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How much would you pay for this car?

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thestig99

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Hi guys. A little about me... I'm 18, always been a Saab guy, but always loved LBC's as well. I own a 1996 Saab 9000 Aero.

Anyway, to the point:

I heard about this car the other day. It was described as "Early 80's? Midget. Little red convertible, it ran when he parked it a few years ago, not in too bad of shape rustwise... and you could probably have it for almost nothing."

Well, of course I had to go take a look.

It looks to be a '69-'74 MKIII, 73k on the odo. The car looks complete, but it would definitely be some work. I couldn't see underneath it do to how low it was sitting, but from the inside the drivers side seems pretty solid. I can see light through the floor on the passenger side, though. It was last registered in 2005.

Some cell phone pics:

Photo086.jpg


Photo081.jpg


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Photo087.jpg


I'm not going to pay much for it. However, depending on how close to free it is and how bad the underside looks I might just be interested in picking it up.

Any thoughts from those that, unlike me, actually know these cars? :smile:

-Brian
 
Looks pretty good especially for an eastern car. Experts will jump in here, but, the rear round wheel arches were '72-'74 and the Sabrinas (the rubber bumper blocks, named after a British Actress Norma Ann Sykes -picture included) makes it a '74.

Anything close to free will likely make it worth it, especially as you are buying it as a project. They are easy to work on, a great first project and virtually all parts are readily accessible. Rust is the biggest issue, though looks like the seat covers at least will have to be replaced.

I can see some rust behind the front wheel. The real areas of concern are the A-posts and the rockers.

Others can jump in with valuations but, if it is a solid as it looks, you won't go wrong for under $1000 and you'll have a bargain for under $500.

others? (oh, and welcome)
 
It's a 74 Midget in fair condition.
If you can get it for $500, you did good.
$1000 would be tops in my opinion and that is if it runs.
Plan on all new brake and clutch hydraulics which will set you back a couple hundred bucks. New hoses and tires too.
That is just to get it safely on the road.
Paint and interior work and it could be a show car.
 
I agree. No more than $1,000. You've got some rust to deal with, and goodness knows what else.

IF you really want a Midget, you may consider paying a few thosand more and get a nice driver into which some other poor soul has poured thousands of dollars and cannot sell it for his "investment". That's the way to get an LBC, IMHO.

If you're patient, you can purchase a nicely sorted Midget with no rust for $4-5,000 or so. No way in Hades you can restore the one shown here for that kind of money.

All depends on what you want to do: if you realy want a project, have the skill, tools and know-how and a few thousand clams to spend on it, get this one. But if you want to drive, buy a restored one. Midgets are cheap. You can buy a <span style="text-decoration: underline">concours</span> quality Midget for $8,000-$10,000: perfect in every way and literally better than new.

A Midget is the quintessential entry-level LBC. Cheap, easy to restore, fun to drive. I've never understood why the values on these cars isn't higher. I have a '74 Midget and it's possibly the most enjoyable LBC I've ever owned, and I've owned more than a few.

Let us know . . . and good luck! :thumbsup:
 
If you would rather have a project than a driver, go for it. If what you really want is a driver, and you think you are going to save a few $$ by buying a project, forget about it. It NEVER works out that way.
 
JPSmit said:
Looks pretty good especially for an eastern car. Experts will jump in here, but, the rear round wheel arches were '72-'74 and the Sabrinas (the rubber bumper blocks, named after a British Actress Norma Ann Sykes -picture included) makes it a '74...
Click to expand...

Wow, I'm marveling over that picture of Norma Ann... Those Sabrinas can't be... well... err... The Midget - I see cars in that condition selling for, as others have already stated, about a grand when the motor runs - maybe less if the owner just wants it gone :smile:.

Of course, having purchased one in similar condition in around 2002 (I bought it for 800$ at the time) and then seeing it become a parts car after I finally broke down and bought one that was in better shape and didn't need something replaced every time I started the engine convinced me that spending a few extra dollars up front - as much as you can afford - is the wisest path.
 
vagt6 said:
I agree. No more than $1,000. You've got some rust to deal with, and goodness knows what else.

