As most of you know I enjoy having an affordable classic car kicking around and I have been without one since I sold my Spitfire late in the summer. Budget wise I'm keeping it pretty small as usual. I went to see a '74 Fiat X1/9 but a description of running when parked turned out to be broken cam belt. Cracked windshield, trash tires, worn interior and rust on the strut towers proved to be too much. Some of those issues I could deal with but not all.
I've got the following candidates to consider:
1961 Austin Healey Sprite
Off the road for a long time. Would need a complete mechanical renovation. Also probably an out of province inspection which is around $500 at registration time. Two lens missing - I think the rear isn't all that cheap to replace. Missing a few switches and the radio on that dash but looks otherwise complete. Radio is useless in car like this. Comes with a hardtop which is nice. Looks complete and not buggered with. Would be a longer term proper mechanical renovation. Almost tempted to leave the cosmetics the same. Asking $1500 which strikes me as cheap. I'd keep it pretty much stock.
1977 Datsun 280Z
Again off the road a long time - 1986. 52628 miles. Paint is shot but body looks solid for a Z. My plan is a sort of resto mod with roll on paint job in a 70s groovy colour - orange or light yellow. De-bumper or convert to early style bumpers. Aftermarket wheels. This one has a five speed which is nice. Old FI system worries me a bit. $900
Austin A40 hot rod.
Sort of out of left field but Austin A40 and convert into a hot rod. Maybe sit on a mini-truck frame plus running gear. Fabricated box. Its $200 for the Austin plus $6-700 for a running mini truck. I do happen to have a nice set of almost new A40 front brakes so I could retain those. Interior is shot and mostly gone but body is solid with the exception of some rust and dings on fenders.
Thoughts? I know they are all a bit crazy ...
