On 2 Jun 1995, G A Oliver wrote:
> Is this a basket case to avoid (my original reaction after seeing the car) or
> a project car to restore (the position I was moving toward until I read the
> previous message)?
>
> TeriAnn Wakeman seems to be the most positively disposed toward the car in
>its
> current condition (her response may even help bring my wife around).
>
> Is there a consensus out there? Who's right TeriAnn or mg?
George,
They both are right... This may just add smoke to an already
dim vista, but as a TR4 owner who rebuilt a "parts car" I guess
I have some experience to draw from.
What you have to ask yourself is "how much grief and dissapointment
am I willing to put up with?" Then if your shoulders are sufficiently
broad, buy the car. For extra $1,500. you spend on the "rough runner"
you can buy an awful lot of "stuff" to help you on your way (it only
took $20 dollars worth of parts to get my TR4 running initially).
Furthermore, the more you HAVE to do yourself, the more you will
learn about the car (I look at my adventure as a LEARNING EXPERIENCE).
The most I had ever done mechanically prior to bringing the Green Man
back from the dead was change a spark plug on a lawn mower. I became
a mechanic, a welder, suspension and brake expert, and bodyman over
the course of three years. I also made a LOT of friends and tied up
serious chunks of free time... and loved every second of it. When
I was through with the rebuild (actually you're never really through
with it) I had a car with about $7,000 spent. It probably wasn't worth
much more than that either.
Now look at the bright side... It looks like nothing available today
(I set a lot of stock in the "whiplash factor"). I couldn't buy
ANYTHING with as much character new today for the same price. It
goes like "bloody clappers" and best of all I did it all myself...
REMEMBER! It's a HOBBY. You're not in it to make money. If you are
take up dabbling in the stock market.
Best of luck,
Greg
gpetrola@prairienet.org 1962 TR4 (CT4852L)
"That's not a leak... My car is just marking its territory!"
Greg Petrolati, Champaign, Illinois
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