I have an itch I haven't scratched. I'm rather fond of V8s. More specifically, American V8's with their burbly idles and pitiful power to litre ratios. Yep, I love muscle cars. Utterly impractical in the UK as they're useless at corners (which our roads are made entirely of), too wide, too soft, and not so clever in the rain, which it does 90% of the year. On the latter point, a 1960's muscle car stored outside all year round is gonna be a bad idea as I'd expect it to start rusting almost immediately.
Which is why I don't have one. That and the cost of running a 5.0+ V8 in the UK is eye watering. At last look, fuel was £1.30 a litre. Which is... *grabs calculator* $8.25 in USD a US gallon. MPG, maybe 20 on a good day... You get the idea.
So, as you can see, this is why we don't do muscle cars here, and why I'm in a quandary. As you can imagine good Mustangs in the UK are few and far between. Doing my usual idle browsing of Pistonheads, I came across this...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ford/mustang/beautiful-in-blue-1965-mustang-convertible/1541626
The only thing I can level against it is that it's not an Aussie sourced RHD car. Otherwise it's my perfect 'Stang... Modern bits to make it usable. Not overly blinged up (I'll let the wheels slide to get around the brakes). I'm just filled with want.
I'd have to p/ex the Cayman, which is part of the issue. A car that is perfect in every way, especially for here. But still, the want is there...
Sometimes it's just better not to look. :'(
She's beautiful. Something from the early to mid 60's would almost be practical because the car's were sort of small then. The cars got enormous and wide in the late 60's to 70's and would probably take up both lanes in town.
Hexham Horseless Carriages - you British crack me up ;D
How often do you use the Cayman? If its only when the suns out and its dry for me its an obvious decision.
I'm quite impressed with the new 302 with its fancy cam so you get the classic muscle car lumpy idle.
My grandfather had a red hardtop version of the '65. Sweet cars. They're almost small enough to be a practical car -- still, they're totally useless if they aren't on a road in western America that doesn't have a turn on it for a thousand miles. I can't imagine trying to drive one on a B-road through a village. You'd end up knocking down someone's house!
Quote from: sturgeo on June 03, 2014, 12:00:01 PM
How often do you use the Cayman? If its only when the suns out and its dry for me its an obvious decision.
All the time ;) I'm about 60/40 with the 190E/Cayman in terms of usage.
If I had to choose between a Cayman and a '65 Mustang my head might explode. I think the Cayman might get the nod. The roads where I live, SW Washington state, are all curvy too. And Mustangs aren't exactly rare here. And there's a reason people call them Rustangs. Make sure to check the fender wells.
Ahhh, now i understand the severity of your problem :-\
As much as i love classic cars, using one as a daily driver for me isn't a great idea from past experience.
Its always nice to have something modern and reliable that you can guarantee isn't going to need a heap of work to pass its MOT.
I will be the devil on your shoulder and say GET IT ;D
289 is a nice and strong little V8. A good friend of mine had a similar '65 convertible and it was a joy to drive.
Give in to the American way of the excess, completely impractical pursuit of happiness 8)
What would be far more sensible for me to do is keep the Cayman and p/ex the 190E for this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mercedes-benz/sl/low-miles-owners-immaculate-380sl/2224043
It's just not the same... BUT it'd actually be usable here and I could keep it outside (with the hard top on for 90% of the year).
I really should just step away from Pistonheads classifieds sometimes.
Being a bit of a gear head myself (worked in a shop since 14 yo) here is my opinion. Get the mustang! I'm quite fond of muscle cars myself. For me it's not the look its the feeling. When you dive them you feel untouchable and free. You being over the pond, this is an even better deal. To find an actual 60's Mustang in that good a shape...damn take it. Ditch the Porsche (sorry but I never cared for them) and buy that piece of American history. I say American history because that's a time when F.O.R.D. meant First On Race Day, not F%*ked Over Repaired Dodge, or F%*ker Only Runs Downhill. This is a time period when we actually took pride in our product. Porsche (even though I'm not a fan) has always engineered their product perfectly, how many Mustang owners (years 94-14) can say the same...I would absolutely check for rust and rot, especially on the rocker panels and rear frame supports, but it looks like this guy took his time restoring it. Congrats if you end up buying the car!.
Any one here remember the Ford Escort EXP? or as i called it... THE MUSCORT
(http://www.fifteen52.us/project-st/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ford-exp-04.jpg)
Quote from: sturgeo on June 03, 2014, 12:17:09 PM
Ahhh, now i understand the severity of your problem :-\
As much as i love classic cars, using one as a daily driver for me isn't a great idea from past experience.
Its always nice to have something modern and reliable that you can guarantee isn't going to need a heap of work to pass its MOT.
My 190E is 21 years old and I've used it as my daily for the last 5 years or so. But I have had to maintain it accordingly (it's had new paint for a start) so I'm not averse to it. But a 50yo car might be a whole other proposition. The SL is 32, but back from when they were built like tanks (like my 190). So if you start with a rust free one and look after it properly, there's no reason it can't be a daily. Hmmm, I seem to be talking myself into going to have a look at that.
