Club Arnage

A bit of curiousity here and a bit of market research I suppose. My dad (bless him) has decided in his wisdom to blow any inheritance i may have had coming and setup a Classic sportscar hire company operating out of the Aberdeen area. (e.g. driving holidays in the highlands).

Anyway we are having a bit of a debate about what cars he needs to have in his fleet so to speak. So i thought i would throw the question on here and see what peoples thoughts on classic sportscars that they have always wanted to drive. What was the car that you always wanted when you were younger?

Already in the fleet is a Jag XJS-C V12 in mint show winning competition and the purchase of an E-Type is a given. After that we would be looking for anyting from another 4-8 cars. Budget wise each car needs to be available i up to 50 k (i.e no million pound rarities).

The main target clientele will be couples going touring in the highlands, honeymooners, birthday gifts, people living childhood dreams, etc

This is an attempt to stimulate some debate whilst the forum has wound down for a while. Personally one of the cars at the top of my list is a Sunbeam Tiger like Norberts from Bobblehat Racing, that car sounded immense.

As I am a child of the eighties I would have to have a soft spot for the Lotus Esprit, when i was growing up that was the car on the poster that adorned my bedroom wall.

Over to you.

A Commer van ?

Why did i think that would be the first suggestion?

How about a very nice 300 SL 24V Convertible, '92 with 66K on it, super condition, owned by my mum for the last 8 years. Hard top too. Met silver, black leather. A wonderful tourer.

Should I have put this in the "Sell & Swap" section ?

for sure sunbeam and/or TR4 and/or TR6 convertible...

MGA and/or MGB hatchback or convertible

A Bentley or a Vanden Plas

A Morgan or a Lotus/Caterham/Martin/Donkervoot Seven

A French Classic like a Citroen Light Fifteen or a 2 CV

...

I would say the MG's and the Triumphs are definate possibilities beacuse of the ease with which you can get hold of a good example.

I think a Morgan would be an excellent addition as well purely because of the beauty of the thing.

Any suggestions for an American muscle car?

An Alfa would be nice, plenty to choose from.

The usual choice is a 65/66 Ford Mustang, with the Dodge Charger, Pontiac Firebird and Chevvy Camaro close behind.  The Mustang has my vote, with the Charger very close behind (the opposite of Bullitt) but not the Duke of Hazard type, the "Daytona" with the streamlined plastic nose, and the very high but slim rear wing.  Would it fit on Scottish roads?

Plus some sports car - about a dozen Shelby Cobra SCs, a Sunbeam Tiger and the range of Corvettes

1972 Morris Marina 1.8TC

Sunset orange / Navy bue vinyl interior

Perfect!

HMMM, Can't even give it away.........

clk - I'm sure i put the word sportscar in the thread tiitle. Whatever floats your boat though.

I think the Dodge Charger Daytona may be a little bit too much for twisty Highland roads. I can imagine that a Mustang would be a popular choice for wives getting there husbands a birthday treat.

Would it come with a free cigar?  Didn't Bill Clinton have one.

And replica General Lee's are very popular - probably in Essex

I wuold suggest a 65 to 68 Mustang Conv. with a small v8 auto..Plenty of punch but not enough to really hurt anyone.Unless of you step in front of it while shes cruising down the lane. ::)

I'm thinking are convertibles are the way to go for the whole wind in your hair experience, however Scottish weather is not always convertible friendly, and these old cars don't all have motorised roofs like we do now.

Could end up with a few cars coming back a bit soggy.

Have to agree with thje Mustang conv if its got a good roof, a 63-67 - 70 corvette would be a good choice - classic and tough.

Why has nobody mentioned a Porsche of any description ?  ::)

MkII Granada Perhaps (preferably Black of course)

Seriously how about a Triumph Stag or an Alfa Montreal

Ooohhh.... where shall we start?   :-X :-X

How about ,  356 coupe or cabrio, 911 turbo (bit biased there) 944 or 928 , good excuse for those who would like to try before they buy 8)

There was an old Humber something (hardly sports I know) on the telly recently (Top Gear?). Used to be equivalent to a Rolls. Probably hard to get hold of at the right price though.

Isn't it always wet and misty in Scotland?  ;D

The Lotus Espirit may be a bit of a millstone if it lives up to the Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious reputation - ask Dark Warrior.

A Triumph Spitfire is a good cheap fun convertible, or how about a lates 60's Corvette?

Or a Cobra ???

Dont even mention Triumph Spitfires.... i had two, and i reckon i pushed em further than I ever drove the bu**ers!  >:(

Did u get to Manchester yet Steve?   Been positively tropical up here last few days....  8)

MGA 1600 MK1 soft top, great car with similar mechanicals to MGB but a totally different car (thank god) MGB engine will bolt straight in and MGB overdrive box is an easy fit, I paid £100.00 for mine, in 1973, what about a BMW 3.0csi?

   Pat

or a Bedford CF with BMW engine?

Fran,
5th September for a week - It'll probably rain all week  :'(

(http://www.manchesterfreebies.co.uk/gasometer-rain.jpg)

(http://sea.blox.pl/resource/man3.jpg)

Shame, I am away first two weeks of September so wont be able to share with you the bizarre delights of an evening drink on Deansgate!  Drunken wenches hanging out of the F'hire Engine (yes, it really is a fire engine complete with Chippendale style firemen - and i dont mean cabriolet legs...  ;) )n all that .....

Can usually guarantee a heatwave whenever I go away too - so you may be lucky!

I would say you need either a TR4,5 or 6
Porsche 911 pre 89 (targas are cheaper)
E type
Morris 1000 soft top ( not a sports car, but it would be a popular car to rent out) or orginal Beetle Soft top
Maybe a classic camper (there is a company renting out classic  VW vans down devon way)
Rolls or bentley

I would not limit yourself to Sports cars, its a business, not everyone is as excited about them as us!

The auctions are going to be softer on price than trade or private sales, but you need to know the likely problems are going to be.

Good luck.

Alfa would be nice    :)

Yeah, I was thinking about the Alfa Sprint, its a gorgeous car but it may have some pitfalls about keeping it going.

Some good points Nordic, you came up with pretty much the same list as my dad did when he sat down for the first time. With the exception of the campervan, there is some potential in that.

Is it my turn to mention that wonder of the Rootes Group, the Commer van

Lorry look at the very first reply on the post from hgb.

Weeel if its classic Brit Sports Cars ideally suited to Scotlands fabulous roads and mountains you are after.

I have to push a spot for my old faithful MG Midget, in its early 1275cc guise.

Roadholding on withery wathery roads is superb, lots of power for passing the 'umble caravanners on wicked little blind bends.

Oh yes unlike the "Fabulous Spitfire" it doesn't have the troublesome Triumph engine either...

And apart from a minor split hydraulic hose I haven't had trouble getting to Le Mans in mine for the last three years.

So it won't cost much to keep earning money, which is the name of the game. Not necessarily something you will be able to say about the Alfas.

 ;D

bill