Project Cars--You Get to Vote on "Hold 'em or Fold 'em"

berri

Very sharp looking for the mid 50's and still decent today. But I wonder a decade or so from now if they will still pull those 7 figure prices?

Mr_Shiftright

The few, the brave, the chosen.

Well one recently "restored to perfection" sold at Pebble for about 1.17 million, so do the math here. Bills can run up mighty fast on these cars.

Of course, the seller can always say "Don't like it?--go find another one", but that might backfire, because these do come up for sale with regularity.

steine13

Ya can't help but wish this guy good luck:
https://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/d/looking-for-my-old-porsche-924/6770840286.html

fintail

What would it cost to restore that gullwing? I can't imagine it being done at a quality specialist (the only place you'd want to take it, somewhere like MB Classic Center/Kienle/Rudi and Company etc), 300K? More?

I'd make sure it was structurally sound, restore it mechanically, clean it, drive it as-is.

For that 924, it may still exist, but I don't see those on the road much anymore.

Mr_Shiftright

@fintail -- our local, and well-known classic car restoration shop (producing a number of exotic Pebble Beach winners) has a sign near the front door as you enter:

"It will cost a fortune and it will take forever. Any other questions?"

Mr_Shiftright

I would guess that if the Gullwing bids over $750K, the buyer is buried. However, if you are one of those types who has a money spigot in the basement, tied to a culvert pipe and a large wheel valve, you may not care.

texases

I'm surprised it got over $600k with 6 days to go. Is there a 'normal' way for BaT auctions to act? Do they go high early, or late?

Mr_Shiftright

I think it depends entirely on what type of people are bidding--I know that sounds rather obvious, but what I mean is things like how emotional they are, or how big their egos are when they don't want to get "beat out" by another persistent bidder.

Auctions love, love, love a two-ego bidding war.

boomchek

fintail said:

What would it cost to restore that gullwing? I can't imagine it being done at a quality specialist (the only place you'd want to take it, somewhere like MB Classic Center/Kienle/Rudi and Company etc), 300K? More?

I'd make sure it was structurally sound, restore it mechanically, clean it, drive it as-is.

For that 924, it may still exist, but I don't see those on the road much anymore.

I would guess frame off concours quality restoration would be in the hundreds of thousands.

I agree too, I would ensure it's mechanically sound and leave the cosmetics as is. I like a bit of patina showing AND you can actually enjoy driving it without worrying about little dings here and there.

fintail

I was thinking the same thing, if bidding goes above 700K or so, the new owner will be on thin ice. I am not an expert, but I can't imagine a decent restoration under 250K USD, and I could see it greatly exceeding that. These can be bought pristine in the lower 1MM range, so there's not a lot of meat on the bone. Hilariously in this new Belle Epoque, there's a lot of new dumb speculative money floating around, so who knows what might happen.

fintail

You know, one of the best 300SL shops in the world is on Vancouver Island. Purchase and restoration costs will probably be over 10 years salary, maybe I should do it

Having it unrestored cosmetically might also be a way to show up the grouchy old guard who wants everything to be pristine.

boomchek said:

I would guess frame off concours quality restoration would be in the hundreds of thousands.

I agree too, I would ensure it's mechanically sound and leave the cosmetics as is. I like a bit of patina showing AND you can actually enjoy driving it without worrying about little dings here and there.

Mr_Shiftright

I was thinking $400K minimum to bring it up to concours. We don't know what lies underneath regarding the tubular space-frame, the aluminum integrity, missing parts, condition of the engine. Every thing you touch on this car is pricey, pricey, pricey, and you don't want to put it in the wrong hands for the restoration. Here's where experience really counts.

gsemike

Mr_Shiftright said:

Auctions love, love, love a two-ego bidding war.

Goes for a broken toaster on ebay. Goes for a gullwing on BAT. Sellers love when buyers get caught up

gsemike

boomchek said:

fintail said:

I would guess frame off concours quality restoration would be in the hundreds of thousands.

I agree too, I would ensure it's mechanically sound and leave the cosmetics as is. I like a bit of patina showing AND you can actually enjoy driving it without worrying about little dings here and there.

A $700k rat rod? I'd pass on that

Mr_Shiftright

Some cars look good when shabby and some don't. IMO, a Gullwing looks really bad that way. It's like seeing a drunk Santa Claus...something's just not right about it.

xwesx

Up to $815K. So ridiculous, but the seller is truly making a killing on this thing.

fintail

815K is getting into thin ice, I don't know if running in the black will be possible now.

qbrozen

Pretty sure they are beyond thinking "restore." There seems to be a whole independent market of buying and selling untouched cars for crazy amounts of money. Can't say I understand it at all.

gsemike

qbrozen said:

Pretty sure they are beyond thinking "restore." There seems to be a whole independent market of buying and selling untouched cars for crazy amounts of money. Can't say I understand it at all.

Let's assume that whoever buys it, can afford to be a little in the red. A rich guy that really wants it and won't take no for an answer

gsemike

Christmas window shopping

https://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/d/1963-volvo-pv544/6775705805.html 63 Volvo. I don't think of Colorado being where to look for rust free cars, but body does look good. Clearly has spent some time in the wrong hands, and not it's not running

https://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/d/1982-chevy-elcomino/6775675478.html El Camino; body looks clean so I would except to see a higher asking price. I guess the V6 hurts it

https://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/d/1974-ford-pinto-nascar-modified-street/6773989627.html Definitely not something you see every day

https://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/d/1961-plymouth-valient-100-original/6775381353.html 1961 Dodge Lancer. Such a weird era of Chrysler styling. I never knew that these existed

https://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/d/1981-ferrari-308-gtbi/6761150024.html Closed roof 308. Looks clean. Are the prices climbing on these?

https://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/d/1967-firebird-camaro/6773426632.html Lot of work to turn a Firebird into a Camaro? Why not leave it a Firebird or just buy a Camaro?

