P1800S (2 litre, 1969) For Sale - £8,750

[940_Turbo]

I don't really see how anyone can rationally critique a car without looking at it in the metal. Especially an 1800 has a structure that is so complex, and panels that are so expensive in relation to the value of the car that it has to be properly inspected. I'd hope that anyone who is seriously interested in this 1800, or for that matter any other 1800, would do so.

As someone else said, the car is worth what someone will pay. One thing is abundantly clear though. If this car has rust free doors, wings and sills and a good engine and gearbox you couldn't create that for the asking price were you start out with a rusty project, a mig welder and a pair of rose tinted welding goggles.

[amazondean]

I get the feeling that peoples idea of condition of a cars body is about hidden rust. Most cars i have inspected and especialy p1800's, isn't just the rust, or the fact that it is hiding it, (although these cars seem to have more than their fair share of it). it is badley repaired panels that have had bits of tin plate bent and twisted to somewhere near and then smothered in filler to make up the shape. I am not talking about a skim or even the odd problem area requiring a bit more, as there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but vast expanses of the car are sometimes covered 1/4" deep in the stuff.
I went to look at an 1800s about eight months ago on ebay that looked pretty fine in the pictures. Yes even i thought it looked good enough to view!! When i inspected it there was at least between three and six millimetres of filler virtualy all over the car because it was so badley repaired. The car was solid enough and basicaly looked respectable but i am not joking when i say there was pushing 6mm of filler in places around the whole front end and that is not counting the sills which could have been upto half an inch in places. If you do not have the skill to spot this then help is needed. Sometimes you just have a hunch that something is not quite right and the car in question on this thread has given me enough concern in the pictures alone to ring alarm bells to me that something is just not quite right. It may not be hiding rot, but could be masking badley welded repairs. One thing i am pretty sure of and that is that i don't believe it is camera trickery or the door not quite fitting right as this is often the case due to what i am led to believe doors being made to suite each car from the factory. As i have said in a previous thread, if the price reflects then that is fine but we are talking about near top money here. Never mind the odd 1800 on the market asking £20,000 or even £30,000. These cars are possibly show winners or are just aimed at trying to push the market up. When you are getting to near £10,000 for a private sale then that is top money, and to me top money means a top car and no compromise.

Thats just my opinion. If anyone wants to pay near £10,000 or more for an 1800 where ever it is, that is not near excellent then good luck to you. You may need it.

Regards...Dean

[brucelee34]

Well, now it is constructive and open then I must say i agree with you Dean on those points. When said like that then only a fool would ignore the advice.
Someone else has pointed out the money you can spend on these cars to get them right. I bought a 64 for 4,500 that looked great and the body was fine. I have spent 3-5k on parts and it looks no different on the outside at all. The money went on rebuilding the engine, interior parts, suspension, wheel bearings/cylinders etc. It all mounts up and i can find thousands of pounds more to spend if i need to as something always needs doing on these cars. A respray in the near future coupled with rechroming and I have spent over 10k. If i had the money and i could be guaranteed a perfect near factory level 1800s (if they exist) then 20 or 30k isn't such a bad thing.

[doorknob70]

I've just come round to the idea of buying a 1800s and thought i'd stop here to look for a car to buy. brilliant to read such passionate debate. that's what the net's all about - so don't be silenced amazondean and captain jack. it's great to learn about the nuances of plastic spats and cowhorn bumpers. keep it up!

[capt jack]

I think the details in a car that's being offered for top-wad are critical.

There are really only two considerations when buying any car - can I use it, and will I be able to sell it?

One criteria I've used when considering a car is how well it would sell if circumstances changed and I wanted to sell it one month after buying.

'Specialist interest' cars, like this gorgeous 1800 will in the main be bought be specialist buyers. who will be looking ruthlessly for the correct details. That means your next prospective purchaser is likely to be a picky little s*d like me!

It would be crazy to buy what you thought to be a valuable antique painting, only to find out a week later that it was 'restored' using a bit of Dulux, and consequently that £10,000 you spent is now worth £5 at a car boot sale!

I say this absolutely not as a specific critique of this particular car, but as a general point about buying premium cars at premium prices. And I speak from bitter - and expensive experience!

Cheers

Jack