Nissan 3.0 D D/Cab
a/c, p/s, c/l a/c, p/s, c/l...
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NISSAN 3.0 D

a/c, p/s, c/l a/c, p/s, c/l

Price: R 149995

Contact: Aksons Wheels 033 392-9970

Mercedes-Benz C230 Coupe (A).

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MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS

Price: R 149995

Contact: Robbie Tripp Motors 021 713 0568

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Today, 05 July 2009

Yesterday, 04 July 2009

> IRB called in on Botha ban

> Lions roar in Johannesburg

> Rugby live scoring

> United States of Africa?

> The iafrica.com debate

There is something special about this trio of cars. They might not be the most exotic classics but a large portion of classic car fans can associate with at least one of the three. We have all either owned or had a relative who owned one, hankered after one or perhaps been beaten in a dice by one.

What’s more they are the future of classic motoring. You only have to visit a classic car meeting to realise that youngsters are few and far between. These cars are practical, reliable and cool, as well as reasonably priced when compared to the R90 000 or so entry-level contemporary cars from the likes of Toyota. Using a classic as an everyday commute leads to joining a club, socializing with like-minded owners and getting the best from your car. These classics are the way forward but by no means the only classics to go for, they are simply the most recognizable and most user friendly in the minds of Average Joe.

While many might feel that buying a car from a classic dealer is a bit pricey, they do save you from the tedious and time-consuming aspects when purchasing a car from a private source. First of all reputable showrooms do not want scrap on their floor so they screen what comes in. Roadworthy and licensing are taken care of and prior to delivery the customer is taken through a check of all the vitals by an independent expert. Finance is also available but obviously not as user friendly as when you buy a new vehicle. A 20% deposit is usually required and, depending on how cosy you are with the bank manager, an interest rate of prime plus a couple can be expected.

But what is it like buying and using an entry-level classic? Classic Sports Car & Motorcycles in Kyalami walked us through the process with a Mini Cooper S MkII and a rubber-bumpered MGB GT while the man behind our Classic Model pages, Massimo Lupini, brought his 1750 Alfa GTV to the party. The Mini tops the price list at R85 000 while the MGB GT is twenty grand cheaper. Although not up for sale the guys at Classic Sports Car & Motorcycles estimate that the Alfa would move for about R75 000.

With those numbers on the calculator the Mini would need a R17 000 deposit and your monthly installment would be R1 927 per month over 48 months. The MG would need R13 000 upfront and R1 473 a month and the Alfa R15 000 and R1 700. Insurance is available through the usual routes but can also be arranged at a better rate through the classic car clubs.

In many connoisseurs eyes, the rubber bumper MGB is not that desirable so it is often easier and cheaper to find a decent one. MG introduced the rubber bumper together with 1.5 inch raised suspension in 1974 as a way to combat the American 5mph crash tests. I agree that that rubber bumpers don’t measure up well against the chrome variants but the car is by no means ugly. Spares are readily available from Emgee workshop and Rolo Motors and for those who tend toward the ham-fisted side, the guys at Emgee will carry out all the work required.

Performance is on a par with many newer cars so motorway cruising is a realistic thought, especially with the overdrive fitted to this car third and fourth gears. Thanks to a good torque figure of 145Nm the 1800cc motor doesn’t need to be wound up so fuel consumption isn’t too heavy and the ride is a low revving quite and comfortable one.

You either love them or hate them but there is no denying that the GTV and the rest of the Junior shaped range are practical classics. The Alfa is a decent performer that won’t be embarrassed off the line. Power comes from the legendary 110kW aluminium twin-cam motor and powers the rear wheels. It has a usable boot and will fit four adults. Like many Italian cars, rust can be a problem so the old magnet test should be carried out when purchasing. Locally spares are readily available from the likes AK Components and Alfa Clinic in Johannesburg who also can carry out the work.

R75 000 might seem high for an Alfa of this period but it is key to point out that this car is a highly original specimen and has all the right trim pieces. People are prepared to pay that bit extra for a car that hasn’t been hacked around. Although it is possible to reupholster and retrim a car it somehow loses its character with the use of new materials. And prices will continue to grow – it cost R2200 new!

The Mini is also known for its tendency to rust. It was once said that when designing the monocoque structure, Sir Alec Issigonis inadvertently designed the best experiment forrust. The Cooper S is going to hold its value but if you want the similar ride and characteristics for a lot less money then find a Clubman GTS. While the Mini is at home nipping in and out of parking lots and being tossed into endless hairpins it is a bit under-geared and noisy on the motorway.

While the Alfa and MG would be comfortable to drive to Durbs for a weekend the Mini range is limited more to two-hour stints. Like the MG spares and maintenance is no problem with the likes of Rolo Motors, Emgee workshop and Fernmini providing backup. One downside to buying a Cooper or Cooper S is that there are many fakes and you could end up paying an inflated price for a Mini 1000 with a hot motor. The best is to call one of the Mini clubs and get the low down on the differences.

Using a classic as a daily runabout is a viable option, especially for those who work or study within a 20 kilometre radius. Some of the romanticism is lost when you encounter a midsummers day and you realise that air-conditioning wasn’t standard on cars from yesteryear but all, in all the drive is a rewarding one and well worth the effort…

Fast Impressions

MGB GT

While the earlier MGB GT with chrome bumpers is up there with the most stylish classic Brits, the rubber bumper version featured here is not so easy on the eye. However, as a driver’s car, it still has many of the ingredients that make the other pair here so seductive. From its lively, responsive 4-cylinder engine and involving steering, it’s fun to chuck around. The only downside is body roll and a lack of simplicity in its driving controls. It takes some getting used to, with a cramped footwell and a clutch that needs to be planted into the floor if you want to avoid grating gears. The interior is also rather cramped, with a back seat suited to only midgets and shopping bags, and that grey seat upholstery is simply awful.

Alfa 1750 GTV

As one of Giugiaro’s early designs, this Alfa GTV stands among the prettier cars of its era, with its low-slung coupe profile and curvy fenders defying the boxy trend that followed later that decade. Of course, the second big attraction to this Alfa is its road manners. From its lumpy 1750 twincam motor burbling in your ear drums, and responding eagerly to every power request from your right foot to its involving steering feel that keeps you exactly in tune with what the tyres are doing – this Ite is certainly fun to drive. On the downside, the interior is cramped and the gearshift action takes some getting used to, not to mention those other quirks that come with Alfa ownership, yet the overall charm and desirability of this car more than make up for its whims.

Mini Cooper S

The forerunner of today’s front-wheel drive hot hatch, this mark II Cooper S is still in great demand, riding the wave of excitement created by the more upmarket new-generation MINI. It’s not hard to see why when you discover its nimble performance and kart-like handling. Despite its minute exterior dimensions, this Mini actually boasted the best interior space utilization – in much the same mould as modern ‘space’ hatchbacks, you perch upright in this car – the downside being that you’ll probably feel you’re sitting on rather than in it. The engine note is on the gruff and truck-like side of things, but that is part of its charm. Our car was a finely restored example, but a little too expensive in our view.