No point suggesting me a cheap project car v.$5k

[MRMOPARMAN]

seatbelts can be fitted marco. id be more worried about you actually fitting in it.

[Asteroid]

Just buy it and worry about the problems later!

[innocent bystander]

This?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1961-Stud...item4ac1884710

[Imposter Forg]

double

[Imposter Forg]

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...o=Stock&items=[Make%3aVOLKSWAGEN%2cModel%3aBEETLE]&sort=~Year

[Jim]

because you're a mechanical numpty but not an idiot, buy something that is well documented and well supported with aftermarket resto stuff.

Original mini,
VW of any air cooled kind,
MGB,
Morris Minor,
Datsun 1600.

These are your only real small car options to both learn the craft and not be left in the cold when something that would otherwise be a simple fix turns into a shitfight of nil available bits.

/thread

[Momus]

I would add shovel nose Corona to the Jim list

[Imposter Forg]

not so sure about that, most old cars are pretty simple

[tim510]

because you're a mechanical numpty but not an idiot, buy something that is well documented and well supported with aftermarket resto stuff.

Original mini,
VW of any air cooled kind,
MGB,
Morris Minor,
Datsun 1600.

These are your only real small car options to both learn the craft and not be left in the cold when something that would otherwise be a simple fix turns into a shitfight of nil available bits.

/thread

Listen to this guy.

Your head is up your arse if you think you are going to get a desirable perfect condition 'classic' car for $5k. You'll get something that is a 7/10 in most categories that needs some loving.

[KanaL]

marco, surely you just need another gemini. you know, relive your youth and all that.

just dont get another fucking rb.

[Captain_Slow]

I agree, and the sort of thing Jim is suggesting is exactly what I want. I know I originally said oddballs are OK, but I now think that's a bad idea. Rest of criteria remains: relatively interesting (but any old car is interesting once past 30 or so anyway), cheap, easy, smaller preferred, and ideally manual.

Not expecting perfection, happy to sort some stuff, and still looking...unfortunately.

[Jim]

Buy this.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/garra...dan/1013717485

Its in the ACT, under $5k, looks like it's neat enough to not upset the missus, but untidy enough to give you something to do on a sunday.

Seriously, there's few exceptions to my list. The reason I say it over say a celica or shovel nose corona and so on is you can buy absolutely EVERYTHING for the cars I listed, right down to repro panels, rubbers, chrome work and engines. A new VW engine is still available from repro people and they are cheaper than rebuilding, for example.


Build up your knowledge and skills, then sell it in 3 or 4 years then tackle something harder.

[Captain_Slow]

marco, surely you just need another gemini. you know, relive your youth and all that.

just dont get another fucking rb.

I don't fit. And I didn't really fit in the RB either, and now have a dodgy ankle to show for it.

[Captain_Slow]

Buy this.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/garra...dan/1013717485

Its in the ACT, under $5k, looks like it's neat enough to not upset the missus, but untidy enough to give you something to do on a sunday.

I've looked at that white one - C pillar rust was the killer. Can't work out how to link direct to post on iPad but scroll back to 5 Feb.

Build up your knowledge and skills, then sell it in 3 or 4 years then tackle something harder.

My thinking exactly. This is a toe in the water/learning exercise. If it doesn't work out, low budget means it won't matter. If I enjoy it, I can do something like an EH wagon which I really want but don't want to spend big money on just yet.

It helps that my nopics likes the Beetle "because its round" and my kids like Beetles because kids like Beetles

[Jim]

a mate has a '75 corona with rego for a few hundred if you just want something.
Good VW's are not that hard to find but you will have to probably look wider than the ACT.