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MGC Value of a 68 MGC roadster?

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kev

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I have an opportunity to pick up a 68 MGC roadster. I believe it is a 68, the owner can't remember the exact year but they only made them from 67-69. The car is all original with full interior, original spoke wheels, etc. However it has been sitting for 20 years and several of those years it was outdoors (note, I am in PA). I haven't seen the car yet, the owner and I are currently making arrangements to view the car. Even the owner hasn't looked at it for about 6 or so years.

I am curious as to how much these cars are worth in the condition as I described and also in fully restored condition.

Oh, the car is a 4speed manual with, of course, the six cylinder engine. The owner has a spare MGC 4 speed tranny and several MGC and MGB body parts that he collected through the years. He also has two extra complete sets of wire spoke 15" wheels for the MGC, however he would prefer to keep the wheels for now.

Any info would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks, kev
 
Certainly a good find, if it's restorable. There have been lots of comments about the weight and relative low power of the MG six - at least compared to a conversion to modern V6 or V8. But the historical significance ought to be worth something. And I like the 15" wheels (I think the C has them), and the special bonnet. Go for it!

Mickey
 
Oh yeah - Welcome to the Forum, too!
 
Welcome to the forum...and if you dan't want it let me know!
I am not sure what it is worth, but certainly should be saved if possible! Even if if it bought to prevent further deterioration that I am sure it is experienceing now, it would be a good thing to do /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif

Seriously, if it is available, let me know.

Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Thank you for the reply and I appreciate the welcome.

The price he is asking for everything except the extra wheels is $1500. He is a friend at work and isn't advertising anywhere else, so I have time to ponder this decision.

I have never been to into British cars, I always stuck with American Muscle Cars. However the more I look at pictures and talk with owners at local car shows, I am starting to really like the MG styling. I have never driven an MG though.

Plus my father-in-law absolutely loves the MGB's and he was just mentioning that he is going to start looking for one shortly. I was actually entertaining the thought of picking this MGC up, restoring it, and giving it to him as a gift for his retirement. He has helped me out over the years and I think this would be a great way to say 'thanks'. Plus I could still drive the car anytime I wanted.

Ok, enough with my life stories, hehe. Hopefully in the next two weeks I will be able to see the car.

kev
 
Whenever I am looking at car I check Hemmings, eBay and any other source I can to get a ballpark figure of a price. Although it is not exact it at least gives you some idea.

Of course price will depend on condition. Check for rust everywhere. Even he gave you the car for free it could wind up costing twice as much to fix as what a very good example of the same would cost.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I was actually entertaining the thought of picking this MGC up, restoring it, and giving it to him as a gift for his retirement.

[/ QUOTE ]

What a great thought! Let's see, I retire in just 11 years.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif Yes, rust is the big thing with any vehicle, as body repairs are costly, but especially in the case of the MGC. Although just about everything is available to rebuild the body on an MGB, the MGC had many unique features that are just not available, so if there is any serious rust around the front end, everything would have to be fabricated from scratch which, if even possible now, would be prohibitively expensive........not trying to put you off here, just giving you an idea of what could be in store for you. Essentially, the bodywork in front of the firewall is unique to the MGC, as is the front suspension. You can still get mechanical parts for these cars. If there is rust in the front end but it is not too bad, then it can always be repaired. I hope that the car is going to be a restorable proposition for you!
 
Kev;

Check out this buyers' guide to get an idea of what you need to look for when viewing the car. Also, get a catalogue from Victoria British . They have a good MGC catalog, which will give you an idea of what is available for these cars and the cost. Like Steve said they are very similar to an MGB body except for the front suspension, and the engine of course. I would love to have one. They are suppose to be great touring cars and all the sortcomings that the cars had originally have been overcome I have read. Good luck!
 
Wow, that is perfect! Thanks.

Well I'm a little dissappointed now that I am finding more information on this car. Yesterday I saw that only 4500 total MGCs were ever made in the roadster version. I thought for sure the cars had a much higher resale value. However, the more I look, the more I think $1500 is just an average price for an MGC in this condition. It looks like they would only sell for $4000-$5000 in running road-worthy condition.

