that's lovely!  Much nicer than the Riley I've been stewing on.  OK it's quite a bit more money but if I had the cash, I could well be tempted.

@alf892 what a fleet!  Gorgeous!

[SiC]

15 hours ago, Matty said:

What sort of things are you considering/ short listing?

British, reasonably easy to get parts for and affordable. So probably something Austin/Morris/Rover!

[Three Speed]

May I suggest you include the Citroen Light 15 in your thoughts. The Slough built cars (Light 12, Light 15, Bug 15) were British enough to avoid import duty. Made from 1934 to 1957. Parts supply is pretty good (join the Traction Owners Club especially if you have a Slough car...). I did nearly 9000 miles in mine (which is French) last year - driving to work, shops, pub, Clermont Ferrand, Poland...

Fast enough-ish, 50-60 mph is ok in the 4 cylinder cars. 3 speed box, no synchro on first give that pre-war feel but hydraulic brakes, radial tyres and front wheel drive may all add up to something more modern than you are looking for. If you are looking for the thrill of cable brakes, cross-plies and friction dampers then the pure-bred British Leyland anticedants would be a better choice. Steering is not light, nor are brakes - same as most cars of that era. And if that's a problem brake servos and electric power steering can be added. But then you might as well be driving a more modern car from the 60s. 

I agree with everything said above, especially @vulgalour's and @HMC's comments. I think the older the car, the more it needs be used to keep it usable. Otherwise things that are supposed to be oily dry out and things that are supposed to be dry get damp. 

And that means not being too precious about the paintwork and so on and being happy to upgrade lighting and indicators. Slough built Citroens were originally 12 volt but the French cars (Traction Avant / Legere / Normale etc) were originally blessed with only 6 volts. Conversion is easy, deemed unnecessary by some but a good thing in my book. 

British cars are more opulent than French cars with more chrome, often with wooden dashboards, sometimes with leather seats and sunroofs. They all rust. 

[artdjones]

23 hours ago, Dyslexic Viking said:

Late 30s or 40s Dodge and Plymouth are high on my wish list as they are good cars and the flathead six engine in them are really good engines they got things like modern main bearings early and are really durable and reliable so perfect if wanting a car to drive a lot.

Something like this 1939 Dodge what great looking cars these are.

 

Or like this Plymouth which drives like a car from the 50s or 60s and does 65mph just fine according to Jay.

 

They look lovely, but according to my late father-in-law, who worked as a mechanic for a Chrysler dealers in Canada in the mid 50s, they have an unfortunate tendency to overturn.

[HMC]

1 minute ago, Three Speed said:

May I suggest you include the Citroen Light 15 in your thoughts. The Slough built cars (Light 12, Light 15, Bug 15) were British enough to avoid import duty. Made from 1934 to 1957. Parts supply is pretty good (join the Traction Owners Club especially if you have a Slough car...). I did nearly 9000 miles in mine (which is French) last year - driving to work, shops, pub, Clermont Ferrand, Poland...

Fast enough-ish, 50-60 mph is ok in the 4 cylinder cars. 3 speed box, no synchro on first give that pre-war feel but hydraulic brakes, radial tyres and front wheel drive may all add up to something more modern than you are looking for. If you are looking for the thrill of cable brakes, cross-plies and friction dampers then the pure-bred British Leyland anticedants would be a better choice. Steering is not light, nor are brakes - same as most cars of that era. And if that's a problem brake servos and electric power steering can be added. But then you might as well be driving a more modern car from the 60s. 

I agree with everything said above, especially @vulgalour's and @HMC's comments. I think the older the car, the more it needs be used to keep it usable. Otherwise things that are supposed to be oily dry out and things that are supposed to be dry get damp. 

And that means not being too precious about the paintwork and so on and being happy to upgrade lighting and indicators. Slough built Citroens were originally 12 volt but the French cars (Traction Avant / Legere / Normale etc) were originally blessed with only 6 volts. Conversion is easy, deemed unnecessary by some but a good thing in my book. 

British cars are more opulent than French cars with more chrome, often with wooden dashboards, sometimes with leather seats and sunroofs. They all rust. 

