Last week I took my TC to a local very respected classic car restorer. Now Marinas are not ususally his thing ( he hadnt even seen a TC for 20 years he reckoned :shock: ) but was VERY impressed with mine and its originality. 8)
I explained I was thinking of having it resprayed but wanted a top job that would last for decades ( hopefully! ) rather than just look good for 2-3 years before the rust came through again. ( I am planning on having the interior retrimmed too-its not bad but its not good enough...... ) I just believe if your doing something then its worth doing properly. ( oh and the engine and box are coming out to be 'refreshed' too! )
Now he was very honest. The front wings have pin pricks of rust coming through which he said he could cut out etc but advised on one new wing ( must be original BL he said !!!!!! ) and rear arches. As he explained, all was repairable but for me it would be cheaper to source the parts and him to fit them rather than him spending a lot of time making repairs. Also with new panels he assured me he could guarantee a longer lasting finish-fair point I thought.
He asked me what I paid for it and reckoned it was worth far more and advised as it is I should insure it for an agreed value of £3000-3500.
Anyway, he quoted me £1500-2000+vat to do the job 'proper like'. He then went on to say that as he is a registered restorer etc etc he could certificate the car for insurance purposes for £6-7000 if I had the work done!!!
Now I am not naive enough to think I could SELL it for anyway near that after the work has been done BUT as he stated, for INSURANCE purposes it would be worth that as trying to find a replacement for it would be nigh on impossible as there really cant be that many TC's in A1 condition and to replace like for like then you get into buying a TC and having a full restore done- hence the high insurance value.
I am seriously thinking of having the work done next autumn ( I intend to talk to many more people first and get Franks opinion at the presidents weekend before I commit to where I have it done ) but thought I would ask you of your opinions.
How much would/is a concours TC be worth?????? And how much difference is there between a insurance value and a resale value?
Only out of interest............


