Buying and owning classic cars in Thailand

[fish fingers]

Anyone with experience of running a classic in Thailand? I'm guessing its not really practical in the cities unless using at night, and then you'll stick out to police like a diamond in shit.

Was toying with buying a classic BMW or Mercedes, or even a refurb Alfa from Lanna

Edited January 2, 2015 by fish fingers

[WarpSpeed]

Why are you worried about standing out to the cops?

[IMHO]

Why are you worried about standing out to the cops?

Maybe he's worried that it's like the West and cops care about whether a car is roadworthy and has legal emissions?

[WarpSpeed]

I get ya but even in the west they don't expect legal emissions from classics, and they know most are plenty road worthy being coveted cars, I think it's probably more about the lack of airbags & ABS .

[Rdrokit]

As long as you have a good mechanic who can get parts and knows how to repair your classic than by all means get one if you want one. Enjoy yourself while you can. I bought my American classic and was very happy as I had 2 mechanics (mechanical & electrical) who could repair the car when needed.

[Sviss Geez]

I get ya but even in the west they don't expect legal emissions from classics, and they know most are plenty road worthy being coveted cars, I think it's probably more about the lack of airbags & ABS .

It's not an offence to operate a vehicle without ABS or airbags in Thailand.

[Vacuum]

Rdrokit, on 04 Jan 2015 - 10:33, said:

I bought my American classic and was very happy as I had 2 mechanics (mechanical & electrical) who could repair the car when needed.

Was it, by chance, a Ford?

[Naam]

i run my soon 45 year old E-Type in broad daylight and people, including policemen, give me approving looks.

driving another 23 year old car a few years ago and high speeding on Sukhumvit (Pattaya) on a sunday morning i was stopped and had a 1k Baht note ready with my license. two boys in brown approached me and i was fingering for a second note but then they were happy after asking me to open the hood, asking questions about the engine and were surprised when they counted 12 cylinders. i was then released with a polite "thank you Papa, have good day Papa."

[CTO]

1K????

Serious?

I never pay more than 100 for anything, even when told there's been a price hike

[Rdrokit]

Rdrokit, on 04 Jan 2015 - 10:33, said:

I bought my American classic and was very happy as I had 2 mechanics (mechanical & electrical) who could repair the car when needed.

Was it, by chance, a Ford?

No, it is a 1965 Oldsmobile Cutlass with a 4 liter V-8 Lexus engine

[N47HAN]

A nice place in bkk for classics ,

Thai Auto Vintage .

Nice Thai owner too.

[nelson bunker]

I am found of '70 and '80 Benz and i think TH is a good country to buy one.

The main problem on these cars is the rust and it doesn't exist in Thailand. They also seem to be very well looked after.

I am in the process of buying a w201, aka 190,the baby Benz manufactured between 1982 and 1993.

I went to see about 10 in BKK and was very surprised with the overall condition and especially the body condition! No rust at all, no dents or scratches.

Often resprayed too...

In Europe those cars are disregarded and very often very dead bodywise. I think the Benz prestige is very strong here and that is why the old Benz are still good,

Everyday i look on OLX and about 30 percent of the old benz are fitted with 1JZ Toyota engines, the Stuttgart engines are not know to be the weak part of the car...

I know they like to have them run on LPG but apart from that does anyone has an idea why this swap is so popular in TH?

[Rdrokit]

I am found of '70 and '80 Benz and i think TH is a good country to buy one.

The main problem on these cars is the rust and it doesn't exist in Thailand. They also seem to be very well looked after.

I am in the process of buying a w201, aka 190,the baby Benz manufactured between 1982 and 1993.

I went to see about 10 in BKK and was very surprised with the overall condition and especially the body condition! No rust at all, no dents or scratches.

Often resprayed too...

In Europe those cars are disregarded and very often very dead bodywise. I think the Benz prestige is very strong here and that is why the old Benz are still good,

Everyday i look on OLX and about 30 percent of the old benz are fitted with 1JZ Toyota engines, the Stuttgart engines are not know to be the weak part of the car...

I know they like to have them run on LPG but apart from that does anyone has an idea why this swap is so popular in TH?

Because you can buy Toyota parts for them at every aftermarket auto store and they are cheap.

[WarpSpeed]

I get ya but even in the west they don't expect legal emissions from classics, and they know most are plenty road worthy being coveted cars, I think it's probably more about the lack of airbags & ABS .

It's not an offence to operate a vehicle without ABS or airbags in Thailand.

Seriously?? Are you for real? <deleted>

Edited January 5, 2015 by CharlieH

[WarpSpeed]

I am found of '70 and '80 Benz and i think TH is a good country to buy one.

The main problem on these cars is the rust and it doesn't exist in Thailand. They also seem to be very well looked after.

I am in the process of buying a w201, aka 190,the baby Benz manufactured between 1982 and 1993.

I went to see about 10 in BKK and was very surprised with the overall condition and especially the body condition! No rust at all, no dents or scratches.

Often resprayed too...

