Not really up to speed on prices of Mk1's to be totally honest so whats the concesus. To me it sounds a bit OTT considering the condition etc although I do appreciate the age of the car so just out of interest I thought i'd ask those in the know.
Another side thought, would you keep it "as-is" or would you go about restoring?
You have to give the owner 10 out of 10 for trying.
On the plus side it does look like a "reasonably" intact VERY, VERY early car, in all fairness it IS probably the earliest surviving genuine Mini in the country, possibly the world. Shit the bed, number 8 off the line is a remarkably early number and it is to a great extent complete & unmolested.
BUT
11,000 plus is what has to be a starting point for a massive haggle.
It also doesn't exactly look like it has had luxury accommodation since 1985 does it.
I suspect that this will genuinely be a very expensive restoration project to buy but feel sure that someone will undoubtedly be prepared to spend a lot of money to buy it, but I can't honestly say that I feel the price represents value for money as it stands at the moment.
In answer to the original question. probably somewhere between the two.
Yes it's a shame it didn't get better storage (especially considering it's apparent high value) cos it was probably a really decent car to start with, doesn't look like it's seen much mileage does it ?
BIG asking price but it's certainly a real rarity if that floats your boat/wallet !
As it goes....a very very early car.....pretty important...look at early split VW's...touching $60K....all minis are not created equal, one day this will be a very valuable car IMO...
Will Grant wrote:As it goes....a very very early car.....pretty important...look at early split VW's...touching $60K....all minis are not created equal, one day this will be a very valuable car IMO...
(NO affiliation etc etc), just an opinion...
will, i agree actually, its just a shame it wasnt stored in a dry warm garage - but better to have been badly stored than just thrown away in the mid 1980's when it was worth nothing
i certainly hope that the seller does get the money he wants for it and someone restores the car, as it cannot harm any of us if people are paying strong money for early cars.
it certainly makes that very early one i was offered a few years ago look very cheap!
please note, these are my own, individual sales, nothing whatsoever to do with my employer, minispares
This MINI belongs in a museum just the way it is now, restoring means a lost of history.
I think this icon will leave Europa the moment it is restored and will not to be seen for us
for ever. But will a Brithish museum pay that kind of money for a MINI in this condition ?
Kees
Downton-House
UHR850
DOWNTON Mini is what I like a lot.
Collecting 60th wooden steeringwheels.
It is a huge sum but I doubt very much anyone would lose money if they bought and restored it, that's a hell of an early example of a motoring icon, the likes of Maruyama etc pay mega bucks for cars like that ( or did anyway ! ) Pretty unique opportunity when you think about it ! As much as I also think it looks silly money I reckon in ten years time someone will be rubbing their hands with that car in their garage.
I would far rather see it very well restored than left as it is now. I have spoken to someone over the weekend who has seen the car & it is in incredible genuine condition but is being stored appallingly badly.
Lets just hope that someone with the time inclination & funds manages to do a deal before it deteriorates much more than it already has done.
I suspect that it won't be going abroad. There are UK collectors who are prepared to pay just as much as anyone from anywhere else.
The Japanese economy has fallen a long way since they were hoovering up every interesting car that came up. I can't think of the last time a truly significant car was sold to a Japanese collector.
Interesting responses in this thread so maybe not such a silly question after all.
Personally I hope it gets put back on the road with a well thought out, sympathetic resto but as with everything in life I guess its always going to boil down to the pennies that someone wants to throw at it....
Kinda makes me remember late 80's and very early 90's when classics in any shape or from went through a boom time in prices
Selling cars at this price would eventually create a burst value syndrome,
I think that would be a good price if the car was restored and back on the road.
I take the seller is of the opinion this vehicle would be worth 20k plus if restored, and if that is the case i would rather have a mid 60's S, witch could be bought for less.
But as mentioned above it is good that it made it's way through the 80's and was not scrapped.
.
) Pretty unique opportunity when you think about it ! As much as I also think it looks silly money I reckon in ten years time someone will be rubbing their hands with that car in their garage.
