Sell it - break it - scrap it? What would you do?

[Doris53]

Hi
I have been restoring a SII 1953 that came into my possession after my Auntie passed away about 18 months ago.
I do not have a passion for these cars but thought it would be nice to get it back on the road in her memory. Well unfortunately that dream has stalled and I do not have the will and motivation to finish the project. I have spent thousands of grubby hours in the garage and needless to say, thousands of £s.

It is now has a rust free chassis, floor, etc, all welding done. Completely stripped body, and engine. Engine rebuilt. Brakes and suspension stripped and rebuilt. New wiring loom. New brake pipes, cyclinders etc. New front and rear screen rubbers. Etc Etc Etc...

It has not been resprayed and wings are rusty with orginal paint work - nice patina which I wanted to keep. All of it is standard i.e. brakes, 803cc engine. Engine and gearbox and chassis numbers all original with Heritage Certificate.

Anyway, I am moving house soon and the car has to go. So, what to do with it? Strip it back down again and sell engine and all parts separately? Or sell as a 80% completed restoration? Or push it off the nearest cliff...!

I live in West Devon.

[myoldjalopy]

Given the work you have already done, it would seem a shame to now break it up (and lose another Minor for ever). If 80% of the restoration work is now done, I recommend selling it as that - surely someone would seize the chance to complete the work and save it? The sticking point may be if you want to recoup what you have already spent, which may be impossible.

[Doris53]

Thanks, yes I agree it woud be a shame but I am at the 'cut my losses and move on' stage!
I would not expect to recoup what I have spent, I know that even professionally restored Minors don't sell for the money spent. Maybe I will advertise it 'as is' and see if I get any interest.

[ManyMinors]

I'm sure that, whatever you do, you won't recoup your money and I'm sure you are realistic about that. You still need to get back as much as possible though. Perhaps it is worth putting some pictures of it on here - although the readership is probably small. You could list it on ebay where the listing will be seen by a much larger audience or maybe the Car and Classic website which I think is free? In my opinion those would be the best - although many people suggest social media (I know nothing about it) as being effective?

I don't know how complete the car is now but if you try to sell parts separately it could take a long time and you'll still be left with a large pile of stuff to shift Probably best to try and sell it all in one go if time is short. Are there any Minor specialists in your area?

[Myrtles Man]

You could try your luck here:-

https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions? ... ISEALw_wcB

[Doris53]

Hi ManyMinors
Yes I'm sure getting it sold in one go would be a better option. I'm just very frustrated with the whole scenario at the moment. Another of the many unfinished projects to hit the For Sale pages! There are no Minor specialists down here that I am aware of. There is a North Devon MM club though, so I may approach them. Maybe there is a member there that would be interested. If not I will try the sights you have suggested, and maybe MMOC Magazine.

[Monty-4]

I'm sure somebody will want to finish that and enjoy it, especially as it's a SII.

On the flip side of the coin to your dissapointment - another person will be enormously grateful that the bulk of the hard work has been done and will live a happier life for it!

[rocco]

I'd say most MM owners are capable of doing most of the mechanical work themselves but you've sorted the engine. You've also done the least desirable part by getting the chassis sorted so there should be plenty of people interesting in finishing it off. Doesn't sound like it'll need much anyway.

[Doris53]

Thanks Rocco - I have also had the split windscreen out and back in to change the rubber. Now that is not a job I ever want to do again!

As for the engine, it has been stripped, head skimmed and new hardened valve seats, new valve guides, new valves, new bearings (big end and main), new water pump, new timing chain etc. However, I do have a problem where it cuts out after a few minutes of running and will not start again. I have posted about this in another thread in the Mechanical section of the forum.

I do seem to hear of an awful lot of time wasters when trying to sell a Minor, especially on Ebay, so I think I will avoid that platform.

[svenedin]

I am sorry to hear that you cannot complete the project but I do hope that you can sell it to an enthusiast who will finish the car and enjoy it for many years to come. Please don't scrap it or break it up for parts!

[les]

After what appears to be a lot of work done on this car, the only sensible option is to advertise it for sale. You could try Car and Classic, I had a good response the one time I used that. Or try this forum.
To divert slightly, I’m quite amused when the term ‘Time wasters’ is used by people. Who exactly they?
Someone who comes to view a vehicle and decides it’s not for them, for some reason, is regarded as such by many ! Whereas it could be argued that the seller is wasting the potential buyers time ! especially if the description is misleading but I’m afraid this is all part of buying and selling, whether selling whole or in bits ! Of course, to avoid this situation, the cliff option is favourite !
——— but then, I suppose you’d be wasting the time of the person who has to clear up the remains

[Doris53]

Les
My reference to 'Time Wasters' on Ebay was related to bidders that ask lots and lots of questions, request many photographs and documentation etc. Then they bid without ever actually viewing the car in person, and then decide not to pay up or collect the car. This is anecdotal but I have heard it many many times.
Regards
Steve

[les]

Hi Steve, I agree the specific example you quote is unacceptable, it’s pure bad manners. My remarks were aimed more at a person simply deciding it’s not for them, after enquiring, then being labelled as wasting time. However good luck with hopefully selling, sounds a good project for an enthusiast.
Regards Les