Quote from: flanagan0718 on June 03, 2014, 12:43:31 PM
Any one here remember the Ford Escort EXP? or as i called it... THE MUSCORT
(http://www.fifteen52.us/project-st/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ford-exp-04.jpg)
Wow, never seen that before. They really did mate a Mustang and Escort!
I know I shouldn't... But I quite like that.
Yeah, I'm a certifiable Petrolhead (as they are known here). Classics, sports, race.., you name it.
Quote from: juansolo on June 03, 2014, 12:48:38 PM
Quote from: flanagan0718 on June 03, 2014, 12:43:31 PM
Any one here remember the Ford Escort EXP? or as i called it... THE MUSCORT
(http://www.fifteen52.us/project-st/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ford-exp-04.jpg)
Wow, never seen that before. They really did mate a Mustang and Escort!
I know I shouldn't... But I quite like that.
Yeah, I'm a certifiable Petrolhead (as they are known here). Classics, sports, race.., you name it.
Yes they did! My sister had one. She bought it from the owner of the shop I worked for when I was in high school. They still had a 4 banger but they looked the part at least. I think they only made them for 3 years or so, and sales were low so there are very few around now-a-days so i make it a point to...well...point and laugh, and yet admire at the same time.
I still wish I had my muscle car from time to time. specs
1985 Monte Carlo SS
-350 Stroker Boared over
-Posie rear end
-Holly high performance carburetor with 2 inch riser
-custom mandrel bent exhaust and custom made headers
-modified with turbo 500 manual transmission
-Fiberglass hood, trunk, fenders
-not to mention all the other smaller stuff
- Most importantly T-TOPS!!!
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ4FIPeWdZ0l-tD1oWpc5TYZ3z6DqyJ-mGPdkRY5ISs1UQHk0CHfQ)
*not mine just what it kind of looked like**
T-Tops FTW. Smokey and the Bandit was responsible for my unreasonable need for a 6.6 Pontiac Firebird with a T-Top.
FWIW the car I still to this day regret selling is this Westfield. Couldn't be further from a muscle car. 535kgs, 165hp 2.0 Ford Zetec on throttle bodies. I was an idiot to ever sell it. Cleggy still kicks himself for not buying it also (I used to store it in his garage after all!).
(http://juansolo.demon.co.uk/motas/images/bbt14.jpg)
Motors are my other passion, as you might have gathered, there is indeed a Motas page on the same site as the Stompage if you want to read me wibbling on about cars ;) http://juansolo.demon.co.uk/motas/index.html
Quote from: juansolo on June 03, 2014, 01:13:42 PM
T-Tops FTW. Smokey and the Bandit was responsible for my unreasonable need for a 6.6 Pontiac Firebird with a T-Top.
FWIW the car I still to this day regret selling is this Westfield. Couldn't be further from a muscle car. 535kgs, 165hp 2.0 Ford Zetec on throttle bodies. I was an idiot to ever sell it. Cleggy still kicks himself for not buying it also (I used to store it in his garage after all!).
(http://juansolo.demon.co.uk/motas/images/bbt14.jpg)
Motors are my other passion, as you might have gathered, there is indeed a Motas page on the same site as the Stompage if you want to read me wibbling on about cars ;) http://juansolo.demon.co.uk/motas/index.html
I'll be sure to stop by and check it out. Glad to see there are still gear heads out there!
You've got to go west, young man. For that kind of money, you could come over here and spend a month or two looking for great muscle cars and ship it home.
I had a chance to buy a '66 in fair/good condition for $2,500 about 10 years ago. Had to spend the money on tuition. :'(
On the top end, you're looking at about half the price of the one you linked to.
http://charlotte.freeclassifieds.com/classified_ads/Vehicles_For_Sale/Convertible/p6y-HjPdp85eLu3hVWc-TA==
Camaros, GTOs, Chargers - tons of fully restored choices for $25K or less. Unrestored usually $12K and below.
Actually £ vs $ at the moment, it's in our favour big time at the moment. Shipping and import duty would soon see it at the sort of money the UK one is I'd expect. The other thing I like about the UK one is the PAS, big brakes and 5 speed manual. All good things for driveability here.
Quote from: juansolo on June 03, 2014, 01:58:47 PM
Actually £ vs $ at the moment, it's in our favour big time at the moment. Shipping and import duty would soon see it at the sort of money the UK one is I'd expect. The other thing I like about the UK one is the PAS, big brakes and 5 speed manual. All good things for driveability here.
Crap, I always forget about the import duty. It's truly the muscle car wonderland over here, though. Wish I had the time and money to work on one. Oh, and I need a Tesla S, too. Buying gas? Pfft.