Legend! love the miles youve put on yours!

[Dyslexic Viking]

6 minutes ago, artdjones said:

They look lovely, but according to my late father-in-law, who worked as a mechanic for a Chrysler dealers in Canada in the mid 50s, they have an unfortunate tendency to overturn.

I have read and heard a lot about these cars but never heard anything about this.

[artdjones]

23 minutes ago, Dyslexic Viking said:

I have read and heard a lot about these cars but never heard anything about this.

I've got no personal experience myself, just going by what he said. But American cars weren't noted for great handling 70 or 80 years ago, and those Chryslers look pretty high built.

Incidentally, I've got his Blue Point Chrysler specific side valve compressor out in the shed somewhere.

Edit:- I'd say most of the ones he worked on would be newer than the ones in the pictures, probably 1945-50 models. He worked in the dealership in approximately 1956-7. 

[autopaul]

I'm not quite in the 40's category with this, but it is an early 50's oval window deluxe.  Hoping to have the old girl back on the road this summer. It's still running the original 6v electrics and trafficators.

[Six-cylinder]

1 hour ago, Three Speed said:

May I suggest you include the Citroen Light 15 in your thoughts. The Slough built cars (Light 12, Light 15, Bug 15) were British enough to avoid import duty. Made from 1934 to 1957. Parts supply is pretty good (join the Traction Owners Club especially if you have a Slough car...). I did nearly 9000 miles in mine (which is French) last year - driving to work, shops, pub, Clermont Ferrand, Poland...

Fast enough-ish, 50-60 mph is ok in the 4 cylinder cars. 3 speed box, no synchro on first give that pre-war feel but hydraulic brakes, radial tyres and front wheel drive may all add up to something more modern than you are looking for. If you are looking for the thrill of cable brakes, cross-plies and friction dampers then the pure-bred British Leyland anticedants would be a better choice. Steering is not light, nor are brakes - same as most cars of that era. And if that's a problem brake servos and electric power steering can be added. But then you might as well be driving a more modern car from the 60s. 

I agree with everything said above, especially @vulgalour's and @HMC's comments. I think the older the car, the more it needs be used to keep it usable. Otherwise things that are supposed to be oily dry out and things that are supposed to be dry get damp. 

And that means not being too precious about the paintwork and so on and being happy to upgrade lighting and indicators. Slough built Citroens were originally 12 volt but the French cars (Traction Avant / Legere / Normale etc) were originally blessed with only 6 volts. Conversion is easy, deemed unnecessary by some but a good thing in my book. 

British cars are more opulent than French cars with more chrome, often with wooden dashboards, sometimes with leather seats and sunroofs. They all rust. 

Remember I followed you on the M25 and 60/65 mph surprised me.

[Six-cylinder]

This thread has reminded me I have another bucket list car that is suitable for this thread, a Jowett Javelin.

I have been interested in owning one for years and have even test driven one, but that one needed quite a lot of work and I didn’t buy it.

At the moment we have no more space under cover, in fact we have good cars sitting outside. A car like the Jowett needs to be stored indoors in the winter. I need to sell a few cars this year, mainly those that need road tax paid for. Then we will see.

This one is currently on Car & Classics on line Auction, big range of prices with these cars and I am thinking around £3750 including buyers fees?

https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1949-jowett-javelin-gz5DR8

[Joey spud]

I too have a hankering for something 30/40's but with a twist.

I would sell a kidney for something like this sensibly chopped 34' Morris 10/4 and use it as a daily.

[comfortablynumb]

1 minute ago, Joey spud said:

I too have a hankering for something 30/40's but with a twist.

I would sell a kidney for something like this 34' Morris 10/4 and use it as a daily.

That's me all over.

Love the style, but more modern running gear.

Seems to happen to a lot of my cars!

[SiC]

1 hour ago, Six-cylinder said:

I need to sell a few cars this year

Like a white 1300? 😉

[Six-cylinder]

28 minutes ago, SiC said:

Like a white 1300? 😉

Sorry but I am not ready to pass it on yet.