I am still going to look at the car but I am thinking that my best bet would be to pick up a road worthy MGB for around $3000 that I can just drive. I already know that an MG is not my dream car, so I won't want to invest an arm and a leg into it. Also, my father-in-law would be perfectly satisfied with a MGB. The rarity wouldn't mean too much to him. So in the end, I might provide you guys with the info on the seller /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

We shall see, I have to look at this car first.

Thanks again,
kev
 
If the car needs new sill/rockers and floors you are looking at least $2,500 to $3,000 in repairs. Restored the car would have good value and it is great freeway car. Most parts are available including engine parts. Victoria British does have some front suspension parts. The rest of the car is mostly MGB. Take a floor jack and look under the car at the sills/rockers. If it has been outside, then the floors are most likely gone. These are not hard to replace as long as the sill/rockers are good. As with all MGB's, the C starts to rust from the inside out. Minor rust on the doglegs means the inside behind the dogleg is worst. They didn’t make many of these cars and if it can be saved it needs a owner that will do it. Hope you have garage space and lots of time. Good luck.
 
kev, compare it to this recently sold MGC on Ebay. #2484895190. I have a 69 MGC roadster in a little nicer shape and I would not take $10,000. for it. Too hard to come by. If its fixable, buy it. "The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten"
 
If I had a shot at a "C" Roadster for $1500, I wouldn't even hesitate. Whether it had floors in it or not.
But, I have too many projects as it is.
Jeff
 
My friend, I am in the British sports car restoration business and it is high heresy for me to suggest this but your best deal is not to get a rust bucket or an incomplete car. Buy the best condition car that you can afford for the aquisition price. You will save money in the long run, believe me.
 
Hey, Box -

Just read the description of that MGC - quite a story! And it went for $10K...needing as much work as it does, and the seller with 0 sales history!

Thanks for posting that.

Mickey
 
Well I am familiar with car restoration. I know exactly the time, devotion, and price it costs to restore a car. I personally think that the experience you get from restoring a car outways the price anyday, and in the end the car means so much more to you then if you just bought one in mint or good condition.

I am currently restoring a rare japanese 80's sportscar at the moment. It is very difficult because there are no replacement body panels/floors/etc available anywhere. I am forced to make my own patch panels from sheet stock and find parts cars (I personally own 3 of these cars and my best friend owns 4, So out of 7 cars, we are making 2 hehe). The good thing is that the car is from the 80s vintage which means you can still find them around in junkyards, etc plus the cancer hasn't set in as bad as a car from the 60s. Still it is a feat to restore it.

At least this MGC can use replacement panels from the popular B car (with exception to the parts you guys noted).

However, you don't want to go down the path of a full restoration on a car that is not your favorite.


Ok back to my situation. Like I said, I am going to look at the car and if it appears to be fairly solid and as original as the owner states, I probably will buy it. It sounds like that if I end up finding that the car requires more work than I am willing to put into it, I shouldn't have a problem selling it for what I paid for it (giving its rarity).

Thanks again for all your help,
I will keep you informed and I will take some pics when I see the car and post them for opinions.

kev
 
Kev, just out of curiosity, what Japanese sports car of the '80's could be considered rare, and yet you can still find parts in the junkyard? I'm having a heck of a time even trying to think of a rare '80's car.
Jeff
 
Congrats on the MGC find, I think it's one of the sexiest MGs out there. And, there's plenty of good advice from professional and amateur British car restorers in the above posts.

I have but one word to add: BUDGET.

I'd venture about $10,000 might basically restore a $1,500 MGC, if you perform ALL of the work yourself (i.e., incurring zero labor costs).

If your budget permits, and considering your admitted skill in LBC restoration, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase that MGC if I were you.

Good luck, please let us know how it goes!
 
Kev,

Where in PA??? I travel all over PA for work and might be interested in going to look at this car with you if you want...and YES, I would like to have a "C", so keep me in mind if you determine it is too much work for you ;-)

Bruce
 
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