Anything and everything Herald. Talk about anything from the first 948s to the last 13/60s.

Hi guys and gals

I joined tssc in May and have been watching from the sidelines with interest and now I'm taking the plunge with my first post.

For some reason (and I can't explain it myself so don't ask) I am seeking a 1970/71 herald 13/60 convertible. I am a short way up the huge learning curve and am learning new things daily. A very nice tssc man at the show in Warwickshire (sorry I didn't get your name) took me on a tour of club member's cars and I learnt about outriggers, potential rust spots and all sorts. I drove two hours to view a potential purchase but heeded the advice 'don't buy the first car you see' (not struck on the colour anyway!). The next potentially perfect car was indeed perfect but it turned out not to be for sale after all. Now comes my dilemma. There is a nice looking car advertised which is the right colour inside & out, the right year but yet again two hours drive away.

I need some words of reason as I suspect my heart is ruling my head - it has 12 months mot but the car needed some welding to the chassis to get through mot and the owner suspects this will be the case for future mot's, the bodywork has, according to the owner minor bobbling here and there but 'looks nice polished up' and she suspects that a respray will be required at some point in the future (wouldn't this be the case for any car of that age?). The interior is good except front carpets are 'showing their age'. She bought it 15 years ago from an enthusiast who had restored it and it seems to have a genuine 68k mileage and is garaged. The owner seems very genuine and is as keen as I am that I don't have a wasted journey. Would it be worth a look or do you think I should save myself the four to five hour trek and the petrol?

I have tried contacting the Southern AO but without success to see if there is anyone in that area who could take a look with me/for me.

PS the car is in the Southampton area - anyone with a digital camera and a couple of hours to spare?!?

Hi Sue,
You've certainly done the right thing in joining the club before buying the car - not many people do that, but everyone should.
The car you describe rings a few alarm bells. The problem is that rust works on the iceberg principle - "minor bubbling" is so often the 10% of the iceberg that's visible, the other 90% is hiding beneath. The owner may well be unaware of any major rot that's about to rear it's head.
The chassis welding is also a concern. MOT repairs are going to be structurally sound (as long as they are done honestly), but are likely to be patches applied over rusty metal. A proper repair would necessitate cutting out any rot and replacing with fresh metal. Any remaining rot will continue to spread into what's currently good, hence more repairs for every MOT.
Given the distance, I would be disinclined to view the car. If it was local, it would be a different matter.
Can I recommend you go to the TSSC International at Stafford this coming Weekend? While there are no guarantees, you may well find a suitable car there. I'll be in the autojumble area, just look for my Rarebits4classics banner - I'll be happy to offer any advice on any prospective purchase.
Cheers,
Bill.

Thanks Bill - sound advice. I'm certainly not in the market for a restoration project though I am prepared for the type of thing you'd expect from a 30-something year old car. Finding a 'perfect' one 'locally' seems a dream scenario so I have resigned myself to the fact that I am going to have to travel to find one. But at least I'm discovering some lovely parts of Britain! Stafford for example is at least 3 hours and the earliest I could get there would be Sunday morning - do you think that would be too late to meet prospective sellers?

Hi Sue,
There are often people who come for just one day, including those selling cars, so Sunday wouldn't be a wasted journey. Whereabouts are you located?
Cheers,
Bill.

I'm in a sunny corner of Essex ('though not so sunny at the moment) just by the Thames Estuary.
Sounds like it might be worth the trip - thanks again.

Hi Sue

It is certainly worth the trip, why not stay for the weekend ?

A large ish group from the Essex area are always on site, camping in the lively area.

I'll intro you if you wish !

I think my "camping in the lively area" days might be a thing of the past!!

Anyway I simply can't get there on Saturday - bad planning or lack of it I'm afraid. Hopefully see you Sunday.

all the best
Sue

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