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Pictures of the TC

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vping

vping

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Here are the shots of TC6898. This was today but the restoration started & stopped 10 years ago.

The wood, chassis and metalwork are all in great shape. Some in primer & some painted which are the dark green panels. He has all the leather interior & panels as well. The car was 100% complete and really nice when he took it apart ten years ago. He has all the parts neatly stored away. Engine was also rebuilt.

He has documentation back to the day he purchased her, even noting what the weather was like the day he got her. You can see this documentation in one of the photos which happens to be on the last day he drove her and started to take her apart. He also has extensive written & photographic records of the history of the car and what it looked like when he bought her on Nov. 2nd 1973.

I am trying to put a reasonable value to this. Any guesses as to what it's value would be to aid in my decision making.
https://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i87/vping/1948%20TC%206898/
 
Been there - bought cars in same condition...my advice:

The guy who mentions money first loses!
 
That's the advice you told me about the GT. I won. This guy has been an MG guy for many moons. He has pictures from the 60's in his YB, his Z Magnette and his TD. This is a bit tougher than the GT. Oh and he mentioned money first.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]he mentioned money first.[/QUOTE]

Then, if its what you're comfortable with - buy it!

If not....
 
Looks like a nice project. Since buying mine in 2001 I've been outta touch with TC values....but I'd go in around 10k for this, maybe a little more(i didn't look at every pic) if he can be sure he has everything to go with it(unmodified). Alot of stuff that would be a minor cost on something like an MGB can be a big expense with a TC. I got a huge deal on mine...paid 10k for my car(completely together...18000 original miles..had it running in 1/2 and hour)The owner was offered double what I paid only a few hours after I left my deposit.I've now got everything striped with just the tub yet to be seperated from the frame, so far it's been an easy resto. The biggest cost so far has been the dashboard which had been modified by the DPO to look like a TD dash. I am having a new dash made right now and the guages and the centre plate restored....at a cost of about $2500
 
Looks like an excellent project! The engine is matching numbers to the chassis, assuming the number plate is original. The car is known to the T Register so there may be more information on it out there. I like the records he kept, too.

I just have to wonder why he took the car apart in the first place.
 
He said he wanted to "freshen it up" and got carried away. He restored it from 1973-1976 and drove it all these years. Then in 1996 decided to do it again. Moved into an old house that needed restoration and this took a back burner. The pics are of the car and how it has been since 1996.
 
If its as you say & the numbers match, it'll be a relatively easy reassembly...$10K is fair for a car that'll cost you another $10K - $15K to finish & be worth around $30K afterwards.
 
IF it even needs 10k of work. He has the paint and I would most likely spray the panels & tub myself. It is not a concours restoration as this car really should be driven occasionally. He has most if not all replacement parts for it. Any rubber might need to be replaced unless it is still in good condition from 1996. The tires are hardly worn 1973 tires. Yikes! The wheels are decent except for a spoke or two that have broken. He has had some spline problems but bought a repair kit that used a keyway to repair them. Not sure what this it. Trunnions and shackles are good. Grill & other chrome are not 100% but shine up very well. Interior including the door panels are all leather and have a nice pantina but not torn or worn. No evidence of heavy bondo or rust through anywhere. Any small dings have been hammered out and need a light skim of filler to even out. What else is there.....
 
Oh yeah and numbers do match. He had the car checked out by Dick Knudsen and all is kosher. He bough it in Cali. in 1973 with 11k on the clock. Currently is has 22 on the clock. Car came off the line on October 22nd 1948. He has quite an extensive written history on it.
 
Based on what you just said, she'll be worth about $25K when finished using the old bright/interior stuff...makes $10K a high price.

Oh, plan or replacing the hubs/wheels - IMHO, I wouldn't use that cotter key aftermarket "DPO kit"...further lowers the price!

2nd 'Oh": how long has that paint been sitting in the can? You're probably gonna have to figure a way to dispose of it because its no good! Price goes down again!

Sounds like I'd walk for anything over $7K - but that's just me.
 
Vinnie:

It sounds like you have already made up your mind. One question, do you have room to store it?

IMHO, 10k or a lil more sounds fair.

Patrick
 
Honestly I think $10K is cheap. If he put that car on eBay it would get more. If you can get it for $7K you're stealing it.

I agree that worn splines are not to be trifled with. You will need four new splines and wheels. Very expensive! When you replace the splines, get a set of tapered rear axles and sealed hub nuts. Contact me for more info on this. The axles, hubs, seals, wheels and tires (don't drive those old tires!) will set you back about $2K.

The car numbers and build date are confirmed by the T Register.
 
I was thinking 7k for all as my first offer. Tires I figured were a given and I think Steve mentioned that 1 tire is fairly expensive. I threw that at the seller when we were looking over the car. I'm not keen on the DPO hub repair either. He has NOS axles all wrapped up and stored with the other parts. A new OEM wiring harness...jeese I keep remembering stuff.

Also forgot to mention he has a TD engine minus carbs sitting that he's had for years. Was going to try and have that included in the deal.
 
Not sure of the paint color though. Was the color that is currently on the insides of the doors an original color in 1948? When he got it, it was green and he is unsure of the original color. The green he is painting it is a slightly darker color - Mercedes Green I think he said it was.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]The green he is painting it is a slightly darker color - Mercedes Green I think he said it was. [/QUOTE]

Definitely reduces value - don't even consider the paint a part of the deal.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Also forgot to mention he has a TD engine minus carbs sitting that he's had for years. Was going to try and have that included in the deal.[/QUOTE]

you might be able to recoup part of your investment.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Was the color that is currently on the insides of the doors an original color in 1948?[/QUOTE]

Shires Green was appropriate for the '48.....but you might want to check interior/Shires Green color combinations.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]...I think Steve mentioned that 1 tire is fairly expensive.[/QUOTE]
Dunlop tires are nearly $200 each. However most people don't run these. Firestone are the most popular at the moment and they are under $100 each. The ride and handling are better, too. That said, I still run Dunlop because I'm an originality freak and I think they look much nicer on the car.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]He has NOS axles all wrapped up and stored with the other parts.[/QUOTE]
New or not, TCs are known for breaking axles. It isn't the huge 54 HP that breaks them, it's the inherently weak axle design. Keep the NOS ones as spares or sell them, then order a set of tapered axles. You will need your old hubs machined to fit the new axles, or better yet buy new hubs already fitted. Do not plan to have a local machinist fit old axles to tapered hubs. It takes specialized equipment to make the cuts and even with the right equipment there is a high risk of junking the part.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Also forgot to mention he has a TD engine minus carbs sitting that he's had for years. Was going to try and have that included in the deal.[/QUOTE]
That could bring in several hundred dollars, maybe $1500 if it's in good running order!

For originality questions, consult TC's Forever by Mike Sherell. It's expensive but is a requirement for TC restoration.
 
Been looking for that book. Very hard to come by.
 
They are available at a few sources. However the cheapest you will find, including shipping, is from Pitstop Bookshop in Australia. Their web site prices are in AU so it's much cheaper than it appears, plus they take off the 9% tax making it even lower. Mine got to my door for much cheaper than anyone else. Moss also stocks it, but they are expensive.
 
Ohh and an extra TC head. Shaved. Apparently had some racing history but believed to be amateur. Also has a set of bumpers but they are not original to the car.
 
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