Buying first minor

Post by **YummyMummy** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 9:48 pm

Hi to all - I am about to enter the magical world of the minor owner and was after some advice from the more 'experienced' amongst you

Our neighbour has a 1965 convertable (not genuine) for sale.
Bodywork/chassis looks OK (not perfect), chrome bit rusty, needs new hood & interior is rough (seats there but need recovering, needs carpets )
Engine 1098, fitted with a princess head and twin SU's

Basically I'm after some sort of idea as to price as I'm sure he thinks it's worth more than we do at present.

Any input appreciated

Thanks

Post by **Welung666** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 9:55 pm

Hi YM and welcome

Your best bet would be to join the club and then your local branch. Someone from there would, I'm sure, be happy to have a look at it for you and give an honest opinion as to how much work will be involved. Also please take a minute to add your location into your profile (link is at the top of this screen) as somebody local may know the car already.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 10:46 pm

Seats and carpets are easily obtained and not expensive (2nd hand seats and new carpets) - so don't be put off by that. Chrome is also all available and doesn't cost a fortune. But what is important is NEW MOT - don't take anything else. The 'princess head' is a bit worrying - not sure what that means - would be better to get a standard engine. Trubble is - if you buy neighbour's car and it lets you down - it's going to be tricky, equally if you don't buy his car and get another instead - it's also going to be tricky unless you decide you really don't want a Convertible - so would need to be Saloon or Traveller (or Van or Pick-up !). It's really not fair to value a car from your description - would at least need pictures and lots more information!

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:43 pm

hi YM, and welcome to the forum!

I'd echo Welung's advice - get someone from your local branch to view the car with you.

A very relevant question about this car will be: who converted it to a convertible, and when? Not all attempts at creating convertibles have been safe or sensible

- but there are excellent ones out there, done by very reputable companies, so no need to despair! just a point to be sure to check out.

The carpets don't matter, it's what's under the carpets - is there any welding needed to the floorpan and underneath... there are various points you do need to look out for, which is why it's always a good idea to get a knowledgeable person to inspect any potential Minor purchase with you

Good luck! and let us know how you get on!

wibble xx

Post by **dunketh** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:57 pm

Hi to all - I am about to enter the magical world of the minor owner

"Shazam! Is this your car?"

Convertibles are worth considerably more than normal saloons, though I'd guess you already know that.

Personally I'd want to take off the door sill covers and have a nosey in there for rust. If you can't gain access (they're likely glued up or welded shut) at least give it a darn good poking underneath everywhere you can reach.

Post by **Kevin** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 10:54 am

Engine 1098, fitted with a princess head and twin SU's

I assume that the owner means a head from either an 1100 or 1300 Van den Plas princess and not the wedge shape (different engine) just a thought but if the brakes havent been improved/upgraded insurance companies will take a dim view of performance mods without brake mods.
You have forgotten one thing has it got a recent MOT as this makes a huge difference to its true value.

Post by **YummyMummy** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 11:44 am

Thanks to all regarding your comments, given that I think (novice that I am) it would need new hood, seats/covers, carpets, lead free head & chrome. Plus the passenger door has dropped & my other half noticed some iffy patches on the paint we have decided to pass on this one. He wanted £3500 - keep an eye out on ebay!

Post by **Orkney** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 12:24 pm

Hey Yummy

you probably did the best thing passing on this one, its too easy to end up with one because it happens to be there and near by. Thats how i got the scabbiest traveller in the north - different kettle of fish though really as i bought it to do up progressively as i can do the work myself.
Sounds like a lot of money being asked for that car given what it needs, no expert but should think you could get the same or a lot better for less £'s
Course theres the other thing - never sell or buy cars with friends or neighbours - sods law if you do something unknown might go terribly wrong soon after and you end up falling out over it.

You really couldnt do better than joining the club and checking here often as some beautiful cars do get offered here and in the club mag that might not be available elsewhere initially.
Going to a few meets isnt a bad idea either - you can learn a lot just through chatting to people. And of course the friendly helpful bunch mog owners are advice is never far away if you spot one you really like the look of.

Good luck with the quest and keep us posted,
cheers
kevin

Post by **YummyMummy** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 3:11 pm

Already a member - first thing I did really.
Have posted a wanted notice & am keeping an eye on the autotrader.
Why is it that all the good ones seem to be north of Bristol? am I going to have to get my passport out??

Post by **Chadbrook** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:55 am

Ebay can be a gold mine but you do need to know what your looking at, try to find a member who is close to where you live (dont worry most of us love loooking at other minors) and can look at the car before you buy,many ebay cars need some work but if the price is right it may be worth it

Post by **Judge** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:48 am

Hi YM, welcome to the club and the forum.

Some really good advice has already been given here, and therefore I would simply say take your time in the choosing. At the moment there is a large number of cars on the market, and you should be able to find a good one at far less than the cost of restoring a bad one.

Good luck.

Bill

Post by **chickenjohn** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 9:22 am

Yes, and join your local branch is good advice!

Post by **YummyMummy** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:17 am

Local branch meets up in exeter

thats a good hour + drive from us through the country lanes - bit too much of a pain at the moment having two young children to cater for!

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:34 pm

OK the journey may be a bit much for you at the moment but its still worth joining the local branch especially as most have newsletters and you may find some members are local to you and should be able to ask for advice etc, and they may even know of a good un for sale.

Post by **steve4063** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 6:00 am

yes its a pity you're so far down yummy......

i always have a moggie for sale somewhere along the line

the last one i delivered to bristol for the chap and i give ppl my number

sometimes wish i didn't but hey we're here to help ppl who don't know a lot about the cars.
even if its simply a case of why won't the car start.........

use the right key

bless him.