IF you really want a Midget, you may consider paying a few thosand more and get a nice driver into which some other poor soul has poured thousands of dollars and cannot sell it for his "investment". That's the way to get an LBC, IMHO.

If you're patient, you can purchase a nicely sorted Midget with no rust for $4-5,000 or so. No way in Hades you can restore the one shown here for that kind of money.

All depends on what you want to do: if you realy want a project, have the skill, tools and know-how and a few thousand clams to spend on it, get this one. But if you want to drive, buy a restored one. Midgets are cheap. You can buy a <span style="text-decoration: underline">concours</span> quality Midget for $8,000-$10,000: perfect in every way and literally better than new.
I've never understood why the values on these cars isn't higher. I have a '74 Midget and it's possibly the most enjoyable LBC I've ever owned, and I've owned more than a few.

Let us know . . . and good luck! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...


Yes, there is no such thing as a Sprideget for under $1500 ( and I use that number as I bought mine for $1500 and drove it for 5000 miles before I had to do anything to it.) You're gonna put some cake in it to get it right. A $300 car will cost you probably over $3000 in the end and you're still not finished with it.

I think these things don't bring $$$ because of their reputation for always needing work, poor reliability, no one wants to work on them and when they do, they wonder WTH was the designer thinking.


So, you will love one of these.....as long as you don't want to go fast and you don't mind figdeting with it when it acts up while underway. These are quirky but cool!. Chics dig it too!

My advice to you is, if you can get it for free or cheap, buy it, then look for a round wheel arch car already sorted out and use this one for parts/ to learn on.
 
kellysguy said:
So, you will love one of these.....as long as you don't want to go fast and you don't mind figdeting with it when it acts up while underway. These are quirky but cool!. Chics dig it too!
Click to expand...

No joke about the girl attention, kellysguy :smile: This ugly old sod never received so much attention, even 20 years younger and 30 pounds lighter, as I do when I take the BE out for a drive. And while I do take great secret pleasure in that (don't tell my wife, please), my absolute favorite attention is from the little kids who just glow with excitement when I drive by.

There's a little girl, 7 years old or so, a mile from here who always yells out, "NICCCCE CARRR" when I drive by as she waits for her school bus. I give her a wave (because my horn doesn't work <sigh>) and she flashes back an excited, missing toothed grin that always makes me chuckle.
 
Thanks for the helpful replies :smile: '74 sounds good. Would compliment (read: be dwarfed by) my dads' red '74 Plymouth Duster quite nicely haha.

It'd definitely not be a show car. Just a driver/project/learning experience/early midlife crisis. Would see some autocross time, as well.

Biggest reason I'd pick this up rather than spend a bunch of money on a well sorted one would be that "almost nothing" bit haha. If I get in over my head with a free car I'll feel better about having to walk away from it, you know? (that and I don't have the immediate funding for one)

Certainly not looking to go fast with less than 1/3 of the power of my 9000, but the slowest car I've owned was probably the most fun to drive...

We'll see how it pans out. Being able to possibly get it off my hands for a little bit of cash is reassuring anyway. I'll keep you guys updated.
 
here is another one same year. This car is for sale. And it is also in vermont.

m
 
SilentUnicorn said:
here is another one same year. This car is for sale. And it is also in vermont.

m
Click to expand...

yeah but it's covered in Pooh!
 
~PLEASE~ tell me that's not Winnie the Pooh on the fender.....

oh the horror.....the horror...



It will definatly be the funnest car you've ever driven.

(although Doc tells me the Europa is a hoot too.)
 
Yes that is "Winnie" on the fenders. it is a great thing for getting votes at the car show. Kids luv it!

m
 
Ah, I kind of like Winnie... Better than Barney, but not nearly as cool as Thomas the Tank Engine.
 
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