Help me choose

[scaryoldcortina]

For the first time in what feels like years I actually have some time to spend on one of my cars. I don't mean regular fettling of something that is on the road, I mean long term let's drag this in and not stop until it's fixed sort of stuff. The weather is getting better, I'm feeling better than I have for a long while and recent events make me more determined to do something serious but fun this year.

 

Problem is, I can't choose. You could say I have too many cars to choose from, I'd say you are on the wrong forum then. Out of 6 "projects" I have narrowed down to two vehicles. I have owned both for over 5 years, I have had both on the road previously, and I can't see me selling either one ever. They are also both rarer than a rare thing, and stored outside (and suffering) so you can see my dilemma. Which one do I fix first? I have all the parts needed to fix both.

 

So, the contenders...

 

1972 Cortina 2000GXL (2 door)

I always promised myself I'd have a 2 door mk3 one day, and that day came about 5 years ago. I ran it with a pinto for about a year and a half before taking it off the road in favour of the mk2 zetec with the intention of fitting a 2.0 zetec and sorting out the rotten bits (roof, door pillar, lots of cosmetics). I got halfway through the zetec job, and fixed the roof and pillar rot about a year ago, but no real progress for ages, and it's staring to get moss growing on it. btw, still has a SVO plate reading "black paint"

 

1979 Bedford Chevanne

7 years now, and I've already restored this van twice.... What can I say, it's a 70's vauxhall! hahaha....

Seriously though, I don't know what it is about this little van, it's like an old mongrel dog. Not particularly good at anything, but faithful and full of character. Last used june 2009 because the gearbox blew up (and the springs and shocks were on their last legs, and the bulkhead leaks in water) has been parked up since making puppy eyes at me and breaking out in fresh rust scabs every time I look. I even found a gearbox (which I didn't think I had) in the shed the other day, so there is no excuse.

 

So which one? And why?

[dollywobbler]

That's a tricky one. A Zetina is obviously going to be a fun thing indeed, but the Chevanne gets my vote just because they're ace and much rarer than a Mk3 'Tina, even a 2-door I suspect.

[garycox]

Not helpful at all, but I think they're both great!

 

Impossible to choose.

[scaryoldcortina]

Dolly, rarer than a black from the factory GXL 2 door? most of them were 1.6L, or 2000GT... someone specially ordered this one.

 

Does boggle the mind somewhat that a vauuxhall van could turn out to be rarer than an odd spec ford that is 7 years older, but you could be right. "Classic Van" had roadworthy chevannes down to 7 5 years ago

[dollywobbler]

Crikey. That is a rare 'tina then. But surely the Autoshite choice is still the Chevanne?

[scaryoldcortina]

Especially considering I am sticking with the 1256 and 4 speed, too much hacking needed to fit anything else (and it does almost 40 to the gallon when it works)

[KruJoe]

The Cortina is taxless but may be more attractive to TWOCers Serious security measures required.

[autofive]

wasnt the cortina originally a V4 (according to the vin)?

[Jon]

Are either on the brink of not being repairable? If so, whichever one is most in danger I suppose. Since the Cortina's so rare and thus worthy of much scene tax, would you be keeping it or selling to fund further projects? Remember eyeing up the Chevanne when I dropped off the Sierra and must admit that I'd be more likely to take a second look if I saw one on the street. When I was back in Sunderland doing my masters in 2003/04, there was a Chevanna stored in a garden along with a Chevette saloon and something under a tarp which remained a mystery - wonder if they'd be any help for parts if they still exist?

[wackywacerwill]

Cortina for me Having said that maybe your zetina quota is already satisfied with the mk2...

 

Hard choice, I would gladly lop off my left bollock for either.

[scaryoldcortina]

I don't think either are in immediate peril, but they certaily ain't improving with standing!

Spares really isn't an issue for either car, I have been known to buy a less desirable donor just to get bits (the chevanne has already cost the world a 4 door chevette saloon and a 2 door hatch, and the mk3 has both another (lower spec) 2 door and a 4 door mk3 as donors). Having said that, if anyone finds a sound chevette estate/chevanne tailgate let me know.

 

oh, and no, I'm not doing either to sell. I build cars to please myself, I fix other peoples to pay the bills.

 

autofive, yes, according to the vin the car was shipped with a 1996 v4. Which isn't even listed as an option for the mk3 cortina!

 

krujoe, don't worry. I am VERY serious about security. Steal my car, and I'm round your gaff within half an hour to claim it back.

 

wackywackerwill, no, the mk2 just makes me want a cortina with that much power that actually stops and handles....

[eddyramrod]

Oh dear, what a dilemma! The Chevanne will cetainly get the looks, as you just never see them any more. If I fell over one I'd certainly drag it home and get the spanners out. However the Cortina... it's the one Corgi made a model of back in the 70s, issued with a Graham Hill figure. I don't remember ever seeing a 2-door 2000GXL in the flesh. The Tina would be a fun thing with a Zetec, ok; and you'll never tire of the "wespeck" the OSF kids will give you, but the Chevanne would be such a handy thing for daily use, and totally capable in town.

 

Chevanne. You know you want to.

[Skinley]

use your spare time to build some sort of shelter for both vehicles, then restore them at your leisure.

 

2 birds, 1 stone etc.

[Shep Shepherd]

The Chevanne, mainly because the model is so damn rare nowadays

[Cavcraft]

Tricky, but (because of the rarity) I'd go with the Chevanne. Keeping it original would be nice but to make it easier to live with I'm pretty sure you could bung a later 8V Vauxhall engine and box in without too much trouble.

[scaryoldcortina]

Some more old pictures to help make the choice harder...

[Angrydicky]

The Chevanne, no contest

[Des]

I would put the Cortina on the road first and then worry about the others. That car is fine, pictured in the yard above it makes me think of a film...

 

 

[M'coli]

The Chevanne. As Cavette says, I'm sure a later 8V engine will fit - IIRC the small-block OHC engine can fit the (Getrag/ZF?) dog-leg 1st gearbox.

[CIH]

haven't you got a Holden StationWagon to do first ?

[pogweasel]

Van! Van! Van!

With period livery, please.

S.O'Cortina & Son

Vehicle repairs & recycling

Tel: THE NORTH, 34777

[Pete-M]

Cortina every single time.

 

I know you say you'll never flog, but the 'tina would be worth decent money completed (although less so with the Zetec) and a Chevanne won't. The Cortina will also be nicer to drive, looks better, and is generally a nicer thing.

 

The Chevanne doesn't interest me at all, don't like Chevettes.

[Guest]

My dad had a y plate White chevette estate. It had the facelifted front and the rust coloured interior. Before that he had a metallic blue hatchback with tartan interior. Got to be the chevanne for me.

[FredTransit]

Well, being a blue oval fan I would normally say the tina, but being commercially minded I have to say the van. Were you trying to be cool in that pic of you and C?

[Guest]

I thought it was meant to be ironic

[mattblack]

I'll just leave these here...

 

[ashmicro]

The Cortina. The first car I was ever in (@3 days old) was a 2 door mark 3 Tina.

 

Vauxhalls are shit.

[Timewaster]

The Chevanne. As Cavette says, I'm sure a later V8 engine will fit

 

EFA

[maxpower]

having read this post from top to bottom i still couldn't decide... both are great cars and bring back childhood memories of when you could tell the difference between makes of cars so the only option i could come up with is........

 

pay to have yourself cloned and drive around in both of them

[trigger]

Tough choice but personally I'd pick the Cortina, That does it for me, the Shovette doesn't as much (Still a cool little van though, Electric Leyland was looking for one of these last year IIRC).