Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

What are some examples of 40 year old cars that might be practical (if you replace the wiring loom, cooling system and recondition the engine, gearbox, suspension and braking system)?

If people don't want to spend the money on charges it is a viable option as there are many that could be put into reliable daily service.
Trouble is, your average person won't spend the time to do the research and maintenance to look after them, this is where the problem lies. Which is fine, people have busy lives and they don't need an extra stress of it.
My biggest concern would be stopping it from being pinched.

I think we’d all end up driving Golfs or 3 series.

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1468794

a little AA badge on your radiator

There's a guy round my way who's got a whole grill full of regalia, like this:

Except he on a Ssangyong like this:

It's a strange juxtaposition. I can't imagine they do much for pedestrian impact safety, are they an MOT fail?

There's a guy round my way who's got a whole grill full of regalia

wot no poppy?

Best person to ask @Jackytwoshoes. I'm sure he still has his Morris 1300.

What are some examples of 40 year old cars that might be practical (if you replace the wiring loom, cooling system and recondition the engine, gearbox, suspension and braking system)?

Have i ever mentioned the Saab 900...

ULEZ aside i do think some more modern late 80's and early 90's classics still make for very good daily drivers. Plenty from Germany, Sweden and a few from Japan that tick most boxes and don't require a lot of specialist work.

That’s the challenge tho. Late 80s into early 90s you’re getting into power steering, air con and other bits that make a big difference to usability. Pre 1983 I don’t think even gets you a Maestro.

This Mk 2 perhaps a little more usable on a daily basis https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1988-volkswagen-golf-gti-mk2-8v-8l6Kvn

I agree cheap pre 83 cars would not be a good choice for London. There are plenty of pre 83 cars that i would happily choose over any modern car for a daily but i could never afford them. What i should have said is for those living outside of London or for those in London that want something older/classic but don't use their car much and don't want high purchase/running costs (me) then late 80s/early 90s from the places i mentioned wouldn't be a stupid place to look.

Is 40 year the threshold for "veteran cars" in uk that is then exempt of taxes?
Here its 30. My ghibli will be tax free next year. Saving something like 300 gbp wohoo.

Mk 4 original Mini for round town.

Do they? I would personally say they don't. Might make it more pleasant for some I agree.
My B11 Sunny estate was used daily. It was a 1991 but based on an AD van which was produced in 1985 onwards and never changed. 1.3 4 speed, no power steering, no air con, no abs, no electric windows. Just fun basic motoring. I have an E91 now as I need to tow so I can see both sides but I would happily drive around it either.

Leather and a whiff of petrol is better than air freshener and plastic

Is that the royal we(e)? :)

"I'm unsure of the mileage as i don't want to open the car door in case it snaps in half!"

It’s a Capri, you could be Bodie!😀

My 1999 2 litre Alfa GTV is still for sale if thats any good to anyone...........

I've run a selection of ancient things all my life! I reckon to daily an old car without any knowledge means that you're depending on expensive London garages and therefore obviously not good, however I started off without any knowledge other than working on bikes (albeit not in London) and learnt along the way. After some minor tool investment along the way, now I can do pretty much anything mechanical myself and the vast proportion of that has been done on the street. I’ve recently moved out of London and now I’ve got a garage and a welder so I can stay on top of bodywork too, which is a whole new learning curve.

If investing in tools and knowledge sounds fun to you, then you can immediately dispel two misconceptions raised here: that they’re expensive and unreliable. I’m skint as anything!

You can still get bargains. Look for stuff like old triumphs and Austins etc., which have amazing parts support, you can still find useable ones for under £2k.

You’re making huge savings with free tax, dirt cheap classic insurance.

If you buy wisely then chances are it’ll have appreciated when you sell it. In this way my hobby has provided me with transport and paid for itself if you discount the many many hours of bargain hunting and accruing knowledge.

The aim is to get to that point at which you understand your car, are on top of any niggles and then maintenance becomes a joy. Having sorted niggles, and fitted stuff like electronic ignition and electric fuel pumps, you’ve basically got something that has every reason to be just as reliable as a new car but actually fixable if it does go wrong.

When the ULEZ hit I rocked this lovely pair. I still daily the Morris, only by the seaside now instead. It’s scruffy as anything, but just keeps on going 😊

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Great shout! Loved mine. Bought it for £800 and dailyed it for a blissful 3 years before ULEZ. Here's the changeover day with the Morris..

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What you said 👍

Volvo 2xx 7xx or 9xx, Saab 900, Merc 200 - 300 range, BMW e28, Ford sierra or granada, peugeot 405 or citroen XM?

Don't think anything from GM, Fiat group at that age still exists outside of some rusty dust.

I did fancy getting another fiat Uno turbo, great fun, though crash resistance of a wet newspaper, would need a full engineered cage from every corner and then rebuilt around it to be even vaguely 'nice' in a mild crash.

Modern cars have A LOT of drawbacks, but safety for occupants is not one of them. Swedes were likely a decade ahead of anyone else hence pretty much the only 80's car that folk would want to drive in a daily setting.

The voice of experience and reason.

Blimey, not seen a Morris 1100 for a few years. I had a mustard coloured one reg ABT 313K way back in 1979.... Sunstrip with "1100 cowboy" written on it lol