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Post by dusty350 on May 1, 2022 21:28:26 GMT 1
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Post by donkeychomp on May 1, 2022 21:41:31 GMT 1
Brilliant Dusty! He was so funny.
Alex
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Post by steve h on May 1, 2022 21:54:43 GMT 1
Jon...not sure why you think it needs a service? But yes the inner wheel arch cards are absent. One of my Spits had none either and it made no difference at all. And I drove that in all seasons and weathers! Alex The oil filter had the date the oil was changed on it, 08-08-15. No worries if youre cool without the engine guards, I found it made the engine pretty messy from stuff thrown up from the wheels in winter or when sliding about on dirt lol Eyes like a shithouse rat! Great spot jonw! If I ever have an interest in buying a classic 4 wheeler, can I send you some pics?....
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Post by JonW on May 2, 2022 0:17:57 GMT 1
The oil filter had the date the oil was changed on it, 08-08-15. No worries if youre cool without the engine guards, I found it made the engine pretty messy from stuff thrown up from the wheels in winter or when sliding about on dirt lol Eyes like a shithouse rat! Great spot jonw! If I ever have an interest in buying a classic 4 wheeler, can I send you some pics?.... Haha, anytime mate. Always help a forumer
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Post by JonW on May 2, 2022 0:37:05 GMT 1
Woah! Going to see it on Thursday lol. I'm amazed at what some of you have spotted that I didn't. The oil filter was a good one. Might be a small bargaining chip. And the engine cards. He does have a pair of rear bumpers but I suspect the reason they are not fitted is that they're rusty or pitted. I know what he wants for it but I can haggle a bit and hopefully get it cheaper. Mental note. I need a silk scarf and a posh lighter. Flat cap I already have! And the ability to say 'ding dong' in a Terry Thomas accent without laughing. Alex Ahh ok, I thought you were going at the weekend. More sleepless nights... Rear bumpers were sold aftermarket even in the early 90s so dont get too excited, they were quite cheap and thinner than OEM back then so it could be he has a set of those that went rusty. OEMS would be nice to have as they were solid things, its the brackets you need to make sure are there and not damaged. I expect (not checked) that aftermarkets can still be bought for less than the re-chrome cost? I never did mine which while good until you got up close did need a bit of work but not bad enough to do rightaway etc. There is always something with an old vehicle Defo worth a haggle over the service stuff. Its hard as a seller to say youre 'on it' and the whole car is 'good and ready to go' if youve not done a service for getting on for 7 years... Ok, yes, sure you'd oil change any new used old vehicle as soon as you get it home, but 7 years is a worry. From a haggle point of view it shows lack of use and care no matter how nice it looks glinting in the sun. It helps lift the rose tinted glasses for a second while you discuss the price. Not many sellers make such a glaring mistake lol.
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Post by donkeychomp on May 2, 2022 21:10:47 GMT 1
Good points Jon and all stowed away in my haggling arsenal. But would you believe it another one has popped up on eBay and it's nearby too. Red, looks very good and totally standard. I need to contact the seller and go see both before any decisions are made.
Alex
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Post by JonW on May 3, 2022 0:09:40 GMT 1
Good points Jon and all stowed away in my haggling arsenal. But would you believe it another one has popped up on eBay and it's nearby too. Red, looks very good and totally standard. I need to contact the seller and go see both before any decisions are made. Alex Send me the link if you want my shithouse rat eyes (independently verified!) looking it over.
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Post by JonW on May 3, 2022 3:23:00 GMT 1
Think Ive found it; its a 'LORa' car for the current bid (just over £3k). First impressions: Not as nice as the other one. Missing the engine side cards (I see Paddock's list these at £50/set but I know not an issue for you Alex) and while it looks good on top its perhaps not bodily as good under the shine, ie engine bay and underneath/inside etc. Bathroom carpet in the boot is a less than nice touch, lets hope it wasnt secondhand, but at least its not pink lol. Anyway, of course that can be replaced and lifts easily for inspection lol Quite a few pics show thick black paint brushed on in places (rad, underside etc). I hope thats not hiding any horrors and the stuff under was treated first. I just think brush painting stuff is a bit lazy in the 2000s when we have so many other options when its for a rebuild/resto etc. This one in Sheffield is nice, but again its all bling up top and nothing done underneath. I love the paintwork, but once you open the bonnet you just know most of the mechanicals will need an overhaul soon and have to hope the chassis is ok. This was a bit how i bought mine back in the day, I replaced a lot of mechanical bits in the years following but at least i had a good base i guess. Even when smoking like the old bloke in the corner of a 70s pub, it did always attract comments about how clean and shiny and lovely it was (one small lad getting bowled out in a cricket match when he stopped and gawked at my car going by lol)... www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224965690478?hash=item346100046e:g:h7kAAOSwt69iFLL5
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Post by JonW on May 3, 2022 3:26:32 GMT 1
This one is another thats a bit worrying underneath the shine: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284779989204?hash=item424e35c8d4:g:Ff4AAOSwuBhiOy9tLovely on the top tho... Mk5 seats are a new one on me lol I know its not fun, but it is simple to whip the engine and box out of one of these. strip off the brake/clutch masters and the wiring/piping and then repaint and seal up the engine bay. These cars look a million bucks when thats done, simply bolting on an Alloy rocker cover isnt the fix it might seem lol.
