Morris Minor vs Triumph Herald

[Richard Moss]

Herald would be my choice. Maybe not as solid as a Minor but a hell of a lot better looking and (despite LOTSW) they don't have quite such a "grannymobile" image.

[JPB]

Just to throw another car into the mix. What about a Ford 100e?

A 107E (same cute shape but with one of these newfangled overhead valve engines) would be more practical if you want to use the car as Henry intended but 3 speed sidevalve issues apart, either would be a great way to get onto a show field.
A quick glance at this week's Gazette suggests that these haven't followed the trend shewn in some old Fords and gone stupid in the price department. I know a couple who've been showing and using the same 107E since 1981, their view is that the steel's good and thick and that these don't rot as badly as some if properly kept - in their case by soaking the underside and every box section in Ensis V every autumn. (That's like Waxoyl but better, cheaper and used by the offshore industry to protect platforms in some of the world's more corrosive environments).
I haven't driven the sidevalve 100E but the ones I know locally all seem OK, just get used to being passed by the sidevalve Minors on the way to and from events. I have, on the other hand, driven a few 107s and they're perky little things which can take a considerable engine upgrade (Cortina 1500GT in the case of Dave & Sue's one) without cutting or bodging if you can't live with the smallest of the pre-crossflow OHVs.

Also, these older Fords have a level of spares backup that runs close to the small, chassis-built Triumphs if not to the Minor and Rimmers don't supply for Fords at all so the quality of available stuff should be decent.

Consider one, I would, but don't pay over the odds for the privilege of that oval badge. They are kinda sweet though.

[Martin Evans]

Image has never been a consideration of mine but I'm not so sure that the Minor has the old granny image any more (As to looks purely subjective....Issigonis hated the high headlights, especially as they apparently knocked 2mph off the top speed, compared with the original). Perhaps when they were in the old banger phase, you tended to have people with CND stickers driving them or the aformentioned old granny (What is wrong with being a granny; it beats dying young doesn't it?).

Today they are just old cars and since most people's experience of old cars, is of old bangers, they assume any old car is about to fall to bits or at least is slow and going to be in their way. It can be rather funny when you prove them wrong A couple of years ago, in an icy car park, on a slope, there were quite a few "Moderns" going nowhere and it was rather nice to get into the Morris, reverse out of my spot and drive off with no wheelspin........I would admit that a L.S.D does help but so far as those present were concerned, the old "Banger" coped better than their Euroboxes.

Oddly enough, when I am out and about, more people speak to me about the Traveller, than either of the MGs. Within half an hour of me buying it, an Australian Tourist was filming it at a motorway filling station. I don't think it has been filmed since but it was certainly an unexpected indication of what I could expect owning a Morris Traveller.

[SirTainleyBarking]

Just to throw another car into the mix. What about a Ford 100e?

Also, these older Fords have a level of spares backup that runs close to the small, chassis-built Triumphs if not to the Minor and Rimmers don't supply for Fords at all so the quality of available stuff should be decent.

Consider one, I would, but don't pay over the odds for the privilege of that oval badge. They are kinda sweet though.

IIRC they were fitting the same rear brake cylinders on these, as they did to Anglias, all the RWD escorts, Fiestas until quite recently and possibly Ka's

Always amuses me that a vehicle 50 odd years old can get spares like that from any auto factor at 5 minutes before closing time on a Weekend.
Something to be said about "If it ain't broke, it don't need fixing"

[Martin Evans]

Since we have thrown in some other period contenders, I'll throw in the VW Beetle.

Engine accessability is not good (It can be easier to drop the engine out; it is only held in by four bolts) and road holding is poor but no car was ever better built than a VW Beetle. Having said that, in 2013, I suppose most classic cars are only as good as the last restoration. I believe they enjoy a good spares back up.

[rich.]

as everyone is making suggestions what about the austin 1100/1300 or even the allegro? cheap as chips, although the last time i bought fish & chips it almost broke the bank...

[Steve76]

My father-in-law always fights the Allegros' corner and gets quite excited at the Beaulieau autojumble when he sees one for sale. Funny though how he's never bought one?!

[rich.]

ive been the proud owner of several aggros... me likey but then im odd (as some people on here think)

[arceye]

I'll admit to a recent inkling for an Allegro too, they are growing on me more and more with time.

Can't say much about them though, as despite having owned two in the distant past I never actually drove either of them. One came as part ex against a Vauxhall Nova and was swapped 24 hours later in return for some timber windows being made by a joiner friend, the other sold on quickly for a small profit.

Rising stars though I suspect now, they won't get ridiculous in price but they definately seem to be going up over the last couple of years.

As we have got to the seventies, can I throw in Maxi and Princess from BL, and Vivas from Vauxhall, all very useable cars though I daresay spares back up will not be as good as the Moggie.

[Martin Evans]

I think spares have to be A1 for a daily driver.