Talk me into (or out of) one of these obscure classics

Rover 2000TC - the four cylinder powered P6 but with twin carbs. I really, really like these ... in theory. They have a reputation for being soul crushingly expensive to maintain and repair with no value upside when you go to sell. This one at least a driver a few years back.

I had one of those when it was fairly new in 1968 thru 1971 or thereabouts. It was a wonderful car. Only problem was I was a poor student & the expensive to maintain/repair is well deserved. It was also very undendable. I often wished I had 4 or 5 more so that I'd feel assured that at least one of them was running all the time.

Yes that is exactly what scares me about the P6.

The Vanguard !! Station wagons are cool, and that one has a motor from a friggin' tractor. Many engine parts available from your local Massey-Ferguson dealer. Sheet metal is so thick you can stick weld patches on it. If it's a three-on-the-tree it will start from a stop in high gear.
After that....the R4 turns my crank. The Zephyr with a 302 would be fun ,too.
Did you see any Austin A40 Devons or Dorsets in that stash?

The Maverick is probably easiest to live with. Dump the bumpers and find some from an earlier version.

I love that 924 color scheme, just needs a pascha interior!

I really like the Ford. That's the one I'd want.

93EXCivic wrote: Jesus I want all those cars except the Metro and Maverick four door. If I had to chose one, Rover SD1 or 2000TC would be my choice.

I wouldn't mind the Metro myself. Have been around V8 4-door Maverick's, decent car.

Javelin wrote: Buy this one: and swap the drivetrain into this one:

I had the same thought...

wlkelley3 wrote:

93EXCivic wrote: Jesus I want all those cars except the Metro and Maverick four door. If I had to chose one, Rover SD1 or 2000TC would be my choice.

I wouldn't mind the Metro myself. Have been around V8 4-door Maverick's, decent car.

I like Mavericks. I just wouldn't have a 4 door.

My earliest memory of a family car was a Zephyr, I would love one of those.

Ah the memories

Definitely, the capri followed by the tr7.

Just a thought.... I checked the wheelbase of the e-type and it is only 2mm apart from a c4 corvette. The vettes are dirt cheap right now. An e-type body on c4 vette running gear would be an interesting.

I'd pick the rover sd1s, I havent ever even seen one before but they look kinda cool. The Capri would probably be the most fun to drive somewhat stock though.

Capri II; not as light on its feet as the mk1 but still interesting with decent support here in the USA. Although the parts shared with USA Fords like the Pinto can be counted on one hand. I'd kind of like to swap a late Ranger drivetrain into one, from the radiator to the axle.

Sitting in grass is not good for underbody parts, usually.

Man, I would love that E-type! I'm always up for a project that could lead to bankruptcy and divorce before I'm halfway through with it

Seriously though, I'd give my two left testicles for that E-type if the price was right.

The Capri with a 5 speed from a Xr4ti and a Zetec.

I'd vote for the Capri and maybe one of the wagons if you have a parts source.

The wrecker looks good, Fiero's only interesting if V6.

don;t look at me... I would take the SD1s

My order of preference would be the Capri, followed by the Zepher, followed by the Maverick. I'd get the Capri running as a DD and use the Maverick's engine in the Zepher. IF, if there was money left over, I'd go the "other way" and get the Vauxhall wagons, just for their novelty value.

There were several cars that were in the background of some pictures that no one picked, for example an early 50s Studebacker sedan. Sure, it had 4 doors, but still. I imagine there are many others that would be more interesting than those pictured.

I'd do horrible things for a manual trans SD-1

DeadSkunk wrote: The Vanguard !! Station wagons are cool, and that one has a motor from a friggin' tractor. Many engine parts available from your local Massey-Ferguson dealer. Sheet metal is so thick you can stick weld patches on it. If it's a three-on-the-tree it will start from a stop in high gear.

Common misconception.

The Standard wet sleeve engine was never used in Massey anything - Harry Ferguson had them install it in a small British built tractor model for a couple of years after which they switched to another power plant, so some tractors could be said to have a Standard engine, not the other way around.

They also used the TR engine in various versions in boats and commercial vehicles. If you need engine parts, you look for Triumph as that is the most common application, and early cars like the Vanguard can be converted all the way upo to TR-4 engine spec (although the brakes are then woefully inadequate).

I'd want to see a Capri back on the road. Too few of them Stateside.

Ford 2.3 turbo power???

Drop it on period correct wheels and fat rubber and RULE.

would the 2000TC work well with Zetec or Duratec power?

Ok I put a bid in on something. Find out on Monday if it is accepted.

That Jaguar E-Type was a kit car! Fiberglass based on Volvo running gear. I wonder how many people it disappointed. Seems to be more MG B size.

The Maverick is a low mileage car with a 302 V8 and auto. Came from a estate to the scrapyard and saved from there.

The Crestas are rough – quite rough.

The Rover 3500 are both automatics. Ugh.

The MG B has an overdrive gearbox! A later example.

The TR7 has a 2.8L V6 and auto swapped in.

The Porsche 924 is a turbo – I think 1980.

There are two early Victors. The yellow one is rough but the green is not bad.

A few more pictures too - http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveseven/sets/72157631923698852/

I'll be adding more over the next few days.

This hit bring a trailer too. http://bringatrailer.com/2012/11/02/calgary-auction-of-euro-oddities/

I saw a couple of suggestions above for engine swaps on the Capri. Here's another idea: the 2.8 L Ford V6 that was swapped into the Triumph happened to be the optional upgrade for the Capri. Take the Capri and the TR7 and do a true engine swap!

(I dunno how that helps the TR7, but some dumb ideas just need to be shared.)

In reply to ArthurDent:

Actually most Rover 3500s (especially the P6s, but also the SD1s) were autos. In the case of the P6 that's generally a good thing as the stock four speed on the 3500S isn't up to the power and torque of the engine. IIRC it can be replaced with a later five speed out of an SD1 or Range Rover but it's not an easy conversion.