Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[badhuis]

Today I had a visit of the new owner of my Hillman Minx. Was this good or bad?

I have owned the Minx for 16 years. Before that, a good friend owned it from 1978. He cared for it, had his wedding in it around 1985 (I was the chauffeur then). He sold it to a mutual friend in 1996, who did not use the car. I bought it from him in 2001. I always have liked, still do, the harmonic balance of the lines, the neat styling. In my view it is a beautiful small four door saloon.

It still is in quite good condition, never has been restored, still original paint. Two small patches welded on the lower front wings, no welding else. Greyish/white, nice red interior with a front and rear bench. Four speed column change, 1600 cc.

Earlier this week, out of nowhere, I received an email asking if the annual inspection date for the Hillman was correct in the advertisement as it said it expired in 2004.
Advertisement?
It was a response to an old internet ad I made 13 years ago when I wanted to sell the Hillman. The ad still exists, I never bothered to take it offline. Here it is (sorry, Dutch only): http://members.home.nl/imp/Minx/Minx.htm

Even stranger, the person interested in the Minx was not even looking for such a car but was looking for a Morris Oxford. When I created the Hillman ad back then, I also made one for a black Morris a friend wanted to sell. The last line on that ad was a link to the Hillman ad, saying that if you were not interested in a black car (the Oxford) then maybe you would be interested in a white 4 door saloon?
The person was not interested in the Morris, he had a similar model which he just sold. He was browsing the internet to see what the market brings for these cars. But the Hillman got his interest and he emailed me.

So I answered that yes, 2004 was correct. Since that time the Hillman has been stored under cover in a barn. We made an appointment for today as he had to travel from the north of the Netherlands to the south, where I live. This said me he was sincerely interested, you do not travel for hours just to take a look.
After the viewing we agreed on a price, he will pick up the car somewhere next week.

I am not sure if I am happy or not.
I am assured the new owner is a genuine enthusiast (he also has owned a Wolseley 16/60 for 37 years, and has owned his 1932 Norton for over 40 years). A mechanical minded person, familiar with old british engineering.

The market for these lovely Hillmans is very weak over here. There just is no interest whatsoever. It does not help that so few examples are known to exist in the Netherlands. My car is one of only a handful remaining.

Why did I sell it?
Because it had been sitting in the barn since 2004. Before that, I enjoyed the car for a few years but found it did not stir my emotions enough. It is a good honest car but ultimately it is not for me. Since storing the car, I never could find a good reason to get it on the road again, and do not think I will in the near future. So the car is better off with someone else. I am lucky to have found a good new owner.

That new owner, retired, uses his Norton when he needs to be in the neighborhood but a car is needed as well now that he had sold his Oxford. His wife has a “modern” car (Rover 75 V6 2 litre) which she use for her job. I have a good feeling about this, I am sure he will be a good new owner of the car.

Even though, I find it hard to say goodbye to an old friend. She has been in my life, in my mind, for over 35 years.


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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

[colwyn500]

I did the same thing with my old friend the Austin 10 two years ago after nearly a quarter of a century and a lot of serious restoration.
I nearly changed my mind when a Dutch friend showed me photos as he came to the end of restoring the same rare model.
But you put it well about emotions....I had fallen in love with another car and I only had, money and time for one car. The cash from the sale wasn't really needed but it did help me to get my latest car just right.
I haven't regretted it in teh way I thought I would and I have already driven further in two years than I did in the older car during he whole 23 years!

[petermeachem]

I need to sell my Austin Ruby. Trouble is I don't want to. It was my 21st birthday present in 1971. It is part restored, ie it ha a coat of epoxy primer. My health is poor, I couldn't possibly finish it myself and it would cost too much to employ someone. Bit sad really.

[Rootes75]

Not a nice feeling selling a classic. I have reluctantly sold a few over the years but have never been happy about it. If I had the space and money was not an issue I would keep all I have and not let any go.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[Keith D]

I think I know exactly as you feel badhuis.

My father bought new a 1971 VW Kombi Campmobile and loved that car all his life, travelling with my mother all over Australia. When he became too old to drive he gave the car to me. It was either that or have it invaded by rats in the barn on his farm. Unfortunately I have never been a VW air cooled engine enthusiast. I had the car for a number of years using it perhaps once a month but paying full licence and insurance.

I was approached by a member of a country section of the VCC and he came to look at it with his wife. He nearly had a seizure! A VW type two with NO rust and window surrounds that did not leak! I asked a high price (but fair for it's condition) not really caring whether it sold or not. He tried to sell it to his wife as a way of travelling across the country. It didn't help him when I advised her to buy a caravan instead as it would be more comfortable.

The upshot was that he didn't buy it. No problems, I just drove it back into it's garage.

Over two years later I received a phone call from a guy I couldn't remember. It was the VW enthusiast in the country. Did I still have the Kombi? Yes! Great, I'll drive up and buy it! Whoa, I'll need to get it serviced first. OK then. He contacted the serviceman (at my invitation) so that he could get an unbiased report on the car's condition. (I had no doubts about this!) The result was that we ended up sat in the back of the Kombi exchanging documentation. I watched him drive away with very mixed feelings. I was glad to see it go to someone who obviously was deeply in love with it, yet I felt that as it had been dad's pride and joy, I should have kept it.

There is a happy postscript to this story. His mother-in-law took one look at the vehicle and realised that it had belonged to my parents. She had been a very close friend until their deaths and had travelled many times in the car with her husband! I felt that the car hadn't really left the family and a lot better about it's sale. I understand that he has the car still!

Keith
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1926 Chrysler 60 tourer
1932 Austin Seven RN long wheelbase box sedan
1950 Austin A40 tourer
1999 BMW Z3
Its weird being the same age as old people.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution

[baconsdozen]

I have only ever seen again one car that I had sold. I once owned a Capri 3100 which I always regretted selling. A year or so back I was asked if I'd like to buy it back. I went and had a look with mixed feelings as the car was immaculate when sold and the seller advised me it was now rough.
Rough was an understatement,it was awful.It seemed to have had a load of body parts replaced,badly,and for no real reason and there was something odd about the sellers attitude that I couldn't put my finger on.
I walked away,no regrets,other than wishing I'd not gone to see it.
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Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

[lowdrag]

It is now nearly seventeen years since I bought my last car and when looking at the MOTs I realised just how little I have used it lately. It is much sought after and I am occasionally solicited to see if it could be for sale. Frankly, as Anno Domini takes its toll, and it is easier to get into than get out of and logic says it should go but I just can't bring myself to part with it. I went to the garage yesterday and was aware of the lack of the E-type, still not back from the accident repairs after four months and again wondered if it is time to confront the issue once again. I feel for the OP since it is such a difficult decision.