Break or sell complete?
Discussion
This is probably not the most cheerful of threads, but we've just spent a long weekend deciding where our lives are going and sadly they are going in a bit of a different direction to the one we want them to, part of this is me having a workshop full of projects which I spend every waking moment working on instead of enjoying life.
At present I have 4 MX5s, 3 Porsches, 2 MGs and a TVR. The MGs are staying as are 2 of the Porsches but I'm clearing the MX5s out in favour of one nice mk1 and the TVR is going to have to go as I just don't have time to give it what it needs right now.
So the question and reason behind this pretty depressed post is:
I have a 350i, E Reg with the later rear suspension, it's a project, a big project. The chassis is rotten beyond rescue, pretty much everything there needs disassembly and reconditioning, the car is complete but needs work in pretty much every area.
On the positive side the body is in fairly sound condition, minimal cracking anywhere (one of the best "project" fibreglass cars I've ever seen, it needs little more than standard prep and paint for a steel shell). Interior is complete and all the leather is in decent condition just needs a good feed to soften it up, no torn seats etc. Dash needs reveneering of course, hood is in decent condition but is very stiff so needs all taking apart and lubricating/repairing.
Engine is a runner, gearbox feels sound, rolls freely. Suspension all works. Steering all works. Basically it's a complete car but and I can't emphasise the point enough you could not get it back on the road in a weekend or 2, it's a total strip, recon and put back together job.
I've also got a fantastic chassis and a 4.6 v8 I bought to go with it.
All in the car owes me around 2k and I'd like to see that back, I think the only thing actually missing is a steering wheel (MGB one fitted to move it around) but steering wheels are personal taste anyway. It is restorable, my plan was to lift the body fairly soon to get the rotten chassis out, strip the suspension and recon it all then fit it to the new chassis and get a rolling chassis, then fit the new engine and check and refit the box, diff etc. Then go over the shell, paint the shell and drop it on to the chassis, I was planning to junk most of the wiring in favour of rewiring with a new custom loom using megajolt or Nodiz and a Weber/Edelbrock 500 on the engine with standard RR 4.6 exhaust manifolds running twin pipes with a balance pipe. It was a good plan and will make a nice car at some point but it needs someone who can have it sat there for possibly up to a year while they plod through it, that person isn't me I'm afraid, there is a good chance I will have the upheaval of a move in a few months and don't want to drag the TVR with me and try to find space for it.
Realistically what should I try to advertise it at? Is £2500 with an aim to break even about right? Am I even better off breaking it? I don't really want to break it but if needs must it will be a shame but I can do so.
Please note this isn't a thinly disguised Ad, an advert will be going up probably today with a bit of luck, I'm going to try and get some pictures sorted today and go from there, it is a question to people who know the market far better than I.
Many thanks in advance.
At present I have 4 MX5s, 3 Porsches, 2 MGs and a TVR. The MGs are staying as are 2 of the Porsches but I'm clearing the MX5s out in favour of one nice mk1 and the TVR is going to have to go as I just don't have time to give it what it needs right now.
So the question and reason behind this pretty depressed post is:
I have a 350i, E Reg with the later rear suspension, it's a project, a big project. The chassis is rotten beyond rescue, pretty much everything there needs disassembly and reconditioning, the car is complete but needs work in pretty much every area.
On the positive side the body is in fairly sound condition, minimal cracking anywhere (one of the best "project" fibreglass cars I've ever seen, it needs little more than standard prep and paint for a steel shell). Interior is complete and all the leather is in decent condition just needs a good feed to soften it up, no torn seats etc. Dash needs reveneering of course, hood is in decent condition but is very stiff so needs all taking apart and lubricating/repairing.
Engine is a runner, gearbox feels sound, rolls freely. Suspension all works. Steering all works. Basically it's a complete car but and I can't emphasise the point enough you could not get it back on the road in a weekend or 2, it's a total strip, recon and put back together job.
I've also got a fantastic chassis and a 4.6 v8 I bought to go with it.
All in the car owes me around 2k and I'd like to see that back, I think the only thing actually missing is a steering wheel (MGB one fitted to move it around) but steering wheels are personal taste anyway. It is restorable, my plan was to lift the body fairly soon to get the rotten chassis out, strip the suspension and recon it all then fit it to the new chassis and get a rolling chassis, then fit the new engine and check and refit the box, diff etc. Then go over the shell, paint the shell and drop it on to the chassis, I was planning to junk most of the wiring in favour of rewiring with a new custom loom using megajolt or Nodiz and a Weber/Edelbrock 500 on the engine with standard RR 4.6 exhaust manifolds running twin pipes with a balance pipe. It was a good plan and will make a nice car at some point but it needs someone who can have it sat there for possibly up to a year while they plod through it, that person isn't me I'm afraid, there is a good chance I will have the upheaval of a move in a few months and don't want to drag the TVR with me and try to find space for it.
