Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

In general I am a Libertarian and believe that people should be allowed to do whatever they like as long as it harms no-one.
However, having noticed a recent trend for dividing pre-war cars into component parts and offering them for sale on EBay, I am losing this tolerant trait quickly.
I don't believe they ever sell most of the stuff at the fairly high asking prices and some reasonably good, restorable cars are gone forever after successfully enduring in one piece for six or seven decades.
I would be so cross if this happened to a car that had previously been mine.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22817 Location: UK

Pre-war cars are being broken up to make "vintage" specials, both here and abroad - Rileys and Austin 7s being the worst affected, while Bentleys are also being broken up and their saloon bodies discarded Sad

RJ
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47p2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 2009 Location: Glasgow

A vintage car needing a restoration might be worth a few thousand pounds, but it could double in value selling as parts. Sadly the greedy are the winners in this situation
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62rebel · Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 1:12 am Post subject:

our hobby certainly contains a double-edged sword when it comes to people out for big money at little regard for posterity. I once had a '62 Lincoln Continental hardtop sedan that I needed to sell; potential buyers wanted it for breaking up to rebuild convertibles. it was a fully operational, unmarked car at the time! daily driver capable! grrrr.

when I worked at the salvage yard, Christmas time was the worst of all.... dozens of potentially restorable or even RUNNING project cars were sold for quick cash and scrapped. the yard NEVER sold a car back out of the gate.
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nothing is ever so far gone as to be unsalvageable. see this bolt?.....

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire

For many cars, the cost of restoration is far greater than the cost of the restored car so restorers won't invest in them if they can't turn a profit. Is it such a bad thing if one car broken for parts keeps another dozen on the road?
As for specials, at least the original maker's badge is still on a car that is being used and gives pleasure to its owner.

A double-edged sword indeed!

62rebel · Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 1:12 am Post subject:

twenty years ago, it was rather common to read articles relating how an enthusiastic restorer had started with a real shed of a car, often little more than a few bits and pieces, that needed to be rebuilt into a presentable car... now, those bits and pieces are quickly flogged off, and many cars well within the range of affordable renovation/restoration are being broken up.
in my opinion, this has two motivations: one; quick income; and two; to drive up the value of existing restored vehicles.

I equate the phenomena with butchering horses for ground meat.
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nothing is ever so far gone as to be unsalvageable. see this bolt?.....

TonyBrooks · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 108 Location: Maidenhead

Just to put a contrary view on this, my som rallies modern cars with myself sitting along side him. Sadly the life span of these cars is not long due to the hard life they lead and we find that the only way to get your money back is to break them for parts. For example the last one we 'destroyed' was a Peugeot 106 - worth about £1000 / £1250 as a car with MOT etc - sold as parts for close to £2000. As you can see the business case for the route we went was quite easy to make.
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Dinalpin Berlinette (Alpine Renault A110)

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22817 Location: UK

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22817 Location: UK

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4276 Location: South Cheshire

I do think that if a vehicle has lasted 30+ years or so,we have a duty of care to keep it as original as practical Very Happy

That said I don't want any legislation that tells me so!!!

Dave

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire

Ashley · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 1426 Location: Near Stroud, Glos

baconsdozen · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Under the car.

I too think its sad to see a complete car on ebay advertised as spares.Usually the advert is actually for a wheel nut so that sellers dont even pay the correct fees. At least the parts might help keep another car on the road,better than a classic car near me which the owner has left outside to rot,saying that "he intends to do it up" as it slowly dissoves into the ground.
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Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

Rootes75 · Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 3:33 pm Post subject:

That 'you are only buying a wheel nut' really annoys me. I must admit that I much prefer buying through viewing or at an autojumble for parts etc, a set price and you can see or feel in the flesh what you are looking at. And no-one else waiting till the last second to outbid you Rolling Eyes