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MG MGA - WHAT IS THIS CAR WORTH ?

I have been offered a car that is complete minus a top bow, and battery cover. It has been in storage for 30 years. The brakes are frozen and the car does not run. It will turn over with the hand crank. The body is RUST FREE with minor body damage. It is a 1600 GHNL79000, with disc wheels. What do you think is a fair offer for this car. The car is a California car.
JEFF BECKER

HHHEEEELLLLPPPPP. I am looking for some input on this!!!!
JEFF BECKER

Jeff, it's not easy to put a value on an unseen car even with the detailed description you gave. The obvious answer is as little as you have to, but if you need to put in a 'reasonable' bid then consider the average price of a restored MGA and then subtract the cost of the necessary repairs from that. Unless you have some type of initial affinity for this car, the you try to not invest more than the value of the finished product. (Of course most of us here on this board have throughly ignored this last bit of advice) ;-) If you do most of your own work, then figure going through the engine, replacing the tires, replacing the hydraulics both brakes and clutch, and the bodywork required. Don't forget a new exhaust system, probably new suspension bushings, new floorboards and interior, a new top, and batteries. Double this figure and add a bit if you have to hire this work out.
Bill Young

Jeff,

The last A I bought was almost 2 years ago. So I'll tell you about it and you can formulate your own opinion. I paid $2k for a 62 mk2, complete except for top and battery cover. It had been moderately front ended and did not run though it did have the "rare" 1622 block and late model transmission. The car was very rusty for a colorado car.

Another thing to think about is if the car your looking at has already been restored in the past and what type of job was done.

If the car is complete sans top and batt cover. I would be willing to pay around $4k for it. Keep in mind that an engine rebuild is relatively inexpensive when compared to repairing a rusty body.

Add up what you will pay to refurb-
$3k to do a nice engine
$500 for electrics,
$5k for paint and body work.
1k for the interior.
$1k for misc.
You're at $14,500 which is about what the car is worth when done.

What's your time worth?

j
John B

Jeff,
I would think that your considerations must include new rubber throughout, as bushings and such will need replacement. If you are getting a sound car in excellent metal shape, with good paint and frame/floorboards, you must consider that you will be spending at least $2000 for rubber replacement. The engine, if it does turn over, should run if it did when it was shut down. Check the valves (with the valve covers off), spark, change the oil, clean the carbs, and you just might be able to start it. Check the trans for oil, rear end for oil, steering (you probably have to replace the boots), and how is the interior? If most of the car is excellent, you could get a good car for a good price. Also consider that if it doesn't need $10K worth of work, it still will need a lot of care before it is completely worth a fully restored value. You may be going high by giving $4K.
mike parker

30 years in storage eh? How's the chrome? (bumpers, grill, etc....$$$$ to buy cheap repro's or $$$$$$$$$ to get redone) How's the interior? (carpets, seats, tire cover, rails,etc....$$$$$$ to replace). You know the brakes are junk (MC rebuild, caliper, wheel cylinder, pads, shoes and lines $$$$$). Yup, the engine turns...but what does it need? (carb rebuild, gasket set, rings, valves, plugs, points,etc ....$$$$$). How's the paint, even without rust? (Strip, prime, sand paint...$$$$$$$) Who will do the labor, you (??) or someone else ($$$$$$$$$$$$$).
Here's my $.02 worth.....$2000, tops.

GTF
G T Foster

Have photos will give input! All I can say based on the description is that it sounds like the kind of car that needs a complete frame off restoration. Knowing how much time, effort and cost is involved in such an endevour, I would probably pay two thousand or such a car. Someone on the east coast would likely pay double that simply because you can't find a rust-free project car out there. I'd look for a similar car on eBay that has already sold (search completed items) and offer 75% of the price.
Steve Simmons

The paint is shot and will have to be stripped off. The interior is complete, but all new carpets, door panels, seat refurbishment will need to be done. The chrome is there but will have to be rechromed. I would say it will need all new seals, rubber for suspension, tires, wiring but like I said, no rust. The body damage is minor, about $800 to straighten it up. doors close proper and tight. Think of this as a clean straight rust free car that will need a complete overhaul to make it a safe and dependable car to drive.
JEFF BECKER

What are your intentions, to restore it? You must know you won't make any money off the thing unless you do all the work yourself and consider your time worth very little money!
Steve Simmons

Many good suggestions here, but none more important than body/frame condition.You say no rust,being a Calif car your probably right,but who knows what really lurks under the paint.You mention a small front end hit, and an estimate of $800.00 to fix.Imagine what a typical rusty MGA body/frame would cost to restore.Most people would have to hire that part of the resto out.Not to mention that your car would be a patch quilt of repair panels,whether done well or not.Another important question to ask yourself is do you want to drive and enjoy your MGA? Or do you want to spend your free time just working on it.We have all seen the ADs "a 5 year resto", ahhhh... never could quite figure that one out.What I am saying is, do you want to drive and enjoy it or work on it endlessly.I suggest you buy the BEST body/frame car you can find,which it sounds like you have.Mechanics can be done at home by you.
Check out some sites that deal in MGA body work,then base you offer on what you wont have to pay to repair on the body/frame. As always start low on your offer,but if you have to go beyond your hoped for price for a truly good body/frame,and you really want the car,remember "the quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten"
wc wolcott

From the sentimental value post, it's at least worth what a decent coffin costs, hehe!

You are fortunate that you live where there are more of these cars than probably anywhere else. Google up the craigslists from surrounding areas, maybe even put on an MGA wanted ad on a few.

Finding your favorite (that week) on ebay could end up costing you a lot in shipping. And you do have the chance to look this car over in person, much better than a few pics.

You'll probably end up spending much more than the purchase price to get the car in nice shape. I'd figure at least new rings, bearings, valve job, gaskets, hoses, seals, brakes (flush, kits, shoes, fluid, hoses), seat kits, fuel system cleaning and repair, carb kits. You get the picture.

Also decide before you spend $800 on the body if that will be the level of repair you'll be happy with, or if that money will be wasted after you decide to make the body really nice. A good paint job seems to cost $4K or $5K.

As others have said, you may enjoy doing your own work. I do, it's rewarding mentally as well as financially. But it can be dangerous, investing in a garage and tools just for that purpose could cost more than it's worth in labor savings, it can even endanger your relationship with your wife (could be really expensive, hehe).

Most of my LBC's have been in pretty sad shape when I bought them, the average guy would never consider one of them even in good shape, much less with all the warts they had. I learned a lot fixing them, still learning about things I could have done better. It's a great hobby for me. Maybe if I would have enjoyed computer programming as much, I could just farm out all the work and have the same pride of ownership that I do now. And I could blame someone else if a repair didn't last. Nahh....
Tom

This thread was discussed between 21/11/2005 and 23/11/2005

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