Quote from: flanagan0718 on June 03, 2014, 12:43:31 PM
Being a bit of a gear head myself (worked in a shop since 14 yo) here is my opinion. Get the mustang! I'm quite fond of muscle cars myself. For me it's not the look its the feeling. When you dive them you feel untouchable and free. You being over the pond, this is an even better deal. To find an actual 60's Mustang in that good a shape...damn take it. Ditch the Porsche (sorry but I never cared for them) and buy that piece of American history. I say American history because that's a time when F.O.R.D. meant First On Race Day, not F%*ked Over Repaired Dodge, or F%*ker Only Runs Downhill. This is a time period when we actually took pride in our product. Porsche (even though I'm not a fan) has always engineered their product perfectly, how many Mustang owners (years 94-14) can say the same...I would absolutely check for rust and rot, especially on the rocker panels and rear frame supports, but it looks like this guy took his time restoring it. Congrats if you end up buying the car!.
Any one here remember the Ford Escort EXP? or as i called it... THE MUSCORT
(http://www.fifteen52.us/project-st/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ford-exp-04.jpg)
Bahahaha the Muscort, I forgot about those. My best friend in high school came in one day just vibrating in excitement, stating emphatically that he had both attained his driver's license and his dream car, a Mustang, all in the same week, and that it would certainly be an undergarment dropper.
Walked out to the parking lot. It was an 86 LX. Pretty sure it had a hatchback. Safe to say, his expectation of its prowess with the ladies was not met. Think he wrapped it around a tree. On purpose.
Quote from: GermanCdn on June 03, 2014, 03:03:27 PM
Quote from: flanagan0718 on June 03, 2014, 12:43:31 PM
Being a bit of a gear head myself (worked in a shop since 14 yo) here is my opinion. Get the mustang! I'm quite fond of muscle cars myself. For me it's not the look its the feeling. When you dive them you feel untouchable and free. You being over the pond, this is an even better deal. To find an actual 60's Mustang in that good a shape...damn take it. Ditch the Porsche (sorry but I never cared for them) and buy that piece of American history. I say American history because that's a time when F.O.R.D. meant First On Race Day, not F%*ked Over Repaired Dodge, or F%*ker Only Runs Downhill. This is a time period when we actually took pride in our product. Porsche (even though I'm not a fan) has always engineered their product perfectly, how many Mustang owners (years 94-14) can say the same...I would absolutely check for rust and rot, especially on the rocker panels and rear frame supports, but it looks like this guy took his time restoring it. Congrats if you end up buying the car!.
Any one here remember the Ford Escort EXP? or as i called it... THE MUSCORT
(http://www.fifteen52.us/project-st/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ford-exp-04.jpg)
Bahahaha the Muscort, I forgot about those. My best friend in high school came in one day just vibrating in excitement, stating emphatically that he had both attained his driver's license and his dream car, a Mustang, all in the same week, and that it would certainly be an undergarment dropper.
Walked out to the parking lot. It was an 86 LX. Pretty sure it had a hatchback. Safe to say, his expectation of its prowess with the ladies was not met. Think he wrapped it around a tree. On purpose.
Yeah my sister crashed hers too, I think on purpose as well. She used to get so mad when I asked her how the Muscort or the Fustang was!
I didn't read the description in the ad, but it looks like it's got a better-than-factory suspension on it, so it probably isn't as brutal in the corners as a stock one would be. In the US, we would think of that as more of a pony car than a muscle car anyway. As such, the steering wheel probably serves a useful function more so than the late '60s/early 70's behemoths. :)
If you do pick it up and later decide it's not for you, you could probably talk Richard Hammond into buying it.
My problem with spending £30k on that, is that for another £5k I could get this. I know the brother of the owner and know it's a very, very good one...
http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/dodge/srt-10-gts-rt10/dodge-viper-gts-v10--fantastic/2069141
Quote from: juansolo on June 03, 2014, 03:27:55 PM
My problem with spending £30k on that, is that for another £5k I could get this. I know the brother of the owner and know it's a very, very good one...
http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/dodge/srt-10-gts-rt10/dodge-viper-gts-v10--fantastic/2069141
Oh man! That is gorgeous! And I'm a sucker for rally stripes. I knew a guy who won a viper but he had to sell it because insurance was insane.
As I drive on the same roads as you and in the same shitty Yorkshire weather I would stick with the Cayman however that Viper ...WOW
My order of preference would be Viper > Cayman > Muscort > Mustang .. That mustang does nothing for me :(
Viper would handle better, that's for certain. But what it has in power and handling over the Mustang, it looses in fuel cost and class. The mustang is by far the Classier car. If that matters, I'd pick the Mustang over the Cayman and the Viper. If it doesn't, and you're just after change, than the Viper will be very fun to drive in the UK I imagine.
Jacob
I think common sense has to kick in on this one. I deeply want that Mustang. But the cost and the lack of somewhere dry to keep it has to knock it on the head.
The Viper, as has been said, crippling running costs mean I couldn't use it as often as I'd want to.
Bah!
Essentially the Cayman stays, but I haven't ruled out swapping the 190E for that 380SL. The colour is horrible though... Would have to talk to a friend about spraying it if I did which would add to the cost... Hmmm...
Either way you have an amazing vehicle!
True. Just had both quite a few years now and getting that itch to have a change.