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Spitfire Help me with the value of this '63 Spit

Strapping_Lad

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Hey all, I'm new around here but not new to the LBC world. I sold my beautiful '71 BGT about 6 months ago and I need my LBC fix again. I drove here around Las Vegas everyday for the last 3 years... EVEN IN THE SUMMER! AHH! I am in the market for just about anything and I've taken a liking to early spitfires.

Here's the low-down or down-low on this spit. I made an offer to the seller today for $3500 and she is thinking it over and the more I think about it, I should be offering less. Please help me out with a realistic market price right now. I also talked to her on the phone this morning and she doesn't seem to know much about the car in general, only how much her ex-husband paid for it. Mechanically she has no records of what has been done. The car didn't run when she bought it, then got it running and "fixed" the clutch... whatever that means. The license tags are expired, which means back fees. The car does look amazingly solid and very original.

"Car is not running, I think it just has a dead battery. It has 3 different tops, I am anxious to be rid of it, and regain my garage. $4,500.00 or best offer. Paid $5,000.00 for it in July of 2007. "

"Okay, I took these pictures this morning. I tried to start up the car
this morning. It's not the battery, it seems that the fuel line may
need to be drained, since it has been sitting for quite a few months."

Ok, here are some pictures
triumph016.jpg

triumph015.jpg

triumph014.jpg

triumph012.jpg

triumph010.jpg

triumph008.jpg

triumph007.jpg
 
It looks decent. Not an original color and not very well repainted (scruffy under hood and in trunk; hard to tell what the color might have been). Also evidence of mediocre repair of front of bonnet (no badge or letters, and shape doesn't look right; trunk lid also shows no letters or badges?). Probably wrong front bumper; no overriders. Engine may be correct, but valve cover is wrong.

Given that and the fact that it's still pretty dirty and doesn't run, I think your second thoughts may be correct. Even for $3500, I'd expect a car ready for plates and enjoyment!

Let's see what others think, though. :wink:
 
You may have already seen it, but here's one for comparison.

Mickey
 
A '62 Spit in "#4" condition (with #1 as concours) has a book value of roughly $2,900.

I wouldn't pay more than about $3,000 for a car that isn't currently driveable. $3,500 should get you a Spit that's in good enough mechanical shape to drive with a fair degree of confidence. The "driveable" $3,500 car should also be straight, with a good body and minimal rust.

Start bidding at $2,500 and go from there, Id' say.

Let us know . . . Good luck! :yesnod:
 
It's toooooo. much.If you dont do all your own work,It's way..... too much. Lots of spits available in better condition at the same money. Like early spits? Drive one hard into a sharp corner and let me know.Those swing axle setups have caused a lot of soiled shorts.Spend the extra money and buy a TR. After having a BGT,I dont think an older spit wo'nt make you happy. If you're going to put money into a car,put it into something with resale value.Also with the Ex Husband factor, revenge is part of the price. She probably hated the car.
 
I can't see the pictures here at work but will chime in. Mr. Negative here. I wouldn't pay anywhere near $3,500 for a car that won't start and has "no recipts". A car that cost $5,000 a couple of years ago should be a jewel, not a none running dirty lump. People overpay for something then think they can sell it a nice profit later on.

BTW, try to start the car with a secondary supply of gas to the carbs.
 
I'm with Mr. Negative. The Spit is a great, fun car, but can be found in running condition for much less then $3500 all day long. Keep looking and I think you will find something much nicer for alot less money. If you really want this exact car, maybe you can show the seller the prices of other Spits and get her to bring the price down to a more realistic price. Good luck
 
First of all Rusty - welcome.

We tend to be tough on cars here, probably like you MGB friends, and it can be hard to tell from pictures. That said, who cares what the seller paid you only care what alternative cars sell for.

I sold a near fully sorted later model with working O/D for close to this, which side by side makes this look over priced. That said - always better to start from a solid point and then restore/fix/upgrade from there.

As was mentioned, a Spit will be a very different drive than a BGT (and I think yours was pretty darn well sorted if memory serves from the mgbexperience forum).

Have you ever drive a Spit? I'm not knocking them, but if you haven't you might want to before jumping in.
 
Lot's of deals out there for those with cash. Unless you are really attached to the early Spits, I would look around more. Try jaxed.com I just a month and a half ago purchased the car in my signiture 1980 newer paint, new top, OD, 57,000 original miles for $2200. Older spits may be rarer and worth more though.
Not running, need paint and ??????? I'm thinking $1000.
 
Thanks guys, I'll try to keep talking her down and see where it goes. One of the main reasons I am interested in the early is Spits is the smog except status here in Las Vegas. Anything after '67 has to smogged no matter what. The county won't move the date forward and they never will. Smogging the B was a pain every time and always took about 3 trys and a couple hours.

