Re: [doc] Peterborough Car for sale

[Martin Gutkowski <webmaster@xxxx>]

Hi Chris/All

My opinion of 5424 is that it would be an excellent "project"..... if 
you bought it for £8k. Possibly worth as much as £10k if the chassis is 
fine and the new owner knows what they are doing. It's fair to say that 
it wouldn't take £4k to make it worth £12k if you know what I mean, but 
£15k is silly money and Rich posted a short while ago what it actually 
sold for at it's auction.

The previous owner had cooked the engine and on DeLoreanOne's advice, 
shipped a new engine over from them to replace it. The engine looks to 
have sat outside for some time - the sort of state we tend to find 760 
engines in - nothing to suggest it won't run fine, but you get that "oh 
dear" feeling. The previous owner didn't know anything about the car and 
cared even less. He bought it from a Lotus dealer for £11k as "something 
different".

The interior is not entirely badly sun damaged - except for the dash and 
binnacle which are truly awful; and give the interior a horrible 
appearance. Unfortunately dashes and binnacles are not easy to get right 
now, although both could be recovered, the grey vinyl is a unique colour 
and grain.

I know one thing for certain -the contol pressure regulator needs 
rebuild/replacement which costs around £120-150. Not sure how you could 
put the injectors in wrong - the order doesn't actually matter, but of 
course we all try to get them in 1-2-3! Apparently the fuel tank was 
overhauled with new hoses and boots, which is the first thing any 
project car needs. The fascias need painting and the front spoiler has 
daft sidelights mounted in it. The o/s quarter panel has a minor dent in it.

I did not look at the chassis.

Martin
DMUK

Chris Parnham wrote:

> Dear list (especially potential purchasers)
>
> I know vin 5424 has been discussed recently, but as another member went to
> look at it yesterday, I thought I pass on his views.
>
> Its for sale at 15K. Grey manual.
>
> Supposed to have had a new engine. The "new" engine did not look new and was
> leaking 3 small pools of oil. When the seller was asked about this he said
> "oh it's from the other car that was parked there"!
>
> The interior is badly sun damaged.
>
> Many bits look to have been removed and not put back properly, including the
> centre consul and switch backing, injectors etc. This is just a cursory
> glance, goodness knows what would be revealed with a comprehensive
> inspection.
>
> I think Martins valuation of 8K is spot on. We have a good club car at 12K
> and three more on their way to the UK market place in the next couple of
> months,
>
> Taking in on a project car that some one else has mucked about with, is
> always hazardous, even when you've bought it cheap, to pay 15K for this
> would not be wise.
>
> Do yourself a favour and pass this one buy.
>
> Just my opinion.
>
> Chrispy