What project thread!

[Renrut]

Proportions would be wrong. It'd look like a 355 ferrari replica, not quite right and a waste of time.

There must be some smaller coupes out there for my sub £1k budget?

I'm on the look out for a cheap and EASY project that I can use as a daily driver as well as track toy.

An MR2 mk1 with only a little rust to sort might be a good bet as it'll fit better in the garage, would feel very different to the jag and tbh one in matt black paint it would look like the other 80s favourite - the F117A.

But I've already had an MR2 so I'd rather not get another one unless it really is the only thing like that, which I can't believe.

[Relentless Rob]

There must be some smaller coupes out there for my sub £1k budget?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sunbeam-Alpin ... 6807419448

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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cop-speck-V8- ... 2c60b3aa45

=

[Renrut]

Opel Manta, length = 4,445 mm

Sunbeam Alpine Fastback length= 4,432 mm

Shorter. Just. But you could get it Rob? Its a 72 so possibly tax free, and you could put a RV8 engine in it.

TBH I'd rather just put a modern 4 pot in it. Something like a K series or Zetec, in something like that I think a V8 would ruin it. Most RV8s are only about the same power as a decent K series or Zetec anyway and weigh a lot more.

[Relentless Rob]

You didn't say how much smaller.

Is that Marina pick up still for sale?

[Renrut]

Is that Marina pick up still for sale?

Doesn't matter, I don't want one

MX-5 maybe Anyone who has had one got any thoughts on that?

[OilyFingers]

MX5's have been done to death. The only thing that would be mildly different is if you put the 6 MPS turbo lump in for 260bhp. If you want small open and RWD what about an Alfa Spider? You're into basket case teritory with that budget but you can still get a complete car.

If you get an MX5 you'll look like your off to Debenhams but with a 70's or 80's Alfa you'll look like your off to the Cote D'azure besides which your better half can sit in the passenger seat wearing huge sunglasses and a headscarf while you bathe in the noise of the best sounding 4 pot out there. Either that or get yourself an older woman .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI. ... lk_rvr_id=

[Renrut]

MX5's have been done to death. The only thing that would be mildly different is if you put the 6 MPS turbo lump in for 260bhp. If you want small open and RWD what about an Alfa Spider? You're into basket case teritory with that budget but you can still get a complete car.

If you get an MX5 you'll look like your off to Debenhams but with a 70's or 80's Alfa you'll look like your off to the Cote D'azure besides which your better half can sit in the passenger seat wearing huge sunglasses and a headscarf while you bathe in the noise of the best sounding 4 pot out there. Either that or get yourself an older woman .

All good points but I've already got the older woman - she came with a free house so I can't really complain about that

That one doesn't look too bad but he does say he's after £1700 so I'd be surprised to get it within my budget.

[Relentless Rob]

As you've graduated past that idea; here's the British version with no reserve...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUNBEAM-ALPIN ... 35b6f58edb

I would buy something myself if I could. There's a pair of Lotus Elite's less than five miles away on my watch list. I'll have to cycle to work and survive on Tesco instant noodles for a couple of months but pop up lights.

[owelly]

Dunno if its been mentioned as I have a memory like a trumpet, but you can buy an MGBGT with test for around £1k. If you get one that was restored in the mid 90's when folks had the cash to wastr on such cars, then any bodges will have shown up by now.
Very cheap insurance, utterly cool and enough room under the bonnet to choose whatever powerplant you want. An excellent driving restoration if you like. I'll now read back through the thread to find that you've already poo-pood the idea.

[owelly]

Check out this item I found on eBay:

1975 MGB GT

Link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1975-MGB-GT-/330637983690

A quick search found lots of choice. It even had me checking the bank account...

[OilyFingers]

Maybe Owelly but I don't think on this thread. Rob was on about one a few weeks back for his never ending 13b fettish and I want one to house a Jag V6.

Has anyone mentioned mentioned eastern europe yet? Lada, Trabant, Volga, Vauxhall Chevette etc.

Rootes group seem to be missing too, a sunbeam alpine with a Volvo lump would go nice.

[Renrut]

BGT isn't a bad idea. Not sure what I'd do with one though, any suggestions that haven't been done before and might get me enthusiastic about one?

As far as eastern european cars - Yugos have been mentioned but after spending a week in one when I was in Yugoslavia on holiday with my parents hasn't left a good impression. As a side note it was rather weird watching sky news a few years later when you could watch them shelling the town that I'd stayed in.

[Steve33]

A mate has a v8 b in storage its been in for 5 years , I know what you mean they dont really excite me either .
Howabout a tr7 with a t16 turbo lump in matt black with a welded diff in it ?

[TeamTotalWankel]

It's been about 20yrs since I drove an MGBGT, and yet I can clearly remember how crap it was (and it wasn't even a crap one ). Although I'm sure they can be improved greatly.
Could you not squeeze an RX7 FC(preferably Turbo) in the garage Will? Pretty hard to find a decent one sub £1K these days though

[owelly]

BGT, double wish bone and coilovers on the front, de-dion on the back with an XR4x4 diff. That's the handling sorted. The world is your lobster when choosing an engine. That Alfa V6 perhaps?