I keep dropping in to have a look at this supposed classic car group to see if there is anything interesting going on and guess what. All that seems to get posted is thread after thread of crap about metros and fiesta’s.
Not to mention the 41 posts about the stolen Metro I nearly bit all me fingernails off over that one. As for the posts asking for valuations on old Marinas and such like here’s 10p get it down the scrap yard and do us all a favour.
Lets hear about proper classis cars, lets see some pictures, lets hear some interesting stories about ownership and driving, up to now reading this group has been like giving a starving dog a rubber bone

I've got 3 classic cars. A 1972 BMW 3.0csl, a Volvo 1800es and a Saab 99 turbo. I passed my test in a Marina, I think 10p is a bit generous.

I hate to tell you but a MK I Fiesta IS a proper 'modern' classic, Practical Classic Magazine acknowledge it as such. What kind of classics are you on about?

What constitutes a classic car depends on your age I think. My favourite cars are mainly from teens when we used to drool over things and that's why I got my csl. I go to Goodwood most years and everything from 70s is good to me. Veteran and vintage stuff doesn't do it for me.

bring back the horse and cart!

I hate to tell you but a MK I Fiesta IS a proper 'modern' classic, Practical Classic Magazine acknowledge it as such. What kind of classics are you on about?

A mark 1 Fiesta is not, and never will be a classic car. It may be a old car, it may be a crap car and it may be a uninteresting car to drive. Classic car status for mk 1 fiestas is but a fantasy in the minds of those masochists who punish themselves through ownership.

I've been to classic car shows where people have turned up in Allegros so maybe a Fiesta could get in although it doesn't have a square steering wheel for us to laugh at.

I've got 3 classic cars. A 1972 BMW 3.0csl, a Volvo 1800es and a Saab 99 turbo. I passed my test in a Marina, I think 10p is a bit generous.

yes you are right 5p then

Nothing wrong with a Marina in my eyes.. Very much a classic car.

I am afraid I am not one to encourage elitism in the classic car movement.

The group is aimed as a resource for us locally to find out where best to get parts for our cars, bodyshops, help and advice. If you would like to contribute postively rather than make a mockery of existing members cars then please do.

In the next year I am hoping we can start up some regular meets (all classics welcome) and also have a stand at some local shows.

If you look at one of the threads poor Phylis has had an accident in her fiesta. Now there has already been one post offering parts to repair the vehicle.

This is what it is all about fellow enthusiast helping each other out.

Everybody has different ideas as to what a classic car is. I personally believe that the MK1 Fiesta is a classic. When was the last time you saw one?

What year would Mk I be? My gran still drives a fiesta on a C plate.

This link suggests the car should be over 25 years old to be considered a classic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_car

This link suggests the car should be over 25 years old to be considered a classic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_car

That is subjective though, as the MG Maestro Turbo has been a classic for a while and it is 17

That is subjective though, as the MG Maestro Turbo has been a classic for a while and it is 17I was just quoting the link and in fact I got classic car insurance on a 1989 Saab 9000 Carlsson. Some folk say that certain new cars are instant classics such as Bugatti Veyron, personally I would disagree with that on any car.

A Veyron is expensive and exclusive, but I don't see how it can be classic.

The debate regarding classic cars can go on and on as it has in many classic car magazines. There are many cars you could argue are future classics good example is a Veyron, a Saab 9000 Carlsson also can hold it’s own in the classic car world. But speaking as someone who runs a classic car restoration business for 13 years I do not see the time when we will be inundated with fiestas and metros. Ok certain very rare versions 6R4 etc but the shopping trolleys of yesteryear are best left to the crusher

Is the Mk1 fiesta Xr2 a classic?

I personally think it is :)

up to now reading this group has been like giving a starving dog a rubber bone

Well hiss off to some other forum if it doesn't interest or satisfy you. Personally i'm not in the slightest bit interested in the knitting forum, so I've not posted, I've kept my mouth shut, i've certainly not gone on there slagging off people about their passion and interest, what some people find interesting other people dont, thats life, thats people, thats their business, just accept that, life would be boring if we all had the same interests.

But speaking as someone who runs a classic car restoration business for 13 years I do not see the time when we will be inundated with fiestas and metros. Ok certain very rare versions 6R4 etc but the shopping trolleys of yesteryear are best left to the crusher

Your missing the point, generally speaking most people interested in fiestas, metro's etc would stay well clear of your car restoration business and restore their car themselves or with a small group of people, thats the whole fun of it, they are relatively easy to work on, the shopping baskets of yesteryear "as you quote" are the ones that most people like yourself dismiss and quickly become a quite rare sight on our roads.

