look at the price on this one

[Judge]

.....and a true collector is prepared to pay any price to obtain the piece they desire. Also remember that if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it

[aupickup]

and the first offer is normally the best one

[Judge]

My experience has taught me that the first offer is often someones wishfull thinking

[Kevin]

My experience has taught me that the first offer is often someones wishfull thinking

Its human nature to chance you arm with offers sometimes Bill, and its amazing what sellers will sometimes take for good cars.

[Judge]

Yes, but is it right? Could this also have something to do with the low values currently being given to our cars?

[mal]

I think both of you have a point, I would have gladly given the seller his price for the splitscreen I saw on Sunday if it had the original sidevalve engine...
BTW, no one has answered my queery.

Mal

[Judge]

Sorry Mal, the sidevalve unit was fitted from '48 to '53

Edit - Minor values (in more ways than one!!) do concern me. Is this one of the reasons we are losing so many cars and potential owners, i.e. low value + expensive repairs = not viable = scrapped car

[jonathon]

Bill, you have hit the 'nail on the head'. The current values given for the top quality Minors both on here and national mags are, I think far too low. This creates problems when customers require full rebuilds only to find that the value of their car will only increase by a few thousand despite having spent a considerable amount more.
Admittedly those spending seroius high levels on their pride and joy tend not to be influenced too much by resale value as they more often than not, see their cars as a long term investment (fun) not financial.
The down side mainly to the average Minor is that if professionally restored the owners do see the financial pitfall of essentially loosing many thousands of pounds, if the vehicle is later sold. So what happens is ,that these cars are scrapped,or sold for the pitifull price that condition 2/3 cars achieve. The loss of a minor owner under these circumstances is sad but I feel I will here some say that it will then allow a home restorer the chance to do the work at a fraction of the cost of a pro job.
A follow on question to the undervalue one could be is the Minor still a 'survival' car as it was in the 80's. I'd say yes to the fact that DIY mechanicals and to an extent body work is achievable, but no due to the cost of repair both DIY and professional given the low values given to each grade of car.

[chrisd87]

Although I see your point Bill and I think it's very valid, there is a flip side. If Minor values had been much higher then I wouldn't have been able to afford one in the first place, therefore losing me as a 'potential owner'.

I know this is a bit of wishful thinking, but if you look at the values for rotten examples of cars where new bodyshells are available (e.g. Midgets, MGBs), they seem to fetch a good few hundred even when the body has almost dissolved because people want to re-shell them. If the same could be done for a Minor then we might see more cars being saved. However I realise that it's probably not a realistic option

[alex_holden]

Although I see your point Bill and I think it's very valid, there is a flip side. If Minor values had been much higher then I wouldn't have been able to afford one in the first place, therefore losing me as a 'potential owner'.

Me too. IMO Minors are popular in part because they are still one of the most affordable classics.

[mal]

Sorry Mal, the sidevalve unit was fitted from '48 to '53

Thanks Bill, so I was correct thinking it should have been a sidevalve (52)

Must admit I don't know why Moggys are so undervalued, even my local MG garage wondered why I'd sold my sportscars and gone to the lower/cheaper end of the market ( his words not mine ) cheeeek !!

Mal

[Judge]

Although I see your point Bill and I think it's very valid, there is a flip side. If Minor values had been much higher then I wouldn't have been able to afford one in the first place, therefore losing me as a 'potential owner'.

Me too. IMO Minors are popular in part because they are still one of the most affordable classics.

Valid points, but what about the people that do not carry out their own repairs/restorations? If values remain low, making commercial repairs/restorations unviable, who would be prepared to re-body them?

Unfortunately the fact is that although the Minor still remains popular with many, the number of club members is falling, and the number of cars being scrapped continues to rise Any suggestions on how these trends can be reversed would be very much appreciated.

Edit - PS Just look at the 'Cars for sale' section and see how many recently offered cars have received no replies

[mal]

Any suggestions on how these trends can be reversed would be very much appreciated.

Difficult that one Bill It's funny though that in this area Moggys seem to be on the increase and there usually is a very good turnout at local shows, I'm also seeing a lot more as I'm driving round, there are 4 living within 1 mile of me now and a few more possible buyers ..
Without sounding detrimental to the 'Club' quite a few of the owners I speak to are not bothered about joining as they see it as all Southern based so I don't know how that can be overcome. Most of the past National Clubs I've been involved with are based down that way but it never stopped me joining... maybe it's just a trend.

Mal

[Judge]

Derby, Southern based???? However thanks for your comments Mal, I have taken them onboard.

Anybody else have any suggestions?

[mal]

Derby, Southern based????

Bill, I maybe didn't frase it too well, I meant most of the Club activities etc; seem to be Southern based.... this is just the general comments from local Moggy owners I speak to.... it don't seem as though many of them use this site as well, don't know why... it's a great site..
If I wasn't on so much medication it wouldn't bother me making several trips a year down that way, turn back the clock a few years eh !!

Mal

[Judge]

Derby, Southern based????

Bill, I maybe didn't frase it too well, I meant most of the Club activities etc; seem to be Southern based.... this is just the general comments from local Moggy owners I speak to.... it don't seem as though many of them use this site as well, don't know why... it's a great site..
If I wasn't on so much medication it wouldn't bother me making several trips a year down that way, turn back the clock a few years eh !!

Mal

Don't worry about it Mal, I know exactly what you mean

[chrisd87]

If values remain low, making commercial repairs/restorations unviable, who would be prepared to re-body them?

I don't think commercial restorations of any classic car are ever especially financially viable - people do it for the love of it or a desire to have an as-new car (hence the popularity of re-shelling). Perhaps the problem here is that as there are so many Minors around people are tempted just to buy a good one instead of restoring a run-down example. With some other (rarer) cars that isn't an option. Of course one day that will no longer be the case, but we don't want to get that point! You can see this happening up to a point with good travellers, convertibles and LCVs - I wouldn't say any are particularly cheap anymore.

I suppose the ideal situation might see run-of-the-mill Minors like the ones I have remain affordable but really good ones like your 4-dr being highly prized. However we are at the mercy of the market and as such there is very little we can do apart from saving as many as we can!

[aupickup]

it is only buyers who dictate prices

[HarryMango]

Sorry Mal, the sidevalve unit was fitted from '48 to '53

:

Hi Mal/Bill

Strictly speaking in Aug 52, 4 door models were fitted with the 803 engine - initially just export models but gradually introduced across the range until Feb 1953 when they were all 803.

Rog

[mal]

Thanks for clearing that Rog, I didn't take note of when it was registered in 52 but it was only a 2-door anyway.. however the engine would have still been wrong as it was fitted with a 950.. nice to know for the next time

Mal