88V8 Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Well, as I said to my dad yesterday who was equally grumpy - you would have gone for it when you were my age...to which he agreed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
veeight Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Well I for one wish you all the best with your new project. It does seem that there is always an element that want to put a spanner in the works of a exciting time ahead for you. Good luck, take you time and it will be a fantastic achievement when it's finished. Phil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trelfin4 Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 I wish you luck and hope Im still around to see the photos of the finished article.Keith Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 Thanks for the encouragement, in the meantime on with the TR4! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dick Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 There is a very nice one for sale in Roman Garage on the A52 East of Grantham. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
88V8 Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 Beautiful though it may be, fine piece of machinery n'all that, I do seriously advise you to drive one before you commit several thousand hours of your life to a resto. Even if you have to visit the backwoods of Grantham to do it. There was a chap in the Concours hall at IWE 08, with a newly restored TR6. In conversation it turned out he'd never driven one, bought it in bits, restored over X years, then when he did drive it he found he didn't like it. 'I thought it would be like my 4, only better'. Result, he was going to sell it. So that was X years down the drain. If you drive one and like it, that will help you keep going when the resto hits the inevitable boggy patch. If you don't like it, best to know before you start, eh what? Ivor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ade-TR4 Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 Go on then, How much have you paid for it? (Straight jacket on stand-by ) Ade Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 (edited) Well in my opinion all old cars are terrible to drive - the only reason to have one is because they look nice and if you like mechanics and restoration. I love old cars, I love restoring them but I'm not too bothered about driving the them - a new car is much better for that! I paid £4.5K for the Rapide (much less than I paid for my TR4 as a project)... I love the TR4, it's much more practical and better looking etc etc but the Lagonda WILL give me a good return on my investment...after which I can buy another TR4! Edited January 11, 2011 by randall977 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 I paid £4.5K for the Rapide (much less than I paid for my TR4 as a project)... I love the TR4, it's much more practical and better looking etc etc but the Lagonda WILL give me a good return on my investment...after which I can buy another TR4! You may say that.... I couldnt possibly comment. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Well I will prove you wrong. You don't have to be a genius to work on a car but you do need skill, determination, patience, intelligence and yes money but the first four will reduce the last significantly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jellison Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Whoa (yep loads DB4 elements there). You will need MASSIVELY Deep pockets - if doing yourself and have ALOT of time maybe 50k - farmed out 100-150k I'd guess. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Yes Jellison - more realistic. I know a chap who bought one worse than mine and did it for £20K, farmed out the work but at very good rates pulling favours etc. I won't be making it concourse but it will be good. I am aiming for £25K all in, it's what I enjoy and am good at and I'm in no rush. I will make sensible decisions - ie not chroming all the nuts, not paying £1000 for new discs, not paying someone else to so all but the most specialist jobs - such as paint, aluminum fabrication etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TorontoTim Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Guys, I'm sure you're all trying to be helpful and are passing on concerns to one of our brethren in the best possible spirit. However, it is (to me, at least) tending to come across a little as smart-arsed and patronising. No doubt you will not agree with my assesment, which is fine - I may be over-reacting. For my part, I wish you ENORMOUS success wth the project. It's clear from following your rogress with the TR4 that you have skill and dedication and have achieved great results in a, relatively, very short time which most of us could only achieve by being or employing a professional. No doubt you'll hit snags, but you know that. You'll also , hopefully, have a great deal of fun and end up with a good car - whether you like driving it or not ;-) More support, less criticism chaps, I say. Ok - I'm ready for the insults.... Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Smokey Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 Hi randall, have fun with your new project. Life is short, and within the usual limitations, one should do what one enjoys. Non lesse illegitimati carborundum. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelH Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 I know this is not a TR4 but I came accross it last week and thought it might be of interest. Can anybody guess what it is? Yes I am trying to buy it. It looks like a Facel Vega MichaelH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lord Flashart Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 I'm with Randall with this one. I restore my own cars and do everything myself and I've always at least doubled my money on my cars. The last one (TR3a) paid for the TR4, Frogeye, the fitting out of my workshop and the move back to Canada. My cars are never concourse, but not a million miles away from that either. Good luck mate! Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jobster Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 (edited) Well in my opinion all old cars are terrible to drive - the only reason to have one is because they look nice and if you like mechanics and restoration. I love old cars, I love restoring them but I'm not too bothered about driving the them - a new car is much better for that! .......... Do not agree on this. Old cars you will give you a driving experience, either good or bad, it's a drving experience. New cars, psssss, that's just a not very exciting move from A to B. Other than that, this one at first glance looks to be in a relative decent condition. Give it a decent wash an shine and someone will pick it up for a few thou more. Easy money. Edited January 11, 2011 by jobster Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jellison Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Yes Jellison - more realistic. I know a chap who bought one worse than mine and did it for £20K, farmed out the work but at very good rates pulling favours etc. I won't be making it concourse but it will be good. I am aiming for £25K all in, it's what I enjoy and am good at and I'm in no rush. I will make sensible decisions - ie not chroming all the nuts, not paying £1000 for new discs, not paying someone else to so all but the most specialist jobs - such as paint, aluminum fabrication etc. Good - Luck. Trust me I understand (building a Griffith200 (65) from all it component parts. Fingers X'd the engine will not need more than a freshen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 Well maybe it's time to wrap this one up. It's been an interesting discussion especially as it hasn't been TR based. Thank you for all you comments and encouragements - all helpful in different ways. Now I must get one and finish my TR4! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ade-TR4 Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 If you're doing the work yourself, which I find is the best part, then hopefully your prediction will be right. Best of luck, but, how could you let your beautiful TR4 go????!!!! Ade Keep us posted/ updated on the rebuild when it happens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 Rather obsessively I thought I might create a website for the Rapide, it needs a lot of work so no mean comments okay! Just in case anyone is vaguely interested... Website about the Lagonda Rapide 1961 - 1964 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted January 21, 2011 Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 An attractive presentation, you should perhaps post it in Members Websites for wider exposure ! Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 (edited) Thanks. Posting it here was a lame attempt to get Google to pick it up...which will probably work! A members website would be good if one existed, the Rapide is the TR7 of the Aston Martin Lagonda world, frowned upon by AM owners and Lagonda owners alike. Though I'm sure a very nice bunch it's quite different from this forum... Edited January 21, 2011 by randall977 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
88V8 Posted January 22, 2011 Report Share Posted January 22, 2011 A members website would be good if one existed, Alec means the Member's Website forum in here. Yes, I wonder if you may find the AM owner's forum less involved in getting its hands dirty. I should think you'd be a wolf amongst the sheep in there Ivor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2011 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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