In Europe those cars are disregarded and very often very dead bodywise. I think the Benz prestige is very strong here and that is why the old Benz are still good,

Everyday i look on OLX and about 30 percent of the old benz are fitted with 1JZ Toyota engines, the Stuttgart engines are not know to be the weak part of the car...

I know they like to have them run on LPG but apart from that does anyone has an idea why this swap is so popular in TH?

No road salt.. Here in Florida back in the 50's (before me) 60's and 70's we used to get a lot of transplant cars from up north and they came south to deteriorate and it was always "wrongly" blamed on Florida sea salt but it was usually about northern winter road salt more then anything and most every car that rusted from the floor up could be traced back to the north. Florida sea spray was only present when you went close to the beach and it was from the top down and mostly the metal was protected by the paint whereas the under side was not. There wasn't near enough salt on ANY roads in Florida to make any difference, it was constantly being washed off by rains and never was a high enough content to begin with. So less rust in warmer climbs, no road salt needed to remove snow..

[keemapoot]

I am found of '70 and '80 Benz and i think TH is a good country to buy one.

The main problem on these cars is the rust and it doesn't exist in Thailand. They also seem to be very well looked after.

I am in the process of buying a w201, aka 190,the baby Benz manufactured between 1982 and 1993.

I went to see about 10 in BKK and was very surprised with the overall condition and especially the body condition! No rust at all, no dents or scratches.

Often resprayed too...

In Europe those cars are disregarded and very often very dead bodywise. I think the Benz prestige is very strong here and that is why the old Benz are still good,

Everyday i look on OLX and about 30 percent of the old benz are fitted with 1JZ Toyota engines, the Stuttgart engines are not know to be the weak part of the car...

I know they like to have them run on LPG but apart from that does anyone has an idea why this swap is so popular in TH?

I've owned them for years, but I'm a stickler for close to perfect, all original, including engines. W116, W113, etc.. Parts are usually available, but sometimes there is a wait, and you need a good source in Bangkok or your local Benz specialist. You need a good mechanic you trust, and rust definitely becomes the biggest enemy for you. Check underneath especially, and under door frames, etc..

For sure as far as enjoyable drivers just for fun, dropping in the Toyota engines makes sense, and then going LPG. Beware of such engine conversions not mated properly, or inferior gas installations. Also, lack of wide availability of benzene makes it harder to enjoy road trips on original engines. That 190 you're looking at is cheap and indestructible, and cheap.

It's the niggling small parts that will drive you crazy. The car breaks down on you because of some small gasket that you play hell to replace. Eventually, the effort just becomes too annoying, having to hire very expensive flat bed car haulers to pick up the car, etc... I've sold all of my collectibles now, and will only keep modern eras now.

[WarpSpeed]

I solved gasket location issues by just getting a hold of some gasket material and fabricating my own (always taking care to keep the previous one even if it was in pieces as scotch tape to mend it for a template is always easier to make a new one with) whenever finding a new one was needlessly difficult.

[N47HAN]

A nice place in bkk for classics ,

Thai Auto Vintage .

Nice Thai owner too.

I have my ( not so classic ) GTO there for sale , hes found parts that were needed quite easily and for good prices.

I know he has a team of staff trained in classic car repairs and part sourcing , maybe not the only the place but excellent service for anyone needing classic parts or repairs

[Rdrokit]

A nice place in bkk for classics ,

Thai Auto Vintage .

Nice Thai owner too.

I have my ( not so classic ) GTO there for sale , hes found parts that were needed quite easily and for good prices.

I know he has a team of staff trained in classic car repairs and part sourcing , maybe not the only the place but excellent service for anyone needing classic parts or repairs

I didn't see a GTO for sale on their website???

http://www.thaiautovintage.com/web/home.php

[N47HAN]

A nice place in bkk for classics ,

Thai Auto Vintage .

Nice Thai owner too.

I have my ( not so classic ) GTO there for sale , hes found parts that were needed quite easily and for good prices.

I know he has a team of staff trained in classic car repairs and part sourcing , maybe not the only the place but excellent service for anyone needing classic parts or repairs

I didn't see a GTO for sale on their website???

http://www.thaiautovintage.com/web/home.php

Its on their one2car.com page.

http://www.one2car.com/AUTOVINTAGE

:-)

[Rdrokit]

A nice place in bkk for classics ,

Thai Auto Vintage .

Nice Thai owner too.

I have my ( not so classic ) GTO there for sale , hes found parts that were needed quite easily and for good prices.

I know he has a team of staff trained in classic car repairs and part sourcing , maybe not the only the place but excellent service for anyone needing classic parts or repairs

I didn't see a GTO for sale on their website???

http://www.thaiautovintage.com/web/home.php

Its on their one2car.com page.

http://www.one2car.com/AUTOVINTAGE

:-)

And I thought it was a Pontiac GTO. Nice looking car but too new to be a classic. Hate it when they don't put prices in the ads. What are you asking for it?

[Sviss Geez]

I get ya but even in the west they don't expect legal emissions from classics, and they know most are plenty road worthy being coveted cars, I think it's probably more about the lack of airbags & ABS .

It's not an offence to operate a vehicle without ABS or airbags in Thailand.

Seriously?? Are you for real? <deleted>

Yes. And yes. And what's with the offensive expletive?

