churchwa

I am looking at getting a big american car. Chevvy Impala or somehting like that. Does anyone have any experiance in running them, or something like that (70's Caddy).

Is there a good site like scooby net to look at the cars and stuff?

brickboy

Just a thought -- Yank cars can look great etc but they are LHD and can be a bit crude.

You can get 1980s V8 Merc SEC coupes for 5-7 grand which are likely to be more reliable and just as grunty ...

Bobby Peru

I have to agree, but then I do have a deep hatred of American 'metal'.

churchwa

I used to hate them as well, but they seem to have a wonderful charm now. I have owned a LHD integrale and did not mind sitting on the wrong side.

I get what you are saying about the merc, but i hate mercs and what they stand for. (I know they are good cars, i just don't like them)

brickboy

Churchwa -- in this month's Practical Classics mag there's a lengthy article about buying & running '65 - '71 Mustangs (up to the Mach1) which would probably give you some idea of what to expect in costs, parts etc.

About 10 years ago I went to a place near Lincoln that specialised in Camaros, as I fancied an early '70s one. The bloke was very helpful (can't remember the name now) and showed what goes wrong. Here's what I remember.

A lot of 70s cars still had full chassis, and unless the car's been crashed they will never rust through as they're like girders. Most MOT problems are with running gear like bushes, shocks, brakes etc. He did say most panels (valances, sills etc) are available quite cheaply.

The engines and gearboxes are bulletproof providing they get an oil change once a year. He mentioned that the early 70s cars are much easier to remove the emissions kit from, by the mid-70s the gear was getting very complex.

Problem I had with them is the interiors are crap. Think Mark III Cortina on acid. Horrible. The 60s Camaros, Challengers and Chargers were much nicer inside, but a lot more expensive too. Mach 1 Mustangs are good to sit in but they're not cheap either.

I went and bought an MGB GT V8 instead ....

Edited to add that "American Classics" magazine has loads of dealer adverts for specialists in US cars, that's probably your best starting point. Everyone I spoke to about them seemed very genuine and willing to give help & advice.

[Edited by brickboy - 10/22/2003 10:38:02 AM]

churchwa

Brickboy,

Thanks alot for that help. I will pick up the magazine and have a look. The Mach 1 is a wonderful car, but i have taken note as you spend your time sitting in the car. What do you think i could find for £12k

brickboy

From what I've seen in the mags, £10 - £12K will get you something very nicely sorted, and probably with a fair bit of resto work already done.

A good Mach1 should be easily in that range, and it should also cover other nice cars like Dodge Charger / Challenger, Plymouth 'cuda & GTX, an early Camaro / Firebird (not the droop-snoot type).

Try going to American Auto Club for links to importers & dealers ....

There's a '68 Plymouth GTX with the 440 motor for £12K. Mmmmmmmm 7.2 litres, 380BHP & 480lb-ft

turboman786

Pimp motors, albeit non american......

BMW 8 series....
BMW 635csi highline
Merc SL ( with upgrade lights, 19 " AMG wheels)
Lexus LS400 on hoooj rims.......

Just a thought!

churchwa

I am looking for retro pimp, not modern day drug dealer

HumptyDumpty

there's loads of american metal in Top Marques from limos to 4x4's and saloons

question, can you afford the go go juice?

churchwa

Given that my current Sti8+PPP is draining juice like there is no tomorrow i dont see that there will be that much of a diffrence. I don't do that many miles to worry. I will only do about 6k miles in my car after 1 year and the first 1k were don in a week . And i have a job now that i cannot drive into work so i dont mind the fuel bills.

I am now liking the look of a 1967 fast back Mustang like this one
http://www.bildilla.com/67mustang.html

brickboy

Very nice that Mustang ... or you could go for this:



1970 Dodge Challenger R/T with either the 383 or 440 cui motor. More details Here

churchwa

Nice car, i was also thing of a Dodge Charger but they seem to be a bit fat in the ****.. (If you know that i mean, but i love the one in Blade)

churchwa

Bought Top Marques and there was only one vintage american car. Which other mags are worth buying?

Ian E

iTrader: (1)

Try a search on www.autotrader.co.uk

churchwa

i have done, but there does not seem to be that much on offer. I am surprised by how few cars there are on the web for sale. I know there cant be many cars in the uk of this type but it is really hard to find good sites.

Leigh

Have a look here, california classic imports, usually a good selection:

http://www.madders.freeserve.co.uk/



[Edited by Leigh - 10/27/2003 10:00:13 PM]

churchwa

Funny you should mention that site, as it is the best one on the web. I love the black mustang they have just added.

mynickers

There is a big american import place in kingston, just around the corner from me, they mainly import new or nearly new stuff, but they do get some classics, I will see if they have a web address next time I pass by or get a telephone number for them if you want!?

day tripper

Your looking to pay alot for a charger or challenger. Im really into American cars, none of this european jelly mould crap.

Planning on immigrating to the US one day, would love soft top Saleen Ford mustang.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6236&item=24392307 93

churchwa

I think i have now decided upon a Mustang becasue they seem to fit the UK roads better. Chargers are wonderful but they are huge and would be even more difficult to live with.

It is now just a matter of deciding which one to go for. I think it will have to be a 67/8/9 but i am not sure if i was a Manual or Auto. All i do know is that i want it in Black or Dark Grey.

churchwa

Does anyone know any other companies like www.pomonaimports.com

They fully strip down the car, rebuild everything whist rustproofing everything. They then let you choose what colour you want the car. All for about £14,000-£15,000.

Does not seem that bad to me for a fully restored car.

Richard Work

What's the car from the Matrix - that would be a cool pimp car....

Olly

Investing in a pimp mobile has always appealed to me, and if it was American it would have to be one of these pups.



Dumping this outside the local nightclub on Saturday night would be worth the purchase price alone.

day tripper

The best old mustangs are 1969/70/71.

The car of the matrix 2?

Havent watched it yet, but played the game on ps2. IF my memory serves me correctly its a 1970 Pontiac trans am.

churchwa

Does anyone know if there is a good Message Board for american cars in the UK?

workshy_fopp

http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/threa...hreadID=193303