Hey Dave...
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From: Canton, MA
Hey Dave...
Dave, I was looking through e-bay and I thought the prices for As seem quite low right now. Here is an example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...933#description
I know that is not an "original" or an accurate restoration, but it looks like a nice driver that could be detailed and cleaned up. What are your thoughts of the market?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...933#description
I know that is not an "original" or an accurate restoration, but it looks like a nice driver that could be detailed and cleaned up. What are your thoughts of the market?
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From: Mish-she-gan
I really don't follow the used sports car market - even MGAs. From time-to-time I read of MGAs that are selling in the mid-30s and low-40s. I assume they are near concourse condition. I know most restorations run that much.
On the link you provided, the first major issue is the car is a MkII but it does not have a MkII engine. Since MkII engine are highly sought after and are rare that has to hurt it's value.
Secondly, many, if not most, of cars like this one have a good cosmetic appearance. As you can tell from the 'red paint overspray' all over the front suspension, this car was quick and cheap. Would it make a good driver? That is impossible to answer without checking it out first hand. As you already know if the sills and/or pillers are bad, it doesn't matter how good it looks - it's a bad buy. If the car is solid, has been upgraded to good MGB motor (for example), then it would be a great buy. Frame, pillers, and sills are all that REALLY matter. Anything else can be restored without breaking the bank.
Probably like you, I've seen frames stuffed with old newspapers and bondo, and then painted to look solid! People selling cars like that should be locked up but then sometimes they bought them like that as well.
As for why the values may have dropped? Lovers of cars built between 1955 - 1962 are not getting any younger. They get tired of the struggle with putting up the top, they have less willingness to go without air conditioning, and all the other aspects of an aging population. Anyways that would be my best guess.
I was at an all British meet on Sunday and I can tell you there were very few "driver's" in the 300 cars there. Many were better than anything BMC ever made!
On the link you provided, the first major issue is the car is a MkII but it does not have a MkII engine. Since MkII engine are highly sought after and are rare that has to hurt it's value.
Secondly, many, if not most, of cars like this one have a good cosmetic appearance. As you can tell from the 'red paint overspray' all over the front suspension, this car was quick and cheap. Would it make a good driver? That is impossible to answer without checking it out first hand. As you already know if the sills and/or pillers are bad, it doesn't matter how good it looks - it's a bad buy. If the car is solid, has been upgraded to good MGB motor (for example), then it would be a great buy. Frame, pillers, and sills are all that REALLY matter. Anything else can be restored without breaking the bank.
Probably like you, I've seen frames stuffed with old newspapers and bondo, and then painted to look solid! People selling cars like that should be locked up but then sometimes they bought them like that as well.
As for why the values may have dropped? Lovers of cars built between 1955 - 1962 are not getting any younger. They get tired of the struggle with putting up the top, they have less willingness to go without air conditioning, and all the other aspects of an aging population. Anyways that would be my best guess.
I was at an all British meet on Sunday and I can tell you there were very few "driver's" in the 300 cars there. Many were better than anything BMC ever made!
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Canton, MA
Originally Posted by dlq04,Sep 12 2006, 01:57 PM
I really don't follow the used sports car market - even MGAs. From time-to-time I read of MGAs that are selling in the mid-30s and low-40s. I assume they are near concourse condition. I know most restorations run that much.
On the link you provided, the first major issue is the car is a MkII but it does not have a MkII engine. Since MkII engine are highly sought after and are rare that has to hurt it's value.
Secondly, many, if not most, of cars like this one have a good cosmetic appearance. As you can tell from the 'red paint overspray' all over the front suspension, this car was quick and cheap. Would it make a good driver? That is impossible to answer without checking it out first hand. As you already know if the sills and/or pillers are bad, it doesn't matter how good it looks - it's a bad buy. If the car is solid, has been upgraded to good MGB motor (for example), then it would be a great buy. Frame, pillers, and sills are all that REALLY matter. Anything else can be restored without breaking the bank.
Probably like you, I've seen frames stuffed with old newspapers and bondo, and then painted to look solid! People selling cars like that should be locked up but then sometimes they bought them like that as well.
