1981 Spitfire covered in waxoyl from new

[uk66fastback]

Don't know how many saw this at the NEC this weekend - it was in one of the classic car mags recently as well - but I was staggered when I saw this thing ...

Seems a guy won it new in 1981 - and had a garage cover it completely in waxoyl and then lay it up. Under the bonnet, engine, suspension, all panels on top andbelow etc.

It only has 160 miles on it. Interior is like new as well ... The owner died and his son inherited it and it is now being seen for the first time in 31 years.

It is to be cleaned up and is due for auction in Jan 2013.

What's it worth do we reckon? A true one-off ...

[hman]

So the body will be fine but....

the engine will leak oil out of all the perished seals,

the brakes will need overhauling as will the shocks,

and the tyres will be shot.


Would be better if it was a rare classic - Triumph Spitfire though...

[Yertis]

A Spitfire with that degree of orginality is a pretty rare thing. A few things might need replacing, but it's not a car for driving is it?

Nice to see. Hopefully those real Spitfires (the Supermarine variety) that have been discovered in Burma will be in this sort of condition too.

[IanMorewood]

Depends who recommissions it, probably £5k tops at the mo.

[Dogwatch]

I wonder if its value is rather like that of a bottle of rare vintage wine - it's the possibilities of getting it back on the road which are the value. Once someone actually does so it becomes just another classic and the value plummets.

[kamilb1998]

I saw it in the magazine and on display at the NEC. I found it quite fascinating; if the exterior will be in the same condition as the interior once the wax is removed then I imagine it fetching around £7k.

[Manks]

hman said:

So the body will be fine but....

the engine will leak oil out of all the perished seals,

the brakes will need overhauling as will the shocks,

and the tyres will be shot.


Would be better if it was a rare classic - Triumph Spitfire though...

And at a guess it will still be rusty where moist air can penetrate but Waxoyle cannot. And the bits that would not have rusted are covered in a waxy, nasty coating.

[uk66fastback]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

I *think* you can wash it off maybe with a high pressure hose or something. I would take the electrics off the car completely and do them in a different way and just go to town with a Karcher on the rest of the car ... but then I'm not doing it

I reckon it'll get close to £8/9000.

[HustleRussell]

I reckon he'd be better off waiting at least another 10 years. The spitfire is a fun little car, but not a collectors item and there are still a fair few on the road (many of which are in decent condition thanks to decent parts supply)

[garagewidow]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

white spirit....it shouldn't harm the paintwork.

[Astacus]

Did this originally belong to an Indian guy? I used to work with someone who won a Yellow Spitty, one of the last registered. He was really proud of it, never drove it and told me he was just going to keep it in his garage as an investment.

[v8250]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

light pressure steam clean, followed by a natural degreaser, then steam off again. then treat paintwork to a good natural polish. will come up gleaming.

[CRA1G]

Astacus said:

Did this originally belong to an Indian guy? I used to work with someone who won a Yellow Spitty, one of the last registered. He was really proud of it, never drove it and told me he was just going to keep it in his garage as an investment.

No because this one is White......

[LukeSi]

Bump, sold for £19,000 earlier.

[Bemmer]

LukeSi said:

Bump, sold for £19,000 earlier.

So all the expert opinions above couldn't get within £10K of it's real value.......

[Globs]

Bemmer said:

LukeSi said:

Bump, sold for £19,000 earlier.

So all the expert opinions above couldn't get within £10K of it's real value.......

That's what it sold for, not necessarily the same as it's real value

[IanMorewood]

Someone paid way over the odds at £19k, hope they have fun driving it once its recommissioned they wont make any money out of it at that price.

[Wacky Racer]

IanMorewood said:

Someone paid way over the odds at £19k, hope they have fun driving it once its recommissioned they wont make any money out of it at that price.

I'd just cover it in Waxoyl and put it away for another 25 years as an investment.....

I had this Mk 4 Spitfire from new in 1973..

[cahami]

So what did it cost brand new? and how has this worked out as an investment? obviously storage costs were minimal. Would the money have done better elswhere ie gold. I can see the point if you eventually get the pleasure of driving it but to just move it on as is?.

[IanMorewood]

About £4k new in 1980.