Need a Reality Check

[SeldomSeen]

Somewhere out there, there is a TR4A or TR250 in a garage that needs a new friend. The car has been garaged and lovingly cared for since it was purchased. No customization was performed as none was ever needed. It does not have a luggage rack. The color is either BRG, light or dark blue or red. The color was never changed. It is very lovely inside and out but not quite in show condition. Everything mechanical has always been maintained in a timely manner including the rebuilt motor transmission and clutch. There is absolutely no rust - never was and the car was never in an accident. An overdrive would be nice but not necessary as the car will not be used for long trips. IRS okay or not. The guy has spent some time on his back replacing U-joints in the dim past. Wire wheels or pressed discs both look nice on that model.

This new friend is not interested in cars as investments. That whole concept is rather disgusting to him. He owned a couple TR4As long ago and just wants relive that experience. He currently owns a very nice white '66 MGB which is also loved and cared for.

Most importantly this rational person is not interested in paying dealer or TV auction prices. He believes in fairness and reward for hard work - not speculation. What are his chances of finding such a car? Is this person really as sane as he thinks he is?

 

[Tinster]

Holy Smokes!!!!

You just described DPO Pedro to a tee!!
I'll get you his e-mail address in a PM.

In the meantime, here's a vintage car
to whet your whistle. Lovingly kept on jack
stands to protect the original tires. Washed
and waxed every day.

Hey, It's all I could dig up up on short notice!!

[/img]

 

[Brosky]

I know where there's such a car. And it's close to me. I might even buy it. Nah, I've got enough with my TR6. I might take a ride to look at it for you tonight, if you are interested.

Check your PM.

 

[IanF]

I'm not sure what your friend's idea of a "fair market price" is, but this car doesn't seem all that expensive to me... with the advantage being I drive by this dealer every day...

https://www.princetonlotus.com/ViewClassic.aspx?id=179

 

[TR3driver]

What are his chances of finding such a car?

Somewhere between those of winning the Irish sweepstakes (without buying a ticket) and being struck by lightning while indoors, IMO. There might be 10 cars left in the world that fit that description (tho I wouldn't want to bet on it), but since no one in their right mind would sell such a car willingly, your friend is going to have to be first on the scene when the current owner dies or otherwise loses his mind. And pay a reasonable price for something that is scarcer than a Bugatti Veyron.

Of course, there are many more cars that will be represented as meeting those qualifications ... might be simpler (and cheaper) for him to lower his expectations to an older restoration and save the seller the trouble of lying about it.

 

[tomshobby]

I do hope your friend believes in fairness for the seller as well as himself. A fair price for such a car will be considerable.

 

[Tinster]

[/img]

 

[Brosky]

I have an appointment to see it at 7:00PM tonight.

I think I'll surprise the owner when my wife and I show up in the TR6.

If Seldom doesn't want it, maybe I'll buy it.

 

[SeldomSeen]

I had intended to describe a car that was a really nice "driver" not a show car. My MGB is like that and it is a great joy to own and drive. Perhaps I waited too long to find the TR.

Tinster:
You have way too much time on your hands. Get back under that TR6.

Brosky:
Let me know your impressions of that TR250 It looks kinda nice.

 

[Brosky]

Excellent observation! Dale, get back to work!

I'm going to check it out. Apparently, this car is driven, but not much with only 57,000 miles on it.

 

[jdubois]

I have an appointment to see it at 7:00PM tonight.

I think I'll surprise the owner when my wife and I show up in the TR6.

If Seldom doesn't want it, maybe I'll buy it.

You're going to see this guy? I'd be interested in hearing your opinions. He's put a bunch of LBCs up on ebay over the past months. I've been wondering what's up with him. They're all recently repainted which made me worry he was buying up cheap cars and doing a quick once over to try and dazzle the buyer to get more money than they're worth.

I'm thinking I've just found myself a great car at a good price too, though it's a spit not a TR...

 

[Tinster]

You'll better give me a little slack here.

It takes a steady hand and much time to properly
install the ground wires, silicone tape threads
and then oven mount individual bolts so their heads
can be expertly powder coated and color coordinated
to match the new front suspension to Amos' high standards.

DPO Pedro and Crypty were pigs. Just look at what I have
to deal with!

d.

