Car Purchase

[Alan Crafts]

Hi all looking to purchase my first Stag. There is a car that I am interested in but have a conversation because the latest MOT states that it failed (and has subsequently been repaired) for the following reasons:

• Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sus mount panel (5.3.6 (a) (i))
• Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor panel sus mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Should this be a major concern for me? It it the signs of bigger problems further down the line?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated as I have money burning a hole in pocket but don't want to make a silly mistake.

Car is based in Somerset I am in SP11 (Andover)

[SteveD]

I'd find out who did the repair, was it done by one of the reputable Stag garages or was it done just to pass the MOT test or with the long term survival of the car in mind.

I'd also have the car properly examined for other corrosion, it's unlikely to just have been in one place.

Steve.

[nickrowland]

Always worth getting an opinion from someone who knows the Stag well.
Where are you/the car based?

[Goldstar]

A lot of these cars will have had some repair work like that over the last 50 years. The secret is having confidence in the repairs and to be honest if the mot garage did it I’d be ok with it - I bought one recently that had similar history and the repair is very decent and was done by the mot garage.

[sujitroy]

I feel if a Stag is still on the road 50 years on, the owners wanted to or planned to keep the car and would have not have corners.

[wilf]

I am touched by your faith in human nature...............

[new to this]

I wouldnt be put off,just have a good look at the repairs,may be a good idea to take the car to a garage or MOT station put the car up on the lift, see the repairs or if it needs any more

Dave

[jbuckl]

Join the soc & take an experienced owner to look.
To some extent, all 50 year old cars are a money pit / liability, some more than others.
good Unwelded examples are rare .

[SteveD]

I've just read an excellent article in the latest SOC magazine about " How (not) to buy a Stag", have a look, there's some good advice.

[singapore stag]

https://youtu.be/bWkhZuAjv7U

From our own website, hope its helpful.

[RobinLegin]

The old adage of buy the best you can afford is so true. My Stag lived life in Cornwall before I brought it back here to Dorset in 2015. The bodywork was reasonable but the underside had some hidden issues. Not even the vendor knew they were there. There was welding in various places but it's best described as "Cornish MOT welding" - that is there was rust and it was structural so the local garage had simply welded a new piece of metal over the area. It had consequently a valid MOT.

When I got it home, I took it to "The Southern Triumph" Specialists in Southbourne near Bournemouth. http://www.southerntriumph.co.uk The idea was to re rust proof the car. The result was the area above the drive shaft around the back seat had to be replaced and the old Cornish MOT welds were removed, the rust cut out, and new sound metal welded in and all made good. Mark did a good job including adding an additional piece to support the drive shaft and differential dealing with a known weakness.

I have since had replaced wings, sills etc and the car resprayed and re rust proofed. As JBuckl says ownership of a classic is a money pit. But they are a joy to drive and the SOC is a great place for technical advice (as well as humour)

Being seriously afflicted, I also have an Alvis Grey Lady from 1955 owned since 2002. So far I am 2 engine rebuilds in and the bodywork and respray undertaken in 2005 could do with a touch up. But both cars are great fun to drive.

[prf688]

Hi Alan - what type of car are you looking for? Concours garage queen or a more typical, essentially sound and useable Stag in which you can continue to invest over coming years?

I live in SP11 and you're welcome to come and look at mine as a benchmark, if that might help? It's definitely in the 'good useable' category and has just had an MOT with no advisories, via Stag Classics of Medstead, near Alton.

It's a 7 owner, manual overdrive car, with a Triumph V8. It's Aug 76, so on an 'R' plate. 84,000 miles with comprehensive history back to 1990.

I see you've elected not to receive personal messages via the forum, hence the need to post an 'all-informed' reply......! If interested, you may need to do likewise.

Paul

[Alan Crafts]

Hi Paul

Sorry did no realise I had done that. Thank you very much for the offer would be very helpful. Unfortunately whilst trying to get the Garage sorted I managed to collapse a tool trolly and box on my hand damaging my thumb so out of commission at present I will see if I can change the setting and arrange to come and view

[Alan Crafts]

Hi Alan - what type of car are you looking for? Concours garage queen or a more typical, essentially sound and useable Stag in which you can continue to invest over coming years?

I live in SP11 and you're welcome to come and look at mine as a benchmark, if that might help? It's definitely in the 'good useable' category and has just had an MOT with no advisories, via Stag Classics of Medstead, near Alton.

It's a 7 owner, manual overdrive car, with a Triumph V8. It's Aug 76, so on an 'R' plate. 84,000 miles with comprehensive history back to 1990.

I see you've elected not to receive personal messages via the forum, hence the need to post an 'all-informed' reply......! If interested, you may need to do likewise.

Paul

Hi Paul thanks for that it would be good. I have now managed to change the settings so perhaps you could come back to me

[Alan Crafts]

Hi Paul thanks for that it would be good. I have now managed to change the settings so perhaps you could come back to me

I am in Goodworth Clatford