One For Enthusiasts Of Old Cars

[Whitespirit66]

Just discovered a site called How Many Left? Stats are available for the numbers of cars either taxed or SORNed at the DVLA, fromm 1994 to present date.

Did a search on my current car, and there are only a handful left. Stats for some other cars I've owned over the years are similarly depressing. Some cars that used to be everyday sights hardly exist any more.

http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/

 

[nickso]

There is some evidence from various enthusiast sites/forums to downgrade this potentially epic site to "utterly incorrect".

Still, it's a nice diversion for a few minutes of nostalgia.

 

[Whitespirit66]

Yes, from personal experience there will be massive inaccuracies as to how many are left if people take the SORNed car stats as read. I had an old Rover sitting in my garage untaxed when the SORN scheme came into being. As it was off the road already, I didn't have to SORN it, and was never asked to.

So, my car was in a third category as regards the stats on this website - ie. off the road before SORN introduced, so still registered with DVLA, but not registered as SORN. There must have been thousands of other cars that were off the road but still registered with DVLA before SORN was introduced.

I imagine the stats for vehicles that are taxed should be quite accurate. Just take the SORN details with a pinch of salt, as there are many cars still out there that don't appear as SORNed.

 

[Peter.N.]

According to that there are no 2.1 td VSX XMs left - I have one in the field.

Peter

 

[nickso]

This is the point, there is no way of knowing what is left.

I would respectfully say that if a French turbo diesel is lying in a field it is all but gone anyway.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Wasn't there a statistic banded around a while back that 75% of all Land Rovers ever made are still on the road?

 

[Peter.N.]

This is the point, there is no way of knowing what is left.

I would respectfully say that if a French turbo diesel is lying in a field it is all but gone anyway.

It only needs a windscreen for the MOT I've done all the other work, it is actually still insured - but I have two other cars on the road ....

Peter

 

[Mursal]

Might be worth throwing a cover on it Peter?

 

[Peter.N.]

I gave it a good soaking with oil underneath before I parked it there and it started first time after 6 months! I will get it in and have a look at it. The worst problem is the undergrowth that's trying to cover it. There are also three other 2.5 diesels there as well - all in a line, they belong to a fellow member of the XM forum, I think they are in danger of being consumed by the greenery as well. So much to do, so little time, and in my case inclination.

Peter

 

[nickso]

Wasn't there a statistic banded around a while back that 75% of all Land Rovers ever made are still on the road?

Possibly, they command stupid prices....even for scrap ones, which most are.

 

[nickso]

I gave it a good soaking with oil underneath before I parked it there and it started first time after 6 months! I will get it in and have a look at it. The worst problem is the undergrowth that's trying to cover it. There are also three other 2.5 diesels there as well - all in a line, they belong to a fellow member of the XM forum, I think they are in danger of being consumed by the greenery as well. So much to do, so little time, and in my case inclination.

Peter

Yes same here, I have a car on the drive that drives no problem and with a few issues sorted would MOT and be back to former glory....sadly I have neither the time or inclination just now and the insurance cost is daft for what it is.

 

[Mursal]

Insurance will get cheaper when they hit 23 years of age, try the classic/vintage specialists. Limited mileage, but good to be able to use them, about £150 for comprehensive.

 

[Whitespirit66]

Wasn't there a statistic banded around a while back that 75% of all Land Rovers ever made are still on the road?

Possibly, they command stupid prices....even for scrap ones, which most are.

Lots of old cars seem to be fetching stupid money too. Was shocked to see even stuff like old Escorts, 'Tinas and Grannies now fetching prices in the thousands, when not long ago they were in the hundreds.

I suppose people get to a certain age and want to buy the cars that remind them of their youth, so 70s and 80s cars have suddenly come into their own. Even quite mundane stuff that was produced in high volumes.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BREATHTAKING-FORD-GRANADA-MK11-2-8i-GHIA-X-43-000-mls-/200598998011?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1984-FORD...3077447?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c367a6dc7

Nice cars, but didn't seem long ago when a really tidy one was £1000, maximum. Seems like they were a good investment. Wonder what, if any, cars from today will go back up in price in 30 yrs time?

Now, if it was a MK1 in Roman Bronze, I could get to play Regan.

 

[Mursal]

I like The Sweeney ................

Mercedes 190 must be tinkering on the edge at this stage, £400 to £1000 seem cheap even with high mileage? But they are at that funny age (86-93) neither one thing or the other, a teenager?

 

[Whitespirit66]

Have to admit that The Sweeney is my favourite TV programme. Action and a bit of humour combined. Great actors, especially John Thaw.

Have to admit that I wince when I see quite tidy looking Mk2s and S Types, etc getting trashed. Worth very little then, but good ones are getting expensive now.