145 Auction - Help

[john.wigley]

Been following this discussion with interest, Steve. Based on no more than a gut feel, I too feel that five would be about right.

Having had several 140s myself back in the day - my first ever Volvo was a '72 145E - I strongly agree with 'ITSv40's assessment. Will be interested in what it makes on the day; you never know, you may bag a bargain!

Regards, John.

[Moomoo]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Trouble is, I'd have to ring myself as self employed.

Just spoken with auction house, and discussed vehicle further, and whilst they would not confirm reserve figure, they did advise a commission bid would need to be at the estimated range £7 - £9k.......

After sleeping on it last night, my initial excitement has been tempered somewhat, it already has a colour mismatch on nsf wing, so by the time you then effect a proper screen out scuttle repair, there would no doubt be a further mismatch.

I could quite easily see myself with my OCD tendencies, then wanting to look at a full glass out, and body stripped restoration and fully respray.

My ideal colour would have been a midnight/navy blue, with red interior, so whilst a respray would allow this, it then destroys the history of this vehicle that accounts for the cost.

Oh well, Now I'm considering registering to bid online, so would need to pay holding deposit, and hope bidding stays low, as if it got to £5k ish I think I'd take a punt on it, if it goes to estimate levels, then nothing lost.

Always assuming one doesn't get auction fever

Cheers
Steve

Sounds like a sensible approach, we’ve all seen people BUILD the car they want, £OUCH !😱

[Steve 940]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

Been following this discussion with interest, Steve. Based on no more than a gut feel, I too feel that five would be about right.

Having had several 140s myself back in the day - my first ever Volvo was a '72 145E - I strongly agree with 'ITSv40's assessment. Will be interested in what it makes on the day; you never know, you may bag a bargain!

Regards, John.

Many thanks John,

I will indeed update once the auction is over, I just need to decide if I am willing to let the auction house hold onto around £700 for a week or so as you have to pay up front to be able to bid online, although to be fair you have to do that on a commission bid.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve 940]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

Sounds like a sensible approach, we’ve all seen people BUILD the car they want, £OUCH !😱

Oh yes, I can almost visualise the exact way it would go, as there is always one little thing that could be done to make it better, or the most expensive phrase of all, 'well whilst (whatever) is being done/replaced, we might as well do XYZ' = £££

Cheers
Steve

[Moomoo]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Oh yes, I can almost visualise the exact way it would go, as there is always one little thing that could be done to make it better, or the most expensive phrase of all, 'well whilst (whatever) is being done/replaced, we might as well do XYZ' = £££

Cheers
Steve

I rebuilt a Series Land Rover, never again!🧐👍

[Moomoo]

There’s a guy on eBay selling 10 Virgo wheels . He says he’s going to list a 145.

Sorry, no good at links.☹️

[ITSv40]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Oh yes, I can almost visualise the exact way it would go, as there is always one little thing that could be done to make it better, or the most expensive phrase of all, 'well whilst (whatever) is being done/replaced, we might as well do XYZ' = £££

Cheers
Steve

About 10 years ago my son bought a XR3I convertible blind on ebay for £500. The intention was to enjoy it for the summer and then decide what to do with it - either strip for spares or move it on. We drove up to Carlisle to collect and first impression was good. He drove it for the summer months and realised the body shell was solid, but the cosmetics let it down. Too good to break, so he decided on a gentle restoration. Well, that turned into a total strip and rebuild to concours at about £5500. Madness at the time, he still has it and still in exceptional order.

[Steve 940]

Originally Posted by Moomoo

There’s a guy on eBay selling 10 Virgo wheels . He says he’s going to list a 145.

Sorry, no good at links.☹️

Just found the wheel listing and did chuckle at him now being free of his Volvo illness, we shall just have to wait and see how much of a 'peach' the 145 looks.

His location is spot on though, 'Surbiton' wasn't that where 'The Good Life' was set?? and If I recall Jerry had a mustard colour 145.....

Cheers
Steve

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Oh yes, I can almost visualise the exact way it would go, as there is always one little thing that could be done to make it better, or the most expensive phrase of all, 'well whilst (whatever) is being done/replaced, we might as well do XYZ' = £££

Cheers
Steve

This is the most important thing you have said in this whole piece Steve - or anyone else come to that. The most important thing about projects (and older motor cars generally) is to establish one's aim and limitations from the outset, otherwise there is mission creep and the costs carry on drifting up. Before one knows it one has a thing of great beauty that is far too good to drive and owes £25,000... we have all seen it happen (and in these pages as well).

When I bought the RB (for 2 grand) I had an idea that I was not going to restore it, just sort it out, remove all the bling and not spend more than a grand. Here we are, nearly 3 years alter, I have spent £931 on it (plus about £10,000 of my (free) hobby time) and I've sold it for £4,500. Similarly for GAM, I bought the motor car for £3,750, had a budget of £1,500 and have a nice Amazon that will probably be the last motor car i drive in my dotage. I'm not crowing about doing well with buying and selling cars, just showing it is important to establish one's aim and limits from the outset.

I don't know anything much about 145s, but they are half way between Amazons and 240s - so I can extrapolate enough. This advertised motor car isn't perfect - but does it need to be? It is already 50odd years old - how much longer do you need it to last for? Does that little bit of rust on the scuttle matter much? You could rub it all down, treat it with some Kurust, a smear of filler and a bit of rattle can and it would last 15 years. Does the wing being a different shade matter much? It is just part of the patina - one of the motor car's badges of honour. Don't paint the motor car! You will ruin it and it you will never make the £3,000 back.

So, decide what you are trying to achieve. If you want a show winner then invest £20,000 in one someone has already got to that standard, spend the change from the £30,000 it will cost you to do the same on a trailer so you can tow it to car shows in Lincolnshire farmers' fields. If you want an interesting car to drive around then go up to £6,000 to buy this one (or whatever you are comfortable with ) and give yourself a grand budget to tinker with - but don't start taking windscreens out, changing the colour and buying chromed radiator shrouds.

Don't take this as advice about buying this motor car or not - I've never sat in a 145 - just think about what you are trying to achieve.

Good fortune,

Alan

PS. If I was in your position I might start looking for a 1983 (or there about) 244 or 245 GLE with low owners and miles for 2 grand. Sort it out on your driveway over the next 18 months with a budget of £750 and it will be worth £5,000 when you register it as an historic vehicle on 1 April 2024. Just an off the wall idea.

[Moomoo]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Just found the wheel listing and did chuckle at him now being free of his Volvo illness, we shall just have to wait and see how much of a 'peach' the 145 looks.

His location is spot on though, 'Surbiton' wasn't that where 'The Good Life' was set?? and If I recall Jerry had a mustard colour 145.....

Cheers
Steve

Correct , and Jerry was on 17k a year!😁