Realistically what should I try to advertise it at? Is £2500 with an aim to break even about right? Am I even better off breaking it? I don't really want to break it but if needs must it will be a shame but I can do so.
Please note this isn't a thinly disguised Ad, an advert will be going up probably today with a bit of luck, I'm going to try and get some pictures sorted today and go from there, it is a question to people who know the market far better than I.
Many thanks in advance.
Big Al. said:
Post too much information i.e. images etc and your post will be removed as an advert.
Sorry, but that's the way it is.
No probs that's what I'm trying to avoid, it really isn't an advert it's an appeal for a bit of help really, I think the best plan is to get it up in the classifieds as a project and if it doesn't sell re evaluate the options from there. I've broken plenty of cars over the years but I get no pleasure from it, it's a last resort to get rid of a problem, sadly the problem tends to be a car with a low value that's worth more in bits, often it's really good projects that get broken. I'm not interested in breaking it and making profit I just want it all to go to someone who will finish it.Sorry, but that's the way it is.
Zig yes with the 4.6 it should have been pretty special especially as the engine is a really nice one, I suspect it won't be long till another Trevor does come along, indeed once it's all cleared I have an itch in the form of a nice Chim to scratch.
As for 10 sunday cars, well that's what happens when you have a large workshop to fill and go from working for yourself and having time to do these things and then end up working for someone else and only having Sat and Sun, it wouldn't be too bad if cars were all I live for but throw a load of other hobbies in to the mix and you end up with no time to do anything and one day saying enough is enough.
Well I spent a couple of months looking at it and my other projects and started to really think what it was I wanted in life and sadly the wedge didn't really fit, the money and time I was going to spend getting it where I wanted was never going to be worth it and would have been better placed buying what I really wanted.
So the wedge and a few others are going, one cars sold already, ones on its way towards being sold, my 924 is nearly good to go and the Tvr is up in the classifieds already, I haven't had so much as a nibble unfortunately so it might end up getting broken which would be a shame.
I will be back though as soon as I can afford my Tuscan!
So the wedge and a few others are going, one cars sold already, ones on its way towards being sold, my 924 is nearly good to go and the Tvr is up in the classifieds already, I haven't had so much as a nibble unfortunately so it might end up getting broken which would be a shame.
I will be back though as soon as I can afford my Tuscan!
Yes it is.
I'm hoping your being serious about it being a giveaway price I've tried to price it seriously at below what it would probably break for and basically at pretty much break even for me so it goes to someone who can enjoy restoring it, I have zero interest in making a quick buck off it as I also have zero interest in breaking what's eventually going to end up a rare car.
I'm hoping your being serious about it being a giveaway price I've tried to price it seriously at below what it would probably break for and basically at pretty much break even for me so it goes to someone who can enjoy restoring it, I have zero interest in making a quick buck off it as I also have zero interest in breaking what's eventually going to end up a rare car.
Well I've had a few enquiries, sadly one lunatic asked how much work it would take to get it road worthy enough to drive home booking an MOT on the way!
But a couple of guys seem pretty sensible and serious, including one chap I know has been reading this thread, so hopefully someone takes it on.
As to why the chassis is beyond repair, I've been repairing old cars for a long time, there comes a point when something is beyond economical repair, anything is possible, hell you could make a new chassis with the right jigs, the reason this chassis is beyond repair is that is basically what you would need to do, not only are the outriggers non existent the spine tubes are badly rotten too which is unusual, what is even stranger is given the state of the chassis the rear cradle is in excellent condition as is the front suspension (don't get me wrong it all needs cleaning and painting but it doesn't match the chassis as you would expect). Hence a donor chassis being the ideal way to repair the car.
On the subject of economical repair my old BGT is border line, but at least the spine of that car is a sound base.
But a couple of guys seem pretty sensible and serious, including one chap I know has been reading this thread, so hopefully someone takes it on.
As to why the chassis is beyond repair, I've been repairing old cars for a long time, there comes a point when something is beyond economical repair, anything is possible, hell you could make a new chassis with the right jigs, the reason this chassis is beyond repair is that is basically what you would need to do, not only are the outriggers non existent the spine tubes are badly rotten too which is unusual, what is even stranger is given the state of the chassis the rear cradle is in excellent condition as is the front suspension (don't get me wrong it all needs cleaning and painting but it doesn't match the chassis as you would expect). Hence a donor chassis being the ideal way to repair the car.
On the subject of economical repair my old BGT is border line, but at least the spine of that car is a sound base.
I'm afraid I don't really want a tt to be honest although if it's a pokey Cabrio I would possibly consider it for the summer, or as a cheaper alternative to Sarah's boxster so I can have my mx5 back. About the only car I'm actively looking for at the moment is an mgb again for Sarah to use to commute in.
Me I just want to get my cars on the road and enjoy them! I can't remember the last time any of my 3 cars saw daylight!
Me I just want to get my cars on the road and enjoy them! I can't remember the last time any of my 3 cars saw daylight!
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