Retro cars
A retro car can be the perfect way to complement a retro style home, or a way to stand out from the crowd in the company car park. There are two ways to get into driving a retro car. You can either buy a genuine retro classic car from the 50s, 60s or 70s, or get a modern retro style car such as a new Mini or new Beetle. Or for something a little more quirky, you may prefer a Nissan Figaro.
Modern retro cars
A modern retro car may be the answer if you are looking for the style of a classic car, but don't want the trouble that comes with owning one. The new Mini and Beetle will give you this. They also have modern brakes and modern handling and are a good deal quicker than their ancestors.
Fiat 500
One of the cutest of the new retro cars is the new Fiat 500. It captures the lines and appeal of the original more closely than the new Mini or new Beetle. The original Fiat 500 had a top speed of just 63 mph from its 500cc engine. In those days, Fiat claimed it was the world's cheapest car. The new Fiat 500 boasts a choice of engines from 1.2 to 1.4 litres and a top speed of 99 mph.
There are some great pictures of the new Fiat 500 on Fiat's web site, www.fiat.co.uk, but I thought you might prefer these shots of an unusual holiday vehicle from the 60s. This is a Fiat 500 convertible, or do I mean converted. I love the fringed top. Compare with the new version to see how Fiat has captured the feel of the original.
New Mini
The original Mini, designed by Alec Issigonis, was still manufactured up to 2000. In 2001 the new Mini, made by BMW in Cowley replaced it. The new Mini took its inspiration from the original design, but made it a more practical car for the new century.
The new Mini is available in three body styles: hatchback, convertible and the Clubman. The Clubman is an estate version of the Mini. The original Mini Clubman dates from the 70s and was made in saloon as well as estate form.
There are four versions of the Mini to choose from giving, each giving different levels of performance and trim. The Mini One is the entry level model. It has a 1.4 litre engine. The Cooper is more powerful with a 1.6 litre engine and the Cooper S has a more tuned version of the 1.6 litre engine, giving a top speed of 140mph. There is also a diesel version, the Cooper D. All models have higher top speeds than original the Cooper S from the sixties, although the old Cooper S could match the Mini One for acceleration. They can both do 0-60mph in 10.9 seconds - now there's a co-incidence.
You can buy a number of accessories for the new Mini. Many of these, such as these Union Jack door mirrors (right), evoke the spirit of Swinging London in the sixties. The Union Jack was a colourful Pop Art motif in the sixties appearing on anything from mini dresses to biscuit tins.
The Union Jack motif can be applied to the roof as well as the mirrors. You can also choose from a variety of bonnet and roof stripes or have checkerboard roof and mirrors. I have also seen the RAF/Mod circle symbol on the new Mini, although I am not sure it is still available.
For more on the new Mini see www.mini.co.uk
See also Jaguar X-Type
Original retro classics
An original classic car will give a you a chance to go back in time and experience driving from a different age. You may have to master long forgotten driving techniques such as double-declutching. Many sixties' cars did not have synchromesh on first gear, meaning a double-declutch is essential to get the car into first gear when it is moving. Many modern conveniences such as central locking, air conditioning or electric windows will not be present on a retro car from the 60s.
A classic car will cost less to insure and those made or registered before 1973 and classified as historic vehicles will be exempt from Road Tax.
A classic car is also a greener way to travel. It might need a bit more fuel, but the environmental cost of making a new car is often more than that of running a car for its entire life. All classic cars have to pass the current emissions test as part of their MOT.
Which retro cars to buy?
These are a few retro cars you might want to consider:
Sports cars
There is a large following for MG and Triumph sports cars from the 50s, 60s and 70s.
MGB and MGB GT
The MGB is the definitive British sports car. It was introduced in 1962 and made until 1980. The MGB went through numerous style modifications, but remained basically the same car. You can choose classic sixties elegance or over the top 70s style, complete with rubber bumpers and striped seats. From 1965, the MGB GT closed coupé joined the original open-top roadster.
There is an unrivalled spares and club network serving the MG driver. It is also possible to buy brand new body shells for MGBs, the 'Heritage shell', so you can almost rebuild a new car.
Triumph Spitfire
The Triumph Spitfire was cheap, open top motoring in the sixties and seventies. This model, left, is the Mk3 version from the late sixties. It evokes the age of flowers in the hair freedom typified by the last years of the sixties. The Mk3 was a considerably improved version of the Spitfire, first introduced in 1962. Today there is strong club and spares support for the Spitfire and a network of dealers selling classic Triumphs.
The Spitfire continued into the seventies with the Mk4, which was restyled by Italian designer, Michelotti, and boasted improved suspension, making the handling more civilised. The final incarnation was the Spitfire 1500.
Sunbeam Alpine
The Sunbeam Alpine was Rootes Group's alternative to the MGs and Triumphs. Today it is a rarer sight and provides an alternative. If you choose a Sunbeam Alpine, you are in good company. 007, James Bond, drove a black Sunbeam Alpine in the first Bond Movie, Dr No. For maximum power, search out a rare Sunbeam Tiger.
Saloon cars
Although saloons were built in their millions, there are often fewer survivors than sports cars from a similar period. Family saloons from the 50s, 60s and 70s are also often cheaper to buy than sports cars which have a greater following and are most people's first thought when it comes to a classic car. Here are a few suggestions:
Go for solid 50s' values and a fair helping of curves and chrome with a 1950s Austin A40 Somerset, left. This was Austin's second post-war car, the earlier Austin Devon looked more vintage. The Austin Somerset was well built and solid. You will have to cope with 50s' style column change gear lever. The column change was a fifties' fad borrowed from the US. The Somerset has plenty of character, although it won't set the world alight with its performance.
Alternatives from the 50s: Ford Zephyr, Morris Minor or Hillman Minx.
For something with a bit more poke, fast forward to the 1960s and consider the stylish, Humber Sceptre, right. This car was top of Rootes' small saloon range in the 60s. Derived from the Hillman Super-Minx, it boasted more power and better quality fittings. Standard equipment included a rev counter, temperature and pressure gauges, disc brakes, overdrive, dual headlamps and reversing lamps. The Humber Sceptre had a top speed of 90mph, which put it into the sports saloon bracket in the sixties. It was what you might call a compact executive car today.
Alternatives from the 60s were the Vauxhall VX4/90, a high performance version of the Vauxhall Victor, complete with two-tone paint and a walnut interior, the Ford Cortina GT or the MG Magnette.
For a car from the 70s what could be better than the Ford Cortina Mk3. It was as brash as they came, with American coke bottle styling and plenty of chrome. The Cortina followed the fashions of the sixties and seventies and could be the car of either decade. There was a wide range of options from a humble 1.3 up to the upmarket 2000E.
An alternative from the seventies was the Morris Marina. It was BL's attempt to beat the Cortina, which did not quite work. It is now one of the rarest cars on the road. For something different, try the Hillman Avenger: a great name, remember the 60s and 70s TV show and remember those L-shaped rear lamp clusters!