In my intro post I stated that I'd be looking at a Melos or a S3/S4 Phaeton. My reasoning for this is that having driven what I believe was a bog standard (if there is such a thing when it comes to kit cars :huh: ) Melos with leaf springs and being happy with the ride/handling that this, or a later Phaeton, would have an acceptable standard suspension set up, with any earlier design problems having been ironed out by the factory by the time these models were released.
Or am I being naive and showing my lack of experience here?
From reading through the boards I see that many people change the suspension set up, particularly at the rear.
I'd be comfortable repairing a slightly coroded chassis and replacing suspension components but modifiyng the set up is beyond my capabilities.
So, the point of my post here is ask for a little guidance. I've been ploughing through posts/websites and reference pics on Duttons and have seen some very nice earlier Duttons, such as the first one on the e-bay gallery here (FDW 935V) and I wondered if there was any reason why I shouldn't consider an earlier model?
Were they as bad as some threads I have seen suggest? I know that alot of problems are as a result of sloppy builders but there are also it seems, some bad design flaws.
Any advice greatfully received.

Cheers
Ray

First car on the gallery is a B+

As for what are the better cars that is a very subjective question - the cars changed mainly to follow the trend for easier builds so the later cars are single source donor (Escort Mk1/2) The earlier cars being multi donor, not it seems to me for any progressive improvement.

All of the models have inherent weaknesses in the design but they are relatively insignificant in comparison the the horrors that a bad builder can bestow on the car.

In personal view a correctly modified early car is a far better prospect than a modified later car and the early cars also lend themselves to modification far easier.

However for an easy to run and use car I would try and find an Pheaton S3/4 with a Pinto.

Cheers

Andrew

Thanks for the advice Andrew, much appreciated.

cheers
Ray