Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[34HF90]

Does anyone else come across this dilmma.....

You come across and old vehicle. It's in a pretty rough state but just about salvagable. You are just about to make a decision to buy it (knowing all the flack you'll get over it at home etc).
Then you start looking at photos of similar vehicles that people have bought to salvage, and they were far better than the one you're going for. A bit of a reminder.

So what do you do? Wait until a better example comes along....or bash on with it, in the certain knowledge that once you have spent time and money on it that another will arrive for 'spares' that is a far better starting point than the one you already have.... :

[Rick]

So long as the price reflects its condition then go for it, maybe a better one will turn up some way down the road, maybe it won't...it depends how rare a car it is I suppose

RJ
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[ukdave2002]

I have bought a couple of cars, that I do genuinely want to restore, (eventually) but they were also cheap, my logic/ insurance is that money sitting in a bank is earning nothing, pension growth is not brilliant either, so as long as it doesn't cost much to store the vehicle, then the backup plan (to convince my better half ) is that's its an investment

Dave

[clan chieftain]

But its convincing the other half thats the problem Or go with your gut instinct and buy it and worry about the divorce later.
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The Clan Chieftain

[Ellis]

[Richard H]

My A55 MK1 is so rotten I do sometimes think "what am I doing?" trying to restore it, when solid projects are readily available for a fraction of what I will have spent on it. I actually bought the car as a running restoration with a short MOT, oblivious to just how rusty it was.

The reasons I decided to restore it were:

1: Mechanically the car was pretty much spot on, it drove really nicely and was very reliable in the year I had it on the road.

2: The A55 MK1 is getting rare now. In my eyes it's the best looking Cambridge, and as I didn't have the heart to scrap it, I knew anyone I sold it to would just break it for parts and either scrap or banger race it.

3: Everyone I spoke to about the project told me it wasn't worth doing. One guy I spoke to at a show told me he'd never heard of a saloon in the condition of mine being restored, maybe if it was a van or Sun-Tor, but as it was a saloon it just wasn't worth doing. I love proving people wrong.

4: I've been inspired by restoration threads on the internet, such as the FB Victor restoration on Retro Rides, which show some seriously impressive metalwork. The Cambridge has been a fantastic opportunity to gain new skills without paying for a college course. Before I started I couldn't even weld, now I'm fairly proficient in welding and fabrication.

5: And lastly of course it gives me an incredible amount of satisfaction to see the new metal going in and for example, a new A post, inner wing and sill where before there was just endless rot, plates and wodges of fibreglass.
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Richard Hughes

[ukdave2002]

[Greg]

[ukdave2002]

Well said Greg

[Richard H]

Thanks Greg, well said

I do sometimes think I'm mad but I'm really looking forward to having it finished and back on the road, so I just keep plodding along and am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel I find looking at photos of nice examples a good incentive, or seeing other A55's at shows.

At Battlesbridge in September I met a previous owner of the car who had it for over 20 years. Needless to say, he is very keen to see it finished and back on the road (preferably before he starts drawing his pension) and that's another reason to keep at it. Coincidentally, he also owns an Atlantic, as well as a Metropolitan and Somerset.

Oh, and Dave, keep going with the Morris. It'll be lovely when it's done

Cheers, Richard.
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Richard Hughes

[34HF90]

Gentlemen, can I just say that these posts are the most inspiring I've seen for a long time .
As we all know, restoring can be a long and hard road, full of pitfalls and setbacks. It's just nice to hear the positive words, and to feel that in the end 'it is all worth it' !


Tales of heroism come in many forms

-Martin

[emmerson]

Whenever I see a post from Jason and his Alvis, I get all inspired to go out and do a bit to my Traveller, but it doesn't last long!
My son with his Bagheera, and mate with his 5 ton exarmy Mack find the same thing. What we need is a big shed where we can all work together to give each other encouragement.

[34HF90]

[MONTBREHAIN]

Hahaha Love this post ! So I am not the only one I had exactly the same dilemma with this little beauty.... Its a cheap (well sort of) but rarish early MK2 Subaru pickup. The wife said "not another pickup is coming here" so me and my son just went and collected it and when she came home... there it was Its rusty ans along with all my other stuff (junk says the Mrs) will it ever get done ? I dont know.. but at least I have it ! "MO"





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A vehicle can be restored at any time, But is original only once !

[clan chieftain]

I would imagine we are all in the same boat spending more on the car than what its worth and just spending what you can afford over and above household bills. But we get there in the end doing it bit by bit. I will need to get mine flattened and resprayed when I dont know. The back arches have been renewed and painted so its an improvement but what the heck the car looks ok. I just wish I was like the guy on wrecks to riches who had all the equipment and cash but he is only in it to sell cars on for a profit whereas we are doing it for self satisfaction and that is the keywords...self satisfaction.
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The Clan Chieftain