1937hd45 Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 The only one that comes to mind in the low price range is the MGA, what else is out there? Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Mellor NJ Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 I think the MGA went from 56 to 62. Anyway most were roadsters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted August 31, 2015 Author Share Posted August 31, 2015 Yes, but what other sports car companies made Coupes in the 1950-65 time period? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 The MGC was available from 1967 through 1969.Great little coupe with a straight 6 cylinder engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 There were numerous companies 'fern that made coupes, although you mention low price, that might not be the case if that's a qualifier. Jaguar is the first that comes to mind, since Unimog John on these forums owns a beautiful one. Porsche, Ferrari, Fiat, Aston Martin, to name a few. Nash Healey if you want a half-foreign! Another little known half breed was the Cunningham, with American chassis but Italian coachwork. I did the upholstery in a Cunningham coupe, complete with a leather headliner. For a big guy like me, it was quite a feat working inside that little car.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bkazmer Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Alfa Giulietta Sprint? MGB-GT? Triumph GT6? Mini Cooper? (really more a 2 dr sedan than coupe) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted August 31, 2015 Author Share Posted August 31, 2015 I'd really be happy with a junk Jaguar XK 120 Coupe, only need the stuff from the firewall back. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlLaFong Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 The MGC was available from 1967 through 1969.Great little coupe with a straight 6 cylinder engine.Not quite sure that "great" fits the MGC. It was kind of a pig. Not a bad car but not much to write home about, either. It handled like a truck with that big lump of iron in a chassis that was designed for an 1800 cc four. They jury rigged a new suspension for it, but it was less than stellar. To make it worse, most of them sold here had automatic transmissions. The C was supposed to have been a replacement for the Big Healey. It didn't amount to a pimple on a 3000's butt. Drive a Healey BJ8 and an MGC (and I have) and you'd set fire to the MG before you'd let go of the 3000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Byrd Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Sunbeam Harrington, A C Acea, Corvette, Kellison, Cobra Daytona, many more ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 I think the trick here is "low priced." There are plenty of sports coupes out there, but how many 50s and 60s coupes are as affordable as the MGA (under $30,000)? I remember when Alfa Romeo Giuliettas were under $30,000, but not anymore. Same with some Porsche 356s. If you think about what he's really asking--sports coupes from the '50s and '60s that are still affordable--there really aren't any. Jags, Porsches, Cobras, Corvettes, ACs, Astons, etc, yes, but none of those can be had for not a lot of cash. I spent quite a bit of time thinking about this and came up almost totally empty-handed. There might be a few obscure brands, along with oddballs like the Triumph TR4 with the "targa" top, but affordable coupes are pretty scarce these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvelde Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 How about Volkswagen Karmann Ghia - fits the criteria and can be found for less than $15,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BillP Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 It is sportY, but there are those that would decline to classify the KG as a sports car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostymosty Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 I wouldn't classify ANY coupe as a sports car - open cars only! The closed cars would be touring cars to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bkazmer Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Re Karmann Ghia: A sports car is more about handling than pure power, so 4 cyl is OK, but a Beetle in drag is no sports car, and darn little sporty in the behavior. Can't agree with the roof criterion - actually closed car outperforms open (but I still love 'em). Touring/GT car bigger and faster (XJS, 928) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 (edited) Not quite sure that "great" fits the MGC. It was kind of a pig. Not a bad car but not much to write home about, either. It handled like a truck with that big lump of iron in a chassis that was designed for an 1800 cc four. They jury rigged a new suspension for it, but it was less than stellar. To make it worse, most of them sold here had automatic transmissions. The C was supposed to have been a replacement for the Big Healey. It didn't amount to a pimple on a 3000's butt. Drive a Healey BJ8 and an MGC (and I have) and you'd set fire to the MG before you'd let go of the 3000 Of course, I could be wrong Maybe I should have said great "looking" little coupe. Edited August 31, 2015 by Guest (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 I really have a lifetime of unfinished projects, but adding a Jaguar XK 120 Coupe body would be something I'd make room for. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickydicky43richard Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Did anyone mention the TR4, it out gunned MGB's with "Masculine" handling and it could be optioned with a removable top.You could have a Coupe' or an open sports car, in any case MGB's were for sissy's !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Mellor NJ Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 A roadster with a removable top is still a roadster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Mellor NJ Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 AC Aceca as mentioned. also Ace and Zagata. I think there were some Lotus coupes also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BillP Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Bob, a 120 coupe showed up in a friend's restoration shop. I was shocked at how crude the construction of the body was. Undeniably a strikingly handsome car when it's all dolled up, under the paint it is a high school shop project gone bad. This car hadn't been hit or clipped or otherwise butchered so not the result of poor repair. I recall the A-pillar particularly. It met the cowl after a fashion and was so crudely welded it looked I did it. The smooth transition you see on the show field is all done with lead; no attempt was made to introduce the the mating pieces with more than a casual nod. I was surprised. I had heard that Lyons was notoriously cheap, but lead had to cost something, and then to hire a kid to trowel it on more still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Bob, a 120 coupe showed up in a friend's restoration shop. I was shocked at how crude the construction of the body was. Undeniably a strikingly handsome car when it's all dolled up, under the paint it is a high school shop project gone bad. This car hadn't been hit or clipped or otherwise butchered so not the result of poor repair. I recall the A-pillar particularly. It met the cowl after a fashion and was so crudely welded it looked I did it. The smooth transition you see on the show field is all done with lead; no attempt was made to introduce the the mating pieces with more than a casual nod. I was surprised. I had heard that Lyons was notoriously cheap, but lead had to cost something, and then to hire a kid to trowel it on more still. Having restored several XK Jags and having one of my own I have to agree...a high school metal shop project gone bad. If you were to set a team of engineers to the task of designing a car that would rust as rapidly as possible I am convinced they would come up with something closely resembling an XK Jag. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalowed Bill Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Is there a reason that the car has to be at least fifty years old? I think that if the brain trust on this form can't come up with something, it means that it really never existed, or so rare that finding one in good shape, or cheap enough will be problematic. Unless my old brain is missing something, which is likely, there really wasn't an affordable production, sports coupe, worthy of note, during the 50's. Affordable is the operative word here: XK 120-150 Mercedes 190 SL-1955-63 Jaguar XKE 1962- Mercedes 230, 250. 280SL 1963- Chevrolet Corvette 1963- MG-Already discussed Opel GT 1968-73 Datsun 240-280Z 1969- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Got my mind set on that XK 120 roofline, so a Fixed Head is what I'm looking for now. Just a body shell would be fine. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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