Which Old British GT/Sport ?
Discussion
Lately I have been drawn to a few auctions, and I keep coming back to the idea of getting a useable/fun car.
Have been looking at TR6, TR5, MGC a couple of tidy Triumph Stags and a few other things. I plan to do a few road trips in it, nice hotels and scenery. Otherwise it would largely be a garage queen and possibly stored.
Prices seem to vary significantly the best TR6 is close to 40k and an average 'good' one is about 20k Or is is better to buy a dog eared 15k one and pay the restoration.
Have a few choices and happy to look at other options. Wondered about a Chim or a Griffith - but it seems likely the ownership costs are higher.
Value any crowd wisdom - especially on a TR6 - I think thats what my heart is saying. However there are some lovely 5's out there and I wonder if they are a better bet to retain value ?
The classic market is undergoing a bit of a correction at the moment, have a look at classic auction videos on YouTube, they indicate more realistic prices than you will see private sellers and dealers asking.
No shortage of really tidy TR6s out there, bet 15 grand gets something half decent and 20 buys a very nice one.
No shortage of really tidy TR6s out there, bet 15 grand gets something half decent and 20 buys a very nice one.
Whatever you get if it's a boomer hero don't expect values to go up and prepare for them to soften.
Buy what you love and don't worry too much about the money would be my advice, it just gets in the way, and usually one that someone has spent a fortune on recently is a good idea because you never get back what you've spent, but if it's welding and paint have a bloody good look at the quality of the work.
Buy what you love and don't worry too much about the money would be my advice, it just gets in the way, and usually one that someone has spent a fortune on recently is a good idea because you never get back what you've spent, but if it's welding and paint have a bloody good look at the quality of the work.
alscar said:
Have a quick look at the Bicester Sports and Classics website and maybe give them a call for a chat.
They have been around for a long time ( 30+years ) and only ever seem to get good reviews.
Funny you say that - I was looking there last night, I don't know about you but reading this on their pae I found kind of off putting They have been around for a long time ( 30+years ) and only ever seem to get good reviews.
"Please note our Triumph stock has undergone extensive restoration to high standards and cannot be compared to poor quality examples advertised cheaply elsewhere, which will require vast amounts of expenditure."
anyway - they are at 35k for a TR6 for which indeed it would have to be A1.
Mathewsons have a TR6 in the June auction. That may give you a good idea on prices, looks nice enough too https://www.mathewsons.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-420--...
Gargamel said:
Funny you say that - I was looking there last night, I don't know about you but reading this on their pae I found kind of off putting
"Please note our Triumph stock has undergone extensive restoration to high standards and cannot be compared to poor quality examples advertised cheaply elsewhere, which will require vast amounts of expenditure."
anyway - they are at 35k for a TR6 for which indeed it would have to be A1.
I don’t see Any TR6 being worth Any more than £20 grand. I restored & ran several as every day cars through the 1980s, lived & breathed them, but they are So crude, cramped, slow, don’t handle, terrible scuttle shake, blah blah blah."Please note our Triumph stock has undergone extensive restoration to high standards and cannot be compared to poor quality examples advertised cheaply elsewhere, which will require vast amounts of expenditure."
anyway - they are at 35k for a TR6 for which indeed it would have to be A1.
£20 buys a nice Griff 500, a WAY superior car.
Gargamel said:
alscar said:
Have a quick look at the Bicester Sports and Classics website and maybe give them a call for a chat.
They have been around for a long time ( 30+years ) and only ever seem to get good reviews.
Funny you say that - I was looking there last night, I don't know about you but reading this on their pae I found kind of off putting They have been around for a long time ( 30+years ) and only ever seem to get good reviews.
"Please note our Triumph stock has undergone extensive restoration to high standards and cannot be compared to poor quality examples advertised cheaply elsewhere, which will require vast amounts of expenditure."
anyway - they are at 35k for a TR6 for which indeed it would have to be A1.
I'm not sure I'd let the sales patter put you off and indeed the photos themselves look pretty decent -especially the engine bay which on a car of that age normally looks a lot worse !
I know that a lot of their business is repeat from existing customers.
Gargamel said:
I wouldn't be adverse to getting a reasonable car, and sinking some money into bringing it back to a higher standard. I don't want an investment - I just want reliability.
...well make your mind up then: do you want old and British.....or reliable??
Seriously, get a good new fuel pump to a modern design, ditch the points for something like luminetion ignition and you'll always have a spark and fuel. So you'll nearly always start and get home.
There are loads of choices to suit almost every budget and whatever takes your fancy, Some other options:
AC 3000ME?
Lotus?
Evante (late 80s Elan lookalike)
TVR as suggested above
Panther?
Jensen Healey
Gargamel said:
I wouldn't be adverse to getting a reasonable car, and sinking some money into bringing it back to a higher standard. I don't want an investment - I just want reliability.
Buy the wrong one, you can sink a lot of money into them, what you want is something that someone else has lavished time, attention and cash on that maybe needs a few bits, its when people say "its just a bit of bubbling, its surface rust", easy to put 30 grand into a 10k car.I would want one with a recent full restoration with photos to prove, and pay a bit more.
I dont think these are suffering quite the same drops as some older stuff but they are on the cusp, a few more years and the pool of buyers will dwindle, I do like these but even at 55 they are before my time, was all about the TR7 when I was a kid.
The market for many '70s classics is in decline with the current generation of buyers mostly favouring cars from the '90s. I suggest an old Triumph will need constant repairs and attention to rust.
I enjoyed my TVR Griffith immensely. Find one with a solid chassis and it will hold its value and give you much pleasure. They are reliable if well maintained and, imo, likely cheaper to own overall than a Triumph.
I enjoyed my TVR Griffith immensely. Find one with a solid chassis and it will hold its value and give you much pleasure. They are reliable if well maintained and, imo, likely cheaper to own overall than a Triumph.
A TVR Chimaera would be a good shout too, £20k should buy you something that`s almost been fully restored. Griffs have always been a bit more expensive.
Kind of a modern classic if you like but look and sound great, very practical too.
The Chimaera is a bit unloved so you can bag a bargain with cars starting at £10k.
Kind of a modern classic if you like but look and sound great, very practical too.
The Chimaera is a bit unloved so you can bag a bargain with cars starting at £10k.
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