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re: TR7/parts cars?

To: jtc@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: re: TR7/parts cars?
From: whs70@cc.bellcore.com (sohl,william h)
Date: 22 Jan 1993 16:27 EST
>Net wisdom requested:
>
>There is a guy in town (an artist, actually a potter) who's got this white 
>late 76 TR7.  He got it from this guy who owed him some money and it had 
>some sort of engine trouble (timing chain failure I think) when he got 
>it.  He knew this mechanic guy who offered to work on it weekends (seems 
>the mechanic owed him a little money too).  Anyway, the mechanic moved and 
>he left him with the car engine pretty much disassembled.  The artist guy 
>(Murray) took it to a fairly reputable shop here in town and wanted it put 
>back together.  He had already purchased all the parts.  Still, by the 
>time the shop guys added up all the labor and some work they still had to 
>do, they wanted $800 to fix the car up so it's running again.  Murray 
>wants OUT.  He's got his eye on a GM pickup.  Soooo, what should he do?
>
>I talked with him briefly and found out it's got the Rover 5 speed in 
>it(!)  A used 5 speed oughta be worth something > $500 alone.  Basically, 
>I suggested he try and sell it AS IS as a parts car.  *HE* was thinking if 
>he got it running again he might be able to sell it for $3K or so.  I told 
>him he was dreaming but maybe he could sell it for $2K if it were in 
>REALLY nice shape.  It IS a Texas car, i.e., no rust.  Actually, this car 
>might make a good candidate for a TR7-V8 conversion.  Anyway, what do you 
>guys think?  Anyone interested?  How much do parts cars go for these 
>days?  What would you recommend?

He'd likely spend more money getting it running than the car might
be worth when it was finally running.  In the world of collector
vehicles, especially British sports cars, if it's not a convertible the
value drops tremendously.  A running TR-7 coupe in pristine condition
might bring $1500, but more likely won't even fetch $1000.

It is a good TR-7/V8 conversion candidate thought and as a non running
straight (minimal rust) vehicle could get $300-$500.

Just my unabashed appraisal of the car, sight unseen.

Bill 

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