This years car shows

[W.olly]

Morning all, for a time now i have been thinking on getting a serious car resto project, but cant decide what to go for, but a cheap basket case is what i would be after. I have an FTO and they are cheap and dam good cars for the money, but nothing looks good for price increase in the future. A bit ofan investment would be good.

Anyway, what car shows are on this year, just fancy mooching about to see what i can be tempted by.

 

[Kayos]

I did Hull motor show 5 years running with vvoc, good day out and a lot of variety

Sadly politics and arguing ruined the club and the side I picked lost so haven't been for a few years

 

[ajlelectronics]

I will have a Scimitar GTE available when I have repaired it. Needs a head gasket doing, apart from that a decent car although the paintwork is poor.

 

[marlinspike]

I would choose something that the parts are reasonably priced and available. We are restoring a classic Saab 900 turbo - still quite cheap to buy but panels are very expensive. I think if I were picking an undervalued classic now I would look for a Bmw e30 late 80/early 90's coupe. The main thing is to choose a car you love though, otherwise you won't keep the majority going to finish it.

Eighties fast Ford like an xr3i? Cheap parts I expect. Mk1golf gti? Buy what you love or what you dreamed of owning when you were 20.

What's your ideal budget?

 

[W.olly]

A few cars i love, 1st classic Corvette...lol dream on, 2nd Mitsi GTO TT....possible. then classic mini, BMW 2002, Capri V6, Lister Jag.

Now i like the Scimiter GTC, not keen on the GTE, only the back end i cant take to, i think its the rear window, to big.

Now Hillman Imp i like, forgot about them, a car that i wanted in my teens. But kiited out etc.

I would only want a £500 spend so not much to go at,

Kit cars are good for me, Hot rods more lol. no chance have i.

 

[W.olly]

Ah, a Scimitar GTE pick up conversion. Stick a BOA or BOB in though

 

[ajlelectronics]

BOB needs major surgery, but my GTC project is getting a BOA. It will be the Middlebridge convertible that never got beyond a part built factory prototype.

 

[marlinspike]

Not sure you would get any of those for under £500. A cheap Mini would be likely be a rust bucket, but it's doable and the parts are cheapish. Have you looked on The Mini Forum? There are some inspirational builds on there where guys have resurrection cars from a pile of rust.

A really undervalued car I think is the Tr7. Again though, a cheap one will probably be rusty. I think Porsche 924's are good value too.

There are a whole pile of car projects I really wish I had bought because they are now out of reach - Mustang, Camaro, Fiat x19 - but when I had the money I didn't have the time, and vice versa.

I usually just put 'project classic ' into eBay to find the cheapest cars.

 

[Mr Fro]

The early SE5 scimitar are the better looking (in my opinion ) much better interior a la SE4. Still, the rear is a bit fugly.

Ajl - I turned out a pair of rocker cover gaskets and a sump gasket for an Essex if they'd be any use.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I'm happy with the cars I've got (Smart, Skoda, Disco, Mahindra & Marlin) but that doesn't stop me looking and I notice even common cars like Minor, Mini, A35, etc that a few years ago I was buying nice versions of for under £500 are now stupid priced for restoration projects. It's made me realise that the days of buying a cheap basket case and restoring are gone to the point where by the time you have added cost of repairs to purchase price a good running vehicle in just need of TLC is a better option even if significantly more expensive.

BTW a car needing restoration is no a long term investment - it's a long term money pit
By all means have a car for enjoyment but forget the investment aspect as you would be better just keeping your money under the bed if that is important.

 

[marlinspike]

The usual advice is 'buy the best you can afford'. On the other hand, if you like welding, a project is good fun. Scimitars are undervalued and would probably be a good choice as presumably less bodywork being fibreglass.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Scimitars are appreciating quickly. At one time you could buy a roadworthy example for £500, but they are in the region of £1750 now. A nice one was under £2000 wheras they are fetching £4-5000 now. A scruffy GTC is above £5000 and a really nice one went recently for £14000. The Middlebridge ranges from £10-20,000 depending on condition. The unregistered one recently sold for £40,000 before recommissioning costs.

 

[W.olly]

I think i will go fora Scimitar, love them but for the back end, the GTE that is, no chance for a GTC. i would convert it to a pick up though,maybe drop it and custom it a bit etc. engine maybe a BOA but i want it manual, cant be doing with auto`s. RWD box will cost mare than the car lol.
Also i am ok with GRP so thats not a problem. It is more i enjoy the projects i do, never had a car thats been ready to go, well but for the FTO, just needs lifters doing.

Well lets see what comes of this and i wills ee what i can do

thanks all for the post`s still will be going to the car shows for a mooch when i find some to visit.