[/img]

 

[Brosky]

Dale,

Please stop whining. I think that you're giving poor ole' Pedro a bad rap. Pedro has proven his honesty and integrity beyond any shadow of a doubt. You just need to be more compassionate about the man.

And to tell you the truth, I think that you are really starting to enjoy having a permanent resident on jack stands in your garage. When Wendy goes away, you have a constant companion to keep you occupied during those long lonely nights.

All in all, I'd say that this whole deal was a win win for the two of you.

 

[Brosky]

J,

I didn't know that. If nothing else, this will be a good time to see a TR250, as there aren't that many left.

BTW, nice looking Spitfire. That looks like a frame off resto to me. Those cars are fun to drive.

 

[Andrew Mace]

I'm thinking I've just found myself a great car at a good price too, though it's a spit not a TR...

OMIGOD, that's gorgeous! And I'll assume you didn't mean to slight Spitfires when you said "it's a spit not a TR..." /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

What's the scoop on this Spitfire?

 

[SeldomSeen]

Day off today so I've been busy researching this whole TR mess. I found a "condition code" description on the internet. Condition #3 is:

"Street/show - an older but still presentable restoration or a clean solid original car with no major obvious cosmetic or mechanical flaws. A car that is driven to shows unless trailered great distance. Usually about 80 to 89 points on most judging scales [whatever that means]. A majority of cars at a regional show would fall into this category."

I could be quite happy with a TR4A or TR250 that fell into that range.

I went to the book store and picked up a copy of Keith Martin's "Guide to Car Collecting" which is prepared by folks at "Sports Car Market". It has a section called: Price Guide & Ratings. Estimated prices are for a (better than I need)condition #2 car in 2006. The TR4A ranged from $16,000 to $22,000 +$500 for IRS, +$1,000 for surrey top (one of my former TRs had one!), +$750 for working OD, -$1,000 for disc wheels. The TR250 was $17,500 - $22,000 for a #2.

Now that I am so much the wiser, could I realistically expect to find a condition #3 TR4A that my budget of $17,000 or so would allow? BTW, I'd love to restore one but my hands are starting to get arthritic and they might object.

Thanks for all the help so far.

 

[TR3driver]

If you are willing to settle for a car that has been 'restored'; repainted a different color in it's past (I think every Triumph has been red at least once); and/or maybe a few small modifications like luggage rack or driving lights; then I believe you could realistically find such a car for that money.

BTW, there is a price guide on-line at
https://www.nadaguides.com
that includes most Triumphs since 1950. Free, except they flash a few advertisements for you to ignore.

Also BTW, here's one that might be worth consideration :
https://www.vtr.org/classifieds/detail.php?siteid=2740
For that price, you could have a shop put a really nice paint job on it, and still have money left over.

(NFI and I know nothing else about the car, just saw it on the VTR classified ads.)

 

[jdubois]

And I'll assume you didn't mean to slight Spitfires when you said "it's a spit not a TR..."

Not at all. I'm a Spitfire man myself at heart, even if currently my only Triumph is a TR3A. Just a reference to the fact that the original poster was talking about TRs.

What's the scoop on this Spitfire?

Haven't talked live to the guy yet. It's a '65 Mark II that's currently in CT. It had a respray six years ago, and is supposed to run as good as it looks. Guy wants "best offer over $6000". Sounds pretty darn fair to me. If it is as good as it looks I think I'm gonna go down there ASAP to see it, with cash in hand.

 

[ALLAN]

I had intended to describe a car that was a really nice "driver" not a show car. My MGB is like that and it is a great joy to own and drive. Perhaps I waited too long to find the TR.


What your first post described was a dream car, that you will have to pay 17,000 plus for. A really nice driver in excellent cond., one or two owner, a rebuilt motor, a small amount of rust and maybe one change of color will cost about 9,000 -generally speaking, but it doesnt hurt to keep your goals high.

didnt see your last post, you can come close for 17,000

 

[Harry_Ward]

I have an appointment to see it at 7:00PM tonight.

I think I'll surprise the owner when my wife and I show up in the TR6.

If Seldom doesn't want it, maybe I'll buy it.

Looks sweet. Did you,

Buy.... It!

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif