Is modifying worthwhile?
Discussion
We all do things to our cars to "improve" them, replace worn out parts etc. I was wondering when most people think a car is altered to a point where it detracts from it's desirability or value.
Take a standard Vixen. (I should say here that I'm thinking 'road cars' not 'race modified cars' which would be a totally different kettle of fish).
The question is: if a good condition example came onto the market running all original parts at say £15k, what would the same example be worth having had the following non-standard items fitted. For sake of argument assume the quality & condition is like for like. Would you pay more or less and if so how much??
Wheels - Minilites
MX5 seats
Roll over bar
Zetec engine
5 Speed gearbox
Aftermarket sunroof
Adjustable dampers
Take a standard Vixen. (I should say here that I'm thinking 'road cars' not 'race modified cars' which would be a totally different kettle of fish).
The question is: if a good condition example came onto the market running all original parts at say £15k, what would the same example be worth having had the following non-standard items fitted. For sake of argument assume the quality & condition is like for like. Would you pay more or less and if so how much??
Wheels - Minilites
MX5 seats
Roll over bar
Zetec engine
5 Speed gearbox
Aftermarket sunroof
Adjustable dampers
In my opinion, if things can easily be changed back then no big deal.
Wheels are a ten minute job. A 5 speed box adds desirability IMO (but don't bin the original) - it's when you get into engine swaps from later cars (like the Zetec you mentioned) that I'd personally opt out.
I'd keep the original engine, but perhaps tinker a bit to squeeze out a bit more power.
Wheels are a ten minute job. A 5 speed box adds desirability IMO (but don't bin the original) - it's when you get into engine swaps from later cars (like the Zetec you mentioned) that I'd personally opt out.
I'd keep the original engine, but perhaps tinker a bit to squeeze out a bit more power.
Moto said:
We all do things to our cars to "improve" them, replace worn out parts etc. I was wondering when most people think a car is altered to a point where it detracts from it's desirability or value.
Take a standard Vixen. (I should say here that I'm thinking 'road cars' not 'race modified cars' which would be a totally different kettle of fish).
The question is: if a good condition example came onto the market running all original parts at say £15k, what would the same example be worth having had the following non-standard items fitted. For sake of argument assume the quality & condition is like for like. Would you pay more or less and if so how much??
Wheels - Minilites
MX5 seats
Roll over bar
Zetec engine
5 Speed gearbox
Aftermarket sunroof
Adjustable dampers
pretty much with podie on this oneTake a standard Vixen. (I should say here that I'm thinking 'road cars' not 'race modified cars' which would be a totally different kettle of fish).
The question is: if a good condition example came onto the market running all original parts at say £15k, what would the same example be worth having had the following non-standard items fitted. For sake of argument assume the quality & condition is like for like. Would you pay more or less and if so how much??
Wheels - Minilites
MX5 seats
Roll over bar
Zetec engine
5 Speed gearbox
Aftermarket sunroof
Adjustable dampers
wheels, no big deal, actually quite like minilites and they suit the car so no influence
MX5 seats would knock value off for me unless the originals came with it. Vixen seats are difficult to come by and so there is significant hassle factor here
roll bar, no issue if its done sympathetically, which most i have seen have been
5 speed box - positive benefit, so great and all other things equal would choose this car over original if it came with orignal box
Sun roof, like many i would probably be put off a bit, but, hey its not as if vixens are available every day
Dampers, well, itll cost a few hundred to do a whole car. I like them, but i am not a handling expert.
I think the only thing on you list that would really put me off would be the MX5 seats, but if I were in the market for a good vixen, I would not actually be that fussy
After Market modern sunroof a big no no will probably de value a good car a period one well fitted i am not sure i guess should not be an issue if done well.
All depends where your target market is for a car.
The OE brigade will only want originality.
The racing brigade will only want a car that is FIA elagable so dont mess with those cars too much.
Then the other market is the person who wants a classic but with a difference guess thats where you market will be for a modified car however when you see the M series car with flip paint recently went for reasonably good money but would it have made more with standard paint and seats and interior probably.
Andrew
All depends where your target market is for a car.
The OE brigade will only want originality.
The racing brigade will only want a car that is FIA elagable so dont mess with those cars too much.
Then the other market is the person who wants a classic but with a difference guess thats where you market will be for a modified car however when you see the M series car with flip paint recently went for reasonably good money but would it have made more with standard paint and seats and interior probably.
Andrew
After Market modern sunroof a big no no will probably de value a good car a period one well fitted i am not sure i guess should not be an issue if done well.
All depends where your target market is for a car.
The OE brigade will only want originality.
The racing brigade will only want a car that is FIA elagable so dont mess with those cars too much.
