1980 Bonneville T140

[AngliaGT]

A friend who I've known since grade school
who happens to own a local motorcycle dealership
is advertising his personal '80 Bonneville,with-
"11,000 Original Miles!",for $4500.
I went & looked at it,& it's totally rebuilt
with 0 miles,by a person that "bike guys" that I
know & trust referred me to.Not the first color
combonation,but it's complete.
I got a quote to do the engine on my '78 t140
at $2100.It also needs more work.
My question - should I even think about this bike,
or wait (years?)to complete mine?

- Doug

 

[drooartz]

Well, do you have any real attachment to your current bike? As we all know, in our price ranges it's always cheaper to buy one that's done than to restore one yourself, especially if you have to outsource any of the work.

So if you really want a Bonnie from that era and can afford it, buy the 1980 from your friend and sell the '79. Your friend might be able to give you a reasonable price range for your project bike.

NADA puts a 1979 T140E in this range:

 

[AngliaGT]

Drew,

Thanks for the input,but I've decided that I
really don't need to spend the money right now.
I need to stay away from that dealership -
emotion gets in the way!

- Doug

 

[drooartz]

A good choice, Doug. I've actually stopped reading all the classifieds (other than Bring A Trailer, that's just for entertainment). It's a good time to downsize and stop spending money.

Play with the toys you have, that's my mantra now. Focus on clearing other debts and getting things in the home finances on super sound footing -- that makes all else in your life a happier thing.

What's your old vehicle count now, Doug? I'm happy to say I'm down to just the MGB and a newer motorcycle in addition to the daily drivers.

 

[AngliaGT]

1960 Ford Anglia - Needs Restoration

1974 Datsun B210 - Parts car

1978 Datsun B210 - Parts car

1978 Datsun B210 - "The Blue One" - needs finishing

1967 Ford Cortina - Trying to sell it now - NO takers

1967 MGB GT - Don't Ask

1974 -1/2 Triumph TR6 - Fix & sell

1995 Dodge Dakota Club Cab 4X4 - Daily Driver

2007 Ford Fusion - Wife's Daily Driver


Aren't you sorry you asked?

- Doug

 

[drooartz]

Not sorry at all, Doug. It's always good to see the depth of the problem.

So it seems to me that your ideal fleet is:

1960 Ford Anglia - project
1967 MGB GT - fun driver
1995 Dodge Dakota Club Cab 4X4 - Daily Driver
2007 Ford Fusion - Wife's Daily Driver

Not a bad fleet. The first step is to get down to this level, then you can focus on the Anglia restoration; such a cool car deserves to be back on the road. I've got to say that I've not been happier since I got my fleet down to manageable size:

1970 MGB - driver quality
2006 BMW F650 - modern motorcycle in great shape (was given to me or I would have waited to purchase)
2012 Kia Forte 5 - daily driver
2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport - wife's driver and available for me to take camping

I had a few dollars kicking around lately from my winter gigs and decided to pick up a few things for the MGB. It was really nice knowing that I didn't have to spread that money over a bunch of projects and could focus on just the one car.

 

[Gundy]

Not sorry at all, Doug. It's always good to see the depth of the problem.

So it seems to me that your ideal fleet is:

1960 Ford Anglia - project
1967 MGB GT - fun driver
1995 Dodge Dakota Club Cab 4X4 - Daily Driver
2007 Ford Fusion - Wife's Daily Driver

Not a bad fleet. The first step is to get down to this level, then you can focus on the Anglia restoration; such a cool car deserves to be back on the road. I've got to say that I've not been happier since I got my fleet down to manageable size:

1970 MGB - driver quality
2006 BMW F650 - modern motorcycle in great shape (was given to me or I would have waited to purchase)
2012 Kia Forte 5 - daily driver
2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport - wife's driver and available for me to take camping

I had a few dollars kicking around lately from my winter gigs and decided to pick up a few things for the MGB. It was really nice knowing that I didn't have to spread that money over a bunch of projects and could focus on just the one car.

Drew,what happened to the FJ40?

 

[drooartz]

Drew,what happened to the FJ40?

Had to sell it on - it went to a local guy who's got a nice collection (couple 356 Porsches, TR3, Minis, etc) and wanted an original FJ40 like he had back in the day. I was overextended financially, emotionally, and temporally and had to streamline the life a bit. Sold the FJ40, my daily driver Honda (replaced it with another inexpensive modern appliance), and the old BMW R75/5 project. One old crock at a time, that's the rule around here now.

Sad to see it go, but it just wan't going to work. Too bad, as it really was a sound survivor truck. Ah well...

 

[Gundy]

Hate to hear it is gone. Glad to hear it has a new good home.

 

[drooartz]

It was either the 40 or the MGB, and I just love that B. Man's got to know his limitations.