As for why the values may have dropped? Lovers of cars built between 1955 - 1962 are not getting any younger. They get tired of the struggle with putting up the top, they have less willingness to go without air conditioning, and all the other aspects of an aging population. Anyways that would be my best guess.
I was at an all British meet on Sunday and I can tell you there were very few "driver's" in the 300 cars there. Many were better than anything BMC ever made!
On the link you provided, the first major issue is the car is a MkII but it does not have a MkII engine. Since MkII engine are highly sought after and are rare that has to hurt it's value.
Secondly, many, if not most, of cars like this one have a good cosmetic appearance. As you can tell from the 'red paint overspray' all over the front suspension, this car was quick and cheap. Would it make a good driver? That is impossible to answer without checking it out first hand. As you already know if the sills and/or pillers are bad, it doesn't matter how good it looks - it's a bad buy. If the car is solid, has been upgraded to good MGB motor (for example), then it would be a great buy. Frame, pillers, and sills are all that REALLY matter. Anything else can be restored without breaking the bank.
Probably like you, I've seen frames stuffed with old newspapers and bondo, and then painted to look solid! People selling cars like that should be locked up but then sometimes they bought them like that as well.
As for why the values may have dropped? Lovers of cars built between 1955 - 1962 are not getting any younger. They get tired of the struggle with putting up the top, they have less willingness to go without air conditioning, and all the other aspects of an aging population. Anyways that would be my best guess.
I was at an all British meet on Sunday and I can tell you there were very few "driver's" in the 300 cars there. Many were better than anything BMC ever made!
I noticed the overspray, but a good weekend of cleaning and careful spraying with a good quality black spray paint will fix all that. You are correct about the frame. Who knows??
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Canton, MA
Here is a better one for slightly more.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1962-MGA-Mk...1QQcmdZViewItem
Seems odd to me. Maybe it is the end of the season???
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1962-MGA-Mk...1QQcmdZViewItem
Seems odd to me. Maybe it is the end of the season???
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 45,699
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From: Mish-she-gan
Originally Posted by Legal Bill,Sep 12 2006, 02:12 PM
It has the original engine dave. Read the questions and answers closely. You will see he clarified his first answer. The 1622 engine is not "original" it was rebuilt. The seller got confused.
I noticed the overspray, but a good weekend of cleaning and careful spraying with a good quality black spray paint will fix all that. You are correct about the frame. Who knows??
I noticed the overspray, but a good weekend of cleaning and careful spraying with a good quality black spray paint will fix all that. You are correct about the frame. Who knows??
- engine compartment looks good and all there
- interior seats look good; carpet is not original & is crappy
- body looks good and all there
- fresh black paint over rust in the underside (likely done two years ago by the prior seller)
- floor boards have been replaced
- there's been no maintenance on the car in probably 20 years, looking at the kingpins, etc. It definitely has not been driven much IMHO, which means it will take $ and time to put into running order.
- the wiring harness is definitely a quick and dirty job; in fact, all the individual wires are showing.
- the frame has been cut to make room for the exhaust pipe; what's with that? Is the car sagging that much? I don't see any holes but it's only partially photographed.
- radiator is leaking
- it has rocker panels, but does it have sills? I can't tell from the angle of the photos.
It's one of those cars that you crawl under and probe a little with a flash light and pick. In 5 minutes you know if it's worth buying or walking away from.
Just judging by the photos, etc. it
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From: Mish-she-gan
Originally Posted by Legal Bill,Sep 12 2006, 02:17 PM
Here is a better one for slightly more.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1962-MGA-Mk...1QQcmdZViewItem
Seems odd to me. Maybe it is the end of the season???
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1962-MGA-Mk...1QQcmdZViewItem
Seems odd to me. Maybe it is the end of the season???
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 34,130
Likes: 126
From: Canton, MA
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Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 34,130
Likes: 126
From: Canton, MA
Nope, doesn't seem to link well. If you go to MGAs in e-bay, you will see another MK II for a buy it now price of 15,000. The bidding has stalled out around $7,000. The car appears much better than the first one I linked and was correctly restored about 25 years ago and garage kept since.