[WarpSpeed]

I get ya but even in the west they don't expect legal emissions from classics, and they know most are plenty road worthy being coveted cars, I think it's probably more about the lack of airbags & ABS .

It's not an offence to operate a vehicle without ABS or airbags in Thailand.

Seriously?? Are you for real? <deleted>

Since when is "Jesus wept" to be a filtered term or considered obscene? It wasn't filtered, nor should it be, why was it deleted? A bit of over stepping by someone with bias? Who, ironically can not even be PM'd for his actions? As well as Ironically just when a response post is also posted by said poster? Hmmmm.. I'd take it up with him directly but since he just edited my post that's been standing and seen for days now I have no way to do so?

[WarpSpeed]

I get ya but even in the west they don't expect legal emissions from classics, and they know most are plenty road worthy being coveted cars, I think it's probably more about the lack of airbags & ABS .

It's not an offence to operate a vehicle without ABS or airbags in Thailand.

Seriously?? Are you for real? <deleted>

Yes. And yes. And what's with the offensive expletive?

There was nothing offensive about it, and it wasn't an expletive and was posted for days without anyone seeing any offense as there was none. There are filters here to weed out offensive terms this was not.. It was a reference to a higher power and should not have been randomly deleted this is not that sort of right wing blogging forum. That was overstepping by the person who deleted it and you for reporting it.. Not EVERYONE cares about your religious beliefs and my use of the term should not have been deleted and shoved your beliefs down my throat and others.. I am now offended myself and have a right to be.. I'm saving the post to take it up with the admin..

Edited January 5, 2015 by WarpSpeed

[stingray]

Still have a 81 cutlass (shovelnose). i drive it to work or to Bangkok sometimes. getting very difficult now to find american cars with proper papers and drive able.

Edited January 5, 2015 by stingray

[eeeya]

id love to get a BMW 2002.. Toying with that idea.

Few about. No idea about spares availability though

[ignis]

I am found of '70 and '80 Benz and i think TH is a good country to buy one.

The main problem on these cars is the rust and it doesn't exist in Thailand. They also seem to be very well looked after.

I am in the process of buying a w201, aka 190,the baby Benz manufactured between 1982 and 1993.

I went to see about 10 in BKK and was very surprised with the overall condition and especially the body condition! No rust at all, no dents or scratches.

Often resprayed too...

In Europe those cars are disregarded and very often very dead bodywise. I think the Benz prestige is very strong here and that is why the old Benz are still good,

Everyday i look on OLX and about 30 percent of the old benz are fitted with 1JZ Toyota engines, the Stuttgart engines are not know to be the weak part of the car...

I know they like to have them run on LPG but apart from that does anyone has an idea why this swap is so popular in TH?

Yep, often the much older Europe cars of the 50's and 60's appear to have a Nissan engine fitted, but from the 70's - 90's loads of cars have the Toyota engine, 7 & 9 series Volvo, Rover, Triumph, BMW, Benz. just to name a few., home grown many of the older Mini buses also have the 1JZ engine swap

One of the Triumphs the 2.5 I looked at a few years ago, was more or less was a Triumph body on a Toyota.... engine, gearbox, suspension, brakes, back axle, all from a Toyota, seen a few more since all with the Toyota engines.. up to a point can see the sense.. what I don't understand is some 2.0 lt cars have fitted a 1.5 lt Nissan engine? the other day a Volvo Amazon with a Nissan 1.5 engine... why ?

[cdnvic]

Time for the two guys involved in the handbag fight to chill out and stick to the topic. You are both becoming a pain to moderators and people trying to discuss the actual topic. This is your last warning.

*Most of the posts from this battle was thrown in the trash.

[arthurwait]

I am found of '70 and '80 Benz and i think TH is a good country to buy one.

The main problem on these cars is the rust and it doesn't exist in Thailand. They also seem to be very well looked after.

I am in the process of buying a w201, aka 190,the baby Benz manufactured between 1982 and 1993.

I went to see about 10 in BKK and was very surprised with the overall condition and especially the body condition! No rust at all, no dents or scratches.

Often resprayed too...

In Europe those cars are disregarded and very often very dead bodywise. I think the Benz prestige is very strong here and that is why the old Benz are still good,

Everyday i look on OLX and about 30 percent of the old benz are fitted with 1JZ Toyota engines, the Stuttgart engines are not know to be the weak part of the car...

I know they like to have them run on LPG but apart from that does anyone has an idea why this swap is so popular in TH?

Don't be too sure on the rust they are very good at hiding it here and it's mainly from the inside out and in anywhere water will collect due to poor worn dried out seals. Filler is used instead of welding in places it would require welding in the UK etc.

Mercedes parts are expensive and older parts are hard to find/ long wait which explains the Toyota conversions and of course years of poor maintenance in Thailand. Remember the Mercedes engines will have been serviced and fixed by Thai mechanics of 30 years ago most likely in sandy/dusty places getting in the engine while being 'fixed'.

[arthurwait]

Oh and remember if you are driving an old Mercedes (10 years +) here you will need to be permently drunk to fit in.