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Sell the Sprite? Or, store the Sprite?

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Hello all,

I need some advice. I bought this '62 Sprite MKII about a month ago. My original intent was to fix up the few things it needed over the winter, enjoy it a bit and sell it in the spring. I've done some work and it now runs and drives excellent...I've put several hundred miles on it over the past few weeks. I'm wondering if I should list it for sale now rather than pay to store it for the winter? What do you guys think?...Is it worth trying to sell it now? What do you think a could get for it now and in the spring?

Here are some details:
- 1962 Austin Healey Sprite MKII
- Not a show car but a very presentable and great running driver.
- Non-professional restoration in the 80's (Rockers, floors, paint and mechanicals)
- Minor rust bubbles behind the rear tires but no other rust.
- 110,XXX miles (Rebuilt at about 75k in the 80's)
- Runs and drives excellent.
- New: Fuel pump, Radiator, Fan Belt, Hoses, Tires, Added Seat Belts, Rear Springs, Motor Mounts, Fluids, Tune up parts.
- I have an original hardtop that needs hardware and a paint job.
- Original side curtains that need rubber seals replaced.
- I have the original leather tonneau that needs the zipper replaced.
- New soft top.
- I'm the third or fourth owner
- Detailed history back to 1971.
- It was stored and not driven since 1986 before I bought it.






 
Store it until the Spring....then, you'll recoup your money & masybe make a profit.....now's not a good time to sell.
 
Why not keep it & just have fun with it?
 
I agree. It is a great car...the kind that don't come around to often, especially here in the northeast. I got a good deal so that's why I bought it. Keeping the car is always an option. I don't "need" to sell it but I'm restoring another car and am anxious to use the funds for that project along. If I don't sell the sprite it just means the other project will take longer. What do you guys think a fair price would be?
 
And the other project is??
 
The other project is a '63 VW Beetle Ragtop (my dream car). I'm about three years into it now. The original engine is completely rebuilt and on a stand. Trans is rebuilt. The chassis is completely rebuilt. The metal work on the body is <span style="font-style: italic">finally</span> complete and I'm just finishing up the paint prep now. Only thing really left is paint, interior and assembly. I was all set to complete it this winter but the Sprite deal was just too good to pass up.

Here is the deal...I have a small 18'x18' garage so I can't store the Sprite AND continue to work on the VW over the winter. So, the Sprite will need to be stored outside (it's way to nice for that) or in paid storage. So, there is the dilema...if I have to pay for storage this winter then it bites into any potential profit I'll make selling it in the spring. The other option is to keep the Sprite and finish my VW in the spring/summer next year.

In the pic below, my VW chassis is next to the Sprite and the VW body in on a stand in the background. Note the tiny garage. So, no one wants to say what they think the Sprite is worth??


 
Look around for clubs or friends with room in garages or barns - that will have cheap or possibly even free storage. I've seen storage here for $100 a month and $100 a year and everything in between. Come to that you could probably store it in my garage - but only long term - like a decade or so.
 
<span style="font-style: italic">Really</span>?? Your dream car is...a <span style="font-style: italic">beetle</span>?? Ah well, I suppose <span style="font-style: italic">someone </span>has to love 'em. :wink:

Just list it on the classifieds right here...I'm sure there's easily a dozen people who'd <span style="font-style: italic">love </span>a MkII. (including me, but I couldn't pay your asking price--trust me)
 
Well, I guess somebody has to love them. A '68 Beetle was my first car (and the worst car I've ever owned). The Sprite will always be a lot more fun to drive than a Beetle...keep it I say.
 
Whitephrog said:
Go with the dream!!
Click to expand...

Absolutely!

By the way, my second car, and the one that I really cut my teeth on, was a '63 sunroof Beetle. Last year for the full sunroof. Built two different engines for it - autocrossed and rallied it back in the day. Also drove it from New Orleans to Daytona for the 24 hour race one year. Great times in that car!
 
List the car in a few classifieds for what you need to get out of it. If it doesn't sell,start looking for a friend/relative that can store it for you.
 
I'd tend to keep the car, at least for the short term. Remember, these early Sprites are rare. It's not assumable that you'll find another easily in the future, especially in drivable condition.

Seems like a pretty nice car. And boy, are these things fun to drive!

I think if you drive it a bit more, your mind will be made up for you . . . :yesnod:
 
By all means keep it. My 19'x19' garage holds a Super Beetle, a MkIV Sprite and a '48 Prefect, all currently under some level of restoration or renovation. It's a bit of a bother but doable.
 

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Trevor Jessie said:
List the car in a few classifieds for what you need to get out of it. If it doesn't sell,start looking for a friend/relative that can store it for you.
Click to expand...
Trevor nailed it here. These cars are not so rare that you wouldn't be able to find another in the future if you needed to. Having your dream car drivable is a worth while goal, and sometimes other things have to be put aside.

That said, Sprites are small. Someone you know may have space to stow it for the winter.
 
I'm for keeping it. Once you get to driving the VW I'm betting you'll be missing the way the sprite drives!!!
KA
 
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