breaking and selling a classic car bit by bit!

ian103

i had a triumph spitfire and gt6 that i used, mainatined and eventually lost interest in, they both needed work (gt6 - cyclinder head) and the spitfire was showing some rust as it was 7-8years since restored and it had been used in all wethers, both sold as in need of work, and were back on the road within weeks of selling as someones elses new toys. don't break sell on, you'll get more for it with and mot and let the buyer sort everything else if its important to him

LandyAndy

It would be a great shame to break what is quite a rare car that appears essentially sound.

de1amo

i havent seen the car for a long time because i dont live in the uk but the sprayer says the paint work needs doing desperately! last time i had it out i polished it up and it looked very presentable----i was thinking just to t cut it but the report was quite damning. it has been stored up to 2 years in the same atmosphere but 2 years ago the garage was re-roofed and a new door put on and can only conclude this may have affected the 'atmosphere!!

fivetide

I'd still think about a 12 month ticket. At least that should say the car is essentially solid and make it worth buying.

Good luck!

de1amo

Being so far from the car raises issues with just getting a mechanic to put it through the MOTie getting ripped off!!---the selling season for convertables i am guessing is now. i wont be home until the end of July when things flatten off!!???

fivetide

Wll if you can trust someone you will at least have a fail sheet which might help either sell it as a runner or break it....

"All parts available, wings rusted but doors solid" type of thing and for £45 (plus whatever the charge is to collect/deliver) you probably won't get a cheaper inspection of it!

5t.

maninthestreet

A can't see how the paintwork of the car could have deteriorated so badly over a period of just 2 years stored in a garage i.e away from the sun and other elements that can attack the paintwork. I really don't see how a new door and roof on the garage is going to adversely affect the paintwork. Are you sure the sprayer is being totally honest with you? Have you been sent close-up pictures of the car that show the paintwork problems?

de1amo

i have decided to ask a friend to give it some attention -a clean and t-cut to see how it comes up.--if it looks ok i will get an MOT done remotely'!---as you say it will identify issues and give me the option on whether to attend to them or sell on with the advisory note.

İ am wondering the same! i refused the quote.

benham3160

Get hold of something like a Meguiars "dual action" polisher and some pads, or if you're feeling brave a proper "mop".

Seeing as I've bought back some near "light pink" red cars back to near showroom condition using a machine, I'm sure a bit of contamination and oxidisation over 10 years in a garage will be pretty easy to solve, you might find manually polishing the car won't be aggressive enough.

I wouldn't entertain spending out on a respray for "dirty" paintwork, I think you may be being led up the garden path a bit by the sprayer....

Regards,
Andy

colino

You really have to establish how badly the car has "gone off" in two years. If the environment has changed so badly that it is sitting in a damp, metal eating fug, then perhaps it is back to square one. If however the helpful chappie is quoting high for work it doesn't need, but does perhaps know someone who will take it off your hands cheaply, its a different ball game.
Restored cars rarely if ever, unless a tiny minority of real rarities, return, even in great condition, what the owner has lavished on their restoration.
Once you know what the true condition is, be honest with yourself and either spend a bit more to get a lot more or sell as is in one piece and move on to the next toy. Don't be fooled, fine wines, whisky, art, or cars are never really investments.