A mark 1 Fiesta is not, and never will be a classic car. It may be a old car, it may be a crap car and it may be a uninteresting car to drive. Classic car status for mk 1 fiestas is but a fantasy in the minds of those masochists who punish themselves through ownership.

Well thats your opinion, whos to say your right or wrong in your mind. Take a MK1 Ford Anglia for example wasn't that just a basic every day car once ? So within time why shouldn't the Fiesta be the same ?

Living at a bodyshop (not in it on the premises), where lots of classic cars are restored, has given me an insite as to what people call a classic car. Now for someone working in a restoration garage to say in public that a Fiesta or any other car is not a classic is surely turning business away. At John Bee's the team are all proud to say that they will work on any car of any age, be it considered a classic or not. They won't turn a restoration down because they don't think the car is a classic.

Well thats your opinion, whos to say your right or wrong in your mind. Take a MK1 Ford Anglia for example wasn't that just a basic every day car once ? So within time why shouldn't the Fiesta be the same ?

You make my point exactly, yes clearly a Ford Anglia is coincided a classic car but by you own post a fiesta is not yet (but may be in time)

Is the Mk1 fiesta Xr2 a classic?

I personally think it is :)


If any of them make the grade in years to come then yes it should be an early XR2

Well hiss off to some other forum if it doesn't interest or satisfy you. Personally i'm not in the slightest bit interested in the knitting forum, so I've not posted, I've kept my mouth shut, i've certainly not gone on there slagging off people about their passion and interest, what some people find interesting other people dont, thats life, thats people, thats their business, just accept that, life would be boring if we all had the same interests.


So maybe we should have a real classic car group then for us that have no interest in shopping trolleys. And here I was thinking this was one :loopy:

So maybe we should have a real classic car group then for us that have no interest in shopping trolleys. And here I was thinking this was one :loopy:

As I said I don't believe in elitism in the classic car movement. Everyone has their own idea of a classic car which we might not all necessarily agree on but we should respect each other for it.

If you can't do this and continue to insult someones passion then perhaps this isn't the place for you?

Did anyone see Goodwood revival last night? Amusing watching tiny A35 giving big Jag a run for it's money. Bit spooky that Peter Brock who was in that race with on board camera got killed a few days later and Raymond Baxter died shortly after too.

Its true the debate about what actually is a "proper classic" or a "modern classic" is very much a subjective and personal thing. I love my Fiestas and think of them as modern classics, whereas many people would not. The MK I Fiesta went out of production in August 1983 and so the very newest one you will see on the road will be 23 years old!! Now ANY car that is on the road ages 23 in my eyes is some sort of 'modern classic'.

What stops the MK I Fiesta from being recognized universally as a modern classic is the Fiesta, many MK's down the line now, is still in production and so thought of as a modern car. People forget the Fiesta is one of the longest running production cars, having been now produced since 1976 (or Feb 1977 in the UK), which is THIRTY YEARS.

This is all very subjective, of course. We all have different cut-off points when it comes to what makes a classic. My own is that while the Mk III Cortina is a classic, the Mk V clearly isn't. So what's that? A cut off date of somewhere between 1974 and 1979ish?

This is all very subjective, of course. We all have different cut-off points when it comes to what makes a classic. My own is that while the Mk III Cortina is a classic, the Mk V clearly isn't. So what's that? A cut off date of somewhere between 1974 and 1979ish?

I would agree with you about the classicness of the two models, but I think it has more to do with the fact that the MkIII is a far more instantly recognisable design, iconic maybe. The MkIV was one of the dullest designs ever. A Sierra is more worthy of the description 'classic'.

A Sierra is more worthy of the description 'classic'.Yes the Sierra is worthy because when it first came it was such an unusual jellymould shape which was soon taken for granted.

I would agree with you about the classicness of the two models, but I think it has more to do with the fact that the MkIII is a far more instantly recognisable design, iconic maybe. The MkIV was one of the dullest designs ever. A Sierra is more worthy of the description 'classic'.
The Mk III is gorgeous, and I agree with you about the aspects which lead to its 'classic' status. I skipped over the Mk IV because, frankly, I wouldn't recognise it from a hole in the ground.

I do think that the MK V is instantly recognisable though; mainly due to its resemblance to a wardrobe on wheels.

I'm not sure whether it would be possible to define the factors which give a car the status of a classic. Age? Rarity? Design features? All of the above?

I'm not sure whether it would be possible to define the factors which give a car the status of a classic. Age? Rarity? Design features? All of the above?

Perhaps individuality would be the main attribute.

