22 replies to this topic

[Senator Andy]

Yea, has anyone ever seen the controls in the door before?

[mk1coopers]

I'd say the door controls are the SPQR accessory ones, number 12 in the link below, (again from the MK1 Performance Conversions site) I've seen in a few period modified cars. SPQR accessories do attract premium prices these days

http://mk1-performan.../pdf/spqr-2.pdf

Edited by mk1coopers, 20 February 2015 - 06:04 AM.

[Senator Andy]

Very cool....

 

Ok, so what is the board's thought as to the value of this car today and where is the best place to market it?

 

Best

 

Andy 

[Artful Dodger]

Considering the cars build quality, original condition and just how it's georgeous. I think this is a bonhams jobbie. Get the right people looking at it.

Although is strongly reccomend getting the original engine and gearbox rebuilt and re installed. People who like to buy nice old cars of this quality normally prefer it to be sorted and not have to send it to the likes of me to finish for them!

[mk1coopers]

If you put it all together with it's documented history a major Auction house is the way to go, with it being LHD I'd say you will get keen interest from Europe and the US (converting it to RHD would spoil it in my opinion). I would also say that supplying the original engine with it without reconditioning it wouldn't effect the value that much, the car is likely to be taken apart and re-painted to its original colours as supplied (especially if it ends up back on this side of the pond) , so the cost of this will be taken into account, the people with the funds to buy these cars with period histories normally have trusted people that look after their collections, they aren't out in garages with dirty hands like the rest of us, value will probably be upwards of £30,000 if the history is verified, more if you have the right exposure and multiple buyers at auction

[mk1mark]

The door console is the SPQR item,

 

 

They were pretty popular in MK1 & 2 cars but fell out of favour once the MK3 came along as they didn't fit in as nicely.

 

I agree with mk1coopers re selling it, but a heck of a lot depends on it having or not having a competition history of some sort.

Edited by mk1mark, 23 February 2015 - 09:46 AM.

[Austin Powered]

When you look at the whole story of the car and the paperwork it seems very likely this car was built as a fast road car, it does hint very strongly at that on the paperwork. Also, there's no mention of the regs the car needed to be built to, I stand to be corrected but U.S race regs were very different to UK regs, club or otherwise and that would have been discussed in the correspondence. The value of a Downton converted car is very much weighted to the parts Downton tinkered with, ie engine unit and suspension. If those elements are missing it's still worth more than your average Mk1 S considering the paperwork, but with the Downton modified parts a whole lot more.

It's my hunch that despite being LHD and being painted a more recent custom colour a European buyer is still going to give highest price for it.. I've seen a few 60's race cars with SPQR door mounted switch panels but plenty without, it was a period modification to bring the essential switches/ignition within reach, but plenty of road and rally cars had them also. 

 

Pete

[Senator Andy]

Thanks Everyone for the insights, info and advice.

 

When we get back from Va-Ca we will start the next phase, which includes getting all this paperwork compiled, with the supporting info here, and then figure out if it would be better to sell the car here in USA or get it across the pond and find a gray home for it abroad.....

 

speaking of which, their about to start a conga line here on the boat and I've just got to go check out my lovely wife.....

 

Best

 

Andy