Denny wrote:
> ps You know British car Values?
> What is a 57 TR3 black/ red with 17K miles all original down to the
> wide white walls. HAs been sitting for a while. Started up but not
> driven. I am assuming it needs the brakes gone through
I'm no expert on pricing, but for what it's worth, here's my opinion.
First of all, there are many conditions (location, condition, mileage,
current market, etc.) that can effect the value of a car. The final
value
will always be determined by the selling price on any given day.
The first place to check for information is your local book/magazine
store. Here you will find several pricing guides for classic cars.
These guides show pricing for usually 5 different condition grades and
are updated on a monthly basis. Your average, running car is usually
about a 3. While these guides can give a good "feel" for a car's value,
they can be used only as a starting point. Actual selling values will
vary in either direction. What a seller wants for his car is often
higher than a buyer is willing to pay.
Another source, and probably the best, is Hemmings Auto News. If you
are not already familiar with this publication, it is a huge, monthly
listing (phone book size) of classified ads for everything automotive.
In it you will find ads for the car in question and therefore be able to
determine an average price. Once again, keep in mind that these are
seller asking prices. Actual selling prices may be somewhat lower.
All that being said, factor in this. I have a 1965 TR4A with IRS and
overdrive. It is a rust free, low mileage, 95% original car. Although
it is not a pristine, freshly restored car; a restored car could never
have the historical and original detail of my car. If I were to restore
it, an "original"
quality restoration would therefore be much easier. This intangible is
rarely considered in a value guide although, in my opinion, it increases
the car's value greatly. Even so, I would never sell it for any price.
Sorry... a long winded way of saying, "I don't know". If I were to
guess, based on my limited experience and without consulting any guides;
then factoring out the "granny's got an old car in the garage, she
doesn't know what it's worth" bargains and the over priced, speculator
"restorations"; I would say a TR3 could go for between $1,500 and
$15,000 US. Big range, isn't it? Sounds like your car is a nice, low
mileage original needing some work; kind of like my TR4A. Probably
would fall somewhere in the middle of that.
But then a car's worth what it means to you. Not what some speculator
says. (Anyone else out there happy to see these guys loose their shirts
back in the late ' 80s?)
I for one, wish classic cars weren't worth anything. Then, as an
enthusiast, I could own more.
But that's just my opinion.
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