iana Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 Im thinking of buying a second triumph, a spitfire for every day use, it will also be the car my wife would drive (the vitesse is too heavy). The car will live outside so it gets used. Ive seen a car advertised on ebay, its local to me so I am going to look at it over the weekend. Ive been checking what the prices are like as the vender is asking £3500, its a MkIV 1300, MOT history looks good but the car needs some tidying. Gut feeling Id say the car is A2 which means against the TSSC agreed value schedule its too much, however asking prices seem to vary wildly. Any advice on where to get a reliable guide. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Valencia-Blue-1971-Triumph-Spitfire-1300/183962691431?hash=item2ad507e767:g:H6QAAOSwReJdg5S5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 Can you post the fleabay link or listing number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iana Posted September 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 Link now in original post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 Had a look, others with better knowledge of prices will no doubt offer advice, but I agree with you that it is over priced given its current condition. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iana Posted September 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 Thanks that was my initial thought, but then others made me realise that prices vary considerably. Im trying to do my research before I go and see the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 The TSSC valuation for my 72 MkIV 1300 overdrive Spitfire in A1/A2 condition is 5,500 but that is not the price I would expect to sell it for. I would realistically expect about 2,750 to 3,000. Anything is only worth what someone is willing to pay. Also bear in mind the cost of work and parts needed to bring it up to scratch and that if you sell it on, you won't recoup those costs (like a new hood). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaunW Posted September 26, 2019 Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 I don't know what the grading system is but I'd be very suprised if that stated with an A. And if it did that wouldn't say much for the grading system imo. Bearing in mind that sellers use the best pictures they can, it looks rough inside and out to me. And what you can see of the mechanicals looks long overdue some tlc too. At least an engine that rusty shows it doesn't chuck oil all over I suppose. I don't follow prices for these but my gut feeling would be to offer 1,900 and not budge an inch. Even then I'd be crossing my fingers....2nd thoughts I don't think I'd bother. I especially enjoyed the owner's request for "NO boy racers"... it's 1300 spit mate, I don't think they'll be fighting their way to Truro to have a go. 🙄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted September 26, 2019 Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 From a quick perusal of the photos it looks quite solid, and everything original is there and apparently ummolested. I'd ask the vendor for more photos, especially of the underside, but I've certainly seen a lot worse, and for a lot more money. It may need a bit of cosmetic work but a coat of paint on those engine components would improve things massively. It's always a risk buying a car sight unseen especially from an online auction. The vendor here seems honest enough, but I do smile when you see lines like 'Not too bad for a 48 year old car'. I've seen 48 year old cars that look like they were built yesterday, so it means nothing to a car that has been properly maintained. You could take a chance on this one and be pleasantly surprised, but that's a matter for the buyer. I wonder where else it's advertised? As for 'no boy racers'... these days it's more a case of young drivers buying a car like this and then adding so many modern parts to make it go faster that it ends up as a Spitfire-shaped modern, and loses all of its' charm. Again, that's up to the new owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iana Posted September 26, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 I thought it looked fairly original, the hood needs replacing and in my mind that comes of the asking price, I’m planning to go and see it at the weekend but then I started scanning eBay etc to see what current prices are and that really throws up doubts on values, they’re all over the place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted September 26, 2019 Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 thats a bit A2 max £2,200 in my view Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iana Posted September 26, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 I’d guessed at A2 and then I struggled with the price. Thanks for the pointers on value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted September 26, 2019 Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 2 hours ago, iana said: I started scanning eBay etc to see what current prices are Look only at the sold cars and their final bid value, NOT the over-optimistic values that many owners hope for, and whose cars don't sell. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted September 26, 2019 Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 Normally quite a few for sale in "Car and Classics", online Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted September 26, 2019 Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 I'm sure that I have seen a 'what to look out for when buying a Spitfire' post/website somewhere but can't remember where I saw it. Update.. this might be it https://www.classicandsportscar.com/features/buyers-guide-triumph-spitfire Or this http://www.triumphspitfire.nl/buyersguide.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted September 26, 2019 Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 So what happens if you follow their advice of 'Never buy the first Spitfire you look at' and the it turns out to be a real cracker and miles better than any that follow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted September 26, 2019 Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 ahem... try the buyers guide on our website https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/cars_final.asp?model_ID=24 most guides are a load of basic waffle , does it knock, is it a rust bucket , none are very inspiring Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTV8 Posted September 26, 2019 Report Share Posted September 26, 2019 I’v seen a lot worse than that..... in fact i’v owned daily-drivers worse than that as well agree with Pete... low £2’s.... anything in this condition and you can expect to shake out plenty of gremlins, but that is all part of the fun. ....... Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanky Posted October 1, 2019 Report Share Posted October 1, 2019 Hi, I paid £3700 for this a couple of months ago. It looks great in the photo, but up close it's not perfect. It has a few issues as posted on this forum but it did have a lot of work done to it by the PO including a new hood and interior. I love my 'Nry and I am just about to start a complete strip down and respray, including a new biscuit interior.... It's the old saying, "it's only worth what you are prepared to pay for it". For me, this was worth the money as I wanted to have something with a good solid base to start from so I could work on it over the winter to get it to how I want it. i would say if you're unsure and it doesn't melt your heart on first glance, walk away. There will be "The One" with your name on it..... Charlie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted October 1, 2019 Report Share Posted October 1, 2019 So we’re all singing from the same song sheet the concours, A1 to A3 and shed definitions are on the site front page. Under “the club” tab, the last pdf in the list. (I made the shed category up, although I’ve seen a few of those.) Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted October 1, 2019 Report Share Posted October 1, 2019 2 hours ago, dougbgt6 said: So we’re all singing from the same song sheet the concours, A1 to A3 and shed definitions are on the site front page. Under “the club” tab, the last pdf in the list. (I made the shed category up, although I’ve seen a few of those.) Doug https://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/uploaded_files/ Insurance Panel Values .pdf my shed category is called ‘basket case ‘ Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted October 1, 2019 Report Share Posted October 1, 2019 8 hours ago, Tanky said: For me, this was worth the money as I wanted to have something with a good solid base to start from so I could work on it over the winter to get it to how I want it. That's the bottom line. A good solid car will be worth working on; anything else ends up a real money pit. I've had a few in my time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrapman Posted October 1, 2019 Report Share Posted October 1, 2019 Now relisted. looks a fairly original car to me, price not too far out, but needs a good look. seems I am alone in that... I know of a better one locally to me ( but not Cornwall!) that is about £4K slightly later Mk4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iana Posted October 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2019 1 hour ago, thescrapman said: I know of a better one locally to me ( but not Cornwall!) that is about £4K Is it advertised anywhere? The one in Cornwall is local and the advert comes across honest and hes answered my queries - Ive had a quote for a new hood (I will never fit one myself again!) but Im unsure that the chap will lower the price to a more realistic value, there have been a few on ebay struggle to get to 3k and they look better in the photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrapman Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 Not advertised anywhere yet. Belongs to the guy who services my "modern". Is in Colchester. H fancies a 2000 as a replacement. I wonder if that Valencia car is better than it looks in photos, does not seem to have been tarted up for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted October 2, 2019 Report Share Posted October 2, 2019 1 hour ago, thescrapman said: I wonder if that Valencia car is better than it looks in photos, does not seem to have been tarted up for sale. I don't know why, maybe just a gut instinct, but I reckon it's very genuine. If I was in the market for one it would be a high contender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now