Which car to restore?

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

Well if anyone is interested I know where there are two Cortina's recently bought in from a nice sunny country, absolutely no rust. Both Lotus Cortina replica's a Mk1 and Mk2. PM me if of interest.

[SootySport]

How about a Land Rover Defender or the earlier series.    Old basket cases have tripled in price since production stopped last year.   You just know their appeal will carry on for eons.

[Davep1]

How about a Ferrari engined Maserati - Old ones were rusty, so newer is better...maybe...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maserati-4200-4-2-auto-Cambiocorsa-2003-auto-VERY-RARE-CAR-WITH-FSH-390bhp-/272241370258?hash=item3f62d9a492:g:DSAAAOSwCGVX~-Aj

[Sparkymart]

On 05/12/2016 at 16:33, SootySport said:

How about a Land Rover Defender or the earlier series.    Old basket cases have tripled in price since production stopped last year.   You just know their appeal will carry on for eons.

I second that I was thinking of selling mine after the engine went bang in my defender but after looking at the price of them I fitted a new lump and I'm going to give the bodywork a refresh next year 

[Kyle]

You've missed the boat on almost everything over the past couple of years. I'm going to throw e39 M5 into this, last of the analogue M5's and very well received in it's heyday. Not to mention you will get a tidy one needing a few bits and pieces for £10k. It does sound like you're looking for something a little older and sportscarish though. Also I think the DB7 is worth a look, manual if you can.

Personally with that money I'd just start to build an Ultima Evolution lol.

[Mighty Mart]

Don't know about restoration, but here's a couple of instances of cars appreciating in value....

case one...a guy local to me was recommended to invest in an RS focus as better potential than an isa....he did, don't know if that was good advice or not, but he's having a blast....

case two...a good mate of mine and a Renault nut, bought his dream car about a dozen years or so ago for 11k ish....a genuine L/ H drive turbo two. 6 years later he got divorced and the car was valued at 25k....his wife arranged for it to be sold for 22 and they had half each....it would be nearer 50k now......

that was an awesome car by the way and backfired when you changed up lol....

mart.

[Kyle]

Mk1 Focus RS has been appreciating rapidly. I paid £9k for my 38k minter about 6 years ago, would have sold for £10k two years ago with 43k on the clock if I hadn't broke it. Could get £15k for it now easily. Am I bothered? No. Life's too short and I wanted to do something different hence building the Westy. Not only that but as good as it was I'd had my fill of FWD cars and if you're going to buy something (like the others have said) buy something that you want yourself or you may as well use the money as deposit on a BTL.

[Deanspoors]

Thanks for the replies guys. I looked at the Mk1 focus, but they look so garish inside with the blue bits. 

I few years ago I had a Evo IX FQ-360, i bought it for £17k, sold it for £14k and it would be worth over £20k now

As for a Defender, that might be a good shout, easy enough to work on and parts should be easy to come by. Not quite the sports car I was looking for though  

[Kyle]

I agree about the Mk1 FRS interior so I had my wheel retrimmed in black alcantara with blue stitching then put a Recaro Pole Position in (was going to add another) and it was somewhat bearable. Just. Have you got any sort of shortlist yet?

[Deanspoors]

Ah that would be much better. 

I'm still thinking either a MK1/MK2 Escort mexico or an 1960/70's alfa, GT junior/GTAm etc. but I'm not very knowledgeable on old Alfas, just know the look the dogs danglies!

 

[Deanspoors]

I like this one.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1965-ALFA-ROMEO-2600-SPRINT-Race-Rally-Car-LHD-Ex-Targa-Florio-with-new-FIA-HTP-/112208339151?hash=item1a202360cf:g:PZ8AAOSw4GVYLurQ