At what point is a car not worth restoring?

[Mercky]

I think this passed the point some time ago, what do you think?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-230-Finta...

[droopsnoot]

It's probably past it for a general eBay purchase. My recent project was probably too far gone, but as it was my first "special" car back in the mid-80s, I figured I'd have a go as I had history with it. In some ways it wasn't as bad as that Merc, but in others it was possibly worse.

[227bhp]

Ask Fuzz Townsend....

[Pericoloso]

The car in the OP May be a better project than the Pagoda that 227 above is referring to if it's not been got at already by Billy Bodge.

That Pagoda really was a welded mess,patch on patch.

[anonymous-user]

The logical answer to the OP's post would be when the repair cost is higher than buying a restored one. But I know loads of people who broke that rule.

That Merc could be an economic repair, I've seen a few salon versions of that car for sale in the tropics recently that are largely rust free, if doors wings etc are interchangeable perhaps it can be restored.

[brrapp]

Berw said:

The logical answer to the OP's post would be when the repair cost is higher than buying a restored one.

How many 'classics' went to the great scrappy in the sky 10, 20, 30, or 40 years ago because they weren't worth restoring at the time but would have been worth fortunes now. I've personally scrapped more potential money than I've ever spent on cars over the years.
Its all about timing, a bit of insight, and a lot of luck.
I'd guess that Merc could be a real money maker in a few more years time, but don't trust me, I've got it wrong so many more times than I've got it right.

[Yertis]

Usually, just before I buy it.


Will the answer to this question change with the new historic status rules?

[restoman]

Depends whether you are an enthusiast or an investor . . . .

[Yertis]

The other point of view is what else would you spend the money on? If on frequent holidays or watching football, grand prix for whatever, you'll spend £30k over a few years and never get any of it back. But if skinning your knuckles in a cold garage is your thing, at least you might get a good proportion of your £30k back at some stage.

[Skyedriver]

Yertis said:

skinning your knuckles in a cold garage is your thing, at least you might get a good proportion of your £30k back at some stage.

You almost make that sound appealing!
Trouble is it's not just the skinned Knuckles

It's the stitches in the side of the head
The blind spot where the arc welder flash got you
The arthritis due to hitting you fingers and thumbs on various parts of the car
The rhumatism in your knees due to cold concrete floors

Ask me how I know, and I still do it...

[wibble cb]

Financially, no, its not worth it, but if someone wants to take it on, why not?

Mine, at one point in 2004:



I had faith though....still looks good now



I might get my money back, or not, its irrelevant to me, I'm keeping it.

[grumpy52]

Berw said:

The logical answer to the OP's post would be when the repair cost is higher than buying a restored one. But I know loads of people who broke that rule.

That Merc could be an economic repair, I've seen a few salon versions of that car for sale in the tropics recently that are largely rust free, if doors wings etc are interchangeable perhaps it can be restored.

By that criteria 95% of cars would never get restored.
It is just a small percentage of the stuff out there that are actually worth more once restored .
A different criteria can be used if you are doing it all yourself and all the parts are present or available .
Most are restored with the heart not the head .