> > Bruce....
> >
> > Don't you want the values of our cars to go up?
> >
> > If it costs over $12,000 to restore one from the ground up (and it does;
> > my own GT has over $10,000 in parts and sublet labor in it, so if you
> > counted my time it would ........scare me to even think of a total!) why
> > should the finished product not be worth somewhere close to the amount
> > invested? If my car is ever totalled in a collision, I'd like to think
> > I'd be able to get somewhere near my investment back from the insurance
> > company!
> >
> > Lawrie
> > British Sportscar Center
> >
>
Lawrie,
Nobody ever said these cars were good investments. If your
transmission blew today, and you spent $1000 buying and installing a
new one, would it raise the value of the car? Probably not more than
a hundred dollars or so for the fact that it would have a newer
transmission than most. Likewise, the most costly example of a model
will always be an original, perfect condition car. If you start off
with nothing more than a grille and build an entire MG around it with
new parts, you could conceivably spend upwards of $25,000, but the
car won't be worth that when you're done. That's why people who
restore cars for a living have to pick and choose their project cars
carefully. No one will ever turn a profit buying Heritage bodyshells
and building "new" MGBs, as long as there are original ones out
there. Just enjoy them, and realize that you're buying enjoyment, a
relaxing pastime, and prolonging your youth.
Scott Gardner
gardner@lwcomm.com
www.lwcomm.com/~gardner
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