73 Express on EBAY

[FBIVW]

Anyone hungry for a winter (or two) project.
73 Express for sale.
Running but no clutch.
Needs resto. Rusty sills, floors etc. Lots of pics.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143796982817

[classicswede]

I do not normally comment on price but this one is real pipe dream price.

Considering how significant the rust issues are the price should reflect that. I have seen uptogther cars selling for not much more. To me a £1250 price would be much more sensible and even then I think it would take some time to find a buyer

[Burdekin]

Originally Posted by classicswede

I do not normally comment on price but this one is real pipe dream price.

Considering how significant the rust issues are the price should reflect that. I have seen uptogther cars selling for not much more. To me a £1250 price would be much more sensible and even then I think it would take some time to find a buyer

Yeah they’re dreaming. What’s the value when done £8k to £10k. Restoration cost would far exceed the value, it’s scrap value for me.

[classicswede]

I recently picked up a 240 version of this with no real rust issues. Needs one small patch and the cam replacing in the engine. It had been for sale for months with no takers and I paid £1500 for it.

This 140 can still be saved but the restoration cost is going to be way over what it would sell for

[FBIVW]

Originally Posted by classicswede

I recently picked up a 240 version of this with no real rust issues. Needs one small patch and the cam replacing in the engine. It had been for sale for months with no takers and I paid £1500 for it.

This 140 can still be saved but the restoration cost is going to be way over what it would sell for

Note your views but is it really a comparison to be made between a 240 and an express? The view of it being more costly to restore than you could sell it for is only relevant if you are Mike Brewer and are doing it to sell. For the enthusiast that wants to buy a rare model and one of only 3 in the country it’s an opportunity to put some time into a car that when done will be a talking point at a show, the one that stands out in a lineup. Many people enjoy restoration work and the sense of achievement it gives. The opportunity to buy a rare model should be welcomed and I’ve seen posts like this before in the VW world when 20 years ago I’d been bringing in rare early VW buses asking £5k.. forum members whining about cost.. the guy who didn’t and bought it fixed it up, had ten years enjoyment out of it then sold it for enough money to outright buy a house in Ireland..
Would it be preferable to have these cars not offered for sale on the forum at all?

[Burdekin]

240s have a much bigger following and 140s certainly aren’t comparable to the VW scene. You’re never going to be buying a house with a 140. I have a nice RHD 142 which is just as rare and I would say more desirable and it’s probably only worth £2k more than what you are asking. You can try to sell it for that but it’s just not got anywhere near that value. Anyone would be better off just sourcing a good condition one from Europe.