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Post by JonW on May 3, 2022 3:31:58 GMT 1
This one doesnt even bother to show you the engine bay in the ad... interesting. I do think its been done tho as the bottom edges of the tub (where the stone chips hit as they form part of the bonnet/wheelarch) look to have been repainted. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294937361158?hash=item44aba2fb06:g:-YQAAOSw3VFibiGgVideo shows the same woman in it who in the photos in the ad pushing a baby in a pushchair... how did her and the seller manage to bring the baby along in the Spit... and the pushchair?!
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Post by donkeychomp on May 3, 2022 21:21:28 GMT 1
Thanks Jon. As you might have guessed I've seen all those cars before. They have been relisted so many times and are all way too much money for what they are. The first one has black bumpers. Hideous lol. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255516333995This is the one that caught my eye. I asked him the usual questions and got a reply with 'the reserve is less than it's worth'. Meaningless. However he's near Slough and that is really nearby. I'll go see the one in Hove first but I now have an extra haggling tool, letting him know there are others I'm interested in and almost certainly a lot cheaper than his car. One bonus for me is that it has the original wheels and not Minilites unlike the Hove car. But it ain't got 110bhp! Choices, choices. Alex
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Post by JonW on May 4, 2022 0:04:34 GMT 1
Yes thats the one I thought you were looking at, hence my cryptic comment on it being 'a 'LORa' car for the current bid (just over £3k). Check the plate... you'll see Ahh sellers... the things they say. lol. re 110bhp. Remember that just like our bikes this sort of claim has to have paperwork to back it up to be even close to true and even then its what 'one dyno said on that day' and who knows if it was an ego stroking dyno run or someone who was realistic. Its said that a dyno operator can pretty much massage the figures to get the dyno to say what you want, within reason, and some tuning houses do do that with over reading etc. Its all good haggling material tho, the claim and the back up and the feel on the bum dyno along with the standard of workmanship are what count with modified vehicles. Original wheels is an interesting one, most mk3s for sale seem to have them. I'd expect there are sets available with a WTB in the club mag/forum but maybe thats me living in the 1990s and today theyre all gone? Be careful tho, they were skinny and the minilites on the Lor'a car are at least a wider and a good solid and reasonably light wheel, especially if not a cheap copy version and the real deal. Over all in my little search I was interested to see so many Spits for sale but most of them let me wanting in some way, just like when shopping for a usable LC I guess. haha. In some ways I dont envy your search, but it is exciting even from this distance!
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Post by donkeychomp on May 4, 2022 21:00:24 GMT 1
I know what you mean! The wheels are available new but not cheap at all. Anyway I'm off to see it tomorrow so we shall see what happens. I'd prefer the Hove car to be honest as it is very good indeed but it all depends on how flexible he is on the price I guess.
Alex
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Post by veg on May 4, 2022 21:21:45 GMT 1
Good luck with the hunt 👍
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Post by dusty350 on May 4, 2022 21:23:58 GMT 1
Good luck tomorrow mate
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Post by donkeychomp on May 4, 2022 21:29:02 GMT 1
Thanks lads! Quite excited about it.
Alex
ps replace 'quite' with very...