Then the other market is the person who wants a classic but with a difference guess thats where you market will be for a modified car however when you see the M series car with flip paint recently went for reasonably good money but would it have made more with standard paint and seats and interior probably.
Andrew
All depends where your target market is for a car.
The OE brigade will only want originality.
The racing brigade will only want a car that is FIA elagable so dont mess with those cars too much.
Then the other market is the person who wants a classic but with a difference guess thats where you market will be for a modified car however when you see the M series car with flip paint recently went for reasonably good money but would it have made more with standard paint and seats and interior probably.
Andrew
My personal opinion.... It's a matter of how well implemented the changes/uprgades are. If done with respect of the original car, and wtih the right craftamnship and attention to details, it and take the car to a different level. If done by a youngster with a big hammer... it'll ruin the car.
And then there's the matter of taste... that's undiscussable, just like girls... some like them large, som like them small, but big headlights are allways a winner :-)
My personal taste... a bit race inspired modifications without overdoing it, and spend equally effort on handling as on power. SOme good examples in my book:
....aaaargh why didn't someone fix thumbsnap
And then there's the matter of taste... that's undiscussable, just like girls... some like them large, som like them small, but big headlights are allways a winner :-)
My personal taste... a bit race inspired modifications without overdoing it, and spend equally effort on handling as on power. SOme good examples in my book:
....aaaargh why didn't someone fix thumbsnap
Thinking about the Question over the last few days when deciding on the final finished spec on the Tuscan V6 converted to V8 I keep thinking of the way things have changed over the last number of years on other marks.
Jaguar being a major one however there are Jenson, MG and others where classics are totally stripped down and many parts re engineered and modernised to make the cars more user friendly these re built cars from Eagle and JD Classics look to achieve a premium against an OE restored car.
I cant help wondering if this will spread to other marks although I am sure it has and I am just not aware.
Eagle now offer a E TYPE with
Power Steering
Modern Brakes
Modern Gear box
Air Con
Uprated and re engineered suspension
Uprated redesigned differential
Modern sound system with Blue Tooth
Re styled seats
And lots more and can cost £250 000 plus
and JD offer many of these upgrades to XK120 etc
Prices for these cars achieve a very high premium way beyond a standard restored car however I suspect like buying a new car there will be depreciation as it will become a second hand Eagle however rising prices of OE cars may help to reduce that depreciation.
I cant help wondering why David Gerald have not taken that approach to there Titan project as the biggest cost of developing a new car is red tape and type approvals.
However a small number of early M cars that are either scrap or now just log books could be rebuilt like there Titan and given period registrations.
Sorry Just sitting here dreaming LOL
Eagle built Vixen V8 Conversion now thats an idea.
Heading to my Bomb bunker before Grantura MK1 wakes up and blows a fuse
Jaguar being a major one however there are Jenson, MG and others where classics are totally stripped down and many parts re engineered and modernised to make the cars more user friendly these re built cars from Eagle and JD Classics look to achieve a premium against an OE restored car.
I cant help wondering if this will spread to other marks although I am sure it has and I am just not aware.
Eagle now offer a E TYPE with
Power Steering
Modern Brakes
Modern Gear box
Air Con
Uprated and re engineered suspension
Uprated redesigned differential
Modern sound system with Blue Tooth
Re styled seats
And lots more and can cost £250 000 plus
and JD offer many of these upgrades to XK120 etc
Prices for these cars achieve a very high premium way beyond a standard restored car however I suspect like buying a new car there will be depreciation as it will become a second hand Eagle however rising prices of OE cars may help to reduce that depreciation.
I cant help wondering why David Gerald have not taken that approach to there Titan project as the biggest cost of developing a new car is red tape and type approvals.
However a small number of early M cars that are either scrap or now just log books could be rebuilt like there Titan and given period registrations.
Sorry Just sitting here dreaming LOL
Eagle built Vixen V8 Conversion now thats an idea.Heading to my Bomb bunker before Grantura MK1 wakes up and blows a fuse
pridaux said:
Eagle built Vixen V8 Conversion now thats an idea.I guess there could be a marked for a rolling frame with redesigned suspension geometry, moders drive/half shafts, LSD and modern brakes. But perhaps without engine. And for engine do various rules apply, in Denmark are we limited to +20% power increase to keep originality.
And for engine in a M, V8's hmmm, normaly too heavy and too much torque = lot of wheelspin if the electronics are not in place. Imho will a supercharged R4 be a much better fit, or an NA R6. An 342 hp M3 R6 powered TVR-M @ 800 kg would be quite fast and still driveable.
And for engine in a M, V8's hmmm, normaly too heavy and too much torque = lot of wheelspin if the electronics are not in place. Imho will a supercharged R4 be a much better fit, or an NA R6. An 342 hp M3 R6 powered TVR-M @ 800 kg would be quite fast and still driveable.
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