Virgin shitter on a quest

[Tartan58]

Hi guys, been lurking around this site for a while now and the more time I spend reading threads the more I realise I need some autoshite in my life!

 

The problem is finding something at a decent price, nothing much doing in the local ads and ebay is too risky or overpriced.

 

Meanwhile down the pub a plan has been hatched; as a couple of mates and I are turning 30 next year the scheme was devised to buy ourselves a vehicle from 1981 and drive it from John O Groats to Lands End, the only problem is finding something suitable that will do the distance.

 

Any car will do to be honest, although the more interesting the better it just has to be cheap £300max, and have a current MOT....oh and be in with some chance of makign the trip.

 

So,

a) Am I totally mad (yes)

has anybody got any pointers on where to find a suitable machine?

[Angrydicky]

A) Yes.

Ebay.

 

Morris Ital?

[Alexg]

a) Am I totally mad

You're a member of autoshite, you figure it out.

 

 

 

On a more serious note, ebay can be good, just try to view first. Also Gumtree/ad-trader etc etc for cheap tat is worth a look

[Tartan58]

Just seen something rather tempting on the bay within budget although not 1981 vintage:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150489746643&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

[HillmanImp]

I have seen that on here already. Was someone not looking at buying that or have they bought and are now selling again?

 

My memory is not what it was.

[Station]

At least you're being brave and not buying a 'banger' in the form of a 94 Cavalier.

[pogweasel]

^ LOL ^

There was a brush-painted N-reg Primera in my work car park yesterday, daubed with signage for some whacky chazza razza. I deliberately made no effort to either photograph it or make note of any details of the charity / event. Soz, charidees, but this sort of thing (plus obnoxious 'chuggers') really turns you off.

[Rod/b]

www.end2endrun.com

 

It goes the wrong way to you but hey. We've just completed this in a car that cost a lot, lot less than £300 - it was well inside the £150 limit for the rally and managed it more than comfortably.

 

And we came third, which was nice.

[Tartan58]

At least you're being brave and not buying a 'banger' in the form of a 94 Cavalier.

Indeed - that's the whole point, it would be no fun if the there wasn't a good chance the car wouldn't make it!

[AnthonyG]

Bear in mind £299 is the starting bid on that Rover, the sellers's unlikely to sell it for that.

 

A tatty but solid Volvo 244 saloon is likely to be within budget.

[254575]

Just seen something rather tempting on the bay within budget although not 1981 vintage:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150489746643&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

 

also listed here if you are interested...

 

http://www.maestro.org.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=13661

[theorganist]

I think it sounds like a great idea, I would certainly like to do it.

 

Any car will do to be honest, although the more interesting the better it just has to be cheap £300max

IIRC there was an article in Top Gear magazine in the mid/late 90's (I had less taste back then). They bought a £50 Chrysler Avenger and did the Lands End to John O'Groats trip.

[254575]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 449630383&

[mnde]

How about if you picked up an 81 Escort as it was Car of the Year in 1981

 

Mark.

[scooters]

I would recommend getting somthing pretty cheap - there have been a number of early 80's metros for sale on ebay recently - usually around 200-400 quid - easy to maintain wee cars these

 

or be brave and get an Allegro -

 

Torsten may have a 1981 Maxi as well

[Tartan58]

IIRC there was an article in Top Gear magazine in the mid/late 90's (I had less taste back then). They bought a £50 Chrysler Avenger and did the Lands End to John O'Groats trip.

I remember that article - probably still have the mag somewhere too!

 

Something A-series would be ideal as it's about the only engine I have "hands on" experiance with (albeit fairly limited) from my Mini days.

 

A big old Volvo would be nice too, one of my travel companions had a '83 340 when we were students - great fun for cruising around in.

 

[edit] Just found this on Gumtree, loving it! - chances are it will be gone by now as the ad is a month old but I've e-mailed him on the off chance

http://edinburgh.gumtree.com/edinburgh/07/63980107.html

[pandamonium]

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.c ... read=88154

[trigger]

IIRC there was an article in Top Gear magazine in the mid/late 90's (I had less taste back then). They bought a £50 Chrysler Avenger and did the Lands End to John O'Groats trip.

I rememebr it well, I think i might still have it in the garage, It was a yellow Avenger Estate, I remember really wanting to try it myself, even though it was about 1994 and i was only 14, It made it as well.

 

I'm sure it was someone with a name like Angus Fraser who drove it.

[trigger]

IIRC there was an article in Top Gear magazine in the mid/late 90's (I had less taste back then). They bought a £50 Chrysler Avenger and did the Lands End to John O'Groats trip.

I remember it well, I think i might still have it in the garage, It was a yellow Avenger Estate, I remember really wanting to try it myself, even though it was about 1994 and i was only 14, It made it as well.

 

I'm sure it was someone with a name like Angus Fraser who drove it.

[Cavcraft]

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=FSW&action=display&thread=88154

That's class and seems a right bargain. Don't know if there's anything not to like.

[trigger]

Bugger, I don't know what happened there but i can't delete that last post

 

Anyway, I've found this 1981 Maxi on ebay but it needs a clutch, mot and tax so you may be able to buy it in budget but will struggle to get it roadworth for the money you want to spend.

 

[Tartan58]

Did notice that Maxi but as you say it's needing a bit of work and is also a bit far away.

 

That Volvo's rather lovely but again at the wrong end of the country, good food for thought though...