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

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 😊

4 Attachments