MGB & GT Forum
Is there really such a thing as a classic car " that needs nothing"?
Posted by billh1963
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Apr 24, 2014 09:12 PM
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Sometimes when working on my classic cars I get frustrated that all of them seem to "need" something. I get tempted to sell them all and buy one or two nice classic cars that "need nothing".
Does such a thing exist? A classic car that truly needs nothing?
Does such a thing exist? A classic car that truly needs nothing?
blue64
Paul Hanley
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Apr 24, 2014 09:25 PM
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Apr 24, 2014 09:41 PM
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bimmerdude
Don B
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Apr 24, 2014 09:56 PM
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Apr 24, 2014 10:17 PM
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In reply to # 2670842 by billh1963
Sometimes when working on my classic cars I get frustrated that all of them seem to "need" something. I get tempted to sell them all and buy one or two nice classic cars that "need nothing".
Does such a thing exist? A classic car that truly needs nothing?
Does such a thing exist? A classic car that truly needs nothing?
If you're talking about a car that has been restored, it depends on the quality of the restoration. If done properly, it should need nothing for a very long time.
If you're talking about a car that has been simply maintained over the years, it will continue to need work.
Jim
Apr 24, 2014 10:21 PM
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In reply to # 2670842 by billh1963
Sometimes when working on my classic cars I get frustrated that all of them seem to "need" something. I get tempted to sell them all and buy one or two nice classic cars that "need nothing".
Does such a thing exist? A classic car that truly needs nothing?
Does such a thing exist? A classic car that truly needs nothing?
a soup to nuts restoration using parts that are as good a quality as they were new makes a classic car that needs nothing .
Peter-Sherman
Peter Sherman
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Apr 24, 2014 10:37 PM
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Rick Fawthrop
Richard Fawthrop
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Apr 24, 2014 11:34 PM
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The classic car that "needs nothing" does not exist.
I dump a load of money in them when I first get them, and when it is time to fix them a couple of years later is when I get pissed off.
My friends late model Porsche Carerra broke a power steering pulley 700 miles from home recently, so buying the expensive stuff didn't work either.
I dump a load of money in them when I first get them, and when it is time to fix them a couple of years later is when I get pissed off.
My friends late model Porsche Carerra broke a power steering pulley 700 miles from home recently, so buying the expensive stuff didn't work either.
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Apr 25, 2014 04:34 AM
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Apr 25, 2014 04:38 AM
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I find that driving my MG everyday it doesn't 'need' much if anything doing, but it 'wants' little jobs here and there, and to be honest if I wanted a car I didn't have to think about doing anything to, I'd have bought something cheap and rubbish to run into the ground
Apr 25, 2014 06:53 AM
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I was going to reply about Paul Hanley's car, but he beat me to it. Its one of two MGBs I've ever seen that really needed nothing. Perfection from any angle! For those of you who don't know, Paul's car was the first and only MGB invited to Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance and it deserved to be there!
jeff@advanceddistributors.com
jeff@advanceddistributors.com
underdog
Jim Underwood
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Apr 25, 2014 07:11 AM
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These cars have a reputation for being unreliable when new. Some will argue that was because of improper maintenance. Could be some truth to that since Americans were used to the old Chevy that just needed and oil change and lube once in a while.
Any car is going to have faults no matter it's age. Some are designed in or just show up since the vehicle has been used well beyond what the original manufacturer intended.
An example comes to mind. I have good friends in the TR club that have both experienced broken cranks on TR3s. These are cars I would describe as well maintained and needing nothing. But the old 3 main TR engine was more suited for agricultural work not Interstate driving. After 50 years what can one expect?
My answer would be no. I suppose that if enough money were spent to upgrade and re-engineer the faults out of the car you could get close. But by then would it still be a classic? I could go out right now and find stuff to do on all my cars including the daily drivers. Actually the Saturn I use for DD needs more than any of them. LOL
Any car is going to have faults no matter it's age. Some are designed in or just show up since the vehicle has been used well beyond what the original manufacturer intended.
An example comes to mind. I have good friends in the TR club that have both experienced broken cranks on TR3s. These are cars I would describe as well maintained and needing nothing. But the old 3 main TR engine was more suited for agricultural work not Interstate driving. After 50 years what can one expect?
My answer would be no. I suppose that if enough money were spent to upgrade and re-engineer the faults out of the car you could get close. But by then would it still be a classic? I could go out right now and find stuff to do on all my cars including the daily drivers. Actually the Saturn I use for DD needs more than any of them. LOL
Topic Creator (OP)
Apr 25, 2014 07:56 AM
Joined 11 years ago
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My post was born of frustration; however, it is a somewhat real question.
While I certainly enjoy turning a wrench on my cars, there are times when I wonder if I had bought a premium example would I be driving more than wrenching. Would I have the same attachment if I bought a premium example that "needed nothing" versus the blood, sweat, and tears equity I have invested in some of my cars? I can see where too much blood, sweat and tears can lead to resentment instead of enjoyment. I'm no where near that point; however, it's something I ponder.
While I certainly enjoy turning a wrench on my cars, there are times when I wonder if I had bought a premium example would I be driving more than wrenching. Would I have the same attachment if I bought a premium example that "needed nothing" versus the blood, sweat, and tears equity I have invested in some of my cars? I can see where too much blood, sweat and tears can lead to resentment instead of enjoyment. I'm no where near that point; however, it's something I ponder.
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