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Post by JonW on May 4, 2022 23:59:45 GMT 1
haha, good luck m8. Let us know how how you go. Take your Haggle Hat with you
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Post by donkeychomp on May 5, 2022 0:05:49 GMT 1
I have my flat cap, Zippo lighter, Drum tobacco and a Dr Who scarf. I'll be fine Alex
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Post by JonW on May 5, 2022 1:09:08 GMT 1
I have my flat cap, Zippo lighter, Drum tobacco and a Dr Who scarf. I'll be fine Alex Remember to suck through your teeth and sigh lightly when you open the bonnet or look under the dash or boot carpet etc. Sellers love that haha
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Post by donkeychomp on May 5, 2022 20:03:45 GMT 1
I went and saw the wee beastie today. First off, some pics... Initial thoughts were she looks better in the flesh than in the pictures. The body work is excellent and no rust at all. The engine started up from cold straight away and sounded fantastic. The carbs and the exhaust giving the car a real throaty noise. The picture of the oil filter we all saw WAS taken seven years ago so no worries there. He took me out for a test drive and bloody hell this thing shifts. Up to the red line in every gear and she just seems to want more! Fast little car. It does have overdrive (on a stalk on the steering column, I recall one of my old cars had that) and it snuck into place perfectly. Gearbox was really slick, a lovely snickity action. Interior seemed new, has a hard top that is mint and the soft top was very good. New tires on (hey ho) Minilights. Door mirrors instead of ones mounted on the bonnet and I prefer that. The bonnet ones vibrate too much so all you see is a blur. Under the bonnet was as new. No oil leaks. (Almost unheard of!). The boot was likewise mint but needed the side cards. The rear bumpers were the originals and very good too. During the test drive the temp gauge hit centre and never moved, oil pressure excellent. He has a new speedo cable and will fit that as the one on it is for a MK4 and doesn't fit properly. The negatives. Erm. No proviso to fit the rear bumpers without drilling into the bodywork to make mounting holes. No Triumph logo on the bonnet. Logo on the boot was faded whilst the others were gleaming. That's about it. And I want it. It's not advertised for sale as yet so if I want it, it's mine and I did mention I want to see the LORA car first, and I will. But I have a suspicion I am buying this one. It's £10.5K. I reckon I can persuade him to knock off £500 but that's it. Alex ps the M25 is like driving on corrugated sheets. My back is fecking killing me!
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Post by dusty350 on May 5, 2022 20:06:59 GMT 1
Looks lovely Alex Glad it seems as good as you hoped. So will you make a decision once you've seen the other one ?
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Post by veg on May 5, 2022 21:00:20 GMT 1
Brilliant news Alex really cracking motor. 👍
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Post by donkeychomp on May 5, 2022 21:07:59 GMT 1
Decision already made really. I'll go see the other one but I reckon he'll want the same kind of dosh and it won't have that amazing engine. Emailed him and he'll fit the new speedo cable and replace the front shocks as they are a bit too harsh for the weight of the car. It could well be mine next week!
Alex
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Post by dusty350 on May 5, 2022 21:37:23 GMT 1
Woohoo, sounds brilliant mate. Weather supposed to be improving next week too Good luck Dusty
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Post by donkeychomp on May 5, 2022 22:17:36 GMT 1
Thanks Dusty! I really love this little car and unlike most of her ilk she'll be an almost daily driver. Has a hard top for winter...heater works very well. All my other Spits were used year round and why not? They were designed to be driven every day when new and this one is, I think, better than new.
Alex
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Post by dusty350 on May 5, 2022 22:38:57 GMT 1
Good for you mate, I know you'll use it and enjoy it. Now you need to clear that garage !!
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Post by JonW on May 6, 2022 0:21:35 GMT 1
Ohhh now it is indeed a beauty! It would be hard to resist that when stood in front of it for sure. Glad the oil filter was just an old pic. We did wonder that. Great news on the OD, I did wonder if that was the case as perhaps it was only the mk4/1500 that had it on the gear lever? Maybe needs an OD badge as well? From what youve said and also the pics its the best available right now from what ive seen from the ads and thats how to buy a vehicle you want to use for sure. The hardtop is something defo useful as well and worth having. Love the description of the engine/box, thats how these should be really, even better when tuned up like this one. Badges should be easy to sort if you wanted (its just a haggle item) but agree the rear bumpers need putting back on as its weird not to have em when you have the front fitted. All in all... its a good package and there are only a few really small jobs to do if you wanted to bother (bumpers, badges and wheels). I reckon the Lora car will have a hard time matching it, but its good to see it so you are sure... but i think we all know where this is heading. Im chuffed for you mate, this is a dream car for sure. Exciting times!
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Post by donkeychomp on May 6, 2022 20:44:03 GMT 1
Thanks lads. The more I think about this the less there is to think about (if that makes any sense!). The Spit in Newcastle ended at £7300 so it was £3200 short of the reserve. The Lora car is clearly heading the same way and the seller is less than helpful with his replies to my questions. Nuts then. The Hove car it is. I need to chat to Clive (the seller) and ask a couple more questions that I neglected to do, nothing serious. Then arrange insurance, hope he'll settle for £10k and go get her! I've found a local company the specialise in antique house clearances so selling all of mine will help pay for the car and when I sell my truck I think the values combined will be circa the price of the Spitfire. And added bonus is with all the antiques gone the workshop will have WAY more space in it and the LC can finally come inside!
Alex
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Post by veg on May 6, 2022 20:45:52 GMT 1
Great news Alex 👍get it bought and enjoy it.
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Post by sbscnor on May 6, 2022 21:18:10 GMT 1
Alex I'm no expert on this but that looks the dogs, there's a very large vintage parts dealer in Lincoln Rimmer Brothers they have some fantastic cars for sale and masses of parts for Triumph's.
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