Trev Good Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 I was watching the Matthewsons television programme the other night....Yeah, I know! Actually, I am not keen on the programme (watch the episode where they try and explain the cogs in the Daffodil drive train to get an idea) but it does show interesting cars and it's a good cure for insomnia! To be honest, I'm not even keen on buying or selling cars at auction. I like to actually test a vehicle, meet and get a feel for the owner and how they have treated it etc. I've even refused to sell to someone because I didn't like their plans! Anyway, I digress. The episode I was watching was one where what can loosely be said to be the rotting carcass of a mini cooper went for £18,000 and they were all saying that when it was restored (like Trigger's broom) it would be worth £60,000. Now, is it just me? I absolutely abhore the "what's it worth?" idea. For me, something is worth what joy etc. it brings to the owner. Perhaps the phrase "What money will it make?" is a far better description of many of today's classic car deals. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steves_TR6 Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 Well said Trev, the endemic focus on £ value totally misses the point of old cars. I love my tr6 and don’t give a stuff what £ value it has ! steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 To sum it up in a few words. Its only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monty Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 1 hour ago, Trev Good said: I was watching the Matthewsons television programme the other night....Yeah, I know! Actually, I am not keen on the programme (watch the episode where they try and explain the cogs in the Daffodil drive train to get an idea) but it does show interesting cars and it's a good cure for insomnia! To be honest, I'm not even keen on buying or selling cars at auction. I like to actually test a vehicle, meet and get a feel for the owner and how they have treated it etc. I've even refused to sell to someone because I didn't like their plans! Anyway, I digress. The episode I was watching was one where what can loosely be said to be the rotting carcass of a mini cooper went for £18,000 and they were all saying that when it was restored (like Trigger's broom) it would be worth £60,000. Now, is it just me? I absolutely abhore the "what's it worth?" idea. For me, something is worth what joy etc. it brings to the owner. Perhaps the phrase "What money will it make?" is a far better description of many of today's classic car deals. It is worth what somebody will pay for it on the day I think. Certainly a restored genuine Cooper S will get interested buyers willing to pay £60,000+ for it, mad as it sounds. A friend of mine has probably the most original ex-works Cooper S that has survived (car was put into storage with many original panels etc & discovered by him) & using your phrase of “What money will it make?”, well over £100,000 probably! For a Mini! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james christie Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 46 minutes ago, stuart said: Its only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it. True Stuart, very true. But I am more and more intrigued about the sidescreen market here in France, where asking prices from both professionals and private individuals in the digital rag ‘Le Bon Coin’ are well over the 33000€ for something bright and shiny and often without overdrive - as often imported from the US. At least four abandoned rebuilds this morning, most at absurd prices.https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/2264052075.htm Even a chassis bent 3A with a ‘stamped book’ at 18000€. https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/2164638885.htm The same cars, month in month out, often 50 or so. The sidescreen market would appeart be softening but some seem to totally unaware of it! james Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 2 hours ago, james christie said: True Stuart, very true. But I am more and more intrigued about the sidescreen market here in France, where asking prices from both professionals and private individuals in the digital rag ‘Le Bon Coin’ are well over the 33000€ for something bright and shiny and often without overdrive - as often imported from the US. At least four abandoned rebuilds this morning, most at absurd prices.https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/2264052075.htm Even a chassis bent 3A with a ‘stamped book’ at 18000€. https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/2164638885.htm The same cars, month in month out, often 50 or so. The sidescreen market would appeart be softening but some seem to totally unaware of it! james There is a fair few sidescreen cars around that have been for sale for a while, unfortunately most of the people that they appeal to are now unable to get in and out of them. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 Yes, it is getting more difficult ! Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james christie Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 Yes- placed my hardtop on the car a month or so ago, as I do every five years or so - without screwing it down - and quickly took it off yet again. I find I get scalped now when getting in and out. Good motivation to go topless, the way these cars are supposed to be driven. I suspect the squabs of the seats are a little high though as they are fitted with what Mr Revington unkindly called bed springs. james Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bfg Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 5 hours ago, stuart said: To sum it up in a few words. Its only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it. Stuart. And not necessarily what you spent on it Having spent so much on Katie over the past two years I now have a better appreciation of what classic cars are worth. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 12 minutes ago, Bfg said: And not necessarily what you spent on it Having spent so much on Katie over the past two years I now have a better appreciation of what classic cars are worth. You also have a better appreciation of the actual costs of restoration too. Which is often hard to explain to customers. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bleednipple Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 40 minutes ago, stuart said: You also have a better appreciation of the actual costs of restoration too. Which is often hard to explain to customers. Stuart. Yes and that's why some upwards pressure on auction/sale 'values' is in some ways a good thing for the ultimate conservation of historic/classic motors. I was talking yesterday with a friend who runs a marque specialist workshop (not Triumph) and he was reflecting about how people baulk at what repair/resto jobs cost because "well the car's only worth xxx anyway". Those owners are realistically not going to spend what's needed to keep cars on the road long term using professional shops, while a declining number have the skills/time/inclination to DIY. At least if a car is worth upwards of say £25k, the owner might not feel disinclined to spend a few £k when needed at least to stop the car deteriorating. I appreciate that needs deepish pockets, but the alternative is to gradually see "our" TRs end up going the same way as a lot of the good-but-bog standard pre-wars, that are falling off the perch because there's not enough money in them. Nigel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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