Have you ever owned a classic?
They were as reliable as the rhythm method when they were new, let alone 40 years on using NOS (New Old Stock) parts because they don't make 'em any more, or duplicate parts that aren't quite as good, or or or...there comes a time when the only way out is to take the car back to the bare shell and reassemble it piece by piece. Takes ages, costs a mint.

I bought a 15 year old Jag a few years back for £3K...and it cost me twice that in repairs in the first year. OP, you have my utmost sympathy. Even now, I share your pain *looks at Hillman Imp in garage*
( Fathter Puddytat Kill Kill dat widdle boid is mine on, Sat 2 Oct 2010, 14:19, 1 reply)

Yes, several classic cars
My daily driver is a 1988 Citroën CX, which is rapidly approaching classic age. In the six years I've owned it, the only "real work" I've had to do is a spot of welding on the driver's side sill just below the B pillar, and I put new rear arm bearings on and new front suspension balljoints. The rest of it has all been boring old service parts, like filters, oil and spark plugs. I put new suspension spheres on it when I got it, and they're still perfectly okay.
(gordonjcp, Sat 2 Oct 2010, 18:21, closed)