[Rocket88]

I know where there’s a pretty good Riley RM 2.5 going, converted to 5 speed…for about £6k

[Matty]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226524799026?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=DNK9_w3eQ-y&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=svwv9r4orxa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Not strictly in date but nice.

[Rocket88]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/938885138160308 

what the advert doesn’t say is that it has a 5 speed box!

[SiC]

This P2 has been relisted a few times at this price and had no bids

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126857726328

[The Vicar]

The closest I’ve come has been with my ‘52 Javelin. I had swapped my ‘73 Volvo 164 but did hesitate for a while, as I wondered if it would be too old to enjoy (slow, noisy, heavy etc). I couldn’t have been proven more wrong, because it proved to be a fantastic car that I enjoyed very much. It was extremely civilized and spinning around in it, even in heavy rush hour traffic on the daily commute, was a doddle!

More recently I came close to buying this. The deal hasn’t been done yet but I’m still in contact with the family of the owner, who has had it for 60 years, and understandably nostalgia took over so they weren’t ready to sell. 

I suspect this will be a different kettle of fish altogether, but I’m more optimistic this time. 

[GlenAnderson]

52 minutes ago, The Vicar said:

 

More recently I came close to buying this. The deal hasn’t been done yet but I’m still in contact with the family of the owner, who has had it for 60 years, and understandably nostalgia took over so they weren’t ready to sell. 

I suspect this will be a different kettle of fish altogether, but I’m more optimistic this time. 

Honestly, you need to drive it before you commit to anything. I had a 37 Model Y and it was simply the most frightening thing I’ve ever driven. The suspension layout is fundamentally flawed on them, with transverse springs both ends tied to the centre of the car by the torque tube at the back and the radius arms at the front. Ok if you drive really gently all the time, but carry any kind of speed into a curve and the suspension loads up and increases your steering input; you automatically ease off and the suspension snaps back and takes all the extra input out in a heartbeat. There’s a reason most of them ended up in ditches and 50s motoring magazines carried ads for rear panhard rod kits and independent front suspension conversions. They’re a heartbreakingly pretty little car, but if you’re seriously tempted you need to really make sure you can live with their limitations, or be prepared to make 1950s style revisions to it. 
 

Check all the wood too, and the A pillars either side of the windscreen as they’re a notorious weak point. 
 

I loved mine, but I was hugely relieved to see the back of it. An Austin 7 is a much better car, and a Morris 8 is better again. 

[GlenAnderson]

Something else to be aware of with nearly all pre-war cars is that four door variants of the budget end of the market can be genuinely difficult to get in an out of if you’re much more than 5’8” tall as the doors are tiny. 

[HMC]

Austin 7s can be made to 4 wheel steer if you barrel into a corner (i think the rear spings make the axle turn relative to the body) HAVE THAT HONDA 😂

[Joey spud]

This looks interesting/quirky in Mathewson's auction next month. (Estimate £2k-£3k).

I wouldn't ever want to own a mint car and be scared of using it but this old girl has got great potential.

These days I get more enjoyment playing with something that needs  bringing back to good health and maybe updating for modern roads (no more weldathons though) than actually driving them.

[wuvvum]

On 09/01/2025 at 09:45, The Vicar said:

The closest I’ve come has been with my ‘52 Javelin. I had swapped my ‘73 Volvo 164 but did hesitate for a while, as I wondered if it would be too old to enjoy (slow, noisy, heavy etc). I couldn’t have been proven more wrong, because it proved to be a fantastic car that I enjoyed very much. It was extremely civilized and spinning around in it, even in heavy rush hour traffic on the daily commute, was a doddle!

The Javelin was pretty advanced for a '40s design mind - not all cars of that era would be as capable in modern traffic.

[HillmanImp]

I'm sat here watching Bergerac and my daily is 4 years older than Jims Triumph when the show started. 

That car looked archaic when I watched it originally. Does my car look like that to kids now or because cars are built better or styles last longer, does blend in to more modern shite? 

Beewww bew beeeeeeew beew beeeeeww bew bew wowwww.