Some cars such as Morris Minors, Minis, Beetles, even Fiat 500s are seen as 'cute', so aesthetics must be part of it. Some cars like the Audi TT and the Peugeot 206 convertible are so aestheticly stunning that they were design classics the moment they first came off the production line.

Then there are cars that just turned out to be really good; VW have only recently started making a Golf as good as the MkII. The Rover P6 might be another example.

Then there's the fickleness of fashion, you couldn't give away an e-type Jag in the late seventies/early eighties.

The Mk III is gorgeous, and I agree with you about the aspects which lead to its 'classic' status. I skipped over the Mk IV because, frankly, I wouldn't recognise it from a hole in the ground.

I do think that the MK V is instantly recognisable though; mainly due to its resemblance to a wardrobe on wheels.

I'm not sure whether it would be possible to define the factors which give a car the status of a classic. Age? Rarity? Design features? All of the above?
I never understood why the MkV was called that because it was just a face lifted MkIV. Both not so good though.

Someone parked a Citroen Ami outside my house today, seriously ugly thing that.

Ridgeracer,

Loved your article(s) on Sheffield Classic Car forum - you had the courage to say what I've been thinking since I first looked. Between us shall we try and define a Classic Car? I notice you're in Sheffield 11 - so am I, and you are in the restoration business - which company? I could do with some advice on some small body repairs and a possible respray. Do you mind contacting me for a chat on andrewmoore@hsbc.com.

Thanks, Andrew/Mutley

Pennsylvania defines it as "A motor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, manufactured at least 15 years prior to the current year which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is substantially in conformity with manufacturer specifications and appearance."

Pennsylvania defines it as "A motor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, manufactured at least 15 years prior to the current year which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is substantially in conformity with manufacturer specifications and appearance."It's a poor reflection of the motor industry that things become classic after only 15 years. That article implies that the vehicle has to be in good condition and I don't agree that it is only a classic if it's in good nick although some may say any car that's very old is a classic car whereas others would say it's a pile of junk. All very subjective.

I once heard someone describe a classic car as one that, when you open the bonnet you can look at the engine bay, and see the ground underneath. I think the point they were trying to make is that modern cars have their engine bays full of modern electronics. However even this 'definition' fails - anyone looked at the engine bay of a MGB V8!

As far as I am concerned, if people are enthusiastic about their cars - great. I own a Scimitar 1967 Coupe, and a Scimitar 1977 GTE - most people agree these are classics - but I am just as interested in hearing enthusiasts talking about Mk1 Fiestas!

Good luck to all motorists in this anti-car government age!

TB

It's a poor reflection of the motor industry that things become classic after only 15 years. That article implies that the vehicle has to be in good condition and I don't agree that it is only a classic if it's in good nick although some may say any car that's very old is a classic car whereas others would say it's a pile of junk. All very subjective.

I agree it is subjective and that is just someones definition,,,not an article.... but i feel that you have too much faith in the motor industry ...cars turn into 'classics' in spite of the industry..do you remember lancia betas...a wonderful car but sadly built of sub-standard steel ..i bet there isn't one left anywhere ( and wasn't 2 years after they were made) ..if we all kept or cars in good condition ..especialy those produced post 1985 which dont rot as much there would be no motor industry,,,they are in business so they try and crush our old cars so they can turn out new..i wonder how much emissions we have saved by not buying a ( or several) new cars.

to me a classic is a car that was a turning point in either car design or the fortunes of the company that produced it...it could be a year old or 50

i would personally say that to me a classic car has got to be the 69 pontiac GTO, 69 pontiac trans am, or the 69 dodge charger. call me sad but i love american muscle.

i would personally say that to me a classic car has got to be the 69 pontiac GTO, 69 pontiac trans am, or the 69 dodge charger. call me sad but i love american muscle.you might hate me 4 this but if u go on www.wellbent.cjb.net and click on "firecracker"u will see some very nice muscle cars :thumbsup:

yes you are right 5p then :suspect:
well any car 20 ~25years old is a classic that's when they start to get rare metros mk1+2 give them a few more years yet
but its what you :love: in the end

what is the UI90 car ? I met one last week, it is really beautiful.