I actually got to drive a '70 spit for sale here in town. It was fun but I didn't do any hard corners since the neighborhood was small. Most of the roads in town are in a flat grid pattern, so the rear "tuck" would be a problem. I know... straight, flat roads... :frown:
 
Hey Rusty!

I have an 80 Spit and a 73 BGT and love both cars. The Spit is so easy to work on and parts are readily available. And the early ones have great lines.

I too think she's asking way to much for a non-running car; should be closer to 2 I think.

The butt-tuck can be solved with a camber compensator.

Good luck!
 
I suggest you don't let the swing axle "tuck" dissuade you.
It can be tamed, resulting in very enjoyable handling.
I agree with others, though - this one is priced at a premium.
 
Well I can see the car now. Its not bad. A bit dirty. I pretty much stand by my original statement though. Make it start and the price goes up. But that doesn't mean the engine is fine, it just starts.

If you are used to driving a BGT, I'm not sure you will like a Spitfire. The cars are small. Great for zipping around town, but without OD, a terror on the interstate. I once drove my Mk I 55 miles down the interstate to an autocross and I thought I would never get there. That was before I added the OD.

A fellow member of this forum gave me the 1500 I have. He had taken the trans and diff and the engine was stuck, but the car was pretty much rust free.
 
I go with the majority--waaaaay overpriced. Too many variables and unanswered questions to justify anywhere near the asking price. Good $1000 car, maybe. Spitfire parts are readily available but not inexpensive. Pass and keep looking. By the way the one in Ct. is no prize either. Bob (former Spit racer).
 
Cabin fever has turned to SPRING FEVER in this case!..Nah! stop & take deep breath,keep looking...Part of it is psycology(sp) ask your self does she need the money?..Ya gotta ask yourself(SELF)once the deal is done for her asking price expect to cash out your credit cards(NOT!)What i see is ANOTHER $2000,00+ to bring this car safe euough to feel mentally at peace...Confidentially this($3600,00)is exactly what i paid to a Calif PO,Since i've put another $4000,00 into Whitelightning to a grand total of $8000,00 not including ALL the upgrades(air-shocks,gas struts,boot carpet,5 speaker stereo,Coker WW's,And i'm happy to have ALL paid for.But their you are its an example of how one can get sucked into a love affair with British character.....In the end be VERY careful about the frensy !. GOOD LUCK..And may the force be with you.
Ken
 
billspit said:
...The cars are small. Great for zipping around town, but without OD, a terror on the interstate. I once drove my Mk I 55 miles down the interstate to an autocross and I thought I would never get there. That was before I added the OD....
But this is largely a matter of perception...and preference (tolerance, if you will). As many here know, I have a '62 Herald 1200 sedan. It has the identical drivetrain as the early Spitfire, down to gearing and tire size (but only the single carburetor, so less power). Driving all day at 60-65 mph has never bothered me, not even all the way from NY to MN and back!

Same goes for the "dreaded" swing-axle handling tendencies. If you're paranoid about it after reading all the horror stories, have the rear spring dearched slightly and add a camber compensator. Or learn how to drive the car properly, with respect for its limitations. For example, the very worst time to let off the gas and/or hit the brakes is when you think you've entered a turn a bit too fast. Trailing throttle oversteer it's called.

I didn't give a price guesstimate in my earlier post, but I tend to echo the $2500 range sentiments others have expressed. Just maybe it's worth more, but I think you'll find that there are much better cars out there for the price being asked. And I agree also with those who say it matters not what the seller paid for it; you're under no obligation to bail him/her out of their mistake! :wink:
 
Well here is her reply...

"Thanks for writing me back. I understand what you say about the NADA pricing and demand in the market. Also about muscle cars. My whole family collects muscle cars, and the one I had before this was a 65 GTO, so I totally understand where you are coming from. British cars are definitely in a category of their own."

"I think that $4,000.00 is a reasonable price for it. I paid $5,000.00 for it, and that’s not including the things I have done to it, or the money or time I have spent on it. I would have to sell it to you as is, but I think it’s a pretty good deal considering that it does have 3 tops that are in good shape, the body is in good shape and even though it’s not running, it’s very close to it."
 
I pretty much told her, if she is anxious to get rid of the she needs to lower the price significantly and when she does to give me a call.

I also told her if she could find me another a non-running Mk1 spit in similar condition for $4K, I will buy her's for $4K. :p
 
Strapping_Lad said:
I pretty much told her, if she is anxious to get rid of the she needs to lower the price significantly and when she does to give me a call.

I also told her if she could find me another a non-running Mk1 spit in similar condition for $4K, I will buy her's for $4K. :p

I could find you a very nicely running car for around $5,000. I have recipts for parts and materials in excess of $8,000. And the car is not finished. And that is not counting years of free labor. Actually I should hope she gets that much for her car. If she really wants that much, she needs to get the car running and driveable.
 
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