> My brother in Conn. has found an MG in a barn. (no farmers
>daughter story here). It is a (may) 1980 MGB Limited Edition
>model. The car has been sitting for 13 years, but for all intents
(clip)
>original. It has approximately 49,000 miles.
If all is true, the car was driven for 3 years at a little over 16,000 a
year. Then it sat for 13 years? WHY! Why would somebody put over 300
miles a week on a new car for 3 years then suddenly park it for the next 13
years. I think you need a little history on the car.
Doesn't turn over? Was any maintenance done on the car during that first 3
years, or did it simply get run into the ground until it died then get
parked. Was is just shoved into the barn, or has it been maintained for
the last 13 years? On a scale of 5, with 5 being a basket case, and a 1
being a perfect car, this one could be a 5 or 4 or 3.
You might get away with a simple lube and tune, or it might need a complete
new drivetrain. The only way to tell is to get out the tool set and start
checking things. What's it worth? Anywhere from $100 to $5,000 in my
opinion from where I sit. How clean is the paperwork on the car? Has the
owner kept that current, kept a non-op active on the car, or is it simply
off the record and needs new paperwork and VIN inspection? The car could
be a Holy Grail for somebody looking for one of that year, or it could be a
bloody nightmare.
My advice (worth exactly what you've paid for it) is to leave the emotions
at home and check everything out as much as possible BEFORE making any
offer on the car. Or, make the owner an offer based on parts value and go
from there.
Mike. (Let's see, fenders are worth ....)
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