'57 4 door

Post by **youngun** » Thu May 17, 2007 5:43 pm

Hi there,
I am going to look at a 1957 4 door mog on saturday. Im pretty clued up on what to look for etc.
But i would just like a few ideas as to what i should offer for the car if it seems ok.
Its sat in a dry garage for 10 years and has been off the road for 20. Its pretty much solide (according to the owner anyway) and has a goldseal engine. Along with all the orginal paperwork and bill of sale.

thanks,
Youngun.

Post by **Kevin** » Thu May 17, 2007 11:51 pm

Its sat in a dry garage for 10 years and has been off the road for 20.

Not much as a non runner without an MOT is hardly a desirable car, why was it taken off the road is one question to ask and a goldseal engine not run for 20 years wont make any difference to its value let us know what you find as there are lots of cars around like this and many are past saving.

Post by **RogerRust** » Fri May 18, 2007 5:30 am

Its exactly the same situation as when I got Sophie last year. Off the road for 20 and garaged ever since I paid £0 and took it away for him!

Post by **youngun** » Sat May 19, 2007 5:29 pm

Went to see it today.........Well there is rust, nowhere near as much as i thought, indeed the front half is all pretty much solid. The rear sills will need replacing, along with some parts of the inner wing and around the spring hangars. Being a minor novice im contemplating whether i should go for it or not, its all there, trafficators, short stick gearbox etc.The seller is a minor expert and said its not alot of work, just cut out the old sections and weld in the new. Is it really that simple and can a novice with a bit of no how and a knack with a mig welder do it? What am i going to have to do to get her back on the road?
He is asking 300 quid for her, and that includes a new windscreen and doors and he will tow it over.

Whats the consensus here?

thanks,

Post by **glyna2006** » Sat May 19, 2007 5:50 pm

has it got the original no plate?if so thats woth a few quid to hang onto i paid 20 pounds for my last one that was as u described,unless you've done one its a lot of work to get everything in line and straight so good luck...glyn

Post by **youngun** » Sat May 19, 2007 6:52 pm

yep its got the original plate with it, and all the relevant docs

Post by **youngun** » Sat May 19, 2007 6:52 pm

the rust is not bad compared to some ive seen, infact most ive seen.
How much do new sections cost in general?

Post by **chrisd87** » Sat May 19, 2007 7:21 pm

If it's got the original plate then you could always flog it to pay for the cost of any restoration work that you can't do yourself (although you need an MOT in order to transfer a plate).

Post by **Kevin** » Sun May 20, 2007 8:35 am

The rear sills will need replacing, along with some parts of the inner wing and around the spring hangars.

Normally the sills require complete replacement not just the rear sections and inner rear wings can be awkward to repair if its the inner lip.

The seller is a minor expert and said its not a lot of work,

So why has he not done it if its that simple.
For prices of sections have a look at a couple of the large on-line suppliers.

Post by **youngun** » Sun May 20, 2007 3:46 pm

Thanks Kevin.
He hasnt done the work because he has about 5 more minors, a midget and a magnette already on the go! One of these people with more stuff than they know what to do with!
I decided to go for it, could be a complete can of worms but.......we shall see!

Ill put some pictures up if possible.

Post by **alex_holden** » Sun May 20, 2007 4:07 pm

Good luck. Does it still have a 948 engine?

Post by **youngun** » Sun May 20, 2007 6:56 pm

Yep.

It also has the short stick gearbox, and dished steering wheel.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon May 21, 2007 10:19 pm

If the doors are solid it might be worth paying for (good 4dr doors are hard to find), but if not then rotted Minors are ten a penny.
Having good paintwork would give it more value than the usual ebay scrapper, as with good paint it will much more be saleable after it gets an MOT.

For £300 I'd expect a running good engine and all electrics and brakes to be working (although not neccessarily all working)