Mr_Shiftright

RE: "63 Volvo---actually gsemike, that is true: Colorado is a place where cars do not rust, mostly due to very dry air. Much of eastern Colorado is very close to a semi-desert landscape. It doesn't get much rainfall.

stickguy

Nice pinto. Don’t think my wife would appreciate it.

ab348

I like that Lancer but not at that price and not with a knocking engine.

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

I like that Lancer but not at that price and not with a knocking engine.

No way. In this condition and with a bad motor, that Lancer is worth very little indeed--maybe $800 bucks or so.

texases

Even as a Mopar fan I think that Lancer's kind of odd. That chrome trim dividing the paint colors just kind of ends, not following any line in particular. Must be the first 2 door version I've seen, I'd much prefer the 4 door.

berri

The wagon was even more far out. But I actually like the Valiant for the times. The Lancer wasn't as attractive to me because of the grill difference. I agree that the 4 door is the better looker for this model.

boomchek

fintail said:

You know, one of the best 300SL shops in the world is on Vancouver Island. Purchase and restoration costs will probably be over 10 years salary, maybe I should do it

Having it unrestored cosmetically might also be a way to show up the grouchy old guard who wants everything to be pristine.

boomchek said:

I would guess frame off concours quality restoration would be in the hundreds of thousands.

I agree too, I would ensure it's mechanically sound and leave the cosmetics as is. I like a bit of patina showing AND you can actually enjoy driving it without worrying about little dings here and there.

I know, the guy's name is Rudy, a Polish guy, I read a few articles about him.

fintail

Rudi Koniczek, Pretty wild shop to be out on the island - I should send my fintail there, I am sure it would be very affordable.

Mr_Shiftright

I doubt you could even drive that thing--it looks structurally menacing. It's just a tube frame, you know, now surrounded by corrosion to the body mounts.

tjc78

Pantherchero....https://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/d/shoemakersville-ford-ranchero-1980-ltd/6762465954.html

stickguy

I like it. Looks better than the Chevy version (that half breed Tahoe/PU thing). Avalanche?

Mr_Shiftright

I like it, too-----but.....the "chop" looks pretty crude.

fintail

No rain today, took the old dear out for a little drive, and stopped by the MB dealer:



Maybe the most unusual thing there, OK not maybe, definitely.

No drips today, no blowby (and the liquid on the ground is not from my car, rather, water from days of endless rain still hanging around).

Michaell

fintail said:

No rain today, took the old dear out for a little drive, and stopped by the MB dealer:



Maybe the most unusual thing there, OK not maybe, definitely.

No drips today, no blowby (and the liquid on the ground is not from my car, rather, water from days of endless rain still hanging around).

Did you get a trade value while you were there?

fintail

Funny thing. When I was still a relatively recent graduate back at the beginning of this century, I finally decided to retire the old car to weekend pleasure use, and buy something more modern (a 1989 S-class, so not exactly new). The salesman asked if I was trading in the old car, and he wasn't joking.

Michaell said:

Did you get a trade value while you were there?

berri

I'm sure he was not kidding. Mint older cars bring a very handsome sales profit.

fintail

If you stand back far enough it is mint That color is a huge key to the car, I think.

tjc78

I love that you bring the old car to the new car dealer.  

When I had my 89 Town Car even 15 years ago it always sparked a conversation even then the few times I had it at Holman Lincoln . Now it would be even more obscure. What a dumb decision to sell that car. 

fintail

Usually at least a couple people stop and look at it there.

I am surprised dealers of cars with some heritage don't have an old model on display here and there. I know that kind of thing exists, but is uncommon. The small Honda dealer in the small town where my mom lives has had a 600 in the showroom for years, curiosity value.

texases

The Subaru dealer has one of very early tiny ones on the floor. 

explorerx4

seems like a pretty shaky sales pitch, but some of the comments are pretty funny.
https://news.yahoo.com/1986-plymouth-reliant-turbo-wagon-173843034.html

qbrozen

That is so incredibly craptastic, and yet I want it. I give big props for him sourcing nearly everything from the frightening pit of '80s ChryCo obscurity.

Mr_Shiftright

Lots of snarky comments on that article. It would be interested to see the source material for this mystery car.

explorerx4

I guess Hollywood isn't as glamorous as I thought.
https://newlondon.craigslist.org/cto/d/sterling-1955-hudson-hornet-hollywood/6774022754.html

Mr_Shiftright

I didn't think they made a 4-door post Hollywood.

explorerx4

Volvo 122S, seems pricy for condition.
https://westernmass.craigslist.org/cto/d/shutesbury-1968-volvo-122s-original/6782239360.html

berri

I just remember Hudson Hollywood's as coupes with the continental tire rack on the back. Some of those color combos might qualify as Hollywood technicolor shots

stickguy

I really like that Volvo. Probably not a smart financial decision, but could be a nice base for a little resto mod. Cool car.

Mr_Shiftright

explorerx4 said:

Volvo 122S, seems pricy for condition.
https://westernmass.craigslist.org/cto/d/shutesbury-1968-volvo-122s-original/6782239360.html

Agreed--it looks quite neglected actually. If I were appraising it for a legal issue, like an estate or divorce, I'd peg it at about $3500.

They are great little cars, and worth restoring just for their utility value (you can use them as daily drivers, no problem). But if you are going to completely restore a car, don't pay a lot for it, only to take it apart.

explorerx4

Why does this need to get sold?
https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/d/newtown-1979-seagrave-pierce-arrow-fire/6784179824.html