:suspect:
well any car 20 ~25years old is a classic that's when they start to get rare metros mk1+2 give them a few more years yet
but its what you :love: in the end

The MG Metro celebrated its 20th birthday in 2002 complete with birthday cake (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/mega_monty/Mk1%20mg%20metro/DSCF0055.jpg)

MK1 metros are quite rare when was the last time you saw one of these on the road ? MK1 Metro 1 (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/mega_monty/Mk1%20mg%20metro/metro5.jpg) MK1 Metro 2 (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/mega_monty/Mk1%20mg%20metro/metro8.jpg) MK1 Metro 3 (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/mega_monty/Mk1%20mg%20metro/DSCF0039.jpg) MK1 Metro 4 (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/mega_monty/Mk1%20mg%20metro/Dscf0051.jpg)

The MG Metro celebrated its 20th birthday in 2002 complete with birthday cake (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/mega_monty/Mk1%20mg%20metro/DSCF0055.jpg)

MK1 metros are quite rare when was the last time you saw one of these on the road ? MK1 Metro 1 (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/mega_monty/Mk1%20mg%20metro/metro5.jpg) MK1 Metro 2 (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/mega_monty/Mk1%20mg%20metro/metro8.jpg) MK1 Metro 3 (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/mega_monty/Mk1%20mg%20metro/DSCF0039.jpg) MK1 Metro 4 (http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/mega_monty/Mk1%20mg%20metro/Dscf0051.jpg)
yes did see a good mk 1 about 7~8 weeks ago but are rare now like you say do you do all your own work on yours? inc welding
nice photos:cool:
you can see the mini owners queuing 4 the engines:hihi:
1275 go 4 about 250 on eBay i have had 5 metros 1 mg mk1 red 1 mk1 red
mk2 black gta white 30 000 miles from new burnt out i was gutted and so was the car:hihi: and my blue one when i got it 32000 miles 60000 now as i worked in froghall staffs 4 a year had the car 3 years now its my work horse
to stop rust
i spray chain oil in all the cavities every year b4 winter 3 tins do the whole car £1 50 a tin:thumbsup:

yes did see a good mk 1 about 7~8 weeks ago but are rare now like you say do you do all your own work on yours? inc welding
I do as much work as I can, but have friend who's mechanic if I'm stuck, so far I've not had to do any welding as of yet on my turbo metro, but had welding done on GTI metro as this was my workhorse and lived outside all it's life, but the tin worm eventually got the better of him and was broken up.

Had an 1984 A reg MK1 MG metro for a short time, had to let it go as we had no space for it at the time, wish I still had it now. Got my MK2 Turbo metro in 1991, was my first car still got it today, cost me a fortune to insure at the time but I didn't care. Got MK3 GTI metro in 1996 used it everyday till about summer 2004.
you can see the mini owners queuing 4 the engines:hihi:

Had an arument with some guy on ebay who bought a mint MK2 turbo metty to break up for his mini, told him mini tubo convesrions were 10 a penny and best keep the metro in one piece, such a shame to break up a mint car.

Not sure what you reckon to mine then...

All VWs - a '67 Bug, a '64 Notch and a '77 Camper:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c204/DizziBird/S4020100.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c204/DizziBird/S4020186.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c204/DizziBird/S4020659.jpg

Rachel,

Hate them all! But then you've probably got some harsh words for a 2 x Lotus owner. That's the beauty of our hobby - each to their own. I suspect we all love the cars that we wanted to own when we first passed our test.

Regards, Andrew

Rachel,

Hate them all! But then you've probably got some harsh words for a 2 x Lotus owner. That's the beauty of our hobby - each to their own. I suspect we all love the cars that we wanted to own when we first passed our test.

Regards, AndrewI got my 1972 BMW 3.0CSL cos it was dream car when I was a kid. I have had 3 Audi Quattro URs and wish I still had one so I am trying to decide why I shouldn't buy this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=220110583872&rd=1&rd=1

go for it ..there is an owners club

http://www.quattroownersclub.com/index.htm
but i don't think you will get it for the current price by the looks of it

do you take the BMW down to Gaydon in August?

Do you ever pass the Texaco Garage at the ex Marquis of Granby @ Bamford traffic lights. The owner of the garage has a quattro I was lusting over a while ago and it had a hell of a lot less miles on it than 137k. From memory he may be the original owner. Next time I see it I'll pop in & get the details for you unless you beat me to it.

Regards, Andrew

go for it ..there is an owners club

http://www.quattroownersclub.com/index.htm
but i don't think you will get it for the current price by the looks of it

do you take the BMW down to Gaydon in August?Went to see it this morning, it's in pretty good fettle and it's definitely a one owner car. It's a head, heart issue as all old cars are! Apparently it has had a lot of interest mainly from former owners, they were fabulous cars in their day and set a precedent for current rally cars as you probably know.

Didn't take BM there, it is off road at moment waiting for new rear brake calipers hopefully at something less than the £800 I've been quoted.

Great car - a true automotive icon, although the 137k would put me off for a car of that era. I'm not sure performance cars' engines were designed to put in that much carrying and fetching.

Great car - a true automotive icon, although the 137k would put me off for a car of that era. I'm not sure performance cars' engines were designed to put in that much carrying and fetching.

