Some of you may remember, but 2 years ago, I bought a 1960 TR3A as a
restoration/re-sale project. After 382 hours of grueling labor, and I did
all the work myself (except for the machine shop work on the engine, and
the body dipping), I finished it last May. I tried at that time to sell it,
but it still had some bugs to be worked out, and I didn't get much response
from my ads. So after piddling with it over the winter and getting the bugs
out, I got a call a few weeks ago from a guy who lives in my area, who saw
my cars on the VTR Website. He came to look at it twice, and looked at
about 10 other cars all over the country, and bought mine last weekend. Now
there's another happy TR owner in the Detroit area.
I have restored 4 cars that I still own, including a '58 TR3A, but this '60
TR3A was the first car I bought with the sole intent to re-sell and make a
little $. I figured that after the experience I gained from restoring my
'58, restoration of the '60 should go pretty smooth. I enjoyed doing it,
and the self-satisfaction of my accomplishment, but I learned some valuable
lessons:
1) Don't count your money until it a) it's in your pocket, and b) it has
cleared the bank.
2) Don't use cheap body filler.
3) Plan on spending a lot more money than you first thought.
4) Plan on spending at least half of your total labor on body prep and
paint work.
5) Don't plan to make a lot of money from the deal.
6) Don't let discouragement get the best of you.
7) Don't plan to spend the money on concours original-looking parts, unless
you plan to spend enough money and time to make the car look perfect when
you're finished.
8) If you have a prospective buyer who wants the car when you're finished,
especially if he wants certain specifications, get money up front!
9) If you get a deposit, make sure the buyer understands it is
"non-refundable".
10) Don't get too attached to the car if you're truly planning to sell it.
(That's how I've ended up with 7 cars!).
11) Don't necessarilly point out all the shortfalls to a prospective buyer,
but be honest.
12) If you are a perfectionist, don't over-critique your own work. Most
people will never notice.
13) Once it's all finished, and you and your buyer are both happy, be proud
of your accomplishment.
Thanks again to everyone on this list who helped me with my questions and
problems throughout this project. It's great to know people who can help
when you're stuck.
Jeff W.
Belleville, MI
'58 TR3A
'60 TR3A (SOLD!!!)
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