145 Auction - Help

[Steve 940]

Originally Posted by Othen

This is the most important thing you have said in this whole piece Steve - or anyone else come to that. The most important thing about projects (and older motor cars generally) is to establish one's aim and limitations from the outset, otherwise there is mission creep and the costs carry on drifting up. Before one knows it one has a thing of great beauty that is far too good to drive and owes £25,000... we have all seen it happen (and in these pages as well).

When I bought the RB (for 2 grand) I had an idea that I was not going to restore it, just sort it out, remove all the bling and not spend more than a grand. Here we are, nearly 3 years alter, I have spent £931 on it (plus about £10,000 of my (free) hobby time) and I've sold it for £4,500. Similarly for GAM, I bought the motor car for £3,750, had a budget of £1,500 and have a nice Amazon that will probably be the last motor car i drive in my dotage. I'm not crowing about doing well with buying and selling cars, just showing it is important to establish one's aim and limits from the outset.

I don't know anything much about 145s, but they are half way between Amazons and 240s - so I can extrapolate enough. This advertised motor car isn't perfect - but does it need to be? It is already 50odd years old - how much longer do you need it to last for? Does that little bit of rust on the scuttle matter much? You could rub it all down, treat it with some Kurust, a smear of filler and a bit of rattle can and it would last 15 years. Does the wing being a different shade matter much? It is just part of the patina - one of the motor car's badges of honour. Don't paint the motor car! You will ruin it and it you will never make the £3,000 back.

So, decide what you are trying to achieve. If you want a show winner then invest £20,000 in one someone has already got to that standard, spend the change from the £30,000 it will cost you to do the same on a trailer so you can tow it to car shows in Lincolnshire farmers' fields. If you want an interesting car to drive around then go up to £6,000 to buy this one (or whatever you are comfortable with ) and give yourself a grand budget to tinker with - but don't start taking windscreens out, changing the colour and buying chromed radiator shrouds.

Don't take this as advice about buying this motor car or not - I've never sat in a 145 - just think about what you are trying to achieve.

Good fortune,

Alan

PS. If I was in your position I might start looking for a 1983 (or there about) 244 or 245 GLE with low owners and miles for 2 grand. Sort it out on your driveway over the next 18 months with a budget of £750 and it will be worth £5,000 when you register it as an historic vehicle on 1 April 2024. Just an off the wall idea.

Many thanks, an excellent summarisation and I think we're sort of both on the same page.

As it is, i feel it would be a travesty to do a 'show 'n shine' full restoration on this particular car, as it would lose the whole patina that makes these old cars we love, let alone the ££. My only concern about the scuttle, has come from my last 12 months of being on here, as I'm pretty certain I've seen many posts about damp inside have related to bad screen surround and/or heater valve issues.

I have enjoyed the posts of your projects so far, and I'm sure we all look forward to more to come next week!!! Your detail on planning and cost monitoring is exemplary, I do retain all paperwork but just try to block out the mental calculator adding it all up

I am hoping to retire in the next 1-2 years, so an 'ideal car project' will need to wait till then, and I would try to find a base vehicle that I feel messing with it, won't destroy history, or one that needs saving, like you I don't count my time, it's a hobby albeit a very frustrating one for a newbie.

Cheers
Steve

[john.wigley]

The voice of reason, common sense and sanity as always, Alan. Problem is, unfortunately not all of us share your admiral sense of self-discipline and sometimes allow our heart to trump our head when it comes to our motor-cars.

I can remember when 140s changed hands for a few hundred pounds. My 145E was a case in point; bought for £600 in 1984 on a whim whilst on holiday in Bournemouth. True, it was an early FI which pulled like a train, but it remained an essentially simple car which leant itself to home maintenance. Later, l had a '72 DL auto that we took to Sweden and followed a Mercedes ambulance with my FIL on board at speeds of up to 100 MPH with MIL having kittens in the back!

I agree with you that if Steve is looking for an example which he can drive, enjoy and improve, then, at perhaps £5 - 6 K, it would be a strong contender. But he is right to be concerned about the rust, which could be more advanced than appears at first sight. Like Steve, I would want to know more and what I might be letting myself in for. With the greatest if respect, I think it could potentially be rather more than a simple 'rattle-can' job, but at the price stated, could make for a most satisfying project. At £8K plus, I think that I would probably pass. But who knows what someone may feel that it is worth to them on the day? That is the double-edged sword of all auctions.

Regards, John.

[Othen]

You may be right about the windscreen surround John, it is hard to say from the photos. My point wasn’t really about the specifics of the repair though (I know nothing about 140s), it was regarding keeping the project in context. I wonder whether the ‘perfect’ might become the enemy of the ‘perfectly adequate’ with a project like this, particularly if Steve doesn’t keep a tight rein on costs.

Alan

PS. I have just looked at the original ad again John, and notice the guide price is £7-9,000. I wouldn't have thought there was much chance of picking it up for £5-6,000 (although it is an auction...).

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

There’s a guy on eBay selling 10 Virgo wheels . He says he’s going to list a 145.

Sorry, no good at links.☹️

Here is the ad for the job lot of Virgo wheels:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275427148...Bk9SR5aMpavWYA

[Wolvesbully]

Hi Steve
I first saw the you tube video a few days ago and it sparked my interest in Volvo estates I had a 240 in the early 80s had it for 10 years and it was a brilliant car anyway after seeing the video I started looking for car’s for sale I came across the car your looking at but have the same problem I couldn’t view it.I didn’t think it looked to bad I can put up with imperfections on older cars . I have joined the forum this morning and will be looking for a 145 estate anyway best of loo if you decide to bid
Regards Mick

[Wolvesbully]

Sorry missed the k of look

[Steve 940]

Decision made- I’m not registering to bid on the auction and I will just see if I can watch it as website says you can, via YT link. Just out of interest of course…

Probably will kick myself if it goes cheap.😀

Anyway I took a punt on the guy with the wheels on eBay, sent him a message and he’s just sent me a YT walk round video, enjoy below….

https://youtu.be/9wTZwiV_yo8

Think Luke might have moved to Surbiton 😀😀 as in my novice eyes, it looks to have twin Webers and banded wheels???

Not one for me again, but someone might be interested???

Cheers
Steve

[Burdekin]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Decision made- I’m not registering to bid on the auction and I will just see if I can watch it as website says you can, via YT link. Just out of interest of course…

Probably will kick myself if it goes cheap.😀

Anyway I took a punt on the guy with the wheels on eBay, sent him a message and he’s just sent me a YT walk round video, enjoy below….

https://youtu.be/9wTZwiV_yo8

Think Luke might have moved to Surbiton 😀😀 as in my novice eyes, it looks to have twin Webers and banded wheels???

Not one for me again, but someone might be interested???

Cheers
Steve

Crickey that’s a nicely done 145. Looks in excellent condition and some nice period changes. Any idea what he’s asking?

[Steve 940]

Hi Mitch,

Afraid no idea on price, I’ll PM you the mail with his contacts on.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve 940]

Hi,

Guy with wheels for sale on eBay, did email me back a YT link showing a walk around of his 145 that I think should be posted on eBay over the weekend sometime.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9wTZwi...ature=youtu.be

Think that this one would be one for Luke😀 as in my novice eyes, it looks to have twin Webers and possibly banded wheels??

Anyone interested then I'd suggest contacting seller on the wheel posting, no idea on what he'll be looking for it though......

Cheers
Steve