Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

BigHealey · Joined: 19 May 2008 Posts: 76

what do you guys reckon this is worth? :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250525736587&_trksid=p2759.l1259

I think the buy it now price seems high, but is the starting price too high as well, going on the state of the bodywork I am assuming the chassis will be in similar or worse condition! It looks like the door frame has rotten out at the top? Is this common on J vans? I would love one of these as a project, and it would have to be an ex-GPO one as this one is, but ideally in a better state than this one!!
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Garage: 1939 Morris 8 Series E, 1942 Morris Z Van

lowdrag · Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1600 Location: Le Mans

Perhaps I am completely out of date (probable) and I know that things like Mini pickups and vans now command a rarity price, but surely, given the condition of this, especially the third rear photo, this is more of a spare parts project than a restoration one. If the rear is as rotten as that, what of the underneath? The dashboard; all instruments present, but all probably seized. What condition the motor, gearbox and axle? I reckon he should be giving it away to a new home. Buying it, plus the transportation (could you get it onto a trailer in one piece even) seems out of the question to me, but then you'll tell me why I am completely wrong.

Peter_L · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:29 pm Post subject:

I guess it is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay and what the sellar will accept.

If there are a plethora of these unrestored or even resored vehicles about, then the value may be zero. If however it is the only example left in the world, then maybe it is name a price.

I don't know anything about this model, so the price would be somewhere between the two.

What is a fair price to one person may seem a bargain or silly money to another. It looks to me if the wallet would have to be opened even to move it.

I have commented on this phenomena before, at one time this vehicle would have had a realistic value, why do people wait and expect that the years will add value.

It will be interesting to see what happens to it on e-bay and maybe even save the link and photos for future discussion.

peppiB · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:09 pm Post subject:

Didn't a fully restored example of one of these sell recently for about £18000? Looks as if it will collapse into a heap of rust as soon as anyone tries to move it!

Peter_L · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:03 pm Post subject:

J Types. Recent sale

http://buglyvan.blogspot.com/

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22814 Location: UK

Looks like it sold for 3k - hell of a lot of work, but commercials (esp the 'cute' ones like J types) sell amazingly well. Worth £3k? quite possibly imho despite the condition...Iain on the forum makes repair panels too, so even real roughies can be saved now

Wonder how this one will do?
130340441519

R
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BigHealey · Joined: 19 May 2008 Posts: 76

Interestingly, I sent the seller a question before the auction ended, and he replied to it 35 minutes after the listing had ended with buy it now, but he didn't say 'sorry mate it's sold' but answered my question that the van has a V5C and original registration mark. Perhaps he didn't realise the listing had ended!!!

The other one looks in better condition, but the non original engine is a turn-off, and it isn't an ex-GPO van, which may have added to the value of the other one.
Rick - is your Z van ex-GPO/RM ?
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Garage: 1939 Morris 8 Series E, 1942 Morris Z Van

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22814 Location: UK

lowdrag · Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1600 Location: Le Mans

Just shows I really do know nothing then - lol. Are the rubber wings no longer available then? I'd have thought they might have been easier to make than the steel ones.