Cerb laid up 10+ years.
Cerb laid up 10+ years.
Author
Discussion

LukeSi

Original Poster:

5,780 posts

185 months

Thursday 2nd August 2012
quotequote all
There is a house local to where I went to high school that has had a Cerb sitting on the drive for at least 10 years with one corner sitting on breeze blocks. Running the reg through the HPI website says it is a 1999 4.5.
http://goo.gl/maps/1iHWz
For quite a while I've wanted to knock on the door and ask about it but can't bring myself to because even if they offered to sell it to me I wouldn't be able to buy it no matter how cheap. However I recently started thinking, what condition will it be in having sat in one spot for 10+ years? I'm guessing that mechanical issues are probably what caused it to just be left there, however that doesn't explain it being on three wheels. The tyres never seem to be flat when I go past which obviously means someone at least takes the effort to keep them inflated. I am assuming that the Chassis has probably got a lot of rust, although it is possible it might be in good nick due to not being exposed to the elements. If it is still there in a few years when I have the money how big a gamble would it be to (if they would sell it) buy it and get it back on the road? Would it even be worth it? The body seems to be in good condition (aside from the moss) which is good, from what I can see the interior isn't moldy which obviously means it doesn't let on water.

Besides from that I've always wondered, what would cause them to just leave a (at the time) 2 year old car, and not a cheap one at that, on blocks exposed to the elements? If any PHer knows about it or feels like rescuing it speak up here hehe. And if you are local to the area and decide to rescue it (doubtful this would happen) give me a shout, I'll be more than willing to prove lend a hand (more likely get in the way, but it is the thought that counts).

Edited by LukeSi on Thursday 2nd August 20:23


Edited by LukeSi on Thursday 2nd August 22:25


Edited by LukeSi on Thursday 2nd August 23:17

Gazzab

21,583 posts

306 months

Thursday 2nd August 2012
quotequote all
Am sure its been mentioned on here before. I see it's not that far from me. I'd buy it but it would have to be very cheap. It could well be a 'write off' and in need of restoration that would mean it couldn't be cheap enough.

LukeSi

Original Poster:

5,780 posts

185 months

Thursday 2nd August 2012
quotequote all
Gazzab said:
Am sure its been mentioned on here before. I see it's not that far from me. I'd buy it but it would have to be very cheap. It could well be a 'write off' and in need of restoration that would mean it couldn't be cheap enough.
Couldn't see them getting more than 2-3k if they sold it. Depending on what the values do (if they keep going up) and the overall condition it may be possible to turn a profit on it even if you have to spend some money on restoring it. Obviously an engine failure would throw that out of the window if that is why it is laid up.

Gazzab

21,583 posts

306 months

Thursday 2nd August 2012
quotequote all
I can't see it turning a profit. Unless they let you have the car plus some cash or the car somehow didn't have damp interior, electrical issues, knackerd chassis and bust engine.
If you did all the work yourself and sourced cheap parts then it might come in under £10k to do up. IMHO

Edited by Gazzab on Thursday 2nd August 20:35

spitfire4v8

4,022 posts

205 months

Thursday 2nd August 2012
quotequote all
you could offer them a deal to shift the other scrap cars off their drive/lawn too whilst you're at it. Not seen an old sierra like that for a while! house looks nice though smile

yajeed

5,052 posts

278 months

Thursday 2nd August 2012
quotequote all
That's really odd; reasonably nice property with an owner that clearly spends a lot of time maintaining the garden etc, reasonable other car.

I wonder how it manages to get that way, and stay in that condition for so long.

Hoonigan

2,144 posts

259 months

Thursday 2nd August 2012
quotequote all
Which road is it on, I can't seem to see it?

LukeSi

Original Poster:

5,780 posts

185 months

Thursday 2nd August 2012
quotequote all
Hoonigan said:
Which road is it on, I can't seem to see it?
Any better?
http://goo.gl/maps/1iHWz

If not then "59 Station Road, Bignall End, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire"

Mr Cerbera

5,148 posts

254 months

Friday 3rd August 2012
quotequote all
For Gawd's Sake. No one's gonna shoot You.
Go and knock on the door, say you represent a foreign buyer and ask what the hell their plans for it are.

Tonight, 18:30 !!

sweeper

323 posts

184 months

Friday 3rd August 2012
quotequote all

dean_ratpac

1,582 posts

302 months

Friday 3rd August 2012
quotequote all
personally I would ask about it, but for that length of time pretty much all the rubber bits are gonna be shot rust a mold. It would be a nightmare. Most cerbs don't like sitting there for 2 weeks let alone 10+years.

Maybe its art? wink


Mr Cerbera

5,148 posts

254 months

Friday 3rd August 2012
quotequote all
dean_ratpac said:
.....Maybe its art? wink
roflroflroflrofl

YesItsAVW

2,726 posts

189 months

Friday 3rd August 2012
quotequote all
Worth 2k?

Gazzab

21,583 posts

306 months

Friday 3rd August 2012
quotequote all
YesItsAVW said:
Worth 2k?
Arguably less or more. :-)
Someone would probably buy it for £5K as they will think its a bargain.

NeilH

344 posts

294 months

Friday 3rd August 2012
quotequote all
Gee - if that was nearer me I would pop along there at the weekend with a pocket of cash and buy it !! Sum of the parts probably worth more than the sum of the whole so worth it from that perspective if nothing else ...

But if it is straight and just a mechanical failure that has left it in bits for so long, then a great base for a body off project / conversion in my opinion ...

Gazzab

21,583 posts

306 months

Friday 3rd August 2012
quotequote all
dont forget the yellow one that was left standing around....
Bought for £6K - estimate to get it road worth £20K plus. Chassis, electrics, engine.....

quattrophenia

1,103 posts

222 months

Friday 3rd August 2012
quotequote all
With people buying 'good' cars for good money and throwing £10k+ on LS conversions, you may as well spend peanuts on something like this and throw the cash at it (so long as the body and interior are ok). £15k could get you the LS conversion and a new chassis.

Malam

719 posts

227 months

Friday 3rd August 2012
quotequote all
Gazzab said:
dont forget the yellow one that was left standing around....
Bought for £6K - estimate to get it road worth £20K plus. Chassis, electrics, engine.....
£20k if you're a complete moron and pay specialists to do the work.

Gazzab

21,583 posts

306 months

Friday 3rd August 2012
quotequote all
Malam said:
Gazzab said:
dont forget the yellow one that was left standing around....
Bought for £6K - estimate to get it road worth £20K plus. Chassis, electrics, engine.....
£20k if you're a complete moron and pay specialists to do the work.
Thanks

Latty666

259 posts

172 months

Friday 3rd August 2012
quotequote all
If that was nearer to me I'd be knocking, tell them the current scrap price per ton and make them an offer a little higher !!! They would probably be glad to see the back of it after ten years, take a sweeping brush and a few carrier bags for the bits that have fell off over the years