Dont be daft. If the car has been looked after the mileage should not be an issue. Our 2.8 XR4i has done 125k and it doesnt miss a beat. All depends on wether previous owners have done their duty.

Dont be daft. If the car has been looked after the mileage should not be an issue. Our 2.8 XR4i has done 125k and it doesnt miss a beat. All depends on wether previous owners have done their duty.

My experience is of a Golf Gti, similar age, which missed a whole lot of beats once the mileage got into 6 figures.

I don't think you can compare the toll on an engine in a 2.8 litre Fiesta - what's the power to weight ratio on that?! - with an Audi Quattro.

Went to see it this morning, it's in pretty good fettle and it's definitely a one owner car. It's a head, heart issue as all old cars are! Apparently it has had a lot of interest mainly from former owners, they were fabulous cars in their day and set a precedent for current rally cars as you probably know.


It went for 8900 quid which is good price for the seller, I managed to resist the temptation despite various people telling me to go for it cos it won't depreciate esp if it had so much interest. There's another one on ebay now, I need to keep away from there.

I don't think you can compare the toll on an engine in a 2.8 litre Fiesta - what's the power to weight ratio on that?! - with an Audi Quattro.[/QUOTE]

2.8 Litre Fiesta now that would be something, however the 2.8 is in a slightly larger Sierra MK1 which weighs about the same as my house!

Don't know the power of Ford 2.8 but Quattro is 220bhp and 1425kg which is 154bhp/tonne but, more significntly 309ft/lbs of torque. It's a smaller engine at 2200ish cc but with turbo so engine has to do more work. This particular one had an engine rebuild at 120k miles supposedly due to something the owners wife did with it! Best thing about the Quatt is the handling, I've got an R32 Skyline and the Quattro was a much better drive on twisties, with no computers and gizmos interfering with the front/ rear power distribution you know what you are doing.

Dont like 4 wheel drive personally, has got to be rear wheel drive every time. The Ford 2.8 Colonge engine is a big old lazy lump and only produces 160bhp however there is room for improvement and many have been tweaked to produce well in excess of 200bhp. The main advantage of the 2.8 is the torque. The engine is never labouring, mind you it only revs to 5800 anyway before the limiter kicks in.

2.8 Litre Fiesta now that would be something, however the 2.8 is in a slightly larger Sierra MK1 which weighs about the same as my house!

Forgive me, my brain has shrunk to the size of a small pine nut.

The question got raised at the Classic Car Show at Bradway today, and one of the gathered ensemble said that the definition of a Classic Car was a piece of cake.....

'A car that has chrome on it, as original standard finish'

The question got raised at the Classic Car Show at Bradway today, and one of the gathered ensemble said that the definition of a Classic Car was a piece of cake.....

'A car that has chrome on it, as original standard finish'

I bet the owners of that minter of a Capri laughed their socks off at that one! ;)

I do think elitist comments like that, if people took them seriously, might lead to less variety at car shows with owners of later models being put off exhibiting and it appealing to fewer people. Not that it will happen, of course - there were too many people my age there drooling over the 70s and early 80s vehicles in a nostalgic way.

Cheers for posting the event on here by the way - I certainly wouldn't have known about it otherwise and it was a great afternoon. Fingers crossed I can keep my XK looking good enough to park alongside a grandaddy E-Type one day!

This sounds a really dim question but where do you find out what shows are on? I'm thinking of buying that anorak and going to more! :D

Just word of mouth really. When I find out about them I'll post them on this site. The next one is at the Travellers Rest, Hope a week tomorrow. Book a spot for your car with Hallamshire Motor Co or you end up shoved in a field that's invariably covered in cow s***.

Capri's are a sore point in my house - my wife made me sell my Brooklands 280 a couple of years ago.

Interesting opinion about the Capri at the show - although a lovely car I would suggest it is more of a Custom Car than a Classic. Dont you think a Classic should be as near to original as possible?

Interesting thread this - I wonder if it will ever die.......

Capri's are a sore point in my house - my wife made me sell my Brooklands 280 a couple of years ago.

Interesting opinion about the Capri at the show - although I lovely car I would suggest it is more of a Custom Car than a Classic. Dont you think a Classic should be as near to original as possible?

Interesting thread this - I wonder if it will ever die.......

I wonder if the Capri Laser I saw was a late arrival then - it was absolutely original and really gorgeous. I wasn't a fan of the custom ones that were there either - awful bodykits spoiling a legendary motor.

Very envious you had a Brooklands - I had a meagre standard 2.8i back in the day.

There was a 99 citroen Saxo at the show - now I do question that as a classic!