Assuming the one you are looking at is the one in the pic - I'll bet it has 4k worth pf paint and body. Yes you can get lots for reasonable prices BUT - you cannot restore one for less than it costs to buy one - don't ask me how I know - and you can ring up 4700 worth of parts alone in a big old hurry - again don't ask me how I know. when evaluating the car, my 2 cents say - interior is actually first consideration as, while easy to replace, - it's not cheap - about $ 1500 (off the top of my head) rust second - mechanics third - the engine brakes etc are dead easy to work on and not cheap

welcome to the dark side - we've been waiting for you

BTW - this is an awesome group of folk - and will go look at cars if in the area and if asked

If 4500 is your range. We have a former BCCH(British Car Club of Hawaii) president who is migrating back to the mainland and decided he must sell his Spitfire.


It is a PRIMO spitfire, original hardtop, etc... Very, very well taken care of, with upgrades to stainless tubing, suspension bushings, carburetor, etc.

But, you would have to fly over to Hawaii to see it, in this weekends(the 25th) All British Car Day at Kapiolani Park in Honolulu.

If the black one falls through for you and you are interested, I can try to connect you with Steve.

I'll agree almost completely with JP. However, dropping $$ on an interior is less painful than dropping $$$$$$$$$$$ on bodywork. So my list would be...

Rust
Rust
Rust
Interior
Mechanical

Hope the car works out! Personally, I'd say the changes that were made look pretty revenue-neutral. Not something that would necessarily add value (i.e. a DCOE swap) but not something that detracts horribly either (like a metal flake paint job and spoilers, for example.)

Let us know how it goes!

you didn't mention the year of the car you fell in love with.. if its a BugEye or MK II there are no door handles and they haven't been shaved.. does it have roll up windows? Roll up windows without door handles = shaved. Side curtain or NO side windows, just early doors on a later car, or an early car.

Grrr... It was sold last night.
Oh well back to the search.

Oh, I know its a bit late but...

If you find one you just "have to own" then jump on it.

Otherwise remember there are lots of these cars, I pointed out several not too far from you that could be keepers.

pay up for a good one but at 4700 it should be mint
the only extras that you want are the spin on oil filter and detoixing out side of that its your up to you if you value the changes.

cheery
steve

If you run across one that already has a Datsun 5-speed installed... That is usually worth $1000 or so.

Take everything with a grain of salt. Do what makes you happy. My family thought I lost my mind when I brought mine home. Now they wait in lines for rides!! Drive it like a rental and don't get too carried away. Growing up in Cleveland I remember the winters. Make sure you girl has a dry place for the winter.

I think $4700 is a higher end price--at that price I would want the car to be rust free--underneath as well as on top--do you know about the magnet test, a weak magnet won't stick to bondo, and will not stick as well if there is a thick layer of bondo with metal underneath. Test the rockers and the area at the bottom of the small strip between the front fenders and the front door, they like to rust there.

Also at that price should be mechanically good, check synchros, doesn't pop out of gear, doesn't whine a lot in first or reverse (a little is normal) good oil pressur (20-30 at idle, 50-60 at 3000 RPM or so.

That is just a start, make sure front suspsension is tight too.

Gotta run good luck

Tim, that is a neat light green color on your car, is that a factory color or personal choice, don't know if I have ever seen one that color, looks nice.

The color looks light green in full sun but darker in shade or at night.