"Never buy a..."

abowie · Post by **abowie** » Sat Jun 27, 2015 11:19 pm

Over the years one piece of gratuitous advice I've given to prospective classic car owners is "never, NEVER buy a classic car in pieces, especially if you are not familair with the marque".

So today I bought a collection of boxes that allegedly contains an MGA.

MarkE · Post by **MarkE** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 7:42 am

Much more fun and challenging that way, Andrew....I've done a couple in a similar state.

In March 2014 I sold a Lotus Elan that had been taken apart in 1974, moved house 4 times, and was still completely apart. And by apart I mean that the servo was in 50 or so pieces, the carburettor parts in cigar tins, the engine in component form....etc.

The new owner collected the car and documented his restoration on an Elan forum. Apart from the machine work on the engine, he did everything himself, including fibreglass repairs and paintwork. A couple of weeks ago the car was on the road with a new MOT, and he celebrated his 72nd birthday!

His previous knowledge of the marque was that he had an Elan 30 years ago. But between the forum, ebay, the workshop and parts manuals and the specialist parts suppliers, he managed to put it all back together without many issues.

He's looking for something more challenging now!

Good luck with your restoration.....it will be a lot of fun I'm sure.

Durango2k · Post by **Durango2k** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 10:27 am

Give him a Citroen SM in bits. Or a spaceship.

Carsten

abowie · Post by **abowie** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 10:52 am

Durango2k wrote:Give him a Citroen SM in bits. Or a spaceship.

Carsten

Is there a difference?

If I didn't know better I'd say that Carsten has a sense of humour. Most un-German. :D

vee12eman · Post by **vee12eman** » Wed Jul 01, 2015 9:16 am

Well I bought my E-type, my GT6 and my current project, an Aussie designed and built A50 coupe utility that way. Absolutely my favourite way of buying a classic.

If the MGA proves to have too much missing, I'll take the spares to complete my Ute!

Regards,

Simon.

Durango2k · Post by **Durango2k** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 9:22 pm

Andrew,

I always try to do my very best.

Being german and not british however does not make this a simple task...yet I try and try and try :-).

But maybe ... it comes with the british food ?

I mean we do go on holiday in England for the good weather and the gorgeous food, don?t we ?

:-)

Carsten

abowie · Post by **abowie** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 5:58 am

I found the concept of buying a spaceship in boxes very amusing and comparing it to a Citroen even more so.

Although I am British by birth living in Australia has made me realise that British food is an abomination.

JagWaugh · Post by **JagWaugh** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 8:22 am

If you want to be really cruel, give him a Citroen in bits, but add a few boxes of parts from other marques. or even Citroen parts from a different model.

osgii · Post by **osgii** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 10:19 am

It's like mixing lego technics parts with standard lego bricks :)

johnney · Post by **johnney** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 11:13 am

Although I am British by birth living in Australia has made me realise that British food is an abomination.

Don't tell me you left your wife back in the UK? :D

malcolm · Post by **malcolm** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 1:50 pm

abowie wrote: Although I am British by birth living in Australia has made me realise that British food is an abomination.

That's a bit rich! I thought the Aussie idea of gourmet food was burning the steaks a little less than usual on the BBQ?

rolando38 · Post by **rolando38** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 2:02 pm

I used to often go to the UK and found food...could be improved
and then once I went to Holland...

ralphr1780 · Post by **ralphr1780** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 2:53 pm

rolando38 wrote:I used to often go to the UK and found food...could be improved
and then once I went to Holland...

...and you passed by Germany...

Post by **Heuer** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 4:18 pm

Top 20 restaurants in the World 2015. UK has two, USA has two, Spain has four and France has two - can't see Australia in there!

Durango2k · Post by **Durango2k** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 7:57 pm

Andrew,

I just saw you're in Adelaide !

My wife's aunt did expatriate germany in the 1948 hunger winter after WW2, and build up a family over there.

We may come and see them next year if money permits....

Carsten

abowie · Post by **abowie** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 10:15 pm

Excellent! Come and visit!

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