The Big End - Running a Classic Car

A lot of people own classics cars around the world and especially in the UK. But what does it mean to own and run one in real terms.

Lots of articles have been written concerning this very topic, but do they portray a clear definition.

Whether you own a Morris or a more exotic classic the cost of maintaining them can be very similar, labour rates are the same, time to do the work will of course vary in accordance with the job. In all cases similar charges will be made for welding and refurbishment. The trouble with old vehicles is sometimes lack of spare parts, and when parts have to be manufactured this will always increase cost. Again beware of the cheaper parts end of the market place when cheap and cheerful can - in nearly all cases - end up being the dearest in the long run. The most fundamental yardstick is if you want to keep real value in your prized possession, you must get the work done properly. Condition is the all important factor when valuing any classic.Too often poorly repaired examples are over valued. The poor recipient finds to their cost what the cheap and cheerful term really means when an accident occurs and repairs are necessary.

On this point alone bad repairs can all too often lead to the early demise of the vehicle, when costing proper repairs to regain condition. It is then that a vehicle can become uneconomic to repair. This is so often the case with the Morris and sadly one that is accelerating by the day. As the Morris becomes older and the basket case no longer an attractive project, costing to do a relatively small amount of work will cost more than the vehicle is worth on the market place, more and more will end on the scrap pile. The other day I witnessed a large number of two door saloons crushed, alas diminishing the dwindling stockpile. It was a sad sight I can tell you, and one that will soon I fear, gather in pace.

Legislation is still the big ogre and soon we must run our classics on the dangerous carcinogenic unleaded petrol. But of course before that happens we must modify our cylinder heads to enable us to run our engines with this dreadful fuel.

What next will we endure, will the government or most likely the EEC say, get them off. The road that is. Well maybe, but it will take quite a lot more bills and restrictions before that number is up. It will happen more quickly though, if the legislators are given ammunition from which to work. It's up to the movement to retrench and stave off any attacks.

We must also police our cause and establish good standards and practices. The owner must have the whole hearted support from the commercial side in this process. He must get good support and the optimum deal in his purchases. He must also understand it cannot be done on a shoestring. A classic car is in every way an indulgence and something personal to the owner, but its not cheap. I hear the cry owning a classic car must be a cheap way of running a vehicle. Nothing could be further from the truth. I know you will point out free tax and low petrol consumption, but with the standard Morris alone it will need a very tight regime to run it on a day to day budget. Parts will increase in cost and repairs will also escalate.

Today the owner has the choice of keeping his classic as close to the original build commission, modifying or customizing it for better and safer performance. The Morris is a good platform for any updates and if anything a better vehicle will emerge, providing the work complements the cause.

The owner has alternatives but must be given the opportunity to have readily available test reports on specialist parts and services. The full and unequivocal back up from the executives in their clubs and the knowledge that good standards are in force from the commercial participants. It is going to be a joint effort and one that everyone should be glad to participate in, those unwilling to go along with this should pull out now. Time is short; the writing is on the wall.

We have the spotlight on all of us now. Lets give them a good performance.

© Chris Street, November 29, 1998