Seriously?

[Steve 940]

Oh dear....just when I was giving up
------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Steve, sorry its been a manic few days!
I have a few people interested but I'll be honest nothing as concrete as this...
I'm prepared to remove the listing if you wanted the car.
It's located at our bodyshop and the working hours are 8.00-17.00 if that suits you.

Address is

RONNIE'S BODYWORK
UNIT 8, CORTRY CLOSE, POOLE, BH12 4BQ

When would be best for you to collect?
------------------------------------------------------------------
Now this is going to give me sleepness nights

Any tips to close the deal, whilst minimising risk to both parties??

Cheers
Steve

PS - The collection address is giving me no concerns, none whatsoever

[Moomoo]

Just ask for reassurance all is well to proceed, more photos and a statement saying their assessment of the car is comprehensive and as accurate as is reasonable.
I guess you won’t know until you see it!🤔

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Oh dear....just when I was giving up
------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Steve, sorry its been a manic few days!
I have a few people interested but I'll be honest nothing as concrete as this...
I'm prepared to remove the listing if you wanted the car.
It's located at our bodyshop and the working hours are 8.00-17.00 if that suits you.

Address is

RONNIE'S BODYWORK
UNIT 8, CORTRY CLOSE, POOLE, BH12 4BQ

When would be best for you to collect?
------------------------------------------------------------------
Now this is going to give me sleepness nights

Any tips to close the deal, whilst minimising risk to both parties??

Cheers
Steve

PS - The collection address is giving me no concerns, none whatsoever

Why would you be concerned about that collection address Steve? Much better a body shop than a farmer's field.

I'd say get that car trailer booked first thing tomorrow and head south.

[Moomoo]

Originally Posted by Othen

Why would you be concerned about that collection address Steve? Much better a body shop than a farmer's field.

I'd say get that car trailer booked first thing tomorrow and head south.

I think Steve is NOT concerned Alan.🙂

[BicycleBoy]

Grand in cash, off peak day return to Poole.
Drive it as far as you can, recovery if needed.
Home by midnight, sorted.

[Bob 1967]

If it were the 2 Ronnies bodyworks, then i would be concerned!

[Steve 940]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

I think Steve is NOT concerned Alan.🙂

Ah, actually my initial thought was, "Oh Christ!! if it's too much for a body shop to sort out, then why have I agreed to buy it" 😀😀

I much prefer Alan's glass half full approach, and yes Alan, the hire company will be first on tomorrow's to do list.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve 940]

Originally Posted by BicycleBoy

Grand in cash, off peak day return to Poole.
Drive it as far as you can, recovery if needed.
Home by midnight, sorted.

Cheers BB, nice day trip to south coast, might take a brush and dustpan with me though

Cheers
Steve

[Steve 940]

Originally Posted by Bob 1967

If it were the 2 Ronnies bodyworks, then i would be concerned!

Nice one Bob, 👍👍

Cheers
Steve

[ITSv40]

My observations on Steve's quest is as follows:

The facebook 145 is actually photographed outside the collection premises, which in turn is a respectable modern industrial estate. The car could well have been assessed by the bodyshop and either they or their client decided there was too much work involved.

How I see Steve's requirements is that he wants a project to restore a car and then enjoy the results. If he just wanted a Sunday car to drive on sunny days and service himself he could go out and buy the best example of whatever took his fancy, but my impression is the restoration project is the driving force.

Steve seems to be 'all over the place' regarding the model of car he would seriously look at, but keeps coming back to a 145. Several folks on here have suggested other models may be better, but at the end of the day it comes down to what Steve would enjoy owning - and working on. I suspect that is a 145 and an early one - as that example is. Not the earliest with the one piece chrome grille and split rear side windows, but the next facelift offering with the more luxurious carpetted interior.

When taking on a 'project' the only way to progress is the 'Burdekin' style. Completely strip, fettle and build from there. Buying a scruffy runner presents the problem - how far do I go, how much patina do I retain. This then isn't really a restoration project as such.

My own experience is that I had always wanted a Rolls-Royce and in particular a Silver Cloud III. At the age of 21 I couldn't afford one, but considered a Bentley MKVI would be a very acceptable alternative - I could afford a basket case and could restore to concourse, while saving as work progressed. The Bentley was actually bought from a scrap yard and six years later it was close to concours. After all that work and time spent, I was disappointed as it didn't have a R-R grille - I had ended up with second best and that is not what I wanted. After living with it for four years - ten in total - I sold it and bought the Silver Cloud. I absolutely fell in love with it and kept it for 33 years. that was a good example with full R-R history and then it was a matter of routine servicing and light restoration as and when needed.
I never regretted buying the Bentley, the experience taught me so much and was a means to an end to eventually buy the Rolls.

Sorry to be long winded, but the point I am making is that only Steve knows what he wants and only he knows what is right to buy. I think that 145 is the one he wants.

Edit: whilst I was typing my reply it seems Steve has already booked the train tickets