Looking to get into classic cars, but feeling overwhelmed by the hundreds of options you see when you open up the classifieds? We’ve assembled a list of 5 Starter Classics that we think would be perfect for someone new to the ‘hobby’.
By this, we mean they’re inexpensive to buy, relatively cheap to run and won’t be intimidating to drive. Oh, and they’re all for sale too!
1999 Rover Mini Cooper Sportspack (JCW Tuned)
When it comes to British starter classics, there are few that spring to mind before the humble Mini. They’re cheap to run, relatively easy to work on (small hands go a long way here) and offer a predictably exhilarating driving experience.
For someone fresh to classic cars, the Minis of the late ’90s offer a good halfway house between true classic and a modern car. They’re fuel injected, feature a driver’s airbag and have as comfortable an interior as you’ll find in a Mini.
This example at Historics at Brooklands is a particular treat, having been tuned by John Cooper Works in period. This bumped up power from 62bhp to 90bhp, bringing performance roughly in line with the legendary ‘Cooper S’ of the ’60s. What’s more, this example has a very low mileage of 28k, so it has lots of life in it yet.
With a lower estimate of £11,000, there are much cheaper Minis out there, but we don’t think they’ll be as ideal starter classics as this fine example.
If you’re more into your modern classics, something like a Mk1 VW Golf GTI might be more up your alley. The Golf offered good build quality and reliability for its day, as well as enjoyable ‘chuckable’ driving characteristics. This makes the Golf the perfect car to scratch that retro itch with.
This example for sale with H&H has benefitted from lots of recent work, including a re-spray. Furthermore, it’s fitted with the larger and more desirable 1800cc engine.
There’s still a fair few dodgy Mk1 Golfs around though, so it’s best to get a well-sorted, original spec car such as this if you’re new to the classic car world. You don’t want to be repairing the dodgy wiring of the previous owner’s sound system if you can avoid it – there’s not a manual in the world for that!
While running a classic car as your daily vehicle is entirely possible, for some, their classic is a designated second vehicle. The benefit of this arrangement is that you get to throw any concern for practicality out the window. Enter, the Fiat 500.
Infinitely charming, as well as demonstrably slow, the 500 is one such car that you can only really consider as a second car in the modern world. But we’d also argue it’s a perfect second car.
Owning a classic is rarely about speed or performance – you’d be better off getting something new for that after all – so the 500’s 17bhp shouldn’t worry you. What the 500, and classic car ownership, is about, is the experience.
What’s more, the 500 makes the perfect starter second car from a financial point of view. With this good condition example at H&H with a lower estimate of £5,000, 500s are keenly priced from the start.
More than that, it’s when it comes to running costs that the 500 really shows it’s frugal talents. Fuel, maintenance and insurance costs are all as low as they come, certainly in the classic car world, when it comes to the 500.
If the cars we have mentioned so far have all struck you as a bit, well, small, then this Merc could well be the starter classic for you. In truth, it’s hard to find a large car to recommend as a starter classic. They’re generally more expensive to buy and almost certainly more expensive to run. Not so the ‘W124’ Mercedes.
The ‘W124’ series of Mercedes is one of the company’s most famous models to this day, epitomising the company’s ‘Best or Nothing’ approach. Willful over-engineering has given this Merc a worldwide reputation for reliability and it’s relative simplicity keeps costs down to a minimum when something does go wrong.
This 1985 230 CE at Historics at Brooklands looks like one of the best going, with just 63k on the clock and is otherwise in very good condition. Sure, it’s not going to light up the track anytime soon, but as a starter classic for those who prefer a more spacious ride, it’s hard to beat.
And what if you fancy something a bit older? Well, some might call us mad for suggesting a pre-war car as a ‘starter classic’ but hear us out.
For a start, with just 28hp under the hood (or a bit more if you buy a US import) you’re not exactly going anywhere fast in the Model A. Just be respectful of the car’s limited braking capabilities and you’ll be fine.
If you can overcome this hurdle, you’ll have a car that makes an occasion like nothing else. Not to mention, you’ll be the talk of the town. As a Ford that was produced the world over, parts are plentiful for the Model A and they’re simple as can be to work on. This makes them an ideal starter classic for the wannabe home-mechanic.
The best bit about the Ford Model A though, is its price. This exceptional example is for sale at Silverstone Auctions with a lower estimate of £16,000, with cars to suit much smaller budgets if you’re willing to put some work in.
